Shane chased after her, but there were three roads from the villa to the main entrance and they all led to different paths.
The neighborhood was surrounded by lush greenery, so the paths were almost hidden in foliage.
It was difficult to spot someone.
Shane took out his phone to check Charlotte's GPS location, but she had left her phone in the villa. Unless she came back on her own, it would be impossible to find her.
He wouldn't have let her run out like that. She hadn't had lunch and her ankle was still injured.
And her last sentence.
D*mn it.
How could she think that?
Heidi was Heidi. His feelings for her were independent of his feelings for Charlotte. He thought of Heidi as a sister. Even if she was still alive, he wouldn't allow himself to make a choice between both of them. Not to mention, she was already dead.
But he had never been able to express his feelings accurately.
Avery was astonished to receive Shane's call, even more so when Shane appeared in front of him.
"What a dejected Mr. Fuller. Are you doing some kind of performance art?" Avery wound down the car window. "Get in, Mr. Fuller. I know a few places where Charlotte may go. If we can't find her there, then our only option is to wait."
Shane slid into the car silently. He noticed his hair and clothes were disheveled in the rearview mirror. He didn't pay much attention to his appearance when he ran after Charlotte. No wonder Avery assumed he was playing a character. He really looked like a beggar on the street.
Fortunately, his face did not look like a fool.
"Mr. Fuller." Avery turned the car around and weaved into traffic. "I have mentioned that women are to be coaxed. Did you yell at her again?"
"She hit me but this is my fault?" Shane said, pursing his lips.
"Even if she slapped you, you can't be rude to her. Why were you trying to be rational with a woman?" He wasn't, but she was being illogical.
Avery could tell from Shane's silence that he had an explanation but chose to say nothing. He sighed and said, "Rick was able to snag Charlotte because he's forthcoming."
"How did you know?"
"Rick told me one has to be sincere with Charlotte, but he went against his own words later. He was under too much pressure from you."
"You two are pretty chummy."
"No harm in mentioning his past when we're about to be married," Avery joked, "Sometimes I think I prefer marrying Rick than Irena."
There was a change in Shane's eyes when he looked at Avery. He thought Avery was just putting up an act.
Avery pivoted toward Shane and caught a glimpse of his expression. He chuckled, "Don't get me wrong. I mean, it was great with Irena, but there were many things we couldn't talk about. With Rick, it's the complete opposite. Rick is - Will Charlotte be at Rick's?"
Avery's tone changed and he looked serious.
If Charlotte really went to Rick, it would make matters worse.
Shane's face darkened. If that's the case, there's no doubt he would tear them limb from limb.
Avery immediately phoned Rick, but there was no answer.
Was this for real?
Avery dialed Rick again.
This time Rick picked up with a trace of impatience in his tone, "I'm in a meeting."
"Is Charlotte at your place?"
Rick was stunned. He immediately raised his hand to stop the meeting before exiting the room. "Charlotte is missing?"
"Well, she ran away after a fight with Shane. You didn't know about this?" Avery switched to speakerphone so Shane could listen to the conversation.
"I didn't know. Why are you calling me instead of her?"
"Of course we would have tried to locate her via GPS if she had her phone," Avery said.
Rick rubbed his brows and realized he was too naive, or he took Avery and Shane as fools. Rick sighed and said, "I'll end the meeting right away. Should I meet up with you or look for her separately?"
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