Chapter b392 /b

Desmond’s reaction was mild. He only responded with a nomittal “Mm” and said nothing else.

Xena couldn’t figure out what that “Mm” meant.

Was he displeased with Scott?

Or had he already started to ept him?

This time, both Desmond and Xena happened to be home when Scott stopped by the Riley estate.

Scott had been raised well. He never showed up empty–handed. Every visit, he brought a thoughtful gift. But until now, Desmond and Xena had never been home at the same time to receive him.

Scott greeted Desmond politely and handed over what he had prepared: two bottles bof /bvintage wine and a round of premium aged tea.

He had done his homework. Desmond didn’t smoke, but he enjoyed btea /band asionally liked a drink.

A housekeeper epted the gifts. Desmond gave them a quick nceb, /band ba /bfaint look of approval flickered in his eyes. But just faintly.

He wasn’t going to hand over his precious daughter just because of a few nice gifts.

“You’re very thoughtful,” Desmond said politely.

Xena, however, was warmer and more weing. She smiled and said, “Scott, you really didn’t have to bring anything. We’re just happy to see you.”

Scott returned her smile, calm and gracious. “It’s nothing. I’m happy to.”

Jodie spotted Tiana and ran over eagerly to grab her hand. “Tiana,e y in my

Tiana smiled brightly. “Okay, Jodie!”

room!b” /b

The two little girls headed upstairs while Charlotte and Scott sat down on the living room couch.

A housekeeper brought over tea and a te of sliced fruit. “Mr. Lucasb, /bplease enjoy.”

“Thank you,” he said.

Charlotte turned to him. “You mentioned you had a case you wanted to discuss. Let’s go over it now.”

Scott nodded. “Sure.”

As the two of them began reviewing the case, their attention turned focused and professional.

Desmond didn’t interrupt. He nced at them once, then quietly headed to the tea room. Xena also left the room, ncing back onest time.

In her heart, she couldn’t help but think, “They really do look good together. If only Lottie could let go of Sean and give Scott a real chance.”

Back at thew firm, Charlotte finally felt like herself again.

After more than a month recovering in the hospital, she could finally return to work. During that time, several of her cases had gone to trial, and otherwyers had to cover them.

Even when she asked friends to bring her files from the office, no one agreed. No matter how much she insisted, they all told her the same thing: rest, recover, and stop worrying about work.

bChapter /b392

→ b+25 /bBONUS

bWhen /bbScott /bbvisited /bher bin /bbthe /bhospitalb, /bhe even jokedb, /bb“/bRx. Therm hasn’t bcopsed /bjust because you’ve been out for a month. Everyone has bcases/b–we’re not starvingb./bb” /b

Now that she bwas /bfinally discharged, Charlotte felt like she had been given a new lease on life.

Back in her familiar boffice /bchair, she let out ba /bslow breathb. /bbThe /bwent on her shoulders eased.

Jenny knocked and walked in with a grinb, /bsetting a stack of brown file folders on Charlotte’s desk. “Wee backb, /bMiss Riley!b” /b

Sophie followed behind her. “Wee back!”

Jenny pointed at the pile. “See? That’s what you get for refusing to take a break. You finally get some rest and still couldn’t bstop /bworrying about work. Now you’ve got plenty waiting for you.”

Charlotteughed. “This is good.”

She turned to Sophie. “How did the trials go for those cases you handled?”

Sophie gave her a brief rundown of the hearings. In the end, she reported, “We won all of them.”

“Excellent.” Charlotte’s eyes lit with approval. “You’vee a long way, Sophie.”

Sophie smiled. “I’ve had the best mentor anyone could ask for.”