Chapter 85
Chapter 85
CHARLOTTE
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Dinner was quiet–too quiet. The kind of quiet that made the air feel heavy, like an unspoken tension lingering just beneath the surface. The only sound in the dining room was the soft clinking of silverware against porcelain, the occasional scrape of a knife cutting through meat, the delicate tapping of my mother’s fork against the rim of her plate.
My father sat at the head of the table, as always, his presence commanding without effort. He cut into his steak with slow, precise movements, his mind clearly occupied with something other than the meal in front of him. My mother, ever the picture of refinement, picked at her salad with absentminded elegance, barely touching the food as she focused more on maintaining appearances.
And then there was me.
I wasn’t thinking about the food. Not about the rich aroma of roasted lamb, nor the perfectly arranged vegetables on my plate. My mind was elsewhere–working, calculating, playing out the scene I was about to set in motion.
This had to be done carefully.
I picked up my wine glass, swirling the dark red liquid idly before taking a slow sip. The taste of aged merlot coated my tongue. but I barely registered it. My focus was on the conversation I was about to steer in my favor.
“Father,” I started, setting my fork down with deliberate ease. “I was reviewing the quarterly reports today.”
He glanced up briefly, giving me a nod of acknowledgment but not yet fully invested. “And?”
“The numbers are stable,” I said, tilting my head slightly. “But I noticed a slight dip in our overseas investments. Particularly in our European sector.”
That got his attention. He stopped cutting his steak, lifting his gaze to meet mine fully. “Yes,” he said, chewing thoughtfully. “I’ve seen that as well. It’s not a drastic drop, but it’s something we need to monitor. The market has been unpredictable lately.
1 nodded, fingers grazing the edge of my napkin as I maintained a measured, thoughtful expression. “I was thinking if we expand our partnerships in Europe, particularly in real estate, we could secure long–term returns. I have a few contacts in London who might be useful.
My father wiped his mouth with his napkin, considering my words. A slow nod of approval followed. “That’s good thinking, Charlotte. I’ll have the finance team look into it.”
A small smirk played at the corner of my lips before I quickly masked it with a more reserved expression. “I just want to ensure we’re staying ahead.”
My mother finally spoke, though her tone was light, almost dismissive. “It’s good that you’re paying attention to these things, dear. Fresh ideas are always welcome.”
There was something about the way she said it, like she was placating me rather than truly impressed. She had never fully acknowledged my business acumen, not the way my father did. To her, I was still just her daughter–not an asset, not a strategist. But she’d learn soon enough.
I reached for my glass again, taking another sip. The conversation had started exactly how I wanted it to–business, investments, strategy. My father’s mind was already in the right place. Now, I just needed to guide it further.
A brief pause settled over the table, the kind that usually signaled the natural end of a topic. But I wasn’t done yet.
I exhaled softly, lowering my glass and placing my hands gently on my lap, as if hesitating. Then, with a casual tilt of my
head, I shifted the conversation.
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Chapter 85
“Speaking of staying ahead… “I let my voice trail off for just a second, allowing the suspense to settle. “Has Rosalie told you anything about her marriage lately?”
Both my parents looked up at me. My father’s brows furrowed, and my mother’s fork paused mid–air.
“No,” my mother said slowly, exchanging a glance with my father. “Why do you ask?”
I sighed, feigning reluctance. “Oh… nothing, really. I just thought she might have confided in you about certain… issues.”
My father’s expression darkened. “Issues? What kind of issues?”
I pressed my lips together, acting as if I was debating whether or not to speak. “Maybe she has her reasons for not telling you,” I said lightly. “I don’t want to betray her trust if she
“Charlotte.” My father’s voice was sharp. “Enough of the games. Speak.”
I bit my lip, then let out a slow breath, as if giving in. “She came to see me today,” I admitted, lowering my voice. “Damien’s family is forcing him to divorce her.”
Silence.
