Chapter 16

"Thanks a lot, Doc. Appreciate all your hard work."

Charlotte gave the doctor a grateful nod and asked,"If Grandma wakes up,can we chat with her? Will it mess with her rest?"

"Nah,it won't. She went through a lot with the treatment, so she's pretty wiped out. But it's been an hour, so she should be feeling a bit better now.Having family around to talk to her will lift her spirits, which is great for her recovery."

"Frederick, I want to go in and be with Grandma," Charlotte said,looking up at him.

A warm light flickered in Frederick's eyes, and he said, "Sure thing."

Charlotte went to Anouk's bedside and gently held her hand.

Years of good care had kept Anouk's skin surprisingly smooth for her age,and her nails were neatly trimmed, making her look quite youthful.

But right now, Anouk lay there weakly asleep, her face much paler than before, and her frail appearance made Charlotte's heart ache.

At that moment, some Percy Family relatives noticed Frederick didn't come in, only Charlotte, and couldn't help but mock her.

"Charlotte, I heard you and Frederick are getting a divorce. Why keep up the act now?" "Yeah! Are you trying to butter up Anouk to get more money in the divorce?" Charlotte sensed the malice in their words, glared at them angrily, but didn't bother to respond.

Seeing Charlotte's silence, they thought she was scared and got even bolder.

"Not to mention, Anouk's fall is really your fault!"

Charlotte frowned and finally spoke, "How is it my fault?"

One of them raised their voice, "You just came over to talk about the divorce,and then Anouk fell. Maybe she was worried about you two and got distracted."

Charlotte's frown deepened. She wanted to argue back, but a part of her wondered if they might be right.

Anouk was indeed very concerned about their divorce.

Charlotte thought, 'Could Grandma's fall really be because of me?

Seeing Charlotte still silent, the person got even more smug. "Feeling guilty won't change anything. Anouk is in this state because of you, no matter how much you try to please her now."

"When Frederick marriedI you, I knew you weren't a good person. And now you're getting divorced,right?"

"If youI're getting divorced, just do it quietly. Why make Anouk worry?I think you just want Anouk to back you up so you can get moremoney." The person continued, "Even though Frederick is the head of the Percy Family, the family's money belongs to alI of us. You better stop scheming to take a single dollar from us!" The person got more and more carried away, completely unaware that

Frederick had finished talking with the doctor and returned to the room.

Charlotte saw Frederick when she was about to retort angrily but closed her mouth because of Frederick's grim expression.

With Frederick here, there was no need to waste words with these people.

Sure enough, Frederick's lips curled into a cold smile, and he shot the person a frosty look.

"I didn't realize the Percy Family's money was up for grabs by leeches like you."

Frederick's voice made the person shiver and turn stiffly, not daring to meet his gaze.

Seeing this, Frederick's disdain grew.

"Why so quiet? Cat got your tongue? You were pretty chatty just a minute ago.Speak up!"

"I...I..."

The person stammered, looking around for help, but the others who had been chiming in were now all silent.

Frederick glanced around at everyone and said sternly, "From now on, I don't want to hear any of you discussing anything about me. If I find out,your family's year-end bonuses will be canceled." "No!" "We rely on those bonuses to live. You can't be so heartless! We won't talk anymore,okay?" When it came to their own interests, everyone in the room finally got scared.

One quick-witted person even came over to apologize to Charlotte,".

Charlotte, I'm sorry. We shouldn't have treated you like that. Please forgive us."

Charlotte found their quick change of attitude laughable.

She didn't respond to their apologies and had no intention of forgiving anyone.

If apologies were enough, why would we need the police?

Charlotte ignored them but looked at Frederick with a probing gaze.

For some reason, she felt that Frederick was not upset just about what had just happened, but also about the grievances she had suffered when she married into the Percy family.

'Could it be that Frederick is really standing up for me?

Charlotte's heart rippled with emotion, and she had to admit that she was a little moved.

But then she thought of Serena's face, and the small spark in her heart was immediately extinguished.

Even if Frederick stood up for her, so what? Their divorce was already a done deal. "Charlotte... you're here..."Anouk slowly woke up and smiled when she saw Charlotte by her side. "Anouk, you're awake! We're all here to see you..."

The Percy Family members in the room immediately gathered around,talking over each other, hoping Anouk would remember their visit.

Frederick found the room very annoying.

He frowned impatiently and shouted, "Shut up! You've shown your faces,now get out."

"We're also members of the Percy Family. Why can't we take care of Anouk?"

Someone muttered, but was immediately caught off guard a cold glare from Frederick.

The people around quickly pulled him away and left the roomin a hurry.

Once everyone was gone, Charlotte crouched down next to Anouk.

Charlotte asked guiltily, "Grandma, did you fall because you were distracted by our divorce?"

Anouk's eyes were full of love. She raised her hand to touch Charlotte's hair.

"Silly child, it has nothing to do with you." Anouk sighed and said,"Remember, never take responsibility for things like this, especially in our family. Even if it is related to you, don't take the blame, let alone when it has nothing todo with you."