bChapter /b35

Charlotte frowned. “No.”

Zac’s voice turned oddly still. “Let’s not fight, okay? I’ve been thinking about you these past few days. I was wrong that night. I shouldn’t have said those things and upset you!

“It’s fine,” Charlotte said, her tone indifferent. “bIt /bdoesn’t matter anymore. We’ve already broken up.”

b“/bBroken up?” His voice went ice–cold. “I never agreed to that.”

Charlotte remained unmoved. “Breaking up isn’t a divorce. I don’t need your permission.” Her voice was firm, emotionless. “Zac, don’t contact me againb./bb” /b

She hung up and immediately blocked his number.

Charlotte shifted her focus back to work

She wanted to build something for herself,

She could start her own firm, but without a strong reputation, it would be difficult to attract high–profile cases.

She decided to gain experience first. She nned to work at a top–tierw firm, establish her name, and then branch out on her own.

When she btold /bSean about her bn/b, he fully supported her.

bH /b

With how talented you are, you’ll definitely make a name for yourself in Jersey City. You should try S&G–they’re the best in btown/b.”

Charlotte thought for a moment before nodding. “Alright, I’ll send in my résumé

Meanwhile, Zac stared nkly at his phone.

Charlotte actually hung up on him.

She really wanted nothing to do with him. No hesitation, no second thoughts.

Hey back on her bed.

Her scent still lingered on the sheets.

Burying his face into her pillow, he inhaled deeply, his mind filling with images of her.

ile exhaled ba /bshaky breath. “Charlotte. I miss you.”

So damn much. |

The door suddenly opened.

“Zac, dinner’s ready.” Wendy’s voice was soft,

Without thinking, Zac grabbed her and pinned her beneath him.

The tension Ignited instantly–like a match to dry kindling.

But just as things reached their peak, Zac, lost in the heat of the moment, murmured hoarsely, “Charlotte… my Charlotte… I miss you so much

Beneath him, Wendy froze.

Her body went rigidb, /bher bJace /bbdrained /bbof /bbcolor/b.

The next night, Mia organized ba /bbsmall /bbgathering /bto celebrate Charlotte’s return to bJersey /bCity.

At a sleek bar, the three women sat in a cozy bbooth/bb, /bsipping their drinks.

“bThat /bgirl, Vivian?”  scoffed, swirling the wine in her ss. “Something about her rubs me the wrong way. The way she looked at byou /bst night pissed me oli,”

Lena bnodded/b. b“/bYeah, she doesn’t seem easy to bdeal /bwith.”

b+25 /bbBonus /b

Mia sneered. “Easy to deal with? Please. Who does she think she is? She’s just a housekeeper’s daughter. They call her an ‘adopted daughter” to sound polite, but let’s be real–she’s an orphan living under someone else’s broof /bAnd she actually acts like she’s a real member of the Jasper family?”

Charlotte blinked in surprise. “Wait… the housekeeper’s daughter? I had no idea. Why did the Jaspers take her in?”

Lena leaned in slightly. “My b brother told me that years ago, Mrs. Jasper was attacked during a robbery. Their housekeeper shielded her and took the stab wound instead, saving her Efe. Before she died, Mrs. Jasper promised to grant her one request.”

Lena suddenly bpaused/b, her expression unreadable as she nced at Charlotte.

Charlotte blinked, curiosity flickering in her eyes. “Why’d you stopb? /b

Lena hesitated, then continued, “Do you know what that housekeeper asked Mrs. Jasper to promise before she died?”