Then, the next image that flashed in her head was how Timothy and Victoria were having sex. She suddenly felt the urge to stab them with a knife!
“No, Charlotte. You are better than them,” she reprimanded herself.
Charlotte concluded that she must act normally around Timothy and Victoria. She needed to be that clueless woman who had no idea of their affair. Otherwise, Charlotte would alert them. She could not risk for their plans to change.
She considered simply asking for a divorce, but then she recalled their prenuptial agreement. Timothy would be entitled to fifty percent of her company shares at Strauss Asset Investments if she left the marriage without justification. If Timothy would ask for a divorce, he would get nothing.
“Then, I need to prove Timothy’s affair with Victoria,” she decided.
Her company shares were only a portion of her paternal family’s wealth. When Pete died in her past life, several properties were transferred to her name, including stocks of different companies he had invested in.
Charlotte was the sole inheritor of her grandparent’s wealth, which was what Victoria and Timothy were all after. Her father was an only child, and he died when Charlotte was in high school.
“But why?” Charlotte speculated. “The Cash family was not lacking in any money. So maybe, it was just Victoria who wanted it all?”
‘I hate you and your grandfather. I hate your father the most! Sorry that you had to pay the price.’ Victoria’s words rang in her head. Charlotte’s eyes narrowed, thinking, “There is something more. Something that had to do with my father and my grandfather.”
Charlotte thought she knew Victoria well, but maybe not. She muttered, “I need to have someone investigate Victoria.”
She also recognized that getting a divorce was just part of the solution. She must get Timothy out of the company for good and look into his family.
With so many things to consider, she suddenly felt her head aching. She pointed out, “One at a time, Charlotte. One at a time. Let’s start with their affair. Once you prove the affair, you can get a divorce. Then, find Liam.”
“Liam,” Charlotte thought of him again. She frowned and considered rearranging her plans, “Or, should I find Liam first?”
“But what would I say to Liam? Hey Liam, you told me you loved me before I died. Apparently, you never got over me,” She scoffed at herself, rolling her eyes. It dawned on her how she may appear presumptuous.
After Charlotte had bathed, she returned to her bedroom to fetch some clothes when she saw the man she had called the love of her life.
Rage filled her heart. Standing before her was her good-for-nothing husband.
Timothy Cash.
While wrapped in a towel, Charlotte rested her hand behind her back and balled it into a fist.
“Charlotte, I heard.” The compassion in his voice was so deceiving.
Remembering Victoria’s admission, she and her husband had already been screwing for months, maybe already a year now. For all Charlotte knew, they were secretly meeting in hotels, doing it in the car, or openly using their home, where Victoria could visit at any time.
Timothy embraced Charlotte. He said, “It’s okay. We will look into other options. I will go with you to see the doctor again.”
For a fleeting moment, she recalled the love they once shared, but she would not be deceived this time. Charlotte knew it was all an act. The Timothy she had once loved was gone.
She gently pushed Timothy away and requested, “I want to rest from all this.” She walked up to her closet and picked a dress, saying, “I think I need a break.”
“A break?” He asked. “What do you have in mind, Love?”
‘Love.’ Charlotte held her brow from raising at the way he addressed her. Instead, she breathed in and answered, “Maybe, I need time away. I want to take a leave from the company for a few days.”
Charlotte turned, adding, “Maybe stay here with my grandparents for a while. Is that okay?”
‘Come on. Say yes. Say yes,’ Charlotte said in her head.
“Charlotte, I am your husband. I should be the one to take care of you. Besides, what would the board members think if we were not staying under one roof?” He reasoned. “If you need a break from work, you can go on leave. If you need to visit your grandparents daily, that is acceptable, but we cannot allow our rivals to doubt the strength of our marriage.”
“Remember that the board of directors is now eyeing candidates for the next CEO. And if you are not by my side, I’m afraid they would get the wrong idea.” He smiled and insisted, “Our togetherness - our image as a married couple is essential.”
