Chapter 4

Charlotte's day was tightly packed—visiting Elyse at the hospital during lunch, working her part-time job in the afternoon, and attending an elective lab class in the evening. She needed to get everything sorted out first. As Fred watched her mentally organize her schedule, he couldn't help but notice how much she resembled Daniel when he reviewed his own itinerary. "First, you'll go with Mr. Hoffman to meet Mr. Hoffman Senior, his grandfather. Then, you'll move into Hoffman Estate and live with Mr. Hoffman." Living together? Charlotte instinctively recoiled at the thought. But they were married now—living together was part of the deal. Besides, she was pregnant. Daniel wouldn't actually cross any lines, would he? With her hectic routine of classes, part-time work, and caring for Elyse, she'd be barely home except to sleep. They probably wouldn't even cross paths. It wasn't a big deal. "Is your car available? I'll pack my things now." Fred's eyes widened in surprise. "There's no need to rush." Was she really in that much of a hurry? Charlotte quickly clarified, "I have to visit my mom at the hospital at noon, work in the afternoon, and attend class in the evening. This is the only free time I have." "Understood." The word slipped out before Fred could think twice. Only after he spoke did he realize—she wasn't Daniel. Charlotte didn't have much to pack. Everything fit neatly into a single suitcase. Being mindful of her pregnancy, Fred took the suitcase from her and carefully placed it in the trunk. Since the landlady wasn't home, Charlotte left a little extra money, rounding it up to an even amount. She tucked the cash and the key into the small compartment where the landlady usually hid the spare key. She planned to come back and explain things in person when she had the chance. In the car, Charlotte gently placed her hand over her belly. She whispered, "Little one, stay with me, okay? I'm your mommy. From now on, you'll be my precious baby. "Forget what I said earlier. I'm truly looking forward to meeting you." When they arrived at the city hall, the place was packed with couples—some waiting to get married, others there to finalize divorces. Fred led Charlotte into the director's office. After a brief exchange with the official, he stepped out again. With a friendly smile, the director handed her a form and a sample template, asking her to fill in her personal details. At exactly 11:00 am, Fred returned—with a man by his side. Charlotte recognized him immediately. He was the biological father of the child she was carrying. Unlike the disarray of that night, he now seemed energized. With his suit impeccably tailored, he radiated wealth and refinement. As soon as he entered, both the director and another staff member immediately stood, their hands neatly folded in front of them. "Hello, Mr. Hoffman," they greeted him with unwavering respect. Charlotte was reminded of her days as a waitress, when customers were treated like royalty. Now, even the director was acting like a subordinate—Daniel's social status was undeniably extraordinary. His features were sharp and defined, with strong brow bones that deepened the intensity of his gaze and a jawline that exuded authority. When his gaze met hers, Charlotte's breath caught. Instinctively, she quickly averted her eyes, focusing on the floor. When the director asked for a photo, Charlotte quietly moved to sit beside him, letting the camera capture the moment. When asked to leave her fingerprint, she pressed her thumb into the ink pad and stamped it on the document without hesitation. The room was so still that it felt suffocating. Sitting next to a man with such a powerful presence, Charlotte kept her head down, distractedly rubbing the blister on her thumb. As the marriage certificate came into her peripheral vision, she reached out and took the one in front of her. Without so much as a glance, she slipped it into her canvas shoulder bag. To her, this wasn't about a marriage—it was about Elyse's chance at life. She had to protect it. The sharp scrape of a chair against the floor broke the silence. Daniel had already stood up, and Charlotte immediately followed his lead. His strides were long, and though she wasn't short, she had to quicken her pace to keep up with him. By the time they reached the car, he was already inside. Fred held the door open for her, waiting for her to get in. She paused by the door, making no move to enter. "Mr. Hoffman, I need to visit my mother at the hospital. I'll meet Mr. Hoffman Senior later at the estate. Mr. Garner can take my suitcase there first." "No, come with me now." His tone was sharp and unwavering, leaving no room for compromise. Charlotte hesitated, silently resisting. Fred kept signaling at her with his eyes, silently urging her to get in. After a few moments of silence, Daniel's deep voice broke through. "You signed the agreement, didn't you? I don't make threats lightly." The message was clear—if she refused to cooperate, he wouldn't hesitate to use her vulnerabilities against her. With a sigh, Charlotte finally slid into the car. She fixed her gaze on the passing scenery outside the window, watching the streets blur past. "Quit all your part-time jobs. My child must be born healthy and strong. "I'll cover all of your mother's medical expenses. Fred has already arranged for her to be transferred to a private care unit." "Alright," Charlotte replied, knowing he was right. She was pregnant, and she had to take responsibility for it. If she was going to keep the baby, she had to prioritize her health. Despite his overwhelming presence and commanding tone, his swift action in upgrading Elyse's care showed that he was a man of his word. If she followed his terms and didn't resist, getting along with him might not be as difficult as she had imagined. The Rolls-Royce Phantom moved smoothly through the bustling city streets, gliding past towering skyscrapers. Daniel observed her every subtle movement. No matter where her allegiances lay, keeping her close was the safest choice. When the car finally came to a stop, Charlotte watched as the grand gates slowly opened. It wasn't the same place she had visited that fateful night. She saw Fred handing her suitcase to a housekeeper, instructing, "Take this to Waterside Residence." By the time Charlotte snapped out of her thoughts, Daniel had already walked about 30 feet ahead. In that moment, she realized long legs weren't always an advantage—he didn't care if she could keep up. She wasn't particularly short, but next to him, her stride couldn't match his pace. The yard was a stunning display of Victorian style, each step unveiling a new scene—lush greenery, stone pathways, peaceful pavilions beside flowing water, and fish swimming lazily in the pond. Charlotte didn't have a moment to appreciate the surroundings. She was afraid if she slowed down for even a second, Daniel would disappear through the gates without her. She watched as he walked confidently into Pinecrest Residence and quickly followed suit. The living room exuded a serene, refined elegance, with an elderly man sitting quietly at its center. "Hello, Grandpa." Daniel's voice was noticeably gentler than before. Charlotte came to a stop behind him, uncertain of what to do. When in doubt, she decided it was best to remain silent. Errol let out a dismissive snort, barely sparing Daniel a glance. "I thought you intended to live in your office indefinitely." Daniel walked over to the couch and sat down. Now left standing in the open with no barrier between her and Errol, Charlotte felt exposed under his sharp gaze. Uneasy, Charlotte nervously tugged at the seam of her pants, her head instinctively lowering as she stood there. The silence felt suffocating, and her heart pounded in her chest. "And who is this?" Errol asked, observing her stiff stance. His tone softened as he continued, "No need to stand there—please, have a seat." Charlotte had short hair and a petite frame, looking almost like a teenager—likely still too young to have fully come into her own. Charlotte pressed her lips together, glancing briefly at Daniel. He casually lifted his coffee cup, taking a sip without even glancing her way. To Errol, that brief look seemed to convey fear. "In this house, I set the rules," Errol said, gesturing toward the couch opposite Daniel. "Don't be afraid. Sit down." Charlotte moved cautiously toward the seat, perching herself on the very edge. Summoning her courage, she greeted him, "Hello, Mr. Hoffman Senior." "Speak up, you little punk!" Errol barked, his voice sharply contrasting the kindness he'd shown Charlotte. Unfazed, Daniel replied nonchalantly, "She's both your granddaughter-in-law and the mother of your great-grandchild." Errol's eyes widened in surprise as he looked at Charlotte. Without warning, he slapped Daniel's leg with a forceful smack. "She's just a child! What nonsense are you talking about?"