Chapter <b>242 </b>
After closing the TH Corporation deal, Tim drank a bit more than usual at lunch. As soon as they got back to the hotel, he copsed into bed and fell fast asleep.
With nothing scheduled for the afternoon, Charlotte had the rest of the day to herself.
South <b>City </b>was a coastal destination<b>. </b><b>It </b>was one of <b>the </b>country’s most famous tourist hotspots.
Her hotel was right by the ocean, offering sweeping views of the sea and pale golden sand.
By mid–afternoon, the temperature had soared to nearly 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
Charlotte spent most of the <b>day </b>lounging in her room<b>, </b>finally changing into a breezy camisole and shorts just before sunset. She applied sunscreen, threw on her sunsses, and headed to the beach.
The stretch of beach near the hotel was private, reserved for guests only. It was quiet and uncrowded.
She settled into a lounge chair under <b>a </brge beach umbre<b>, </b>took off her sunsses, and gazed out at the endless ocean, letting her thoughts drift.
The <b>sun </b>hung low where the sea met <b>the </b>sky. The clouds were painted <b>in </b>shades <b>of </b>orange and red, their edges glowing like molten gold. The water shimmered with broken light, like someone had poured sparkling orange soda across the waves and scattered diamonds on top. It was surreal and dreamlike.
A salty breeze rolled in from the ocean, cooling the <b>heat </b>of the day<b>. </b>
Charlotte leaned back in her chair, letting the seaside sunset wash over her. For the first time in days, she felt truly at peace<b>. </b>
The past week had <b>been </b>nonstop<b>–</b>work, travel<b>, </b><b>meetings</b>. She hadn’t had a chance <b>to slow </b>down in ages.
Just as she was starting to rx, a man strolled up and interrupted.
“Hey there, prettydy. Here by yourself?”
Charlotte didn’t even look at him. Her face stayed nk as she replied, “Married. Two kids. My husband’s in the hotel watching them.<b>” </b>
Instead of leaving<b>, </b>the man got more excited.
He stepped closer, <b>eyes </b>sweeping over her from head to toe, his voice thick with sleaze<b>. </b>
“Ooh, a young mom, huh? You’ve had two kids and still look this good?”
Charlotte ignored him.
He moved in again<b>, </b><b>now </b>practically hovering over her lounge chair.
“If your husband’s not around, how about we have a little fun?”
Her gaze turned sharp and disgusted.
“Get lost.”
“Whoa, <b>fiesty</b><b>.</b><b>” </b>The man smirked, clearly entertained. <b>“</b><b>I </b>like women with attitude.”
Just as Charlotte was about to stand up and deal with him<b>, </b><b>the </b>man was suddenly kicked <b>to </b><b>the </b>ground.
“Who the hell are you?<b>” </b><b>a </b><b>cold </b><b>voice </b>snapped.
Charlotte turned and frowned.
“Zac Gibson? What is he doing here?” she wondered.
The man scrambled back <b>up</b>, swearing loudly as he <b>lunged </b>forward, ready to fight.
But he was barely five–foot–<b>seven</b><b>, </b>wiry and weak. Standing in front <b>of </b><b>Zac</b>–well over <b>six </b><b>feet </b>tall and built from years of training–he had no chance.
Within seconds, the creep realized it and took off running.
Zac dusted off his clothes and looked at Charlotte.
“You okay?”
Charlotte’s <b>face </b>was cold.
“What are you doing here?”
Zac sat down <b>in </b>the lounge chair next to hers.
The truth was, he had bribed one of <b>her </b>coworkers <b>at </b>thew firm to find out where she was staying.
But <b>he </b>didn’t say that.
“It’s been freezing in <b>Jersey </b>Citytely, so I <b>came </b>to South <b>City </b>for a <b>vacation</b><b>. </b><b>Total </b>coincidence<b>–</b><b>we’re at </b>the same hotel. Are <b>you </b>here <b>on </b>vacation too?”
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Charlotte didn’t bother figuring out how much of that was true. Whether he was really vacationing or had followed her here didn’t matter. Either way, it had nothing to do with her.
She said coolly, “That’s none of your business<b>.</b><b>” </b>
Zac leaned back and added, “You know Sean’s in South <b>City </b><b>too</b><b>, </b>right? Came here with that actress<b>.</b><b>” </b>
Charlotte curled her lips into a cold smirk.
“And what exactly are you trying <b>to </b>say?”
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