Chapter 94
"I'm fine."
Charlotte's voice softened without her realizing it. "A few harsh words from someone like that can't hurt me."
Hearing this, Victoria seemed to relax. "Is that so? Good."
She paused for a moment. "People like that aren't worth your energy. Next time it happens, tell me. I'll handle it."
Charlotte's eyes flickered slightly at those words. "Got it."
They talked about a few other things before hanging up.
Charlotte leaned back in her chair, fingers lightly tapping the desk.
She stared absently at the patches of light filtering through the blinds, her mind still on what Victoria had just said.
Honestly, being cared for and protected like that, with no strings attached, left her feeling more lost than anything else.
She had always been on her own, ever since she was little.
Thinking about it, Charlotte let out a long sigh and forced herself to focus on the documents in front of her.
Meanwhile, in the study of the Langley Estate, the warmth on Victoria's face vanished the moment she hung up. What replaced it was cold, sharp fury.
She clenched her jaw, picked up another phone, and dialed a number.
The call connected after a moment, and Victoria spoke.
"It's me."
"Look into every project and business Henry is currently running. I want him to have nothing left within three days."
Did he really think he could mess with her daughter and get away with it?
Two days later, Henry was following up on a development project in the south of the city when his phone rang.
"Mr. Johnson, regarding the development project we discussed, our management has decided to go with another company. We won't be moving forward with your firm on this one."
Henry was completely blindsided. "Why? We had everything settled. I already hired a construction crew."
The other person sighed and offered an apologetic smile.
"I'm really sorry, Mr. Johnson. We're prepared to pay the penalty fee. The least we can do is make sure you don't take a loss."
Henry wasn't satisfied with that. He frowned and pushed back directly.
"Can you at least tell me why? You can't just back out without a reason."
The person on the other end grew evasive.
After a long pause, they gave an answer that barely qualified as one. "There's nothing we can do, Mr. Johnson. Cash flow issues."
"The other company came in with a lower bid, so... we're sorry."
Henry was about to say more when another call came in. It was a longtime client, calling to say they'd be taking their business elsewhere.
Then came the bank's overdue payment notice. A supplier cutting him off. A termination letter from a business partner. The documents kept coming, one after another.
In just two days, the once-thriving Johnson Group was on the verge of collapse.
Henry was sweating through his shirt, cold sores forming at the corners of his mouth. He worked the phones frantically, calling in every favor he could think of.
But the people who used to be close to him either didn't pick up or made excuses. Not one of them was willing to help.
With nowhere left to turn, even Henry was smart enough to realize he must have crossed the wrong person.
He went over everything in his head, and the only person he'd recently offended was Charlotte.
But that girl couldn't possibly have this kind of power on her own. The only explanation was the Langley family standing behind her.
The moment it clicked, the color drained from his face.
Panicked and out of options, he pinned his last hope on Chloe. If she could get to Benjamin and convince him to step in, the Harris family might intervene, and the Johnson Group might still have a way out.
His mind made up, Henry rushed over to Chloe's apartment.
Chloe opened the door and was startled by how worn out he looked. "Dad? What are you doing here?"
"Chloe, you have to go to Benjamin. He's the only one who can save us now."
Henry grabbed her by the arm and laid out everything that had happened.
"Are you out of your mind?"
Chloe's brow furrowed. "He's not going to help us. If anything, you'd be better off going to Charlotte. She might actually let this go."
"What kind of nonsense is that? How could I possibly go to her?!"
Henry's eyes went red with anger. His hand shot up, but he couldn't bring himself to follow through.
He took a deep breath and forced himself to calm down.
"Chloe, I know this is hard on you."
"But we're family. We rise and fall together."
"If the company goes under, how are you going to hold your head up in your social circle? Go to Benjamin. Beg him. Get on your knees if you have to. Tell him you'll do whatever he wants, as long as he saves the company."
Chloe's eyes went wide. A flash of humiliation crossed her face.
"I'm not doing that. You want to beg him, you go yourself. Why should I kneel for him?"
"You ungrateful girl!"
Henry's temper finally snapped. He jabbed a finger at her. "After everything I've done for you! If you won't go, I'll drop dead right here in front of you!"
They erupted into a full-blown argument, neither one backing down.
Henry eventually stormed out and slammed the door behind him, leaving Chloe crumpled on the floor in tears.
When the crying stopped, the bitterness inside her had only grown. As far as she was concerned, Charlotte was behind all of this. If it weren't for her...
She clenched her jaw, changed into a carefully chosen outfit, and headed to one of the city's most exclusive private clubs.
Reality hit her like a slap in the face.
She didn't get to see Benjamin. She didn't even make it through the front door.
The security guard's words stopped her cold. "Mr. Harris left instructions. He doesn't want to be disturbed."
The look of contempt on the guard's face made it even worse.
Left with no other option, she sat down at an outdoor table at a nearby café and waited, hoping to catch him on his way out.
She had no idea how much time had passed when a woman with a poised, almost haughty elegance sat down across from her and looked her over.
"You're Chloe?"
Chloe caught the condescension in her voice right away. She looked up and recognized her immediately. Nora, Victoria's niece.
"Ms. Langley."
Chloe pressed her lips together and forced a polite smile.
Nora gave a light laugh, her tone dripping with undisguised mockery.
"I've heard all about your situation. The talented designer, completely crushed under her own sister's heel, with no way back up."
The color shifted in Chloe's face. Her smile disappeared entirely.
"What do you want to say?"