The rehearsal this time went very well. Afterward, Charlotte headed to the bathroom but was intercepted at the door.
She glanced up to meet Zelda's eyes, which were filled with jealousy and resentment. Zelda's pretty and elegant face was twisted with sneers and smugness at that moment."Charlotte, do you think you can win Kingsley's support just because you have a pretty face?" Zelda taunted.Charlotte pursed her lips, but before she could respond, Zelda continued, "Oh, I almost forgot. A shameless flirt like you is probably accustomed to seducing men, aren't you? When Kingsley isn't around, you move on to the next target, using your innocent face to entice others, like Ben. You must have noticed Ben's decent background, right? You're repulsive! Disgusting, really!"Charlotte's expression darkened. She had grown up in a loving environment, surrounded by kind and gentle people. Being maliciously targeted by a stranger for no apparent reason, and fAt that moment, the ward was permeated with the smell of disinfectant.Kingsley, with a pallid face, clicked on the video. His deep-set eyes flickered with a faint light.Carl poured a cup of warm boiled water and stood by the hospital bed, clutching the medicine bottle. "Kingsley, it's time to take your medicine. And she's fine, so please don't worry."However, Kingsley ignored him.He replayed the video that the staff had sent repeatedly, his gaze fixated on Charlotte's gentle face on the screen. Yet, when he saw Charlotte chatting happily with Ben on the grass, and Ben reaching out to touch her arm, his breath caught, his eyes instantly reddening.It was as if the beast in his heart, long suppressed, was about to break free.Carl noticed his expression shift."Kingsley!"Kingsley remained silent, tightly pursing his thin lips. His hand, clutching the cell phone, trembled, fingers repeatedly clenching. Then, with a cl
The next day, rehearsals resumed. Charlotte was taken aback to learn that Zelda had been hospitalized due to an accidental injury.The news cast a somber mood over the rehearsal site, and conversations buzzed."I heard Zelda was in a car accident on her way home and broke her leg bone.""They caught the guy, apparently it was a DUI.""Poor Zelda. Hey, remember what Kingsley said to her before?"Even Sherry, beside Charlotte, couldn't hide her concern.A few days back, when Zelda nearly caused Charlotte to fall off the stage, Kingsley publicly expressed a wish that she could endure such mishaps.Ironically, just two days later, Zelda was in an accident.As speculations swirled at the rehearsal site, insinuating Kingsley's involvement, Sherry glanced at Charlotte, who was staring at her phone with a hint of worry."Come on, Charlotte, our turn's coming up," Sherry said, walking back to her.Charlotte tore her gaze fro
Two days flew by in a flash. Finally, Diana's concert began.The audience filed into the hall in a neat and orderly line. Charlotte, escorted by Aaron and Ian, smiled happily with a sense of honor on her face. They had prime seats at the front of the stage, affording them a clear view of the proceedings."Chris is here!" Charlotte exclaimed suddenly, her gaze darting towards the passageway in surprise. Aaron and Ian followed her look, raising their eyebrows in unison. Chris stood alone, apparently not having reconciled with his first girlfriend as he had hoped.The music prelude began, signaling the imminent start of Diana's performance. The audience had already settled into their seats, waiting with bated breath. Charlotte, too, awaited eagerly, but she couldn't shake the feeling of being watched.Turning her head reflexively, Charlotte scanned the dimly lit corner where the sensation emanated from, finding nothing amiss. Rows of spectators were seat
Ian's words immediately directed everyone's attention towards Charlotte.Chris was the first to inquire, "Charlotte, what's happening?"Aaron and Diana also approached her, their concern and curiosity evident in their eyes.Feeling uneasy under her siblings' scrutiny, Charlotte nervously clenched her fingers, hesitant to meet their gaze.Should she voice her suspicions? The person really did resemble Kingsley.But how could Kingsley be here at this moment? If she did mention it, would it lead to extensive investigations into Kingsley's whereabouts? Wouldn't that only complicate things for him?"Charlotte, you need to be honest with us," Ian urged, his expression serious. "The person we just saw is no ordinary individual. Their hacking skills are comparable to mine, indicating significant backing. Someone of such caliber showing up at Diana's recital and targeting you is concerning. This isn't something to take lightly."Ian'
While Charlotte was drifting into a daze, Kingsley made a sudden movement.He stepped back, pushed down the brim of his hat, and ushered her out of the bar.But when they reached the outside, Kingsley only whispered, "Take care," and prepared to leave.Charlotte quickly seized his arm, causing Kingsley to visibly flinch, looking back at her."Ah... Sorry..." she suddenly remembered that he despised physical contact.Although Charlotte felt a bit embarrassed, Kingsley's attention had shifted from her hand to the figures quickly encircling them from the shadows."Oh no!" Charlotte exclaimed in shock. It was her family's bodyguard! No wonder Chris and Ian hadn't chased her—they had covertly dispatched someone to tail her.Kingsley had evidently noticed them too. He withdrew his hand, ready to depart; he had no intention of revealing his identity to the Scott family so soon.However, Charlotte's warm, soft
Back at the hotel, Charlotte still felt as if she were floating, as if her feet unable to find solid ground.Kingsley had just... kissed her.The cool, pleasant scent of Kingsley's body still seemed to linger in her nostrils. She could still feel the heat and dominance of his kiss, the intensity with which he drew her lips and tongue.This was her first experience of this kind.When Kingsley kissed her, her body seemed to melt into water, completely devoid of resistance. Fortunately, Kingsley was restored to reason in time, and after the kiss, he escorted her back to the hotel.Charlotte lay on the bed, her face burning and even stinging a little. This was her first kiss, and she hadn't expected it to be so thrilling and unforgettable. She feared she would never forget the feeling of this moment.Charlotte pulled the covers up over her head, feeling too shy to face anyone. Imagining the person before her was Kingsley, the Kingsley she had always held in her heart, brought her a sense
Diana and Charlotte turned toward the door simultaneously, catching sight of Chris entering with a stern expression, trailed by Ian.Charlotte paused momentarily, then comprehended Chris's recent remark. She promptly rose to her feet and retorted loudly, "It's none of your business. I have the right to choose whom I love!""Chris..." Chris's sudden appearance caught Diana off guard, and she was unaware of how much of her conversation with Charlotte he had overheard.Diana's complexion slightly paled. Although she hadn't agreed to aid Charlotte in concealing Chris and the others, she didn't want them to be aware of Charlotte's involvement with Kingsley, especially under these circumstances.She took a deep breath, calming herself before continuing, "The crucial matter here is that Charlotte is in love with Kingsley of the Livingston family. You need to clarify why you implied that Charlotte shouldn't have feelings for Kingsley. Could it be that...""You investigated Kingsley, didn't yo
Late at night, Charlotte's cell phone rang, prompting her to glance at the screen and answer it quietly: "Hello? Carl?""It's not Carl," Kingsley's low, soothing voice came from the other end. "It's me.""Kingsley!" Charlotte's eyes instantly lit up, her surprise evident in her rising tone. "Why are you calling me? Did you get home safely? Have you been followed? And by the way, Chris and Ian seem to have picked up your trail; you need to be careful. Why don't you head back?"Her words spilled out rapidly, like pouring beans.Instead of impatience, a low chuckle emanated from Kingsley's end.Charlotte felt her head spinning, hearing Kingsley's magnetic voice. She must have been drunk! "I'm home safe and sound," Kingsley replied, a chuckle laced in his deep voice, resonating with Charlotte's eardrums. "As for Chris and Ian, I intentionally left a trail to distract them. Don't worry, they won't be able to track me. And remember to save this phone number; it's mine."Charlotte was bewil