The Mocked Miss’s Hidden Crowns novel Chapter 120

“Mr. Blair, hello.”

Eleanor’s greeting made Andrew, who’d been staring at the ground, look up fast. Charlotte’s long lashes fluttered, like she was caught off guard too.

“Please, don’t call my brother in here...” Andrew pressed his palms together, almost begging.

If Anthony showed up, there’d be hell to pay.

“Yes, Mr. Blair. Thank you for coming all this way.”

Andrew leaned back, looking completely defeated. He glanced at Charlotte and whispered, “My brother’s a handful. Don’t be scared. If he gives you a hard time, I’ll protect you.”

Charlotte blinked, confused. There was a big question mark in her mind as she studied Andrew’s serious face. She couldn’t help but smile a little.

“And how exactly are you going to do that? One hand protecting your head, the other protecting me?”

Andrew went quiet, not sure what to say.

...

Half an hour later, voices drifted in from the hallway.

Steven was the first one through the door.

“Steven, long time no see.”

Because of Olivia, Steven and Ronald talked pretty often. As soon as Ronald spotted him, he rushed over with a big, eager smile.

“Good to see you.” Steven shook Ronald’s hand, but there was an awkwardness in his voice. “I heard Charlotte got into a fight at school. Is that true?”

“Why can’t you be more like Olivia? Are you trying to drive me crazy?”

Charlotte dropped her head, taking the brunt of the scolding. Eleanor felt awful and almost stepped in, but then Charlotte spoke up, her voice suddenly sharp.

“Who said you had to come? If you don’t want to be here, you can leave.”

She said it so calmly, without a hint of emotion, but it was enough to make everyone freeze. This was the dean’s office. Telling her own dad to get out, right in front of everyone… Charlotte was on a whole different level.

“Charlotte, don’t think I won’t do something just because we’re at school!” Steven snapped. He still hadn’t dealt with the last time she smashed things and started a fire at home.

“Steven, please calm down,” Eleanor said softly, trying to keep things from getting worse.

Right then, another voice came from the doorway. It was Henry Dean, Dennis’s father.