My father’s knife scraped loudly against his plate as he dropped it. My mother’s lips parted slightly in shock.
“What?” she breathed.
My father, on the other hand, wasn’t as quiet in his reaction. His fist slammed against the table, making the dishes rattle. “That boy wouldn’t dare,” he seethed.
I tilted my head, watching the rage build in his eyes. “Apparently, his family doesn’t think Rosalie is ‘fit‘ to be with Damien,” I continued, keeping my tone calm. “They think she isn’t… worthy.”
My mother exhaled sharply. “That’s absurd! They’ve been married for less than a year. How can they divorce so fast?!”
I folded my arms and leaned back in my chair. “Maybe if Rosalie had done a better job securing her place, this wouldn’t be happening.”
My father turned to me sharply. “And what is that supposed to mean?”
I shrugged. “It means she’s weak. She never truly solidified her standing in their family. She let them walk all over her, and now she’s paying the price.”
“Charlotte!” my mother snapped, scandalized.
But my father, oh, my dear father, was eating up my words like they were fine wine.
He ran a frustrated hand through his hair, muttering to himself. “If Damien divorces her, we’ll lose everything. The business will crumble. Our reputation will be in ruins. We’ll be reduced to nothing–paupers on the streets!”
I swallowed a smirk, watching as the panic consumed him.
He grabbed his phone off the table. “I’m calling Damien.”
“No!” I reached out, grabbing his wrist. “You can’t do that, Father.”
“Charlotte, don’t be ridiculous!” my mother interjected. “He needs to speak to Damien. We need to stop this before it goes
too far”
I shook my head. “Calling him now won’t fix anything. If anything, it’ll make things worse. Damien’s family already sees. Rosalie as a problem. If you interfere, it’ll only push him further away.”
Chaapeer 85
My fiber grined his teeth his Engers tightening around the phone. “Then what do you suggest we do, Charlotte?”
Ibestad letting the tension in the room build before I dropped the bomb
“What if I married Damien meead”
The entire room fro
My mother birked. “Excuse me?”
I met her care everly Think about it. Damien’s family doesn’t want Rosalie because they see her as unworthy. But me? I have the education, the class the prestige. If Damien were to marry someone they actually approve of, the company would be saved, and our family’s legacy would remain intact”
harlotte.” my mother said slowly, her voice laced with disbelief. “Are you hearing yourself? You’re talking about marrying your sister’s husband“”
1 sted my chin up sightly. “Rosalie won’t be his wife for much longer. The divorce is inevitable. We all know that.”
“That’s disgusting“” my mother spat, shaking her head. “I won’t allow it. It’s shameful, Charlotte, Absolutely disgraceful.”
I barely flinched. I expected this from her. She had always been so emotional. So tied to ideas of morality and dignity.
But my father?
My father was silent. Thinking. Considering.
Good
I turned to him. “Father, you know I’m right.“-
He inhaled deeply, staring down at his plate. “It’s not the worst idea,” he finally muttered.
My mother gasped. “You cannot be serious!”
He leaned back in his chair, rubbing his temples. “If Damien remarries within our family, it keeps everything secure. The company, the reputation everything remains intact.
“Exactly.” I said smoothly. “And with me by Damien’s side, his family would have no reason to oppose the union. I fit their standards. I always have.”
“This is sick,” my mother hissed, looking between us. “Charlotte, I raised you better than this!”
I turned to her, letting out a soft, almost amused chuckle. “Did you, Mother? Because I was raised to be strong. To protect what’s mine. And right now, what’s mine is slipping away because of Rosalie’s incompetence.”
She looked at me like she didn’t recognize me.
Maybe she didn’t
Maybe she never did.
But my father? He saw me. He saw the woman who would do whatever it took to protect the family legacy
And he approved with a single nod
I smoothed my hands over my lap, feeling the warmth of satisfaction spread through me.
This was it.
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Chapter 85
The real fun was only just beginning.
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