The Mocked Miss’s Hidden Crowns novel Chapter 1587

“An executive…” The paparazzi scanned the photo of the man, their eyes practically gleaming.

The Blair Group dominated Astoria’s finance scene. Anyone high up in that company would easily be making a nine-figure salary, maybe more. You’d have to with a car like that—tens of millions, at least. No way he was hurting for money.

“The Gates family isn’t exactly broke, and Charlotte’s heir to the Hawk family fortune. Why would she bother with an older guy?” one of them wondered.

Another paparazzo just shook his head and let out a smug little laugh. “See, you’re missing the point. Charlotte isn’t like everyone else. You can’t judge her by normal standards.”

“Exactly. The more extraordinary someone is, the less they care about fitting in. Who knows, maybe that’s her type.”

The group stared at the photo, glancing at each other, all sighs and helpless expressions.

No denying she was beautiful. But her taste in men—disastrous.

“Both of them come from powerful families. Let’s sit on this story for now,” the guy with the camera said, neatly sorting through the photos. “I’ll ask my boss. We’ll drop it when the timing’s right.”

Because if they didn’t, the Gates family would make their lives impossible.

…

That night, after Charlotte got picked up from campus, the car headed straight to the Gates estate.

Half asleep, Charlotte blinked awake in the backseat. She looked around and realized, with a little frown, they weren’t at Imperial Heights.

“Your grandpa’s been missing you. Let’s swing by to see him,” Anthony murmured, kissing her on the cheek. He stepped out, slipped off his jacket, and draped it over her shoulders.

He squeezed her hand, gently supported her waist, and helped her step out.

“Oh,” Charlotte mumbled, then nestled into Anthony’s arms, warm and lazy, still half dreaming—like a kitten looking for comfort.

Kenneth, completely unfazed by the attention, lifted his plate and waved it at Anthony. “Just two pieces is good.”

“Did you forget how to use your own hands?” Samantha shot him a look, her voice sharp. “Get it yourself!”

“It’s no trouble,” Anthony replied calmly, smiling a little. He put two ribs on Kenneth’s plate without a fuss.

Charlotte set down her spoon, looking back and forth between the two, obviously entertained.

“Thanks,” Kenneth replied, grinning, savoring the rare chance to boss Anthony around. He wasn’t about to let it slide by.

“And that fish to your right looks great too.”

“Sure thing,” Anthony said, still half smiling as he added a piece of fish to Kenneth’s plate.