Chapter 248
Olivia squeezed her mother’s hand, her jaw tight. “I want everyone to see just how low and cruel Echo really is.”
If she had to go through this, there was no way Charlotte would get off easy.
“Don’t act on impulse. This isn’t the best time to go public,” Elizabeth whispered close to her ear. “Wait until next month, after your uncle leaves Eldoria. Then you can reveal everything.”
If the news broke now, it would cause a huge scandal, and her uncle could get caught up in the mess.
“Olivia, forget the piano for now. The entrance exams are only two months away. If you throw yourself into studying, take the top spot in the province, everyone will be watching you anyway.”
Olivia nodded. Her mother was right. She was confident she could be the best in the province.
Charlotte… Just wait and see.
Meanwhile, at Imperial Heights, Anthony came back from his workout and opened the door, just in time to see Charlotte smack her phone down onto a pillow. She sat on the bed, silent and fuming.
Her face was pale, her pretty features set in a cold, stormy expression, eyes sharp with an icy anger.
“What happened?” Anthony’s brows pulled together as he walked over. He bent down and brushed a stray lock of hair from her forehead, his voice gentle. “Who made you mad, hmm?”
Charlotte turned away and picked up the phone he’d given her, quietly wiping it clean. She was so careful, almost like she was handling something precious. Charlotte could be cool and a little sensitive, but she never got angry out of nowhere. Something was definitely off.
“Lottie, what’s wrong?” Anthony held her face in his hands, his eyes serious. “Tell me. Don’t keep it all inside.”
He’d handle whatever it was. She just needed to say the word.
Charlotte clutched her phone, her lashes trembling. She looked up at Anthony, her eyes lingering on his for a few seconds before she finally spoke, her voice rough. “I had a dream.”
“A nightmare?” Anthony didn’t tease her. Instead, he went to the bathroom, brought back a warm towel, and gently wiped her face and hands. He cleaned every one of her fingers, slow and patient.
“Yeah.” Charlotte’s breathing was uneven, her head bowed. Her voice was soft and muffled, like she’d been hurt.
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“If it was a nightmare, I won’t ask,” Anthony said, setting the towel aside and taking her hand in his. He smiled, trying to lighten the mood “Let’s go do something fun, alright?”
Fun? Her mind tripped over itself, instantly filling with all kinds of wild ideas.
Charlotte blinked, lips pressed
together. She slipped on her pink
bunny slippers and followed
Anthony in tiny steps. As they
reached his bedroom door, her heart pounded so hard it almost hurt. She stopped, staring down at her toes. “I’m already happy.”
“Then let’s do something that makes you even happier.”
Anthony grinned, a playful glint in his eyes. He gently pinched her chin, pushed open the door, and tugged her inside.
Charlotte hesitated, but her feet just wouldn’t listen. Before she knew it, she was sitting on the sofa. The bright crystal chandelier overhead sparkled, making her heart race even more.
What was Anthony planning?