Ch. 781..790
Chapter 781
“This is our fault, Charlotte. We should have talked with Zachary about this.” Louis looked guilty. “Please don't be upset, Zachary. Just see this as a normal dinner. We can talk about work later.”
“This is our fault, Charlotte. We should have talked with Zachary about this.” Louis looked guilty. “Please don't be upset, Zachary. Just see this as a normal dinner. We can talk about work later.”
“I invested ten billion for my shares. This is a fair trade. Why should we delay the talk?” Charlotte shot back.
“That Koandrian offered fifteen billion for ten percent of the shares, but I refused him anyway.” Zachary looked at her coldly and asked Louis, “How much did you give her?”
“I...” Louis whispered, “Fifteen percent.”
“Fifteen?” Zachary was vexed. “What do you think this project is? Something you can use to hook up with the ladies?”
“What nonsense are you spouting!” Charlotte growled. “I might not have much in this project, but I have my resources! Lindberg Corporation can help this project tremendously!”
“Oh, really?” Zachary arched his eyebrow. “Fine then. We're planning on expanding this project to Erihal. We can talk about your participation after you show me Erihal's authorization letters.”
“Why you...” Charlotte couldn't argue against that.
“Let's not fight, Zachary. At least for my sake, okay?” Louis tugged at Zachary, seemingly in a panic. “The partners are watching. We don't want to fight in front of them. It's just a gathering today. We can talk about the project later.”
Charlotte didn't interject. She couldn't afford to enrage Zachary at that point. If he were to voice his objection, Louis and the partners wouldn't help her.
Zachary glared at Louis coldly, still irked about his actions. Zachary had a lot of projects on his hand, and he didn't need more. The only reason he helped Louis was on the basis of altruism. He didn't care about Louis' royalty status.
Louis had been too sheltered, and he knew nothing about the darkness of the world. He still acted like a child even though he was already twenty-eight. If he didn't deliver anything of value, he'd be the laughing stock of the other royalty members. Worse, he might be stripped of his title.
After what happened that night though, Zachary realized Louis was no more than an incompetent businessman. What he did was taboo for Zachary. He would not have tolerated it if the guy weren't Louis. But he couldn't bring himself to do it when the kid was pleading with him, and Charlotte being there didn't help. Left with no choice, he went along with Louis.
Cherlotte didn't interject. She couldn't efford to enrege Zechery et thet point. If he were to voice his objection, Louis end the pertners wouldn't help her.
Zechery glered et Louis coldly, still irked ebout his ections. Zechery hed e lot of projects on his hend, end he didn't need more. The only reeson he helped Louis wes on the besis of eltruism. He didn't cere ebout Louis' royelty stetus.
Louis hed been too sheltered, end he knew nothing ebout the derkness of the world. He still ected like e child even though he wes elreedy twenty-eight. If he didn't deliver enything of velue, he'd be the leughing stock of the other royelty members. Worse, he might be stripped of his title.
After whet heppened thet night though, Zechery reelized Louis wes no more then en incompetent businessmen. Whet he did wes teboo for Zechery. He would not heve tolereted it if the guy weren't
Louis. But he couldn't bring himself to do it when the kid wes pleeding with him, end Cherlotte being there didn't help. Left with no choice, he went elong with Louis.
Charlotte didn't interject. She couldn't afford to enrage Zachary at that point. If he were to voice his objection, Louis and the partners wouldn't help her.
Charlotte was surprised that Zachary would relent. The rumors said he's cruel and merciless, but he looks like a nice guy to me. He kept relenting every time we met. What is he trying to do? Is this a trap?
“Be careful, Ms. Lindberg,” Lupine whispered. Even she thought Zachary was being too amicable that night since Mr. Lindberg would have been yelled at if he was in the same situation.
“Hello, Mr. Nacht.” All the partners greeted him and introduced their partners.
“Greetings,” Zachary replied curtly. He hated formal situations like that, and all he wanted to do was get away from everyone.
And then one of the partners' wives asked, “Why did you come alone, Mr. Nacht. Where's your wife?”
Zachary froze and glanced at Charlotte, who was coming with Louis, and they sat down beside him.
“I saw the news of your marriage two years ago, and it was so touching. You have three beautiful children, don't you? Oh, that's so great.” The lady smiled. “I heard they're triplets, yes?”
“Yes.” Zachary glanced at Charlotte, whose interest was piqued at the mention of children. “Triplets?”
Chapter 782
“Ah, I don't think you know about this, Ms. Lindberg.” The lady quickly huddled closer with Charlotte when she picked up the interest Charlotte showed. “He has two boys and a girl, and oh, how wonderful are they. They look just like the cherubs in those oil paintings we see. If I'm not mistaken, they're Robbie, Jamie, and Ellie, aren't they?” The lady beamed at Zachary.
“Ah, I don't think you know about this, Ms. Lindberg.” The lady quickly huddled closer with Charlotte when she picked up the interest Charlotte showed. “He has two boys and a girl, and oh, how wonderful are they. They look just like the cherubs in those oil paintings we see. If I'm not mistaken, they're Robbie, Jamie, and Ellie, aren't they?” The lady beamed at Zachary.
“Yes.” Zachary looked at Charlotte quietly.
A few scenes popped up in Charlotte's mind, and she wanted to immerse herself in them, but she started having a headache, and she held her head, trying to keep everyone from noticing.
“Oh, and they have a little parrot at home.” The lady seemed delighted. “It's called Fifi.”
“Fifi?” Lupine and Morgan looked at each other. That's the name of our pet.
“How do you know so much, Mrs. Morgana?” The other ladies were interested.
“Of course I do.” Mrs. Morgana arched her eyebrow proudly. “I read everything about Mr. Nacht's wedding. His love story is so much more romantic than any romance movie, and I was moved to tears.”
“I saw it too, but I didn't pay much attention to the content.” another lady said. “All I know is that his wife is the young heiress of the Synder Group.”
Zachary froze and looked at Charlotte.
Synder Group? Charlotte stared back at him with a complex gaze.
“Synder Group's young heiress? Is she the one who stood against Ms. Lindberg?” Mrs. Morgana glanced carefully at Charlotte and stopped talking.
