The Mocked Miss’s Hidden Crowns novel Chapter 1185

“You want to meet him now?”

Anthony took her coat and gently laid it over her shoulders. He brushed a stray lock of hair behind her ear, his voice low and quiet. “Is it something important?”

The island was still crawling with people from Solenia, X Organization, and N Organization. The Hawk family was a mess, with Allanson unconscious and Aloys injured, so a counterattack didn’t seem likely. Still, there were powerful groups everywhere, and danger seemed to hang in the air. With her identity as Asclepius out in the open, Charlotte could practically feel all the eyes tracking her every move.

She sent Newell a quick text, tossed her phone into her bag, and turned to Anthony with a crooked smile. “Want to come with me?”

Anthony hesitated, remembering the way Newell had looked at him last time, all cold and unimpressed. He frowned a little. “Hmm?”

“Newell doesn’t really seem to like me,” Anthony said, his lips curving up as he ruffled her hair. “Maybe it’s because I stole you away from him.”

Charlotte grinned. “If that’s the reason, he’s going to like you even less today.”

Anthony looked at her, puzzled. “What do you mean?”

***

At the coffee shop, Newell sat alone at a corner table. He wore a black jacket and had changed his appearance, even dyeing a few strands of his short hair white. He looked like he was in his fifties, stern but gentle, his disguise completely convincing.

He poured a glass of warm water and carefully set the utensils on the table, his voice casual. “How’s everything going?”

Cedric answered respectfully, “We’ve managed to shake off all of Damaris’s informants. But…”

Lowering his voice, Cedric leaned in. “Damaris might have noticed Charlotte. She probably thinks you turned down the marriage alliance because you have feelings for someone else, and now she’s trying to find out who it is.”

“Sit down,” Newell said, barely glancing at Anthony before turning back to Charlotte. He stirred his coffee and smiled. “You did well at the bio-genetics research institute, but you need to watch out for the Hawk family. They might still try to retaliate.”

Charlotte smirked, her confidence shining through. “If they’re not afraid of dying, they can go ahead and try.”

Newell let out a quiet chuckle. “So, what did you want to talk to me about?”

After the small talk, Charlotte got to the point. She nodded, glanced at Anthony, and looked back at Newell. “Are you free the next couple of days?”

Newell stopped stirring his coffee, his eyes sharp as he studied her face. “You look pretty serious. What’s going on?”

Anthony just sat there, still completely in the dark about what Charlotte had planned.