Chapter 161
“Forever?”
That actually sounded kind of nice.
Charlotte tilted her head back, her clear eyes shining as she looked up at Anthony’s handsome face.
After a few quiet seconds, she slipped her hand out of her pocket and said in a low, slightly sulky voice, “I’m cold.”
Anthony froze, then let out a resigned, affectionate smile. He took her warm little hand in his, his refined features softening. “Are you still cold?” His voice was deep and gentle.
“I’m fine now.” Charlotte’s answer was light, her long lashes fluttering playfully.
Anthony grinned. “You little liar. You just wanted an excuse to hold my hand.” He pinched her soft cheek, then opened the car door and carefully helped her inside.
The sports car pulled away, disappearing down the road.
Olivia stepped outside just in time to catch a glimpse of what happened. Her eyes went wide in disbelief. She could have sworn she saw Charlotte getting into a fancy car with a man.
No wonder she’d never run out of money or bothered coming home, even after being kicked out for so long. So she was being kept? Olivia scoffed to herself. Some people really would do anything.
She didn’t hesitate to pull out her phone and dial Steven, her expression sharp even as she put on a sugary sweet voice. “Dad, I just saw Charlotte get into a car with some older guy
Inside the car, Charlotte sat quietly, curled up in her seat with her tablet, half- listening as Anthony spoke.
“If you don’t want to do the DNA test, we don’t have to,” Anthony said, his arm stretched along the back of her seat, creating a little world just for them.
Before Charlotte could reply, a text popped up on her screen. She opened it and immediately spotted the bold title: DNA Comparison Results.
She frowned, skipping the details to check the final summary.
A and B. Hair follicle DNA comparison. Similarity: 46 percent. That was a pretty high match for siblings.
Then Jackson sent another message. Charlotte, the lab used a new machine, so the results came in faster than usual.
Another message followed. Based
on all the data, we’re ninety-nine
percen
sure you and the person
hair this was are first
3
First cousins?
Charlotte felt a wave of disappointment.
She typed back, Got it.
Only after sending the message did she slowly look up at Anthony, who was waiting patiently for her to speak. Quietly, she asked, “Are we meeting him tonight?”
Anthony smiled and tapped her nose, his touch gentle. “Yeah. But Lottie, if you don’t
want to go, we can skip it.”
Charlotte thought for a second, then nodded. “Let’s go.”
Fifteen minutes later, the car stopped outside a quiet, private villa.
Charlotte got out, barely steady on her feet, when Anthony reached out and took her hand.
“Hm?” She glanced up at him, her eyes bright. “Why are you still holding my hand? We’re already at the door.”
Anthony squeezed her fingers, leaning in until his eyes met hers, warm and soft. “You’re still growing. You shouldn’t catch cold.”
Charlotte felt her cheeks grow hot.
Word got out that Anthony had brought Charlotte home. Kenneth didn’t even bother changing out of his stage costume or wiping off his dramatic makeup. He sped all the way back from the film set.
The front door swung open, and Kenneth, looking wild in his over-the-top outfit,
rushed straight to Charlotte.
“Lottie He was so worked up, he could barely get the words out.