The Mocked Miss’s Hidden Crowns novel Chapter 1004

"Once the plane is in the air, she'll be released," Newell said quietly. "That's it. I'm hanging up."

Wow.

That was the first time Newell had ever hung up on her.

"Your mentor..." Anthony was absentmindedly playing with Charlotte's fingers, still thinking about his earlier conversation with Newell. He couldn’t shake a feeling of discomfort. "I don't think he likes me very much."

His tone was a little sharp.

"Yeah?" Charlotte hooked her finger under Anthony’s chin, a teasing smile on her lips. "If he ever gives you a hard time again, I’ll give it right back to him."

"Oh? But he’s your mentor." Anthony chuckled.

"I don’t care." Charlotte gave a wide yawn and burrowed into his arms, her voice already sleepy. "He can’t take me."

Anthony just stared at her, momentarily at a loss for words.

***

Across the city.

When the call ended, Newell stood in front of a massive window, hands behind his back, his deep blue eyes fixed on the skyline.

A few minutes later, a white plane lifted off from the airport, cutting through the clouds.

He watched until the plane was out of sight, then finally turned away and looked at the person standing beside him. His face gave nothing away.

"Erase her memory. Let her go."

"Yes, sir." The subordinate answered quickly, but after a second of hesitation, he couldn’t stop himself from asking, "Newell, do we still need to meet with Marcia?"

"No." Newell tossed his phone onto the desk, looking irritated. He pulled a letter from the drawer. "Give this to her."

Inside was a contract to end their engagement. Marcia could ask for whatever she wanted, but marriage was never going to happen.

Newell knew he’d never get to marry the woman he really wanted, but he’d never settle for someone else.

***

On the plane, Charlotte was half-asleep in Anthony’s arms when her phone started ringing.

Charlotte headed straight there, almost running.

The last time she’d looked this lost, she’d just heard that her grandmother was in critical condition and needed surgery.

Anthony watched her go, worry creasing his brow. He quickly caught up and grabbed her hand.

"Don’t be scared. Don’t panic."

Charlotte glanced up at him, her breathing slowly settling as she tried to smile. Her mom would be okay. She wasn’t going to let anything happen to her.

***

She stepped into the bedroom and immediately spotted Nora lying in bed, pale and barely conscious.

Four or five doctors were clustered around, checking her vitals.

Her blood pressure was dangerously low, and her heartbeat was all over the place.

The doctors looked helpless.