Chapter 345
Charlotte sat down on the couch. “Mr. Lucas, have some tea. Make yourself at home.”
Then she turned to Mrs. Coleman, the housekeeper. “Could you please bring up some fruit and snacks for the girls?”
“Of course.”
Scott casually brought up work. “Miss Riley, has the court date been set for the Hy Corporation case?”
“Yeah. It’s scheduled for the fifteenth of next month.”
“How’s prep going?”
“We’re almost there,” Charlotte replied. “There are still a few minor issues, but since you’re here today, we can go over them together.”
“Sounds good,” Scott said with a smile. “It’s an honor.”
Charlotte had always been career–driven, and once she started talking work, it was hard for her to stop Scott had clearly picked the right topic.
Their conversation went on all afternoon.
As the sun began to dip, dusk quietly fell over the city
Mrs. Coleman had dinner ready by the time they wrapped up
Desmond and Xena were out for a banquet that evening, so they wouldn’t be joining.
Mrs. Coleman had prepared dinner for Scott and Tiana.
Jodie and Thana were getting along great. Jodie tugged her new friend downstairs, “Stay for dinner, Tiana? You can sit next to me!”
Tina hesitated. “I have to ask my mom first. She’s waiting for me at home
Scott jumped in smoothly, “Your mum called earlier. She said if you’d like to stay for dinner, it’s totally fine.”
“Really?” Tiana’s eyes sparkled. “Then I want to stay and eat with Jodie!”
“Yay!” Jodie clapped her hands.
At the dinner table, the two little girls sat side by side, giggling and chatting. Scott sat across from them, beside Charlotte,
Sorry about this, Miss Riley,” he said with a chuckle. “Once I get talking about a case, I totally lose track of time. And now I’m even crashing your dinner!!!
Only he knew just how not sorry he actually was. This was exactly what he had wanted.
Charlotte smiled lightly. “Don’t be so polite. It’s just dinner. If anything, I should thank you! It’s been a long time since Jodie’s been this happy
“Watching those two play together makes me happy too,” Scott replied.
Mrs. Coleman brought out the last disli
Scot glanced at Then across the table and gave her a subtle signal.
Thana looked up at Charlotte, eyes curved in a sweet smile. “Miss Riley, can Jodie and I take a picture together?”
Then turned to Scott, “Can you take it for us?”
Scott pulled out his phone and took a photo of the girls together.
Then he added casually, “Dinner looks great tonight. I’m gonna snap one of this spread too.”
He angled his
carefully, capturing the dishes on the table–along with a “coincidentally” perfect:
tshot of Charlotte’s profile.
He was very pleased Türking ha
away, be unided faintly
Aher dinner, Scott drowe Timahore
On the way, he asked, “Did you have fun today?”
“Yep! I really like Jodel”
“You did great today. I’ll have that doll I promised sent to your house tomorrow.”
He was referring to their little plan Tiana had agreed in advance to ask for a phora at dinner.
Her reward? A limited–edition del she had been dreaming about.
That night, Scott posted on social media.
Caption: “Tiana made a new friend today and I scored a free dinner
First photo: Tiana and Jodie smiling sweetly for the camera.
Second photo A shot of the dinner table–Charlotte’s elegant profile just barely visible in the background, perfectly framed.
Charlotte saw the post and even gave it a like
It didn’t take long before Jordan screenshotted the whole thing–e and all–and sent it straight to Sean
“What’s going on here?”
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