Chapter 11: Did You Find Your Sister?

Charlotte's first instinct upon hearing Chloe's words wasn't to object but to clarify her situation. Yet, she quickly calmed her racing heart and replied with a hint of curiosity. "Where did you hear such a tale, Miss Beaumont? I'm merely Mr. Parker's all-around assistant. I take care of his office, which could lead to misunderstandings..." "It was Vincent who enlightened me," Chloe's voice was a calm sea with undercurrents of rage, "Just yesterday, I praised your integrity, believing you wouldn't engage in such affairs, and today, you've slapped me in the face with deception!" "But I haven't– it's not like that..." Charlotte's cheeks burned with humiliation, rendering her speechless for a more plausible explanation. After a pause, she steeled herself and added, "Let's just say Mr. Blackwood and Mr. Parker aren't exactly on friendly terms." A single line, brief yet heavy with implication. True to her hunch, Chloe's tone softened considerably after hearing this, "So, you're suggesting Vincent is trying to sabotage my engagement to Mr. Parker because of their rivalry?" "The specifics are beyond me." Charlotte stuck to her story, unable to elaborate or argue further. By distancing herself, she hoped to keep her relationship with Liam a buried secret. Their past was like smoke – there and then gone, as long as she never confirmed it. After a silence, Chloe broke down in tears, "Why is everyone making things so hard for me? Is it so wrong to chase after love?" Charlotte's heart nearly broke at the sound of her distress. "You and Mr. Parker are meant to be. Your marriage will go smoothly," she assured her. Chloe, grasping at this lifeline, paused her sobbing, "Really?" "Truly." Charlotte looked away, resolved that no one would get in the way of Chloe's happiness. Hanging up, her phone vibrated again – this time, a familiar number. Taking a deep breath, she answered. "Mr. Parker, I've resigned." she stated, the shame from earlier making her voice sharp, "Please refrain from bothering me from now on." There was a brief silence on the other end before Liam's raspy voice countered, "Bothering you? What makes you think you're worth that effort?" His command followed, "Stay put. I'm coming over." "Why should I?" Charlotte retorted, ending the call abruptly. On the other end, Liam's face darkened like a storm cloud. Robert and the pig farm owner were en route to her place, timing their arrival with precision. He had worried about her for nothing, his good intentions wasted. "Mr. Parker, should we still go?" Henry asked cautiously, sensing his boss's dark mood. Liam's jaw clenched as he fought to control his breathing. After a moment, he forced out a single word through gritted teeth, "Go!" —— After ending the call, Charlotte furrowed her brows and continued her walk outside. She hadn't taken many steps before she saw a luxury car that stood out like a sore thumb at the entrance of the dilapidated apartment complex. And there, leaning against the car door and puffing on a cigarette, was none other than Vincent. Recalling Chloe's words, Charlotte approached him deliberately, stopping in front of Vincent. "Mr. Blackwood, are you here to see me?" she asked, not out of vanity but genuinely unable to think of any other reason a man of his stature would visit such a rundown area. As she gazed at Vincent's dark-circled eyes, Charlotte's anger began to dissolve into a cold curiosity. "Why would you tell Chloe about supposed indiscretions between Liam and me?" Vincent's deep gaze seemed to pierce right through her, and his words sent a shiver down Charlotte's spine. "Because I won't allow Chloe to marry Liam. I can't stand the thought of her securing such a powerful ally. I want her to live like a maggot, writhing and helpless." "You!" Charlotte clenched her fists, a tidal wave of anger threatening to break free. Yet she kept her composure, acutely aware that Vincent's venom was directed not at Liam, but at Chloe. There were secrets here, she realized, that she was not privy to. No matter the hidden truths, Vincent's malice toward Chloe was unmistakable, and Charlotte knew she had to intervene. As she was pondering her next move, Vincent stepped forward and asked, "Is this where you live?" His brows furrowed tightly as he looked around the decrepit surroundings in disbelief. "Have you always lived here?" "No, I used to live in a suburban shack," Charlotte replied, her voice tinged with a hint of pride. "It took thirty years of mortgage payments to afford this place and move into the city." Vincent's expression faltered, and he murmured to himself, "No wonder I couldn't find you at the address Annie gave me. You've moved." "What did you say, Mr. Blackwood ?" Charlotte asked, not catching his words. "It's nothing," he replied, brushing off the question as he walked toward the apartment complex. "Would it be alright for me to meet your family?" Of course, no. Charlotte intended to stop him, but Vincent had already strode confidently inside. "Miss Perry," he began, his voice heavy with sorrow, "an old friend of mine once painted a portrait. He wept before it until his dying breath." "The person in that painting bears a striking resemblance to you," he continued. Charlotte responded indifferently, "As I've said, I have no sister, only a brother. Your friend's painting must be of someone else." Seeing her steadfast denial, Vincent grew agitated. "Everything I'm telling you is true. Why won't you believe me?" In the midst of their exchange, they had unexpectedly reached her front door. Maria, who hadn't yet returned inside, spotted Charlotte and exclaimed in surprise, "Lottie, you're back? I knew you couldn't bear to leave Mom behind!" "Mom?" Before Charlotte could intervene, Vincent had already rushed over and grasped Maria's arm. "Auntie! Are you Charlotte's mother? Do you perhaps have another daughter who was lost?" Maria stood frozen in place, overcome with fear. "Your second daughter is all good, and she longs for you. Auntie, should you wish it, the door to a reunion is always open!" Vincent implored with urgency. Maria turned to Charlotte with pleading eyes, "Lottie, this man..." Charlotte's face was a mask of ice as she moved to intercept Vincent, but then, from around the corner, came the unmistakable cursing of Robert, sending a shiver down her spine. She knew the stakes all too well. If Maria, lured by the prospect of wealth, acknowledged this kinship, that beast Robert would surely harass Chloe relentlessly. Yet, if Charlotte forced Maria to deny it now, Vincent's suspicions would be aroused. And if he encountered Robert, who was due home any minute, the outcome would be the same. Don't admit it! Deny it! Hurry up and refute it! Charlotte screamed inwardly. "Auntie! Speak, please!" Vincent was growing desperate. Jolted by his insistence, Maria snapped back to reality and looked at him blankly. "No, I have only one daughter, Lottie, but I do have a son, nineteen, a university student..." Vincent's expression visibly dimmed. Seizing the moment, Maria wriggled free from his grasp and sought refuge behind Charlotte. Vincent, as if struck by a blow, slumped onto the steps at the doorway, cradling his head in his hands, a picture of torment. "Lottie," Maria whispered, audible only to the two of them, "do you know where your sister is?" "I don't!" Maria's voice was distant, "Lottie, you've never stopped searching for Annie all these years, and I've seen it all. If you really know where Annie is, I..." "What are you saying?" Charlotte's tone was frostier than before. The Perrys were a nest of vipers, and she had to be vigilant. If Maria dared to bring her schemes to Annie or to inform Robert, she'd face Charlotte's wrath, familial bonds be damned.