Chapter 253
Charlotte just nodded, calm as ever. She took in the chaos around her, then strolled over to Shirley.
“Charlotte Shirley’s voice was small and tight, her eyes fixed on the mess of people fighting in the living room.
Charlotte glanced at the scene and gave a faint, amused smile. “If those two can’t handle a few scrawny punks, they’ve wasted eighteen years of meals.” She gently pressed three fingers to Shirley’s grandma’s wrist, her brow knitting as she checked her pulse. “Take your grandma to the back room and stay there. Don’t come out, no matter what.”
“But what about you?” Shirley clung to Charlotte’s hand, her worry clear. “I heard Dennis sent these guys. There are at least a dozen more outside.”
If they all stormed in, Charlotte might really be in trouble.
Dennis? That actually caught Charlotte off guard for a second. Henry Dean was the sort of guy who knew when to back down, which made it kind of hilarious his son turned out so dumb and reckless. If Dennis wanted to play games, fine. She’d play along. She’d make sure it was a game he’d never forget.
Once Shirley and her grandma were safe, Charlotte turned back around. Five thugs were sprawled on the floor, faces battered and bruised, groaning in pain. Andrew and Parrish leaned against the wall, sucking in air, but thankfully, both were fine.
The lead thug wiped blood from his nose and stared at them, terrified. “Do you even know who you’re messing with? You’re all dead. Our boss will make sure of it.”
Andrew pressed his foot right into the guy’s face. He leaned down and tapped the thug’s head with the metal pipe he’d picked up. “Oh yeah? Who’s your boss? Go on, tell me. I could use a laugh.” Honestly, the only person who ever made Andrew nervous was Anthony. Well, maybe now there were two. Anthony and Charlotte.
“It’s Dennis. His dad’s a big deal in both the legit and shady worlds. You’re all screwed,” the thug threatened, trying to sound tough. “He’s right outside. He already knows what’s happening and he’ll be in here any second.”
Dennis? Still not learned his lesson?
“So Dennis is still pissed about getting kicked out. Too scared to take on Charlotte, so he’s going after Shirley instead,” Parrish muttered, rolling his eyes.
Andrew heard that more people were coming and spoke up. “Charlotte, go in the back with Shirley. Parrish and I can hold them off.”
“Yeah, Charlotte,” Parrish said, eyeing her skinny arms and looking genuinely worried.
Charlotte just pressed her lips
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together and raised her eyebrows, her smirk getting sharper. Before anyone could say more, heavy
footsteps pounded outside the door.
A second later, Dennis burst in, flanked by a dozen thugs in black. They fanned out,
blocking every exit and closing in.
“Wow, what a coincidence. I was just
about to come looking for you,” Dennis said, blowing out a long stream of smoke and flashing a cold smile Since you’re all here Ell take.
care of you at once.” Cont takes
His dad might be scared of the Blair family, but Dennis sure wasn’t.
“Charlotte, get on your knees,” Dennis snapped, dropping onto the sofa like he owned the place, one leg thrown over the other.
“And if I don’t?” Charlotte’s lips curled into a slow, mocking smile. “What’s your plan, Dennis?”
“I’ll break your hands,” Dennis spat, every word full of hate. “Then I’ll ruin you.”
Charlotte didn’t even blink. She
stood up straighter, pulled her phone from her pocket, and shrugged off her jacket
ambutante,” she shadithcall anis
ambulance,” she said, her voice cool and steady. “If you hurry, they’ll get
here just in time.”
Andrew and Parrish exchanged glances.
“Charlotte,” Andrew whispered, “come on, we haven’t even started fighting. You’re
not chickening out already, are you?”
Dennis scoffed, convinced she was scared and already calling for help.