Chapter 14: The Lost Teddy Bear

"Who would've thought Charlotte would take the bait and play the mediator? Ha, what a fool!" The voice, laced with schadenfreude, came from a woman shrouded in the shadows of a sleek black car parked at the base of the apartment complex. Leisurely tending to her nails in the driver's seat was none other than Chloe, the very picture of nonchalance. Beside her, her friend peered intently from the passenger's seat up towards the windows above, tracking the unfolding drama. "But would she really give up on Liam, her golden goose? Hasn't greed always been her guiding star?" "Of course, she'd hate to see her dear sister upset more than she'd miss a cash cow." At the mention of 'sister', Chloe's smile twisted into a sneer. "Remember how I almost burst into laughter when she called me Annie at Parker Group? It's hilarious how she fell right into our trap with just a simple 'Annie'." "Once Liam and I are wed, I'll cement her ties to that pig farm creep, condemning her to a lifetime of wallowing in the muck." Poor Charlotte was willing to do anything for her sister, not knowing she was dealing with Chloe, not Annie. Glancing at her watch, Chloe mused, "It's about time for Charlotte's dramatic exit. Once she's out, I'll call Liam. He'll soon know who's truly worthy to stand by his side." —— Silence had befallen the living room. Charlotte was sure Liam could manage never seeing her again, and she had been planning on it for a while herself. Yet, when Liam finally voiced the end of their liaison, the sting was undeniable. She mocked herself for her hypocrisy, preaching about not wrecking marriages while her heart clung desperately to Liam. What a farce she was. As she was collecting her resolve to leave, her ringtone shattered the stillness. Chloe was calling. Again. Liam, overhearing the familiar tune, mockingly guessed, "Chloe?" He sauntered to the balcony, lighting up a cigarette. As the smoke curled into the air, his voice dropped an octave, tinged with a cold calm, "Take your guilt and your high morals, and get out." Charlotte didn't leave; she ducked into the kitchen to take the call. "Charlotte! Did you talk to Liam? Did he agree to the engagement?" Chloe's voice was urgent as if Charlotte's persuasion was a foregone conclusion. "I haven't yet." Charlotte's grip on her phone tightened; even she was surprised by her own reflex to lie. "You know how Mr. Parker is. If I push him, I'll be the one to suffer." "So, you're doing nothing because you're scared? If you hadn't interfered, would Liam have ever rejected me? Sleeping with him, knowing he's engaged... aren't you ashamed?" Chloe's voice was pressing, accusatory. "And to think I called you 'sister'. Is this how you treat family? You better convince him to get engaged to me today, or neither of us will have any peace." Charlotte's brow furrowed at the threat, her mind racing back to the venomous words once spat by Vincent. Chloe's intentions were clear as day. 'Sister' was a word Chloe wielded like a weapon. But her Annie, the real Annie, had a kind heart and would never strong-arm her sister into such a situation. "Miss Beaumont," Charlotte inhaled deeply, her voice softening. "Do you remember, as a child, the teddy bear your sister once gifted you?" Did that wretch Annie hide it? Or was it never brought over when she was adopted—another inconvenience? But she needed to maintain the charade of sisterly affection to manipulate Charlotte. "I remember, but it's gone, broken." Playing her part to the hilt, Chloe added a touch of wistful nostalgia, "The bear's gone, and so is my sister. It all feels like a distant dream. It brings tears to my eyes, but there's no one left to comfort me." "It's alright; it will all come back," Charlotte's voice surged with sudden passion. "Rest assured, I'm going to speak with Liam right now and ensure your engagement happens without delay." But then, with a hesitant tremor in her voice, she confessed, "If I come clean to Liam, he'll cast me out, and my father, the gambling addict, will never forgive me for just walking away like that." Chloe, visibly exasperated, cut to the chase, "Is it money that you want? After you've swayed Liam, meet me at this address. I’ll give you three million. Is that enough to seal the deal?" "Enough! Thank you, Annie," she said, the gratitude genuine in her tone. "Don't mention it. I'm counting on good news from you," Chloe ended the call, a triumphant grin spreading across her face. She was certain Charlotte was now overwhelmed with emotion, probably groveling and pleading with Liam to marry her 'sister.' What a simpleton, a few honeyed words could make Charlotte dance to her tune. She wanted her money, too? Dream on! "Call Griffin, tell Robert to wait outside the café. The moment Charlotte shows up, snatch her and take her straight to the pig farm!" Chloe and her friend shared a malevolent laugh, "Three million? Why not just give that to Robert directly? Let him scar Charlotte's pretty face, and we'll see how she lures Liam after that!" ———— The café Chloe had mentioned was on a bustling street, and by the time Charlotte arrived, it was nearing ten o'clock, with the crowd beginning to thin. Standing outside the café, her phone suddenly rang. Charlotte thought it was Chloe, and without overthinking, she picked it up, "Miss Beaumont, I've arrived..." "My dear daughter." The venomous voice wrapped around Charlotte's ear, raising goosebumps all over her body. She gripped her phone tighter, scanning her surroundings, "How did you get out? Did you pay off Griffin's debt?" "Of course not, that's a hefty sum. You, my dear daughter, will help your father repay it!" It might have been her imagination, but Charlotte felt Robert's voice was getting closer, setting off alarm bells in her head. She turned to leave, only to be blocked by Robert, bloodied and bruised. Robert slowly lowered his phone, revealing a ghastly smile, "My dear daughter, aren't you happy to see your dad?" Charlotte felt a chill run down her spine. "Did Chloe send you?" She wanted to cry for help, but the street was deserted, and the café had closed its doors for the night. With every step she took back, Robert advanced, "All the riches in the world can't compensate for the beatings I've taken from that scoundrel. At my age, I can't take it anymore. The burden, I'm afraid, falls on you." As he spoke, Robert's voice crescendoed, and with a sudden lunge, he grabbed Charlotte's arm, dragging her toward the dark alley. "Let go of me!" Charlotte struggled in vain as Robert pulled her into the shadowed passage. Just when all hope seemed lost, a rush of footsteps and an angry roar erupted from behind them.