Chapter 17: Her Only Option

Thud. Returning from a chest CT, Charlotte angrily swept all the fruit and gifts from the table onto the floor. Owen, witnessing Charlotte's outburst, reminded kindly, "The doctor said you broke two ribs. You need to rest for half a month." "If not for Sophia, would I have broken my ribs?" Charlotte glared at Owen. Her fall from the horse was definitely linked to Sophia, albeit lacking evidence. Owen, not skilled in comforting, poured Charlotte a glass of water. Ignoring the water, Charlotte asked grimly, "Did Dad say anything?" Two days in the hospital yet her father hadn't visited... Owen placed the glass before her. "Dad said to take time off for recovery. Don't worry about next Friday's charity gala." "I'm the planning manager of the Summit Bank and the president of the Summit Charity Foundation. The charity gala marks the foundation's centenary, and Dad's having me take time off?" Charlotte was incredulous. "Do you plan to prepare for it injured?" Owen sighed. If not f