The Mocked Miss’s Hidden Crowns novel Chapter 426

"Okay, enough messing around."

Anthony took Charlotte’s hand and pressed it to his chest. With his palm, he gently smoothed her hair as he whispered, "There’s never been anyone else. It’s always been you."

From the very start, whether it was just a crush or something deeper, there had only ever been her.

Charlotte looked up, her bright eyes searching Anthony's face, a little frown tugging at her brows.

Honestly, his face was just asking for trouble. Why did he have to be so ridiculously handsome?

"Andrew told me you decided to go to Grandma’s birthday party?" Anthony said, noticing the change in her mood. He leaned in, his chin coming to rest softly on her shoulder. "Did you change your mind because you’re worried some other woman might try to get close to me?"

"No," Charlotte replied, toying with his tie between her fingers. Her voice was soft, almost distracted. "Grandma’s always been really kind to me. It wouldn’t feel right not to go."

Anthony chuckled, tracing his finger along her cheek. "Lottie, you know you’ll have to meet my parents at some point. And you’re so beautiful, I’m sure they’ll fall for you the second they see you."

Charlotte raised an eyebrow, thinking for a moment. "Andrew said Grandma likes paintings. Do you know whose work she likes best?"

She knew a bit about art. Maybe she could find something rare and special as a gift for Grandma’s birthday.

"She’s been obsessed with Halation’s paintings these last few years."

Halation?

Charlotte froze, not sure how to react for a second. So Patricia actually liked her paintings.

Anthony noticed her silence and spoke gently, trying to reassure her. "Halation is this artist who’s gotten really popular over the past few years. Her style is bold, her colors really stand out, and collectors love her stuff."

"But Halation doesn’t produce much. There aren’t many pieces out there."

"You’ve really got it all planned out," Charlotte said, smiling softly.

"I’ll think about it," she said, sounding sincere. "Really, I will."

Anthony gently pinched her chin, looking at her with those impossibly deep eyes. "Take your time. There’s no rush."

His parents had only mentioned they’d be coming back sometime soon, with no actual date. Honestly, they had to be the most unreliable parents in the world.

Meanwhile, somewhere under the same sky...

"Achoo!"

Lavinia sneezed as she lounged on the sofa, cradling her phone and a half-eaten bag of chips.