Chapter 11
After Noah’s imprisonment, Charlotte Vance’s life began anew.[]
As the true heir to Vance Enterprises, she no longer needed to hide her identity. Under her direct leadership, the company flourished, and she gradually emerged from the shadows of her past.[]
At a business cocktail party, Charlotte met Jasper Hale.[]
Jasper came from an old–money New York financial dynasty–handsome, refined, and eloquent. However, he was passionate about launching his own tech startup, breaking away from the traditional financial world. His entrepreneurial spirit and vision for innovation caught Charlotte’s attention immediately.
“Miss Vance, I heard your personally designed jewelry collection was a tremendous success at Paris Fashion Week?” Jasper held his champagne flute, his eyes filled with admiration.]
“You’re too kind, Mr. Hale,” Charlotte smiled faintly. “I simply did my best. But I’m more interested in hearing about your startup plans. AI–driven financial analytics sounds fascinating.“[]
Jasper’s courtship was relentless–daily flower deliveries, reservations at Michelin–starred restaurants, private boxes at Broadway shows. His thoughtfulness and attentiveness gradually allowed Charlotte to open her heart.]
More importantly, Jasper seemed to genuinely respect her business acumen and never attempted to control her like Noah had.]
Several months later, they officially began dating.[]
આસો)
In the early stages of their relationship, Charlotte felt she had finally found the right person.[]
Jasper would bring her late–night snacks when she worked overtime, remembered every important date, and gave her massages when she was exhausted.
“Charlotte, you’re the most perfect woman I’ve ever met,” Jasper whispered, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead. “Intelligent, beautiful, independent, and incredibly talented.“]]
Charlotte nestled in his arms; feeling a long–lost sense of security.]
As their relationship deepened, Charlotte became increasingly invested in Jasper’s entrepreneurial dreams. She secretly established a shell company to provide anonymous funding for his startup, while publicly joining as his business partner and co–founder.
“I can’t believe we secured Series A funding so quickly,” Jasper beamed, reviewing the investment documents. “This anonymous really believe in our vision.“]
Charlotte smiled mysteriously. “Sometimes the right opportunities just present themselves.“[]
investor seems
to
“You’re amazing at this, Charlotte,” Jasper said during one of their late–night strategy sessions. “I feel like we life.”
Working together intensified their bond. Charlotte threw herself into the startup with genuine passion, contributing carefully managing her dual role as both secret investor and romantic partner.]]
her business expertise while
make
the perfect team–in business and in
ཞིན། ར་ར་ཚརད་བྱུང་
Charlotte began to envision their future together. She brought up the topic of marriage.
“Jasper, we’ve been together for quite some time now, and our business partnership is thriving. What do you think about our relationship moving forward…”
“Of course, darling,” Jasper stroked her hair tenderly. “But we’re at such a crucial point with the company right now. Once we’ve established ourselves and maybe secured our Series B funding, we’ll have the most spectacular wedding.“[]
Charlotte nodded, understanding the importance of timing in both business and personal life.[]
However, as time passed, Jasper’s excuses multiplied.[]
Chapter 11
“We’re in talks with potential acquisition partners–it’s not the right time.“]
“The board wants me to expand our European operations first.”
“Let’s wait until this funding round closes.“]
Charlotte began to feel uneasy, but she told herself to be patient.[]
Gradually, Jasper’s behavior began to raise Charlotte’s suspicions.]
He frequently came home late, claiming investor meetings, but Charlotte occasionally caught traces of unfamiliar perfume on his clothes.
His phone started ringing constantly, and he always stepped away to take calls.
“Who was that?” Charlotte would ask.
“Potential investor–boring due diligence calls,” Jasper would reply dismissively.]
Charlotte wanted to trust him, but her feminine intuition told her something was wrong.
Once, she found a receipt from a lingerie boutique in Jasper’s suit pocket.
“What’s this?” she confronted him with the receipt.]
Jasper glanced at it, his expression unchanged. “Picked that up for my assistant–it’s her girlfriend’s birthday gift.“[]
Charlotte studied his eyes, searching for any sign of deception, but Jasper’s expression remained perfectly natural.[]
Perhaps she was overthinking things.
Jasper announced he needed to travel to London for three months to establish their European operations.
“Three months? That’s quite a long time,” Charlotte frowned.]]
“Can’t be helped–expanding internationally is incredibly complex,” Jasper kissed her cheek. “I’ll call you every day, here.”
During the second month of Jasper’s trip abroad, Charlotte received an anonymous package.[]
Inside was a stack of photographs–intimate images of Jasper with a young woman in various London locations.
The girl appeared to be in her early twenties, sweet–faced and curvaceous.
What shocked Charlotte most was the writing on the back of the photos: “Hello, sister. I’m Valeria Vance.“**
Charlotte’s blood turned to ice.
Valeria Vance–the daughter her bastard father had with his mistress after fleeing abroad.]
and
you can
handle operations
Since her bastard father and his mistress had fled, Charlotte hadn’t thought about them in years. She never imagined their next connection would be her half–sister stealing her man.]
Charlotte immediately dialed Jasper’s number.
“Charlotte? It’s pretty late–what’s wrong?” Jasper’s sounded
hausted.
“I need to ask you something,” Charlotte suppressed her rage. “What exactly are you doing in London?”
“Working on the expansion, obviously. What else would I be doing? Babe, I’m exhausted from back–to–back meetings–can we talk tomorrow?”]
“Jasper, I received some photographs,” Charlotte’s voice began to tremble. “Pictures of you with a girl.”
Silence stretched for several seconds on the other end.
Chapter 11
“What photographs? I have no idea what you’re talking about,” Jasper’s voice sounded genuinely confused. “Charlotte, are you feeling alright?“||]
“She says her name is Valeria Vance.“]
“Vance?” Jasper’s voice shot up an octave. “Wait, what? I don’t know any Valeria.“[]
“Isn’t that you in the photographs?” Charlotte was nearly shouting.[]
“Charlotte, I don’t know where you got these so–called photographs, but I’m only working in London,” Jasper’s voice grew increasingly irritated. “Maybe someone’s deliberately trying to sabotage our company.“]
“Sabotage?” Charlotte laughed bitterly. “Jasper, do you think I’m an idiot?“[|]
“I’m not lying to you!” Jasper’s voice became furious. “Charlotte, after all this time together–as partners and lovers—you still don’t trust me?“[]
“Then explain these photographs!“[]
”
“How can I explain something I never did?” Jasper’s tone was impatient. “Look, I’m swamped with expansion work right now and don’t have time to deal with your paranoid accusations. We’ll discuss this when I’m back in New York.“[]
With that, Jasper abruptly hung up.]
Charlotte was seething with anger, but work demands kept her tied up in New York, managing both Vance Enterprises and their startup, forcing her to wait for Jasper’s return.]
However, after a week Jasper had yet to come back.[]
Just as Charlotte was preparing to contact Jasper directly, she received a message.]]
From an unknown number:[]
“Sister, we need to talk. Tonight at eight, The exclusive Manhattan club, private room. Hope you can make it. -Valeria“]]
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