Chapter 126
At that moment, Alexander smoothly pulled up in front of the villa.
Charlotte was about to get out when her phone suddenly rang.
She glanced at the screen and saw it was Victoria calling.
"Hello?"
"Charlie, you're still awake, right?" Victoria's voice sounded somewhat relieved. "I'm calling to let you know—Nora's been sent out of the country. She won't be coming back. You can rest easy now."
"She really left the country?" Charlotte frowned slightly, surprised.
"Yes, we've finally gotten rid of that huge headache." Victoria sighed with feeling. "You've had a rough time lately, too. Get some rest."
"All right. Good night."
After hanging up, Charlotte's expression showed no sign of relief.
Alexander, sitting beside her, picked up on her unease immediately. "What's wrong?"
Charlotte let out a long breath and shook her head. "Nothing. I just don't think this is as simple as it seems."
"I know Nora's personality. She's petty and vindictive. There's no way she'd just accept defeat and leave the country without a fight. Something doesn't add up."
After hearing her out, the man nodded thoughtfully.
"You're right. Now that you mention it, this does seem too easy. It could be a trap."
"What do you want to do?"
Charlotte pressed her lips together, then turned to look at him seriously. "I want you to check her departure records and track her movements from today. I need to be sure."
"Done." Alexander didn't hesitate for a second.
He pulled out his phone, dialed a number, rattled off a few quick instructions, then hung up. The whole process took less than thirty seconds.
"We should have answers by tomorrow morning at the latest."
Watching Alexander help her without a moment's hesitation, Charlotte felt warmth bloom in her chest. She thanked him sincerely.
"I really appreciate everything you did today."
Alexander understood what she meant and smiled.
"We don't need to say things like that to each other."
"Go on inside. Get some rest—you have to go to the office tomorrow."
"Okay."
Charlotte had thought the investigation would take some time, but to her surprise, early the next morning, just as she was heading out, Alexander called.
"I found something."
"The departure record was faked. Nora never boarded any international flight."
"Yesterday morning, after she left home, she used the terrain to shake off the people Charles sent to escort her. Then she went to a very discreet private club."
Hearing this, Charlotte thought darkly, I knew it. She let out a cold laugh.
"Who did she meet?"
"I don't know." Alexander's voice dropped. "The club's security system is extremely tight. My people couldn't get close. All we know is that it was a man."
"But this person's identity is also a mystery. I used every connection I have, and I still can't find a single trace of him. It's like he appeared out of thin air."
After listening to Alexander, Charlotte's eyes darkened.
Someone even Alexander couldn't track down—this person's identity had to be extraordinary.
Now that Nora's reputation was in ruins, everyone else in the Langley family was avoiding her like the plague. No one would help her at a time like this and wade into such murky waters.
Could this mysterious person have approached her first? But why would he seek her out?
As these thoughts ran through her mind, Charlotte's expression grew increasingly serious.
"Where's the club? Send me the address."
Hearing her words, Alexander immediately understood her intention. His voice dropped into a low warning. "Charlie, don't do anything rash!"
"This whole thing is suspicious, and we still don't know who we're dealing with. You shouldn't—"
"But I can't just sit around waiting!" Charlotte wasn't having it. Her eyes narrowed, a sharp glint flashing through them. "This person chose to contact Nora at this exact moment. His purpose is obvious!"
"So I have to find out who he is and what he wants!"
"Instead of waiting around to defend myself, I'd rather take the offensive. Who knows—I might discover something useful!"
"No! I won't allow it!"
In the next moment, Alexander's voice shot up, his tone brooking no argument. "You were just injured. You haven't recovered yet. You don't even know who this person is, and you want to charge in there blindly? It's way too dangerous!"
"Leave this to me. I'll have people watching Nora around the clock, and I'll keep investigating this person's identity."
"You just focus on handling things at the Langley Group. Don't worry about the rest."
Hearing the steel in the man's voice, Charlotte's brow furrowed.
She understood he was worried about her and didn't want her facing danger.
But her past experiences had taught her that only by controlling her own fate could she make the right choices—not by pinning her hopes on someone else!
"Alexander, this is my business. I appreciate your help, but you can't make decisions for me." Charlotte's voice turned cold. "If I don't get stronger myself, these problems will never stop coming."
"Besides, I can't hide behind you forever, can I? Sooner or later, I'll have to handle everything on my own."
"Yes, I admit that becoming strong is important, but there are many ways to do that—not by throwing yourself into danger right now!" Anger crept into Alexander's voice. "I know you want to grow, but this is too risky. Listen to me this time."
"And what if I insist on going?" After a long pause, Charlotte spoke stubbornly.
The line fell into a prolonged silence. Both of them had strong, unyielding personalities, and neither would back down on this. The atmosphere itself seemed to freeze.
Just then, Charlotte heard footsteps behind her.
Sensing something off, she whipped around and met a pair of deep-set eyes.
Seeing it was Benjamin, Charlotte's brow creased.
She didn't want an outsider overhearing their conversation, so she spoke curtly into the phone.
"Let's leave it at that for now. I have something to deal with."
With that, she hung up and turned to leave.
Benjamin noticed her coldness and displeasure. Connecting it to what he'd just overheard, he ventured cautiously.
"What's the matter? Was my uncle bossing you around on the phone again? Is he treating you badly?"
The question reeked of manipulation. Charlotte found it irritating and stopped in her tracks.
"That's none of your business, is it?"
Seeing her icy demeanor and dismissive attitude completely ignited the anger Benjamin had been nursing all night.
"None of my business? Charlotte, tell me—what does Alexander have that I don't?!"