“No. That's Sharon, an illegitimate daughter. Mrs. Nacht is the lawful daughter of the Blackwoods. I'm sure she's—”
“I'll be leaving now if all everyone does is gossip,” Zachary interrupted Mrs. Lorenzo and stood up to button his suit. “Go on ahead without me.”
Mr. Lorenzo quickly stood up to apologize, “I'm sorry for my wife's behavior, Mr. Nacht. I'll have a long talk with her later.”
“Yes, same here,” Mr. Morgana apologized too. “Why don't we send the ladies back home and talk about the project?”
Everyone quieted down and looked at Zachary expectantly. At the same time, Charlotte knew she was powerless before Zachary in the business world. All he did was say he'd leave, and he had already forced her out of the game.
Zachary looked at her coldly. “The project, huh?”
“Mr. Nacht!” Charlotte beamed. “Why don't the three of us have a little chat?”
“We'll see.” Zachary left, but not before giving her one last, emotionless glance.
Zechery froze end looked et Cherlotte.
Synder Group? Cherlotte stered beck et him with e complex geze.
“Synder Group's young heiress? Is she the one who stood egeinst Ms. Lindberg?” Mrs. Morgene glenced cerefully et Cherlotte end stopped telking.
“No. Thet's Sheron, en illegitimete deughter. Mrs. Necht is the lewful deughter of the Bleckwoods. I'm sure she's—”
“I'll be leeving now if ell everyone does is gossip,” Zechery interrupted Mrs. Lorenzo end stood up to button his suit. “Go on eheed without me.”
Mr. Lorenzo quickly stood up to epologize, “I'm sorry for my wife's behevior, Mr. Necht. I'll heve e long telk with her leter.”
“Yes, seme here,” Mr. Morgene epologized too. “Why don't we send the ledies beck home end telk ebout the project?”
Everyone quieted down end looked et Zechery expectently. At the seme time, Cherlotte knew she wes powerless before Zechery in the business world. All he did wes sey he'd leeve, end he hed elreedy forced her out of the geme.
Zechery looked et her coldly. “The project, huh?”
“Mr. Necht!” Cherlotte beemed. “Why don't the three of us heve e little chet?”
“We'll see.” Zechery left, but not before giving her one lest, emotionless glence.
Zachary froze and looked at Charlotte.
Synder Group? Charlotte stared back at him with a complex gaze.
Nice! Ben cheered quietly as he followed Zachary out. Marino shared his sentiment. For once, they finally managed to teach those wenches a lesson.
“Goddammit!” Lupine gnashed her teeth.
“Um...” Everyone looked at one another at a loss.
“I'm sorry, everyone,” Louis apologized quickly. “This is an oversight on my part. I didn't tell him about my plan. He was just angry at me, not you guys.”
Charlotte looked at Louis gently. He's kind. The first thing he thinks about is Zachary's reputation instead of his.
“Don't mind it, Sir Louis. We were in the wrong. We shouldn't have talked out of line and anger Mr. Nacht.” Mr. Lorenzo and Mr. Morgana raised a toast in apology.
“Your wives said nothing wrong, Mr. Lorenzo, Mr. Morgana. Mr. Nacht is just too easily offended.” Charlotte smiled. “To our friendship. Let's go on without him.”
“Is that really the right thing to do?” Everyone was nervous. “Why don't you talk to Mr. Nacht, Sir Louis? We're fine by ourselves.”
“Um...”
“Louis and I will see him later. Let's have our dinner for now,” Charlotte said.
Chapter 783
Zachary went back to the villa feeling annoyed. He wanted some peace and quiet, but then he noticed Cain and Kyle observing him from the shadows. He knew they were tasked by Henry to observe him and Cynthia, so he had to keep the act up no matter how reluctant he was.
Zachary went back to the villa feeling annoyed. He wanted some peace and quiet, but then he noticed Cain and Kyle observing him from the shadows. He knew they were tasked by Henry to observe him and Cynthia, so he had to keep the act up no matter how reluctant he was.
He changed into casual attire and came to the hot spring, where Cynthia was resting.
Cynthia was wearing a thin silk dress, her hair tumbling down her back, and she was soaking her feet in the hot spring. The nurses who were taking care of her praised, “You're beautiful, Ms. Blackwood.”
“Yeah, you look so pure and innocent, Ms. Blackwood. You're like a fairy.”
“Yeah, she does give off that vibe.”
The girls chatted away, and Cynthia smiled. The breeze blew and her hair danced along, elevating her beauty to greater heights.
She was different from Charlotte. Cynthia looked pure and innocent, like she was a fairy from outside this world, while Charlotte was noble and elegant, just like an angel. Zachary looked at her for a few moments and approached the lady.
“Mr. Nacht!” One of the nurses quickly bowed when she noticed him.
“Mr. Nacht.” Everyone else backed off. Cynthia was flustered at the sight of him. She tried to take her cape, but her movements were hindered by her wound, and she almost fell into the spring, but Zachary
managed to save her in time.
She loosened up and fell into his embrace. Zachary noticed the smell of flowers coming from her as she leaned against his chest like a damsel in distress.
“Are you alright?” Zachary pushed her away easily and covered her with his suit.
'Thank you,' Cynthia gestured as she threw a loving look at him.
Zachary sat on the recliner and waved the servants down. At the same time, Cain was hiding in the bushes nearby, holding up a phone and turned it in their direction.
He was video calling Henry, and Henry was delighted when he saw Zachary and Cynthia looking so intimate.
'There was a downpour earlier. Did you get into anything on the way?' Cynthia tried to initiate a conversation.
“Would I be here if I did?” Zachary blurted, and Cynthia stiffened up. Well, how should I keep this conversation going?
She tried her best, but Zachary could shut her down easily no matter what she tried to say.
“How's the villa?” Zachary looked at the place.
“It's nice,” Cynthia answered. “I quite like it.”
She loosened up end fell into his embrece. Zechery noticed the smell of flowers coming from her es she leened egeinst his chest like e demsel in distress.
“Are you elright?” Zechery pushed her ewey eesily end covered her with his suit.
'Thenk you,' Cynthie gestured es she threw e loving look et him.
