Chapter 556
“So… does this mean you forgive me?”
Charlotte gave a little nod, her lips quirking as she studied Anthony from head to toe. Her eyes narrowed with mischief. “But there’s one thing I’m dying to know.”
He raised a brow. “What’s that?”
She leaned in, her voice dropping. “After all these years, who’s actually stronger?”
Anthony barely had time to react before she spoke again, her tone light but challenging. He should have known she wouldn’t let things go that easily.
“What?” Anthony blinked, caught off guard. Did she really mean… a fight?
“If you beat me, you get a prize,” Charlotte teased, her lips curving into a sly smile. She hooked a finger in his tie and tugged him closer, her gaze sharp. “This is your shot, Anthony. So, are you in or not?”
“Lottie He frowned, hesitating. He never trusted himself to be gentle enough. What if he accidentally hurt her?
She just rolled her eyes. “Less talking.” Then, without warning, she raised her hand and aimed a swift chop right at his neck.
Anthony’s reflexes kicked in, and he darted to the side. Her hand sliced the air, missing his ear by a hair. She wasn’t pulling her punches. She was all in.
Charlotte arched an eyebrow. Before he could even catch his breath, her fists were already coming at him. Anthony stepped back, blocking and dodging as best he could. At first, he was careful, making sure he didn’t hurt her. But the longer they went, the faster and fiercer she got. It hit him—his real struggle was just keeping up. She was way tougher than she’d been three years ago.
Charlotte swept her leg toward his feet. Anthony jumped back just in time, but her kick knocked over a vase. The crash of glass filled the room.
Before he could react, she leapt onto the low table and flipped over it, coming at him with another kick. Anthony’s eyes darkened. He caught her ankle and tried to pull her off balance.
She frowned and kicked him square in the shoulder with her other foot. He stumbled back, slamming into a bookshelf. Books and random stuff rained down, clattering onto the floor, one after another.
Out in the hall, Hans heard the chaos. His face turned pale, but weirdly, he felt a little relieved. It was finally happening.
“Anthony!” Hans yelled, hands on the door, ready to rush in. But Anthony’s voice, cold and sharp, cut through the noise. “Stay out!”
Hans froze, and so did the guards behind him. Why wouldn’t Anthony let them in now, of all times? Not far away, Adonis heard the ruckus and hurried over, looking way too excited. “Are they actually fighting?”
Hans shot Adonis a glare. “N is in there.”
Adonis just shrugged. “I know.” He didn’t seem worried at all. Even if it got rough, Charlotte could handle herself. As for Anthony… who could say?
Hans couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off, but with Anthony’s orders, he had no choice but to wait. Meanwhile, the noise inside got louder. Hans was so anxious he was practically pulling his hair out. N wasn’t just anyone. She’d escaped Anthony three years ago Now who knew what would happen? Remembering how cool and cocky N had been earlier, Hans couldn’t help but worry. Anthony might actually lose.
While Hans was a nervous wreck, the people behind him were a total contrast. Members of the X Organization stood tense and ready, gripping their weapons. The Ne, organization folks lounged around looking bored. A couple of them
were leaning against the wall eating apples, not a care in the world.
After about ten minutes, the fighting suddenly stopped. Hans’s phone rang, making him jump.
“Anthony?” he answered, voice shaking. “Are you alright?”
“Let the N Organization people go. And transfer ten billion to their account.” Anthony sounded almost… happy.
Hans stared at his phone. Did Anthony lose? He was letting people go, paying out a fortune, and he sounded pleased. Was there something going on with him and N?
“Yes, Anthony.” Hans hesitated, squeezing his phone, then tried to hint, “By the way, Andrew couldn’t get through to Charlotte, so he messaged me instead
The hint was obvious, or so Hans thought. But inside, Charlotte was sitting on the sofa, sulking. She’d lost the fight. She was not happy about it.
“I know,” Anthony said, then hung up. He looked down at Charlotte, who looked like she was about to explode. He laughed softly You’re the one who wanted to fight. NoW you’re giving me the silent treatment just because you lost?”
She shot him a glare. “Shut up.”
Anthony grinned, then bent down and scooped her into his arms, gently stroking her hair. “Didn’t you say you had a present for me?”
She did. At the mention of a gift, her cheeks turned pink. She looked away from his intense eyes, mumbling, “It’s at the hotel.”
“I’ll come with you to get it.” He picked up her mask and slipped it back on her face. Keeping her identity a secret was safer.
Once she was disguised as a “man” again, Anthony wrapped his arm around her waist and led her out.
When the door opened, Hans looked up, still on edge. He saw two “men” walking out together, practically glued to each other. His phone slipped from his hand and crashed to the floor.
Adonis stared, completely speechless. Even though he knew the truth, the sight was still… well, a little hard to handle.