Chapter 281

Chapter 281

But before she could finish reading, Sabrina's face had already turned deathly pale, drained of all color.

Her hands trembled as she stared at the document, as if witnessing something utterly impossible. "No way!"

"This has to be fake!"

She whipped her head up, glaring at Alexander with wild eyes. "Alexander, you're lying to me, aren't you!"

Watching Sabrina's near-hysterical expression, Alexander felt nothing but cold calm. "Sabrina, stop deluding yourself. Joseph has been disowned by the Carter Family. They've taken everything back."

"Right now, you're nothing."

Sabrina collapsed to the floor. "No, you're lying! My dad is so powerful—how could he have lost everything?"

Alexander's gaze was ice-cold. "Sabrina, after everything you did to Charlotte, you deserve to suffer the consequences with me."

Sabrina let out a wretched cry. "No!"

Before she could say another word, she pitched forward and collapsed unconscious.

The next day, the Forbes Group made a major announcement.

Alexander had resigned as president of the Forbes Group, which would be acquired and merged into Zenith Enterprises Group effective immediately.

From that day on, Alexander vanished without a trace. No one knew where he'd gone.

Even the Forbes Family remained tight-lipped about his whereabouts.

Almost overnight, Zenith Enterprises Group became the most prominent company in River City. With Charlotte at the helm, major corporations—both domestic and international—rushed to offer lucrative partnership deals.

Yet on the day of the merger announcement press conference, Landon seemed oddly melancholy.

When Charlotte, dressed especially fashionably and elegantly, walked past him, he deliberately let out a heavy sigh.

Charlotte had intended to ignore it, but when Landon sighed several more times, her resolve softened. "What's wrong? You got the Forbes Group back—shouldn't you be happy?"

Landon looked at her with mournful eyes. "The Forbes Group is back, but the woman who agreed to marry me still hasn't returned to my side."

Charlotte nearly laughed at his dramatics but forced herself to look stern. "Landon, we agreed to let things happen naturally."

Seeing her anger, Landon immediately straightened up. "You're right. I can't rush this. I need to wait patiently—until the day she willingly throws herself into my arms."

Charlotte couldn't keep a straight face any longer and said with a laugh, "Smooth talker!"

Landon moved closer, catching her hand and tucking it into the crook of his arm. "Now then, would you please accompany me to announce the good news?"

"All right."

Charlotte stopped resisting and took his arm as they walked out together.

The press conference was packed with enthusiasm. At the crucial moment, media reporters jostled forward, all competing for the chance to interview Landon and Charlotte.

Nicole, Maurice, Amanda, Debra, and other family elders sat in the audience, watching the two young talents they admired receive such acclaim. Pride lit up every face.

But suddenly, chaos erupted!

A woman in black burst from the crowd, charging straight toward Charlotte, who stood onstage speaking with the media!

A sharp-eyed reporter suddenly shouted, "She's got a knife!"

Landon, who'd been sitting calmly behind the podium, went pale!

The man known for his composure sprinted desperately toward Charlotte!

"Charlotte, run!"

But the woman in black had already reached Charlotte.

She ripped off her mask mid-charge, revealing Sabrina's crazed face. "Bitch! Go to hell!"

A chill shot straight to Charlotte's heart!

In that split second, Charlotte instinctively closed her eyes. 'I'm sorry, Landon. I shouldn't have made you wait so long,' she thought.

The sound of a blade piercing flesh filled her ears.

But Charlotte felt no pain. In the next moment, strong arms wrapped tightly around her.

The embrace felt familiar and warm—the kind that made her feel safe.

Before Charlotte could open her eyes, she heard several anguished cries: "Landon!"

"Mr. Forbes!"

The voices merged into a piercing chorus that stabbed through Charlotte's eardrums.

She opened her eyes in disbelief, only to see Landon smiling at her. "Charlotte, don't be afraid. I'm fine."

Before he finished speaking, Landon's arms loosened, and he collapsed.

"Landon!"

Charlotte couldn't hold back anymore. She caught him in her arms!

If only she could go back—she would have said yes in that room earlier!

Because deep in her heart, she'd been ready for a long time. She'd only been waiting for this press conference to announce it publicly and give him a wonderful surprise!

---

In a VIP room at Hopewell Hospital, Landon slowly emerged from unconsciousness.

He opened his eyes slightly. Everything was white.

Gradually, he remembered what had happened!

That crazy woman Sabrina had disguised herself among the media, infiltrated the venue, and lunged at Charlotte with a knife.

Thank God he'd blocked it in time.

But Charlotte—was she all right?

Landon felt a surge of panic. He tried to sit up but realized someone was gripping his hand tightly.

He turned his head.

A slender figure lay slumped beside his bed, asleep.

Yet her hand never loosened its grip on his.

Despite the pain in his body, Landon looked at Charlotte with nothing but tenderness. She must have stayed by his side the whole time and exhausted herself. Otherwise, she would've noticed the moment he woke up.

He lifted his head slightly and reached out with his other hand, gently stroking her hair.

So soft. So sweet-smelling.

It instantly dispelled the harsh antiseptic odor filling the hospital room.

Sensing his touch, Charlotte stirred slightly, then slowly opened her eyes.

For a moment, she seemed unable to believe what she was seeing.

She rubbed her eyes hard.

Then she threw herself onto him. "Landon? You're really awake? I'm not dreaming, am I?"

The pressure on his wound made Landon wince.

"Sorry, I forgot about your injury."

Charlotte quickly noticed his reaction and tried to push herself off him.