Chapter 147: Do You Still Like Charlotte?

Chapter 147: Do You Still Like Charlotte?

Alexander was in no mood for small talk. With a dark expression, he left the office, only to run into Hazel, who had just arrived at the company to report for duty.

Hazel wore a white business suit similar to her usual style, her lustrous long hair pinned up at the back. With her innocent looks, she had already won over quite a few male colleagues since entering the company, bringing a lively energy to the design department.

"Alexander," she called out, reaching to grab his arm as usual. Their closeness made everyone envious.

Alexander smiled slightly. "How's the assistant design manager position working out? Are you satisfied?"

Hazel nodded. "Very satisfied. Everyone's been really nice to me. Don't worry!"

"That's good."

"You've been busy all morning. Have you eaten lunch?"

Alexander's expression had lost its earlier warmth and was now cold. He said flatly, "Not hungry."

"How can you not be hungry? I knew you hadn't eaten, so I brought you something. Let's go eat in your office!" Hazel said, producing a lunch box from behind her with her other hand and playfully sticking out her tongue.

"No thanks, I need to go out. You eat it yourself!" Alexander said, then turned and left with John, who had been standing behind him.

"Okay then!" Hazel dejectedly carried the lunch box back to her department. She had spent all morning on the phone with Clio arranging this lunch. What a waste.

Charlotte heard footsteps and let out a breath. Just as the person emerged from the stairwell, she grabbed his arm. "Hi, handsome."

Alexander's eyes coldly glanced at this lunatic who had suddenly appeared. Charlotte's mouth twitched, and she calmly let go, saying flatly, "Oh, it's Mr. Wilson. Sorry about that."

"Charlotte, over here," a man's voice called from nearby.

"Coming," Charlotte replied, brushing past Alexander and walking toward him.

Kevin, who held the title of "Dreamiest Heartthrob," was extremely handsome. He enjoyed great popularity at Solstice and was an excellent actor and singer.

His tall, slim model's physique was dressed in a white T-shirt under a light pink summer blazer, with light blue cropped pants below. His messy black hair was stylishly tousled, and his beautiful fox-like eyes were gentle and alluring. He looked mature yet sunny—so handsome you couldn't look away.

"Why did you guys come from that direction? You made me look like an idiot," Charlotte complained, glaring at Elsa beside her.

Elsa helplessly stuck out her tongue. They had changed their route at the last minute!

"How's work? Let's go have lunch together!" Charlotte was full of gratitude toward Kevin. Back when they were both at the same agency, he was already hugely famous, yet he had generously supported and helped her. She owed much of her success to his help, so she deeply respected him.

"That restaurant near your place yesterday was really good. Let's go there again today!" Kevin suggested.

The three quickly agreed and left the Wilson Group amid the whispers of its employees.

Charlotte's purple business suit with white lace trim was particularly eye-catching today, her slightly wavy long hair casually flowing down her back, looking noble and mysterious.

Actually, Charlotte had just finished recording a show and hadn't changed clothes before rushing over. Kevin was leaving Phoenix City this afternoon to continue his concert tour after recording the ending song for the Wilson Group's film, so Charlotte was afraid of missing him and came without even changing.

Just as the three exited the Wilson Group's main entrance, they happened to run into Henry walking in.

"Mr. Wilson, hello," Elsa said.

"Mr. Wilson, hello," Charlotte said stiffly, lowering her head.

Henry simply nodded. "Hello."

"We'll be going then. Goodbye, Mr. Wilson," Elsa said, then left with Kevin, both putting on sunglasses.

Charlotte followed, but Henry called her back. Elsa and Kevin had to leave without her.

"Do you need something, Mr. Wilson?" Charlotte asked, her eyes making no effort to hide their unfamiliarity.

Henry coughed awkwardly. "If you have time, would you mind chatting at the coffee shop across the street?"

"I'd rather not. My profession makes crowded places unsuitable. If you have something to say, just say it here," Charlotte said with a natural smile that revealed neither pleasure nor anger.

"Then let's talk in the car."

