Chapter 215
“What a coincidence.”
Khloe instinctively stepped half a pace forward, subtly placing herself between Charlotte and Ethan.
Her gaze lifted.
“Ethan, why are you coming in so late today?”
In the company, Ethan was notoriously punctual—almost aggressively so. He was the kind of person who arrived before sunrise, reviewed half the day’s work before others even entered the building, and still managed to outlast everyone at night.
Even Khloe, who considered herself disciplined, sometimes felt outmatched.
Ethan loosened his collar slightly, his tie missing, jacket absent.
“Had to play hero,” he said lazily. “Saved a damsel in distress.”
His tone was light, almost teasing.
But his eyes flicked—briefly, deliberately—toward Charlotte.
She stood behind Khloe, head lowered, avoiding all eye contact.
Ethan’s gaze lingered for only a second before moving away.
Khloe frowned slightly.
“Hero? What are you talking about?”
She looked him up and down, puzzled.
His shirt was open at the collar, slightly wrinkled, as if he really had just come from somewhere chaotic. He looked nothing like his usual precise, controlled self.
Instead… like someone who hadn’t slept all night.
“A night adventure?” Khloe added, still confused. “You?”
Ethan let out a faint chuckle.
“If I wanted an adventure,” he said, voice light but pointed, “I might have to learn a few things from you, Khloe.”
His gaze shifted again.
Straight to Charlotte.
Khloe paused.
“What do you mean… from me?”
Before Ethan could answer, Charlotte suddenly grabbed Khloe’s sleeve.
“Khloe… are you going to lunch now?”
Her voice was tight.
Too tight.
Khloe turned to her immediately.
Only then did she notice it.
Charlotte’s face was pale.
Almost bloodless.
“Charlotte,” Khloe said gently, “you don’t look well. Are you okay?”
Ethan gave a low, amused snort as if he had already seen through everything.
He didn’t bother waiting for Charlotte’s response.
“I’ve got something to handle,” he said casually. “I’ll leave first.”
Without waiting for acknowledgment, he turned.
But after a few steps, he paused.
Looked back.
His eyes landed on Charlotte again.
This time, she quickly lowered her gaze.
Ethan’s lips curved faintly.
Not warm.
Not kind.
Something closer to knowing.
“The Keller project contract is signed,” he said. “Quarterly key project.”
He looked at Khloe now.
“There’s a dinner with their executives tonight. You need to attend.”
It wasn’t a request.
It was an instruction.
Before Khloe could respond, he added lightly,
“And don’t be late.”
Then he walked away.
Khloe stood still for a moment, watching him disappear into the corridor.
Only then did she exhale quietly.
The Keller project.
A high-level partnership.
Important enough that even she couldn’t refuse.
She had already planned to avoid anything involving the Keller family because of Michelle—but reality didn’t give her that luxury.
During the morning meeting, the client had specifically requested her team.
Professionally, there was no refusal.
And Morrison Group would never turn down a deal of this scale.
Khloe rubbed her temples lightly.
Personally, she wanted distance.
But professionally… she had no choice.
“Khloe…”
Charlotte’s voice was small.
“Are you really going to take the Keller project?”
Khloe looked at her.
Charlotte’s worry was obvious, written clearly across her face.
Khloe softened.
“I can’t refuse,” she said calmly. “It’s a key project, and they specifically requested us. The company won’t turn it down, and I don’t have a professional reason to reject it.”
Charlotte frowned.
“But Michelle—”
“I know.”
Khloe’s tone stayed steady.
“I’ll avoid her as much as possible. I won’t give her any chance to cause trouble.”
Charlotte still didn’t look reassured.
“That’s exactly why I’m worried,” she said quietly. “Michelle won’t make things easy.”
Khloe gave a small, helpless smile.
“We can’t avoid her forever. I can’t just keep stepping aside every time she appears.”
Charlotte hesitated, then spoke more firmly.
“Then tonight’s dinner—I’ll go with you.”
Khloe blinked, then nodded.
“Alright.”
That afternoon, Fox Family Estate.
Stella had just woken from her nap when she heard noise downstairs.
A servant was hurrying toward the kitchen with a nourishing drink she had ordered prepared.
Before she could even settle in properly, sharp footsteps echoed from below.
Then came the sound of children running.
Angela and Pete.
Too loud.
Too chaotic.
Stella frowned immediately.
“So noisy…”