Chapter 278
Charlotte composed herself and nodded firmly, "I'm sure. I don't need you to help him."
It was not that she did not need him to help, but that she did not want it. There was a wide gulf spanning between those two words.
To say that she didn't want his help would be like manipulation, subtly pleading for his help. Since she had said she didn't need his help, it actually meant that she would settle the issue herself and it wasn't a direct rejection.
She didn't want to seem pushy or obstinate. The point was that she didn't ask him to help her accomplish her goals.
Shane narrowed his eyes and nodded. He loosened his grip on her fingers and turned to leave the meeting room for her office.
For some reason, Charlotte let out a sigh of relief. She got up and followed him, heading toward the office.
After investigating for so long, they had only found out a bit of what the Stevens family had done. Even if it was dangerous, she would not give up and would find other ways to achieve her purpose. Whether it was Kendall, Ryland or Caleb, as long as they were wrong and the law was right, she would not give up.
Charlotte looked at Shane's back. Her red lips curled up and her smile was tinged with shyness.
This was the courage he gave her. Although she didn't want to rely on him, she firmly believed that even if the sky fell, Shane would be able to hold it up.
That was why she had infinite courage.
When Peter received a call from Charlotte to hurry to the office, he was planning to rent a place for Zoe. He didn't think it was good for her to stay in a hotel, but he heard from Zoe that her parents had many friends. If someone found out that she moved into a new place, her parents would probably come to find her.
As Peter anxiously told Charlotte what had happened, he kept wiping the sweat off his forehead with the back of his hand. "Ms. Emerson, that's why I might not be able to hurry to the office right now." "Why didn't you take Zoe to your house? Isn't your house very big?" Charlotte was a little confused. She knew that Peter liked Zoe. She thought that this was the best opportunity for Peter to make use of.
"She didn't want to..." Peter's voice trailed off.
"Tell her to live at your house and work from there. Then, she can go back after everything is settled. Won't that work?"
"What?" Peter was stunned.
Charlotte got impatient with Peter. She said, "What important work do you two do at the office every day? When Zoe isn't getting me coffee, she's helping you organize your files. Can't I get my own coffee?" Peter instantly understood that Charlotte wanted to create an opportunity for him and Zoe to interact. However, if it was too obvious, Zoe would dislike him even more.
Peter bowed his head and glanced at Zoe, who was having breakfast. He lowered his voice and said, "If she knows that this is my idea, she will definitely be angry. Ms. Emerson, I don't want Zoe to be angry." "I'll send her a text message later. Go will the flow and things will work out fine."
Charlotte hung up the phone.
Peter was confused.
After a while.
In the office, Charlotte put her phone back on the table and stretched lazily like a kitten.
Shane noticed the sound she made, and his gaze fell on her.
The sun was shining on her. She looked at ease and happy. She was playing with a fountain pen in her hand, and seemed very excited.
"What big deal have you finalized?" he asked.
"What? No, nothing." Charlotte suddenly realized that there was another person in her office. She immediately put on a neutral expression. "It's Peter and Zoe." "Didn't you notice that I'm here?"
"Uh... yes."
"So, you're so reserved in front of me?" He pointed at her sitting posture.
Charlotte lowered her head and looked at herself.
It seemed to be true. After she realized that Shane was here, she sat in a very formal posture.
"Relax. Things are no longer the way they used to be. I'm no longer your superior."
"Shane, don't you know that you have a strong aura? I don't want to be like a child when I'm with you."
When he heard this, Shane leaned forward and looked at her with great interest. "You're afraid of me, not because I'm NC Company's CEO?"
So he knew that everyone was afraid of him?
Charlotte said helplessly, "Of course not. There are so many CEOS in the world, but you're the only one who makes me feel reverence." "Why?"
She didn't know.
Charlotte's mind went blank. Without thinking, she replied, "You're a god."
Shane had obviously not expected such an answer. Or perhaps, to him, this answer should have been given by Sheryl, not by Charlotte.
He was about to ask again when his phone rang. He looked down and saw that it was Zoe calling. He frowned. Zoe was now Charlotte's subordinate. Why was she suddenly calling him?
He picked up the call. "What's the matter? Lottie is right beside me. Why don't you talk to her?"
"I'm sorry, Mr. Fuller. I didn't know you two were together, so I called you."
"Hm?" Shane seemed to be deep in thought as he looked at Charlotte with a probing gaze.
She blinked innocently.
Zoe took a deep breath and said, "It's like this, Mr. Fuller. Ms. Emerson said that it's the flu season recently and intends to let the staff work from home. She says I can move temporarily to Peter's house to assist him with his work. So I wanted to ask if this is true." "Yes," Shane said bluntly. "Zoe, how long have you been working for me?"
"It's been almost five years." Zoe bit her lip.
"Very well. Looks like I've been in remiss for the past five years. Don't you know that I'm no longer your employer?"
Zoe realized that she had made a mistake, so she explained rapidly, "Because I have a good relationship with Lottie. Peter is your man and he has already confessed to me. I am afraid that Charlotte will..." "Are you worried that your superior would use work assignment as an excuse to get you two together?"
Zoe closed her eyes and sighed. "I'm sorry, Mr. Fuller."
"I don't think you should apologize to me, but your superior and colleagues instead." Shane simply hung up the phone.
Zoe put down her phone. She felt very upset. She whispered, "Peter, please help me move. I may have to... live with you for a short time."
Peter really did not expect Zoe to bring this up herself. He asked tentatively, "Why the sudden change of heart?"
"Don't you know?" "What is it?"
Zoe thought for a moment, and Peter had been standing beside her. Charlotte had sent Zoe a message, but she didn't see Peter receive anything. She didn't know if this was normal, so she could only repeat what Charlotte said to him.
Peter was very impressed with Charlotte.
It was truly the flu season, and other companies did enact work from home policies.
"If you don't want to live in my house, you can rent the house next door," Peter suggested.
"It's too troublesome." Zoe shook her head. "Work is work, and personal feelings are personal feelings. I don't want our work to be affected by the fact that you like me. Even if I rent the place next to yours, I still need to go to work at your house during the day."
Peter loved Zoe's cold and rational thinking.
He curled his lips slightly and said, "Zoe, I'll take good care of you, and I won't let anyone bully you."
"I'm afraid I'll bring you trouble."
"Don't worry, I can handle it."
Peter was a lovely young man, but now, he had become her protector.
Zoe was moved. She suddenly reached out to touch Peter's head lightly. She just touched the back of her head and quickly moved her hand away.
He smiled at her and said, "Take my keys, I'll call a cab so you can go and familiarize yourself with the house. I'll bring your things."
"Be safe." She was worried.
"Will they make things difficult for me?" Peter tilted his head and asked curiously.
Zoe nodded.
Her mother would be settled as long as she paid them some money. Her father was very unreasonable. He said that he bought a house for her mother when he had married her. That house was now her mother's, so Zoe's grandmother's house had to be his.
His father's argument wasn't logical. The more anxious he got, the more ridiculous his actions became.