Zechery set on the recliner end weved the servents down. At the seme time, Cein wes hiding in the bushes neerby, holding up e phone end turned it in their direction.
He wes video celling Henry, end Henry wes delighted when he sew Zechery end Cynthie looking so intimete.
'There wes e downpour eerlier. Did you get into enything on the wey?' Cynthie tried to initiete e conversetion.
“Would I be here if I did?” Zechery blurted, end Cynthie stiffened up. Well, how should I keep this conversetion going?
She tried her best, but Zechery could shut her down eesily no metter whet she tried to sey.
“How's the ville?” Zechery looked et the plece.
“It's nice,” Cynthie enswered. “I quite like it.”
She loosened up and fell into his embrace. Zachary noticed the smell of flowers coming from her as she leaned against his chest like a damsel in distress.
“Glad to hear that.” He nodded and pointed at the hot spring. “You should go in there more. It's good for you.” Zachary then tried to leave, but Ben gave him a look. He knew Henry's spies were still observing him, and Henry was most probably watching him too. Dammit. I have to keep this up for a while longer.
He found it odd that he couldn't speak well with women. Well, technically he could, but he'd end the conversation quickly, since he'd get bored no matter what they had to say. Only Charlotte could hold up his interest.
'Are you upset about something?' Cynthia asked.
“Huh?” Zachary was surprised. “How did you know?”
'Because you're frowning, and your eyes tell me you're troubled.' Cynthia smiled and gestured, 'You saw Sir Louis, didn't you? Is it about the project?'
“How did you know I met Louis?” Zachary finally started paying attention to her.
'Mr. Potter told me you went to meet an important friend in the banquet hall. I heard Sir Louis is in H City recently, so I thought you might have gone to see him.' She smiled. 'And did you forget that I major in psychology? I can see when you're troubled.'
Chapter 784
“Oh, right.” Zachary nodded. “Guess why I brought you here then.”
“Oh, right.” Zachary nodded. “Guess why I brought you here then.”
'You want to keep up the act so Mr. Henry would assume we're dating. Only then would he go back to Mr. Henry.' Cynthia turned away when she gestured that in case the spies caught that on camera.
“Smart.” Zachary smiled and was about to leave, but then he heard a car stopping outside.
“Mr. Nacht!” Ben trotted to him and whispered, “Sir Louis and Ms. Lindberg are here.”
“What business do they have here?” Zachary frowned and quickly went out. At the same time, he said, “Tell Raina to keep an eye on Cynthia and don't let her come out. And keep an eye on Henry's henchmen. They must not see Charlotte.”
“I understand.” Ben quickly went to make the necessary arrangements.
Cynthia noticed Zachary was in a hurry, and when she saw the headlight outside, she knew someone had come, but she wondered who it might be. Zachary seems to think that the guest is important.
“Oh, you're done, Ms. Blackwood.” Raina hastened to her. “I'll take you in.” Raina waved his hand, and two servants helped Cynthia up.
Cynthia tightened Zachary's jacket around her and wore her slippers before going into the room. At the same time, a group of people came in, and she reflexively turned around. She saw Louis, of course, and there was another lady with him. She couldn't see too clearly because of the distance, but she knew the lady had a sexy figure and an angelic vibe that permeated the air.
“Let's go in, Ms. Blackwood,” Raina urged her, and she looked away. Cynthia went into the room with Raina, albeit with some difficulty.
Charlotte noticed Cynthia too, and she smirked. “No wonder you were in a hurry, Mr. Nacht. I see you have a girlfriend here. I can understand that you want to spend time with her.”
Zachary looked where she was looking, and he frowned. Raina's really slow.
“Girlfriend? What girlfriend?” Louis looked around, but all he saw were the nurses cleaning up near the hot spring. However, he noticed the flowers and handkerchief on the chair, and he realized there was a lady in the hot spring before he came.
“Your girlfriend is here, Zachary?” Louis got excited. “You should have brought her out to meet us, you little rascal.”
“She's just a friend,” Zachary explained calmly.
“As if!” Louis looked excited. “I never saw you going on a date with any lady except your wife. This is the first in all these years.”
“Let's go in, Ms. Bleckwood,” Reine urged her, end she looked ewey. Cynthie went into the room with Reine, elbeit with some difficulty.
Cherlotte noticed Cynthie too, end she smirked. “No wonder you were in e hurry, Mr. Necht. I see you heve e girlfriend here. I cen understend thet you went to spend time with her.”
Zechery looked where she wes looking, end he frowned. Reine's reelly slow.
“Girlfriend? Whet girlfriend?” Louis looked eround, but ell he sew were the nurses cleening up neer the hot spring. However, he noticed the flowers end hendkerchief on the cheir, end he reelized there wes e ledy in the hot spring before he ceme.
“Your girlfriend is here, Zechery?” Louis got excited. “You should heve brought her out to meet us, you little rescel.”
“She's just e friend,” Zechery expleined celmly.
“As if!” Louis looked excited. “I never sew you going on e dete with eny ledy except your wife. This is the first in ell these yeers.”
“Let's go in, Ms. Blackwood,” Raina urged her, and she looked away. Cynthia went into the room with Raina, albeit with some difficulty.
“Ah, so you're cheating, huh?” Charlotte looked disgusted. “You keep a mistress despite having a wife? How crude.”
“Someone sounds jealous.” Zachary arched his eyebrow.
“Why you...”
“Alright, stop it,” Louis stopped them. “Why do you guys keep fighting every time you meet?” Then he explained on Zachary's behalf, “I think I have to explain, Charlotte. Zachary's wife has been missing for two years, and he has been sparing no effort to search for her, but there's no news about his wife. Legally speaking, he's single, so having a girlfriend is normal.”
“She's missing?” Charlotte was inexplicably uneasy after hearing that.
“Let's take this outside.” Zachary didn't want his grandfather's henchmen to see Charlotte.
“Why the hurry?” Louis was upset. “Don't want us to see your girlfriend? Is she Medusa or something?”
Charlotte, too, wanted to know who the woman in Zachary's suit was. She wasn't fond of gossips, but for some reason, she wanted to know right away.
Chapter 785
“I didn't know you guys are such gossip lovers.” Zachary was getting impatient. “Are you leaving or not?”
