The Mocked Miss’s Hidden Crowns novel Chapter 1176

“If that’s really how it is…” Marcia bit her lip. Cold anger flickered across her usually beautiful face, turning her expression sharp and almost cruel. “We need to get Grandpa to give in and hand over the inheritance, as soon as possible.”

Otherwise, who knew what crazy thing Allanson might do next.

“And another thing…” Marcia’s eyebrows pinched together as she seemed to remember something. A faint smile appeared on her lips, but her eyes stayed icy cold. “We’ve already tracked down the owner of the bracelet.”

As long as they got their hands on it before Charlotte, there’d be no antidote. Without it, Charlotte was as good as dead.

...

Inside the car, Charlotte leaned into Anthony’s arms, absently chewing on a straw while she watched security footage on her iPad.

“Was this you?” she asked, glancing at the video of a smoking military base and then turning to look at Anthony, her lips pressing together.

“Yeah.” He didn’t bother denying it. Resting his chin on her shoulder, he spoke softly, his breath warm against her skin. “They needed a lesson.”

For the Hawk family, losing their research institute was a huge blow. Allanson would probably lose his mind when he found out.

“Oh, right…” Charlotte started.

“You want to know about Allanson and Mrs. W, don’t you?” Anthony cut her off, reaching over to wipe the corner of her mouth with a napkin. His voice was gentle. “It’s just like you guessed. There was definitely something between them.”

Charlotte frowned but didn’t say anything.

Anthony went on, telling her everything he’d uncovered.

“They were close, you know, partners in their research, really respected each other. But Allanson broke their promise. He almost destroyed Mrs. W’s life’s work. She lost everything, missed her chance for treatment, and ended up dying from her illness. Allanson kept looking for the reason behind the genetic mutation, mostly just to lure Mrs. W out of hiding.”

She reached out, ready to take his pulse.

“I’m okay.” Anthony caught her hand and pressed a gentle kiss to her fingers. “We found Morton. Want to go now?”

“Yeah.” Charlotte studied him for a moment, then dug a small white pill from her bag and handed it over. “Take this for your cold.”

Anthony smiled, took the pill, and popped it in his mouth. The second Charlotte looked away, he spat it into his palm and tossed it out the window.

He was in the middle of an experimental treatment and couldn’t risk taking any other meds. It’d already been almost a week, and he still hadn’t shown any symptoms of the genetic mutation. That probably meant the first round of medicine hadn’t worked.

But that was okay. Dr. David still had two more doses ready. They still had time.