The two got into Henry's luxury car. Five years had passed, but Henry hadn't changed much. Time had left few traces on his face—at over sixty, he still looked like he'd just turned fifty, though his expression remained stern.

"I heard you have a collaboration with the Wilson Group?" Henry spoke first.

Charlotte smiled slightly. "Yes, I've taken on a TV series and several films. I guess it's impossible for us not to run into each other for a while."

Henry chuckled. "I never thought we'd become such strangers."

Charlotte nodded in agreement. "Yes, if we'd been strangers from the start, things wouldn't be so awkward now, right?"

"You must hate us," he said, lowering his head to pull out a cigarette and taking a couple of puffs, his expression unreadable.

Charlotte looked down at her phone and spoke flatly. "Maybe. If it were your family who died, could you let it go? But don't worry—I promised before that what's past is past. So we can both have peace, let's not bring this up again in a few years."

"I know." He exhaled smoke that swirled in the oppressive car interior.

"About the gossip between you and Alexander..."

"It's just gossip. You don't need to worry," Charlotte cut him off with a faint smile. "Those reporters had nothing to write about, so they made stuff up. If it's caused you trouble, I apologize. I'll be more careful in the future to avoid him. Once this collaboration is done, there won't be anything left to gossip about."

Henry nodded. "So you and Alexander really are impossible. In that case, be more careful about what you do in the future—not just for Alexander's sake, but for your reputation too. Try not to meet if there's no reason, and especially don't get tangled up privately. If you need anything, come to me. I'll help if I can."

His words were extremely tactful, but Charlotte wasn't about to grovel. She laughed coldly. "Alexander and I haven't met privately—you can rest assured about that. I'm doing very well now and I'm content. If I need help, I probably won't ask anyway. I have friends waiting for me, so I'll go now. Goodbye." With that, she got out of the car, snorted coldly, and walked away.

Henry watched her retreating figure, then got out of the car himself, his face expressionless throughout.

The three had a simple meal and then went their separate ways. Both Charlotte and Kevin felt terrible—seeing each other once this year, who knew when they'd meet again.

The gossip about Charlotte and Alexander getting back together was immediately replaced that afternoon by Marlowe's hotel scandal. Alexander and Charlotte's names were pushed off the trending list, replaced by photos and videos spreading wildly online. Overnight, the third-tier actress Marlowe became the hottest topic of conversation.

Under the glare of camera flashes and reporters' aggressive questioning, Marlowe's red-rimmed eyes trembled, tears streaming down her face, looking pitiful. But those damn reporters showed no sympathy—their sharp, cutting questions grew increasingly harsh. She was thoroughly "famous" now.

"Good thing we didn't choose Marlowe for our project, or we'd be screwed," Dean said, taking a sip of his drink while scrolling through news about Marlowe.

"She's pretty good-looking. What a waste," Griffin said, glancing over and shaking his head repeatedly.

Women in the entertainment industry were truly scary!

"What, you into her or something?" Alexander said coldly, though his mind seemed elsewhere.

Griffin waved dismissively and rolled his eyes. "Female celebrities in this industry might look glamorous on the surface, but who knows what they're really like? I may not be perfect, but I have two rules: no drugs, and no female celebrities. I have standards, okay?"

"What did female celebrities ever do to you? Do you have to trash all of them?" Dean protested.

"Fine, fine. Charlotte's a decent woman—happy now? You want to go after her but don't have the guts. Look at yourself," Griffin said with contempt.

Dean nudged his arm, glancing at Alexander across from them. Honestly, if it weren't for Alexander, he would have made a move already. Being on the same set every day, chatting and laughing but unable to get closer—it was frustrating. Charlotte seemed great to him, and she'd probably make a good girlfriend.

Griffin looked at Alexander with a mischievous grin. "Alexander, you don't still like Charlotte, do you?"

Alexander looked up at him coolly. "No."

"You heard him. Go for it if you want. But you've got plenty of competition—first you'll have to beat Liam, then James. This beauty isn't easy to win over," Griffin said with a laugh, still as carefree as ever.

