The Mocked Miss’s Hidden Crowns novel Chapter 1640

“I…”

Andrew set down the milk teas and hurried to Shirley’s side, his eyes wide with worry. “I’m so sorry. Did it hurt? Are you alright?”

Shirley saw his panicked expression as he reached out. She took a small step back and gave him a gentle frown. “It’s fine. It’ll pass in a minute.”

Realizing he might have startled her, Andrew’s hand hovered awkwardly in the air before he pulled it back. “You…”

“I’m going to find Charlotte.”

Before he could finish, Shirley popped up from her seat and hurried over to Charlotte. She grabbed Charlotte’s arm right away and started complaining softly about how impossible her school experiments had become.

Andrew sat down again, looking a bit lost as he watched Shirley talk.

“The start date for Apex still isn’t set,” she said, holding her milk tea. She glanced down and suddenly noticed it was lemon passion fruit, her absolute favorite. Even though she felt a little dejected, she couldn’t help but be a bit moved.

She’d never realized Andrew knew her so well, not even her favorite flavor.

“In such a rush to go?” Charlotte glanced up, her lips curled into a teasing, beautiful smile.

“Not really.”

Shirley took a long sip of her milk tea, her gaze dropping to the cup. She didn’t dare look up at anyone.

It wasn’t really about being in a hurry. It was just…

Lately, Andrew had been extra attentive, again and again. If things kept going like this, she was a little scared she’d lose control and fall hard for him, all the way.

...

Before long, dinner was winding down when Charlotte’s phone buzzed. Patricia’s name flashed on the screen.

“Anthony said you’re at The Oak & Vine, having dinner with your friends?”

Patricia stuck out her bottom lip and stomped her foot like a child. “I wish I could see Lottie every single day.”

Anne couldn’t help but laugh, shaking her head. Patricia really was acting more and more like a kid.

Charlotte just smiled, staying quiet.

“Oh, right, Lottie.”

Something seemed to occur to Patricia. She glanced meaningfully at Anne, and a few moments later, the manager of The Oak & Vine appeared, ushered into the room.

“Anthony told me you love the food here,” Patricia said, squeezing Charlotte’s hand with grandmotherly warmth. “Come any time you want. Order anything you’d like. It’s all on me from now on.”

At that, the manager looked up in surprise, glancing over at Charlotte.

Charlotte gently led Patricia over to the sofa and helped her sit down.