The Mocked Miss’s Hidden Crowns novel Chapter 416

“Charlotte is as delicate as a flower. She really can’t handle you being so…” Patricia trailed off, clearing her throat and giving Anthony a pointed look. “You need to go easy on her.”

“I am,” Anthony replied, his voice soft.

He pulled the covers back and gently brushed the wisps of hair from Charlotte’s forehead. When she blinked up at him with sleepy eyes, he couldn’t help but smile. “I’m always careful with her.”

Every bit of patience and tenderness he had, he gave to Charlotte.

Even though the phone wasn’t on speaker, they were close enough for Charlotte to hear everything. When she glanced up, Anthony was already looking at her. Their eyes met and the room filled with a quiet awkwardness.

Patricia really did know too much.

Charlotte’s cheeks warmed. She pretended not to notice, turning her head away and burying her face in the blankets, acting like she was already asleep.

Patricia lowered her voice, thinking Charlotte hadn’t woken up. “Also, your parents finally remembered they actually have a home. They’ll be back in a couple of days.” There was a smile in her tone. “They heard you have a girlfriend and they’re dying to meet her.”

Meeting his parents would basically mean being accepted by the Blair family.

“Lottie’s been working hard with her studies. She’s pretty busy,” Anthony said, not promising anything. He leaned in closer, gently pulling the covers off Charlotte’s head and tilting her chin up with his finger. His lips curled into a teasing smile. “Besides, she’s still young. Meeting my parents might freak her out.”

He was the type who hated anything too formal or serious.

Meet his parents? Just the thought sent another rush of heat to Charlotte’s cheeks. Anthony hadn’t even been chasing her for long, and now he wanted things to move even faster? Keep dreaming, she thought.

Charlotte raised an eyebrow and reached out, her slender hand playing with the belt of his robe, acting all casual.

“We’ll figure it out when they get back,” Anthony said, catching her hand and holding it firmly. He spoke into the phone, “Grandma, you should get some rest now.” Then he hung up.

“Good.”

Anthony’s grip tightened, and before she could pull away, he cupped her face and kissed her again. He laughed softly against her lips. “Think about it carefully.”

Charlotte scrunched her nose, about to say something, but his presence made her thoughts scatter.

Half an hour later, they sat together at the dining table. Charlotte cradled a warm glass of milk, her cheeks still rosy and her lips slightly swollen, looking even cuter under the soft lights.

“The last month and a half is going to be tough. Exams are coming up, so don’t push yourself too hard,” Anthony said as he handed her a peeled egg. His dark, beautiful eyes were full of gentle concern.

It was crunch time, and every teacher seemed to have lost their mind, dumping endless practice tests on them like they were robots.