The Mocked Miss’s Hidden Crowns novel Chapter 857

An unknown figure, codenamed F?

Twenty years ago, he turned all of Solenia upside down.

Maybe the A1 Research Institute was destroyed overnight because its doctors saved someone they shouldn’t have, or maybe they stumbled onto some secret they were never supposed to know. Was that why everything was wiped out, all the records gone?

Hans messaged, “Back then, Solenia was a warzone. So many people died. I heard that after F lost, he disappeared and no one saw him again.”

He added, “No one knows if he’s even alive.”

Anthony glanced at Charlotte, sleeping quietly under the covers. His face was serious.

From what they’d pieced together so far, the only person who’d had direct contact with Lottie’s mom twenty years ago was F. Which meant there was a real chance that F was Lottie’s biological father.

The thought hit Anthony hard. He pressed his lips together, texting Hans, “Focus on F. Dig deep.”

If F really stirred up so much chaos in Solenia, he was bound to have left some kind of trail.

Hans replied, “Got it, Anthony.”

Anthony added, “Don’t tell Lottie any of this yet.”

She was worn out from researching Covid-X and could barely keep up with anything else. Besides, whether this so-called father was still alive or if he’d ever betrayed them—that was a mystery for another day.

Anthony shut off his phone, leaned down, and pressed a gentle kiss to Charlotte’s cheek.

“Poor thing,” he whispered, aching for her.

...

Imperial Heights.

Charlotte stepped out of the shower, towel-drying her hair, and spotted Anthony on the sofa, his eyes fixed on her with that intense look she could never quite get used to.

Her heart skipped a beat.

She pulled herself together, walked over, and handed him the towel. Then she settled into his lap, looping her arms around his neck. The scent of her soap and shampoo lingered between them, warm and inviting.

“Help me dry my hair,” she said, her voice soft, with a tiny flicker of guilt.

He blinked, a little dazed. “Get what?”

Her boldness left him speechless. That kiss scattered his thoughts.

“I’ll take care of myself at the institute, and if something dangerous comes up, I’ll tell you. Promise.”

She looked so sincere, so honest, he couldn’t even be mad.

Anthony shifted, laying her gently down on the bed, pinning her hands above her head. His eyes were dark, his cheeks flushed.

Was he going to keep going?

Instead, he whispered, “Get some sleep first.”

She’d spent hours in the lab already. He didn’t want to push her any further. He kissed her a while longer, holding her close. When he finally let her go, his breath was uneven. “I’ll be right back.”

He got up, grabbed his phone, and stepped out to call Hans. It was time to chase Solenia’s people out of their lives for good.