<b>.25 </b>Bonus
After Chris finished speaking, Sean asked coolly, “So what are you trying to say?”
Chris hesitated, then said with <b>a </b>hint of sympathy, “Sean, <b>I’m </b>just saying… from the way it looked tonight, it kind of seemed like a meet–the–parents situation. That’s moving fast, don’t you think? Didn’t you and Charlotte break up in January? It’s only been three months, and she’s already that close
with Scott
Chris didn’t even get to f
finish the sentence before Seam hung up
He stood motionless in front of the floor–to–celling windows of the vi. His brow <b>was </b>nightly furrowed, and <b>the </b>sharp lines of his face were weighed down by quiet despair.
“This couldn’t go <b>on</b>,” he muttered.
He had to win Charlotte back.
When Charlotte got home, the lights in the living room were still on.
Desmond was sitting on the couch watching a financial news program. When he saw her walk in, his gaze softened.
“<b>You’re </b>back.”
“<b>Yeah</b>.” Charlotte walked over and sat on another sofa. “I came to check on Jodie. <b>Is </b>she asleep?”
“She just fell asleep,” he said. “Have you had <b>dinner</b>?”
“I have,” she nodded
“Has she been doing bettertely?” Charlotte asked.
“Much better.”
“That’s good to hear,” she said. “I’m free tomorrow, so I’ll stay home with her.”
Desmond’s expression grew wann with relief. “That’s great.
Then, with concern in his eyes, <b>he </b>said gently, “Lottie, you’ve been through a lot.”
He hesitated for a moment, as if the next words were hard to <b>say</b>.
“When you were taken to Antis… did they hurt you?“.
Charlotte shook her head. “They didn’t do much. Just roughed me up a bit. I’m okay. It’s over now.”
But the pain in her father’s eyes deepened
“Lottie, this is my fault. I failed to protect you. I’ve hired a new team of bodyguards, top–tier. Some paperwork’s still being finalized, but once it’s done, I’ll send <b>a </b>few of them to Jersey City.”
Charlotte said, “A bodyguard can’t be with me every second of the day.”
“They can<b>,</b>” her father insisted. “There’s a female bodyguard in the new team. She used to be a personal guard for a princess in Catinia’s royal family. I’ll feel better if she’s with you. Put her on staff at yourw firm, and if possible, have her live with you“.
Charlotte no longer wanted to be used as leverage against Sean.
Hearing that a highly trained female bodyguard could stay close <b>and </b>protect her, she nodded. “y, Dad. You should assign more bodyguards for yourself, Aimit Xena, and Jodie, too.”
“I already have. <b>Don’t </b>worry about us.”
”
‘Wright.”
With that settled, the room fell quiet for <b>a </b>monti-
Then Desmond asked in a warm tone, “How’s everything going at the firm? Still running smoothly?”
It had been a long time sincether <b>and </b>daughter had sat down and talked like <b>this</b>. After everything that had happened<b>, </b>the tension between them had finally eased. The sharp, confrontational tone that used to fill every conversation had disappeared.
“It’s going well,” Charlotte said simply.
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Desmond smiled with quiet pride. “My daughter’s grown up”
Charlotte pressed her lips together, saying nothing
“Do you still have reservations about being involved with mypany?” he asked gently. “Your aunt and I were thinking of transferring some shares to you. You wouldn’t live to worry about management or risk. If anything goes wrong, you won’t be held responsible. You’d just collect dividends.”
“Alright,” she <b>said </b>without <b>hesitation</b>.
Desmond blinked, surprised by her <b>sudden </b>agreement.
“Dad” Charlotte looked up at him, “I was immature before. Now, all I want is <b>for </b>our family to be happy and at <b>prace</b>.”
“Goodgood,” he murmured, his voice thick with emotion as his eyes welled with tears. “All I’ve ever wanted is for this family to stay close <b>and </b>whole.