From Desk to Altar: The CEO's Irresistible Bargain

Liam could always read between the lines, and with Charlotte's few words, he could sense the end of their story.

"You're back just to drown me in guilt forever?"

"Do you hate me that much?"

Even as Liam asked, his tone was so certain, it was like he was speaking from his soul.

He looked at Charlotte, desperate for an answer.

But Charlotte's eyes, once filled with warmth, were now icy.

"If you had died in that crash, I would've taken down Chloe without a second thought and followed you to the grave," she said.

It sounded extreme, but isn't that just human?

"Instead of living with the one to blame and pretending to be innocent in front of me!"

"I didn't... It was because of the kid..."

"Because your grandpa wanted the kid alive, right? Because the kid needed Chloe to survive, didn't he?"

Charlotte finished his sentence, "Liam, you care for everyone but me."

Liam turned white as a sheet.

"My life isn't worth more than a last wish from your grandpa."

Charlotte pitied him as she approached the dazed Liam, who sat down on a bench.

His deep eyes were now filled with confusion.

She touched his face from above.

Liam, docile, nuzzled into her hand like a puppy.

"You didn't want it, you gave it up, Liam. You deserve to lose everything."

"No..."

"You're kind to everyone but me," Charlotte said as she caressed his cheek, "I hate you, Liam Parker."

That sentence drained all the color from Liam's face.

He came back to his senses, gripping Charlotte's wrist tightly, as if she might disappear.

"You can't hate me, Charlotte, there's something between us..."

"There's nothing left between us." Charlotte yanked her hand away, with a suffocating scorn, "Remember who you are, Mr. Parker. I'm Mrs. Blackwood." She turned and left, as if the emotional storm had no effect on her.

"Everything good?"

Back with the group, Vincent asked Charlotte quietly about her conversation with Liam.

"Just gave him a piece of my mind. Can't stand his victim act, he needs to feel real pain."

"And..." Charlotte nonchalantly added, "I told him Ethan is his son."ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

"You..." Vincent was briefly agitated.

But Charlotte's next words calmed him, "Ethan won't acknowledge any ties. He won't call him 'dad,' as I've said."

"Blood might pull them together, but Ethan won't like him."

Despite the blood connection, Ethan's bond with Liam was broken by Liam's actions.

Ethan, unlike her, won't stand for mistreatment.

If Ethan feels wronged, he won't give that person another moment's attention.

Their conversation marked a turning point in the families' confrontation.

Dylan really told Benjamin off in front of everyone. The little guy must've never been so humiliated; he was crying so hard.

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Chloe was super upset, "Stop it! He's not your kid, what right do you have to decide for him? Where's Liam? Can't he see his son is being bullied?"

Speaking of the devil, Liam appeared, looking all out of sorts.

"Liam! Quick! Get rid of these people! They're after your son!"

Liam looked up and saw his kid wailing in her arms, and just felt annoyed.

The whole mess started when Kenneth got sick and pushed him to get engaged to Chloe.

Charlotte was spot on; he was willing to compromise for anyone but her.

He threw Charlotte under the bus to make Kenneth happy.

He ditched Charlotte and got to keep his conscience clear.

It was all so unfair to Charlotte.

If he had just stood his ground against the engagement, if he had just cut Chloe off quickly...

Could things between him and Charlotte have turned out differently?

He looked over at Charlotte, and the cold look on her face made him look down.

"Mr. Blackwood, does Ethan need an apology?" he asked Vincent.

It took a second for Vincent to catch on that Liam meant for Benjamin to apologize to Ethan.

"I'll find out." He asked around and soon got an answer.

"The kid says he doesn't need it; he wants to go home." "Alright." Vincent agreed, taking Charlotte's hand to leave.

But Liam grabbed his shoulder, stopping him.

"I'll get you an answer you're happy with."

Just a heads up: is the only place to read the complete version of this book for free. Don't miss out on the next chapter-visit us now and continue your journey! He seemed to be talking to Vincent but was really trying to show Charlotte he meant business.

Charlotte scoffed and walked away first, wondering what Liam thought would satisfy her.

Once they got back to the Blackwoods', Vincent ran a hot bath for Ethan, made him some ginger tea, and after the bath, they spent some quality time in the playroom. Charlotte watched them, playing and laughing, and felt a bit of warmth.

Vincent was the real deal.

A truly good man.

He had been there to save her after the car accident, and he took her abroad for the best treatment.

He helped her learn, grow, and even invest.

And he accepted Ethan without a second thought, providing him with a father's love and care.

"Ethan's mine, but you raised him, and in the end, blood isn't as important as the love and care he's received." Vincent treated Ethan as his own son and backed up Charlotte's decisions 100%.

"If..."

"Ma'am?" The servant's gentle voice pulled Charlotte back from her thoughts, "Daniel 's been asking for you." Daniel

She headed downstairs and there he was, Daniel, pacing the living room back and forth like an animal trapped in a corner.

"What the heck did you tell Mr. Parker? You know he gets jittery seeing you all worked up, and you still went off saying all sorts of odd stuff to him. Mrs. Blackwood, aren't you being a bit out of line?" Charlotte kept a poker face, "Who am I supposed to be?"

"Serena." Daniel was stubborn, and couldn't believe she was actually Charlotte, even with all the DNA proof.

Charlotte cracked a smile, "If you can't even get my name straight, maybe save the iffy lectures for someone else."

"You!" Daniel was about to snap back when his phone rang.

Hearing the news on the other end, his face went white as a sheet, "Say that again? Mr. Parker is coughing up blood?!"