Chapter 60
Steven got up and planted himself right in front of Charlotte, his face tight with annoyance. “The principal says a famous professor recommended you. How would you even know someone like that? You’ve been living out in the sticks for years.”
He started pacing, his words coming sharper. “So what did you do to get into Vanguard High? Who did you have to cozy up to?” His voice kept rising. The thought of Charlotte doing whatever it took to get her way, even selling herself like before, made his blood boil. “I thought maybe living in the country would teach you something, but you’re still just as shameless as ever.”
Charlotte just looked at him, completely calm except for the cold little smirk on her lips. “Are you trying to teach me a lesson now?”
Steven’s voice faltered for a moment. “I’m your father. Of course I can tell you what’s right and wrong.”
“My father?” Charlotte let out a cold, almost mocking laugh. “Sorry, I thought my father died five years ago.”
For her, he might as well have. He watched her get bullied, never once stepping in. He let the psychiatric hospital take her away, didn’t say a word. He was the one who sent her off to the countryside, left her to survive on her own for five years. In her heart, her father had been gone a long time.
The mention of five years ago brought a flicker of guilt to Steven’s face.
“Charlotte, how can you say that? You’re being so ungrateful. Your father worried himself sick over you, you know. His hair turned gray,” Elizabeth jumped in, stepping forward to scold her.
Steven’s guilt vanished. All he felt now was disappointment. He did so much for this daughter, and this was how she repaid him.
Charlotte’s eyes turned ice-cold as she looked at Elizabeth. “If you’re so eager to talk about the past, maybe we should sit down and really go over everything that happened.”
Just one look from her made Elizabeth’s skin crawl. Charlotte’s gaze was so dark and cold, it was like she could see straight through her.
The old scandal… Elizabeth was involved. But all the evidence had pointed to Charlotte, as if she’d been the one to seduce someone. How was she supposed to clear her name now?
“Charlotte, even if you’re not
embarrassed, the Main family can’t stand any more gossip,” Elizabeth said, pretending to be caring as she reached for Charlotte’s hand. “And dragging it all up again will only hurt you.”
A thirteen-year-old girl, almost… If people started talking about that again, how
would Charlotte ever hold her head up?
Charlotte glanced down at
Elizabeth’s hand gripping her arm.
Her eyes turned even colder. She
lifted her elbow just a little, and Elizabeth lost her balance, landing, hard on the sofa content
“Charlotte!”
“Mom, are you okay?” Olivia hurried over to help her mother up, then glared at Charlotte. “Mom was just worded about you, you could least appreciate it instead of shoving her Apologize!”
Charlotte brushed off her sleeve, clearly done with all of them. “She’s your mom. Mine’s been dead for years.”
Olivia was stunned into silence.
Charlotte walked to the fridge, grabbed a carton of milk, and took a long drink. She looked at Steven and raised her eyebrows. “Just so you know, I’m moving out tomorrow.”
Moving out? Steven’s face went stiff. “Who said you could move out?”
Charlotte didn’t even look back. “I’m not asking for permission. I’m just letting you know.” Her voice echoed through the hallway as she headed upstairs.
“If you leave, don’t expect a single cent from this family,” Steven snapped.
He stood there, more disappointed than ever. How did she think a high school kid could make it without any money from home?