The Mocked Miss’s Hidden Crowns novel Chapter 295

“Anthony, am I invisible or something?” Kenneth yanked off his sunglasses and tossed them into the sports car, his tone sharp. “Lottie, come here.”

Anthony just grinned and, instead of letting go, leaned in even closer to Charlotte, his breath tickling her ear. “Lottie, Kenneth’s picking on me again.”

Again? Really?

Kenneth rolled his eyes. “What are you even trying to pull right now?”

Anthony shrugged, looking completely unbothered. “Alright, alright, it’s all on me. Guess that’s what I get for being Lottie’s boyfriend. Surviving Kenneth’s rage must be part of the job description.”

Surviving? Kenneth froze, caught off guard. Did Anthony just say boyfriend? Were they actually together now?

“Lottie… You guys…” Kenneth stared at them, lost for words. He’d known this day was coming, but actually hearing it hit way harder than he expected.

“Lottie, get in the car.” Kenneth opened the passenger door, his frustration written all over his face.

Charlotte didn’t move. She looked at Kenneth, her eyes serious, almost warning him not to start anything with Anthony. Kenneth let out a heavy sigh. “Relax, I’m not going to hit him,” he muttered, glancing away. “Not that I could win anyway.”

“Go on,” Anthony said softly, giving Charlotte’s hand a gentle squeeze and flashing her a teasing smile. “Let me talk to Kenneth for a second. I’ll try to cheer him up. Poor guy’s heart just took a hit.”

Charlotte climbed into the passenger seat and glanced back at Kenneth, who just stood there, arms crossed, looking lost and more than a little sulky. He seemed like the one who needed comforting now.

…

Inside the car, Charlotte sat quietly, her head lowered as she texted, a calm but powerful presence. It was funny, Kenneth thought, how Lottie only seemed soft and playful when Anthony was around. The rest of the time, she was almost intimidating.

Kenneth tried to find the right words to break the silence, but nothing came out. At least Anthony understood that Charlotte was still young and knew where the line was.

Still, Kenneth couldn’t help but worry. He’d told his family he was just letting a friend look after Lottie. Now that friend had basically stolen her away. What would Grandpa and his parents say when they found out? Would they blame him?

He started to freak out a little.

About half an hour later, the sports car finally rolled up to the Gates Estate. Kenneth jumped out first, opened Charlotte’s door, and grabbed her bag, trying to act like everything was totally normal.