Chapter 564
He really should have seen this coming.
“Yeah.” Anthony rubbed his temples, sounding almost casual. “She’s with me.”
On the other end of the video call, Lavinia went completely quiet. Her expression turned complicated.
Lottie was with Anthony… and there were all those suspicious marks on him.
Lavinia had been around long enough to know exactly what that meant. Lottie had just graduated, and Anthony already couldn’t hold himself back…
Lavinia pressed her lips together, caught between wanting to congratulate them and wanting to lecture Anthony.
“Anthony, go easy on her, okay?”
Anthony glanced over at Charlotte. She was fast asleep, all worn out.
He hadn’t meant to exhaust her like that, but she… well.
“Add ten times to Lottie’s wedding gift.” Anthony’s voice was low, serious. “That’s it. I’m hanging up.”
“How much? Wait-” Lavinia started, but the call cut out before she could finish.
Ten times? Lavinia stared at her hands, trying to count it out on her fingers. She ran out of fingers pretty quickly. Was Anthony planning to give Lottie the whole Blair family as a wedding present or what?
Before she could process it, her phone rang again. This time it was Kenneth. When Anthony saw Kenneth’s name flashing on his screen, his brow twitched. He could almost picture Kenneth’s judging look right now.
He didn’t answer. Instead, he declined the call and turned his phone off.
After letting the smoky scent fade from the air, Anthony went back into the bedroom.
He leaned over Charlotte, his hands on either side of her, and pressed a soft kiss to the corner of her mouth, a quiet smile curling his lips.
“Lottie, I got my birthday present,” he murmured, “and I love it.”
This was the most precious gift he’d ever received.
Charlotte was still half-asleep, his voice drifting through her dreams. She mumbled something he couldn’t quite catch.
“Hm? What did you say?” Anthony leaned in, trying to hear her better.
“Happy birthday,” she whispered.
For a few seconds, Anthony just looked at her, his smile deepening. His voice was low and a little roug “It’s only a happy birthday because you’re here.”
Charlotte’s body clock was usually spot on. She never slept past ten.
But today, she slept straight through to three in the afternoon.
When she finally opened her eyes, there were dark circles under them and a tired flush on her cheeks.
She stretched, and a wave of soreness ran through her body, making her wince.
“Ow
She threw off the covers and tried to get up, only for her legs to give out beneath her. She almost fell.
Right then, a strong arm wrapped around her waist. Anthony pulled her close and lifted her up without a word.
They ended up in the bathroom, facing each other in the mirror.
Charlotte caught sight of the red marks she’d left on Anthony’s skin. Her eyes widened. Awkward, ske
cleared her throat and quick.??
away.
“Hurry up, I’m starving,” she muttered.
looked
Anthony leaned in to kiss her cheek, his lips brushing her ear as he chuckled.
“Lottie, you really need to trim your nails.”
Charlotte pressed her lips together, struggling to stay awake as she squinted at him, completely speechless.
“Baby Anthony’s voice was warm
and teasing, his gaze moving
over
der “Are you going to tel
me
like that again?” content
Charlotte wished she could smack that smug grin right off his face.