Chapter 46 Something fishy

Chapter 46 Something fishy
"My men were already waiting at the checkpoint," Henry said, tapping his knuckles against his thigh. "They blocked the vehicle. She is currently sitting in the back of an unmarked van, throwing a massive tantrum. We have her secured."

"Good," Charles said, his voice dropping to a low, chilling register. "Take her to the same facility as Taylor. Let them spend some quality time together. I'll deal with both of them after the gala."

Harriet watched them from across the room, a strange, heavy feeling growing in her chest. She could see them whispering, their faces dark and hidden. It felt like Charles was building a massive wall of secrets around her, keeping her safe but keeping her completely in the dark.

Feeling overwhelmed by the noise of the main floor, Harriet turned away and walked into her private office, closing the heavy wooden door behind her. The room was dim and quiet, the thick curtains blocking out most of the street noise. She sat down at her desk, resting her face in her hands, trying to just breathe.

A soft click sounded from the side door the private entrance meant for garment deliveries. Harriet lifted her head, expecting to see Jojo with a fresh roll of fabric.

Instead, a young man wearing a plain grey jacket and a low baseball cap stepped quickly into the room. He didn't look like any of her interns. Before Harriet could even stand up or call for security, the man walked over to her desk, dropped a thick, plain brown envelope right onto her blotter, and turned on his heel.

"Wait! Who are you?" Harriet called out.

The man didn't say a single word. He slid out the side door, the latch clicking shut behind him before she could even reach the handle. The room was dead silent again.

Harriet stared at the brown envelope. Her heart began to beat a little faster against her ribs. She picked it up, tearing the top open with a jagged pull. Inside was a single piece of thick, heavy paper.

She unfolded it. The handwriting was instantly familiar it was the exact same script she had grown up looking at on school notes and birthday cards. It was from Hayley, her twin sister.

Harriet’s eyes hurried across the page, reading the short, messy lines:

~Charles is lying to you, Harriet. He isn't the savior you think he is. He didn't just happen to win you in a casino game that night to save you from Taylor. He planned the whole thing. Charles set Taylor up from the very beginning, feeding his gambling addiction and rigging his business deals to ensure our family would completely disown you. He forced you into that corner so you would have nobody else to turn to but him. Come to the old family estate tonight at midnight if you want to see the real contract he made Taylor sign before the game even started. Don't tell him.

~

Harriet’s breath caught in her throat. The paper trembled in her hand as the words burned into her eyes. He set Taylor up? He made them disown me?

Suddenly, the heavy brass handle of her main office door began to turn.

The sound felt like a physical blow to her chest. Harriet panicked, her mind racing as she heard the distinct, heavy thud of Charles’s polished shoes right outside the wood.

Acting on pure instinct, she crumpled the note tightly in her hand, shoved it down the front of her high-necked blouse, and smoothed out the fabric just as the door swung open.

Charles walked into the room, his large frame immediately filling the space. He looked at her, his eyes instantly scanning her face, searching for any sign of trouble.

"Jojo said you came back here to rest," Charles said, walking over to the desk. He reached out, his large hand coming up to cup the side of her neck, his thumb brushing over her skin right over the hidden note. "Are you alright, princess? You look a little flushed."

Harriet’s heart was hammering so loudly against her ribs she was terrified he would hear it. Her hands were sweating against her skirt, but she forced her lips into a wide, bright smile, looking straight into his dark, possessive eyes.

"I am fine, Charles," Harriet said, her voice shaking only a fraction as she leaned into his palm. "Just a little

tired from the flight. Everything is perfect."