From Desk to Altar: The CEO's Irresistible Bargain

Liam's mind was screaming to tear Chloe to shreds.

"Think back to our engagement-you were a wreck, biting Chloe, and you asked if I was serious about marrying her." "Right then, the trouble kicked off."

"I went ahead with the engagement to Chloe, even knowing your mom had died."

"I'd made up my mind to make Chloe pay by then, but Charlotte, I had to prioritize the living-Kenneth needed to survive."

"I won't lie-it was all my selfishness, my ego. I'm the one who's screwed everything up."

"But it's not like I have a soft spot for Chloe. No way am I going soft on her again and again."

"I didn't keep her around for any bull about the kid needing her."

"I was just scared."

"Scared you're out there, still breathing, but refusing to see me."

"Frightened you'd stop loving me, scared we'd turn into strangers."

"That's why I let Chloe live. I figured as long as she's around, you'd have a reason to come back."

Liam chuckled bitterly, "Love didn't do the trick, but hate? Hate brings you back every time."

"And you did come back."

Charlotte just stood there, not saying a word.

She knew if Chloe was out of the picture, she wouldn't bother returning.

But Liam's hesitation? That's no excuse.

"Quit the excuses." Charlotte spun around, grabbed his chin forcing his gaze down, "Liam, face the truth. You don't care about me. All the words in the world won't change that." Liam's breath hitched at her touch.

He leaned in subconsciously as if trying to find comfort in Charlotte's hand.

It'd been ages since he'd been close to her.

He was craving some kind of warmth from Charlotte.

"How can I show that I care about you?"

Charlotte had a point; he just didn't have it in him to love properly.

He was lost on how to fix things with her, clueless on how to make her reconsider.

All the advice he'd gathered meant nothing when he was actually with Charlotte.

"Help me out here."

As if Charlotte had the energy to deal with that.

Just sharing a room with Liam was already too much; now she felt sick to her stomach. She pulled away, ready to walk off.

Liam didn't dare hold her back, just followed silently.

Until she found Vincent and Ethan playing in the sandbox just outside the event.

That's where Liam finally stood still.

"You're keeping me away from Ethan, huh?" he asked Charlotte in a flat tone.

Charlotte was restless and just gave a quick nod without really thinking it through.

Liam actually stopped, just like she wanted. It was weird for Charlotte.

Liam was always so headstrong and proud, and here he was, just... backing off because she said so.

"In that case, stay there and maybe you'll figure out how to be a decent dad," she threw the words back at him, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

The way Liam was with that Benjamin kid had always rubbed her the wrong way.

She tried to walk away but something made her turn back and ask, "So, you're just gonna ignore him now?"

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"Yep, that's the plan," Liam said, pressing his lips together, obviously not thrilled to talk about it. "I told you, our kid would be a Parker. The only one."

"But Benjamin was born, and you broke that promise."

Charlotte knew Benjamin wasn't Liam's kid, and that nothing happened between Liam and Chloe that night.

But she couldn't let it go.

"I didn't break it," Liam said, his breathing hurried. "Everything I've done was to keep that promise!"

Charlotte wasn't buying any of it and just turned to find Vincent and Ethan.

Ethan had spotted her from a mile away but stayed put because Liam was there.

As soon as she got close, he ran up, his little hands checking her face, "Mommy, why are you with the bad uncle? Did he hurt you?"

"Not a chance. Mom's got this."

She played with Ethan for a bit, and when she looked back, Liam was gone.

Vincent had gone to buy that sapphire necklace.

When he came back, he looked weird. "Liam's gone on a shopping spree, and sent a whole bunch of jewelry to us."

Charlotte let out a cold laugh, "He's lost it."

"Seems like he's trying to get on your good side."

"With all that bling? As if," Charlotte said, not impressed.

She told Vincent to send all the jewelry back. Vincent cracked a joke, "Keep 'em. Could be gifts for Ethan's future wife."

"No way," Charlotte snapped back. "I don't want Ethan touching anything that's his. No ties to him, at all."

"But Liam knows who Ethan is now, doubt he'll just drop it," Vincent said, looking worried. "Ethan's piano teacher was asking about his classes. Should we get out of here sooner rather than later?" Leaving the country was already on Charlotte's to-do list, so she was quick to say yes.

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! "Sure, let's book those tickets," she agreed.

Vincent looked like a weight had been lifted off his shoulders.

Charlotte only got the joke about saving Liam's gifts for Ethan's future wife after she got back to the VIP box.

So, today's auction was a real show-18 items on the block and Liam outbid everyone for all but two. He sent everything but Vincent's sapphires and a fancy old clock straight to their box. She didn't even need to step outside to guess that Liam's spending spree was the talk of the town.

"Send them back," she told the bodyguard.

But soon enough, Daniel came back with a long face, lugging all the stuff with him.

"Just keep it, it's from him," he said, way nicer than before.

Looks like he's had a change of heart about her.

Daniel's always been rooting for her and Liam, even when her past wasn't all shiny.

He always thought they were a good match, even if things got messy.

"Oh, and Mr. Parker said he didn't go easy on Chloe. You don't believe it? Go see for yourself." "What did he do?"

"You might wanna check it out."

Charlotte scrunched her brows, knowing Liam was trying to pull her into another face-to-face.

She didn't really want to go, but she'd been itching to see Liam give Chloe what she deserved for years. She couldn't shake it off.

"And the kid, did Liam really not bother to look for Benjamin?" she remembered the boy who was taken.

Daniel looked like he was wrestling with himself. "Gonna be straight with you, Charlotte, the kid's situation is kinda murky, but Mr. Parker being so cold about it? Didn't see that coming." "He really doesn't give a damn about the kid."