Charlotte’s mouth parted, unable to respond. She wondered if sleeping in the same bed as Timothy was safe.
‘Maybe it’s okay,’ she silently convinced herself. Timothy still needed her, her connections, and that healthy marriage image to become the next CEO of Strauss Asset Investments. ‘It will be easier for me to collect evidence of his affair.’
“Charlotte?” Timothy tried to get her attention. He added, “I’ve also called Victoria over. She said she was willing to stay overnight and cheer you up. That would help, right?”
Inwardly, Charlotte was fuming. Her husband just invited her best friend to comfort her? Or so that they could fuck?
‘Wait!’ Charlotte just remembered how relevant this day was. Victoria stayed overnight at their home. The next day, Charlotte’s body felt so heavy that she slept until ten and was late for work.
‘Did they drug me again? Did they do it while I was asleep?’ She wondered. In her head, she smiled coldly. Maybe she did not have to wait long enough to catch Timothy and Victoria in the act.
She smiled at her husband and said, “Yes, that would be great. I would love to have Victoria around. I’ll come home with you.”
It was precisely how Charlotte remembered it. Victoria arrived with a box of delicious donuts passed seven in the evening. Victoria said, “Something to cheer you up, my girl!” Victoria wore a skimpy skirt, a leather jacket over her frame, and those over-the-knee leather boots. Charlotte’s best friend was a model and an actress. She was charismatic, beautiful, tall, and sexy. Victoria had long black hair, irresistible brown eyes, and a long, roman-shaped nose. Charlotte was quite the opposite of Victoria. She had short golden hair, hazel eyes, and a long pointed nose. Charlotte was shorter than Victoria, even when wearing heels to match her best friend. She may not be as alluring as Victoria, but she considered herself to be cute. Outright, Victoria hugged Charlotte. She said, “Let’s talk about it over donuts and tea.” “Hey, Victoria. Thank you for coming over,” behind them, Timothy greeted after coming out of his study. “Oh, Hello, Tim. Of course, I’d be here for Charlotte. S
“Are you out of your mind?” Charlotte heard Timothy say. “I’m telling you, I gave her an extra dose - just a little. Remember the last time I did that? She was completely out,” Victoria reasoned. Charlotte was tempted to take a peak. She couldn’t understand why they hadn’t left the room yet. She inwardly said, ‘Go fuck already!’ “Come on, Tim. I want to be super naughty tonight. I haven’t seen you for three days,” Victoria begged. Timothy and Victoria remained to speak in low voices, but with the silence of the night, Charlotte could decipher their words. Charlotte was lying sideways to her right when unexpectedly, Victoria pushed her to lie on her back. Victoria described, “See? She is completely out.” “Extra dose again? I told you not to do that so often. It’s dangerous,” Timothy answered. Victoria’s sultry voice softened as she added, “Oh, come on. You are not turning soft on her, right?” The next thing Charlotte heard were their kisses and gasping. A few moans left Ti
Charlotte sat in a daze while staring at the man who was with her before she died. Liam Wright. He was undoubtedly handsome. His features were accentuated by prominent, chiseled jawlines that added a touch of ruggedness to his face. His suit spread nicely against his broad shoulders and chest. His mesmerizing green eyes easily held her gaze. The memory of Liam crying on her deathbed almost made her weep. Charlotte held the urge to walk up to him and simply hug him. She figured she would find a suitable opportunity to do that later. Instead, she smiled at him and said, “Liam, thank you for your time - for seeing me.” Liam had welcomed her in one of the hotel’s mini-conference rooms. He ordered tea and some snacks for Charlotte. Inside, Liam’s bodyguard stood behind Charlotte, watching them as they chatted. “Charlotte, I’m rather surprised that you came to see me. What can I do for you?” Liam asked, his voice exuding authority as he crossed his legs. He picked up his teacup a
