After the tabloid reporter was taken away, Charlotte Thompson began packing her things to finish for the day.
Just as she was exiting the set, she saw Justin Battleson.
He was standing under a tree across the street, hands tucked in his pockets, standing straight as an arrow, aloof from the world, appearing even more robust than the camphor tree next to him. Nᴇw novel chapters are publɪshed on NovelHub(.)net
A wave of indescribable sentiment washed over Charlotte, her face naturally broke into a smile, dispelling the fatigue of the day.
Seeing this, Coco tactfully retreated and said, "Sister Charlotte, I’ll leave first with the driver."
Charlotte waved goodbye to her, turned around, and her gaze met Justin’s.
He came to pick her up after work. Had he learned about today’s event? Charlotte wondered.
A car whizzed past them, and when Charlotte looked again, Justin was no longer in sight.
A touch of panic surged within her. Scratching her head, she started to wonder if she had just imagined him being there.
But the very next second, he was by her side, inserting her hand into his coat pocket, and gently clasped it.
Charlotte felt an immediate warmth in her hand, but a chill crept up her heart. As she tried to pull her hand back, Justin took a firmer grip of it.
She stopped struggling, walking silently alongside him.
Leaves were slowly drifting from the trees along the street, landing quietly on the ground. Everything was so silent that one could almost hear the sound of leaves kissing the earth.
After a while, Justin halted.
Charlotte tried to free her hand, only for him to put the other one into another pocket.
As their eyes met, Justin said softly.
"I have pockets of my own," Charlotte retorted, pulling her hand back once again, as their positions made it awkward to move forward.
"Let’s take a break."
Ugh, Justin could be too domineering.
And so, they continued to stand at the corner of the crossroads, his hands cherishing hers, slowly heating them.
Charlotte, feeling awkward, asked, "Is... Ryan Richard really taken away by your people?"
He didn’t feel guilty at all. In his eyes, he had done the right thing.
A pang of anxiety hit Charlotte, "He doesn’t deserve... you shouldn’t..."
Seeing Charlotte’s concern, Justin stared intently at her, his eyes revealing genuine worry.
"He’s not worth it." After saying this, he smiled, took Charlotte by the hand, and led her towards home.
Yes, he’s not worth it. How could he not know? She should have known he’s the kind of man who has a sense of propriety.
"Five million, and give me the perfume project. Or else, I’ll expose you! I’ll let everyone know that you are Sophie Allen!" Ryan Richard laughed hysterically, looking outrageously mad.
"No, no!" Charlotte shouted in denial.
But Ryan Richard paid no attention. Spreading around the files filled with past pictures of Charlotte, she cried out. However, those documents had already reached many people, who began laughing and pointing fingers...
Charlotte awoke in a cold sweat, struggling to realize that she had just had a nightmare.
Panting heavily, she noticed Justin, who had just emerged from a shower, looking at her anxiously.
He walked to the bedside and asked with concern, "What’s wrong?"
As soon as he finished speaking, he tried to embrace Charlotte.
Charlotte startled and trembled like a frightened kitten.
He embraced her tighter, faintly feeling her trembling and shivering.
"It’s okay, I’m here," he reassured in a whisper, resting her head against his chest.
For a moment, a whirlwind of past events stormed through Charlotte’s mind.