The Mocked Miss’s Hidden Crowns novel Chapter 465

People were acting like she was some rare gem that needed to be protected at all costs. Dorothy just couldn't understand the fuss. There was no way she’d ever let her son marry someone from a family that didn’t match their status.

“I’ve said what I needed to say. What you do is up to you,” Andrew said, giving a casual shrug that made his position clear.

Dorothy rolled her eyes, frustrated by how little Andrew seemed to care. If he showed half as much ambition, who knew what the future of the Blair Group might look like.

The banquet finally ended and suddenly the entrance was buzzing with excitement.

“Charlotte, there’s going to be a fireworks show! Let’s go watch together,” Emily said, grabbing Charlotte’s hand and pulling her into the crowd.

Charlotte was fairly tall, but a few guys ahead of them were even taller, blocking the best spot for watching the show.

“Let’s try over there,” Emily suggested, sounding a little let down.

Charlotte didn’t really care about fireworks, so she was about to follow Emily away when she felt a warm, steady hand slide around her waist. She froze, turning around just as she heard a soft click nearby.

The entire estate went dark.

Even in that split-second before the lights vanished, Charlotte caught a glimpse of his face. He was strikingly handsome, impossible to miss, even in a crowd.

The fireworks were about to begin.

“This is the best spot,” Anthony said, his voice low and close to her ear. “Let me help you.”

Before Charlotte could even process what he meant, he swept her off her feet. The sudden lift made her heart race and she instinctively clung to his shoulders.

She glanced at him, a playful arch to her brow, then lowered her head like he asked.

A second later, his lips found hers.

The kiss was warm and electric. Charlotte’s lashes fluttered and she looked up at Anthony, a soft smile in her eyes.

Sitting there in his arms, she had a perfect view of the fireworks. Everyone else was too busy watching the sky to notice the two of them, wrapped up in each other.

Even over the sound of fireworks exploding, Charlotte could just make out Anthony’s low, magnetic whisper.

“I love you. You’re the only one I ever will.”