From Desk to Altar: The CEO's Irresistible Bargain

Charlotte was caught off-guard by the unforeseen calamity that unfolded before her eyes. Instinctively, her gaze sought out Liam. "Mr. Parker," she began, but her words trailed off.

The engagement party, meant to be a flawless celebration, had descended into chaos!

Liam glanced at her, his eyes cool and distant. Without a word, his gaze betrayed a hint of evasion.

Together, they watched as flames leaped into the night sky, consuming the flower-adorned venue. The engagement party was now nothing but a spectacular disaster.

In silence, Charlotte absorbed the scene, Liam motionless beside her.

Amidst the flickering flames, his scent was oddly comforting.

"Liam," she whispered.

He turned to face her. She said no more, but the tear glistening at the corner of her eye spoke volumes.

His throat felt dry. After a moment's hesitation, he reached out and tenderly wiped away her tear.

His slightly rough fingertips brushed her cheek, and Charlotte, savoring the gentle touch, couldn't help but nuzzle against his hand.

His fingers lingered a moment longer than necessary.

It was not until the last flame had died that they rose in silent agreement, parting ways in the quiet aftermath, each heading in opposite directions.

The engagement was a bust.

First, Liam vanished into thin air; then, the venue was mysteriously engulfed in flames. The party was doomed from the start.

The Beaumonts blamed Liam's abrupt disappearance for the delay, while the Parker family, already displeased with Chloe's disfigured face, found the fire an ominous sign. Accusations flew between the two families, souring the mood further. "Liam never truly intended to be engaged to Chloe. If he did, not even a spark could have flared up with his influence," Thomas reiterated for the third time.

Charlotte remained silent, her gaze fixed outside the window, offering no response.

Thomas exhaled deeply, then suddenly asked, "Why did you agree to come to Liam's engagement party?"

Charlotte knew the implication behind his question.

He suspected she still harbored feelings for Liam, attending the engagement with thoughts of sabotage.

But her reasons were far from such thoughts.

Charlotte pointed towards the car window, where the lake shimmered under the night sky.

Annie had once struggled desperately in such frigid waters.

Coincidentally, Chloe's engagement party was set by a similar lake.

Thomas's eyes followed Charlotte's gaze to the lake, grasping her reckless gamble. His heart tightened. "Don't be too rash, Charlotte. Annie wouldn't want this for you."

He said, "As long as you can keep Liam around, you'll definitely get your revenge."

Charlotte responded indifferently, "He shouldn't be dragged into this."

"You're being foolish!" Thomas was frustrated, scared for her bravery, but also grateful for it.

After a bit of back and forth, Thomas seemed to age right in front of her. He took a moment before asking again.

"What's your next move?"

Charlotte spent the whole night tossing and turning, haunted by the image of Liam, impassive as the fire raged around them.

Why had he shown up? Amid the commotion, why did he stay put, when everyone else was looking for him?

And the fire could it have been set ablaze with his silent consent?

These questions swirled in her mind, forming a tangled web she couldn't unravel.

Maybe... maybe Thomas is right, and Liam doesn't really want to get engaged to Chloe?

But if he doesn't want to, why did he agree to it?

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With that question in mind, she went to work as usual.

On her way, she got a call from Thomas.

Charlotte thought he was going to update her on something about Chloe, but to her surprise, he brought up the Parker Group project.

"The north side is developing a high-tech park; which branch is the Parker Group planning to assign it to?"

Charlotte furrowed her brows. "I'm not sure about the project details."

Thomas could hear the resistance in her voice and explained, "This isn't confidential information; it's going to be made public by tomorrow at the latest. Telling me in advance won't harm the Parker Group." "I don't know," she insisted.

"Liam didn't get engaged last night. He must still have feelings for you, Charlotte. Just drop a hint and ask him; he'll tell you about such a small thing."

"I won't ask him," Charlotte's voice grew icy.

"You... ah," Thomas sighed in frustration, "Securing this project would amplify my influence in the Beaumont family, which could help us avenge Annie..."

"I will avenge Annie," Charlotte took a deep breath, reaffirming, "I won't involve Liam, nor will I use him for any purpose."

After a long pause, Thomas hung up, leaving Charlotte with no room to ponder the uncertainties as she arrived at the office. Her first task was to make coffee.

Ever since the new assistant got sacked, it seemed Liam had no intention of hiring a replacement, and the coffee duties had fallen back onto Charlotte.

Entering the break room, she found it already occupied. Recognizing the figure's silhouette, Charlotte's expression chilled, "Chloe."

"Mandheling, Liam's favorite, two cups, take them to the president's office," Chloe said as she turned around, the malice barely hidden behind her bandaged face, "Ever since I tasted your coffee, nothing else seems to measure up. Charlotte, you were born to serve..."

Charlotte cut her off, "Thanks for the note, the flowers in the garden were indeed beautiful, as was the company."

Yesterday's blossoms were indeed a sight to behold, and Liam...

Chloe's sneer vanished, replaced by a visible loathing that seemed to seep into the air.

Last night, a carefully orchestrated scandal was meant to unfold before Liam's eyes-Charlotte, caught in a compromising situation with a drunken rogue.

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In Liam's world, pride often outweighed affection, and the mere sight of Charlotte in another man's clutches would have typically been enough for him to turn away in disdain. The plan was seamless: both Charlotte and Liam, baited by the notes, found themselves in the garden.

But Chloe's blood boiled as she recalled the infuriating turn of events from the night before!

When they realized Liam hadn't come back and sent people to look for him, they found the drunk rogue they had set up knocked out cold and dumped in a corner! Even a fool could piece together that Liam's absence was due to a clandestine rendezvous with Charlotte.

The thought of her meticulous plans serving only to bring them closer was a bitter pill to swallow.

With a face contorted by spite, Chloe stormed off towards the president's office, determined not to let Charlotte bask in triumph for long.

Upon entering, she cut to the chase, "Liam, are you considering delegating the north side project to a branch office?"

Liam looked up, visibly annoyed, "Chloe, keep out of my business affairs."

"It's Uncle Thomas, you know how intense the power struggles within the Beaumont family have become. He's been on the losing end lately and is desperate for a comeback." Liam's frown deepened, recalling Charlotte's recent alliance with Thomas, but he didn't stop Chloe's impudence.

Chloe pressed on, "Uncle's so ruthless now, he's even willing to manipulate your assistant. If he gets his hands on this project, the consequences would be dire."

Her words ignited an already simmering frustration in Liam.

And Chloe wasn't finished, "Do you have any idea how much Charlotte's dress from last night cost? 180,000! How could she afford to buy one?"

"Liam, you might not know, but just the day before, Uncle Thomas gave Charlotte a black card-unlimited spending."

"Enough!" Liam's voice thundered, his gaze dark and unreadable, "I've told you, stay out of my business!"

Chloe pouted, "Fine, I'll let you be. I'll tell Aunt to fight for the project on her own merits."

After she left, Daniel, who had been standing silently aside, spoke softly, "Mr. Parker, she's trying to sow discord. Charlotte isn't like that."

The failed engagement from the previous night had undoubtedly left Chloe with a chip on her shoulder.

Liam's expression remained dark, his face clouded with brooding thoughts.

"No engagement last night, Charlotte must be feeling quite smug about it," he muttered to himself.