From Desk to Altar: The CEO's Irresistible Bargain

Liam threw a glance at Charlotte and asked offhandedly, "You take your meds?"

Charlotte was taken aback, "Nope."

She didn't even know where they were.

"It's in the top drawer of the bedside table," Liam directed, signaling her to retrieve it herself.

Returning to the bedroom, Charlotte was struck by the chaos, from the bed to the floor.

Memories of waking up there that morning made her cheeks burn with embarrassment.

She recalled her feverish childhood escapades like the time she and Annie fled from Robert only to be caught and nearly drowned in a tub, which led to a high fever. Since then, every fever seemed to erase her memory of events that transpired during its grip.

Maria once recounted how, in the throes of fever, Charlotte chased Robert with a butcher's knife, causing quite the commotion...

Charlotte shuddered, unwilling to dwell on the possibility of causing similar chaos with Liam last night.

That would explain the room's disarray.

Swallowing her medication in one gulp, Charlotte took it upon herself to tidy up the mess.

Her cleaning was swift and efficient.

As she finished, Henry walked in, a plate of freshly rinsed strawberries in hand, which he handed to her.

Strawberries? But Liam disliked strawberries.

Blinking in confusion, Charlotte held the plate, feeling oddly out of place.

Why was today filled with such strange occurrences?

Looking up, she locked eyes with Liam, sending a shiver down her spine.

She pushed the plate towards him in a silent offering.

"I don't eat those," Liam dismissed.

Then why did Henry bring them?

Charlotte puzzled over the riddle, longing to leave but still clutching the plate, as Liam had yet to dismiss her.

Caught between confusion and curiosity, Liam suddenly instructed, "Stand by the window and alert me when Chloe arrives."

"Sure," she replied, attempting to set down the plate, only to hear Liam's voice again: "Take it with you."

She therefore stood by the window, strawberry plate in hand, sinking into a whirlpool of curiosity about the previous night's events.

What had she done to cause such a weird atmosphere among everyone?

Lost in thought, she didn't notice the sweet taste of strawberry sneaking between her lips until she looked down to find she'd been snacking on Liam's strawberries.

Swallowing hastily, she forced herself to stop speculating wildly.

Before long, Chloe's car pulled into the hotel driveway, prompting Charlotte to quickly inform, "Mr. Parker, Miss Beaumont has arrived."

"Mhm," Liam finally shifted from his work to glance casually at her, noticing a smudge of red at the corner of her mouth, he subtly gestured towards his own.

What could he mean?

Perplexed for a moment, Charlotte wondered if Liam had become so bizarre as to actually be signaling for a kiss.

Despite her disbelief, she approached him slowly, cautiously planting a kiss at the corner of his mouth.

As she leaned in, she could feel Liam tense up momentarily.

What did that mean? Had she misunderstood?

Was he about to lash out with harsh words?

After the peck on the lips, Charlotte pressed her own together, rising quickly. She didn't want to stick around for any unpleasant remarks and promptly declared, "I'll go greet Miss Beaumont." Without waiting for Liam's consent, she hurried off with the plate in hand.

"Oh!" Charlotte exclaimed as she accidentally bumped into someone on her way out.

She quickly offered an apology, only to realize she had collided with Chloe and swiftly swallowed her words.

Just a heads up: is the only place to read the complete version of this book for free. Don't miss out on the next chapter-visit us now and continue your journey!

"What? You bump into me and can't even say sorry?" Chloe demanded.

Charlotte couldn't be bothered with her, "Spinning your little schemes to drag me down backfired, didn't they? Instead of seeking an apology from me here, Miss Beaumont, you might want to plead with Mr. Parker inside. Maybe he'll cut your Beaumont family some slack."

"You!" Chloe inhaled deeply, fighting to keep her anger in check.

She was here to implore Liam for leniency.

The Parker Group's partnership was a golden goose for anyone, but without it, her Beaumont family would fall behind.

Chloe's gaze fixed on the smear of red at Charlotte's lips, her fists clenched so tight they creaked.

But she had bigger fish to fry now.

Taking another deep breath, Chloe pushed open the door and stepped inside.

"Liam, about our partnership..."

Before she could even finish, Liam cut in, sounding fed up, "Don't think I don't know what you've been up to."

Chloe, taken aback, stuttered, "I don't know what you're talking about, Liam. What have I done?"

"You know exactly what you've done, Chloe. If you want to keep playing the princess, then start behaving," Liam's icy words sent shivers down her spine.

What had she done?

She was just trying to keep her fiancé away from other women by playing a few cards!

It was just a little jealousy and coquettishness, why did he have to act so disgusted?

At the door, she had seen Liam and Charlotte kissing, and he had seemed so tender then! Why?

Liam was her fiancé, not Charlotte's!

Years ago, it was her, not Charlotte, who was by Liam's side.

Just a heads up: is the only place to read the complete version of this book for free. Don't miss out on the next chapter-visit us now and continue your journey!

He adored her then, and even after the engagement was broken, he bore no grudges and was willing to honor their commitment.

If this wasn't love, what was it?

A man like him, if it wasn't for affection, why would he continue with her?Content © copyrighted by NôvelDrama.Org.

They could have had it all-a smooth wedding, children, and a life brimming with bliss.

But now, Charlotte has shattered it all.

Just the thought of the kiss earlier had Chloe seething with rage.

Charlotte, with her alluring looks and sly fox tricks, had ensnared Liam, leaving Chloe, his betrothed, out in the cold.

It was all Charlotte's doing.

With Charlotte out of the picture, she and Liam were still meant to be.

"You've got it all wrong, dear Liam," Chloe said, her voice a blend of remorse and persuasion. "Despite the recent turbulence, the Beaumont family's roots run deep in Leiventale, making us a formidable ally. I implore you to consider this." Chloe's gaze drifted to the shimmering lake outside, "Do you remember this lake? I was but eighteen when you stood by its edge and vowed to honor our engagement."

Tears glistened in her eyes as she recalled the past, "For the sake of this lake, for the promises made beside it, I schemed, I built a hotel, and even reserved a room just for you, so you'd always have the view of these waters. Liam, can't you see the lengths I've gone to?"

"I see all that you've done," Liam replied, his eyes still showing disdain, issuing an unapologetic warning, "If I catch you in any more schemes, you might as well make this lake your permanent home."

It was a treat!

Chloe, not daring to speak further, left with a heart burgeoning with even deeper loathing for Charlotte.

At dinner, Chloe, who had stormed off in a huff, returned, catching Charlotte as she stepped out to fetch the meal, confronting her by the lake.

Charlotte had no fondness for the lake; it conjured up haunting visions of Annie's desperate struggles.

She stepped back towards the safety of the path, maintaining a prudent distance, and inquired, "What do you want?"

Chloe, however, didn't address her question. Instead, she looked out over the water, her voice tinged with nostalgia, "Charlotte, do you know? It was here that Liam and I sealed our love. He promised to marry me, to make me the princess."