Chapter 29

Charlotte sighed, "Jasper, this isn't your fault. Frederick was the one being a jerk. You shouldn't feel bad about it. I should be the one saying sorry. It's because of methat you and Taylor got dragged into this mess."

Jasper shook his head, "I should've been able to protect you two."

"Enough!" Taylor cut in, rolling her eyes.

"Seriously,you two need to stop with the apologies. I'm starving. Someone take me out to eat, like, right now."

Charlotte chuckled, "Alright, my treat. And let's make it a welcome back for Jasper too."

After grabbing some food, the trio hit the shops. Since Frederick had cleared Jasper's schedule for the day, it was like a mini-vacation. They hung out until evening, not wanting the day to end.

Just then, Charlotte's phone buzzed, interrupting their laughter.

She glanced at the screen and saw it was Ryan, the butler. Her heart sank.If Ryan was calling, it hadto be about Frederick.

"What's up?" she answered, just before it went to voicemail.

"Mrs. Percy, can you come back now? Mr. Percy is passed out drunk."

"If he's drunk, let him sleep it off.Why call me?" Charlotte figured Frederick had told Ryan to get her back. Ryan sounded uneasy, "Mr. Percy was already tipsy when he got home.and he kept drinking. His hand injury hasn't been treated, and no one can get near him. Ms. Brown tried and almost had a miscarriage. She's resting now."

Charlotte frowned."Is he really that drunk?"

"Yes, Mrs. Percy. I'm not making this up. Mr. Percy won't let anyone near him. and his hand injury is untreated. If it gets infected. Mrs. Anouk Percy will have my head."

"Alright. I'll come back."

She hung up and turned to Taylor, who looked annoyed.

"Charlotte, is Frederick making you go back? No way, I can't let you. Let him deal with it! It's just a company. Your safety is more important."

Taylor's concern warmed Charlotte's heart. She didn't want to put Taylor in a tough spot either.

"Don't worry, Frederick won't hurt me. We've been married for years.I know he's got a temper, but he's not a bad guy."

Charlotte tried to reassure Taylor, but Jasper, who had been quiet,suddenly clenched his fists.

"I'll take you. If anything happens, you can get out fast."

"No need, Ryan already sent someone to pick me up. You two should go home and rest. Especially you, Jasper. You just got back and went straight to work. You probably haven't even adjustedto the time difference." "I'm not tired, but I'm worried about you." Jasper's intense gaze made Charlotte feel a bit flustered and uneasy. A few years back, Jasper never looked at her like this. She'd only seen that kind of gaze from Frederick before.

The ride to pick her up arrived quickly. Charlotte said her goodbyes and headed back to Percy Villa.

As soon as she walked in, she saw Ryan holding a medical kit.

"Mrs. Percy, when Mr. Percy is drunk, only you can get close to him."

Ryan handed her the kit. She took it and looked around, but Frederick was nowhere in sight.

Just as she was about to ask, she heard a crash. A wine bottle shattered on the floor,glass shards everywhere.

Charlotte spotted Frederick sitting on the floor by the wine cabinet.

She walked towards him, stepping over the broken glass. When she was about five feet away, Frederick's eyes snapped open.

Those eyes were sharp as hooks.

If it weren't for the strong smell of alcohol, she wouldn't have guessed he was drunk.

"Get out."

Frederick's deep voice rumbled, the slightly slurred words revealing his intoxication. Charlotte wasn't scared. She kept moving closer. Frederick threw another wine bottle, which shattered near her feet,splashing wine on her. "Get out!"

His voice was louder, almost a roar.

"Give me your hand."

Charlotte squatted in front of him, her expression blank. "Even if you want me to leave, let me treat your wound first."

Her firm attitude seemed to have a miraculous effect.

When Frederick heard her voice,his icy expression softened.

His eyes were slightly dazed, as if he was thinking or just in a trance.

Charlotte took his right hand, and Frederick didn't resist.

Ryan,standing at the door, finally breathed a sigh of relief.

He quickly called everyone to leave. As long as Charlotte was there,they weren't needed.

When Charlotte saw the wound on his right knuckle, she couldn't help but gasp.

She had only seen Frederick's hand bleeding after he smashed the table,but she didn't expect it to be this bad.

The skin on his knuckle was torn, the outer layer curling inward with the flesh,almost exposing the bone. For the entire afternoon, Frederick hadn't disinfected or bandaged it. He just kept drinking. The already dreadful wound was now swollen and red, making it look

even worse.

"Couldn't you let them treat your wound before drinking?"

Charlotte quickly disinfected his wound while complaining.

"Didn't want others."

Frederick suddenly spoke, finishing his sentence quickly, then clamped his mouth shut.

"What did you say?" She didn't catch it.

Charlotte leaned in closer, her unique scent wafting into his nose.

Even in his drunken state, Frederick couldn't help but lean in to smell her.

"You smell nice."

Hearing this teasing remark, Charlotte was about to get angry, but she saw no desire in his eyes, just a sincere compliment.

"Hey, are you really drunk?"

Charlotte hesitated and waved her hand in front of his eyes.

But in the next moment, Frederick grabbed her hand, and with a slight pull, she lost her balance and fell into his arms.