Chapter 438
Halation?
The legendary artist?
Anthony glanced over at Charlotte, who was sprawled comfortably in his arms, completely focused on sending money on her phone like she owned the place. He couldn’t help but smile.
Yet another secret identity.
He was honestly starting to wonder just how many surprises she was hiding.
The birthday party was set in a secluded, elegant manor right next to The Blair Estate.
Patricia wasn’t a fan of extravagance, so everything was kept simple. Only family and a handful of close friends made the guest list.
The party kicked off at three in the afternoon.
One by one, guests started arriving, and pretty soon, the place was buzzing.
About half an hour in, a sleek black Bugatti Veyron rolled slowly through the gates, turning more than a few heads.
The windows were tinted and one-way-Anthony and Charlotte could see out, but no one could see in.
Charlotte lounged in the backseat, playing a game on her phone, glancing lazily out at the crowd.
It felt like everyone in Cabinda who had any sort of relationship with the Blair family had shown up.
There were plenty of eligible singles from all the big families, but what really stood out were the socialites the girls arrived in stunning outfits, each one prettier than the last.
No one even tried to hide what they were after.
The number one bachelor in Cabinda.
That phrase kept looping in Charlotte’s mind, leaving a slight, bitter taste in her mouth.
Officially, everyone was here to celebrate Patricia, but Charlotte suspected their real goal was Anthony.
Andrew had warned her, and he’d been right.
Anthony had a way of attracting attention.
Charlotte hated the idea of other people coveting what was hers. No way around it, it just got under her skin.
Lost in thought, she didn’t even
notice when two strong arms wrapped around her waist. Suddenly, Anthony’s chest was pressed up against her back, s chin resting lightly on her shoulder. He smiled. “What are you looking at?”
Charlotte didn’t answer. She just stared at him with those big eyes, her pretty face clouded with a hint of annoyance.
“These are all families who have some connection to mine.” Anthony’s voice was calm and patient, almost soothing. “Most of them don’t deal with me directly.”
“Oh.” Charlotte sounded unimpressed. She poked him in the chest. “And the ones who do?”
Anthony took her hand in his, his eyes sparkling with amusement. “A few of them are business partners.”
He lifted his chin, nodding toward a group of older men not far away. “Like those guys.”
Charlotte just watched him in silence.
Anthony leaned in, brushing a gentle finger along the corner of her eye his voice soft and teasing “Relax only have one heart, and it’s all
yours. No need to be jealous, okay?”
“I’m not jealous.”
She pushed him away and leaned back, acting all cool. “Seriously. I’m not.”
Anthony just smiled, letting her have the last word.
If she said she wasn’t jealous, then she wasn’t.
The car pulled up to the front steps of the villa.
A valet hurried over, opening the door with a polite greeting.
Anthony stepped out first, straightening his sleeves before circling around to open Charlotte’s door himself.
“We’re here.”
The second he looked at her, all that usual distance and coolness in his eyes just disappeared. He was gentle and almost impossibly sweet.
Charlotte nodded, about to climb out, but Anthony stopped her with a hand. “Hang on.”
He brushed her bangs to the side and pulled out a hat, settling it on her head until most of her face was hidden. Only then did he let her go. “You’re still student if people find out who you are, it could get messy.”
There would be plenty of time for her to steal the spotlight later.