Claimed by the Powerful Billionaire (Charlotte and Matthew) novel Chapter 16

Chapter 16 Pregnant and Powerful?

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Matthew knocked on Charlotte’s door for a long while, but it never opened.

He assumed she was still hurt and upset, so he decided to let her cool off first.

Isabella stood behind him. A flash of resentment slid through her eyes.

That woman… she really wasn’t easy to deal with.

Every single time, she managed to come out on top.

But what Isabella feared more was Matthew.

Just now, when Charlotte had cried and run off, Isabella had seen it clearly-Matthew’s

brow was drawn tight.

And in his eyes… there had been reluctance, and sorrow.

That expression used to belong to her alone. He was never supposed to look at that

woman like that.

Could it be…

A sudden unease crawled up Isabella’s spine.

“Matt, come rest in my room for a bit. I think Charlie will come around soon.”

“Come around to what?” Matthew snapped, suddenly irritable. “Come around to

divorcing me?”

Isabella had never seen him speak to her with this kind of impatience. Her eyes instantly

reddened.

“I… I didn’t mean that…”

Matthew saw the tears in her eyes, and his mood grew even more volatile.

He didn’t know why, but seeing Isabella cry now didn’t make him sorry the way it used

Yet when that woman cried, it made his chest feel unbearably tight.

What was wrong with him?

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But he still couldn’t bring himself to be harsh with Isabella. He forced his temper down.

“Sorry. My tone was too heavy just now.”

Isabella’s lashes were wet. “Matt, don’t say sorry to me. It makes me feel like you’re so far away from me.”

Matthew glanced one last time at the tightly shut door.

“Let’s go. I’ll walk you back to your room.”

Inside, Charlotte pressed her ear to the door. Only when she could no longer hear movement outside did she run to call Ruby.

After Charlotte described everything, Ruby laughed so hard on the other end she sounded like she was crying.

“Charlie, you should stop messing with computers and go be an actress. I’m telling you -your acting could crush those celebrities. The Oscar would be yours!”

Charlotte lay on her bed, swinging her fair legs lazily. “Before, I liked Matthew, so for him, I could give in.”

“But now-who is Matthew to me?”

“So why should I keep giving in?”

Ruby echoed, “Exactly! That’s my girl. I love that you can pick it up and put it down!”

Ruby fell silent for a few seconds.

“I seriously don’t know how you survived three years in the Russell family.”

A wave of loneliness rose in Charlotte’s chest.

Even she didn’t know how she’d made it.

She only knew she wanted to stay with the man she loved, and wait for the day he would truly love her.

But what she got was nothing-an empty, happy dream.

That dream should’ve ended a long time ago.

At noon, Charlotte didn’t go out to eat.

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Mila quietly delivered food to her room, along with news.

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“Young Madam, Miss really got punished and made to kneel. That’s a rare thing. She’s

been spoiled since she was little-everyone in the Russell family treats her like a

treasure, wouldn’t even bear to hurt her. And this time they actually had the heart to

punish her.”

“Young Madam, you’re really something.”

Charlotte only cared about the important part.

“How long did she kneel?”

Mila thought for a moment. “About ten minutes. She ran off on her own. Old Madam

watched her run and didn’t say a word.”

Charlotte’s face stayed calm.

She’d guessed it-just a show put on for her.

“But, Young Madam…” Mila looked worried. “After today’s mess, I’m afraid your days in

the Russell family will be even harder. I’m worried they’ll…”

Ugh.

After only one sip of soup, Charlotte felt waves of nausea.

“Mila, did you put black pepper in the soup?”

Mila said, “Just a little.”

“No wonder…”

“Oh!” Mila realized something. “Young Madam, can you not stand the smell of pepper?

Then next time I won’t add it to anything.”

Charlotte held her chest. “Sorry, Mila.”

Mila bent down. “Young Madam, I don’t understand. Why not tell the young master? If

the young master knew, he’d definitely be happy. And then… you’d have a much easier

time in this house.”

“Pregnant and powerful?” Charlotte wiped her mouth. “Matthew does not deserve the

fortune.”

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Mila looked like she wanted to say something, but in the end she didn’t.

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“I’ve watched with my own eyes how you’ve lived through these three years in the Russell family. So no matter what decision you make, I’ll support you.”

“I only hope you won’t act on impulse-and you absolutely can’t joke around with your

own health.”

Warmth spread through Charlotte. She reached out and held Mila’s hand. “Mila, thank

you.”

Thank you for not making things hard for her these past three years like everyone else

did. Thank you for not treating her differently.

Instead, she’d treated Charlotte like the true lady of the house.

After lunch, Charlotte took a nap.

She slept deeply. When she woke, it was almost three.

She planned to deliver the items to the jewelry store first, then go to her class reunion.

After carefully getting ready, Charlotte picked out a vintage-style long dress.

The rhinestones at the neckline made her skin look even softer and whiter. That lightly

mature vibe, paired with her delicate face, made her look stunning-expensive in a way

that couldn’t be copied.

Charlotte opened her door.

Matthew’s hand was raised in midair.

Charlotte glanced at him and said nothing.

Matthew looked her up and down, a flicker of amazement spilling into his eyes.

He’d always known Charlotte was beautiful.

But he’d ignored how her beauty wasn’t ordinary at all-how it carried a detached, noble

elegance.

“You… going out?”

Charlotte answered flatly, “Yeah.”

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“Where?”

“A college classmates’ gathering.”

Matthew paused. “Don’t you hate going to those?”

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Charlotte looked at him steadily. “It’s not that I hate it. I just didn’t think it was

necessary.”