“I’m a bit nervous,” Sadie whispered to Lauren as they pulled away from the airport.Lauren glanced at her with a smirk. “Nervous? Come on, it’s not like you’re going to meet your in-laws. And even if you were, why would that scare you?”Sadie chewed her lip. “What if they don’t like me… when I get there?”“Why do you need them to like you?” Lauren asked, raising an eyebrow.Sadie hesitated. “Lauren… if they don’t… I mean, what if they start snapping at me? Asking why I kept him all these years while they were out there looking for him?”Lauren shook her head, half amused. “You’ve totally lost it.” She squinted ahead. “Hey, is that you?” She waved at someone approaching. “I don’t think I’ve seen you before, even though you said you’re in my mentorship class.”Sadie followed her gaze. Charlotte was walking toward them, calm but purposeful.“I was supposed to have a call with you next week,” Charlotte said, smiling. “I fell into the last batch.”“Oh, that’s it?” Lauren replied casually.

“She’s a fan,” Lauren said quickly, lying smoothly. “We came here for a secret fan meet, then begged her for a place to stay—we couldn’t deal with the paparazzi online.” “You two must have a hard time,” Charles’ mother said softly, her eyes lingering on Sadie. “This is why I never wanted Charlotte to become a musician—or whatever she wants. Imagine this happening to her… that fragile girl.” Lauren laughed lightly. “Even though my family’s already popular, my mom worried when I said I wanted to be more famous. I get exactly what you’re feeling.” “You see?” Charles’ mother said, her voice firm but gentle. “All I want for her is to finish college. I don’t care if she struggles, fails even—let her finish. After that, she can join her father’s company or do whatever she wants.” “Oh, that’s cool. What do you produce in the factory?” Lauren asked, trying to lighten the mood. “Pastries, mostly,” Charles’ mother said, pride shining in her eyes. “Bread, cakes… all kinds. It’s my little wor

Charles’ mother didn’t respond. No flicker of emotion crossed her face. Nothing. “And…Charlotte told me. You didn’t believe…he’s alive. That’s why…we came. To tell you…” She bit her lower lip and, without another word, turned and left the room. Sadie rose quickly, some of the things on the table clattering to the floor. She hastily gathered them, her eyes catching a photograph tucked behind the mirror. She slowly lifted it. Her heart skipped. It was Charles—designer shirt, stylish pants, that familiar smirk. Charlotte was beside him, smiling. And a man—older, strikingly similar to Charles, but with a mature, world-weary air. Unlike the others, his gaze carried a depth that hinted at the weight of experiences far beyond his years. Sadie slowly put the picture back where she had found it, her hands trembling. She couldn’t tell how…but she could feel it—a faint echo of the pain Charles carried from his brother’s death. Maybe it was intuition, maybe delusion, but she sensed the frac

"Okay. I’m just trying to help your life here. How much debt do you owe now?” Charles asked, cold and measured.“Forget about the debt,” Harington waved a hand. “I will clear them all.”“I doubt that. But I have a gift for you.” Charles pulled out his phone and dialed a number, tossing it to Emmy.Harington snatched it.“Harrington, dear,” Helena’s voice rang through, calm and cutting. “Never thought I’d speak to you again, but Charles is considerate. Because of all your debts—and for old times’ sake—I’ve decided to employ your daughter and wife under me, to pay off part of your obligations.”“Shut—” Harington snapped, but a bullet tore through his shoulder. Pain exploded through him as he hit the floor, screaming.“Keep quiet,” Charles warned, voice ice.Harington tried. Survival instinct screamed at him—he was smart, he could outmaneuver Charles. He could negotiate…he knew that.Helena’s voice continued, unnervingly cheerful. “They’ll work as my stunt doubles. You know how I handle