Chapter 48

Frederick couldn't help but smirk at Charlotte's flushed face, feeling the urge to tease her growing stronger by the second.

"Frederick, you up? Grandma wants you downstairs for breakfast."

Serena's voice was sweet and casual, like nothing was out of the ordinary.

Frederick froze.

Serena's interruption was like a cold shower,snapping him out of his desire.

Charlotte let out a sigh of relief.

Last night's wild escapade had already left her feeling awkward and sore.If Frederickwanted more, she wasn't sure she could handle it.

Seeing Frederick still staring at her, she snapped. "What are you looking at?Serena's calling you. Aren't you going?"

Charlotte pulled the covers over herself, hoping to catch a bit more sleep,but a sudden wave of nausea hit her.

She didn't even have time to get out of bed, curling up into a ball. Luckily,it was just dry heaving and nothing messy.

Frederick rubbed her back, helping her catch her breath. Once she seemed a bit better, he poured her a glass of water.

"Here,drink this."

He held the glass to her lips, and she drank it down without hesitation.

Feeling a bit lightheaded from the vomiting, Charlotte leaned weakly against the headboard,breathing softly.

Charlotte's first instinct was to think Anouk had spilled the beans about her pregnancy.

But she quickly dismissed'that idea.

Anouk was trustworthy. She wouldn't break her promise.

Feeling a bit guilty, Charlotte tried to stay calm and said,"Are you crazy?The one who'spregnant is Serena, not me."

"If you're not pregnant,then why are you throwing up?"

Frederick pressed on, still suspicious.

"I have a stomach issue."

Worried about being found out, Charlotte decided to play the jealousy card.

"So what if I was pregnant? Would you not divorce me then?"

Frederick was taken aback, staring at her belly with a complicated look. "If you were pregnant, I'd make sure you both had the best life." Charlotte scoffed, "The best life? You mean being kept? I won't let my child be labeled illegitimate. Save your fatherly love for Serena's kid." With that,Charlotte shoved Frederick out of the room.

She slammed the door shut and locked it, the whole process quick and smooth.

Finally,some peace and quiet without Frederick's pestering.

"Frederick, how can she treat you like that? It's just too much."

Serena never missed a chance to badmouth Charlotte in front of Frederick.

Downstairs, Anouk saw the whole thing.

Not wanting Serena to stir up trouble, she called out. "Frederick, come to my room. We need to talk."

Frederick followed Anouk to her room,waiting for her to speak first.

Anouk's face was calm, showing no emotion. "You and Charlotte got hitched for convenience, but from what I've seen these past few days,you two actually care about each other. Divorce isn't something to take lightly.Let me be straight with you, even if you split from Charlotte, I would never let Serena marry into our family."

"Grandma, you just don't get Serena, that's why you don't like her."

Frederick tried to explain.

Even though he had started to see Serena in a different light lately, he couldn't just abandon the woman who had risked her life for him.

"Given her past actions, it's no wonder I disapprove."

"That whole thing was mostly a misunderstanding. Grandma,Serena saved my life and she's pregnant. I can't just leave her. It might not be fair to Charlotte, but I'll make it up to her. I won't let her suffer."

Anouk was genuinely angry now.

She looked at Frederick, her brows furrowed. "Compensate? Do you think Charlotte is someone who can be bought off? She's a good girl. If you let her go,you'll regret it for the rest of your life."

Anouk wasn't trying to scare him; if Charlotte was truly done with him,he wouldn't be able to win her back.

"Frederick, remember, yesterday was the last time I helped you. If you stay stubborn, I won't interfere anymore. If you really go through with the divorce, I'll treat Charlotte as my granddaughter and find her a good husband. Actually, I think the doctor who came by yesterday is a good match. He and Charlotte already have a connection."

With every word Anouk said, Frederick's brows furrowed tighter.

He spoke in a low tone,"Grandma, I don't want you meddling in our business. I can handle this."

Anouk slammed the table. "If I don't step in, should I just watch Charlotte get bullied by you and Serena? You haven't even divorced yet, and you bring Serena home. Have you forgotten the promise you made to your grandfather? Our Percy family doesn't have such a fickle tradition."

Frederick pressed his lips together.

He wanted to defend himself, but in the end, he just said, "I can handle this myself.

"Fine, am I just annoying you now? My words don't matter anymore? If that's the case, don't us e my illness as an excuse. Find a time this week to get the divorce, and stop dragging Charlotte along."

Anouk turned her wheelchair, her back to Frederick, signaling for him to leave.

Frederick stood there silently for a long time, then walked out.

"Is there really no way to save their marriage? Yesterday,I swallowed my pride to give him a chance, but he still wants to hurt Charlotte."

Anouk felt a bit dejected, suddenly looking ten years older.

Ryan, who had been listening from behind the door, stepped out. He had heard their conversation and felt a bit regretful too.

He said, "Mrs. Anouk Percy, since you know about Mrs. Charlotte Percy's pregnancy, why not just tell Mr. Percy? If he knew that, there might still be a chance to turn things around."

"I want to tell him. But did you see his attitude just now? He won't let me interfere."