The Mocked Miss’s Hidden Crowns novel Chapter 9

Could it really be Charlotte?

Yesterday, the family had sent someone to pick her up, but the word was she’d gotten into the wrong car and disappeared for the entire night. Everyone said she was still missing. So how was she suddenly here, just like that?

“Charlotte!”

Charlotte?

The younger maid froze, staring at her in disbelief.

Without acknowledging their shock, Charlotte just said, “Move,” her voice cold and direct. She stepped forward, not waiting for a response.

The maid, clearly rattled, hurried out of the way. “Susan… if she’s Charlotte, then what about Olivia?” she whispered nervously.

Susan shot her a sharp look. “Be quiet.” She kept her eyes on Charlotte and quickly fished out her phone.

Elizabeth was sitting with Steven, listening to Olivia play the piano. The sunlight poured into the villa, mixing with the music and making everything feel calm and perfect.

Then her phone buzzed. Elizabeth jumped up from her seat, her face instantly drained of color.

Charlotte was back?

Her sudden movement made Steven and Olivia look over in concern.

“Mom, what’s wrong?” Olivia asked, her hands hovering over the piano keys.

Elizabeth tried to collect herself. She forced a gentle smile, even as her panic simmered beneath the surface. “Susan just said Charlotte came home.”

“Charlotte’s back?”

Steven's whole face lit up. He stood up at once, practically beaming, and rushed downstairs, leaving Olivia and Elizabeth behind.

Olivia frowned, turning to her mom. “Why is Dad so happy? She’s always been nothing but trouble,” she muttered, just loud enough for Elizabeth to hear.

“Charlotte.”

Steven’s voice rang out, full of excitement.

Charlotte lifted her gaze slowly, looking toward the stairs. Olivia was coming down, dressed in a dreamy, flowing dress, clinging to Steven’s arm with one hand and holding Elizabeth’s with the other.

They looked like a perfect family, even though none of them were actually related by blood. Their happiness was almost blinding.

“Charlotte, where did you go? We were so worried when you didn’t come home,” Elizabeth said, rushing over. She grabbed Charlotte’s hand tightly, her eyes brimming with tears and emotion.

Charlotte blinked, her long lashes lifting. Without a word, she gently pulled her hand away, her dark eyes meeting Elizabeth’s with a cool, unreadable stare.

Elizabeth’s heart skipped a beat.

Charlotte had always been the quiet, sickly one, too shy to even look anyone in the eye. She’d never dared to show this kind of sharp, defiant look before.