Claimed by the Powerful Billionaire (Charlotte and Matthew) novel Chapter 30

Chapter 30 Have You Ever Secretly Loved Someone?

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Time seemed to freeze right then. Charlotte felt like she could hear her own breathing.)

She admitted it-coming to Nathan first, laying out the truth and her family’s ugliness.

had been a gamble.

When Nathan didn’t speak for a long time, Charlotte opened her mouth again.

“I know doing this might make you feel like I’m using you, but I can promise you this-

those people are top-tier computer talent. It won’t be long before you see their value

with your own eyes.”

“As for me…”

Charlotte let out a sigh so soft it was almost inaudible. “That pixel-level game-its

maintenance and updates-I can do it for free for life.”

The corner of Nathan’s mouth lifted. “Wouldn’t that be a huge loss for you?”

Charlotte was dead seriou Chapter Unlocked, Enjoy Reading! three years of marriage,

this loss is nothing.”

Nathan asked, “There are plenty of well-known tech companies in Sunriver. Why pick

me?”

Charlotte said, “I asked myself that too. The answer is: I don’t know.”

“Maybe it’s instinct. My instinct tells me you’re worth trusting.”

Nathan fell silent for a moment.

“I’ll pay you every cent for the game’s updates and maintenance,” he said, “but I have

one condition.”

“Say it,” Charlotte replied.

Nathan added, “If you handle your family issues, I want you to consider joining my

company.”

Charlotte didn’t hesitate. “No problem.”

They went quiet for a few beats.

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<Chapter 30 Have You Ever Secretly Loved Someone?

Charlotte suddenly remembered something important.

“Oh, right. I can sign the game contract anytime.”

“No rush,” Nathan said. “When the contract’s ready, I’ll call you.”

As he spoke, he slid a stack of tea cakes over.

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“They say it’s their new flavor. I just tried a piece-tastes pretty good. Try it.”

Charlotte pinched one up and took a bite.

It wasn’t too sweet, not too rich, and it carried a clean green-tea scent. It really was

good.

On the third bite, nausea hit her.

After gagging a few times, she felt a little guilty.

She wasn’t planning to tell Nathan about the baby.

Nathan noticed something. “You…”

Charlotte blurted out, “I’m pregnant. It’s Matthew’s.”

Nathan’s expression stayed calm, his voice still refined and gentle.

“Congratulations.”

Charlotte forced herself to say it. “I don’t want anyone else to know about this.”

Nathan asked, “Including Mr. Russell?”

“Yes.”

“He is the child’s father.”

“He doesn’t deserve it.”

Nathan paused slightly. “You plan to keep it, or…?”

“I’m keeping it,” Charlotte responded. “But this child has nothing to do with anyone. It’s

my child, and mine alone.”

Nathan said, “As long as you’ve thought it through.”

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Then he moved the coffee cup away from in front of her. “Since you’re pregnant, don’t

drink coffee anymore. Do you want orange juice or warm water?”

“Orange juice.”

Nathan pressed the call button.

Soon, the server who had just left pushed the door open again, looking at Nathan with a

shy, bashful gaze.

Nathan said, “One freshly squeezed orange juice. Warm.”

Then he asked Charlotte, “Anything else you want to eat?”

Charlotte thought for a moment. “Cake.”

So pregnancy really could change a person’s taste.

Before she was pregnant, Charlotte had never really liked sweets like cake.

But since becoming pregnant, all the different cakes in storefront windows always made

her crave them.

The orange juice and cake were brought up together.

Charlotte quietly enjoyed the food.

And Nathan didn’t ask a single extra question. He just stayed with her in silence.

As she ate, she didn’t know why, but a sudden soreness rose in her chest.

She set down her fork, her smile bitter. “Do you think… someone like me is ridiculous?”

Nathan smiled, calm and cultured. “I was just about to thank you.”

Charlotte blinked, surprised. “Thank me for what?”

“For being so honest with me,” Nathan said. “Looks like from now on, we’re real friends.”

That one sentence dissolved every last shred of Charlotte’s embarrassment.

Back in the car, Nathan’s face grew darker and darker.

Steven had never seen him this serious. He asked carefully, “Sir, are you okay?”

Nathan gathered his thoughts.

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“Steven.”

“I’m here, Mr. Hall.”

“Have you ever liked someone?”

Steven froze for two seconds. “Huh?”

Nathan said, “Or… have you ever had a secret crush on someone?”

Steven thought seriously. “In high school, I did have a crush on the girl who sat in front

of me.”

That was why he’d mess with her now and then, trying to get her attention.

“But I was young back then. Who really knew whether it was real love or not?”

Nathan leaned back into the seat, slowly turning to look out the window, his mind

drifting again.

“If the person you once liked reappeared by your side years later,” he asked, “would you

chase them?”

Steven said, “Maybe I would, maybe I wouldn’t. After all these years, a lot of things

change.”

The person in the back seat didn’t make another sound.

Steven couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off.

“Sir, what’s going on with you today? You don’t feel like yourself.”

Nathan asked, “What am I usually like?”

Steven said, “You don’t show your emotions. You never hesitate-you handle things

smoothly. You’re rational about everything. But today…”

Nathan pulled his gaze back from the window and reclined, closing his eyes.

“What about today?”

“Today you seem… kind of emotional.”

“Maybe.”

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“Steven.”

“I’m here, Mr. Hall.”

“Have you ever liked someone?”

Steven froze for two seconds. “Huh?”