The Mocked Miss’s Hidden Crowns novel Chapter 726

The next morning came quietly. Maybe it was the extra sleeping pills, or maybe it was hearing Anthony’s voice before bed, but Charlotte woke up feeling more rested than she had in days.

She sat up and carefully folded the shirt she’d been hugging all night, smoothing it out before placing it on her pillow. For a moment, she imagined how Anthony would look wearing it, and she couldn’t help but smile.

“Your owner really is well-behaved. I should give him a reward when I get back,” she murmured, her tone teasing even though no one was there to hear.

It was the day of the second round of the International Medical Competition. Charlotte got ready, had breakfast, and snapped a quick selfie to send to Anthony before sliding into the car. The three of them—Charlotte, Jackson, and Adonis—headed out for the conference center.

Up in his hotel room, Anthony saw her photo come through. He stood by the window with a cup of coffee, watching Charlotte’s car pull away. A small, almost secret smile played on his lips.

After the car disappeared from view, Anthony put down his cup, changed into a fitted wool sweater and loose pants, then pulled on a black hat and mask. The look made him seem younger, almost like a college student. He grabbed his keys and slipped out to follow them.

On the drive to the conference center, Charlotte scrolled through the photos she’d taken at the research institute the day before. She paused on the one showing the mysterious “D” component. In all her years in medicine, she’d never come across it. It felt like someone had gone out of their way to hide every trace.

Was that why her mother’s team had been targeted? Did knowing about “D” put a target on their backs? If she could track down the drug made from it, maybe she could find whoever was using it.

Charlotte pressed her lips together and opened Stella’s social media page. Stella had sent her a picture of a homemade cake.

[Handmade cake]

[Charlotte, will you be back in time for your birthday? I’ve been learning how to bake!]

A birthday cake? Charlotte blinked, suddenly realizing her birthday was just a few days away… three, if she remembered right. That was the day the competition wrapped up.

[I probably can’t make it back in time,] she replied.

Stella shot back right away. [So will Anthony be in Solenia to celebrate with you?]

Anthony? Charlotte frowned a little, her fingers hovering over the keyboard. After a few seconds, she typed back,

“Move the money to a secure account. If he tries to take it back, just ignore him,” Charlotte said, already pulling up Newell’s number so she could block him.

Adonis snapped a salute. “Yes, ma’am!” He got to work immediately, making sure not a single cent could slip away.

Meanwhile, in Caspira, Newell got the confirmation.

“Nine’s side has received the transfer,” someone reported.

“Good,” Newell replied, almost to himself. Two hundred million. That should make Charlotte happy.

He remembered the smile on her face when she got money from Anthony—one he’d never seen before—and his gaze turned thoughtful. He picked up his phone and dialed her number. After giving her all that money, she had to at least treat him a little nicer, right? If he’d known money worked this well, he wouldn’t have waited so long.

When the call connected, a charming smile broke out on Newell’s face. “Charlotte…”