Chapter 18
Within half an hour, Charlotte arrived at the entrance of the Johnson Group.
As soon as Harper saw her appear, she immediately opened the car door and walked over with a smile.
She completely changed from her arrogant and dismissive attitude in front of the Johnson family, warmly grabbing Charlotte's hand.
"Oh, my dear! You're finally here!"
Charlotte smiled faintly, "Long time no see."
Hearing Harper call her so affectionately, the Johnson family members looked at each other in confusion, and even the shareholders were a bit stunned.
This big shot in the investment world was someone everyone tried every means to get close to and please.
Charlotte had never seen the world, having grown up in the countryside, yet not only could she connect with such a big shot, but their relationship seemed quite close?
The Johnson family was displeased, but the shareholders, after coming to their senses, were happy.
Using Charlotte to get closer to Harper and secure investment was a good deal that wouldn't cost them a penny.
They didn't mind Charlotte doing well, as long as it served their interests, they'd like anyone.
Several people immediately gathered around, directly leaving the three Johnson family members behind.
"Charlotte, you have such a good relationship with Ms. Anderson? We had no idea."
"We're really all one family now. Please take Ms. Anderson inside for tea. We've already prepared the finest tea and snacks."
Charlotte said calmly, "No rush, let's talk business first."
She looked at Harper: "You want to invest in domestic companies?"
"Yes, that's why I came to investigate. I wasn't planning to come to the Johnson Group, but I'm doing it for your sake."
Harper held Charlotte's hand, showing her an unprecedentedly warm smile.
Even the bodyguards beside her were surprised. They had never seen Harper be so attentive to anyone, especially a young girl.
Charlotte glanced at Henry with a half-smile: "Then the Johnson Group really doesn't need your investigation."
Harper was stunned: "Why?"
"I've already cut ties with the Johnson family. The Johnson Group has nothing to do with me."
After Charlotte finished speaking, she calmly watched everyone's faces change.
The lead shareholder was shocked for a moment, then immediately turned to question Henry: "What's going on! Charlotte is your biological daughter, why would you cut ties with her?"
Henry's face turned red as he argued, "That's because she wouldn't listen! If she hadn't caused trouble for the family, how could I possibly..."
"Your so-called trouble is me accusing Chloe of plagiarizing my work, and you became angry from embarrassment?"
Charlotte coldly interrupted him, showing no mercy.
Hearing this, Harper immediately frowned, "What's going on? Chloe plagiarized your work? Why didn't you tell me about this!"
She seemed ready to stand up for Charlotte, looking at Chloe with hostility.
Charlotte explained softly: "That matter is in the past. Anyway, I have nothing to do with the Johnson family, so you don't need to do me any favors by investigating the Johnson Group."
Hearing this, Harper immediately grabbed her hand, "Let's go. This disgusting family, investing in them would be bad luck! Let's leave now, I won't investigate anymore."
Seeing that she really meant to leave, and the investment was about to slip away, Henry became furious.
He stepped forward and shouted at Charlotte's back: "Charlotte, you're going too far! We clearly agreed that if Chloe apologized to you, you'd come meet Harper. How can you go back on your word now!"
Charlotte paused, turned back coldly: "I only said I was willing to show up within half an hour. I never promised to make Harper invest in your company. Besides, wasn't it Chloe who gave a half-hearted apology first?"
Chloe's face changed, and she immediately started crying.
"I already apologized sincerely. I don't know what I did to upset you."
Charlotte asked expressionlessly: "Did you admit to spreading rumors online about my messy private life? Did you admit to damaging my reputation and personally attacking me? You twisted the truth to make everyone think I was still holding onto the plagiarism issue, playing the victim. Disgusting!"
Chloe stared in shock, not expecting her words to be so sharp and harsh.
Her face gradually turned pale.
"Charlotte, you bitch!"
Susan had been watching from the side. Unable to bear it any longer, she stepped forward angrily and raised her hand to strike.
Harper gave a look.
A bodyguard immediately moved and grabbed Susan's wrist.
Susan cried out in pain.
"Mom!" Chloe rushed over to support Susan. "It's all my fault. How can you lay hands on Mom?"
Charlotte found it ridiculous and raised an eyebrow: "Are you blind? Wasn't she the one who rushed over to hit me first?"
"She's your mother. If she hits you, it's discipline. There's nothing wrong with that!" Henry said with a dark face, rushing over to push the bodyguard away.
Charlotte narrowed her eyes and stared at him: "Whether she's a mother in name only or a biological mother, you know better than anyone."
"What do you mean by that! You have my blood running through you, and now you won't even acknowledge that?" Susan was shocked and angry. "How could I have given birth to such an ungrateful thing like you!"
Charlotte didn't even look at her, only staring at Henry.
"Either take your wife and daughter and get lost, or I don't mind saying certain things out loud. You choose."
Henry froze, a hint of fear appearing in his eyes.
He gritted his teeth. Having no choice, he could only help Susan and persuade her: "Forget it, don't stoop to her level."
Susan frowned and turned her head suspiciously: "Are you hiding something from me? Why would she say something like that?"
Charlotte watched coldly.
Henry was afraid that Susan would find out about his daughter from another woman and make a scene, so he had always hidden from Susan that she had given birth to a stillborn child back then.
Now, Henry was even more afraid to tell Susan the truth. If this lie he'd kept for years was exposed, Susan would definitely break down.
Henry swallowed, not knowing how to answer for a moment, and said angrily: "Don't listen to her nonsense! There's nothing I'm hiding from you. She's deliberately trying to drive a wedge between us!"
Charlotte paid no more attention and got in the car with Harper.
Watching the investment opportunity disappear before their eyes, the shareholders' faces looked extremely unpleasant.
As soon as the car drove away, they surrounded Henry with accusations.
"She's your only daughter, how could you cut ties with her?"
"Now look what happened, we've lost our investment!"
Chloe trembled with anger.
Sure enough, as an adopted daughter, she wasn't recognized by these shareholders as part of the Johnson family at all!
In the car.
Charlotte smiled at Harper, "Thank you for helping me with this."
Harper's eyes immediately turned red when she heard this.