Chapter 223
“Stop working for Khloe. Come work for me instead. Whether it’s money or career advancement, I can give you anything you want.”
The words landed lightly, but the meaning behind them was heavy.
Charlotte’s pupils tightened.
For a split second, something in her snapped.
While Ethan’s grip loosened—just slightly, just enough—she shoved him with all her strength and broke free. She staggered back, then turned and ran without looking behind her.
“I won’t betray Khloe!” Her voice shook, but it carried. “If you use this to threaten me again… I’ll report you. For harassment. For rape!”
The words left her trembling, but she didn’t take them back.
Ethan had those photos. She knew that. The thought alone made her stomach twist with humiliation.
She wasn’t na?ve enough anymore to believe this was anything other than pressure. Ethan had never been interested in her—he was interested in using her to get to Khloe.
All night, she had tried to convince herself there was another explanation.
Now she didn’t bother anymore.
Ethan straightened slowly, adjusting his cuffs as if nothing had happened at all.
“Go ahead,” he said calmly. “Report to me if you want.”
He glanced at her briefly, eyes cool.
“But do you have evidence? And even if you do—do you really think a scandal like that would hurt me more than it hurts you?”
Charlotte froze.
Ethan continued, voice unhurried but sharp underneath the surface.
“Charlotte, I’ll give you time to think. Think carefully about your mother’s hospital bills. Think about your younger brother’s tuition.”
He finally turned to look at her directly.
“Khloe is your boss, not your family. She can’t carry your life for you.”
A pause.
“In this world, loyalty doesn’t keep you alive. Being useless does more damage than betrayal ever will.”
Charlotte’s fingers curled tightly at her sides.
Every word hit where she was weakest.
He wasn’t wrong about her situation. That was the worst part.
But she still didn’t answer him.
She turned away and walked off, each step controlled, even as her chest felt like it was splitting open.
Back at the banquet hall, Khloe immediately noticed something was wrong.
Charlotte had been off the entire night—too quiet, too distracted, as if her thoughts were somewhere far away.
“Are you really okay?” Khloe asked gently as they stepped aside. “If you’re not feeling well, you should go home first.”
Charlotte forced a nod.
“I’m fine, Khloe.” Her voice was steady, but her hand was clenched tightly at her side. “I just… want to talk to you later.”
Khloe studied her for a moment, then nodded.
“All right. Don’t push yourself.”
The dinner itself went more smoothly than Khloe had expected.
The Keller family representatives were polite and restrained. Despite it being called a banquet, there was little drinking and no chaos—just structured discussion about the project and brief exchanges of courtesy.
Michelle, who had been assigned as the project lead, even actively eased the atmosphere, toasting Khloe and speaking with practiced grace.
Khloe had been cautious about her at first, given her emotional outburst in the past. But tonight, Michelle behaved appropriately from beginning to end.
Not once did she overstep.
By the time the banquet ended, even Khloe began to wonder if she had been overly guarded.
Perhaps Michelle had simply lost her composure once before. People changed. Time passed. Nick was already married—there was no reason to keep holding onto what was over.
Maybe she had misjudged her.
After dinner, Khloe arranged for the driver and stepped toward the exit with Charlotte.
Just then—
“Khloe.”
Michelle’s voice stopped her.
Khloe turned. “Yes?”
Michelle stood a few steps away, hands clasped lightly in front of her. Her gaze was lowered, her expression unusually restrained.
“Could I speak with you… alone?”
Khloe glanced at Charlotte.
“You go wait for the car. I’ll be there shortly.”
Charlotte hesitated for a second, then nodded and walked off, though her steps were slower than usual.
Only when she was out of earshot did Michelle lift her eyes.
“You really are something,” Michelle said softly. “Even your subordinates care so much about you.”
There was a faint, unreadable tone beneath the compliment.
Khloe didn’t engage it.
“Michelle,” she said evenly, “what did you want to talk about?”
Michelle exhaled slowly, as if choosing her words carefully.
“I wanted to apologize,” she said. “For everything I did before. I was too emotional. I caused trouble for you… and for Nick.”
Her voice softened.
“The past is the past. I hope we can work together peacefully from now on. Maybe even… become friends.”