Charlotte Sterling was instantly on edge, anxiety prickling beneath her skin as she fumbled for her phone and dialed Vera’s number.

    It didn’t take long for Vera to pick up. “Charlotte?”

    Relief softened Charlotte’s tense features, if only a little. “You’re not at

    home?”

    “I’m here… Just then, Vera’s voice faded as she poked her head out of the neighboring apartment–Judd Carstairs‘ ce. Spotting Charlotte, she put down her phone. “Oh, you’re back!”

    Charlotte paused, momentarily thrown.

    Gentry Moore appeared in the doorway beside Vera. “Dr. Sterling’s back in Riverspire City?”

    Seeing both of them safe and together, Charlotte finally let herself breathe. Her gaze settled on Vera. “I thought something might’ve happened to you.”

    Vera crossed over, giving Gentry a quick nce. “Two strangers came by, but I didn’t go with them. Luckily, Dr. Carstairs and Dr. Moore came out just in time. Dr. Moore suggested I stay with Dr. Carstairs for a bit, just in

    case.”

    Gentry leaned against the doorframe, arms folded. “Yeah, if it weren’t for us, she probably would’ve been in real trouble.”

    Charlotte guessed the visitors must’ve been sent by Tricia, or maybe Zoe Donovan. She hadn’t expected them to find this ce so quickly. If not for Judd and Gentry, Vera might actually have been taken away.

    Snapping back to the present, Charlotte turned to Gentry. “Thank you.”

    “No need to thank me. If anyone deserves it, it’s Professor Carstairs.” Gentry waved her off and headed down the hall.

    Charlotte watched him disappear into the elevator, then turned back to

    12:46

    Vera. “If they could track you here, it’s probably not safe to stay anymore.”

    Vera nodded. “Maybe I’ll stay with Noreen for a while. She lives alone too, and our work schedules line up. Having someone else around might be better.”

    Charlotte’s eyes dropped for a moment. Maybe being with Noreen Lennox was better than being alone, after all. “All right.”

    After Vera called Noreen and started packing, Charlotte turned to leave–and unexpectedly caught Judd’s gaze from the doorway.

    He had been standing there without her noticing. “So you finally decided toe back?”

    She gave a small, amused smile. “Are you disappointed I did?”

    Judd looked away. “That’s your assumption, not mine.”

    “Now I owe Professor Carstairs another favor. Looks like three dinners won’t cover it.”

    “I don’t need free meals.”

    She tilted her head, teasing, “Then what do you need?”

    !

    Judd hesitated, words on the tip of his tongue. In the end, he looked off, feigning indifference. “Forget it. Even if I told you not to worry about it, you wouldn’t listen. Do whatever you want–I’ll go along with it.”

    As soon as he left, Charlotte began mulling over how to repay him.

    She finally settled on buying him a gift.

    The only problem was, she had no idea what he actually liked. With a sigh, she picked up her phone and texted Gentry for advice.

    was already night by the time Charlotte returned to the hotel.

    The dinner on the table was untouched and cold. Evander Howard sat at

    12:46

    the table, one hand pressed to his temple. The warm light deepened the sharp angles of his face, but made him look even paler than usual. He must have been waiting a long time; frustration darkened his brow, and his patience was clearly thinning.

    One of the bodyguards approached her, looking weary. “Ma’am, thank goodness you’re back. Mr. Howard…”

    “I thought you weren’ting home,” Evander’s voice cut in, t and edged.

    Charlotte’s gaze flicked to the cold dinner, her brows knitting. “If I hadn’te back, would you have just skipped dinner altogether?”

    He didn’t answer.

    “How long have you even been waiting?” Charlotte walked over, folded her arms, and leaned against the table, a small smirk on her lips. “Evander, you remember how you used toe homete all the time? I waited for you too, and I neverined. Now you’re the one losing patience?”

    The bodyguard looked awkward, ncing between them. “Ma’am, Mr. Howard’s just a little upset. Maybe go easy on him…”