Chapter 160
She watched the server say something, then pull a tiny object from his pocket and quickly slip it into Mandy's hand.
Mandy glanced down at whatever she'd been given, and a vicious smile spread across her face.
In the next instant, she stuffed the item into her clutch and returned to the bustling party.
Charlotte watched her disappear into the crowd, her expression thoughtful.
Who was that server? There was something strangely familiar about him.
She frowned. Something about this didn't feel right.
Lost in thought, she glanced toward the staff corridor and quietly followed in the direction the server had gone.
Her heels made no sound on the plush carpet.
Just as Charlotte passed a massive decorative column, keeping her eyes on that retreating figure and preparing to continue her pursuit, she caught a sudden movement.
Sensing danger, Charlotte reacted on instinct—ducking behind the column before she could think twice.
At that same moment, the server turned around, scanning the empty corridor behind him.
After a careful sweep of the area, apparently satisfied, he continued on his way.
Charlotte waited a beat before slowly peering out.
This guy was way too alert. She'd have to be more careful from here on out.
With that thought, she looked up—and realized he was about to turn down a side corridor. She quickened her pace.
But when she rounded the corner, there was no one there.
Before her stretched a long, dimly lit hallway—probably leading to the hotel's kitchen and staff break areas.
Several closed doors lined both sides. No way to tell which one he'd slipped through.
That fast... Obviously, he'd spotted her and used his knowledge of the layout to lose her.
Charlotte's fists slowly clenched.
She stared down the empty corridor for a moment, then turned and walked away.
She wasn't going to keep chasing.
With the enemy's identity unknown, barging into their territory would be stupid.
She might not know who this server was, but judging by whatever Mandy had received and that malicious smile on her face, they were clearly planning something.
Charlotte's eyes grew colder.
Whatever they were scheming, she sure as hell wasn't going to fall into their trap.
When the enemy comes, meet them head-on.
...
Returning from the quiet corridor to the glittering ballroom felt like stepping from one world into another.
Charlotte's expression remained neutral as she wove through the crowd, intending to return to Edward's side.
But she'd barely taken a few steps when a tall figure blocked her path.
Charlotte frowned, glancing up—only to find Alexander standing there.
He must have emerged from the lounge area at some point and now stood squarely in her way.
Honestly, he was the last person she wanted to see right now.
She took a deep breath and tried to go around him.
But when she moved left, he moved left.
When she moved right, he moved right.
Left with no choice, Charlotte lifted her head and fixed him with a cold stare, her bright eyes brimming with impatience.
Alexander said nothing, just stood there looking at her, his lips pressed into a tight line.
Finally, Charlotte's patience snapped.
"What the hell do you want?"
Feeling the ice in her words, his body stiffened slightly, a flash of hurt crossing his eyes.
"I..." he finally managed, his voice rough.
"Alexander, Ms. Johnson—what are you two doing here?"
A cloying, slightly anxious voice interrupted their standoff.
Mandy appeared out of nowhere, concern painted across her face as her gaze darted between them.
After a long pause, she spoke. "Did you two have a fight?"
Having just witnessed Alexander and Charlotte standing together—Alexander looking completely lost while Charlotte radiated frost—she'd immediately conjured up an entire drama in her mind.
Now, with neither of them responding, she became even more convinced she was right.
She stepped forward, positioning herself intimately beside Alexander, adopting the air of someone from the Harris family.
"Ms. Johnson, I know you're upset, but today is Benjamin's wedding, so could we please save this discussion for after the reception?"
"Look, Alexander didn't mean to—he just—"
"Shut up!"
Before Mandy could finish, Alexander cut her off sharply, his eyes—which had been swimming with complicated emotions—now filled with pure coldness and disgust.
Instantly, the smile froze on Mandy's face. She stood there, stunned.
Watching Alexander humiliate her in front of Charlotte without a second thought sent a wave of mortification crashing over her, and her eyes immediately welled up with tears.
"Alexander, I... I was just—"
She tried to explain, but Alexander didn't even glance her way.
Charlotte took in the entire scene, let out a cold laugh, and turned to leave in a different direction without bothering to acknowledge either of them.
This time, Alexander didn't try to stop her.
He simply stood there, watching her walk away with such finality, his fists slowly clenching.
After returning to the noisy main hall, Charlotte plucked a glass of champagne from a passing server's tray and found a quiet spot to sit.
Just then, her pocket vibrated.
Charlotte pressed her lips together slightly and pulled out her phone.
A new message lit up the screen. The sender was labeled 'Richard.'
[Your time's almost up. My patience is running thin.]
One simple sentence, dripping with undisguised threat and agitation.
Originally, according to their previous agreement, the ransom deadline had been three days—but Charlotte had stretched it to now by claiming she needed time to liquidate assets.
She was fairly certain Richard wouldn't actually kill her mother.
The real reason she'd been stalling was to make him anxious.
After all, when people get worked up, they make mistakes—and that's exactly what Charlotte was counting on.
Her eyes narrowed as her fingers tapped across the screen.
[Money's ready. How do you want to do this?]
Less than ten seconds after she hit send, an unfamiliar international number called.
"You really have the money?"
The moment she answered, he got straight to the point, his tone urgent.
"Of course." Charlotte's lips curved slightly, her tone casual. "Not a dollar short."
"So where do you want to make the exchange?"
"You want to meet in person?" Richard let out a cold laugh. "Charlotte, do you think I'm an idiot?"
"I'll give you an anonymous bank account number. Transfer the money there. Once it clears, I'll let her go."