The Mocked Miss’s Hidden Crowns novel Chapter 513

“Did you hurt your left hand?” Anthony’s voice was gentle as he took her bandaged hand in his.

“No.” Charlotte frowned. It wasn’t really hurt, just scraped enough to bleed a little.

“Let’s wash it and wrap it up again.”

He didn’t say anything else, just led her straight to the bathroom. The only thing either of them could hear was the sound of running water. Charlotte stood quietly while Anthony squeezed soap into his palm and carefully washed her hand, massaging the soap over her skin again and again.

After a few minutes, he patted her hand dry with a paper towel.

“All done.” Charlotte tried to pull her hand back, but Anthony didn’t let go.

She looked up at him, puzzled.

“Lottie, let’s leave this place behind and forget all the bad memories, alright?” Anthony brought her pale hand to his lips. “From now on, I’ll stay by your side. We’ll make so many better memories together.”

His low, warm words felt like a pebble dropping into still water, leaving gentle ripples through her heart. After a quiet moment, she nodded.

Anthony’s tense expression finally softened. He took her hand and guided her downstairs to the infirmary. Charlotte sat in a chair while Anthony knelt in front of her, focused and gentle as he redid her bandage. He was so close that his breath warmed her skin.

Charlotte bit her lip and peeked up at his face, unable to look away.

“Let’s go home and get some rest today,” Anthony said. “We can handle the police stuff tomorrow.”

She didn’t answer, just kept her eyes on him.

“Are you hungry?” When she still didn’t respond, Anthony looked up and met her gaze. “Hey… are you hungry?”

...

At the Carter family home, chaos erupted the moment Freddy and Selena heard their daughter was in trouble.

“What’s her name again? Charlotte?” Freddy’s tone was icy.

“Yes, the one from that Main Family that went bankrupt,” Selena said, tears in her eyes. “Melissa told me Charlotte is really manipulative, scheming to get close to Anthony, and she totally ruined things between him and Melissa. I’m sure Melissa lost her temper because of her.”

The more Selena talked, the angrier she got.

“I did my homework on Charlotte. Other than good grades and a little painting, she’s got nothing. No family, no connections, and she grew up in the countryside. Compared to Melissa, she’s nothing. You have to do something, make her give in, and help Melissa.”

No background. Freddy’s eyes turned cold. That made things easy. The Carter and Blair families had been close for years. There was no way they’d let their relationship fall apart over a girl with no ties at all.