Chapter 31
Alexander’s POV:
“Charlotte, I stood before her with an intimidating presence, asking directly, “What exactly is your relationship?”
Her eyes darted away—a sign of deception I’d observed in countless business negotiations.
“We…we’re just normal friends,” she stammered.
I knew I wouldn’t get more from her. At least not now. But there was another person who might be more forthcoming.
“You have five minutes to pack. I’ll wait for you downstairs,” I said coldly, then left the room.
Back at the mansion in Nobel Hill, I found Jason carelessly lounging on the sofa. His casual familiarity with my wife suddenly took on a new, irritating significance.
“Get to my study, now,” I commanded.
“Uncle, what did I do wrong?” he asked, confusion evident on his face.
I merely glared at him before heading to my study. Moments later, he arrived, standing before me like a student awaiting punishment.
“What was your relationship with Charlotte in the past?” I asked directly.
He hesitated. “Just classmates, friends.”
I narrowed my eyes. “Were you two… involved romantically?”
“What?” His eyes widened in shock. “Uncle, who told you that?”
“Who else would tell me but her?” I countered, though it was a bluff. Charlotte hadn’t said anything of the sort, but Jason’s reaction was telling.
Answer me,” I pressed when he remained silent.
After a moment’s hesitation: “Well, yes. We did have a relationship.”
The confession hit me like a physical blow. I felt the temperature in the room plummet as anger surged through me. My nephew and my wife–former lovers. Suddenly everything made sense: her joy upon seeing him, their running off together, his insistence that she stay at the estate.
“Get out, I forced the word through clenched teeth.
He fled immediately.
Back in our bedroom, I saw Charlotte happily examining a gift Jason had brought her, and my expression grew increasingly
dark
“Charlotte Cole,” I addressed her by her full name, “why did you agree to marry me in the first place?”
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Chapter 31
This was the second time we’d discussed this topic since our marriage. The first ended poorly. Now I needed clarity–I couldn’t bear the thought of embracing my nephew’s former girlfriend.
She stubbornly shook her head, mentioning some promise to my father.
“Anything he promised you, I can fulfill better,” I stated.
‘I can’t break my promise,” she insisted. “I promised Dad I wouldn’t tell you.”
“You should also know when to be practical,” I responded. “In Kingsley’s current situation, following my instructions would benefit you more than whatever he offered.”
I guessed: “Did he threaten your family’s company?”
Her shocked expression confirmed it. She nodded. “Your father came to my home with a marriage proposal, and if I didn’t marry you, he said he would make my family end up like the Wright Group… My brother Matthew is studying in England, and Cole Tech is my parents‘ twenty–year labor of love. I had no choice.”
The truth aligned with my suspicions. Without another word, I left, furious at my father’s heavy–handed tactics.
That night, I sat alone in my Marin County residence, contemplating the absurdity of my situation. I had married my nephew’s ex–girlfriend, only to find myself inexplicably drawn to her. Initially, I was indifferent to this arranged marriage, but through these days of interaction, I seemed to have developed different feelings for Charlotte. Charlotte was attractive enough and had a likable personality; I thought we might get along.
If I had known about her history with Jason three days ago, I wouldn’t be this conflicted now. I recalled joking about giving her to Jason when my father first mentioned her age, but now the mere thought of my petite wife with Jason was
unbearable. I gripped my glass until it shattered in my hand.
At midnight, my phone rang. Charlotte’s name illuminated the screen.
“Hello,” I answered.
“Are you coming back tonight?” Her voice was soft, laden with sleepiness. “I’ve been waiting for you until I’m exhausted…
if you’re not coming back, I’ll lock the door and go to sleep.”
I straightened. “You’ve been waiting for me?”
“Mm–hmm, who else would I wait for?”
“Why wait for me?”
Her voice grew fainter, slurred with fatigue: “Just hurry back, I’m so tired, about to fall asleep, I’m not waiting anymore…”
The line went quiet except for her gentle breathing. I stared at the glass shards beside me, listening to her fall asleep on the phone. After hesitating for three seconds, I grabbed my car keys and headed home.
It was 1 AM when I arrived. As promised, the bedroom door wasn’t locked. Charlotte lay sprawled on the bed, her phone still displaying our connected call.
I sat beside her and ended the call. She stirred slightly, her heavy eyelids barely opening to register my presence. She sighed contentedly and rolled over.
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16:19 Wed, 13 Aug PPO
Chapter 31
With mixed emotions, I tucked her in and retreated to the bathroom.
The next morning, I returned home to find Charlotte and Jason sitting under the porch, each eating ice cream.
“I bought you ice cream, so you have to help me plead with my uncle not to limit my card and let me go out freely,” Jason said, not noticing my approach.
“What if he doesn’t listen to me?” Charlotte asked.
“You’re the woman he likes now. Just use some feminine charm, and my uncle will do whatever you say.”
Charlotte’s lips twitched skeptically. “Alexander likes me? That’s the biggest joke I’ve heard all year.”
“If my uncle wasn’t interested in you, he would never have married you,” Jason insisted.
“Haven’t you considered that maybe he was also threatened by your grandfather to marry me?”
Jason laughed. “The person who can threaten my uncle hasn’t been born yet.”
Charlotte didn’t seem convinced but continued eating her ice cream. “I promise to help you talk to him, but I can’t guarantee results.”
“Deal,” Jason agreed.
I parked my car in front of them, the engine still hot. They both looked up at me simultaneously.
“What are you doing sitting here?” I asked coldly.
“Waiting for you to come home from work,” Charlotte answered.
“Keeping her company while she waits for you,” Jason added.
I bent down, pulled Charlotte up, and gave her a stern look. “Throw away the ice cream.”
Charlotte looked at her half–eaten treat and rebelliously took another bite. “No.”
I snatched the box from her hand and tossed it directly into the garbage. This ice cream my nephew bought for my wife- such a small gesture, yet it filled me with immense anger.
Back in our bedroom, Charlotte glared at me, fury sparking in her eyes. “Alexander Kingsley, you owe me an ice cream.”
I tossed my phone to her. “Contact my assistant yourself.”
Charlotte looked adorable when angry, like an inflated balloon. “You threw it away, why should I make the call?”
Without arguing, I called my assistant directly. “Have an ice cream delivered.”
My assistant sounded surprised. “Mr. President, what flavor would you like?”
I frowned–ice cream has flavors? I glanced at Charlotte. “What flavors does ice cream come in?”
“Hmph, many! Original, vanilla, matcha, strawberry, twist…” she began listing.
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The Billionaire’s Reluctant Bride
Chapter 32
