, Charlotte discerne

detachment, his frosty demean

epped in to smooth things over, "Careful, Mr

efore making his exit, leav

woman's arrogance re

o bloom among the clouds? Do you think by brewing

the insult and turn

than to harbor

uld give her and al

.

ker to visit the break room. I thought he came

a few drops of coffee spilli

to my defense? You're all

ut he's known for his strict management. It's surp

in the executive office, with many newcome

orkplace: endure if you can, and certainl

ackground, many believed she landed the job through an

Mr. Parker seemed utte

ards Charlotte shifted, with the hos

liver coffee to Liam. She knocked and entered,

ately. I don't want

Mr. Pa

ith something unreadabl

you hear?"

..

off sharply, "This is about company

with the coffee. She couldn't help but wonder, who w

manager packing up her desk dej

learned that the deputy manager wa

uty manager whom L

rlotte stared at her bur

rds: it's just company govern

ship, never tolerating bullies to l

pany's sake

. How could she ever think that Liam was concer

f tasks, Charlotte clocked out and spent ove

sh to Maria at home, saying, "This is the last time I'm giving you money

the money, nodd

r mother's half-hearted assur

nocence, Mother. You know very well where I scraped up the mon

her fingers anxiousl

a lot. You two get along so well... Lottie. Just marry him, and you'll live a good life!

as tinged with

reath, "Do you think I'

ish a woman bou

ver accept a woman wi

ear: it was absol

don't say

s to die! But didn't he do everything for you? He spoiled you,

laughing but instead

ng a cool half a million into Robert's account right in front of her. T

avy, "Mom, wasn't handing over my sister bad

'm so sorry, Lottie. Bringing you into this world, into this mes

ugh Robert favored sons over daughters, the gir

son who was born weak and imme

e on Maria with his fists, but in a desperate bid to scrape together funds for their ailing so

e family afloat while Robert squandered their meager earnings on debauch

her mother's excuses always anchored them there, "Your father will change," "What

bs, Charlotte battled w

That's all we owe on the house. Think of it as a loan. I can't take this life anymore. Help

illing to leave, and after much

that Maria requested, Charlotte faced

only hope to o

his coat at Charlotte so abruptly that she f

re they went for laundry, ensuring not

ertips. In surprise, she pulled out a

t for

with the ointment in hand. "Mr. Pa

"Daniel put it there.

buddy, was all about

the cream was worth

ake it, but she cou

am the money be

as she opene

it and stom

all up in her face. "You t

were like ice. "Do yo

gs straight, but he wa

t come bac

and heard him on the phone, talking all soft, "We'll

. "Drop the coffee and get out.

without

His gaze fell on her hands. "It works, doesn't it? I only gav

niel got why he was mad. He looked at Char