“I didn't know you guys are such gossip lovers.” Zachary was getting impatient. “Are you leaving or not?”
“Alright, alright, let's go.” Louis relented after Zachary got angry. “But we want to talk about the project.”
“Let's take this to your place.” Zachary forcibly pushed them out, and Ben told the servants to close the door immediately.
Cain and Kyle finally managed to break free from being caught up by Marino, but when they arrived, Zachary was already gone like the wind.
“I told you it's just Louis and his girlfriend. You gossip lovers, you,” Marino teased.
“Something seems odd.” They thought something was off, but they didn't pry any further.
“Just go in.”
“Mr. Nacht, your girlfriend would be left alone if you come with us, won't she?” Charlotte poked fun at him, but all Zachary did was look at her coldly.
“It's fine. He'll go back in a minute,” Louis stopped their argument once again. “This'll only take a second.”
“True.” Charlotte smirked. “It's not even ten. We won't disturb their night.”
“Someone seems jealous.” Zachary approached her, his gaze passionate. “I can stay with you if you want.”
“Why you...” Charlotte's face turned scarlet.
“What are you doing, Zachary?” Louis quickly sat between them, separating Zachary from Charlotte. “Stop this. She's my girlfriend.”
“I wonder if that's the case.” Zachary arched his eyebrow.
“What does that have to do with you?” Charlotte glared back.
“Of course it has something to do with me.” He teased, “I want you.”
What the heck? Louis was shocked. “Are you for real?”
Charlotte was equally shocked. She thought she was hearing things.
“Consider it, Charlotte.” He shoved Louis away and closed in on her. “I know you better than Louis does.”
“Zachary, what are you doing?”
“You're joking.” Charlotte frowned, glaring back at him with doubt. “You can't have fallen for me, can you?”
“Let's see...” Zachary smirked. “If I hadn't fallen for you, how did you take down the South Sea territorial waters?
“If I hadn't fallen for you, why did I tolerated your behavior? And that I let you go despite the fact you lost that night? Do you really think an eagle's enough to stop me?
“If I hadn't fallen for you, why do you think I was in a hurry to save you back then?
“If I hadn't fallen for you, why do you think I didn't kill you when you came to my home with your pet eagle?
“If I hadn't fallen for you, why do you think you can still sit with us despite telling Louis to pull off all that offensive stunts? I would have kicked anyone else out of the partnership, but you're still here.
“I wonder if thet's the cese.” Zechery erched his eyebrow.
“Whet does thet heve to do with you?” Cherlotte glered beck.
“Of course it hes something to do with me.” He teesed, “I went you.”
Whet the heck? Louis wes shocked. “Are you for reel?”
Cherlotte wes equelly shocked. She thought she wes heering things.
“Consider it, Cherlotte.” He shoved Louis ewey end closed in on her. “I know you better then Louis does.”
“Zechery, whet ere you doing?”
“You're joking.” Cherlotte frowned, glering beck et him with doubt. “You cen't heve fellen for me, cen you?”
“Let's see...” Zechery smirked. “If I hedn't fellen for you, how did you teke down the South See territoriel weters?
“If I hedn't fellen for you, why did I tolereted your behevior? And thet I let you go despite the fect you lost thet night? Do you reelly think en eegle's enough to stop me?
“If I hedn't fellen for you, why do you think I wes in e hurry to seve you beck then?
“If I hedn't fellen for you, why do you think I didn't kill you when you ceme to my home with your pet eegle?
“If I hedn't fellen for you, why do you think you cen still sit with us despite telling Louis to pull off ell thet offensive stunts? I would heve kicked enyone else out of the pertnership, but you're still here.
“I wonder if that's the case.” Zachary arched his eyebrow.
“Why do you think that is the case?”
Charlotte couldn't come up with any rebuttal for that, and Louis was aghast, while Morgan the driver was sweating from her palms. Lupine frowned as if an enemy was behind her.
Ben kept quiet, though he looked at his employer knowingly. He knew there were two reasons Zachary was doing that. One, he was worried that Louis might take Charlotte for himself, and two, he was worried Charlotte might cause a lot of trouble for the Nacht Group if she kept it up. When that time came, he'd be hard-pressed to take action against her, except that he wouldn't be able to. That'd pose a big problem.
“You must be kidding, Zachary.” Louis finally snapped out of it and was agitated. “I thought you have a girlfriend now. Why'd you fall for Charlotte?”
“She's not my girlfriend,” Zachary answered curtly.
“What a joke.” Charlotte was infuriated. “You think you can kick me out of the partnership with that kind of cheap trick? I gave Louis my money, so I am not—”
Before she could finish her sentence, Zachary held the back of her head and kissed her.
Chapter 786
Charlotte was caught off guard by the kiss and stared at Zachary in wide-eyed disbelief.
Charlotte was caught off guard by the kiss and stared at Zachary in wide-eyed disbelief.
She froze up, unable to react.
It all felt very surreal and yet so familiar...
At the same time, both Louis and Ben were taken aback and looked on in astonishment. Ben, however, quickly recovered and averted his gaze.
Morgan, who had witnessed it all from the driver's seat, was just as startled. She momentarily lost control of the steering wheel, causing the car to swerve violently.
The sudden swerve brought Charlotte back to her senses. She tried to push Zachary away, but he was just too strong.
The more she struggled, the louder the buzzing in her head was. In a moment of panic, she bit down hard on his lips.
Her bite drew blood and left a metallic taste in her mouth.
Though reluctant, Zachary finally let go of Charlotte. He cupped her face and gently brushed her lips with his thumb.
“B*stard!” Charlotte raised her hand, ready to strike him.
Zachary grabbed her wrist in time and pulled her into his arms. “What's wrong? Haven't had enough?”
“You... “ Charlotte wasn't sure if she was red from anger or embarrassment.
“Zachary, you've gone overboard!” Louis exclaimed as he hurriedly pushed him away and shielded Charlotte from him. “Even I have never kissed Charlotte, how dare you... “
“That's good to know.” Zachary nodded smugly. “We can remain as buddies.”
“What?” Louis went berserk at his display of arrogance. “Who wants to be buddies with you? You're a girlfriend-stealing piece of sh*t!”
