"I want the best PR you have here," Charlotte walked into Saint Tropez, the most famous bar in Arcadia City. Here, there are outstanding male PRs.Today, she was wearing a tight-fitting dress that accentuated her beautiful figure. With her unique makeup, she looked like a rose in the dark night. The male in pub couldn't help but stare at her.About ten minutes ago..."Charlotte, you finally figured it out," Charlotte's good friend Isabella said next to her. "Lott, if you dare to flirt with that handsome guy in front, I'll give you this month's allowance.""No, with your allowance, there's not much, it's still your brother who gives it to you," Charlotte said, already a little tipsy, shaking her head."Then you will be content to be betrayed by George today. Today is your engagement day, and this guy actually got together with your half-sister Eva," Isabella said indignantly for Charlotte."You're right, this guy, Eva, my stepsister, even sent me photos of them in bed. She's not afraid
As the elevator ascended to the top floor of the hotel, Charlotte felt her heart race in her chest. She stole a glance at Sebastian, whose sharp features and confident demeanor exuded a captivating allure, leaving her both curious and apprehensive.Meanwhile, Sebastian remained composed, his gaze fixed ahead as if lost in thought. It was his first time realizing he could hold a girl in his arms.As the elevator numbers climbed, the atmosphere between them grew more intense.Finally, the elevator doors opened, revealing a luxurious suite bathed in soft golden light.Sebastian pressed his fingerprint to the door, leading Charlotte into the room and placing her on the plush bed in the master bedroom.Charlotte's nerves began to kick in as she found herself in a strange man's bed. The tension was palpable.Sebastian loosened his tie. "Would you like to shower first, or shall I?""I'll go first," Charlotte hurriedly got out of bed and dashed into the adjacent bathroom.Staring at her refle
With each sip of wine, Charlotte fortified her spirit, envisioning a future where she stood proudly in her own art studio, surrounded by her masterpieces. It was a vision of independence and empowerment—a sanctuary where her creativity knew no bounds.As Sebastian emerged from the bathroom, he found Charlotte lost in her thoughts. She looked slightly flushed from the wine, yet her gaze was resolute.He quietly sat beside her, observing her contemplative expression. In her silence, he found an unexpected serenity, a stark contrast to the cacophony of the nightclub downstairs.In the past, he had sought solace in the noisy revelry of nightclubs when sleep eluded him. But now, the tranquillity of the girl beside him made him yearn to envelop her in his embrace.Charlotte knew that in that moment, amidst the uncertainty of the future, she silently vowed to reclaim her identity and pursue her passion for art with unwavering determination. For in the depths of her heart, she knew that true
"Mr. Sebastian, here's your schedule for today," Ethan, Sebastian's assistant, walked into the CEO's penthouse bedroom early in the morning, as usual.Seeing Sebastian pinching his nose and rubbing his eyes, he asked with concern, "Is your eye condition acting up again?"As Sebastian's long-time assistant, Ethan was well aware of the CEO's health issues."No, it's fine. Do we have any special arrangements today?" Sebastian inquired."You have George's engagement party tonight," the assistant emphasized."Wasn't the engagement party yesterday?" Sebastian asked, puzzled."It didn't happen yesterday; they said they rescheduled it for today, the former CEO, your father wants you to attend" Ethan replied truthfully.Meanwhile, Charlotte had just returned home."Daddy, sister went to the nightclub yesterday without telling anyone; George searched for her for a long time," Charlotte's stepsister, Eva, was already stirring up trouble.Charlotte recalled the photos Eva had shown her, and she f
George was in conversation with his grandfather. "Grandpa, I will marry Charlotte," he asserted, knowing well his grandfather's fondness for her, thinking Eva could just be a fling.Charlotte paid no heed to his scheming. She wasn't one to fall for his two-timing ways.There was a commotion in the crowd, and Charlotte looked up to see a tall, lean figure surrounded by admirers."Have you heard? That's Sebastian from the Titan Group, and he's still single," the whispers circulated among the onlookers."I never realized he was this young. I thought he was around the same age as Rodrigo. Turns out, he's closer to Rodrigo's son.""You know what? He's a late bloomer, but they say he's remarkable."Charlotte was curious about her supposed fiancé's uncle.Was it him?The male model she had spent the night with at the rooftop nightclub. Wasn't he supposed to be in a different line of work? And he's George's uncle?Charlotte felt a tad embarrassed but then found the situation increasingly intr
Charlotte felt a wave of discomfort at his condescending tone, but she refused to show it.Instead, she met his gaze head-on, her expression devoid of any emotion.Ignoring his sarcasm, she spoke coldly, "Do you have something to say to me?"Sebastian's expression remained cold and emotionless as he looked at her. Despite Charlotte's outward composure, he could still feel the tension simmering between them.The air in the restroom seemed to grow heavier with their silent standoff, each waiting for the other to make a move.Finally, Sebastian spoke, his voice low and devoid of warmth. "I believe you left something for me earlier."Charlotte felt a blush creep up her cheeks as she remembered the money, she had left for him."Yes, I did. Consider it a token of gratitude," she replied.A faint smile tugged at the corner of Sebastian's lips, his eyes twinkling with amusement."And what exactly are you grateful for?" he asked.A surge of defiance rose within Charlotte as she retorted, "For
