Chapter 47
Was that… a confession?
Watching her ears turn bright red, a smile tugged at the comers of Sean’s mouth.
His Lottie was blushing.
J
The next day, Snowbell’s medical report came back.
Every health marker was normal. There were no signs of distress or illness.
However, they did find a scratch on the back of her neck. It was likely caused by a sharp object.
Based on the location, only someone on her back could have made it.
Once Sean learned that, he stopped visiting Vivian at the hospital altogether.
The Jasper family assigned top–tier nurses to her care, and a housekeeper delivered meals on schedule.
But Sean? He was with Charlotte every single day–helping her try on engagement gowns, pick out jewelry, and plan every last detail of the
ceremony.
No matter how much drama Vivian stirred up, he never set foot in that hospital again.
When Vivian had fallen off the horse, Charlotte thought for sure their engagement would be put on hold.
She hadn’t expected Vivian’s entire scheme to backfire so spectacularly–actually pushing Sean to confess his feelings sooner.
That night changed things. Charlotte started to warm up to him.
It wasn’t love–not yet.
After the heartbreak she had gone through with Zac, she couldn’t fall again so easily.
But having someone believe in you, choose you without hesitation, and stand by you unconditionally, it was impossible not to be moved by
that.
The engagement was officially set for the 15th of next month.
It was early October, with just over a month left until the engagement.
That afternoon, Sean brought Charlotte to a high–end fashion boutique.
They sat together on a plush couch inside the VIP suite, watching as several models, each with a similar build to Charlotte, walked by showcasing the latest seasonal designs.
“That pale blue dress looks great,” Sean said, leaning in and speaking softly by her ear.
“I thought so too,” Charlotte nodded. “And I really like that cream–colored coat as well.”
Just then, her phone buzzed.
She glanced at the screen and opened the message.
Sean respectfully looked away, giving her space.
Charlotte scrolled through a set of pictures.
They were pictures of Wendy and Zac together. From the background, it looked like they were in Silverridge.
A moment later, a message followed.
“He wouldn’t take you there, so I went for you. Silverridge is beautiful. Too bad you’ll never get to see it.”
Charlotte rolled her eyes.
She wasn’t dead. What was that nonsense about never seeing it?
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Chapter 47
Back when she was with Zac, she was working full–time, just like anyone else.
She only had a few vacation days a year, and Silverridge had always been on her list.
She didn’t want to go alone, so she had asked Zac to come.
Now? If she wanted to go, all she had to do was say the word.
She didn’t bother replying.
For a second, she considered blocking Wendy.
Then she changed her mind.
Wendy’s antics were actually kind of
entering.
She might as well keep her around like a little digital pet.
With a small smirk, she slipped her phone back into her bag.
*
Wendy sent those carefully chosen, heavily filtered photos while curled up in Zac’s arms.
Zac didn’t stop her. In fact, he watched the whole thing.
He was hoping Charlotte would react–get mad, get jealous, maybe even call him in a rage.
It had been days since he had heard from her.
He missed her.
So when Wendy sent those pictures, he didn’t say a word.
But then, Charlotte never replied.
“Do you think she blocked me?” Wendy asked, frowning. “No way, right? If she did, the text wouldn’t have gone through.”
Zac tried to reassure himself. “She probably just hasn’t seen it yet.”
Yeah, that had to be it.
There was no way she could just ignore him.
By the next night, there was still no response.
Zac couldn’t sit still anymore.
While Wendy was out of the room, he pulled out his phone and, with a dark expression,
“Find out Charlotte Riley’s hometown address. Now.”
called his assistant.
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