Having finished his melody, Henry Hudson hands over his violin to a nearby waiter, approaching Charlotte Thompson with measured steps.
He stops in front of Charlotte, and at the opportune moment, the waiter presents him with a bouquet of fiery red roses.
The intoxicating scent of roses sweeps over them, captivating and heady.
"Charlotte, ever since we met, you have held a place in my heart. In the past, we experienced such helplessness. Yet now you have regained your freedom. I hope you’ll give me a chance to protect you."
"Will you be my girlfriend?"
As Charlotte looks into the eyes of Henry, seeing his earnest expression, she doesn’t know what to do with her hands.
All she could do is dodge his gaze, lower her head, and lightly purse her lips, not knowing how to respond.
This confession came so suddenly, and she was completely taken aback.
All along, she only thought of Henry as a senior, as a friend—she respected him, admired him, and was grateful to him.
"I’m sorry, senior. I can’t accept."
Charlotte grits her teeth and adamantly refuses.
Seeing this, the waiters tactfully withdraw, leaving the two of them alone in their own world.
"Why? Charlotte, I really like you. I will do everything in my power to protect you," Henry’s voice is so gentle, as comforting as the breeze on a summer evening.
Yet the more he says this, the more Charlotte’s heart aches.
"Senior, I want to have Williams Charlie’s three children, raise them until they grow up... So us..." she tactfully refuses.
Henry had already considered this future and immediately responds, "I don’t mind. I will treat them as my own children. Children are innocent."
"I’m really sorry, senior... I will be moving to Ashton soon and settling there. I want to be with my family," Charlotte refuses him yet again.
As the words leave her mouth, there’s a slight dullness in Henry’s eyes.
The atmosphere falls silent for about ten seconds before Henry speaks up again, "So what? I can leave Druarus and I can accompany you in developing in Ashton."
"Senior!" Charlotte furrows her brows and calls out his name sharply.
Henry is taken aback and looks up at her.
"What I mean is, I can’t accept your proposal. I won’t be with you."
"You’ve been great, and you’ve helped me a lot. I respect you and treat you as my senior, confidante, and friend. But truthfully, I just can’t regard you as my partner. I’m sorry."
Charlotte expresses the feelings she had been holding back, heaving a long sigh when she’s done.
Henry is stunned, but he graces her with a warm smile that resembles the spring breeze. He extends his hand to lightly pat her head.
"I understand. Thank you for telling me all this."
Now it’s Charlotte’s turn to be taken aback.
But soon, she responds with a smile.
In the world of adults, many things are left unsaid. An expression can give everything away.
Before leaving, Henry buys Charlotte another bouquet of flowers.
They are Moist Magnolias, Charlotte’s favorite.
"Roses aren’t suitable, but I think these Magnolias should be. They symbolize your regained freedom."
Charlotte happily accepts them, "Thank you, senior."
Henry gives her a soft smile, "From now on, just call me Henry. We’re friends."
Charlotte nods her agreement, "Alright."
The luxurious presidential suite.
Justin Battleson leans against the real leather sofa, swings the glass of wine in his hand, and drains it in one gulp.
He then picks up another bottle from the table, pours another glass, and drains it as well.
His expression is cold, his eyes are filled with a chilling intensity as if the wine in front of him were his enemy. He’d rather be defeated than spare it.
Adam Ross, who is always perceptive, notices that something is amiss.
"Big brother, you seem a bit out of sorts. Seems like you’re drowning your sorrows in alcohol."
Oliver Hudson, hearing this, scoffs, "Justin Battleson, drowning his sorrows? That’s amusing. Could it be about Evelyn Curtis?"
At his words, Harper Gibson abandons his flirtatious texting and saunters over, interested. Follow current novᴇls on N0veI.Fiɾe.net
"What’s going on? Brother, share it with us."
Justin’s eyebrows furrow, his hawk-like eyes full of icy coldness.
The two who came over share a troubled look and then back off.