Sebastian's words rang in Charlotte's ears, and she felt her heartbeat faster. Her cheeks felt slightly hot, but she tried to stay calm."Kiss you?" Charlotte's voice was filled with disdain. She didn't want to give in to his request easily.Sebastian did not flinch, his eyes flashed with a hint of provocation and curiosity."Yes, kiss me," he repeated firmly, "and I'll tell you."Charlotte was silent for a moment, pondering the offer. She knew she couldn't be easily defeated by him, but at the same time she was curious about what he wanted to tell her.Finally, she decided to take the plunge. She raised her head, moved closer to Sebastian, and closed her eyes.Just as their lips were about to touch, a voice suddenly came from outside the door."Charlotte? Are you okay?"The sound caused both Sebastian and Charlotte to stop. They looked at each other with a hint of disappointment in their eyes."I'll come out now." Charlotte replied, feeling a little helpless but also a little relieve
"You despicable woman!" George's mother, Marian, turned around and slapped Eva across the face. "You dare to seduce your sister-in-law."As soon as Marian saw the screen, she knew her son's image in his grandfather's eyes was doomed. The only way to salvage the situation was to shift all the blame onto Charlotte's sister, Eva, and clear her son's name.Originally, Marian didn't approve of Charlotte. If it weren't for George's grandfather liking her, she wouldn't have wanted George to marry Charlotte. A girl studying art wasn't suitable to stand by her son's side as the future successor of the Goliath Group. But Eva, she looked down on even more. However, now that George's grandfather had handed over the reins to George's younger uncle, Sebastian, she had no choice but to compromise. After all, if it didn't matter whom her son married, it had to be someone the grandfather liked."Charlotte, George must have been drunk. He's always had you on his mind. You know about your sister's jeal
Sebastian squeezed her hand to comfort her."I'll go with you to see Claire.""You're coming too?" Charlotte asked in surprise."I'll stay nearby, where I can see you but she can't see me."Charlotte nodded, quickly got dressed, and used a scarf to cover the marks on her neck."We need to find out what she's thinking. Don't you think she looks a bit like me?"Sebastian didn't comment on that.At the café, Charlotte saw Claire already sitting at a table by the window."Claire.""Charlotte."The two of them sitting together looked like sisters.Claire's sharp eyes closely observed Charlotte. "So, how was your night?"Charlotte shrugged, maintaining a neutral expression. "Nothing special. How about yours?"Claire leaned back in her chair, her gaze unwavering. "Just curious if you noticed anything strange last night? When I visited Sebastian, I thought I heard someone in his room."Charlotte's heart raced, but she remained calm. "Strange? No, I didn't notice anything. Maybe it was just a
Sebastien held Charlotte’s hand to comfort her. "I'll come with you to see Claire.""You’re coming too?" Charlotte asked in surprise."I'll stay nearby, where I can see you, but she can’t see me," Sebastien explained.Charlotte nodded, quickly dressed, and used a scarf to cover the marks on her neck. "We need to figure out what she’s thinking. Don’t you think she looks a bit like me?"Sebastien made no comment on this observation.At the cafe, Charlotte found Claire already seated by the window."Claire.""Charlotte."The two sat together like sisters.Claire’s sharp eyes closely observed Charlotte. "So, how was your night?"Charlotte shrugged, keeping her expression neutral. "Nothing much. How about you?"Claire leaned back in her chair, her gaze unwavering. "Just curious, did you notice anything strange last night? When I visited Sebastien, I thought I hea
The next morning, the early rays of sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting a soft glow on Sebastien and Charlotte as they woke up, still in each other’s embrace.The calmness of the morning stood in stark contrast to the previous night’s panic, making their relationship feel temporarily better.Charlotte stretched and yawned, her mind already racing with thoughts of how to handle their complicated relationship. “We need a plan, Sebastien. Claire is already suspicious, and soon others will start noticing too.”Sebastien nodded, his fingers gently brushing through her hair. “You’re right. We need to be strategic.”Just then, Charlotte’s phone buzzed on the bedside table. She reached for it, her heart skipping a beat when she saw Claire’s name on the screen.“It’s Claire,” Charlotte said, holding up the phone for Sebastien to see.“Answer it,” Sebastien urged. “Act normal.”Charlotte took a deep breath and accepted the call. “Hey, Claire. What’s up?”“Hey, Charlotte. Are you fre
