Sabina sheered, utterly unbothered. “So what if I said you’re just trying tond yourself a sugar daddy? Miss Winthrop was right–there are always shameless women like you throwing themselves at men-”

She didn’t finish her sentence before Charlotte’s hand whipped across her face, the p sharp and decisive.

Everyone nearby turned, drawn by themotion

Sabina froze, stunned for a moment. When she snapped back to reality, her anger red. She raised her hand, ready to strike back.

Charlotte caught Sabina’s wrist mid–air and delivered another p, even harder sending Sabina stumbling sideways.

“You dare hit me!” Sabina shrieked, her face flushed red, clutching her cheek “Security! Somebody call security!”

It didn’t take long for thepany’s security guards to arrive.

Sabina jabbed a finger at Charlotte. “She’s causing trouble at work–she assaulted me! What are you waiting for? Get her out of here and call the cops!”

Charlotte’s voice was cold but steady. “Everyone saw what happened. You started it, insulting me for no reason. I only hit you because you wouldn’t stop. I’m here to see Mr. Howard on business, but just because I’m a woman, you feel free to nder my reputation. Aren’t you ashamed, tearing down another woman like that?

She turned to address the crowd, her tone icy. “Or is this the official attitude at Howard Enterprises now? Any woman who walks through the door gets verbally abused, is that it?”

A ripple of difort ran through the women in the room as they eyed Sabina with a new,plicated expression.

“What’s her problem? Isn’t she a woman herself?”

“Starting rumors like that–disgusting.”

Sabina’s face had gone pale, her confidence faltering. “Y–you’re twisting my words! You shouldn’t be here without an appointment!”

“iMy /ick of an appointment doesn’t give you the right to spread filthy rumors about me.” Charlotte calmly pulled out her phone. “I didn’t want to call Mr. Howard myself, but since you’ve made such a scene, I guess I have no choice.”

07:58

At the reception desk, staff exchanged startled looks.

She actually has Mr. Howard’s number?

Could she really know him?

Sabina stiffened. She’d worked here for six, nearly seven years. She’d seen plenty of womene looking for Mr. Howard, but she’d never seen Charlotte before. She must be bluffing.

Sabina snorted. “Go ahead and call. There’s no way you actually know Mr. Howard.” Charlotte dialed. The call rang and rang with no answer, then went straight to

voicemail.

She tried again. Still no luck–the line was busy.

She let out a short, exasperatedugh.

The murmurs in the crowd grew louder. Sabina folded her arms, chin high, triumphant. “Told you! See? She’s just making things up–who’d believe she could actually call Mr. Howard?”

Charlotte’s expression darkened. She realized Evander was doing this on purpose. There was no point arguing anymore.

Ignoring the whispers and stares, she turned to leave.

“Trying to run now that you’ve been caught?” Sabina called out, signaling for security to block Charlotte’s path. She grabbed Charlotte’s arm, voiceced with malice. “You pped me twice–you think I’m just going to let that slide?”

She raised her hand, about to strike back.

A figure strode over, intercepting Sabina’s hand with effortless precision. Sabina, furious at being stopped, looked up–and the fight drained out of her when she recognized who it was. “Ms.–Natalie?”

Natalie, expression unreadable, brushed off Sabina’s hand and turned to Charlotte. “Mr. Howard just returned. Pleasee with me.”

A fresh wave of surprise rippled through the crowd.

Sabina’s bravado fizzled out the instant she realized Charlotte really did know

Evander. Her face turned ashen; she didn’t dare say another word.

Charlotte said nothing, simply following Natalie down the hall.

07-580

The onlookers gradually dispersed, leaving Sabina standing there, frozen, panic rising in her chest.

Natalie led Charlotte to an office, then quietly closed the door behind her, leaving her alone.

Evander was lounging on the sofa, his long legs crossed, dressed casually in an open–cored shirt and crisp white pants. He looked rxed, fingers tapping an absent rhythm on the armrest.

He nced up, voicezy. “You needed to see me about something?”

Charlotte’s face was calm, though her eyes were hard. She knew he’d done this deliberately. “Did you really have to go this far?”

Evander stared at her in silence for a long moment, then shifted, uncrossing his legs. “So, is this a negotiation now?”

She frowned. “What do you actually want from me?”

“I told youst night,” he said tly.

Charlotte’sposure cracked; her face drained of color.

“Evander, isn’t one Tricia enough for you?”

His expression darkened, but he didn’t answer the question. His tone was curt: “If you’re not willing, then leave.”

Charlotte’s clenched fists slowly rxed. For a long moment, they were locked in a silent standoff. At the edge of his patience, she finally stepped toward him.

b07.58 /b

bChapter /bb114 /b

bChapter /bb114 /b