Chapter 53
Charlotte’s body flushed crimson, her breathing uneven and shallow, and my gaze grew more parents allow this to happen?”
are intense. ‘How could my
1–I’ll call Lucas.” I forced a stammer to maintain the façade. “Charlotte, you don’t seem well.
“No!” she insisted sharply, her voice rising with urgency. “Come on! I’ll send you to your room! I have something for you–a gift you’ll never forget!”
Her intensity didn’t faze me. Instead, a grim smile crossed my face. As we neared her room. I subdly nudged the door open, then gently guided her inside. Without hesitation. I shut the door behind her.
Muffled sounds followed–shuffling, faint cries, and the strained tone of her voice.
“Let go of me!”
“Help”
“Stay away from me!”
Fear rippled through me, but I swallowed it down, streling myself. If I hadn’t outmaneuvered my family’s twisted schemes, I would’ve been trapped in her place
With deliberate calm. I walked to the kitchen, uncorked a fresh bottle of champagne, and poured the sparkling liquid into a wine glass.
My mother entered, freezing at the sight of me. Her wide eyes locked onto mine, betraying her unease.
“W–why are you down here?” she stammered, her voice trembling.
“Getting a drunk,” I replied evenly
“Ahhh!” Jake’s shout pierced the air, freezing my mother in place. Her face twisted in terror before she bolted toward the
stairs
I returned to the gathering as she rushed off, pretending to be alarmed.
“Help! Someone help!” My voice rang out, drawing attention.
Worry etched across my face as Lucas sprinted toward me, breathless.
“Something’s wrong upstairs, and Charlotte might be in trouble! I heard Jake scream!”
Curiosity sparked among the guests as they trailed behind me. Hearing his fiancee’s name, Lucas tore himself away from the group and immediately rushed upstairs.
Charlotte’s door wide open. Just outside, Jake stood over Mr. Reed, punching him furiously
“Jake, stop in Mom’s voice cracked with desperation
“You sick bastard! What did you do to Charlotte?” My cousin’s fist connected Mr. Reed’s jaw with a sickening thud. “I’ll make sure no one ever sees you again, you filthy, worthless old man!”
“What’s going on here?” The question echoed through the crowd of guests.
“Why are you all here? Nothing is happening! This is private property!” Dad shouted as he stormed in. People had already raised their phones, capturing every moment.
Chapter 53
Mr. Reed lifted a hand, signaling Jake to cease.
“Stop” he spat, blood dripping from his mouth. “What’s it to you? You’re just a freeloader in the Jones family!”
Jake’s face darkened at the insult. Without warning, he kicked Mr. Reeds chest repeatedly
“I’ll have you arrested for assault, I didn’t do anything wrong” Mr. Reed shouted, stumbling hark, nearly falling on the for
“Hold him back!” my mele ordered, his voice sharp amid the chiot
Bodyguards rushed in and held my cousin back as he continued to struggle, clearly trying to harm the elderly man
“You’ll pay for this!” Mr. Reed recovered, his voice growing louder. “You saw what happened insider the liked what we did, didn’t she?!
“You disgusting piece of shit!” Jake roared. “Til beat you until your face is unrecognizable Mr. Reed’s security quickly surrounded him, blocking Jake’s path.
“Listen, everyone! Jake’s voice cut through the murmurs. “I saw that bastard inside Charlotte’s room! If Charlone hadn’t texted me and hadn’t gotten there in time, who knows what kind of sick thing he would’ve done to heett
“But Jake.” I interjected, injecting confusion into my tone. “Why did Charlotte text you specifically Why were you the one in enter her room? Don’t tell me…” I let the sentence trail off, intentionally leaving it unfinished.
Every guest exchanged knowing looks, each thinking the same thing, particularly those still filming the unfolding
Lucas and Jake locked eyes, the tension between them palpable. Lucas‘ jaw was clenched, his expression hardening
Charlotte stumbled out of the room, clearly disoriented. “Listen, I called Jake because I felt something was wrning with my body! I thought of him because I knew he could help me.”
“But Charlotte,” I pressed, my voice gentle with manufactured concern. “I offered to call Lucas”
“Exactly!” someone called out. “Why didn’t you look for your fiancé instead?”
Charlotte’s teeth clenched, and her eyes flashed with frustration. She trembled as she replied, “I couldn’t risk Lucas getting hurt! Our wedding is next week and couldn’t bear him being injured defending me.”
“You could have asked me to call security. I pointed out, seizing the opportunity with no hesitation.
“Isabella, I know you think I stole Lucas from you, but don’t accuse me of something I didn’t do. Besides, you’re the one who shoved me into my room”
“Because you clearly don’t feel well, Charlotte. Why am I being blamed now? Don’t I call for help when it’s needed. The more people there are, the more I thought it would benefit you. Yet somehow, I’m the villain? Who knows what might have happened if I hadn’t alerted anyone.”
Mr. Reed staggered as he approached me, but I quickly stepped back to create distance.
“Y–you–She should be the one locked in the room!” he shouted at the other guests. I paid Mr. Prescot a lot of money: Dad
do this to get more from me! I’ll report this to the authorities!”
you
“Fine! Let’s get the police involved and let the world see what a perverted man you are! Keep your blood money, you ohl fucker!” Jake’s anger was still seething.
The night took a darker tum. My dad clenched his jaw, clearly at a loss for what to do. They didn’t have a backup plan.
“How disappointing
14:38 Sun, 13 Apr 14.
Chapter 53
“Lucas, he ruined our engagement. I don’t understand what’s happening. Thank God Jake was dresy w p said, barely holding back tears. “Isabella must’ve been involved in this! She clearly had a head shakily, trying to blame me for what happened tonight, acting all pititul
Everyone turned to look at me at once.
or the wed
“But that doesn’t make sense, Charlotte! Don’t accuse Isabella like that! one of my cousins from the Juilly and
“What I mean is, Mr. Reed confused me with Isabella. Is that what happened, Mr. Reed?”
The man nodded. “That’s correct!”
“Uncle,” I began, my tone intentionally cold, a wave of disgust creeping over me
Mr. Reed seemned offended. “Uncle”
I pressed on, “You know I’m married. Are you suggesting that I’m the one you’re targeting for tonight’s
antanuti
by coins the I wrapped my arms around my cousin, letting the tears flow as I tried to appear even more vulnerable y sin du man a look of pure contempt.
Lucas wrapped his arms around his fiancee, still determined to believe the innocent act. But this night waat a little surprise planned for Charlotte that she’d never forget!
E
