From Desk to Altar: The CEO's Irresistible Bargain

"You can't treat me like this."

Liam croaked out, his words barely a whisper of a plea.

"Look, Charlotte, I know you hate me. You want to make me pay..."

He was torn up inside, it was like he was begging to be conned, "Drawing me in just to ditch me later-that's the ultimate payback, isn't it?"

He actually wanted Charlotte to lie to him, even though he used to despise lies more than anything.

Charlotte almost laughed in his face. "Get close to you? Why on earth would I do that, Mr. Parker? Touching you would make my skin crawl. Why should I hurt myself just for you?" She saw right through Liam's games. He wanted her close, but when to pull the plug wasn't up to her anymore.

She was done being on the losing end.

"Liam, haven't you figured it out yet? I came back to prove a point-that me and the kid, and we're better off without you. You're nothing but trouble."

Liam stood frozen, his world shaking.

But Charlotte was relentless, "There's no 'us' anymore. Vincent's the dad here, not you, Liam. You bailed on us, so don't you dare get salty about us leaving you in the dust." "I didn't leave you. I had no clue about Ethan, I didn't know you'd..."

"What? That I'd die?" Charlotte was still holding onto old wounds, "Was this Chloe's first rodeo at trying to off me? Nope. You knew, Liam. You just didn't give a damn."

Her laugh was cold, distant, "Even your guilt trip now-it's all because you're scared of ending up alone."

"That's not true!"

Liam was a mess, his hand trembling on his chest, "Don't you dare doubt my love."

"Should I be thanking you for all the misery you've brought me?"

Charlotte was over this drama. She spun on her heel and stormed back to the living room, telling the staff to kick Liam out.

But before she could start up the stairs, a loud 'thump' echoed behind her, followed by the frantic voice of the servant.

"Madam! Mr. Parker's passed out!"

Charlotte stopped dead in her tracks, yet she didn't turn back.

"I'll call Daniel and Henry to take him to the hospital."

Liam was really banged up this time; he ended up stuck in the hospital for a good week before they let him go.

All that while, Daniel went off the rails at Charlotte more than once, calling her heartless, and then practically begging her to cut Liam some slack.

But Charlotte wasn't having any of it, and Daniel finally got the message.

"You don't give a hoot about Liam."

Once that sank in, a lot of his bitterness just kind of melted away.

He used to think if Charlotte was willing to die for Liam, she must really love him.

Now he got it-big sacrifices with zilch in return would make anyone bitter.

Charlotte not loving Liam? Totally makes sense.

"But you should still clear the air with him..."

"I couldn't be clearer if I tried." Wasn't she obvious enough?

"He just doesn't get it." Or more like, Liam's too scared to face it, "Charlotte, tell him straight up you don't love him. Let him get over it, and then you can both move on with your lives."

"Hmph."

No way.

She wants Liam to suffer; there's no way things can just be fine.

Daniel's been totally freaking out about the whole Charlotte and Liam saga. While Liam's been stuck in the hospital, Daniel's been running around like a headless chicken, nagging Liam one minute, then Charlotte the next, and even roping in Vincent whenever he can.

"Daniel's on about getting you outta here, saying we gotta ditch this place big time."

Vincent cracked up telling Charlotte about it that night, but she wasn't in the mood for laughs.

She was indeed planning to leave here, something she and Vincent had already agreed on.

She's a dead ringer for 'Charlotte' and hitched to a high-flyer like Vincent, so of course, all the old gossip won't just vanish.

It'd mess with Ethan's head as he grows up.

Better off steering clear of that mess right from the get-go.

Besides... this city that's supposed to be Charlotte's life giver has been nothing but a pain giver.

She hates to admit it, but she's dying to get out of Dodge.

"Got a fancy auction tomorrow. You're into sapphires, right? Heard they're auctioning off some knockout necklaces. How 'bout we go take a look?"

After he's done with Daniel's bonkers idea, Vincent tries to tempt her with a little distraction for her and the kiddo.

But Charlotte's not biting.

"I'm not rolling in dough to splurge on bling." She shuts it down without a fuss.

And she nixes Vincent's sweet offer, too, "Don't make me rack up more IOUS. Money's just gonna mess with what we've got."

That got a chuckle out of Vincent, who gave her a cheeky wink, "Think of it as a gift for Ethan's future missus. It's for my boy. You can't fuss about that, can you?" Charlotte just has to laugh, even if it's a bit forced.

Vincent's a stand-up guy, top-notch dad material.

He adores Ethan and wants the world for him.

And let's face it... Ethan's all about having his dad around.

"Alright, auction it is." She caves.

The Blackwoods, big shots of the city, had their own VIP spot at the auction.

Little Ethan, curious as a cat, was holding hands with Charlotte on one side and Vincent on the other, yapping away full of beans.

"Can I get a huge plane model here, Dad?" Ethan piped up.

Vincent cracked a grin and tousled his hair, "Nah, not here, champ. But, guess what? I've got a little secret."

Just a heads up: FindNovel.net is the only place to read the complete version of this book for free. Don't miss out on the next chapter-visit us now and continue your journey! "What secret?"

"Tomorrow morning, when you wake up, you'll find a big plane model by your bed," Vincent whispered.

"For real?" Ethan lit up, then turned to Charlotte with a mischievous glint, "Mum, you gotta cover your ears-this is top-secret guy talk!"

Vincent stepped in, "Hold up, buddy. Mum's in on everything-no secrets from her."

Ethan pondered that for a second.

Then he got all hush-hush, spilling the beans about the model plane to Charlotte in a tiny, squishy voice.

"Mum gets to know all my secrets, too," he said.

Charlotte couldn't help but smile.

The family, all smiles and giggles, made it to their booth when they ran into the neighbors about to head into theirs. Awkward city.

Charlotte's smile vanished when she spotted Liam.

"Mrs. Blackwood, after you," Liam said, stepping aside with more grace than usual.

Charlotte didn't budge, just glanced at Vincent.

With his easy smile, Vincent said, "Thanks, Mr. Parker."

They strolled past Liam like it was no big deal.

Just as they were about to disappear from view, Liam called out, "I never said I'd give up."

Charlotte hesitated for a heartbeat, then kept walking, acting as if she heard nada, and turned the corner with poise.

"Come on, you promised you wouldn't hassle her. Look how happy she is now!" Daniel said.

Liam's eyes darkened, he took a moment before tearing his gaze away from the corner.

"She ain't happy," he murmured.