The Betrayed Heiress Is Now the CEO’s Obsession novel Chapter 18

After dinner, Wendy strolled around the living room, casually critiquing the decor. “Zac, these curtains don’t match the space at all. And this vase–ugh, it clashes with everything.”

Then she wrinkled her nose, pointing at the fresh flowers Inside. “Also, I’m allergic to pollen. Can we just get rid of these?”

The curtains were ones Charlotte had picked. The vase was something she had bought. The flower arrangement? One she had put together herself. Wendy was clearly nitpicking on purpose.

Zac barely looked up. “If you don’t like them, pick out whatever you want.” Then, as if to drive his point home, he added, “Since you’re allergic, just toss them.”

Charlotte watched them play their little game, silent and unbothered,

Not her house. Not her problem,

But Wendy mistook her sence for hurt, her eyes flashing with smug satisfaction.

“Charlotte, you’ve lost,” she silently remarked.

rs out.”

Zac called for Mrs. Zimmer, “Throw the vase and flowers

Mrs. Zimmer hesitated, stealing a glance at Charlotte before carefully saying, “Mr. Gibson, but Miss Riley bought them…”

Zac’s expression darkened, his voice growing impatient. “And? Do you not understand who owns this house? Who pays your salary?”

Charlotte’s tone was calm. “It’s fine, Mrs. Zammer. Just toss them.”

With no other choice, Mrs. Zimmer picked up the vase and lett, muttering under her breath. “Ridiculous. The man’s lost his damn mind. And that Wendy girl too–comes in, takes over, and suddenly we’re all eating nothing but rabbit food. When is this nightmare going to end?”

Meanwhile, in the living room, Wendy clung to Zac’s arm, her voice dripping with honey. “Zac, will you come with me to pick out new curtains tomorrow?

Zac glanced at Charlotte, expecting to see jealousy flicker across her face.

But she didn’t react at all.

No irritation. No sulking. No jealousy.

Nothing

A strange frustration churned in his chest.

Why wasn’t she jealous?

He had just thrown out something she had carefully picked, and she didn’t even flinch.

She was always so obedient and easygoing. He had liked that about her. But now, for some reason, it was starting to annoy him.

Maybe a little jealousy wouldn’t be so bad.

Wendy tugged on his ann, “Zac, are you even listening?”

Zac snapped back to the moment. His voice was dull, “Yeah.”

The next day, Wendy made a grand show of redecorating.

She ordered an entire shipment of home decor, directing the delivery workers to replace the curtains and swap out all the furnishings

Charlotte had chosen.

One by one, Charlotte’s belongings were thrown into the trash

When Charlotte returned home, she walked into a half–finished, chaotic mess. Wendy stood there, arms crossed, practically glowing with satisfaction as their eyes met

Charlotte didn’t react.

She barely spared the mess a glance before heading upstairs to her room

She had already packed up everything she planned to take with her. What she was throwing out was already set aside. Only a few daily essentials and a couple of outfits remained.

She had assumed she and Wendy would stay

by out of each other’s way for the last few days.

Clearly, Wendy was determined to push her out by any means necessary.

Chapter 18

The night before the trial, Charlotte was in the shower when she suddenly heard the sharp crash of something shattering in her bedroom. Her heart clenched. She quickly rinsed off, threw on her nightgown, and rushed out to check.

The room was empty.

r–scattered In Jagged shards–was the ceramic figurine her mother had left her.

But on the floor-

Charlotte froze.

It had been a birthday gift from when she was twelve, a pale blue puppy she and her mom had painted together at a pottery shop. Their names were even etched on the back

ulse pounding

A furious heat rushed to her head, her pulse

“Who did this?!” she shouted, storming out of the room.

She marched straight to Zac’s bedroom and pounded on the door,

]“Zac! Wendy! Which one of you was in my room?!

The door swung open, revealing Zac’s annoyed face. “What the hell is wrong with you? It’s the middle of the night! Can’t you let people sleep?”

Charlotte’s chest rose and fell rapidly with rage. Her voice was sharp. “Did you go into my room just now?”

going through

Zac frowned. “Why the hell would I go into your room?”

?” His irritation deepened. “Stop making a scene. I’ve been in here g

contracts all night.”

Charlotte’s gaze darkened. “Then it was Wendy.”

Without another word, she spun on her heel and stormed toward Wendy’s room at the end of the hall.

Zat, sensing trouble, followed quickly behind.

Quarlotte slammed her fist against the door. “Wendy! Open up!”

When there was no immediate response, she raised her foot and kicked the door. Bang!

Zar’s brows shot up.

This was not the sweet, mild–mannered Charlotte he knew.

Wendy finally cracked the door open, looking utterly unimpressed. “What’s your problem?”

Charlotte didn’t answer. Instead, she grabbed Wendy’s wrist and dragged her toward her own room

“What the hell?! Let go ofine!” Wendy stumbled, trying to resist, but Charlotte was stronger than she looked.

With a sharp tug, Charlotte pulled Wendy inside and flung her forward.

Wendy lost her balance, her knee slamning into the dresser. “Ow! Are you insane?!” she screeched.

Charlotte’s eyes were Ice. “Did you break my figurine?”

Wendy’s gaze flickered, her lips parting. “I–What are you even talking about? I wasn’t in your room!”

Charlotte stepped closer, her presence suffocating “Really? Because when I stepped out of the shower, I saw a glimpse of a beige skirt at my door.”

Wendy stiffened. “You’re lying! 1—— I wasn’t even wearing beige! I was wearing-“She stopped mild–sentence, her eyes widening in horror at

her own slip–up

Charlotte arched a brow, her tone lethal. “You were wearing what, Wendy? Oh, let me guess that gray skirt you just changed out of?”

Wendy swallowed hard, her throat bobbing “I was just–just looking around

Charlotte’s gaze humed even colder. “Looking around? In my room? For what?”

Wendy opened and closed her mouth, scrambling for an answer

“Enough!” Zac suddenly stepped in front of Wendy, his voice irritated. “Charlotte, stop making a big deal out of nothing. It’s just some cheap little figurine–buy another one and move on! Why are you harassing Wendy?”

SMACK.

A sharp, resounding slap filled the air.

Charlotte swing her hand with full force, landing a brutal slap across Zac’s face.

Both Zac and Wendy stood frozen in shock

“Get out!” Charlotte roared at Zac, her eyes blazing. “This has nothing to do with you! Who the hell do you think you are to forgive her on my

Wendy, who had been standing behind Zac, suddenly shoved him aside and stormed up to Charlotte. Her face was twisted with rage. “Who do you think you are to hit him?!”

SMACK

Another sharp slap rang through the room

Charlotte’s voice was cold and unwavering, “You can get

get out too.”

A bright red handprint immediately bloomed across Wendy’s cheek.

She let out a shocked gasp, eyes wide with fury. There was no way she was letting this go.

“You—” Wendy lifted her hand, ready to slap Charlotte back.

But before she could even make contact, Charlotte grabbed her wrist in a vice grip and yanked her off balance. With a sharp shove, Wendy stumbled backward, her palm landing directly on the shattered ceramic shards.

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