Charlotte's heart raced as she heard Claire's voice outside Sebastien's door. Panic set in as she quickly assessed her options. Her neck was covered in Sebastien's kiss marks, and there was no way she could face Claire without raising suspicion."Hide in the bathroom," Sebastien whispered urgently, sensing her dilemma.Charlotte nodded and swiftly slipped into the bathroom, closing the door quietly behind her. She pressed her ear against the door, trying to catch snippets of the conversation outside.Sebastien took a deep breath and opened the door, greeting Claire with a forced smile. "Claire, what brings you here?""Can I come in?" Claire asked, her eyes narrowing slightly as she looked at Sebastien's handsome face."Of course," Sebastien said, gesturing for her to enter.Claire stepped inside, her sharp gaze sweeping over the room, making Sebastien uneasy. "I wanted to discuss something about the project," she said casually,
Chapter 54The atmosphere in the meeting room was somewhat tense. Sebastien didn't immediately agree to Ronaldo's request. He turned to Ronaldo and said, "I will consider your request carefully." The first meeting between the parties ended just like that. Sebastien didn't want Ronaldo to take the initiative, even though he sought cooperation."Sebastien," Claire called out to him after the meeting, "Would you join me for dinner?"Sebastien glanced at Charlotte and said, "Let's all go together.""Ronaldo, do you have time to join us for dinner too?" he added.In the end, all five people from the meeting room were seated together at a restaurant. The seating arrangement was quite interesting, with Ronaldo flanked by Charlotte on his left and Claire on his right. Even Nathan noticed the resemblance between the two women. "Charlotte and Claire look quite alike," he remarked jokingly.Both Sebastien and Ronaldo paused, looking closely and indeed noticing the similarity. Sebastien didn't sa
Several days later, the much-anticipated meeting commenced as scheduled on a bright and sunny morning. Top executives and board members had already taken their seats in the elegant conference room. Suddenly, the door swung open, and Ronaldo, accompanied by his daughter Claire, strode in. Their entrance caused a brief pause among the attendees, who quickly resumed their composure."Ronaldo, it's a pleasure to meet you finally. I'm Sebastian," said Sebastian, rising to greet him. "This is my secretary, Charlotte, and my assistant, Nathan," he added, introducing them with a polite gesture.As Ronaldo entered, his sharp eyes immediately noticed Charlotte. There was a resemblance to someone from his past, but he maintained his composure, shaking Sebastian's hand firmly."Please, take a seat. This is my daughter Claire. You've met before," Ronaldo remarked, observing Sebastian and Charlotte closely for their reactions.Charlotte glanced up at Claire, recalling their brief encounter in Sebas
"Send me your location, Nathan. I'll come to you," Sebastian said over the phone."Charlotte, the president is on his way," Nathan turned to Charlotte. "Do you want to freshen up? I've booked a table at the hotel restaurant. We'll meet there."Charlotte finally snapped out of her thoughts and headed to the bathroom, letting the warm water wash away the turmoil in her heart. After showering, she put on a light blue dress. Her wet hair fell softly over her shoulders, giving her a refreshingly natural look.Before she knew it, it was 7 PM. Nathan was already seated in the restaurant, his heart pounding with anticipation for Sebastian and Charlotte's arrival. He flipped through the menu while glancing at the door from time to time, feeling a bit anxious.Sebastian walked into the restaurant, his eyes scanning the room. He soon spotted Nathan and, with a slight frown, asked, "Where's Charlotte?"Nathan looked up and smiled, "She'll be down
Back at the hotel, Sebastian was trying to focus on his meeting with Ronaldo. Claire was still there, watching him with a curious expression."Why do you look so worried? My father is finally agreeing to meet you," Claire said, sensing his unease.Sebastian forced a smile. "Just making sure everything goes smoothly. This meeting is important."Claire nodded, accepting his explanation but still curious about his behaviour. Sebastian knew he had to keep his composure. The meeting with Ronaldo could determine the future of his business dealings, but more importantly, it could provide answers to the questions swirling in his mind about Charlotte and the sudden interest Ronaldo seemed to have in her. Little did he know, Ronaldo had his own hidden agenda, one that could potentially shatter Sebastian's world.Soon enough, Sebastian and Ronaldo were face to face. The air was thick with tension as both exuded a strong presence, their eyes locked in a
"Nathan, drop everything and find Charlotte. I need to talk to her and explain. I can't bear the thought of her being out there alone," Sebastian pleaded, his voice trembling with desperation, as he called Nathan as soon as Charlotte left the hotel."Got it, boss. I'll take the next flight over," Nathan replied."No need. I'll send my private jet to pick you up," Sebastian insisted.He knew he had to find Charlotte and make things right, but he couldn't risk going out now."Sebastian," came Claire's voice from outside the door. Sebastian quickly changed clothes and opened the door."Sebastian, my father has agreed to meet you. Are you happy now?" Claire said as if she were taking full credit for it.Sebastian was surprised. He had stayed here for so long without getting a meeting with Claire's father, Ronaldo. There had been no news despite Claire's attempts to arrange a meeting. It was said that Ronaldo was very fond of his da