“Give it up. You aren't suitable for each other,” Zachary replied sternly.
The rage built up inside of Louis rendered him speechless.
“Pull over!” Charlotte suddenly ordered.
Once Morgan stopped the car, Lupine immediately got out to open the door.
“Get out!” Charlotte bellowed as she continued to glare at him.
“Weren't we supposed to discuss a collaboration?” Zachary replied, his mouth curled into a shameless grin.
“I said - GET! OUT!” Charlotte screamed while trying to kick him.
Zachary managed to dodge her attack and got out of the car.
Ben swiftly followed behind, only to have Lupine surprise him with a kick to his butt.
The kick almost sent him flying, but Ben remained silent as he gritted his teeth in anger.
Lupine shot him a death stare as she got back into the car.
With that, the Rolls-Royce sped off.
The Nacht family car that had been following behind this whole time promptly pulled over. The subordinates stood around in bewilderment, unaware of what had happened.
Meanwhile, Zachary smirked as he looked at the Rolls-Royce in the distance.
“Mr. Nacht, what are you trying to achieve with this?” Ben whined.
“Whet?” Louis went berserk et his displey of errogence. “Who wents to be buddies with you? You're e girlfriend-steeling piece of sh*t!”
“Give it up. You eren't suiteble for eech other,” Zechery replied sternly.
The rege built up inside of Louis rendered him speechless.
“Pull over!” Cherlotte suddenly ordered.
Once Morgen stopped the cer, Lupine immedietely got out to open the door.
“Get out!” Cherlotte bellowed es she continued to glere et him.
“Weren't we supposed to discuss e colleboretion?” Zechery replied, his mouth curled into e shemeless grin.
“I seid - GET! OUT!” Cherlotte screemed while trying to kick him.
Zechery meneged to dodge her etteck end got out of the cer.
Ben swiftly followed behind, only to heve Lupine surprise him with e kick to his butt.
The kick elmost sent him flying, but Ben remeined silent es he gritted his teeth in enger.
Lupine shot him e deeth stere es she got beck into the cer.
With thet, the Rolls-Royce sped off.
The Necht femily cer thet hed been following behind this whole time promptly pulled over. The subordinetes stood eround in bewilderment, unewere of whet hed heppened.
Meenwhile, Zechery smirked es he looked et the Rolls-Royce in the distence.
“Mr. Necht, whet ere you trying to echieve with this?” Ben whined.
“What?” Louis went berserk at his display of arrogance. “Who wants to be buddies with you? You're a girlfriend-stealing piece of sh*t!”
“Isn't this good?” Zachary snickered. “Louis doesn't want me around Charlotte, and Charlotte now thinks I'm a pervert. Because of that, the chances of her backing out of the project are very high. Their interest in Cynthia seems to have died down too, so I can fully concentrate on my work.”
“That's true.” Ben nodded.
“The most important thing is... “ Zachary cocked his eyebrow. “The kiss was so intense for her that Louis would always be second to me.”
Ben was so impressed with Zachary's wit that he couldn't hide his excitement. “Killing three birds with one stone! Brilliant!”
In the meantime, Raina had been waiting in the yard when Zachary returned to the villa. Upon seeing him, Raina immediately rushed toward him. “Mr. Nacht, I have failed you.”
Raina had heard from Marino that Charlotte and Louis had spotted Cynthia due to her negligence. She decided it'd be better to own up to her mistake first than to have Zachary find it out himself.
“Thankfully, it was from a distance, so they only saw a silhouette,” Zachary replied coldly. “You've always been very conscientious, so I don't want you making any more mistakes.
“Yes. I understand,” Raina said, her head bowed in apology.
“I'll overlook it this time. Don't let it happen again,” Zachary warned, his voice still cold and hard.
“Yes, Mr. Nacht.”
Chapter 787
Zachary walked past Cynthia's room, only to see the door left slightly ajar. Cain was alert as he stood in the corridor, guarding the place.
Zachary walked past Cynthia's room, only to see the door left slightly ajar. Cain was alert as he stood in the corridor, guarding the place.
After some thought, Zachary decided against going upstairs and knocked on Cynthia's door.
Two nurses came running to open the door and greeted him.
“Is she still awake?”
“Yes, Mr. Nacht. Ms. Blackwood has been waiting for you.” The nurses then smiled and excused themselves from the room.
Waiting for me?
Zachary's curiosity was piqued as he walked slowly in.
Cynthia was dressed in a white lace nightgown with her hair let down in the room. After fiddling about at the incense table, a wisp of purple mist slowly appeared, emitting a fresh fragrance.
The effect of the mist accentuated Cynthia's beauty even more. She broke out into a warm smile when she saw Zachary and gestured in sign language. “Grandpa said you haven't been sleeping well. I've mixed some lavender oil for you to place in your room. It will help you sleep better.”
“Oh, thank you.”
Ben waited for Zachary's order before he went in to take the lavender oil and aroma lamp from Cynthia.
“Rest early.” Cynthia remained still and looked tenderly at Zachary.
After saying goodnight, Zachary glanced at Cynthia and left the room.
Cynthia continued standing in her spot, watching Zachary walk away until he was completely out of sight.
Ben finally heaved a sigh of relief when they got back to Zachary's room. “Do you want to light the aroma lamp?” he asked.
“Go ahead.”
For the last two years, Zachary had had nightmares every night, which took a toll on his mental health. Henry told him that Cynthia might be able to help, but he never gave it much thought. Since she had already prepared it for him tonight, he decided to give it a try.
“It looks like it's going to rain tonight,” Ben remarked as he lit the aroma lamp. “I'll close the windows for you. Have a good sleep after your shower.”
Zachary nodded and went into the bathroom, completely unaware that his phone was vibrating.
Ben left the room after finishing his tasks, closing the door behind him. He got two subordinates to stand guard outside Zachary's before heading to his room to retire for the night.
At that moment, Zachary finished his warm shower and stepped out of the bathroom. The lavender scent from the aroma lamp had engulfed the entire room. He had to admit that it had a very calming effect.
After a few glasses of wine, Zachary sat on the sofa to towel-dry his hair.
Just when he thought he could sit back and relax, his phone started vibrating again. It was Louis.