"Chadwick! Get me another chair! This seat is broken!" Liam ordered his bodyguard. Charlotte gave Chadwick an apologetic look, for the latter had to fetch a new chair from the side of the conference room. Truth be told, Charlotte did not find anything wrong with the seat. The hotel was new, and so were all the pieces of furniture. The Diamond Hotel brand was not the type to invest in low-quality furniture. Liam's face was flushed as he sat on a new seat. He fixed his suit and cleared his throat, saying, "I think I - I must have heard you wrong. What did you say again?" Charlotte had his full attention. His eyes were narrowed, fixed on her face, and his body leaned closer against the table's surface. He even tilted his head just a little, with his right ear slightly angled toward her. 'How clear do I have to be?' Charlotte wondered. "Liam." Charlotte moved her chair closer and resumed, "After my divorce, I will marry you, Liam." Liam loosened his tie. He puffed air out of his
"Have you ever wanted something so badly you are tempted to take it at the first available opportunity?" Liam asked Chadwick when the bodyguard caught up with him in the car. For the last half an hour, while waiting for Chadwick to join him, Liam had been gawking at the street, wondering what to do. To marry her? That would be a dream come true, but to be with her because her husband betrayed her, he could not help but feel insecure. He certainly did not want to be a rebound guy! He had been in love with Charlotte for as long as he could remember. The problem was, after Charlotte's father died, she left Braeton City without telling anyone where she was going. Back then, he was too young to have the resources to find her. His parents initially did not support his request to find Charlotte. They thought he would get over his young love, but that never happened. He tried, but Charlotte was the only girl that filled his heart. Liam was already in college, studying in London, when he
Charlotte's heart galloped, hearing Liam's words. She turned to him with a bright expression and echoed, "You have made your decision?" Liam straightened his face to the front. In his deep voice, he answered, "I have taken a considerable amount of time to think about what you have offered. Normally in business, one must learn to decide quickly, so I have been trained to make smart and fast decisions all my life. But with your request, I took as much time as I needed." Charlotte, "..." At the front seat, Chadwick coughed, catching Charlotte's attention. Chadwick had been coughing too often. The bodyguard was hinting about Liam's white lies. It had to be! "Sorry, Miss Charlotte. I don't know what is it with me today," Chadwick said. "Please don't mind me." When Charlotte peered back at Liam, she saw how he was squinting at Chadwick. He glanced at her and then returned his gaze to the front. He narrated, "Just two days ago, I closed an excellent deal at Alberto City. I bought a comme
Charlotte left out the fact that there was a potential threat to her grandparents' life. Knowing her grandfather, he would declare war, but without solid proof, the Cash family will only suppress his accusations and make things difficult for them. Her grandfather may be wealthy, but the Cash Family had political power in Swaxon. Timothy's father was the mayor, and his mother was a city councilor. "I can't believe it," Her grandfather remarked, learning of Timothy's relationship with Victoria. "I know, Grandpa. And Timothy wasn't planning on divorcing me until he gets the CEO position," Charlotte revealed. The two of them were inside Pete's study. She had left Chadwick to go around the estate and evaluate the overall security of the place. "Is this why you hired a bodyguard? Where did you even find this man? Are you sure you can trust him?" Pete asked. With a nod, Charlotte answered, "I am sure I can trust him with my life." "Just file for a divorce. Confront him, and maybe
Charlotte watched as Timothy's forehead formed beads of sweat. He ran his fingers through his hair and admitted, "I'm sorry. One of the HR associates walked up to me and said she saw you on the road, and a man had carried you in his arms -" "Oh," Charlotte gulped. "That was the gentleman I spoke of. As you can see, I got injured. That man helped me up and brought me to the nearest hospital. And honestly, I did not get his name. I simply gave him money for the trouble." Hearing this, Charlotte conceded she needed to be more careful when being with Liam. She could easily encounter someone who was acquainted with Timothy or Victoria. "Well, did the HR associate see this man's face?" Charlotte asked, evaluating what lie to make. "No, she said she was driving by Julian Road when she thought she saw you," Timothy said. "She wasn't really sure if it was you." Recalling Julian Road, and the angle at which a person would be driving through it, Charlotte came up with a story, "That gentlem