Chapter 67
The next morning, by the time Cassian got up, Charlotte had already made breakfast.
Seeing him emerge from the bedroom, Charlotte smiled. “Come eat. You were pretty hammered last night, so I made some oatmeal this morning–it’ll be easier on your stomach.“]]
Cassian looked genuinely touched. “Sorry for being such a mess.”
“Don’t even worry about it.” Charlotte served him a bowl and set it in front of him.[]
Cassian looked at the oatmeal–it was perfectly creamy and smooth, clearly slow–cooked with care for a long time.[]
He felt genuinely moved by the thoughtful gesture.[]
Cassian sat down and started eating with his usual refined manner.[]
To go with the oatmeal, Charlotte had also made some buttered toast and perfectly scrambled eggs.]
Cassian ate with obvious enjoyment.[]
That put Charlotte’s mind at ease.
After breakfast, Cassian said, “I’ll have the driver drop you off at work today. I’m flying out for business–should be back in two or three days.“[]
Charlotte looked surprised, then quickly said, “That’s totally fine, I can just grab an Uber.“[]
“It’s no big deal. Philips is picking me up for the airport anyway,” Cassian explained.[]
Everything was happening pretty fast.
Cassian gave her a quick rundown, tossed a couple suits in his garment bag, and headed out.[]
At the office, Charlotte officially dove into her new role.
The company had assigned her an assistant named Sharlene. “Ms. Vance, if you have any questions about anything, just let me know.“[]
Charlotte smiled. “Thanks, I appreciate that. I’m going to check my emails first.“[]
Usually Barbara would send work assignments through email.[]
“Perfect.” Sharlene left her to get settled in.[]
Charlotte got down to business.[]
Around lunchtime, Charlotte’s phone buzzed–it was Sharpson calling
Her first instinct was to decline.]
But she knew her father well enough to know he’d just keep calling until she picked up.
Finally she answered
“What’s up?” Charlotte’s tone was completely flat.]
“I’m your father, not some stranger,” Sharpson’s commanding voice came through]
Chapter 67
“Sorry, but I’m way past the age where I need paternal guidance,” Charlotte had zero interest in chitchat.]
“Ungrateful brat! This weekend is your grandmother’s 80th birthday party. You better be there,” Sharpson cut straight to business.
Grandma Sheila had always doted on Charlotte, so she genuinely loved the old woman.[]
But at her age, Grandma had gotten deeply into meditation and spirituality, so she usually lived at an upstate retreat center.[]
She only came back to the city for major occasions like her birthday.[]
Charlotte froze. Grandma’s birthday?]
Fuck, how had she completely spaced on something that important?]
“Yeah, okay. I’ll be there,” Charlotte replied evenly.
Even though she couldn’t stand the rest of the family, Grandma had always been amazing to her.]
When Sharpson had his affair and brought Whitney into their home, Grandma Sheila had been absolutely livid–nearly had a stroke over it.[]
But Sharpson was completely obsessed, like Whitney had cast some kind of spell on him.
After Sheila Paige left with Charlotte, Grandma had also basically checked out of family life, throwing herself into her spiritual practices.[]
She rarely came home because she couldn’t bear to watch Sharpson and Whitney playing house.
After hanging up, thinking about Grandma’s party, Charlotte knew she couldn’t show up empty–handed.
She immediately called someone. “Hey Ronan, I need you to source something really special for my grandmother’s 80th birthday.“[]
The party would definitely be crawling with Manhattan’s elite, so Charlotte couldn’t afford to look cheap or give people ammunition to gossip about her.
Ronan was a kid Charlotte had helped years ago. He was now in his early twenties, and since he’d been a nameless street kid when she found hirn, Charlotte had given him the surname Vance and the name Ronan.
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Chapter 68
Chapter 68
He was smart and incredibly capable–these days, Charlotte trusted him to handle most of her personal business. He always delivered.[]
After getting that sorted out, Charlotte finally felt at ease.[]
Since Cassian was still traveling for business, she hadn’t mentioned any of this to him.[]
Plus, given Cassian’s high profile and how spontaneous their marriage had been, Charlotte didn’t want to drag him into family drama.[]
If Sharpson found out she was married to Cassian, he’d definitely pull some shameless shit to try and exploit the connection.]
She knew exactly what kind of person her father was–thick–skinned and completely without shame.
Soon enough, the weekend arrived.[]
The Vance family was still considered old Manhattan money, so Patricia J. Vance’s 80th birthday was being thrown as a major society event.[]
Tons of guests had shown up with expensive gifts to celebrate.||
Patricia was wearing an elegant burgundy cocktail dress with a stunning set of vintage diamond and pearl jewelry, looking absolutely radiant.[]
She was sitting in the place of honor, watching the entrance expectantly.
Charlotte put on a simple but sophisticated black sheath dress and drove to the Vance family estate.
The mansion was as impressive as ever, with luxury cars packed along the circular driveway–clearly a huge turnout.[]
Charlotte took a deep breath, got out of her car, and walked through those familiar but now foreign wrought–iron gates.[]
The moment she stepped inside, she spotted Sharpson and Whitney playing host and hostess.
Whitney was wearing an over–the–top emerald green gown with way too much jewelry, her arm linked through Sharpson’s as she greeted guests with a beaming smile.]
When she saw Charlotte, her smile faltered for just a second before snapping back into place.]
“Oh, Ana! You made it! Your grandmother was just asking about you,” Whitney said with fake sweetness.[]
Perfect–the little bitch had actually shown up.
Whitney had been worried Charlotte might skip it.[]
She had some very special “surprises” planned for her today.]
This was too good an opportunity to waste.]
Just wait!
She was going to destroy Charlotte’s reputation and make her suffer.[]
Thinking about the plan she was about to execute, Whitney’s expression turned sinister for a moment.[]
Charlotte just nodded coolly without saying much.]
She walked straight over to Patricia.
Cacht Hen Clamation in My Gym The Fired Fitra & the Trush
2064
