Charlotte looked anxiously at the pink box. A man like him shouldn't be curious about her wedding gifts, but he had overheard a bit of Luna's call that day. Surely he wouldn't want to see what Luna sent her, right?
"Miss Miller, I'll be off now." The person left after handing the item to Charlotte, brushing past Atlas Hallow's car.
Originally, after the iron gate opened, Atlas should have driven straight in, but instead, he pushed open the car door and stepped out.
Instinctively, Charlotte hugged Luna's pink gift box tightly.
It was surprisingly heavy. How much of that stuff had Luna packed in there? Charlotte's heartbeat was faster than usual—no, it was more frantic, even more thrilling than the NASDAQ's wildest fluctuations.
"Why get out by yourself?" Autumn had set in, and the wind was slightly chilly. She was dressed too lightly, her breathing labored from the hurried run, exhaling a faint fragrant aura.
"I just needed some exercise..." Charlotte's face flushed slightly, casually finding an excuse to explain away the situation. She couldn't exactly say that the gift was unfit to be seen and she had to personally fetch it.
Such things are hard to voice. Though she had witnessed many liberated girls abroad, it didn't mean she herself was quite as liberated. In fact, she felt she was quite conservative on certain matters.
Her slender arms strained to hold the large box, and Atlas's deep and hoarse voice rose in the air: "Let me help you." As his long arm reached over, Charlotte recoiled, hugging the box tighter, shaking her head like a rattle.
Atlas's deep gaze settled on Charlotte's face, saying nothing more. His thin lips curled lightly upward as he wrapped a long arm around her shoulders, leading her inside.
His hand carried a scorching heat, almost burning her shoulders, with an intense male aura enveloping her. Penetrating through her thin shirt, it invaded every part of her. Charlotte seemed hypnotized, obediently letting him hold her tightly, walking slowly...
Inside the car, Ava Walker's eyes sparkled with fury, her fists clenched, nails digging painfully into her palm.
She couldn't believe her eyes, but she wasn't mistaken: Atlas Hallow actually smiled.
He was a man who rarely smiled, yet just now he did, his lips curving with a charm enough to make any woman weak-kneed. But this enchanting smile wasn't for her; he had smiled at a woman he hadn't known for even two days?
"Second Young Lady, shall I help you drive inside?" The security guard inquired cautiously, seeing the car parked just inside the iron gate, with their esteemed and delicate Second Young Lady sitting in the passenger seat, her expression slightly displeased.
"Get lost..." Ava's voice carried irritation, her heart feeling as though it was crawling with venomous snakes. She wished she could drive the car straight at Charlotte and run her down.
Back in the room, Charlotte hurriedly placed the box onto the shelf in her walk-in closet, then walked out with an awkward smile: "Just some girls' stuff." She wanted to say it was lingerie or something, but felt it was inappropriate, as if implying something. Saying it was girls' items was vague enough; he shouldn't be bored enough to want to find out more.
"Come here..." Atlas lounged on the sofa, legs crossed, watching the girl who appeared relieved after coming out of the closet. Her expression shifted remarkably quickly.
Charlotte walked over and sat beside him. They might have become husband and wife in record time, but she still felt slightly uneasy every time she faced Atlas.
Atlas's gaze fell on Charlotte's face; even at such close proximity, he could find no flaws in her skin. In the soft indoor lighting, it exhibited a fine and supple texture akin to white jade. His fingers couldn't resist touching her, indeed smooth like panna cotta.
"Most people return from abroad heavier and tanned, yet you're different. What did you do abroad these three years? Stay indoors all the time?" His fingers glided across her cheek, the astonishingly smooth texture impressing him.
"Same as everyone else, maybe... I don't easily gain weight." His fingers carried a low electric charge, making her body feel shocked and lightly tremble as they brushed against her face.
"Is that so?" His voice dropped lower, his warm breath brushing past her ear, making Charlotte feel as though she was about to melt, too scared to move like a tranquilized little animal.
This woman even exuded a captivating fragrance from her fine sweat: "Miller Family kept you hidden so long, damn them..."
His gaze fixed on her lips, their glossy fullness resembling the most tender petals after rain; his fingers caressed them, eyes revealing a man's innate greedy desire, making Charlotte's breathing hasten.
Was he not supposed to be incapable? Could Luna's information be wrong?
The air swirled with strong masculine energy mingled with soft feminine aroma, but then the door swung open abruptly...