Chapter 58
Henry looked guilty. With so many people around, he didn't dare say anything too harsh.
All these years, he hadn't dared to come looking for Victoria. Besides hiding Charlotte to threaten the Langley family for benefits later, there was another reason - Thomas wouldn't let him get near Victoria.
Thomas had looked down on him back then and told him never to appear in front of Victoria again, or he'd have someone destroy the Johnson family.
If the Johnson family's business wasn't doing so poorly, with no new projects for a long time, he wouldn't have risked coming here.
Henry cleared his throat and spoke carefully, "Ms. Langley, I came to ask when exactly the Langley family's reunion banquet will be held. I..."
"Haven't you already been invited? We'll let you know in advance when it's happening. There's no need to come here and ask me. I don't want to see you."
Victoria coldly interrupted him and raised her hand. "Security, get him out of here!"
With that, she didn't spare Henry another glance and walked out with her people.
"Hey, wait!"
Before Henry could bring up the business cooperation, he was blocked by security personnel.
Several tall, burly men surrounded him like an insurmountable wall of flesh.
Each one wore a fierce expression, warning Henry with their eyes.
"Can't you see Ms. Langley doesn't want to talk to you? Keep pestering her and we'll break your legs!"
"You..." Henry's face darkened.
Charlotte saw this and snorted mockingly.
All these years, while she seemed to be in the countryside, she'd actually been supporting the Johnson family's business.
Now that she'd returned to the Langley family, with Henry cutting ties with her, she'd stopped having her connections cooperate with the Johnson Group.
The Johnson Group's business was now many times worse than before.
No wonder Henry had come here in desperation.
Charlotte turned and walked out.
But after being kicked out, Henry didn't leave.
He was frustrated, not knowing how to improve his business, when he suddenly saw Charlotte walking out from the Langley Group's entrance. His eyes nearly popped out.
'What's going on!
Did Charlotte go recognize Victoria after leaving the Johnson family?
Why would she be at the Langley Group!'
Henry immediately ran over. "Charlotte!"
Charlotte stopped and turned around.
"What are you doing here!" Henry stood in front of her, panting, shocked and scared. "How... how can you be at the Langley Group!"
His eyes were full of fear. If the Langley family discovered this secret he'd been holding onto, he'd have nothing to leverage for benefits from them!
Charlotte saw right through what Henry was thinking.
She crossed her arms and raised her eyebrows coolly. "Why can't I be here? Didn't you see my employee badge?"
Henry looked carefully and noticed Charlotte was wearing an employee badge with a job title.
"Langley Group Sales Department Deputy Manager, Charlotte Johnson?"
He breathed a sigh of relief. "So you're working at the Langley Group... wait, aren't you just a designer? Plus you're good at gaming - how did you get hired at the Langley Group?"
"I have my ways. I don't need to explain to you. Do you need something? If not, I'm going home after work."
Charlotte said impatiently and was about to leave.
Henry blocked her again, somewhat nervously. "Have you met Ms. Langley from the Langley Group? What's her attitude toward you?"
He was certain Victoria didn't know Charlotte's identity, but they were mother and daughter after all. What if she recognized her when they met?
Charlotte showed no expression. "What attitude could she have toward me? She treats me the same as other employees. Why are you asking?"
Only then did Henry completely relax.
Good, she didn't recognize her.
His eyes shifted, and he stepped forward to adjust Charlotte's collar. "Look at you, you've gotten so much thinner lately. Are you still upset about last time? Chloe plagiarizing your work was wrong. Your mom and I were confused before, but we actually think it was Chloe's fault."
Charlotte brushed off Henry's hand. Seeing him pretend to care about her made her sick.
"What exactly do you want to say?"
Henry laughed dryly. "Your mom and I miss you. Come home for dinner tonight? When we cut ties with you last time, those were just angry words. We're all family."
Charlotte coldly refused. "I don't have time to go back. The severance agreement is in black and white. Whether you want to admit it or not, I have nothing to do with the Johnson family now."
"You child!"
Henry got anxious. "Even if you don't recognize us, don't you recognize your deceased grandparents? Can you say you're not family with them?"
Charlotte fell silent.
Of course not.
Her grandparents had been very good to her.
Unfortunately, her grandmother died early, and her grandfather passed away shortly before she returned to the Johnson family.
Seeing Charlotte stop talking, Henry sighed again. "We were thinking of going to the cemetery to visit your grandparents. It's been a hundred days since your grandfather passed. Come with us tomorrow to see him? Outsiders can't enter the Johnson Cemetery without my permission."
Charlotte slowly clenched her fists.
She knew Henry was deliberately trying to get close to her, eyeing the benefits of her working at the Langley Group.
"Just say it - what are the conditions for taking me to the cemetery?"
Henry's mouth twitched. He didn't expect Charlotte to be so sharp.
He stopped pretending. "If you want to go to the cemetery, you have to find a way to get our family a cooperation deal with the Langley Group. I'm not greedy - just one project will do."
The Langley Group's projects were all top quality.
As long as they could cooperate, it would mean at least tens of millions in profit!
Charlotte almost laughed.
And he called that not greedy?
She glanced at Henry and asked, "Do you think if I don't agree, I won't be able to get into the cemetery?"
Henry's face changed, and he said irritably, "That's the Johnson family cemetery! If you won't admit you're my daughter and won't help introduce projects, then you'll never be able to go in and pay respects to your grandparents!"
"Fine."
Charlotte wasn't worried at all. Instead, she smiled.
"Let's see who can get into the cemetery tomorrow."
She turned and walked toward the underground parking garage.
Henry was stunned, then shouted angrily from behind, "That's the Johnson Cemetery! There are security guards and property management watching it. You want to get in? Dream on!"
Charlotte ignored him and walked into the underground garage without looking back.
But as soon as she drove out, she received a call from Victoria.
"Baby Charlotte, did he harass you at the company entrance just now?" Victoria's tone carried a hint of worry and anger.
Charlotte hummed in acknowledgment. "I can handle it myself."
"I already know. The security guard at the entrance heard and reported to me. He said Henry threatened you for a project using the cemetery access!"
Victoria was both angry and heartbroken for her daughter. "Just wait, I'll handle this."