Chapter 140
"Landon? Jordan? What a coincidence."
Alexander forced a smile, but inside he was cursing them for showing up at the wrong time. After calming down, he realized he'd been a bit too worked up that day, so he'd found time to approach Charlotte again, hoping to calmly persuade her to convince that old doctor at the clinic to help treat Sabrina.
After all, he was the last person who wanted anything to happen to Sabrina.
Setting aside what he owed her, and considering all the effort the Forbes Group had invested in her recently, he absolutely couldn't stand by and watch her collapse due to health issues.
Furthermore, he already had plans for Sabrina to replace Nova.
But he never expected that after finally making time to see Charlotte, he'd run into Landon and Jordan.
Landon was close with Nicole. The only exception had been their argument years ago, when Alexander's arranged marriage to Charlotte cost Landon his position as head of the Forbes Group. In a fit of anger, Landon had quarreled with Nicole and left.
But clearly, since returning to the country, Landon's relationship with Nicole seemed even better than before.
He guessed that Nicole, who always favored Charlotte, must have privately instructed Landon to take good care of Charlotte for her.
So, he absolutely couldn't clash with Charlotte in front of Landon.
Otherwise, Nicole wouldn't let him off the hook.
Unlike Alexander's helpless expression, tension simmered between Landon and Jordan.
Knowing Charlotte had just suffered betrayal in both love and family, Landon didn't want to scare or pressure her, so he planned to take things slowly.
But he never expected another man to set his sights on Charlotte so soon.
And that man was Jordan!
A formidable rival he couldn't ignore!
So he looked at Jordan, a rare hint of challenge flashing in his eyes. "Dr. Howard, have you been this free lately?"
Jordan remained unfazed. "Mr. Forbes, you're joking. If a busy person like you can make time, why shouldn't I?"
Landon smirked.
Alexander keenly sensed the odd tension in the atmosphere between them, but before he could figure it out, Charlotte arrived.
A flash of joy crossed Jordan's fair face, and he was about to step forward to greet her when Charlotte walked straight toward Landon. "Landon, what brings you here?"
Landon was her benefactor now. He'd helped her out of trouble several times and had even become her landlord.
Shouldn't she be nice to him?
If she'd known he was coming to pick up Philip, she might have even brought a blueberry cupcake.
"I happened to have time today, so I thought I'd come see Philip."
Landon smiled, and after answering Charlotte, he glanced sideways at Jordan.
That glance somehow stung Jordan.
Still, he stood straight, showing no sign of backing down.
Fortunately, after greeting Landon, Charlotte immediately turned to Jordan. "Jordan, we meet again."
Jordan adjusted his glasses with a gentle smile. "Can't help it; Lily keeps insisting I pick her up."
Jordan felt a bit better—at least in Charlotte's mind, he ranked ahead of Alexander.
After Charlotte greeted Jordan, she simply looked past Alexander.
No need to greet him at all.
Charlotte was crossing a line, refusing to show him even a shred of respect in front of an outsider like Jordan. She had certainly grown bold.
Charlotte seemed to read Alexander's thoughts but she remained unfazed.
In the past, he'd always shielded Sabrina, repeatedly belittling and humiliating her in front of others.
Seeing Charlotte's cold indifference, Alexander's blood began to boil. After picking up Owen, he hurriedly left.
However, as Alexander shoved him into the car, Owen couldn't help but look back at Charlotte.
Charlotte didn't spare Owen a single glance, though her attention was entirely on the two adorable kids in front of her.
Lily shook her two cute braids and played up her charms with Charlotte. "Charlotte, do my braids look pretty today?"
Charlotte examined them thoughtfully for a moment and nodded with conviction. "They look great!"
Lily's big round eyes crinkled as she smiled. "Jordan braided them for me."
Charlotte's eyes widened slightly in surprise, and she gave Jordan a thumbs up. As expected of a talented doctor—he had such skillful hands.
Jordan felt incredibly awkward and could only clear his throat.
However, at that sight, Landon and Philip both felt a twinge of jealousy.
Especially when Lily twisted around to ask Charlotte to hold her, Landon finally couldn't take it anymore and secretly nudged Philip.
Philip understood immediately and stepped forward, tugging Charlotte's sleeve. "Charlotte, I'm hungry. Let's go now."
In Charlotte's heart, as adorable as Lily was, she couldn't compare to her bond with Philip.
Without another word, she took Philip's hand and said goodbye to Jordan and Lily.
Jordan held Lily's hand, noticing her sullen expression, as he watched Charlotte walk away with Landon and Philip.
Just then, Landon turned back and waved at him casually.
The provocation couldn't have been more obvious.
Jordan felt his annoyance flare.
Lily gently tugged at his sleeve, looking up with her tearful eyes. "Jordan, did we lose?"
Jordan suppressed his discomfort and knelt, steadying Lily. "Do you like Charlotte? Do you want to win?"
Lily nodded enthusiastically. "I like her! I want to win!"
Jordan smiled gently and patted Lily's head. "Then we'll keep trying."
"Okay!" Lily clenched her small fist.
Jordan stood up and gazed at the three figures walking away, his eyes clouded with thought.
Half an hour later.
At the restaurant table, Charlotte carefully flipped through the menu, her gaze focused and calm.
The window was open, and as a breeze drifted through, Landon notice a stray strand of hair stuck to the corner of her lips.
Landon's gaze deepened.
He suddenly realized he envied that strand of hair—it could be so close to her so openly.
He stared, barely restraining himself from reaching out to brush it away for her.
However, Charlotte seemed to sense his gaze and suddenly looked up. "Landon, is there something on my face?"
Landon's expression didn't change, and he met her gaze calmly. "Your hair is on your lips."
Charlotte nodded and casually tucked the stray hair behind her ear.
At that sight, Landon quietly looked away.
Only then did he realize his heart was beating wildly.
Today was the day the Forbes Group was holding a personal exhibition for their new design director, Sabrina.
Everyone knew Sabrina was quite young and a top graduate from Aurora College.
But what people loved to talk about most was how highly Alexander, the Forbes Group's CEO, valued her.
Otherwise, why would the Forbes Group hold a personal exhibition for her alone among all their design directors?
That alone spoke volumes.
So, out of respect for the Forbes Group and sheer curiosity, almost everyone who received an invitation came, regardless of their status.
And Sabrina truly didn't disappoint them.