Chapter 772
“Lottie, you’re back!”
As soon as she saw her, Lavinia jumped up and hurried over, grabbing Charlotte’s hand with a bright smile. “Oh my goodness, have you lost weight?”
“Huh?” Charlotte blinked, a little confused.
“It must be Anthony’s fault for not taking good care of you.” Lavinia led Charlotte over to the sofa.
She shot a quick look at Matthew, who was quietly sipping his tea. When he caught Lavinia’s frosty stare, he stood up without a word and moved to another spot.
“Come sit by your grandma,” Lavinia said, her face warming as she beamed at Charlotte.
The two women practically sandwiched Charlotte between them, firing off questions and chatting away. The men on the side didn’t even have a chance to speak.
“Lottie, you’ll be twenty next year, right?” Lavinia looked at her with so much affection in her eyes.
“Yeah.” Lottie nodded politely, sitting between Patricia and Lavinia.
“Twenty already…” Lavinia smiled, sharing a meaningful look with Anthony. “That’s a big milestone…”
Anthony caught the hint and smiled.
In Eldoria, women could get married at twenty. He wanted to make things official, but that would only happen if Charlotte agreed.
Charlotte glanced up and met Anthony’s eyes. Her gaze fluttered, and a soft blush crept across her cheeks.
Watching the two of them, Patricia grinned from ear to ear.
“Alright, Lottie’s probably tired after her classes. Let’s not keep her from resting.”
Patricia slowly got to her feet, but maybe she moved too fast because she nearly lost her balance.
Luckily, Charlotte was quick and reached out just in time to steady her.
“Grandma.”
“Mom.”
Everyone frowned and called out at the same time.
Patricia’s health issues were related to her head, so dizzy spells were always a worry.
“I’m fine,” Patricia reassured them steadying herself with a smile. She patted Charlotte’s hand gently.”All those gifts over there were picked out by me and Lavinia, just for you.”
She leaned in and whispered in Charlotte’s ear, “A lot of them are rare treasures we collected when we got married. There’s nothing else like them in the world. Now, they’re all yours.”
Charlotte glanced at the gifts, warmth filling her chest.
“Thank you, Grandma.” She smiled and looked at Lavinia. “Thank you, Lavinia.”
“We’re family, no need to thank us,” Lavinia said, pinching Charlotte’s cheek with obvious fondness. “Everything here will be yours anyway.”
At some point, Anthony had come
up behind Charlotte and slipped his arm around her waist, His voice was low and a little rough. “Yo
Syou’ve got
her and you’ve got all her things too”
FindNovel.net
Charlotte shot a nervous look at everyone else, hoping they hadn’t heard him. But
they were all grinning at her.
Her cheeks turned even redder.
***
Charlotte helped Patricia into the car. Her fingers accidentally brushed against Patricia’s wrist, landing right on her pulse.
The beat felt a little weak…
Charlotte was about to check more carefully, but Patricia pulled her hand away and smiled gently. “I promise I’m fine, don’t worry.”
Charlotte pressed her lips together, lost in thought.
“Go on home and get some rest.” Then Patricia looked at Anthony and added, “Take good care of Lottie. If she’s not doing well next time I see her, you’ll have me to answer to.”
Lavinia chimed in, “Me too.”
Anthony could only smile helplessly.
He really ought to remind them that he was the only one here actually related to them by blood.