Chapter 300
Kenneth let out a lazy laugh when he heard that. “Grandpa, really, don’t bother.”
Charlotte was basically already someone else’s, and Robert was still trying to send her gifts. If he ever found out the truth, he’d probably get so mad he’d end up in the hospital.
“Just take the gifts, enough with the nonsense.” Samantha slapped Kenneth’s hand, giving him a look. “It’s for Charlotte’s good.”
“Alright.” Kenneth leaned back in his chair, grinning. Honestly, everyone seemed so eager to push Charlotte toward Anthony. He almost felt bad for them. Once the truth came out, he hoped they wouldn’t regret it.
After lunch, Samantha kept Charlotte in the living room all afternoon, chatting nonstop. Her two sons sat awkwardly off to the side, pretty much ignored. Only when Charlotte looked like she was about to fall asleep did Samantha finally let her go back to her room.
Charlotte had barely sat down and picked up her phone when someone knocked on the door. Roger came in, holding a glass of fresh juice, a gentle smile in his eyes. “Got a minute to talk?”
“Sure, sit.” Charlotte curled up on the sofa, propping her chin in her hand. She looked relaxed, almost lazy, but there was something powerful in her eyes that made Roger pause. For a second, he remembered her in an autopsy room, calmly dissecting a body like it was nothing, steadier than any doctor he’d ever seen. He still couldn’t wrap his head around how someone so young could carry herself with that much confidence.
“How did you end up as Asclepius?” Roger finally asked, sitting beside her, his tone a bit cautious. She
wasn’t even twenty, but she was et
afready a legend in forensics. If he hadn’t seen it himself, he’d never have believed it.
“It just sort of happened,” Charlotte said, giving him a crooked smile. “I handled a few tough cases, that’s all. The association loves to make everything sound way more dramatic than it is.”
Roger felt like he’d been humbled all day long. Did she even realize the whole forensic association was still scratching their heads over those so-called “tough cases”? Was she just being modest or was she making fun of him?
“If I’d known you were the one I’d be partnered with, I wouldn’t have agreed,” Roger admitted, his eyes dark with worry. They had helped the police by finding crucial evidence inside a victim, which led to some big arrests overseas. Unfortunately, it also meant they’d made enemies with some seriously dangerous people. He couldn’t help worrying those people would come after Lottie.
He watched her closely, ready to reassure her if she got scared or started crying. Most girls would have been terrified. But Charlotte just looked at him, completely calm, and said, “An international manhunt? That actually sounds kind of thrilling.”
“Lottie, aren’t you scared?” Roger asked, genuinely surprised.
Most girls would have been petrified.
“Hm?” Charlotte replied without a care, noticing his confusion. She raised her brows, pretending to think it over, then answered like she was being totally serious, “They want to kill me? I guess that’s a little scary.”
She thought to herself, if her hand was fully healed, she wouldn’t be worried at all. Normally, she could take on ten people at once. Right now, maybe five would be her limit.