Chapter 672
After saying goodbye to Glenn, Charlotte walked over to the curb. Kenneth’s car pulled up just then, as if he’d been waiting for her all along. He got out, came to her side, and took her backpack from her, that warm, familiar smile lighting up his handsome face. “Lottie, did you miss me?”
“I did,” Charlotte replied, glancing at him with a small smile. But then she didn’t waste a second before asking, “Is Anthony here yet?”
Today was Grandpa’s birthday, so she couldn’t spend it with Anthony. Kenneth’s smile faltered just a bit. Of course, Anthony was always first in her heart.
“Not yet,” Kenneth said, sounding less than thrilled. “Last time he came over for dinner, it was a whole production. Who knows what he’s planning for Grandpa’s birthday this time.”
Charlotte couldn’t help but smile. He was probably feeling a little nervous about the whole thing.
“Let’s go home,” she said, noticing the disappointment in Kenneth’s eyes. She reached for his hand, her smile brightening. “Come on, let’s go.”
Kenneth’s mood instantly lifted. He hurried to open the car door, making sure Charlotte got in safely.
Just as they were getting in, Olivia, Letty, and Carmelita came out of the school and caught sight of them.
“Is that Charlotte with Carmelita was the first to notice. She pushed her glasses up, peered closer, then her eyes went wide. “Is that Kenneth?”
It really was him.
Olivia’s lashes fluttered. She honestly hadn’t expected Charlotte to still be hanging out with Kenneth. Was Anthony really okay with this? Letting her get all close and cozy with another guy?
“She was just flirting with the coach, and now she’s got Kenneth wrapped around her finger too. No wonder she had the money for a lawyer to help Stella,” Carmelita said, pulling out her phone and snapping a few photos. “Turns out she’s just using Kenneth’s connections.”
When Stella’s name came up, Letty’s gaze turned icy cold. “Charlotte sure knows what she’s doing.”
Olivia bit her lip, lowering her voice. “Honestly, this is just typical for her.”
The message was clear. In their eyes, Charlotte was shameless.
“So shameless,” Carmelita said, her voice sharp. “What do you think would happen if these photos ended up online
Olivia looked over at Carmelita, pressing her lips together. It was a tempting idea, but messing with the Blair family might not end well.
***
At the Gates Estate, Robert’s seventieth birthday was in full swing, the house buzzing with family and friends.
Charlotte had barely set foot inside
before Samantha swept her
upstairs. The dressing room was
massive, racks lined with every kind
of gown you could imagine, all designer all jaw-droppingly. expensive.
“Do you like this one?” Samantha held up a dress for her to see.
Charlotte sat on the sofa, feeling a little lost as Samantha showed her one dress after another. The
off the shoulder one-Anthony probably wouldn’t like that. She shook her head.
“What about this one?” Another dress, this one showing a bit of leg. Anthony would definitely be annoyed. She shook her head again.
Samantha thought for a moment, then picked up a simple red dress that came to the knee. It was pretty, but not too flashy. “How about this?”
Charlotte looked it over carefully, then nodded.
She changed into the dress and got
her hair and makeup done. When she looked in the mirror, she barely recognized herself. She looked almost unreal too beautiful to be true.
Samantha’s eyes went a little red. For a second, it felt like she was sending Charlotte off to get married. She hated the feeling, and she kind of wanted to cry.
At least Lottie was still young, no boyfriend yet. There would still be a few more years with her at home…