“A birthday present for you.”

Newell practically had to grind his teeth to dust before he managed to say, “And just so you know, my mind is perfectly fine.”

His voice rumbled through the car, low and rough.

Charlotte held her phone away from her ear, her lips twitching. “Oh,” she replied, sounding almost bored.

Oh? That was it?

Newell hated how distant she always seemed. He couldn’t help but remember that photo of her, standing next to Anthony, her smile so bright and soft. The memory made his chest feel tight and uncomfortable.

“I heard the Governor of Solenia is looking for you.”

Newell picked up his wine glass and took a slow sip, trying to swallow down the frustration rising inside him.

“Yeah.”

Charlotte switched the call to speaker and scrolled through her social media. A new message from Anthony popped up.

It was a photo.

The picture showed a mountain of beautifully wrapped gifts.

Anthony: Mom and Grandma sent you some presents.

There were so many boxes, they looked like a little fortress.

A small smile curved Charlotte’s lips as she answered Newell, “The Governor of Solenia is way too mysterious for me. I really don’t want to get mixed up with him.”

“Yeah.”

Newell swirled his wine, his voice rough. “Nobody’s seen that so-called sick wife of his in twenty years.”

Rumor had it the Governor had searched the whole world for medicine and for Asclepius, trying to cure her. Nothing worked. She was still sick.

Charlotte had only started showing up in public a few years ago. She kept her identity hidden. People were always trying to dig up dirt on her, some openly, some not.

If anyone ever found out she was Asclepius, every continent would flip out. She’d have trouble she didn’t need.

And then there was…

“You been okay lately?”

Newell set his wine down. He looked out at the mountains, his voice more serious

than Charlotte had ever heard.

“Huh?” Charlotte blinked, caught off guard.

“Just checking.” Hearing how

confused she sounded, Newell relaxed and let out a lazy sigh, Just worked you’d get all crazy over this new relationship

Charlotte didn’t have a comeback for that.

Up front, Jackson and Adonis glanced at each other.

Was Newell… jealous?

Before Charlotte could say anything, Newell hung up and tossed his phone to his assistant.

He stood up from his lounge chair, hands behind his back, his face dark and stormy. He looked irritated, to say the least.

“Newell…” His assistant couldn’t help

but speak up. “You saved Nine and

trained her to take over DM because,

DM because

you believed in her. Honestly, you

ordered her to come back, Nine

wouldn’t say no.”

Order her?

At those words, DM’s eyes narrowed just a bit, a thoughtful smile playing at the corners of his mouth.

He used to think he could totally control Charlotte.

But now…

Back then, he only saw her talent and potential. He never realized she could be this stubborn, this loyal.

Especially when it came to Anthony. Even now, he didn’t get what Anthony had that he didn’t.

After a few seconds, DM just gave a small, almost careless smile. “We’ll deal with it later.”

“But, sir…” The assistant glanced at Newell, wanting to say, Don’t you like Nine? but the words died on his lips as soon as Newell shot him a warning look.

Newell obviously had feelings for Nine. So why was he letting her stay with Anthony?

He just didn’t get it.

Imperial Heights.

A villa that looked straight out of a resort brochure.

Lights glowed everywhere, inside and out. A couple of sports cars sat parked by the

door.

Charlotte stepped out of the car and walked into the main hall. Patricia was there, along with Matthew and Lavinia, all sitting on the couch and chatting, laughter ringing out.

Gifts were everywhere, stacked on the floor and covering the tables.

Charlotte pressed her lips together, feeling for a second like she’d wandered into a department store.