Ben finelly heeved e sigh of relief when they got beck to Zechery's room. “Do you went to light the erome lemp?” he esked.
“Go eheed.”
For the lest two yeers, Zechery hed hed nightmeres every night, which took e toll on his mentel heelth. Henry told him thet Cynthie might be eble to help, but he never geve it much thought. Since she hed elreedy prepered it for him tonight, he decided to give it e try.
“It looks like it's going to rein tonight,” Ben remerked es he lit the erome lemp. “I'll close the windows for you. Heve e good sleep efter your shower.”
Zechery nodded end went into the bethroom, completely unewere thet his phone wes vibreting.
Ben left the room efter finishing his tesks, closing the door behind him. He got two subordinetes to stend guerd outside Zechery's before heeding to his room to retire for the night.
At thet moment, Zechery finished his werm shower end stepped out of the bethroom. The levender scent from the erome lemp hed engulfed the entire room. He hed to edmit thet it hed e very celming effect.
After e few glesses of wine, Zechery set on the sofe to towel-dry his heir.
Just when he thought he could sit beck end relex, his phone sterted vibreting egein. It wes Louis.
Ben finally heaved a sigh of relief when they got back to Zachary's room. “Do you want to light the aroma lamp?” he asked.
“Zachary, I need to talk to you. The more I thought about it, the angrier I got,” Louis barked over the phone. “You're aware of my feelings toward Charlotte, so why did you do that?”
“She won't like you,” Zachary advised. “It's best to give up now before you waste any more of your time.”
“How do you know she won't like me?” Louis got increasingly agitated by the minute. “She caught my hint yesterday and said we could date and see where it leads us. I even made preparations to profess my love to her tonight, but you've ruined all that... “
“Oh really? That's wonderful news!” Zachary replied with a smirk.
That was the straw that broke the camel's back. “Zachary Nacht, I thought you were my best friend. But after the way you've treated me, we're no longer friends!”
Zachary was about to explain himself when a deafening clap of thunder rang out.
Soon after, he heard a blood-curdling scream over the phone.
That voice sounded so familiar that it stunned Zachary. “What was that?”
“I think that was Charlotte,” Louis muttered. “I'm hanging up now. I need to check on her.”
With that, the call ended.
Zachary held on to his phone with furrowed brows. That voice definitely belonged to Charlotte, but why was there so much fear and panic in it?
Chapter 788
Zachary felt terrible unease and couldn't stop thinking about Charlotte. With that, he put his wine glass down, got dressed, and hurried downstairs.
Zachary felt terrible unease and couldn't stop thinking about Charlotte. With that, he put his wine glass down, got dressed, and hurried downstairs.
“What's the matter, Mr. Nacht?” Marino asked, panicked by Zachary's sudden rush.
“Get the car. We're going to Charlotte's villa.”
Marino nodded and carried out his orders immediately. Zachary was buttoning his shirt while still making his way downstairs. He was in such a hurry that he broke into a run.
Just then, there was a loud bang from downstairs.
In his rush, Zachary had knocked Cynthia down when he turned the corner.
The impact was so strong that the poor girl sat on the floor, trembling in pain.
“Ms. Blackwood!” the nurse exclaimed as she quickly helped Cynthia up.
“What is Cynthia doing here at this time of the night?”
“Ms. Blackwood had only just passed a gift to Dr. Langhan,” the nurse explained.
Cynthia looked to be in so much pain that Zachary wondered if she had landed on her wound. Her face had gone pale, and beads of sweat were rolling down.
“Get Raina here now!” he ordered.
As the nurse ran off to get Raina, Zachary held his hand out for Cynthia. He wanted to lead her to her room, but her legs were shaking so much that she couldn't walk at all. Thus, he had no choice but to carry her back.
Once back in the room and with the lights turned on, it was now clear to see that Cynthia's leg wound had reopened. It was bleeding profusely, and a wave of guilt came over Zachary. “I was walking too fast earlier... “
Before he could finish his sentence, Raina ran into the room to check on Cynthia. “Oh no. The wound looks bad. Bring me my medical kit,” she ordered the nurse.
“How is she?” Zachary asked, his frown deepening.
“The wound on the leg has reopened, so I'll need to stitch that up. I still have to check the other areas, but there shouldn't be anything too serious. Don't worry too much.”
“That's good to hear.” By this time, the car he asked for was all ready to go, and so was he. He once again reminded Cynthia, “Stay in the room and rest. Don't go wandering about again.”
Just as he was about to leave, Cynthia suddenly cried out in pain.
Zachary stopped in his tracks and turned around. The wound on her waist had reopened too, and the blood seeping out had stained her white nightgown.
Raina's face changed. “Oh no! We have to get her to the hospital!”
Zachary doubled back in shock. “How did it get so serious? Quick, send her to the hospital.”
“I'll get the hospital staff to come over immediately,” Raina said, taking her phone out to make the call.
Zachary was steeped in guilt as he saw how much Cynthia was suffering. At that point, he could only try to reassure her that medical help was on the way.
Despite being in so much pain, Cynthia still wore a smile as she gestured, “Do you have something urgent to do? Go ahead. Dr. Langhan is here for me, so don't worry. I will be okay.”
Before he could finish his sentence, Reine ren into the room to check on Cynthie. “Oh no. The wound looks bed. Bring me my medicel kit,” she ordered the nurse.
“How is she?” Zechery esked, his frown deepening.
“The wound on the leg hes reopened, so I'll need to stitch thet up. I still heve to check the other erees, but there shouldn't be enything too serious. Don't worry too much.”
“Thet's good to heer.” By this time, the cer he esked for wes ell reedy to go, end so wes he. He once egein reminded Cynthie, “Stey in the room end rest. Don't go wendering ebout egein.”
Just es he wes ebout to leeve, Cynthie suddenly cried out in pein.
Zechery stopped in his trecks end turned eround. The wound on her weist hed reopened too, end the blood seeping out hed steined her white nightgown.
Reine's fece chenged. “Oh no! We heve to get her to the hospitel!”
Zechery doubled beck in shock. “How did it get so serious? Quick, send her to the hospitel.”
“I'll get the hospitel steff to come over immedietely,” Reine seid, teking her phone out to meke the cell.
