Chapter 9
Could it really be Charlotte?
Yesterday, the family had sent someone to pick her up, but the word was she’d gotten into the wrong car and disappeared for the entire night. Everyone said she was still missing. So how was she suddenly here, just like that?
“Charlotte!”
Charlotte?
The younger maid froze, staring at her in disbelief.
Without acknowledging their shock, Charlotte just said, “Move,” her voice cold and direct. She stepped forward, not waiting for a response.
The maid, clearly rattled, hurried out of the way. “Susan… if she’s Charlotte, then what about Olivia?” she whispered nervously.
Susan shot her a sharp look. “Be quiet.” She kept her eyes on Charlotte and quickly fished out her phone.
Elizabeth was sitting with Steven, listening to Olivia play the piano. The sunlight poured into the villa, mixing with the music and making everything feel calm and perfect.
Then her phone buzzed. Elizabeth jumped up from her seat, her face instantly drained of color.
Charlotte was back?
Her sudden movement made Steven and Olivia look over in concern.
“Mom, what’s wrong?” Olivia asked, her hands hovering over the piano keys. Elizabeth tried to collect herself. She forced a gentle smile, even as her panic simmered beneath the surface. “Susan just said Charlotte came home.”
“Charlotte’s back?”
Steven’s whole face lit up. He stood up at once, practically beaming, and rushed downstairs, leaving Olivia and Elizabeth behind.
Olivia frowned, turning to her mom. “Why is Dad so happy? She’s always been nothing but trouble,” she muttered, just loud enough for Elizabeth to hear.
Elizabeth draped a jacket over Olivia’s shoulders and smoothed her hair. Her voice dropped low. “You’re the Main family’s daughter. You’ve had the best of everything since you were little. You don’t need to stoop to being jealous of someone like her.”
She gave Olivia a reassuring look. “All you need to do is focus on your piano. Win that competition.”
Everyone was saying that Laura, the famous international pianist, would be a judge this year. She was rumored to be on the lookout for a
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new student Olivia could impress her with her talent and looks joining the upper class and marrying someone important would be a breeze.
Elizabeth was right.
How could Charlotte, with her past and all her flaws, even compare?
Thinking about it made Olivia feel better. A small, proud smile curled at her lips. She was suddenly curious to see for herself what five years the countryside had done to that timid, awkward girl. Had she turned into a total mess? Some awkward farm girl, maybe?
…
Downstairs, in the living room, Charlotte lounged on the sofa, one hand holding her phone, the other wrapped around a glass of water. Her legs were crossed, and her whole posture radiated a relaxed, icy confidence.
The bodyguards and maids stood by the door, sneaking glances at her. Something about Charlotte had changed. She was prettier than before, and her entire vibe was different.
Suddenly, the sound of fast footsteps echoed down the staircase.
“Charlotte.”
Steven’s voice rang out, full of excitement.
Charlotte lifted her gaze slowly, looking toward the stairs. Olivia was coming down, dressed in a dreamy, flowing dress, clinging to Steven’s arm with one hand and holding Elizabeth’s with the other.
They looked like a perfect family, even though none of them were actually related by blood. Their happiness was almost blinding.
“Charlotte, where did you go? We were so worried when you didn’t come home,” Elizabeth said, rushing over. She grabbed Charlotte’s hand tightly, her eyes brimming with tears and emotion.
Charlotte blinked, her long lashes lifting. Without a word, she gently pulled her hand away, her dark eyes meeting Elizabeth’s with a cool, unreadable stare.
Elizabeth’s heart skipped a beat.
Charlotte had always been the quiet, sickly one, too shy to even look anyone in the eye. She’d never dared to show this kind of sharp, defiant look before.