Chapter 76

Chapter 76

Sarah looked up and shot Irene a glare, tossing her phone onto the couch with a cold tone, "Well, that's still better than some people. You've been with Charles for years, and in the end, Patricia still took your place, didn't she?"

"Take my place?" Irene caressed her belly, her eyes icy as she smirked, "Who Charles truly cares about isn't up to you to decide."

She paused, a strange smile playing on her lips, "Besides, I have a better guarantee now."

Sarah followed her gaze to her slightly rounded belly, her pupils contracting sharply, "You're pregnant? With Bruce's baby?"

Sarah was in disbelief.

She had interacted with the Anderson family quite a bit and had heard of Bruce.

Before Bruce was sent abroad, he had always been infatuated with Irene, but back then, Irene didn't think much of him.

Who would have thought that now Bruce was back, and the two of them had gotten together?

"That's none of your concern." Irene stood up, looking down at her, "At least I have Bruce as a backup plan. Unlike you, once kicked out of the Church Group, you're nothing."

"Get out!"

Sarah, hit where it hurt, grabbed a coffee cup from the table and hurled it at her, but Irene dodged it nimbly.

Irene dusted off her skirt, her smile growing more triumphant, "Seems like you still can't keep your cool. No wonder you can't get anything done."

With that, she turned and sashayed out.

The living room was left with only Sarah's heavy breathing.

From behind a screen, a low chuckle emerged, and a woman in work clothes stepped out, playing with a string of pearls in her hand. 

"Sarah, you need to control your temper. If Irene can provoke you with just a few words, imagine how disappointed your father would be if he saw this."

Sarah whipped around, seeing the woman's mocking expression, her anger flaring even more, "If you had helped me with all your might back then, I wouldn't be in this mess now!"

"Help you?" The woman walked up to her, lifting her chin with a finger, "In the Church family, it's always been about one's own abilities. If you can't outsmart your brother, why should I step in?"

She leaned closer, blowing a breath on Sarah's delicate face, "I've taught you since you were young to keep your emotions in check and not show any weaknesses. A temporary setback is nothing. If your brother likes that position, let him have it for a few days."

"Besides, the Anderson family situation is more complicated than you think."

Sarah clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms, "So what! I have nothing now. Anyone who stands in my way, I'll make sure they regret it!"

The woman sighed softly, shaking her head.

Sarah gritted her teeth, furious, "You haven't seen how smug my idiot brother is now! Just because he knows how to please the old man, he took my position. Why should I, after working hard for ten years, lose to him!"

"Just because he's a man!"

The woman glanced at her, sat on the couch, and picked up a glass of red wine, swirling it.

"Then you should seize the opportunity with the Anderson family. If you can control Charles, getting back into the Church Group will be a piece of cake."

"Control Charles?" Sarah scoffed, as if hearing a big joke, "That's easier said than done. Rumor has it that Charles only has eyes for Patricia, and there's been no progress with Lillian. What can I do!"

The woman put down the wine glass, took out a piece of paper from her pocket, and handed it to Sarah, "This is a phone number. Take it."

"What's this?" Sarah took the paper, puzzled, and saw the Emberlyn phone number. She froze, her hand trembling, "This is... her contact? How did you find it? I've been searching for so long and found nothing!"

The incident where Charles almost broke ties with the Anderson family for that woman wasn't a secret in their circle, but no one knew who she was, let alone her contact information.

"You don't need to know how I found it." The woman stood up, adjusting her coat, "Remember, this is Charles's weak spot. Use this card well, and not only will you return to the Church Group, but you might also get a share of the Anderson family."

Sarah clutched the paper tightly, a gleam of excitement in her eyes. "I know what to do now."

The woman watched Sarah, a barely noticeable cold smile on her lips, then turned and disappeared into the night.

Sarah sat on the couch, gripping the number, her excitement almost overflowing, as if she could already see herself returning to the Church Group, basking in glory.

—

The sky over Regal City was a clear blue, the ground still damp from a recent snowfall.

Charles had just stepped out of the airport, pulling out his phone to text Patricia. His fingers hovered over the screen before typing a few words: [Have you arrived in Regal City?]

After sending the message, a faint smile appeared on his lips.

Paul, carrying the luggage beside him, silently admired him.

"Mr. Anderson, the hotel is booked, right next to Mrs. Anderson's room," Paul reported in a low, flattering tone.

Charles glanced at him, a faint smile on his face. "Good job."

Paul's heart leaped with joy; his salary might double again this month!

They took a cab to the hotel lobby. As soon as they got out, they saw Patricia chatting with Calvin not far away.

Paul's heart skipped a beat, cold sweat breaking out instantly. He turned to block Charles's view, but it was too late.

Charles stared straight at the two, his gaze turning icy.

Paul hesitated, unsure how to handle this tricky situation. Fortunately, Calvin didn't stay long, saying a few words to Patricia before leaving.

"Mrs. Anderson, what a coincidence!" Paul quickly stepped forward to greet her. "Are you staying at this hotel too?"

Patricia looked surprised. "Paul? What are you doing here?"

She eyed Charles up and down, as if saying, 'You better not be following me, or you're dead.'

Charles stepped forward, a perfectly timed smile on his face. "The Anderson Group has a project in Regal City. I'm here to handle it. What a coincidence to run into you."

Paul chimed in, "Yes, yes, this project is urgent. Mr. Anderson postponed many important tasks to come here."

With such a solid reason, and seeing Paul almost ready to pull out the project documents, Patricia didn't think much of it and nodded. "I see."

"Would you like to have dinner together?" Charles invited, a hint of anticipation in his eyes.

"No," Patricia shook her head. "I'm a bit tired and want to rest. I have to meet Mark tomorrow."

The anticipation in Charles's eyes dimmed, but he still said considerately, "Alright, rest well. Call me if you need anything."

Patricia nodded and went upstairs after checking in.

Watching her enter the elevator, Charles's brow furrowed slightly.

Paul, understanding Charles's mood, whispered, "Mr. Anderson... a little tolerance can strengthen a relationship."

Charles looked down at him, thought for a moment, and nodded.

Indeed, he shouldn't be an annoying husband.

Paul leaned in, whispering advice...

That evening, Patricia had just finished a relaxing bath and was about to go to bed when the doorbell rang.

She opened the door, surprised to see Charles standing there with a room service cart.

"What are you doing here?" Patricia asked, surprised.

"I thought you might be too tired to eat, so I ordered room service for you," Charles said, pushing the cart in. "It's all your favorites. Try some."

The cart was filled with exquisite dishes and a bottle of red wine.

Patricia felt a warm, yet uneasy feeling.

"Thanks, but I'm not hungry."

"Just a little," Charles set the table, gently pulling her to sit. "Consider it keeping me company, and a little wine will help you sleep."

Patricia thought it made sense and sat down.

They ate in silence, the atmosphere slightly awkward.

Patricia glanced at Charles, puzzled.

Was he going to find an excuse to stay?

Just as she was about to ask, Charles's phone buzzed, the screen lighting up with an unnamed message from Emberlyn.

Charles glanced at it nonchalantly, swiping the notification away.

"Who was that?" Patricia asked curiously, wondering who would text him at this hour.

Charles cut a piece of steak for her, shaking his head. "No idea, probably spam."