Chapter 18 Under No Circumstances

Zachary's expression was indifferent. His brows, which looked like an ink painting, rose slightly as he said, "I know." Charlotte could hear a buzzing sound in her mind. "Since you already know, why are you doing this to me?" Zachary said expressionlessly, "Because of the first clause of the agreement. Read it." Lucas had already given the contract to Charlotte, so she picked it up, found Clause One, and read it out loud. "Under no circumstances are you allowed to meet your ex. If you have to meet, you must ask Zachary Connor for permission." "Read the first three words again. Every single word." Zachary commanded her nonchalantly, like a king who could not be defied. Charlotte felt almost controlled by him. "Under. No. Circumstances!" Zachary then said, "So, why did you ask me why?" Charlotte was speechless for a while. Zachary Connor was right, and she could not argue with him. At that moment, Zachary handed her a white parasol. Charlotte grabbed the handle of the parasol involuntarily and looked at him in confusion. "What are you trying to do?" "I’m protecting your skin." As Zachary looked down at the fair, smooth skin on her face, his mouth curved upward into an evil smile playfully. "I heard that Victor Rutherford likes delicate, fair, tender women. Take good care of your skin. Otherwise, if you get a tan, even Victor won’t want you." What?! Charlotte started doubting her life, and the prenuptial agreement fell on the ground as her hands trembled. Zachary did not even take another look at her. He turned around indifferently and walked back to his car. Why would Charlotte even bother picking up the agreement? She chased after Zachary hurriedly. "Zachary, wait! Give me another minute..." Boom! Zachary slammed the dark bulletproof car door shut, and Charlotte was left standing outside the car. The car engine started, and he sped past Charlotte's body, leaving her behind in the pungent fumes of exhaust. As Charlotte watched the car getting further and further away, her eyes were full of tears. It was all her fault! She could have saved her father if she had married Zachary Connor! She had only been one step away! Why had she breached the agreement just to end things with Bryson? She was the one who had killed her father! If she hadn't insisted on staying with Bryson in spite of her father’s objections, her father would not have been affected by Bryson’s plot. Now, she might cause her father harm because she’d gone to see Bryson, all because she could not control herself. If her father was put in jail because of her stupid mistake, she would regret it for the rest of her life! "Miss Charlotte, maybe this is God's will. Look, even God doesn't want you to be with Zachary Connor. Let's go back and think of another way." Alfred had already reached Charlotte’s side without her realizing it. Charlotte fought back tears and said, "It’s all my fault. This has nothing to do with God." "Miss Charlotte, you’ve been running around after giving birth because of Mr. Simmons. You did your best, so don't blame yourself." When Alfred saw how Charlotte looked, he felt sorry for her from the bottom of his heart. Charlotte shook her head. "If I’d tried my best, it wouldn’t have ended up like this. I was too selfish. I acted on my emotions and went to see Bryson at this critical time. I'm really useless... I’ve let my dad down…” Charlotte could not hold in her tears any longer. They all started to fall. "Sigh! Miss Charlotte, Zachary Connor has made up his mind. What else can you do?" Charlotte wiped her tears, and there was a hint of stubbornness at the corners of her trembling mouth. "I am the one who caused this tragedy, so I’ll take responsibility for it. Alfred, Zachary has already decided to cut things off with me. He won’t ask his men to keep protecting Dad, so you should hurry back to the hospital to protect him." "Sigh! Miss Charlotte, we can’t afford to aggravate people like Zachary, so you’d better not meet him or do anything reckless." Charlotte did not reply. Although Alfred was worried about her, he still left to protect Walter Simmons. At that moment, Lucas picked up the agreement that Charlotte had thrown on the ground earlier and got ready to leave. Charlotte stopped him and said, "I have something to ask you."