Chapter 22 - THE CONFRONTATION AT THE MANOR
The heavy oak front doors opened to reveal Charlotte Kensington standing on the porch, looking immaculate in a tailored white trench coat and dark designer sunglasses. Behind her sat a sleek silver sports car with its engine idling softly.
She removed her sunglasses, revealing sharp blue eyes that flashed with cold, calculated arrogance as she looked at Lucas.
"So this is where you've been hiding with your little secret family, Lucas," Charlotte said, her voice dripping with venomous sarcasm. "You made me the laughingstock of Manhattan society."
"I'm sorry for how things ended with the public announcement, Charlotte," Lucas said calmly, standing firm on the threshold. "But I was never going to marry you. My father forced that arrangement."
Charlotte stepped into the foyer without an invitation, her high heels clicking loudly against the marble floor. "Your father is in a federal holding cell, Lucas! My family controls the Senate Banking Committee, and we can destroy Vance Global's valuation overnight!"
"Are you threatening me, Charlotte?" Lucas asked, his voice dropping into a stern, dangerous tone.
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Suddenly, Nataly walked into the foyer wearing a warm cream sweater and dark jeans, holding a tray of fresh lemonade for the children playing in the backyard.
Charlotte turned to look at Nataly, her eyes narrowing into slits of pure disdain. "So you're the hostess who ruined a ten-billion-dollar merger."
