CHAPTER 401: 221 MISSED EACH OTHER

After ringing the bell, Charlotte didn’t even look at North Culture’s trend, knowing that Atlas Hallow would definitely want to acquire those shares.

She was determined not to let Atlas Hallow get a single bit of them, because there were no sellers, and even if there were, they were extremely fragmented.

Back at the hotel, she hurriedly changed out of these clothes; she preferred to wear something a bit looser.

"Mommy, how’s Mia today? Any better?" Her voice, both gentle and tinged with a hint of anxiety.

"She did quite well today; she had half a bowl of porridge at noon, and in the afternoon, a small bowl of soup." On the other end of the call came Freya Morgon’s loving voice, finally allowing Charlotte to relax a little.

"Charlotte, focus on what you need to do; Mia is well-behaved and easy to take care of, even more so than you were at her age." Even over the phone, Freya’s voice was filled with satisfaction: "It doesn’t matter if she’s weak; everything will gradually get better. There are no absolutes in life, trust me, Mia is a blessed child."

Charlotte’s eyes reddened; when she was in the United States, she had also left Mia’s side, but never for too long. This time, she would be gone for at least half a month, and it had only been two days, yet she was already struggling.

"Thank you, Mommy..." Charlotte said softly, and despite having her own child, she would still act a bit spoiled in front of Freya; only then did she feel completely at ease.

"I should thank you; if it weren’t for Mia, I might not have been able to hold on." Freya’s voice remained calm and loving, but hearing "hold on" made Charlotte’s heart ache, and tears silently slipped down her face.

Their father died in a car accident shortly after she returned to the United States. Luna Miller continued to cause trouble everywhere, and Charlotte had been admitted to a private hospital, staying in bed for nine full months until her Mia was born.

No one knew how difficult that time had been, not even the medical records bore her name, as Ethan feared Atlas Hallow would come looking for trouble because he said Atlas was searching for her all over the world.

How could he have known?

It’s unclear why, perhaps due to a recent miscarriage followed by another pregnancy, then experiencing so much and being scared; her situation was dire. The doctor jokingly said that she better not catch a cold, or a forceful sneeze could cause the fetus to slide out from the uterus.

So Charlotte lay there, receiving injections and stabilizing the pregnancy, unaware that her father, who succumbed to the car accident, was rescued in the same hospital where Ethan handled everything for her.

She always wondered why Father didn’t visit her until after she had the baby; only then did she learn about the accident.

Even now, recalling these events continues to cause excruciating pain.

She subconsciously blamed herself for bringing her parents to the United States, resulting in the car accident, and she also blamed Atlas Hallow, repeatedly torturing herself.

Seeing her Mia, all the rancor within her would ease; this child’s arrival was not only her redemption but also her mother’s, even Luna didn’t dislike this little one.

The departure of Little Atlas, the torment she endured, the car accident—all of it was thanks to that man.

Even if she wanted to endure in silence, that man had no intention of letting her go, so she chose to strike back. After all, there had to be a resolution; she couldn’t live her life under a false name to avoid Atlas Hallow.

Whenever she thought of that name, her soft heart felt as if it had a bloody hole in it, bleeding continuously, and the wound seemed as if it would never heal.

There were times when she felt despair and pain, yet was simultaneously moved and delighted by the sight of new life, repeatedly tormenting herself.

But she knew she couldn’t collapse because she had Mia.

So she returned.

She needed to settle things with Atlas Hallow, to draw a clear line and make a definitive break from him.

All that he owed her, she needed back, so that when she could let it go peacefully, they would never meet again.

After ending the call, Charlotte prepared to rest well; tomorrow, she would fly back to that familiar city.

Is it close to home anxiety?

Her emotions fluctuated; was it because she had grown up in that city, or because someone in that city made her hate them to the core?

Closing her eyes, she curled up under the covers, yet couldn’t seem to get warm.

Perhaps the warmth she had left dissipated upon hearing that recording.

"Miss Miller, Atlas Hallow took the morning flight today and should be landing soon." After waking up early and having room service bring breakfast, she didn’t like going to the restaurant; too many people.

Setting down the cup of black coffee, a cold, beautiful smile lingered at her lips, murmuring, "We should head to the airport as well."

Why come looking for her?

She wouldn’t hide from him like before.

"Alright, Miss Miller, I’m ready when you are." The man’s voice on the phone was steady, and he hung up right after.

After drinking the coffee, Charlotte’s stomach ached a bit; she ate a piece of bread and changed clothes, preparing to head to the airport.

The large sunglasses nearly covered her small face; as she strode through the fast lane, she continued to attract attention.

After all, such a beauty, with the rare pink diamond on her hand, was worth a second glance.

As she entered the waiting room, Atlas Hallow had just left the airport.

In the vast airport, their auras briefly intersected, so briefly that even they, once so familiar with each other’s scents, didn’t notice.

In the past, she tried desperately to hide; now, she didn’t, but he was searching in the wrong direction.

This time, she used her real name; even if she hadn’t registered with her real name, Atlas could easily find out where she stayed.

After all, she made an appearance at the stock exchange yesterday, getting information on her would be effortless for him.

When the plane started taxiing on the runway, Charlotte guessed that Atlas Hallow was probably at her hotel by now.

Upon arriving in the city, Atlas felt a familiar presence getting closer; his heart raced, and he felt a little dizzy. Yesterday, he repeatedly rewatched those few minutes of financial news footage, realizing clearly that she had returned.

This realization stirred his heart tumultuously, prompting him to rush to the city; he needed to see her and explain that he truly didn’t know about her condition back then.

He was just drunk, never intending to be so harsh with her, and definitely didn’t want her to lose their second child.

Thinking about it, his heart ached so much even his nose tingled.

The black car came to a steady stop at the hotel entrance, the door opened, and a stern and intimidating man stepped out. The black suit, perfectly tailored, outlined his tall, strong, and impeccably handsome physique.

Atlas Hallow glanced at the hotel lobby; she was staying here, and he was about to see her,

His heart twisted fiercely; desperate to see her immediately, once his affairs were settled, he flew over without delay.

Knowing she had returned, he couldn’t sit still; she hadn’t even called, she must still be angry with him?

The diamond ring on her hand, what was that about?

All these questions bothered him; he had to see Charlotte to properly inquire, or he might truly go insane.

"Could you check which room Miss Charlotte Miller is staying in, please?" Atlas stood in the hotel lobby, naturally drawing the attention of many onlookers, looking as if he had stepped right out of a magazine spread.

The hotel receptionist greeted him with a warm smile, asking him to wait a moment.

"Miss Miller was previously staying in room 1808, but she checked out an hour ago." The receptionist’s eyes almost popped with little red hearts; not only was this man good-looking, but even his voice was so pleasing.

"Checked out?" His lips parted slightly in apparent surprise; had she only returned to meet Jack Smith briefly and then left?

"And what room is Mr. Smith staying in?" He needed to be sure if they shared a room; he regretted not dealing with Jack Smith more harshly in the past, who dared to continue pursuing Charlotte.

"We have no booking information for this Mr. Smith; is there anything else I can assist you with?" After saying this, the receptionist watched the extremely stern man turn and leave, not even leaving a word of thanks this time.

Didn’t even register, did they really share a room?

A murderous glint rose in Atlas Hallow’s eyes, as if intending to devour everything.