Chapter 18: You dare hit me?!

Charlotte declined the offer with a gentle smile. Liam raised an eyebrow in surprise. "You don’t want it?" Having known her for quite some time, he was used to her every word being a negotiation for more money. It seemed out of character for her to refuse. "I don't need your money anymore," Charlotte said softly. Her relentless pursuit of wealth had been solely to uncover her sister's whereabouts. But now, that pursuit was no longer necessary. Memories of Annie brought a sharp pain to Charlotte's heart, and tears began to well in her eyes. "Why the tears? Is it not enough for you?" Liam asked, taken aback. It wasn't like Charlotte to cry, no matter how harshly he had spoken to her in the past. She shook her head again, her eyes brimming with tears, "I don't want money. Could you, perhaps, treat me with a bit more kindness?" Her plea was as fragile as her tears, her eyes reflecting a profound sadness, as if her lashes were heavy with unspoken grievances. Something in Liam's own heart twisted painfully at the sight, his voice softening unintentionally. "And what does 'kindness' look like to you?" "Don't go through with the engagement," Charlotte implored, rising on her tiptoes, her tears leaving a warm trail on his cheek. "Please." ———— Charlotte's career took an unexpected turn; she was promoted from errand assistant to personal assistant. Although still not privy to the actual business dealings, the new position allowed her to be by Liam's side openly and legitimately. Chloe's chances of a private audience with Liam were now slimmer than ever. Returning with her new badge, the secretaries regarded her with almost a conspiratorial curiosity. "Charlotte, you got a promotion?" one inquired. She nodded, her expression composed, not letting the change in her status affect her demeanor. She knew their respect stemmed from Liam's favor, and she wasn't about to let it go to her head. Living under someone else's roof meant playing by their rules, a truth Charlotte was well aware of. In the pantry, she prepared Liam's coffee, and when someone else walked in, she didn't hesitate to brew an extra cup. She didn't realize the newcomer was the office manager until she handed over the coffee. "You hold no grudges against me," the manager said with a complex expression. "You're a good person." "We never had any serious feud to begin with," Charlotte responded coolly. Leaving with the coffee, Charlotte missed the sight of the office manager pulling out a phone and sending a text, seemingly tipping someone off. ———— Liam's got a dinner thing tonight, and it's all with the older crowd. Where the younger generation faltered, these elders stood firm, and Liam was always willing to extend a helping hand to families in good standing with the Parkers. With Henry occupied elsewhere, Charlotte had the rare opportunity to accompany Liam. Lacking a driver's license and with no other assistant to drive, Liam took the wheel himself while Charlotte enjoyed the passenger seat. "I'm paying for my own torture," he muttered during a red light. "Always paying for my own torture." Charlotte silently slipped off her jacket and spritzed on some perfume. "What on earth are you doing?" Liam frowned disapprovingly. Leaning against the car door, Charlotte struck a pose, "Does having a beautiful and fragrant assistant by your side lighten your spirits?" "Have you lost your mind?" "I'm just trying to demonstrate that your money isn't wasted on suffering," Charlotte pointed to her face, "Consider it paying for the pleasure of viewing my lovely features." Liam couldn't help but chuckle, "I have to pay to look at your face?" "Others might not, but you certainly do." "And why's that?" "Because you're the only one in my eyes," Charlotte said bashfully, batting her eyelids at him. “……” Speechless, Liam turned back to the road, his hands fumbling slightly with the steering wheel. Upon arrival at the venue, Daniel was already waiting at the entrance and hurried over to open the car door with an obsequious trot. “Thank you," Charlotte said as she stepped out from the passenger seat. Daniel's surprise was evident, "Why is it you?" When Liam emerged from the driver's seat, Daniel did a double-take, "Why are you driving?" Liam's face was etched with annoyance, "Who were you expecting if not me?" "I was waiting for the distinguished Mr. Parker to step out from the back seat," Daniel explained, his eyes darting between Charlotte and Liam, finally landing back on Liam with a playful jab, "Mr. Big Shot can't afford a chauffeur now?" Liam glanced sideways at Charlotte with a cool expression, "I can't afford assistants who know how to drive." Charlotte could only offer an awkward chuckle in response. Her life had always been a dance with empty pockets. Even if she had the funds for driving lessons, a car was out of the question. So, she never bothered to learn. "Wow!" exclaimed Daniel with a teasing tone, "You've finally brought Charlotte out into the open? I thought you'd keep her hidden away!" Liam replied with a wry smile, "Of course, I'm not keen on sharing. Why let others enjoy the view when I'm the one who's paid for the privilege?" Charlotte's cheeks flushed with a deeper shade of awkwardness. Catching their subtle exchanges, Daniel couldn't resist teasing them, "If you're so reluctant to share, keep her hidden. It's less embarrassing that way." The trio made their way to the reserved room, with Charlotte, in her role as the assistant, waiting outside. Expecting a dull wait, she found the universe had other plans. Just as Charlotte was zoning out by the door along with the other assistants, a familiar voice pierced the air. "I demand to see him! He owes me an explanation!" Chloe stormed up in a huff, her two companions trailing behind. They made a beeline for the door while the other assistants hesitated to intervene. What was Chloe doing here? Tonight's meeting was strictly business, known only to a select few from the secretarial department. It was clear — there was a mole. Spies weren't uncommon in big corporations, and Charlotte wasn't in a position to investigate. But if this mole was colluding with Chloe, they'd soon feel Charlotte's ruthless side. Charlotte stood up, gracefully extending her arm to block their path, "Mr. Parker is in the midst of important negotiations and cannot be disturbed." "Charlotte?!" Chloe's anger flared even more upon recognizing her, "You dare show your face to me?" "Why wouldn't I? I'm not the one who's done wrong." Chloe sneered, "You meddle in other people's affairs..." "Mr. Parker has no affection for you," Charlotte retorted, giving Chloe a once over, "He has no taste for drama queens." "You!" Chloe, livid, raised her hand to slap Charlotte! But Charlotte dodged smoothly, "Ms. Beaumont, resorting to violence?" Before Chloe could respond, Charlotte delivered a swift slap to Chloe's face, "When you aim to slap someone, don't raise your hand so high. It makes it easy to dodge." Chloe was too stunned to process Charlotte's words. Her mind echoed with disbelief: Charlotte hit me. "You dare hit me?!" Chloe was incredulous. Her entourage echoed the outrage, calling for those inside to come out and judge the scene. Chloe covered her face, but after a moment, she actually started laughing. "Charlotte, by hitting me, you're slapping the face of the Beaumont family. You're stirring up trouble for your own boss! Guess what would happen if I made a big deal out of this. Do you think Liam would get mad? Do you think he'd still stick up for you?"