Chapter 135
Charlotte took a deep breath and stepped back carefully, ducking past the security camera before slipping around to the side.
Only when she was safely back in her car did she finally relax, though her chest was still heaving.
Recalling what she'd just overheard, her eyes darkened.
This place was far too dangerous. She couldn't get in alone.
After mulling it over, she pulled out her phone, intending to contact someone who could help investigate the cement factory's background.
But before she could send the message, a name popped up on her screen.
The moment Charlotte saw who was calling, her heart skipped a beat.
It was so late—why would Alexander be calling now?
Charlotte bit her lip, a wave of guilt washing over her.
Still, she answered.
"Hello?"
Silence stretched on the other end for what felt like forever before Alexander's deep, penetrating voice finally came through, each word hammering against her increasingly frayed nerves.
"Where are you right now?"
"I'm... I'm out handling something." Charlotte's heart lurched, her gaze flickering uncontrollably. "I'll be back soon."
Charlotte rarely stammered like this, so the man on the other end caught it immediately.
"What kind of something?"
Alexander's voice dropped even lower.
"Just... helping a friend deal with a little trouble. It's already resolved, you don't need to worry." Charlotte's explanation was deliberately vague.
Technically, she wasn't lying.
She had helped Jason!
However, Alexander wasn't about to let it go. His response was direct and to the point.
"Address."
"No, no, that's not necessary." Hearing that he seemed ready to come to her, Charlotte panicked and quickly started the car. "I'm really coming back right now! I'm already on my way."
More silence on the other end.
Just when Charlotte thought he might not give up, he spoke.
"I'll wait for you."
Then the call ended.
Listening to the dial tone, Charlotte's grip tightened involuntarily on the steering wheel.
She didn't dare delay another second. She floored the accelerator, the car racing toward the villa at breakneck speed.
Charlotte drove home as fast as she could. After parking, she tiptoed into the villa.
The first-floor living room was pitch black—it seemed Alexander had already gone to bed.
Relieved, Charlotte was about to change her shoes in the dark and head upstairs when—
Click.
The floor lamp beside her suddenly lit up, soft light instantly flooding the area and revealing the figure sitting on the sofa.
Alexander wore loungewear, his sleeves casually rolled up to expose his well-defined forearms. Documents lay on the coffee table in front of him. In the interplay of light and shadow, his strikingly handsome face appeared slightly hazy, hard to read clearly.
Seeing that he appeared to have been sitting there for quite some time, Charlotte's guilt intensified.
"It's so late—why haven't you gone to bed yet?"
Alexander finally moved, closing the documents in his hand with a soft thud that carried an oppressive weight in the spacious living room.
"Where did you go?"
Under the man's unblinking stare, Charlotte's heart trembled, her eyes darting away.
"I told you before, didn't I? A friend had something come up, so I..."
"Charlotte." Alexander cut her off, his voice betraying neither anger nor approval. "Look at me."
At those words, Charlotte's body stiffened. She instinctively bit her lip.
After taking a deep breath, she finally raised her head.
The moment their eyes met, she felt as though Alexander had seen right through her, all her secrets laid bare with nowhere to hide.
The atmosphere in the living room seemed to freeze. The floor lamp cast mottled shadows between them. Though the distance wasn't far, it created an illusion of a clear divide.
Watching Alexander's expression, Charlotte knew she couldn't easily brush this off tonight. She gave up and came clean.
"I went to help Jason!"
"Some guys cornered him tonight, and he called me for help."
"I just went over to lend a hand. Everything's perfectly resolved now! That's all there is to it!"
After getting it all out in one breath, Charlotte stuck her chin out stubbornly, as if to say, 'That's the story—believe it or not.'
Of course, Charlotte wasn't foolish enough to mention the factory.
She knew perfectly well that if she did, Alexander would definitely get involved.
And if that happened, investigating further would become much more difficult.
After hearing her out, Alexander didn't press for more details as Charlotte had expected, nor did he choose to get angry.
He simply watched her for a long while, his expression complicated.
After what felt like an eternity, just when Charlotte was about to crack, he sighed. The oppressive atmosphere in the room instantly dissipated.
He stood and walked toward her, one step at a time.
Watching him approach, Charlotte's heart pounded like a drum, her whole body tense with nerves.
Finally, he stopped in front of her and spoke, a hint of hoarseness creeping into his voice.
"I'm not trying to restrict your freedom."
"I know you're not some pampered canary in a gilded cage. You're capable, you have your own mind, you can do whatever you want to do. I won't stand in your way."
"It's just..."
The man paused, a flicker of worry appearing in his eyes.
"It's already so late. If you run into danger out there alone, what are you supposed to do?"
The unexpected question left Charlotte completely frozen, her eyes widening slightly.
But in the next moment, a bitter ache spread through her chest.
So he was just... worried about her?
At that realization, Charlotte's anxiety and pretense crumbled. She lowered her head, her voice somewhat muffled.
"I'm sorry. I just didn't want you to worry..."
"Not telling me—does that mean I won't worry?" Alexander countered, but then softened his tone. "No. Tell me, and then I can have peace of mind."
"At the very least, I'll know where to find you if you're in danger."
As he spoke, Alexander raised his hand, his large palm cupping her cheek.
The warmth of skin on skin brought a reassuring comfort.
"Charlotte, from the moment we got together, your safety stopped being just your concern alone."
Feeling his tenderness and worry, Charlotte's nose began to sting. She took a deep breath, forcing down the sour feeling.
She looked up at him, her tone earnest.
"Okay. I understand. I won't keep things from you anymore."
Hearing Charlotte's promise, Alexander's eyes gradually filled with warmth. His palm gently caressed her face, and he was about to say something when suddenly Charlotte's phone vibrated.