Morning.
On this day, Charlotte woke up and went downstairs, unexpectedly seeing Robert Stephens still in the dining room having breakfast.
Sunlight fell on the marble table, illuminating the young man in a white shirt. His defined features made the shadows on his face appear more pronounced, and without having seen each other face-to-face for a few days, this man seed even more handso.
Charlotte paused slightly at the entrance of the dining room, hesitated for half a second, but eventually walked in, sitting across from Robert as usual.
The servants had long noticed the undercurrents between her and Robert these days, and they placed the prepared breakfast in front of her cautiously before filing out.
Breakfast was sandwiches and creamy soup. Charlotte had just cut a slice of sandwich and put it in her mouth when she heard the man across from her set down his dining knife. He stood up, turned, and walked out of the dining room.
Outside the door ca the butler’s soft greeting, followed by the calm sound of Robert’s footsteps gradually fading away.
The maids gathered at the door peeked in, saw her still unmoved, exchanged glances, and shook their heads with a sigh.
They probably felt that she was hopeless, still unwilling to apologize to Robert even now.
After a brief al, Charlotte changed her clothes and took a taxi to the flower shop.
The shop owner was a middle-aged Arican woman. At first, Charlotte was hired successfully as a florist employee, possibly due to her appearance. Surprisingly, more people ca to buy flowers that day than usual, and later the female owner discovered her skill at cashiering, letting her work a few days as a cashier.
Eventually, she returned to selling flowers—
Because the owner found her to be more useful as a florist than a cashier.
Recently, it wasn’t any holiday, and the number of flowers sold in a week wasn’t as much as before. In the evening, the owner went out for dinner, leaving her alone to look after the shop. Charlotte agreed.
There were not many custors buying flowers at this ti. Charlotte sat at the cashier’s desk for a while, feeling bored, so she put on gloves to handle a new batch of pink roses.
Roses are always popular, regardless of the ti. Charlotte held the scissors to trim the thorns off the roses. After a while, she heard the bell at the door ring.
A custor had arrived.
She quickly took off her gloves and looked up to see a young woman in a black fitted dress walking in.
Having spent years by Robert’s side, she could tell at a glance that this young, beautiful, and elegant woman was from a wealthy or noble family.
That dress she wore, even if the brand wasn’t visible, wouldn’t cost less than a hundred thousand.
The woman’s makeup was exquisite. She looked over and smiled brightly, "Could you wrap a bouquet for ? I want to give it to a friend later."
Charlotte asked, "Hello. Is it a female friend?"
She paused, then softly laughed and shook her head, "It’s a male friend."
Charlotte glanced at the slightly shy smile on her fair face, understanding imdiately. She recomnded the store’s best-selling red roses, speaking gently, "Damask red roses are the most popular in our store. If you give them to that friend of yours, he’ll surely understand your feelings."
"Ahem." The woman lightly coughed and said to Charlotte, "I don’t actually want to be so direct."
So, it was a secret crush.
Charlotte nodded, "Then I recomnd Dutch east green, eucalyptus red, ivy, and pink roses. These flowers look good together and have nice anings. The language of pink roses is first love, and eucalyptus red is a blessing, both are very aningful."
Indeed, the woman was quickly persuaded by her. She chose two freshly cut pink roses, and Charlotte deftly wrapped the bouquet, watching the woman leave sweetly with the flowers.
After settling the bill and putting the money in the drawer, new custors quickly arrived at the shop.
Charlotte didn’t give a second thought to the woman.
After a busy day, Charlotte received her paycheck on the spot, said goodbye to the owner, and went out to eat a quick al alone. On her way back, she counted the money she had saved over the days.
The owner paid her a hundred US Dollars a day, which is an average inco. If she keeps saving for a while, she’ll be able to move out of the Stephens family.
With Robert’s temperant, he would lose his temper sooner or later and kick her back to the Smith family.
And when Ilisa Lyons saw her being chased out by Robert, she might arrange a marriage for her.
To earn the Smith family another sum.
Actually, with the years she’s spent by Robert’s side, she doesn’t have to do such hard work. Yet she’s still young and lacks a degree, and since Robert wouldn’t let her study, she’ll have to go to college once she leaves him.
Even living an ordinary life would be better than how she lived in those past years.
She’s afraid she’ll never love anyone again, nor does she want to beco a tool for Ilisa Lyon’s arranged marriages. A simple life is enough.
Thinking this over, she soon returned to the Stephens household.
Robert hadn’t co back yet.
He probably wouldn’t return tonight either.
Lately, he’s been coming ho late or not at all. It’s unclear where he’s been staying.
"Miss Smith, would you like sothing to eat?"
The servant approached, taking her coat from her hands. Charlotte shook her head and said, "No, I’m going to sleep."
Growing up pampered by Robert, she was fragile and delicate, never having poured even a cup of water. Now, having to work outside, even selling flowers leaves her exhausted upon returning ho.
It’s uncertain when she’ll get used to such a life.
She was about to go upstairs when she heard the butler’s voice behind her: "Young Master, you’ve returned?"
Charlotte paused lightly, unsure of her thoughts, couldn’t help but glance back.
Robert had indeed returned.
But instead of a neat suit, he wore a long black trench coat.
His slim, tall figure was naturally a perfect clothes hanger; any outfit on him was strikingly attractive.
Yet, more striking was the bouquet of fresh flowers he held in his arms.
Charlotte still rembered how she had sold the flowers to that young, beautiful woman, even the black satin ribbon on the bouquet was tied by her. So when she recognized it as the flowers the woman bought, her eyes involuntarily contracted for a mont.
The man walked in, not noticing her. She heard the butler softly ask Robert, "Young Master, what about this bouquet?"
"Throw..." He paused, seed to have seen her, gave a cold glance, then said blandly, "Put it in a vase."
"..." Charlotte pressed her lips together, pretending not to hear, and walked silently upstairs.
The man, hearing her departing footsteps, had a sudden frown on his expressionless face. The butler, who had cared for him since he was young, noticed his low spirits. Those around them said nothing more, taking the flowers and quietly leaving.
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