SWNOVELS Chapter 16
Chapter 16
Charlotte had always slept well in that room, perhaps traces of familiarity lulling her into a deep slumber. Her past years of living there hadn’t faded away yet.
The following morning, Jerry and Zachary sat together at the dining table. “Jerry, I got up early to make the salade for you,” Mary announced, her voice, although serious, had softened noticeably. Mark was teary–eyed. “It’s been years since Mr. Sullivan joined us for breakfast.”
Charlotte’s absence three years ago seemed to have disrupted their normal routine, making such family meals a rarity. As Charlotte descended the stairs, she caught Mark’s conversation.
Zachary sat there, quietly sharing the table with Jerry. Jerry, who was initially in a cheerful mood, quickly soured as he glanced at Zachary. “Go check on Charlotte. She’s back now. Take better care of her!” he ordered sternly.
Zachary’s brow furrowed in displeasure. He’d intended to check on her the previous night, but sensing her discomfort, he chose to give her space.
Mary chimed in before Zachary could respond, “Charlotte just got back. She’s likely worn out. Let her catch up on her sleep. I’ll arrange to keep some breakfast for her.”
Jerry’s mood lightened a little at Mary’s words, mostly towards her at least–he still harbored his resentment toward Zachary.
Taking a deep breath to calm herself, Charlotte approached the table. “Morning, Grandpa Jerry. And Morning, Mary.”
“Charlotte, join us!” Jerry’s face lit up instantly.
“Sure.”
The realization that Jerry no longer shared breakfast with them frequently saddened Charlotte. When she had lived there, Jerry had always joined them for breakfast every single day.
A single vacant seat by Zachary was all that was left at the table. Charlotte bit her lips. She wasn’t keen on seating herself next to Zachary, but she didn’t have a choice. As she settled in next to him, Zachary’s icy manner made the breakfast felt even heavier than last night’s loaded dinner.
Breakfast wrapped up on an awkward note, with Jerry leaving Zachary with a harsh word. “If you can’t get your act together, don’t bother coming back.”
Zachary found himself at a loss for words.
Jerry countered his silence with an icy stare. “Having Charlotte here is enough for me.”
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Zachary remained mutely shocked at his grandfather’s words. And he wasn’t alone in his surprise- Leo, who arrived to escort Zachary, was equally taken aback. He’d heard Mary planned to escort Charlotte to the city’s social circles. The sudden shift in focus from Zachary left Leo wondering.
Meanwhile, back in Liene City, Charlotte’s return was all the buzz. The public was intrigued about what this meant for Annie and Charlotte’s places within the Sullivan family, especially with rumors that Mary was seen accompanying Charlotte to all the significant social events, adorning her with jewels Mary had bid for at an auction two years before. The message was clear: Charlotte was the favored one.
“Damn it! That bitch!” Annie exploded in her luxurious city–center apartment.
Her anger spurred on by a picture being shared rampant online, featuring Charlotte arm–in–arm with Mary, all smiles and radiating a natural aristocratic aura.
In her rage, her elegance vanished. Annie looked like a madwoman, her long curls flying around as she smashed a wineglass on the floor.
“Ms. Lopez, please!” Gloria, Annie’s assistant, rushed over to manage the mess.
Even as Gloria tried to clean up the mess, Annie snapped furiously, at her, “What do you want here?”
Unfazed by Annie’s current state, Gloria continued, “Do you even realize how much we lost in the previous exhibition?”
The mere mention of the exhibition inflamed Annie’s anger anew, redirecting her rage towards the woman she felt was the root cause of her problems–Charlotte.
Meanwhile, Charlotte didn’t expect the post–party commotion. She felt nervous, having to explain her situation to Jerry. But she never anticipated what he asked her over their afternoon tea.
“Charlotte, do you plan on divorcing Zachary?” Jerry’s question took her by surprise.
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She looked up, her eyes welling up. “Grandpa!” she cried out, her voice choked.
Jerry continued, “I know he’s put you through quite a bit, and you’ve endured a lot because of him. But, may I ask you for a favor?”
Charlotte was hesitant but willing to listen. “Please, go ahead, Grandpa Jerry.”
Jerry glanced at her, his eyes pleading. “Can you hold off on any divorce talk until I’m gone, please?”
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