Chapter 24: A Gradual Reconciliation

Alicia noticed that the gifts Charles was carrying were the same ones Townsend had previously sent for her mother. Could it be that Lady Cartie knew Townsend as well? Or was it possible that Grace had confiscated the gifts Townsend had sent to her mother and then passed them off to Lady Cartie? The gifts were not few—Charles had his hands full carrying them. Alicia instinctively stepped forward, intending to help take some of the load, but Charles didn’t even spare her a glance. He carried the gifts straight into the house. When they entered the house and turned on the lights, Charles immediately noticed the clear imprint of a slap on Alicia's face. Instead of concern, he found it oddly amusing. "I never thought you could stir up so much trouble that even my mother would lay a hand on you," Charles said with a smirk. Hearing this, Alicia clenched her fists. If she were in a better position, stronger and more independent, she would’ve punched Charles square in the face. But her moth