Chapter 542
Imperial Heights.
When Anthony got home, Charlotte was sitting at the coffee table in the living room, tapping away at her laptop. The screen showed a digital reconstruction of ships that X Organization had destroyed. Three ships, together worth three hundred million. Not only were the vessels gone, but the fire had devoured all the cargo too. The loss was impossible to measure.
“What are you looking at?” Anthony spotted the tension in her face as soon as he walked in. He handed his coat to Helen, unfastened his diamond cufflinks with practiced ease, and made his way over to her.
“It’s nothing.” As soon as he came closer, Charlotte closed the page and leaned back, gazing up at him with a lazy, unreadable smile.
Anthony sensed that something was off, but he wasn’t sure how to bring it up.
“Did you have fun at Grandpa’s today?” he asked, sitting beside her and wrapping an arm loosely around her waist.
“Mm.” Charlotte let herself settle against him, her tone casual and distant.
“I still have some unfinished business in Frostford. I need to go back for a while,” Anthony said, his fingers absentmindedly stroking her hair. “It might take a few days.”
“A few days?” Charlotte did the math in her head. Today was June sixteenth. His birthday was the day after tomorrow.
“Yeah.” Anthony gently pinched her earlobe, eyes lingering on the smooth skin of her neck. He leaned in and pressed a soft kiss against her nape, then whispered near her ear, “You’re on break now. Want to come with me?”
“Nope.” Charlotte blinked slowly, her answer quick and firm. “I’m tired.”
“Alright.”
N Organization and X Organization had always been at odds, constantly clashing in the open and behind the scenes. Anthony had caught some of N Organization’s men this time, hoping to teach them a lesson. If a real fight broke out, he didn’t want Lottie anywhere near it.
“If you get bored, go hang out with Andrew and the others. Just wait for me to come back, okay?”
“Okay.” Charlotte nodded, her finger
tracing a button on his shirt. Her voice dropped soft and almost teasing. “Aren’t you forgetting something?”
“What?” Anthony caught her hand and kissed it gently.
He really had forgotten all about his own birthday.
“It’s nothing.” Charlotte’s lips curved in a faint, knowing smile. If he couldn’t remember, the surprise would be even better.
The next morning, Charlotte drove Anthony to the airport. She wore a plain white tee and black pants that made her legs look endless Standing next to Anthony, tall and sharp in his suit, they looked like they belonged together.
“You won’t see me for days. You’re really not going to miss me at all2” Anthony, pulled her into his arms, leaning his chin on her shoulder. His voice was low and rough like he was almost pouting.
Charlotte only smiled. Next time they met, he’d be the one missing her.
“Anthony, it’s time.” Hans, seeing how tightly they were holding each other, braved the moment and called out softly.
Anthony finally let go, stealing one last kiss at the corner of her mouth. His eyes lingered on her. “Be good and wait for me.”
“You too,” Charlotte said, her smile turning sly. “Behave yourself.”
She watched him go until his figure disappeared through the airport doors. Slowly, her smile faded, replaced by something sharper and more dangerous. “Charlotte.”
Jackson and Adonis stepped out from where they’d been waiting nearby. “Our plane is ready.”