With Desmond’s approval, Charlotte and Sean could finally be together openly.
On Friday afternoon, Sean took Charlotte out for lunch. They went to a Thai restaurant near her law firm, one Jenny had recommended, saying the food was excellent. Charlotte suggested they give it a try.
The place was beautifully decorated and located in a busy shopping district. It was Friday, so the restaurant was packed.
As soon as they stepped inside, a server camo over. “Welcome. Table for two?”
Charlotte nodded. “Yes.”
“Right this way, please,” the server said, gesturing for them to follow.
“Do you have any private rooms?” Charlotte asked.
“Sorry, ma’am, we don’t,” the server replied.
“That’s fine.”
The server led them toward a table by the window. “How about this spot?”
“This works,” Charlotte said.
“You can scan the QR code on the table to order,” the server explained.
Charlotte pulled out her phone to scan the menu. The prices were surprisingly reasonable, with nothing over $20, even for the most expensive dishes.
Since there were no private rooms, they had to sit in the main dining area. It was crowded and noisy at this hour. Charlotte glanced across the table. “It’s a little loud. You don’t mind, do you?”
“Not at all.” Sean’s eyes crinkled in a warm smile. “Even if you took me to a food stall on the street, I wouldn’t mind.” Charlotte smiled back. “You said it. Next time, I’m taking you to one.”
Sean’s lips curved into a smile. “Deal.”
“See anything you want?” Charlotte slid the phone across the table to him.
“Order whatever you like. I’m fine with anything,” Sean said.
“All right, I’ll choose then.”
She lowered her head and began scrolling through the dishes.
Suddenly, a woman’s voice came from above. “Mr. Jasper, is that really you?”
Charlotte looked up.
A woman in a white blouse and black pencil skirt smiled brightly at Sean. She was attractive, with her hair clipped back in a shark clip, looking professional and polished, as if she had just come from work.
Sean gave her only a brief nod, his expression cool, without saying a word.
Zoe kept smiling. “What a coincidence, Mr. Jasper. I’m here with some colleagues.”
Sean let out a short hum of acknowledgment without even glancing at her. His eyes stayed on Charlotte as he said, “Lottie, this is Zoe Gibson, our company’s marketing director.”
Charlotte gave a polite nod. “Nice to meet you.”
Sean then introduced her in return. “This is my girlfriend, Charlotte Riley.”
1/3
Chapter 502
+25 BONUS
The smile on Zoe’s face faltered, and her tone dropped slightly. “Hello, Ms. Riley.” She gave a quick greeting while openly sizing Charlotte up, a flicker of disdain in her eyes.
“So this is Mr. Jasper’s girlfriend. Pretty enough, sure, but she has all the makings of a trophy. The type who can reel a man in with her looks alone. Men always fall for women like that–nice to show off, but not much substance. What a waste for a trian like Sean to end up with her,” she scoffed inwardly.
Charlotte caught the trace of contempt in Zoe’s gaze, and her own eyes cooled. “Ms. Gibson, is there something you need?”
Annoyance flared in Zoe’s chest.
“Who does she think she is? I’m only greeting Mr. Jasper. What business is it of hers? She’s just a pretty face. Once he gets bored, she’ll be out the door. And she actually thinks she can marty into a wealthy family and become some high–society wife?” she thought.
Still, with Sean sitting right there, Zoe kept her thoughts to herself she put on a fake sinile. “Mr. Jasper, I won’t keep you. Goodbye.”
Sean’s face remained impassive. “Mm.”
Zoe turned away with a polite smile, but the moment her back was to them, it disappeared. In her head, she was already tearing Charlotte apart.
