Over the weekend, Charlotte took Petra with her on a trip to Harbor City to meet with a client.
While she was there, she ran into an old acquaintance from Zac’s social circle–Quinn Spencer.
Quinn tried to catch up and invited her to dinner, but Charlotte turned her down.
She used to think of Quinn as a friend. Once, she even bought her a bracelet worth tens of thousands for her birthday. But when others mocked the bracelet as fake, Quinn didn’t defend her. She just stayed silent.
That was the moment Charlotte saw Quinn for who she really was.
Quinn, like the rest of Zac’s friends, had always looked down on her deep down. They didn’t think she belonged in their circle and never truly saw her as one of them.
Charlotte spent three days in Harbor City and didn’t return to Jersey City until Wednesday, May 20.
As she stepped out of the VIP lounge from business class, the first person she saw waiting outside was Sean.
She slowed her steps.
“Why is he here?” she wondered.
Sean stood tall in a charcoal gray suit, shoulders squared, his casual posture still exuding a natural sense of elegance and quiet authority.
Charlotte walked over and looked up at him. Her voice was flat. “How did you know I was flying back today?”
“I checked your flight info,” Sean replied.
Her tone remained cold. “My family’s driver is coming to pick me up. There was no need for you to come
With that, she didn’t stop to chat. She turned and headed toward the parking garage.
Petra followed closely behind, dragging the suitcase.
the way here.”
Sean reached out and took the luggage handle from Petra. “Lottie, come with me. I’ve got two new cases I want to assign to
you.”
Charlotte stopped in her tracks and turned to look at him.
Sean’s expression was serious. “I brought all the evidence and materials. They’re in the car. Come take a look.”
“Alright.”
If it was work–related, she couldn’t exactly say no.
Sean’s hand gripped the suitcase handle with ease. His tall, striking appearance turned heads as they walked through the airport.
When they reached the underground parking lot, Sean led them to his black Cullinan. He personally loaded the luggage into the
trunk.
In the car, Sean drove while Petra and Charlotte sat in the back seat.
“Hungry? Want to grab something to eat first?” Sean glanced at her through the rearview mirror.
“I’m fine. Not hungry yet. Where are the case files? I’ll take a look
“They’re in the front seat.”
Charlotte leaned forward to reach for the file folder in the passenger seat.
As she moved closer, the soft floral–fruity scent of her perfume drifted over to Sean, slipping into his senses.
It made his heart itch.
It had been a long time since they had been this close.
But the moment was gone in a flash.
Charlotte took the folder and sat back in her seat, flipping it open and focusing intently on the documents inside.
Sean felt a wave of disappointment wash over him.
For the next twenty minutes, Charlotte quietly studied the materials, her gaze focused, lashes casting faint shadows on her cheeks.
Then she looked up and began asking Sean a few questions about the case.
He answered each one carefully.
A few minutes later, Charlotte suddenly frowned. “Wait a second this isn’t the way to the law firm.”
Sean’s lips parted slightly. “We’re heading to my office first.”
Charlotte assumed it was still about the case, so she didn’t press the issue.
They arrived at the Jasper Corporation headquarters and pulled into the underground parking lot.
Sean turned to Petra. “Wait here. I’ll take Lottie upstairs with me.‘
Petra didn’t say anything. She turned to Charlotte, silently seeking confirmation.
