Chapter <b>354 </b>


    “Lottie, it’s over,” Sean’s <b>voice </b>was low and a little hoarse. “Joseph Ford is dead. It’s all over now.”


    Charlotte’s heart suddenly skipped a beat.


    “You… are you okay?”


    There was a brief pause on the other end.


    Then Sean replied, “I’m fine.”


    “Thank God,” Charlotte murmured.


    Charlotte finally let out a breath she didn’t realize she was holding. Her heart, which had been hanging high in her chest, finally settled.


    She had been terrified that Sean might get hurt while dealing with Joseph in Antis.


    “I’m gonna go eat. Talkter,” she said quickly.


    “Lottie… wait for me,” Sean said softly.


    But Charlotte didn’t respond. She hung up the phone.


    Her mind was a tangled mess.


    Joseph might be out of the picture now–but what about Mrs. Jasper Sr.?


    Her father had also made it very clear how he felt about the Jasper family.


    And she couldn’t pretend those old wounds never happened. It wasn’t that easy to start over.


    “Lottie, dinner’s ready,” Xena called out, snapping her back to reality.


    “Coming.” Charlotte shook off her thoughts and walked toward the dining room.


    Ever since finding out Wendy was pregnant, Monica had been beaming with joy every single day.


    Zac, however, hadn’t told his mother anything about the Gibson Corporation’s current financial mess. He was still trying to salvage what he could and didn’t want to break the news until it was absolutely unavoidable.


    So Monica was stillpletely in the dark while the fire was practically at the door, she was still living her high–society life in blissful ignorance.


    Dripping in jewelry, glowing with happiness.


    That afternoon, she went out shopping with the housekeeper to pick up nutritional supplements for expectant mothers. She also sent the housekeeper to an exclusive members–only grocery store to get organic vegetables and a free–range hen to make nourishing chicken <b>soup </b>for Wendy.


    When they arrived at Wendy’s apartment, Monica took her hand and asked about everything–full of smiles and warmth.


    Wendy, however<b>, </b><b>seemed </b>distant and unenthusiastic, responding half–heartedly.


    Monica assumed it was just pregnancy hormones and didn’t take it personally.


    She instructed the housekeeper, “Put the supplements away, and go get started on the chicken soup for Zac’s fiancée.”


    “Yes, ma’am,<b>” </b>the housekeeper replied cheerfully.


    That title-“Zac’s fiancée<b>“</b>-was something Wendy used to dream about.


    But now, hearing <b>it </b>just made her feel uneasy.


    She didn’t know much about business, but she had heard rumors<b>–</b>serious ones–that <b>the </b>Gibson Corporation was drowning in debt and on the verge of bankruptcy.


    <b>If </b>she married into the family now<b>, </b>she would be tied to that sinking ship. Her entire future would go up in mes.


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    “Wendy, are you feeling unwell?” Monica asked gently, sensing something was off.


    Wendy answered tly, “Yeah.”


    “Pregnancy can do that,” Monica said soothingly, taking Wendy’s hand again like a doting mother–inw.


    “Back when I was pregnant with Zac, I’d get moody too. Some days, nothing felt right. Why don’t you move into the Gibson estate for a while? With the staff around, I’ll feel better knowing you’re being looked after.”


    “No, thank you, Mrs. Gibson,” Wendy said, pulling her hand back without making a fuss.


    “I’m used to staying here. I’m worried I wouldn’t befortable adjusting to a new ce.”


    Monica didn’t suspect a thing. She nodded with a smile.


    “That’s fine. If you’refortable here, stay here. I’ll have the housekeepere check on you every day. Or, if there’s space, maybe she can stay with you. I just want to make sure you’re taken care of. Zac’s been swamped at thepany. He barely has time for anything else.”


    Wendy’s eyes flickered. Sensing an opening, she smoothly redirected the conversation.


    “Mrs. Gibson… how’s thepany doingtely?”


    “Hm? What do you mean?” Monica blinked, not understanding why Wendy would suddenly bring that up.


    Wendy pressed gently, fishing for information.


    <b>“</b>I just haven’t seen Zac around much the past few days.<ol><li>I even went to the office a few times, but he wasn’t there. Is something going</li></ol>


    on at work?”


    Monica was a full–time socialite. She had no clue what was happening at thepany. Her days were filled with shopping sprees, spa appointments, mahjong games, and afternoon tea.


    Business affairs? Not even on her radar.


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