bChapter /bb393 /b

    “So it’s Chairman Lennox,” Evander said with a faint smile. “What a coincidence, you’re right next door.”

    Chairman Lennox smiled back. “It certainly is.”

    Evander nced at Charlotte. “I thought my wife must have spotted someone she couldn’t bear to part with–turns out it was your daughter.”

    At that, the Lennox family turned to look at her.

    Charlotte forced a smile, managing to recover quickly. “I made ns to meet Noreen. I didn’t expect her to be in the private room right next to ours.”

    Mrs. Lennox’s tone softened as she looked at her daughter. “You had an appointment with Mrs. Howard–why didn’t you say so earlier?”

    “Did you ever give me a chance to?”

    “You-” Chairman Lennox started, annoyance ring, but he caught himself when he remembered there were others present. He nced apologetically at Evander and Charlotte. “Sorry you had to see that. My daughter does have a bit of a temper.”

    Evander nodded politely. “I hope we’re not interrupting anything?”

    Mrs. Lennox jumped in, “Not at all. Would you like toe in and join us for a while?”

    “We appreciate your kindness, Mrs. Lennox. Perhaps another time,” Evander replied before Charlotte could say a word, slipping his arm around her shoulders and steering her back toward their room.

    At the doorway, Charlotte pulled away from him. “What was that about?”

    “Eavesdropping on someone else’s conversation–did you find it amusing?”

    She bristled. “And what’s it got to do with you?”

    His expression darkened, almost imperceptibly. “You may think it’s nothing, but as long as we’re still married, it’s my business.”

    There was no point arguing with him–Charlotte knew she’d never win.

    She turned away, refusing to engage any further.

    Evander said nothing more and pushed open the door to their room.

    b1/3 /b

    b16:49 /b

    7

    The next morning, as Charlotte arrived at the hospital, she ran into Vera just getting out of her car. Vera waved. “Charlotte!”

    Charlotte smiled back. “Morning.” Then, remembering something, she asked, “Are you settling in all right at Noreen’s ce?”

    “Oh, absolutely! Her apartment is massive–it’s a two–story penthouse!” Vera’s eyes widened, recalling her initial shock. “She’s practically a secret heiress. She’s got two enormous cabs filled with collector’s items, all limited editions.”

    Charlotte nodded. “She really is well–off.”

    Suddenly, a voice behind them: “What are you two whispering about?”

    Noreen appeared, looking gloomy. Vera, misreading her mood, rushed to reassure her. “Nothing bad, I swear! We were just in awe of how fancy your ce is.”

    Charlotte chuckled. “It’s true. Who would have thought our Dr. Lennox is rolling in secret millions?”

    “Stop teasing me,” Noreen muttered, rubbing her temples in distress.

    Charlotte looked at her closely. “Is your family still pressuring you about that arranged marriage?”

    Vera shot her a surprised nce.

    Noreen’s shoulders slumped. She nodded. “Nothing’s changed. That’s just how it is when you’re a Lennox.”

    “Do you even know who they’ve picked out for you?”

    “My parents haven’t told me. They just went ahead and decided everything for me.” Noreen let out a bitterugh. “Whoever it is, I’m sure he’ll be old, ugly, strange, or even divorced–so long as he benefits the Lennox family. I don’t have much say in it.”

    Charlotte lowered her gaze, unsure how tofort her. She knew there were some things she simply couldn’t help with.

    Later, Charlotte headed to Hiram’s room.

    The nurse told her that Hiram’s mental state had improved–he was much more stable these daysb, /band the thoughts of self–harm seemed to have faded.

    Charlotte pushed open the hospital room door. “Hiram.”

    Hiram put down his book and looked up. “Sis, you’re here.”

    b2/3 /b

    b16:49 /b

    “How are you feeling?” she asked, walking to the bedside and noticing a stack of books on the nightstand. “And these?”