Charlotte stood motionless, watching the familiar figure draw closer. Through the rain, his sharply defined features gradually came into focus.
With each step, the cold edges of his handsome face seemed to soften, as if the mist itself had gentled his expression.
Sean stopped in front of her. His dark eyes shimmered with warmth and joy. His voice was low and hoarse. “Lottle…”
Charlotte looked up at him, her gaze cool and steady. “What is it?”
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Sean swallowed hard “Jodie has been rescued.”
Charlotte’s eyes flow wide open. Her voice rose instinctively. She took <b>a </b>step forward, her expression suddenly alight with hope “Really? Where is she? Is she back in the country? Take me to her!
Sean’s voice remained gentle. “Yes. She just arrived <b>in </b>Jersey City. That’s why I came to find you<b>” </b>
“I’ming with you,” Charlotte said, her eyes brimming. “Thank you…”
<b>Sean’s </b>throat tightened. His voice came out rough. “You don’t need <b>to </b>thank me”
They walked to the car together. Sean opened the door for her, instinctively bracing his hand over the doorframe so she wouldn’t bump her head.
Charlotte noticed. Hershes quivered, but <b>she </b><b>said </b>nothing as she got in
Sean closed the door and quickly moved to the driver’s side.
As they drove, they stopped at a red light. ncing at the rearview mirror, Sean asked softly, “Do you want to grab some breakfast first?”
Charlotte shook her head. “No. I just want to see <b>Jodie </b>as soon as possible.”
“Alright.” Sean did not press further.
He picked up his phone and sent <b>a </b>message to Luke.
“Have breakfast ready. Get crab quiche, croissants, oatmeal, and a smoothie ”
These were all Charlotte’s favorites.
Luke replied quickly. “Got it, Mr. Jesper.”
Inside the <b>car</b>, it was just the two of them.
Silence settled between them
When the light turned green, and the car began to move, Charlotte suddenly asked, “Was it the police who rescued her, or your men?”
Sean’s tone remained even. “The local police were already bought off by Joseph.”
In other words, it had been his tearn.
Charlotte pressed her lips together.
Sean paused for a moment.
<b>“</b>Are t
they alright? <b>Was </b>anyone hurt?”
“Was she worried about my men… or was she indirectly worrying
ing about me?” he wondered.
A trace of warmth flickered in his eyes, almost too faint to notice.
He replied, “Joseph was holding Jodie in a military facility in Anne City. His <b>people </b>were armed. Some of my men were seriously injured.”
Charlotte’s breath caught.
As Sean spoke, he watched Charlotte’s expression in the rearview mirror.
<b>Just </b>as he expected, her face grew tense the moment she heard someone had been injured
Not wanting her to worry too much, he quickly added, “But they’ll be fine. No Life–threatening injuries. They’ll recover with some rest.
Charlotte finally let out a breath<b>. </b><b>“</b>That’s good.”
A brief silence followed. Then she asked quietly, “Did you notify my father and Aunt Xena?”
Sean answered, “I did. They’re already on their way”
Charlotte murmured an acknowledgment, lowering her) gaze in thought.
Sean found it hard not to nce at her through the rearview mirror.
Seeing her so weighed down, he searched for <b>a </b>way to ease the mood. “Why were you up so early <b>today</b><b>?</b><b>” </b>
Without much thought, Charlotte replied, “I haven’t been sleeping well these past few days<b>.</b>”
Sean said gently, “Now th
that Jodie is safe, you can finally rest easy.”
Charlotte looked up at that, meeting his eyes in the mirror.
“Are you sure Joseph won’t retaliate?”