Claimed by the Powerful Billionaire (Charlotte and Matthew) novel Chapter 52

Chapter 52 This Has to Be Settled

Charlotte didn’t understand what he meant.

But she couldn’t be bothered to ask.

She treated it like something a kid blurted out.

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She turned and went inside. Just as she was about to close the door, Lillian’s shrill voice

cut through the air.

It was nothing like the warm, gentle act she’d put on earlier.

Right now, Lillian’s tone was full of contempt.

“So, would you look at that-hell must’ve frozen over. For the past three years, your mother-in-law hasn’t stepped foot in this house even once. And today she suddenly

remembers to show up.”

“You think she really just happened to be in the neighborhood to check on you? She

came on purpose.”

“Now that the Smith family is finished, she’s trying to grab onto our Russell family like a

lifeline. She even dragged her own son over to use you as a connection. It’s obvious-

she’s here to butter you up and build ties so she can pave the way for her precious son.”

“When the Smith family was on top, I didn’t see your mother-in-law bowing and

scraping like this.”

“Me? I despise that kind of person from the bottom of my heart. Does she think just

because her daughter married into the Russell family, she can use her daughter’s status

to get whatever she wants?”

“Her daughter doesn’t have a single ounce of say in this house. And she still thinks she

can benefit from it?”

From beginning to end, Matthew didn’t say a single word to refute her.

Outside the door, Charlotte’s hand clamped tight around the doorknob.

She was terrified that if she lost control for even a second, she’d storm in and slap Lillian

across the face-again and again.

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Soon, Lillian’s topic shifted.

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“This time, several key technical people left the company in a row. I think someone has to be behind it.”

“Matt, you need to investigate properly. Find out if there’s an insider in the company helping that Nathan steal your people.”

Only then did Matthew speak.

“I understand, Grandma.”

Charlotte stood outside for a while, letting the cold air hit her face before she finally

went in.

Only that could force her emotions back down before they exploded.

Matthew’s concern didn’t sound fake.

“Why were you gone so long? And didn’t I tell you to wear more?”

Charlotte did not give a damn about that kind of meaningless concern.

“I talked with Mom for a bit.”

Matthew followed her into the bedroom.

“Just now, Mom seemed like she didn’t finish what she wanted to say. What was it?”

Charlotte clenched her back teeth. “She wanted to say… thank you, for the Russell family

still being willing to take me in.”

Sensing her emotions slipping, Matthew felt a little guilty.

“Grandma’s words… you heard them?”

Charlotte said, “I’m not deaf.”

Matthew whispered, “Just pretend you didn’t hear it. There’s no need to take it to heart.

Besides, Grandma said those things. Why are you mad at me?”

Charlotte took a deep breath.

“Matt…”

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Matthew waited.

But Charlotte never continued.

Forget it.

Talking more was pointless.

Matthew walked up to her and reached out to touch her cheek.

“What’s wrong?”

Charlotte forced herself to endure the disgust.

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“Nothing. I just wanted to tell you-I contacted Gordon. He said he’ll help you get in

touch.”

Matthew pulled her into his arms.

“Charlie, once we’re done with this busy stretch, let’s go on our honeymoon.”

Charlotte froze.

“Why are you thinking about a honeymoon all of a sudden?”

Matthew responded, “Consider it a reward for you?”

Charlotte let her arms hang at her sides. She hated his embrace, but she couldn’t push

him away.

“No need. You’re so busy. If you have time, you should rest at home.”

All of a sudden, she hated living like this-so passive.

Two months.

In this moment, it felt unbearably long.

Matthew finally let go of Charlotte.

Then, with indulgent affection, he lightly flicked the tip of her pert nose.

“My wife is getting more and more considerate.”

That word-wife-made Charlotte break out in goosebumps.

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Just as Matthew’s reward-like kiss was about to come down, Charlotte blurted out,

“Matt, I want to go see Joseph.”

Sure enough, it worked.

Matthew looked pleased.

“Rare for you to want to see him on your own.”

It was true.

Ever since Isabella moved in with that child, Charlotte had never once stepped into that

bedroom on her own.

Today was the first time.

All because she wanted to dodge that disgusting kiss.

And she didn’t want to stay in the same space with Matthew for too long.

That would stir up too much hate inside her.

And hate-hate could make a person lose their mind.

When Isabella saw Charlotte come in, she clearly froze.

“Charlie?”

Charlotte tugged her lips into a smile. “I came to see Joseph.”

The child lay in the cradle, kicking and flailing, fussing nonstop.

Charlotte walked over, bent down, and gently brushed her fingertip across the baby’s

cheek.

Chubby and soft.

He really was cute.

Charlotte unconsciously touched her own lower belly.

What would her baby look like?

More like her, or like…

Joseph’s tiny hand suddenly grabbed her finger.

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That soft, sweet touch stirred something tender in Charlotte.

What fault did a child have?

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He was just an innocent victim.

Matthew walked up behind Charlotte. “Look at that. He seems to really like you.”

Charlotte pulled her finger back and said nothing.

The sight of the two of them standing side by side in front of the cradle made Isabella

furious.

If someone didn’t know better, they’d think it was their child.

“Charlie, I heard from Matt that tomorrow you two are going to a charity auction gala. When the time comes, you have to dress beautifully. That way Matt will look good too.”

Charlotte dragged her gaze away from the baby.

She still couldn’t bring herself to be ruthless enough to take the child’s blood.

But if she didn’t take it, there was no way to do a paternity test…

Seeing Charlotte stay silent, Matthew spoke to remind her.

“Bella is talking to you.”

Charlotte forced a thin smile. “A wife is a husband’s image. Of course I have to dress

beautifully, so I won’t embarrass my husband.”

Charlotte deliberately looped her arm through Matthew’s.

“Right, honey?”

That “honey” instantly put Matthew in a great mood. He blurted out, “Even if you don’t

dress up on purpose, you still won’t embarrass me. There’s a saying-natural beauty

can’t be hidden. That has to be you.”

Charlotte almost threw up.