Dean shot him a cold look. "You make me sound pathetic. Maybe she likes honest guys. Plus, I could help her career. I think Charlotte and I would be a good match."

"Speak of the devil—isn't that Charlotte outside?" Griffin suddenly exclaimed, looking through the floor-to-ceiling window.

Alexander's gaze drifted over. In the night, Charlotte emerged from a car wearing a semi-transparent, form-fitting red dress. The first thing that caught the eye was her beautiful legs. Her slightly wavy long hair was casually tied at the back, her delicate features on an oval face, her sexy figure perfectly displayed by the dress. The bright red pointed heels made her look tall and striking—incredibly sexy.

Charlotte hadn't noticed anyone watching her. A light rain had started falling, and when a gust of wind blew by, she couldn't help but shiver. So cold!

"Charlotte's alone. Should we invite her in?" Griffin said, preparing to go out.

Just then, Ian appeared from the other side. He gentlemanly removed his suit jacket and draped it over her shoulders. Charlotte quickly tried to refuse. "No need, Mr. Taylor. I'm not cold."

Ian smiled warmly. "Your face has changed color and you say you're not cold? Wear it. Just give it back when you leave."

Charlotte did feel cold and didn't want to keep refusing, so she pulled the jacket tighter and said, "Thank you."

"I should apologize for dragging you out for a late-night snack so late. Don't worry, it's already midnight—there aren't many people around, so no one will photograph us."

Charlotte awkwardly rubbed her head. "It's fine. Thanks for treating me."

"The food here is really good. Let's go in."

Suddenly a gust of wind blew, and Charlotte felt something get in her eye. She quickly stopped, and since she was wearing eye makeup, she couldn't rub it. She could only wait, hoping it would come out on its own.

"If you don't mind, I can blow it out for you."

Charlotte could only nod awkwardly. "I'm so sorry to trouble you."

"Don't mention it."

From Alexander's angle, their movements looked very intimate. Charlotte's body was close to Ian's, one of his hands on her arm, the other cupping her face—their pose looked exactly like a couple in a passionate kiss.

"Looks like you're out of luck. Charlotte and Ian are together," Griffin said regretfully, glancing at Alexander.

Alexander watched expressionlessly, his face remaining cold, but his hands under the table clenched tighter and tighter.

That Charlotte—damn her!

"These two have amazing lung capacity—they've been kissing for two minutes!" Griffin said, chin propped on his hands, eyes fixed on the scene.

"How is it?" Ian asked.

Charlotte blinked—it still hurt and tears were coming out. "I think it's still there. What should I do?"

Seeing her like this, Ian smiled and pulled out a Burberry handkerchief to wipe her tears. Charlotte crying like this was really heartbreaking!

"Is my makeup ruined?" Charlotte felt so embarrassed.

Her first collaboration with Ian and she was making such a fool of herself. So mortifying!

"No, you look fine," he said, unable to help laughing. Charlotte was too cute.

Charlotte's mouth twitched. "I must look terrible, or you wouldn't be laughing. Don't tell anyone about this—it's too embarrassing." She really wanted to bang her head against a wall.

"Let's go in. I'll go to the restroom first and get it out," Charlotte said, walking away with one eye open and one closed.

Since she went straight to the restroom, Charlotte didn't see Alexander and his group. But Ian spotted them as soon as he entered.

"Long time no see, Griffin, Director Dean," Ian said, greeting them.

Seeing Alexander beside them, he paused slightly. What was he doing here?

"Oh, it's Mr. Alexander Wilson. It's been a while," Ian said with a professional smile.

"Long time no see," Alexander replied flatly.

"Mr. Taylor's been doing well with the ladies lately. How long have you and Charlotte been together?" Griffin said, patting his shoulder with a suggestive smile.

Ian laughed. "You've got it wrong. Ms. Harris and I aren't what you think."

"Still denying it? We saw everything."

Ian was about to explain when his phone rang. "Excuse me, I need to take this." He walked away.

Griffin watched him leave and pursed his lips. "Those two definitely have something going on."