Dinner ended in a haze of silent tension.

Scott and Sean were locked in a quiet battle of wits.

Charlotte pretended not to notice.

Megan did her best to ignore it too.

After the meal, Sean offered to drive Charlotte and Jodie liome.

“I drove myself,” Charlotte replied.

“Then give me a lift,” Sean said casually. “We’re headed the same way.”

Charlotte stared at him. “Don’t you need to take Miss Stone home?”

“She drove herself.” Sean didn’t even nce at Megan. His voice turned warm as he looked at Charlotte.

She shot him an annoyed re. “Didn’t you also drive here? Why do I need to take you?”

“Just got a message from Ian that his car broke down halfway home. Tow truck won’t arrive for another hour and he’s got something urgent, so I sent my driver to pick him up. He’s nearby anyway, and I happened to bring the driver out today.”

Scott let out a short, mockingugh, his toneced with sarcasm. “Well, isn’t that convenient.”

Sean smiled, unbothered. “Isn’t it just?”

Scott fell silent, clearly unimpressed.

Charlotte, meanwhile, didn’t believe a word of it.

To sell the story, Sean called Ian on speaker.

“Ian, your car broke down, right? I’m having my driver pick you up I’m eating nearby.”

Ian immediately caught on and yed along. “Didn’t I just tell you that? Why are you calling again? Hurry up–I’ve got something urgent to deal with.”

“Hold on, driver’s on the way,” Sean said, then hung up and turned to Charlotte with a raised brow as if to say, see? I wasn’t lying.”

He waved off the car and handed the keys to his driver.

Before Charlotte could say anything, Megan spoke first. “I’ll give you a ride, Sean.”

But Sean brushed her off coolly. “You’re not on my way. I live right next to Miss Riley. We’re practically neighbors. It couldn’t be more convenient.”

Of course, Charlotte could see right through the little act Sean andn had just put on.

But she didn’t call them out on it.

Since Sean had already sent his driver away, if she refused, he would have no choice but to get a ride from Megan.

And selfishly, Charlotte didn’t want the two of them alone together

With a calm expressionb, /bshe shot him a nce and said, “Fine. Let’s igo/ii./i”

Then she opened the door and got in.

Sean’s eyes lit up. He looked pleased.

Before getting in, he turned to Scott and shed him a smug, triumphant smile.

Petra was driving. Charlotte and Jodie sat in the back while Sean took the passenger seat.

As the car pulled away, Megan and Scott exchanged a silent, exasperated look.

When they arrived outside the Riley estate, the car slowed to a stop

“You can get out here,” Charlotte said tly.

She didn’t want her father to see Sean dropping her off. It would raise too many questions.

Sean seemed to understand. His gaze dimmed slightly

as he opened the door but didn’t step out right away.

“There’s nothing between me and Megan,” he said, turning to look directly at Charlotte. “She only asked to meet today because of a business proposal.”

The light from the car’s overheadmp cast a soft glow on Charlotte’s face. She looked stunning–calm and elegant, like a painting.

Her expression didn’t change. She simply replied, “Okay.”

Nothing more.

Sean stared at her for a moment, then got out.

“Goodnight, Lottie.”

She didn’t respond.

As soon as he stepped out, Petra drove the car into the underground garage. Charlotte got out and walked toward the elevator, her thoughts miles away.