Chapter 244: Lure the Snake Out of Its Hole

Chapter 244: Lure the Snake Out of Its Hole

Charlotte's heart started racing again.

She picked up her water glass and took a sip.

Trying to hide her discomfort.

George finished ordering and looked up to see Charlotte staring absently out the window.

The tips of her ears were still flushed red.

A smile tugged at the corners of George's mouth without him even realizing it.

She didn't pull away just now, did she?

Didn't that mean she actually had feelings for him too?

The more George thought about it, the happier he got.

The smile on his face just wouldn't go away.

Charlotte turned back and caught him grinning to himself like an idiot.

She raised an eyebrow. "What are you smiling about?"

"Nothing—nothing." George quickly schooled his features, his expression turning serious. "I just think this restaurant has a nice atmosphere."

Charlotte was speechless.

She rolled her eyes at him.

Too lazy to call him out.

George touched his nose, feeling a bit guilty.

Though he hadn't actually kissed her just now.

Charlotte hadn't pulled away.

That was already huge progress!

George gave himself a mental pep talk.

Take it slow.

No rush.

One day, he'd get her to fully forgive him.

Their family of three would truly be reunited.

Soon, the food arrived.

Miranda's eyes lit up at the sight of the burger and fries in front of her.

"So much yummy food!"

George smiled as he unwrapped her burger, then dipped some fries in ketchup and held them to her mouth.

"Eat slowly, don't choke."

"Okay!" Miranda took a bite of the fry, her eyes squinting with satisfaction.

Charlotte sat across from them, watching.

The unease in her heart gradually faded, replaced by this warm atmosphere.

No matter what.

With George here.

Everything should be fine.

Charlotte picked up her knife and fork and started eating.

After dinner, the three of them played with Miranda for a while longer.

By evening, they finally left the amusement park.

After leaving the amusement park, Isaac didn't go far.

He sat in his car, his expression frighteningly dark.

He pulled out his phone and made a call.

The call was quickly answered.

"Mr. Reynolds?"

Isaac's tone was ice-cold. "It's me."

"How are things on your end?"

"Mr. Reynolds, rest assured, everything's arranged," the person on the other end said respectfully. "Guaranteed foolproof."

"It better be." Isaac's voice was cold. "If anything goes wrong, you know the consequences."

"Yes, yes, Mr. Reynolds, don't worry."

Isaac snorted and hung up.

He looked toward the amusement park, his eyes darkening.

The car pulled smoothly into the villa's garage.

George got out first.

He walked around to the passenger side and opened Charlotte's door.

Then held his hand over her head to keep her from bumping it.

Miranda had already fallen asleep in her car seat in the back.

Her little face was flushed pink.

George moved carefully.

He lifted Miranda from her seat with practiced ease.

Charlotte followed him into the house.

Somehow, that feeling of being watched—it had been lingering, on and off, ever since they left the amusement park.

She instinctively looked back.

The shadows of trees outside the villa stretched long under the streetlights.

When the wind blew, they swayed eerily.

Nothing there.

"What's wrong?"

George noticed her movement and stopped, turning back to look at her.

"Nothing."

Charlotte shook her head, pushing down the strange feeling.

"Maybe I was seeing things."

George frowned.

He discreetly scanned their surroundings.

Seeing nothing unusual, he ushered her inside.

They'd just settled Miranda in the children's room when George's phone rang.

It was David.

George answered and put it on speaker.

"Mr. Summers."

David's voice came through, slightly urgent.

"I have results on what you asked me to look into."

"Go ahead."

George's voice grew heavier.

"Isaac did have business near the amusement park today."

David said.

"There was a groundbreaking ceremony for a new commercial real estate project in that area. He was there as an investor to do the ribbon-cutting. He had quite a few people with him."

"But I couldn't find any official record of him inspecting the amusement park."

"And after the ceremony ended, he left alone for a period of time."

Charlotte stood nearby, and hearing this, her brow furrowed instantly.

Just as she thought.

That feeling of being watched at the amusement park today hadn't been her imagination.

After hanging up.

George turned to see Charlotte's expression had changed.

"What's wrong?"

He walked over and touched her furrowed brow.

"You look pale."

Charlotte looked up at him, her voice slightly heavy.

"I still think someone was watching us."

"That feeling started when we left the amusement park, and just now before we came in, it got even stronger."

George's expression turned serious too.

He didn't doubt Charlotte's instincts.

"I believe you."

George took her hand.

Her hand was a bit cold, and he instinctively wrapped it in his palm.

"Rather than sit around waiting, we should draw them out."

Charlotte looked up at him, her eyes brightening.

She'd been thinking the same thing.

With the enemy hiding in the shadows, they couldn't guard against everything.

Better to take the initiative and lure them out, end this once and for all.

"I think so too."

Charlotte nodded.

"And I can feel it—whoever's watching, they're after me."

"Since they're after me, I should be the bait to draw them out."

"Absolutely not."

George refused without hesitation, his expression darkening instantly.

"I don't agree."

Charlotte paused, then couldn't help feeling both amused and exasperated.

"Who was just talking about drawing them out?"

She looked at him.

"Why are you backing out now?"

"That's different."

George's brow was knitted tight, his tone leaving no room for negotiation.

"Anything else is fine, but I won't let you take that risk."

There was no way he'd let Charlotte walk into danger.

If anything happened to her, he'd regret it for the rest of his life.

Charlotte sighed.

She reached up and poked his tense jaw.

"So it's okay for you to take risks?"

She cut off whatever he was about to say, looking into his eyes.

"George, get it straight—they're after me."

"If I go out there, they'll show themselves. If you go, they won't even bother, and how will our plan work then?"

"Besides, I'm not some helpless damsel. I'll be fine."

George looked at her, his brow furrowed.

He knew Charlotte was right.

She was the target. Only with her as bait would whoever was lurking in the shadows come out.

But just thinking about putting her in danger made his chest tighten, like someone was squeezing his heart.

Charlotte saw the conflict on his face and softened her voice, shaking his hand.

"Come on, it's settled."

She said.

"We'll have people positioned ahead of time. Nothing will happen."

George stared at her for a long moment.

Finally, he gave in with a long sigh.

"I really can't win with you."

He pulled Charlotte into his arms, his voice muffled.

"But you have to promise me, you'll follow my arrangements completely. No trying to be a hero on your own."