Chapter 301
Roger watched her, worry flickering in his eyes. She looked so delicate, like the slightest breeze might knock her over.
After a quiet moment, he spoke gently. “I’ll reach out to Donald. He can send a few people to keep an eye on you, just in case.”
“Donald?” Charlotte echoed, her thoughts drifting. She remembered her grandfather mentioning Donald’s mysterious background. He was supposedly the commander of some secret unit, his team made up of top-tier soldiers who served the country. Having them play bodyguard for her? That was such a waste. Honestly, if anything actually went down, she couldn’t even be sure who’d be protecting who.
“No need. Only you know about me being Asclepius,” Charlotte said, slouching back into the sofa as she glanced at her phone.
Eight hours had passed since she left Imperial Heights. Not a single call. No texts. Online, everything was quiet except for Adonis rambling on in the family group chat.
Charlotte frowned, not bothering to hide her annoyance.
“You’re still in school. Having bodyguards hanging around probably isn’t ideal,” Roger said, watching her closely. “But if anything feels off, you have to tell the family right away.”
She didn’t have a mom. Her dad was gone in all the ways that mattered. The Gates family was all she had left.
“Yeah,” Charlotte replied, barely looking up, her gaze drifting out the window.
Roger saw the little crease in her brow and assumed she was tired. He got up quietly. “You should get some rest. I have to finish yesterday’s autopsy report anyway.”
His words caught Charlotte off guard. “Why are you doing it?”
Roger massaged his forehead, half amused, half exasperated by her confusion. “Isn’t that my job? If I don’t handle the grunt work, are you going to do it?”
Charlotte pressed her lips together, considering. Fair point. Reports were boring. Not her thing at all.
As he was about to leave, Roger paused, like something just occurred to him. He turned back. “Lottie, who did you go to the auction with that day?”
Since he’d come home, nobody in the family had mentioned going with her.
Charlotte picked up a lychee from the plate, but stopped herself just before eating it, remembering Anthony’s warning about cold foods. Shetwirled if between her fingers for
a moment, then set it back.
“Just went with a friend to check it out,” she said casually, barely glancing his way.
“A friend?” Roger looked curious, but let it go.
“Did you buy anything?”
“Buy anything?” Charlotte blinked, looking completely serious. “Nope, I didn’t.”
She didn’t buy, but she did get something. And it was taken from right under his nose. The thought almost made her smile.
Seeing her innocent face, Roger just felt sorry for her. She’d had to rely on someone else to even get inside, and the things she liked were always out of reach.
“Wait here, Lottie.”
Roger hurried out, but was back in less than two minutes. He set a gold card on the table in front of her.
“This is my account. After buying those gifts, there’s a bit left. It’s all yours. Go get something you really want.”
Was he seriously handing over his whole savings card? Kenneth had mentioned Roger nearly emptied his account buying those three sets of jewelry. There couldn’t be much left, but he was giving her everything.
Charlotte sat quietly, her gaze on the card. Whatever little resentment she’d had
toward Roger disappeared.
“I’m still in school. I really don’t need
that much,” she said, pushing the card back with a smile. “If I spend it all, what will you do when you want. to get married?”
Roger’s serious expression softened as a smile appeared. “Our little princess
should never go without.”