The Mocked Miss’s Hidden Crowns novel Chapter 1964

"No!"

Roger rejected the idea flat-out without a second thought, his face completely rigid. "She doesn't have the time."

Lottie was currently pregnant; he had no intention of letting her get anywhere near a mess like this.

"I'll draft the specific protocol," Roger continued, his expression remaining dark. "You all focus on getting the preliminary reports organized."

"Yes, Dr. Gates."

The team exchanged glances and nodded in unison.

***

Imperial Heights.

The case was blowing up online, so Charlotte had caught wind of it.

"What's on your mind?"

Anthony grabbed a throw blanket and gently draped it over her pregnant belly. He noticed her looking over the leaked reports, her delicate, radiant face scrunched up in concentration.

It had been a long time since he'd seen her make that expression.

"This case is too complicated."

Charlotte naturally leaned into her husband's embrace, resting against his chest as she spoke in a low voice, "Roger won't be able to solve this in two days."

Anthony remained quiet.

Anthony scanned the contents of the report, his gaze turning icy.

The killer was a foreigner who likely banked on the local authorities lacking the expertise to process that many bodies in just forty-eight hours.

Without conclusive evidence, they couldn't pin the murder charges on him. That was why he was so arrogant.

"It is definitely tricky," Anthony agreed, resting his hand on the girl's waist and giving it a soothing massage. "What's your plan?"

He remembered his wife had a secret alias—the Top Forensic Examiner.

"If I go help him, would you be okay with it?"

Charlotte tilted her chin up to look at her husband's face, her tone serious. "Taking these two with me."

As she spoke, she gently patted her rounded belly.

"Their mom is serving the country and taking them along for the ride. They'll only feel proud."

Anthony caressed his girl's stomach, his eyes darkening as he replied in a husky voice, "Whatever my wife wants to do, I fully support."

"Deal."

Even though her face was partially obscured, her outfit and striking eyes were enough to prove she was stunning.

Veronica wondered if this was the girl from the photo.

Whether she was or not, anyone who dared to call Dr. Gates by his first name was definitely not a nobody.

"Please let him know I'm here," Charlotte said politely, keeping her patience in check.

"I already told you, Dr. Gates is busy. He doesn't have time for guests right now," Veronica said, her gaze turning dismissive and her tone icy. "Please leave."

"Fine."

Charlotte seemed to read the woman's hostile intentions perfectly. Raising an elegant brow, she sat down on a nearby chair, pulled out her phone, and dialed Roger's number. She spoke in a slow, drawling voice, "Too busy?"

"I'm in a meeting," Roger said, a bit startled to see her calling.

"Oh."

Charlotte raised an eyebrow, her gaze drifting lightly over Veronica's face as she sneered, "Too busy to come greet your precious darling?"

What?

Precious darling?!

Veronica froze. Was this woman really that bitch who seduced him?