Mrs. Jasper Sr. raised her voice, her expression thunderous. “I’in still talking to you, and you’re already chatting with someone else? Do you even respect me as your elder?”
Charlotte lowered her head, took a deep breath, then inoked up with a calm, steady gaze. “Mrs. Jasper St., I’m not sure what I did to offend you, but if my presence bothers you so <b>much</b>, perhaps it would be best if I just leave.”
Without waiting <b>for </b>a reply, she gently took the little girl’s hand and walked away.
Sean’s gaze shifted to Vivian, his expression turning icy. “It 1 find out you’ve been stirring things up with Grandma, you’ll regret it.”
Vivian’s eyes widened brimming with feigned innocence. “Sean, I would never do that.”
Mrs., Jasper Sr.’s re shifted to Sean. “This has nothing to do with <b>Vivian</b>, just look at how that Charlotte treats me. And you still expect me to be happy with her??
A mockingugh escaped sean’s lips. “Well, you don’t have to be happy with her. It’s not like she’s marrying you.”
Mrs. Jasper was beingpletely unreasonable now, and Sean knew there <b>was </b><b>no </b>point in arguing with her. He decided not to waste any more words.
“How dare you?” Mrs. Jasper Sr.’s voice rose, her face flushing with anger. “Is that how you speak to your grandmother?”
But Sean didn’t bother to <b>argue</b>. He turned and walked <b>away</b>, leaving Mrs. Jasper Sr. fuming, her breathing bing <b>heavy </b>andbored.
Vivian immediately stepped in, gently patting Mrs. Jasper Sr.’s back “Please, Grandma, don’t be <b>upset</b>. It’s all Charlotte’s fault. She’s clouding Sean’s judgment. A woman like her doesn’t deserve him.”
Mrs. Jasper ?r. slowly regained herposure, her expression darkening “You’re right. A woman like that is unworthy of <b>Sean.</b>”
A Deeting, triumphant smile shed across <b>Vivian’s </b>face.
Charlotte spent some time ying with the little girl, herughter light and genuine. Eventually, the child’s mother approached with an apologetic smile. “Miss Riley, I’m so sorry if my daughter bothered you.”
“Not at all,” Charlotte replied warmly. “She’s so sweet and well–behaved
The little girl looked up at her mother. “Mommy, can I take a picture with the princess?”
Her mother looked at Charlotte, unsure. “Would that be okay?”
H
“Of course,” Charlotte agreed with a smile.
After the picture, the little girl waved goodbye, and Charlotte wayed back.
Sean approached just as they left. “Charlotte, I’m sorry,”
Charlotte shrugged<b>, </b>brushing it off. “There’s nothing for you to apologize for. It’s not your <b>fault</b>.”
“I don’t know why <b>Grandma’s </b>acting like this, sean murmured, his hand gently talding hers. “She wasn’t always this unreasonable. If things can’t be resolved, we’ll just avold her. There’s no need for you to be treated like this.”
Churinite met his gaze. “And if she tries to stop our <b>marriage</b>?”
“My marriage is my decision,” Sean <b>said </b>finnly. “Her opinion doesn’t change that.”
A soft sinile touched Charlotte’s lips. “That’s all I needed to hear.”
Spotting her friends <b>in </b>the crowd, Charlotte gave seau’s hand <b>a </b>gentle squeeze<b>. </b>“I’m going <b>to </b><b>catch </b>up with Lena and Mia. You <b>go </b><b>ahead</b>.”
Inside, Sean felt a slight pang of disappointment. He was abandoned <b>so </b>quickly, that he kept his expression calm, his voice even. “All right. Go on” Charlotte made her way <b>toward </b>her friends, but just <b>as </b>she was <b>about </b>to reach <b>them</b>, Vivian suddenly appeared <b>out </b>of nowhere<b>, </b><b>stumbling </b>into her. The ss in <b>Vivian’s </bnd tipped, and red wine sshed across Charlotte’s gown
Vivian gasped, covering mouth with exaggerated shock “chno, Charlotte! <b>Why </b>weren’t you watching where you were going<b>?</b>”