The moment the words fell, the surroundings became so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
Justin Battleson didn’t make a move, after a moment, he slightly raised his eyes and glanced at the neatly stacked files on his desk, where a trace of sadness that even he did not recognise flashed in his eyes.
His throat was a bit hoarse.
"Charlotte, you know very well, I didn’t ask you here to discuss progress."
Hearing this, Charlotte was slightly taken aback, although it was not easily noticeable.
After a few seconds, she nonchalantly shrugged her shoulders and said, "Isn’t that so?"
Her dismissive tone was like repeated stabs to the man’s heart.
Justin Battleson slowly got up, his head slightly lowered, his gaze fixed on her, his eyes filled with bloodshot veins staring straight at Charlotte.
The latter didn’t back down, locking eyes with him bravely.
It seemed like the stage was set for a huge battle to break out.
Justin Battleson’s eyes suddenly turned a frightening red, clearing his throat, he finally managed to ask with immense difficulty, "Are you and Adam Ross... together now?"
Hearing this, Charlotte was smiling on the surface, but her eyes held complex emotions that were about to overflow.
She slightly raised her head, smiled like a blooming flower, "Mr. Battleson, this is my personal business, and as this is working hours, I refuse to answer."
Her words were clear, ringing with resounding resolve in the office.
Justin Battleson’s hand resting on the office table was trembling slightly, and his eyes turned even more red.
His voice also had an imperceptible tremble.
He stared hard into Charlotte’s cold eyes, hoping to find some falseness there.
Justin Battleson’s eyes darkened, he dropped his gaze, and mockingly laughed, "Charlotte oh Charlotte, is refusing my question that hard for you?"
Charlotte’s heart skipped a beat, and an indescribable bitterness spread from her heart.
She clenched her fists then slowly released them.
Meeting the man’s gaze, she continued to smile softly.
But this time it was different, there was absolute restraint and resolve in her eyes.
Towards Justin Battleson, she would not allow herself to evoke even a hint of love or fondness, to her, feelings were like stumbling blocks, lethal ones. ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ ɴovelfire.net
She cleared her throat, smiled and said, "Mr. Battleson, you should review the documents. I need to keep up with my schedule."
Justin Battleson gave a bitter smile, "You still won’t answer me."
Charlotte was in no hurry, her expression bland, she asked, "Mr. Battleson, have you ever heard this saying?"
"An answer that avoids the question is in itself the answer."
Justin Battleson’s body stiffened, he incredulously lifted his head.
Almost doubting his own ears, an indescribable sadness filled his eyes.
Charlotte smiled and said nothing, her heart inexplicably aching.
The immense disappointment in Justin Battleson’s eyes, she saw it all too clearly.
After a few seconds, the man dropped his head, his expression hidden, and when he lifted his head again, his face was completely void of emotion.
He reached out a hand to pass her the files, gently saying, "You may leave."
Charlotte took the files, nodded and in a light and breezy tone, said, "Goodbye Mr. Battleson."
The man watched her leave, only slumping in his chair when her figure completely disappeared from his sight, pulling out a cigarette from his pocket.
He got up and walked to the window.
The smoke created a hazy silhouette of the man’s profile and jawline, giving off a vague sense of solitude and sadness.
On the other side, Charlotte stepped out of the office, abruptly halted in the corridor and hesitated as she turned to look back at the office door.
Just a few seconds later, she moved and walked away.