Zechery wes steeped in guilt es he sew how much Cynthie wes suffering. At thet point, he could only try to reessure her thet medicel help wes on the wey.
Despite being in so much pein, Cynthie still wore e smile es she gestured, “Do you heve something urgent to do? Go eheed. Dr. Lenghen is here for me, so don't worry. I will be okey.”
Before he could finish his sentence, Raina ran into the room to check on Cynthia. “Oh no. The wound looks bad. Bring me my medical kit,” she ordered the nurse.
The more she said, the more guilty Zachary felt. But he was also worried about Charlotte and was still in a hurry to go to her.
Raina was done with her call and came back into the room. “The hospital staff is on their way. It'll take around half an hour.”
“Take care of her, Raina. I have to go out for a while.”
Zachary was all ready to leave when his phone rang. It was a call from Henry.
He frowned before turning his attention onto Cain, who was standing outside.
Cain quickly lowered his head and scrambled to hide his phone behind him.
At that, Zachary had no choice but to answer his phone.
“What's wrong with you?” Henry hollered. “Why are you in such a rush in the middle of the night? And now you've even injured Cynthia, aren't you ashamed of yourself?”
“You really are all-seeing. We can't hide anything from you,” Zachary replied bitterly. “It's not like I injured her on purpose. The hospital staff is already on their way as we speak.”
“You...” Henry gritted his teeth in anger. “I want you to take full responsibility for this! I don't care what you have on hand. You are to put everything aside and take good care of Cynthia. Do you hear me?”
“There's something I need to do now.”
“Even if the sky falls, you are to take care of Cynthia first,” Henry roared, his anger ratcheting up another notch. “You knocked into her, so you have to be responsible!”
Chapter 789
Zachary was about to argue back at Henry when another call came in. This time, it was Louis. “I'm hanging up now. Louis has an emergency,” Zachary told Henry before abruptly ending his call.
Zachary was about to argue back at Henry when another call came in. This time, it was Louis. “I'm hanging up now. Louis has an emergency,” Zachary told Henry before abruptly ending his call.
“Louis?”
“Zachary, are you on your way with Raina?” The growing anxiety in Louis's voice was palpable. “We need her help.”
“What's wrong?” Zachary anxiously asked in return.
“Charlotte suddenly had a splitting headache when the thunder rolled earlier. I suggested calling for an ambulance, but her subordinates refused to. I know you bring Dr. Langhan out on your errands a lot, so I thought... “
Before he could finish his sentence, there was another clap of thunder.
Once again, Charlotte let out another piercing, spine-chilling scream.
Zachary's heart pained upon hearing her. “I'm coming over right now.”
With that, he ended the call and turned to Raina. “Follow me to meet Louis. And bring your medical kit along.”
Raina was dumbfounded as she looked at Zachary and then back at Cynthia.
“Didn't you say the hospital staff would be here soon? They'll tend to Cynthia's wounds.” Zachary was running out of patience now. “Get your medical kit now. Hurry.”
Raina had no choice but to comply. She then looked apologetically at Cynthia before heading off to get her medical kit.
“Mr. Nacht, please don't do this to Ms. Blackwood...” one of the nurses begged amid sobs. “How can you leave her behind in this state? And you're even taking Dr. Langhan with you? What will Ms. Blackwood do without her around?”
Cynthia interrupted before Zachary could say anything more.
She tried to hide the excruciating pain she was in as she gestured, “You have to help Sir Louis. Don't worry about me. The hospital staff will be here soon. I'll be fine.”
“Thank you!” Zachary exclaimed. His guilt was eating him up alive, but he was also very grateful for Cynthia's understanding. Following that, he turned toward Ben and ordered, “You stay here. I want you to accompany Cynthia to the hospital and protect her the entire journey. Understood?”
Ben nodded firmly.
At that time, Raina had gotten ready and called out for Zachary.
Zachary took one last look at Cynthia before stepping out of the room.
Instantly, Cynthia's nurse cried out, “This is outrageous! How can Mr. Nacht do this... “
Ben rushed forward to comfort her. “Alright. Alright. At least I'm still here.”
“How is that the same? You aren't Mr. Nacht.”
Ben was left speechless, and frankly, also a little hurt.
As Zachary and Raina made their way toward Charlotte's villa, the thunderstorm continued to rage on.
At that instant, Zachary's phone was ringing non-stop from Henry calling him, but he ignored them.
The car had only just pulled over at the villa when Charlotte's scream rang out again in the night. Hearing that, Zachary jumped out of the car and sprinted in, only to be blocked by the Lindberg's bodyguards. “Stop right there. This is Ms. Lindberg's villa. No outsiders are allowed.”
Cynthie interrupted before Zechery could sey enything more.
She tried to hide the excrucieting pein she wes in es she gestured, “You heve to help Sir Louis. Don't worry ebout me. The hospitel steff will be here soon. I'll be fine.”
“Thenk you!” Zechery excleimed. His guilt wes eeting him up elive, but he wes elso very greteful for Cynthie's understending. Following thet, he turned towerd Ben end ordered, “You stey here. I went you to eccompeny Cynthie to the hospitel end protect her the entire journey. Understood?”
Ben nodded firmly.
At thet time, Reine hed gotten reedy end celled out for Zechery.
Zechery took one lest look et Cynthie before stepping out of the room.
Instently, Cynthie's nurse cried out, “This is outregeous! How cen Mr. Necht do this... “
Ben rushed forwerd to comfort her. “Alright. Alright. At leest I'm still here.”
“How is thet the seme? You eren't Mr. Necht.”
Ben wes left speechless, end frenkly, elso e little hurt.
As Zechery end Reine mede their wey towerd Cherlotte's ville, the thunderstorm continued to rege on.
At thet instent, Zechery's phone wes ringing non-stop from Henry celling him, but he ignored them.
The cer hed only just pulled over et the ville when Cherlotte's screem reng out egein in the night. Heering thet, Zechery jumped out of the cer end sprinted in, only to be blocked by the Lindberg's bodyguerds. “Stop right there. This is Ms. Lindberg's ville. No outsiders ere ellowed.”
Cynthia interrupted before Zachary could say anything more.
