Chapter 146
The next morning, Charlotte was in her room studying a map of Imperial City, trying to pinpoint possible locations where Richard might be hiding, when the butler knocked on her door.
"Ms. Johnson, Ms. Chloe Johnson is here. She insists on seeing you."
Charlotte's brow furrowed instantly, a flash of irritation crossing her eyes.
"Tell her to leave. I don't want to see her."
"I already tried that," the butler said helplessly, his expression troubled. "But she's still outside making a scene. She also said if she can't see you, she'll wait—wait until Mr. Harris gets back."
The security team hadn't simply thrown her out, partly because Chloe currently held the title of Benjamin's fiancée.
Without clear instructions from the master of the house, they didn't feel comfortable taking more aggressive measures.
After hearing this, Charlotte let out a cold laugh.
Clearly, Chloe wasn't going to let this go until she got what she wanted.
Charlotte bit down hard, her eyes darkening.
"Fine. Let her in. I'd love to see what little game she's playing."
"Very well."
Soon enough, Chloe appeared at Charlotte's door dressed head to toe in designer labels, her makeup flawless.
The moment she entered, her critical gaze swept over every inch of the room.
Then she rolled her eyes in disdain before her lips curved into a fake smile.
"Charlotte, long time no see."
"I heard you've been staying here lately. Tsk, tsk. Alexander really does take 'good care' of you, doesn't he?"
Hearing the barely concealed mockery in her voice, Charlotte didn't even bother to look at her.
"Say what you came to say and get out."
"If you've got nothing, then leave."
Chloe's face stiffened at Charlotte's blunt words, her eyes flashing with malice.
But a moment later, she smiled again, pulling a gold-embossed invitation from her purse with obvious satisfaction and tossing it onto Charlotte's desk.
"Benjamin and I are getting married next week. As my sister, you should be there to congratulate us, shouldn't you?"
Charlotte caught the gloating tone immediately. Annoyance flickered in her eyes as she spoke coldly.
"Done? Then get out."
"You—!" Chloe's face went pale with fury, her nails digging into her palms.
She'd come specifically to deliver this invitation just to savor Charlotte's jealousy, anger, and frustration.
But instead, Charlotte was as calm as a still pond. All Chloe's carefully prepared taunts felt like punches landing on cotton—utterly useless.
In an instant, Chloe's face twisted with rage, and she started shrieking at Charlotte.
"Charlotte, don't push your luck! What the hell are you now? Nothing but a woman Benjamin threw away!"
"You think cozying up to Alexander makes you some kind of princess? Dream on! The Harris family will never accept you!"
"Charlotte, just give it up already!"
After listening to her rant, Charlotte finally raised her head slowly. Her eyes were icy, like she was looking at something already dead.
"Are you done? Then get out. Stop wasting my time."
Seeing Charlotte completely dismiss her only stabbed deeper into Chloe's pride.
Her emotions exploded. She lunged forward, gripping the edge of Charlotte's desk with both hands, eyes burning with resentment.
"Charlotte, what are you so smug about? Don't think I don't know—you're nothing but an empty shell now!"
"Ms. Langley's missing. Without her, you're nothing."
The moment those words left her mouth, Charlotte's gaze sharpened instantly, boring into her coldly.
Seeing Charlotte's reaction, Chloe assumed she'd hit a nerve and laughed even more viciously.
"Oh my, so it's true."
"How pathetic."
"I wonder what really happened to Ms. Langley. You think someone killed her?"
"Just thinking about it makes me feel sorry for her."
"But hey, it works out for me. With her gone, no one's got your back anymore. Let's see how cocky you are now!"
Listening to her mockery, Charlotte's hand on her knee slowly tightened into a fist, her knuckles turning white from the pressure.
At this moment, murderous intent flickered in her eyes.
Unfortunately, Chloe didn't notice anything wrong.
Or maybe she did notice but didn't care, convinced Charlotte wouldn't actually do anything to her.
So she grew even bolder, continuing to provoke her with vicious words.
"Do you think your mom might already be dead?"
"Oh, of course, maybe she just couldn't stand having such an ungrateful daughter and ran away herself."
"If you ask me, she's better off never coming back. At least then she won't have to be killed by the stress of having a shameless daughter who sleeps around!"
SLAP—!
A sharp, resounding slap landed hard across Chloe's face, and the room fell silent instantly.
Chloe clutched her rapidly swelling cheek in disbelief, eyes wide with shock.
She slowly looked up at Charlotte, her voice shrill with fury.
"You... you hit me?!"
Charlotte stared at her coldly, her eyes filled with ice and violence.
"Hit you? You brought it on yourself!"
"Chloe, believe me or not," Charlotte said, advancing step by step, "I don't just dare to hit you—I dare to kill you."
Chloe stumbled backward, terrified by Charlotte's expression. "You... you psycho!"
Her legs gave out, and she collapsed onto the carpet in a heap.
"Just you wait! I'm telling Benjamin! I'll make sure every media outlet knows how evil you are! I'll destroy your reputation!"
Hearing the woman's shrieks, Charlotte laughed as if she'd just heard the funniest joke in the world.
Then, in the next instant, she grabbed Chloe by the collar and yanked her violently off the floor.
"Chloe, listen carefully. I don't give a damn about my reputation. I'm not afraid of anything. Go ahead and make a scene online if you want."
"But if you say one more word about my mother, next time it won't be just a slap!"
With that, she shoved Chloe away hard.
Chloe staggered backward several steps before slamming into the wall, pain bringing tears to her eyes.
She stared at Charlotte's vicious expression, feeling genuine fear for the first time.
"Someone," Charlotte called toward the door. "Throw her out. From now on, she's not allowed to set foot in here again!"
"Yes, ma'am."