Suddenly, the weather seemed to have turned cooler. Charlotte Thompson brushed away the hair that had lifted slightly in the wind, a flicker of surprise in her eyes.
Just then, as she looked up, she saw a Maybach not too far away. The door opened slowly, and the man’s icy side profile appeared in her line of sight.
Walking against the wind, Justin Battleson came over. His hand hanging by his side tightened slightly as his gaze met Charlotte’s.
In a matter of seconds, he stopped before her.
Charlotte lifted her head slightly and pinched the strap of her bag, which was slung across her chest. Her eyes reflected a glacial expression, but she merely said softly, "Mr. Battleson."
Before Justin could speak, she lowered her head and unzipped her bag, her fair, delicate fingers meticulously searching inside.
She held out a bank card. The wind blew her wispy fringe, and a warm, resolute light shone in her eyes, which seemed to possess some captivating magic.
"This contains one million. I’m returning it to you," she said.
Justin looked at her fingers, which were slightly curved from holding the bank card. His gaze flickered momentarily.
"Where did you get this money? From Henry Hudson?" He asked coldly.
It seemed that her relationship with Henry was progressing well.
"Mr. Battleson, I need not answer that. The money is repaid, and once we’ve collected the divorce certificate, we’re done," she stated.
The wind continued to blow with the marriage bureau, once a bustling place, surprisingly empty. It seemed to symbolise the irreversible decision she had made.
The two stood facing each other in silence, an odd atmosphere permeating the air.
Unnoticeably, Charlotte rubbed her arm. She could feel the cold through her gossamer-thin clothes.
Justin cleared his throat, a frown forming on his face. "Why are you dressed so lightly today..."
As he spoke, he trailed off abruptly.
To Charlotte’s surprise, she tugged at her lips nonchalantly, answering, "I’m not cold."
She looked up at the entrance of the marriage bureau and suggested gently, "Mr. Battleson, let’s get this done."
Inside the hall, only a few couples sat on benches, gleaming with happiness at their marriage certificates. Their procedures went smoothly.
When they left the marriage bureau, Charlotte and Justin simultaneously stopped in their tracks.
As she put the little booklet in her bag, Justin watched, unsure of what to say after a moment’s pause.
Sophie Allen, that little girl...
Now, he had no connection with her.
"If you want any compensation, I’ll do my best to fulfill it," he said, his voice uncharacteristically rigid.
When had he begun to stammer and hesitate while speaking? He was equally surprised.
Charlotte lowered her eyes and chuckled lightly. "No need. You owe me nothing. We’re even."
Her laughter was pleasing to the eye, relaxed and content. This text is hosted at novel•fire.net
This was the most natural smile she had displayed in some time.
Just as he was about to speak, he noticed a car driving slowly in their direction out of the corner of his eye. It was not a surprise when the car window was rolled down and Henry Hudson’s amiable side profile came into view.
Charlotte also noticed. A flicker of surprise passed her face, but it disappeared quickly.
"Henry, why are you here?" she asked.
Remembering the good relations between Jordan Thompson and Henry Hudson, he might have mentioned it to Jordan.
With a mild smile, Henry stopped the car and asked, "Have you resolved your matters?"
Charlotte nodded in response.
Justin, now seemingly forgotten, furrowed his brows, overcome with an indescribable feeling.
"Let’s go in my car," Henry proposed. "I’ve come to pick you up."