Chapter 796
Mahoney stood up, feeling empty inside. When he passed by Stella, he stopped, searching for words.
“Stella, I…”
“We should get going.” Stella looked at him with a calm, frosty stare, like he was just some stranger. She didn’t waste a single extra word on him.
“Alright.”
Charlotte and Roger followed behind her, the three of them leaving together.
Watching Stella walk away without looking back, Mahoney closed his eyes, the ache of regret and loneliness settling over him.
…
After they left the courthouse, Roger drove, taking Charlotte back to Imperial Heights first.
Charlotte stepped out of the car and leaned against the door, glancing at Stella. “You don’t need to worry about any of this now. Just rest, okay? Lyndon will handle everything from here. Trust me, those three are going to pay for what they did. You won’t have to see them again.”
“Okay.” Stella stayed in her seat, hands folded neatly in her lap, a gentle smile lighting up her face. She looked extra sweet like that. “Thank you, Charlotte.”
“For what?” Charlotte met her eyes with a soft smile. “Just bake me a few more cakes, and we’re even.”
“I’ll bake cakes for you for the rest of my life.” Stella sniffled, her eyes turning red and shiny, looking like a little bunny-completely adorable and a little sad.
“For the rest of your life, huh?”
Charlotte’s smile grew, and she glanced up at Roger in the driver’s seat, purposely changing the subject. “Hey, Roger, want to come in for a bit? Anthony should be home by now.”
Roger’s face changed instantly, and
good reason to
he looked back at Stella, who was staring at them with wide, curious eyes. He couldn’t come up with a say to He definitely couldn’t admit that the age gap between Anthony and Charlotte made him uncomfortable, especially since he was heading down the
same path himself.
Just thinking about it was a little embarrassing.
Things got quiet and awkward.
Charlotte picked up on it and nudged, “Well, Roger? What do you say?”
Roger let out a quiet sigh, not daring to sound annoyed. He could only try to coax her gently. “It’s pretty windy. Go on inside.”
“Alright.” Charlotte grinned and decided not to tease him anymore. She gave a little wave and headed off.
Back at Imperial Heights, Charlotte had just stepped through the gate when she spotted 98K in his doghouse, gobbling down a bowl of meat. That was when she
e’d she’
aver
gotten drunk
remembered out of bed, and
kicked Anthony
cuddled with the dog instead.
Anthony had actually gotten jealous of a dog and banned 98K from
eating meat for a week.
So childish.
Charlotte shook her head and was about to go into the main hall when she saw Anthony rushing over with a coat in his hand. He looked like he Was in a hurry, his face serious, like something bad had happened.
“We need to go to The Blair Estate.” Anthony slipped the coat over her shoulders, his tone tight. “Grandma fainted.”
“Grandma fainted…..” The smile disappeared from Charlotte’s face, replaced by worry. So her gut feeling had been right last time. There really was something wrong with Grandma’s health.
“Don’t worry. She’s awake now. We just need to check on her.” Anthony wrapped an arm around Charlotte and helped her into the car, then gave the driver a sharp command. “Drive.”