Charlotte sat down on the single–seater sofa beside Monica.

She showed no hint of nervousness, her gaze calm and steady as she met Monica’s eyes. “I have no intention of marrying into the Gibson family.”

Η

Monica, of courseb, /bdidn’t believe her.

She

e gave D

Charlotte a slow, deliberate once–over, sizing her up from head to toe.

So this was the girl bher /bson had been dating for three years?

She had to admit that Charlotte was undeniably beautiful, with striking features and an air bof /bquiet confidence.

Even though she came from an ordinary family, she didn’t carry the restraint or insecurity that many girls from less privileged backgrounds

did.

Earlier, Monica had deliberately thrown out a condescending remark at the door, expecting to see Charlotte flustered or embarrassed.

But not only had she remainedposed, she had even greeted her politely, her tone poised and self–assured

But so what?

bpart/b, she would never

At the end of the day, she was nothing more than a gold digger chasing a fantasy. No matter how well she yed her part truly belong in their world.

Monica’s tone carried an unmistakable sense of superiority. “You don’t have to pretend in front of me. I’m a woman too. I know exactly what’s going on in your head. It’s not surprising that you’d be drawn to a rich heir like Zac. Someone like him doesn’te around often, does he? I bet he’s spent bquite /bba /bbit of money on you, hasn’t he?”

Charlotte replied evenly, “I’m not interested in his money.

H

Monica let out ba /bmockingughb, /bher eyes sharp and cold “Oh, cut the act. I’ve seen plenty of girls like you. ying innocent, pretending you’re not after his money–but if you really weren’t, would you have gone after Zac in the first ce?”

At that, Charlotte actuallyughed

“Mrs. bGibson/b, are you saying your son has nothing to offer except money?”

“You-!”

Monica’s expression darkened with brage/bb, /bher breathing turning sharp and uneven. She red at Charlotte. “Sharp tongued little thing! bAnd /bto think Zac told me you were sweet and well–mannered. He must’ve been blind.”

Charlotte took a slow sip of tea,pletely unfazed

Monica scoffed, narrowing her eyes. “No manners bat /ball. A pri

bA /bproper youngdy would know to pour tea for her elders.”

Charlotte shed her a fake smile, “Oh, sorry, Mrs. Gibson. There aren’t any extra cups, and I figured you’d probably be too disgusted to drink from mine. So I thought, why bother? Besides, it’s not like you’re bdying /bof thirst, right?”

Monica’s chest rose and fell sharply.

Where on earth did Zac find this shameless, ill–mannered girl?

Taking a slow breath to regain herposure, she continued, “I came here btoday /bto make one thing clear our family isn’t ba /bce for just anyone to marry into. If you’re hoping to marry Zac, forget it. It’s bnever /bbgoing /bto happen.”

Charlotte nodded casually. “Mhm, sure.”

Monica narrowed her eyes. Wendy Couper is the daughter–inw I’ve chosen. Her family has been close with ours bfor /byears, and she’s Zac’s fest love. You’d best give up and pack your things while you still have some dignity.”

Charlotte’s lips curled into a faint smile.

She bsuddenly /bremembered the conversation she had overheard a while bago/b.

Zac had been on the phone, talking about how Gibson Corporation’s financial situation had taken a hit. Several projects were stalled, and losses were piling up.

At the time, she bhad /bactually considered helping him.

Even though Zac assumed she came from a modest background and never considered marrying her, they had still been together for thre

There had to be some feelings there, at least,

bShe /bwasn’t heartless. Helping him out wouldn’t have beenpletely out of the question.

That night, when she went to pick him up from the bar, she had nned to discuss investing in Gibson Corporation.

She knew her father would never agree to invest since she had fallen out with her family.

But her cousin, Steven Sullivan, was now in charge of the Sullivan Corporation–one of the country’s top ten corporations.

And Steven had always spoiled her

If she asked, securing funding for Gibson Corporation wouldn’t have been an