Chapter 80
After those words, Alexander fell silent for a moment.
"So what are you planning to do?"
Charlotte lowered her eyes slightly, a calculating gleam flickering in them.
"The reason they're doing this is simply to use my episode as an excuse to make a big fuss. If that's the case, then let's give them what they want."
Hearing her plan, Alexander didn't say anything more, but his hands gripping the steering wheel never loosened, his knuckles remaining white the whole time.
After some time had passed, Charlotte, who had been staring at the neon lights outside the window, suddenly spoke.
"Oh, there's one more thing."
"Those people who attacked us in the underground parking garage were hired by Chloe and Mandy."
"Mandy..."
Alexander murmured the name, a cold glint flashing in his eyes. "I'll handle it."
This time, Charlotte didn't refuse.
After all, Mandy had a special status, and it really wasn't appropriate for her to make a move.
The car drove smoothly through the night. After the cabin had been quiet for a while, Alexander glanced at the rearview mirror and suddenly asked an unrelated question.
"What's in your grandparents' box?"
Charlotte didn't answer. The streetlights outside passed by one after another, the light flickering on and off, casting mottled shadows on her face.
After a long while, she finally said something.
"Just some keepsakes."
The words were spoken lightly, but rarely carried a hint of heaviness.
Hearing this, Alexander pressed his lips together and didn't ask further.
The two remained silent until the car pulled into the villa's garage.
The man stopped and turned off the engine, but didn't get out.
Just as Charlotte pushed open the car door, he suddenly spoke, his tone somewhat serious.
"From now on, wherever you go, as long as you think there might be danger, you must tell me."
Hearing this, Charlotte paused and instinctively turned to look at him.
The interior light wasn't on, only a bit of dim light from outside the garage shining in. Alexander's face was hidden in the darkness, hard to see clearly, but the determination in his eyes unmistakably conveyed his feelings—firm yet gentle.
Charlotte's lips moved, and in the end she only said, "Got it."
With that, she got out of the car, took the old wooden box, and walked toward the elevator nearby.
Back in the living room, Charlotte placed the box on the table. After opening it, she took out the yellowed notebook.
Opening the cover, the first page that met her eyes was her grandmother's notes.
"Charlotte is five years old, loves sweets. Today she snuck honey and got stung on the mouth by a bee. It hurt for a long time. We can't let her be so naughty anymore!"
"Charlotte has grown taller again. I hope she grows up healthy, safe, and sound!"
Looking at those detailed records and the undisguised love between the lines, the corners of Charlotte's mouth curved slightly.
She stared blankly for a long time before closing the notebook again.
Then she pulled out the napkin containing food residue from the Johnson family from her pocket. After opening it and looking at it, her eyes narrowed. She took out her phone and called Jason.
"I need you to do something for me."
"What?"
"In my name, immediately contact St. Regis Private Hospital and make an appointment with a neurology specialist. Schedule it for tomorrow morning."
Charlotte's eyes darkened. "Make sure to make a big deal out of it. Say that I started showing symptoms tonight—dizziness, hand tremors, confused speech—and that the situation is very urgent."
Jason was stunned when he heard what she said.
But relying on his intuition from following Charlotte for so many years, he understood that her doing this must have deep meaning, so he chose not to ask more questions and simply agreed.
"Okay, I'll arrange it right away."
"Is there anything else you need me to do?"
Charlotte pondered for a moment. "You 'accidentally' leak this news to a few media friends in the circle. Remember, it must be 'accidental.'"
"Okay, I got it."
After doing everything, Charlotte finally relaxed completely, throwing herself casually into the soft sofa.
She stared at the food residue in the corner, her eyes deep and thoughtful.
The next morning, news that "Queen suspected of mental breakdown from excessive stress, rushed to hospital late at night" spread like wildfire in a very small circle.
Although it wasn't widely reported, those who needed to know found out.
Chloe was the first to get the news. She practically jumped out of bed, staring at the message on her phone, her face showing undisguised wild joy.
So soon?
Charlotte was already hospitalized?
Thinking about it, Chloe bit her lip and decided to go see for herself.
First, to confirm Charlotte's condition, and second, to offer her timely concern when she was at her most miserable.
In the VIP ward at St. Regis Private Hospital, Charlotte wore a hospital gown, her face pale as she leaned against the headboard, seemingly resting.
"Knock knock knock"—the ward door was knocked on. The next moment, it gently opened and Chloe poked her head in, holding a bouquet of flowers, looking worried.
After seeing Charlotte's miserable appearance, a flash of excitement crossed her eyes, but she quickly concealed it.
"Charlotte, how are you? I heard this morning that you were hospitalized and got such a fright. I rushed over immediately."
She placed the flowers and fruit basket on the bedside table, leaning in to examine Charlotte's face closely.
Hearing the voice, Charlotte slowly opened her eyes. Her gaze was somewhat unfocused, and it seemed to take several seconds before it focused on her face. She suddenly asked a question.
"Who are you? Have we met before?"
Chloe's expression froze, her eyes widening in surprise.
This serious? She doesn't even recognize people?
The immense joy almost made Chloe laugh out loud, but she held it in, putting on a shocked and heartbroken expression.
"Charlotte, what are you saying? I'm Chloe! Don't you recognize me?"
As the words fell, Chloe saw the woman in front of her furrow her brow, as if trying hard to think.
"Chloe..."
Charlotte mumbled the name once, then shook her head.
"Don't know you."
"I don't know you."
"How can you say that..."
Seeing that she really seemed to have forgotten, Chloe was delighted inside, but on the surface her eyes reddened with grievance. "I'm your sister."
"If Mom and Dad knew, how heartbroken they'd be..."
"Mom and Dad?"
Charlotte murmured, but the next moment, her eyes sharpened, then immediately became confused again. She waved her hand irritably, "Don't know you, I don't know you. So noisy! Get out! I don't want to see you!"
Charlotte covered her ears and squeezed her eyes shut, her breathing becoming extremely rapid.
Seeing this, Chloe knew she couldn't stay any longer.
She had achieved her purpose. If she alarmed the doctor, things would get messy.
So she stepped back a few paces, pretending to comfort her.
"Okay, okay, I'll leave. Don't get upset."
"Rest well. I'll come see you again tomorrow."
With that, the woman gave her one last reluctant look before leaving.
The moment the door slammed shut with a "bang," the worry and grievance on Chloe's face vanished completely. She couldn't wait to call Mandy.
"Mandy, our plan worked! She really doesn't even recognize me! She's completely useless now!"