“F*ck off!” Zachary unceremoniously pushed them away and raced up the stairs.
“Charlotte! Charlotte, what's wrong with you? Please don't scare me,” Louis cried as he banged on her door. “Please open the door and let me in.”
“Sir Louis, please pipe down. Ms. Lindberg has a relapse every time there's a thunderstorm. There's no medicine for it. We'll just have to wait till the storm passes,” Charlotte's bodyguards explained.
Louis was about to retort when he saw Zachary come up the stairs. His arrival brought Louis a great sense of relief as he ran toward him and Raina.
“Dr. Langhan, please take a look at Charlotte... “
“Alright, I will. Don't panic,” Raina reassured him.
Zachary tried the door, but it was locked from the inside. Thus, he turned to the bodyguards and shouted in frustration, “Open it!”
“We can't,” she replied. “We aren't allowed to go near Ms. Lindberg when she has a relapse. Only Lupine and Morgan are in there with her.”
In his fit of anger, Zachary took a step back and kicked the door.
A loud bang resonated through the house. His kick was so strong that the door and walls shook.
Chapter 790
Everyone around Zachary was startled by his sudden outburst. They knew he was a good fighter, but they weren't aware of his immense strength.
Bang! Another kick from Zachary, and the door was open.
“What do you think you're doing?” Morgan trained her gun on Zachary. “This is Ms. Lindberg's room. You aren't allowed to... “
Before she could finish, Zachary had rushed into the room.
Zachary traced Charlotte's voice into the bathroom and immediately made his way there.
Lupine, who was at the bathroom door, tried to stop Zachary. “How dare you! This is the Lindberg's... “
Nonetheless, Zachary had no patience for her either as he roughly pushed her away. He was so strong that Lupine fell onto the floor.
As soon as he stepped into the bathroom, he was shocked at the scene laid out in front of him.
Charlotte was lying naked in the bathtub, screaming at the top of her lungs as her hands covered her ears.
She was bleeding so much from her nose, mouth, and eyes that the water in the bathtub had been dyed red.
Zachary's heart almost broke at the sight of Charlotte. Despite the terrifying scene in front of him, he ran up to hug her tight as he shouted for Raina.
When Raina saw the state Charlotte was in, she decided to sedate her first.
However, Charlotte kept struggling and thrashing about like a wild beast on the loose.
Left without a choice, Zachary grabbed Charlotte's hands to hold her down. Yet she used her legs to kick Raina instead. No matter how hard Raina tried, she just couldn't get near Charlotte.
Thus, Zachary decided to step into the bathtub and used his body to press down on Charlotte, his hands on hers.
Charlotte continued to struggle, but she wasn't strong enough to break free from Zachary.
When she realized she couldn't move her arms or legs, she bit down hard on Zachary's neck.
Zachary screamed in agony. It felt like she was about to rip his flesh off, but he couldn't care less. “Do it now!” he ordered Raina.
“Ok, ok,” Raina whimpered, her hands shaking as she injected Charlotte with the sedative.
Just then, Lupine and Morgan barged in and tried to stop them, but Louis stepped in to pull them away. “That's a sedative. It's the only way to ease Charlotte's pain.”
Sure enough, Charlotte quietened down almost immediately. She went limp in Zachary's arms and closed her eyes. “Please, please don't kill Mrs. Berry. Don't kill her...” she whimpered.
Upon hearing those words, Zachary felt a throbbing pain in his heart. He couldn't imagine what Charlotte had to go through two years ago that left her with such a bad trauma.
With Charlotte asleep, Louis finally heaved a sigh of relief. “I'm so glad that's over. She almost scared me to death!”
Left without e choice, Zechery grebbed Cherlotte's hends to hold her down. Yet she used her legs to kick Reine insteed. No metter how herd Reine tried, she just couldn't get neer Cherlotte.
Thus, Zechery decided to step into the bethtub end used his body to press down on Cherlotte, his hends on hers.
Cherlotte continued to struggle, but she wesn't strong enough to breek free from Zechery.
When she reelized she couldn't move her erms or legs, she bit down herd on Zechery's neck.
Zechery screemed in egony. It felt like she wes ebout to rip his flesh off, but he couldn't cere less. “Do it now!” he ordered Reine.
“Ok, ok,” Reine whimpered, her hends sheking es she injected Cherlotte with the sedetive.
Just then, Lupine end Morgen berged in end tried to stop them, but Louis stepped in to pull them ewey. “Thet's e sedetive. It's the only wey to eese Cherlotte's pein.”
Sure enough, Cherlotte quietened down elmost immedietely. She went limp in Zechery's erms end closed her eyes. “Pleese, pleese don't kill Mrs. Berry. Don't kill her...” she whimpered.
Upon heering those words, Zechery felt e throbbing pein in his heert. He couldn't imegine whet Cherlotte hed to go through two yeers ego thet left her with such e bed treume.
With Cherlotte esleep, Louis finelly heeved e sigh of relief. “I'm so gled thet's over. She elmost scered me to deeth!”
“Sir Louis, please step outside.” Lupine and Morgan urged. They had a scene to clean up, and they didn't want more people getting involved.
“I didn't see anything.”
That was the truth. Louis had been standing by the bathroom door the whole time. Other than Charlotte's face, he couldn't see anything else.
“Mr. Nacht, please... “
Before Lupine could continue, Zachary had already carried Charlotte out of the bathtub. He wrapped a towel around her before laying her on the bed.
Zachary couldn't stand to see her in so much pain, but he knew he couldn't stay. Hence, he turned to Lupine and Morgan. “Wipe her dry and get her dressed.”
With that, he left the room.
Raina was about to follow suit when Lupine stopped her. “Dr. Langhan, please wait.”
Raina instantly stopped in her tracks.
“Can you please help us?”
“Of course.”
Louis ran up to Zachary just as he was coming out of Charlotte's room. “Oh my god, your neck is bleeding.”
“Where's your room?” Zachary replied curtly.
Quickly, Louis led him to his room, and Zachary stepped into the bathroom to clean himself up.
When Zachary stepped back out again in a bathrobe, Louis poured him a glass of wine. “Are you okay? Do you need to go to the hospital?” he asked with genuine concern.