"It's already late. It's not safe."
"But..."
"This is not a negotiation." Shane interrupted her.
Charlotte's heart grew even heavier. With newfound courage, she pushed him away and went downstairs.
Just as she reached the first floor.
Charlotte came face- to- face with Madam Fuller Senior.
"Lottie, it's late. Are you going back?" Madam Fuller Senior asked, seeing that she came downstairs and was walking towards the gate.
"Uhm... grandma, I have troubles sleeping on unfamiliar beds."
She had really come up with a bad excuse.
Madam Fuller Senior stood up with a smile and came over to Charlotte's side to hold her hand. "Did Shane bully you?"
The bitterness in Charlotte's heart, which had been shoved away, resurfaced at Madam Fuller Senior's question.
Charlotte gently shook her head without saying a word.
"I heard about it from Ms Laura. It was about the piano, wasn't it? Don't pay attention to him. He's been like this since he was a child. He even got upset towards me when I asked him why he stopped playing the piano." The old lady brought Charlotte to the sofa and sat the two of them down.
"Grandma, I'm sorry for worrying you."
"At such an age, there are not many things that I can worry about. On the day I have nothing else to worry about, I'll join my husband in the afterlife."
Madam Fuller Senior was very understanding.
This made Charlotte feel even guiltier.
"So, listen to grandma and stay here for tonight. You can go back after having breakfast with grandma tomorrow, alright??"
Just as Charlotte was about to reply, someone opened the door from the outside.
In the entryway, Raina, who was wearing a gown, put away her umbrella. Her gaze was fiery as it landed on Charlotte.
Madam Fuller Senior said calmly, "Raina, you're back."
"Yes, Mom. I'm back," Raina replied, suppressing her anger.
She walked towards Charlotte step by step.
Charlotte pursed her lips. Although she was unhappy, she still greeted Raina politely. "Hello, Aunt Raina."
Raina stood in front of her, ignoring her completely. "But Mother, why is this outsider here?"
Outsider.
Charlotte clutched the corner of her shirt tightly with both hands.
She was not sad, but rather embarrassed. She did not want to stay here even for a second longer.
"I asked Lottie to come over for dinner. Do I need your approval to do so?" Madam Fuller Senior asked in reply.
"Of course not. But if she wants to have dinner with you, she must get my permission."
Madam Fuller Senior snorted coldly. "This house doesn't belong to the River family."
Raina was shut down and looked at Charlotte with even more anger in her eyes. "Mom, a woman like her will only ruin Shane!"
"That's enough." A cold male voice stopped Raina.
Charlotte's mind was clouded.
It was not until she was held in his arms that she realized that her "shield" had arrived.
She struggled a little, but his grip on her shoulders tightened further.
"Mom, I've told you many times. This is the woman I've decided to be with. I will never change my mind."
Raina tightened her grip on the sofa. She took in a deep breath and smiled gently but coldly. "Son, take a good look at this woman. What's so good about her? Is she good enough for you to..."
"She doesn't need to be any better. She's good enough for me."
"You..."
Before Raina could finish speaking, Shane had already left with Charlotte.
Madam Fuller Senior narrowed her eyes and nodded in satisfaction.
Shane had never differentiated between male and female since young.
He looked at men and women the same way, but Charlotte was an exception. He looked at her the way a man would at a woman.
If she was able to see them at a wedding, even if she was to pass away, she would be satisfied. At least she would be able to explain to her husband that their grandson had been married.
That old man...
Madam Fuller Senior closed her eyes and waved her fan.
Charlotte was brought back to the room where they were previously in.
She found that the piano was gone, but she did not ask further.
This matter had endangered her relationship with him.
She wouldn't ask anymore.
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