“Jo, Georgina, what are you talking about!”
Charlotte, pale and looking anxiously around, made Georgina even more furious. It was obvious she was terrified that Gordon might hear. Even though such a thing could never happen.
“I’m fine, Georgina. Nothing happened, so don’t worry.”
Charlotte whispered in a more exhausted voice than usual. Her voice was so quiet it sounded like a mosquito flapping its wings. Georgina opened her mouth to say more but quickly closed it. What could a re teenager do? Adults had their own reasons.
“Sorry, maybe I misjudged.”
When Georgina apologized, Charlotte nodded slightly and bowed her head. An awkward silence fell just as Yujin returned with the child.
“Welco back, Chef!”
Quick-witted, Georgina was the first to speak, continuing with praise as if she had been waiting for this mont.
“Oh my, the food was absolutely wonderful. Each course left in awe. And the plating — experiencing such a fantastic course al will be a lifelong honor...”
Yujin smiled wryly toward his daughter as he listened to Georgina’s flattering words. In truth, Angela hadn’t done anything herself. She had simply asked to serve the dishes exactly as shown on the cooking show...
Of course, no one here was unaware of that fact. Still, it was sowhat surprising and heartwarming to see everyone trying to cater to his daughter’s mood.
“Chef, what’s the next course?”
At Georgina’s question, Angela wore a proudly arrogant expression and answered.
“Since we’ve finished eating, it’s naturally ti for tea outside. I’ve prepared a spot in the garden, so everyone, please follow .”
Yujin followed confidently behind his daughter, then Georgina, and finally Charlotte. They headed toward a gazebo set up in the garden. Seeing the tablecloth embroidered lavishly and the assortnt of snacks and tea prepared on it, Georgina exclaid, “Wow.” As she was about to sit, Angela suddenly grabbed her hand.
“Georgina, I have sothing to show you.”
“Really? What could that be?”
Though delighted, Georgina glanced cautiously, as if asking if it was okay to step away briefly. Yujin smiled and nodded, and Charlotte did the sa. Soon, Georgina disappeared with the child, leaving Yujin and Charlotte alone.
A sudden silence settled between them. Yujin felt a cold sweat trickle down his back from the unexpected awkwardness. Casting a quick glance at Charlotte, he forced a smile and asked,
“Shall I pour so tea? There’s coffee too. Which do you prefer?”
Despite his rare attempt at warmth, Charlotte’s response was lukewarm. No answer ca, and heavy silence dragged on. After a while, she murmured still looking down in a faint voice.
“I... prefer tea...”
“Oh, of course.”
Yujin answered as if he had been waiting for this, removing the tea cozy from the pot. The steaming hot black tea poured long and steady into the cup; both Yujin and Charlotte quietly watched. The rich aroma seed to briefly soften the tension between them.
“The scent is really nice. The butler must have prepared good tea.”
He spoke with a smile, but Charlotte remained unresponsive. Feeling suffocated as if he might suffocate, Yujin looked away and brought the cup to his lips. He no longer wanted to make any effort. Dealing with Winston every day was agonizing enough; now he had to expend energy on a guest too.
One difficult person is enough.
A face ca naturally to his mind, and he furrowed his brows unconsciously. Charlotte misunderstood the expression.
“I’m sorry... I must be frustrating you a lot...”
Whispering quietly, Yujin was startled and shook his head.
“No, no, that’s not it. I was just lost in thought for a mont. Really.”
He spoke hastily, but she looked unconvinced. Suddenly, Yujin noticed Charlotte’s beautiful profile looked very worn down. Maybe it was because she was Gordon’s wife; perhaps it was understandable. Was he being too harsh? Still, he couldn’t help but feel sympathy. He had been like that before too — his self-esteem crushed to the lowest depths by the Campbells.
Suddenly, he wasn’t sure if being chased away had been fortunate or unfortunate. He had narrowly escaped death several tis and recently had been terrified of ending up holess, yet he had never felt so utterly humiliated. Although so people looked down on him, it was a different dinsion from the Campbell family. Compared to the Campbells, they were trivial.
Probably this woman was the sa.
He seed to see right before him the treatnt Charlotte endured from Gordon and the family. Seeing her constantly pulling down her sleeve to hide bruises on her wrist evoked a sense of kinship. Of course, Charlotte /N_o_v_e_l_i_g_h_t/ might be displeased if she knew he felt this way.
“In the past...”
Despite himself, his lips moved on their own. Perhaps this would hurt her pride, but he carefully tried to soften his words.
“When I was at Delight, there was quite a loud incident once. Soone from the Campbell family reportedly hit their partner at a party. The victim’s condition was serious, and it wasn’t the first ti. Harold was furious.”
Charlotte stared at him pale-faced. Yujin cautiously continued.
“The Campbell family’s money and power covered it up every ti, but the last ti, they had a hard ti. The victim’s injuries were severe, and they refused to compromise, so so dirty tricks were used.”
Yujin cautiously glanced at Charlotte, who was looking at him pale as a sheet.
“...Why are you telling this?”
She asked in a faint voice, almost squeezed out. Maybe she was confused. Yujin hesitated, then answered reluctantly.
“I thought it might help...”
“What do you know?”
Suddenly, Charlotte’s voice sharpened. It was completely different from the quiet tone she had used so far, surprising Yujin as he looked at her.
“Gordon has never done such a thing. We love each other and are doing well. What right do you have to say such things to ? These are baseless rumors!”
Ah, Yujin sighed inwardly. He regretted causing trouble. He should have just ignored it.
“I’m sorry.”
He apologized easily, lowering his gaze.
“I must have been mistaken. I’m sorry if I upset you.”
After repeated apologies, Charlotte closed her mouth. A heavier and more uncomfortable silence followed. Yujin looked away from her as she silently sipped tea and stared only at the direction Georgina and Angela had gone.
“We are different from you.”
Suddenly, Charlotte blurted out. When Yujin turned to look, she was glaring coldly at him.
“No matter what you thought, you were wrong. Don’t judge or speak arrogantly.”
The warning tone was unmistakable. Yujin only stared at her face in response. Charlotte was saying, “Don’t you dare treat at your level.”
As expected.
Yujin barely suppressed a snicker and nodded shortly.
“I’ll be careful from now on.”
That was the most sincere courtesy he could offer. If it were Winston, he would have mocked her rcilessly, but he couldn’t do that with Charlotte.
Had he grown used to that kind of contempt?
Getting used to scornful looks is a sad thing. Yujin hoped his child would never grow up like that. Watching Angela return with Georgina, he silently reaffird.
Angela can never be raised in this family.
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