The Mocked Miss’s Hidden Crowns novel Chapter 350

It was late. Charlotte stepped out of the Flux Digital building, her head lowered. She stood by the curb, trying to figure out how she was going to get home. Suddenly, headlights flashed in the distance, cutting through the darkness and making her squint.

She looked up. The moment she recognized that familiar sports car, her whole posture softened. All the tension she carried seemed to slip off her shoulders.

A few seconds later, Anthony got out of the car. He wore a black trench coat that made him look even taller and more imposing. Paired with his strikingly handsome face, he almost seemed otherworldly, like some kind of dark prince come to life. He looked incredible.

Charlotte stayed where she was, not moving an inch. Anthony crossed the distance to her quickly, his long strides eating up the space between them. He didn't say a word as he slipped off his coat and wrapped it around her shoulders, pulling it snug.

She instinctively leaned into him, letting herself relax in his arms. His expression was stormy, so she reached out, wrapped her arms around his waist, and looked up at him, trying to lighten the mood.

“Anthony, did Kenneth call you?”

“Yeah.” He kept one hand on her waist, using his other to tuck a loose strand of hair behind her ear. She could tell he was annoyed, but he didn’t blame her for any of it.

“It’s late. He’s just worried about you getting home by yourself.”

“Oh.” Charlotte’s voice was soft. She tucked her hand into his, letting his warmth soak into her fingers. She peered up at him with a small, teasing smile. “My feet hurt.”

Anthony glanced at her shoes, his face impossible to read for a second, before the corner of his mouth twitched into a faint smile. “You’re such a softie.” There were things he wanted to talk about, but it could all wait until they got home.

Without another word, he scooped her up into his arms and carried her toward the car.

Meanwhile, Emily had just finished up at work. She yawned, slinging her purse over her shoulder as she walked out to the street. When she looked up, she caught sight of Charlotte wrapped up in a man’s arms. They looked close, almost too close.

She closed the chat, still feeling unsettled. After a few moments, she couldn’t let it go. She called her assistant.

“Did the girl who auditioned for the voice-over job today leave any info?”

She figured if she looked into it quietly, no one would be hurt. If Charlotte and Kenneth were really together, she’d back off. If Kenneth was getting played, she’d give him a heads up.

“No, I heard she was only here for a minute and left,” her assistant said. “Oh, and Emily, Timbre came by too, but because of the confidentiality agreement, the company can’t share any of her details.”

Emily nodded, still deep in thought, the night feeling a little heavier than before.