The blatant humiliation and the disdainful looks from those around made Charlotte’s ears burn with embarrassment.
Even Corey felt ashamed, hiding his anger. “Charlotte, just do as Miss Ellison says to make up for your mistake.”
Charlotte bit her lower lip until it nearly bled. “… Yes.”
She carefully picked up the wine bottle and walked into the crowd, cautiously asking, “Would you like a refill?”
“… Hello, would you like a refill?”
“You…”
After being humiliated by Marilyn, no one was willing to help her. Charlotte’s figure seemed particularly frail as she moved through the crowd, everyone mocking her. She was on the verge of tears.
For a moment, the room fell silent. Marilyn watched the scene with a smile.
“This is too much.” Sienna took in everything and was about to step forward to help the girl when Jaquan held her back.
Looking up again, a sleek black Mercedes drove up to the Ellison family entrance. The driver opened the door, and a man in a black suit stepped out. He stood out in the crowd despite his calm demeanor.
“Nelson!” Marilyn called out first, excitedly lifting her skirt as she ran forward. “Nelson, you’re here!”
Nelson’s smile was faint as his gaze fell on her stained dress. “What happened to your dress?”
Marilyn stiffened.
Nelson glanced around, his eyes landing on the disheveled Charlotte. He seemed to understand most of what had happened.
“A clumsy mistake isn’t worth getting so angry over. Be careful, or you’ll get wrinkles,” Nelson half-joked, taking her hand and leading her inside.
Marilyn looked down at their clasped hands. Though she knew it was just for show, she was still pleased. “Nelson, it’s my birthday today. You can’t curse me.”
When they reached Charlotte, Nelson let go of Marilyn’s hand. “You dirtied Miss Ellison’s dress and ruined her mood. Shouldn’t you be punished? Apologize to Miss Ellison, and this will be over.”
Marilyn opened her mouth. “Nelson…”
Charlotte cautiously looked up at Nelson, then at Marilyn. “Miss Ellison, I’m truly sorry. I didn’t mean to.”
With everyone watching, Marilyn couldn’t make things difficult for her any longer. She turned her head. “Fine, I won’t pursue it. You can go.”
Charlotte glanced at Nelson once more before lowering her head and retreating.
Only then did Marilyn focus on talking to Nelson. “You arrived so late; I thought you weren’t coming.”
Nelson felt irritated by her obedient act but didn’t show it. “It’s your birthday; of course, I had to come. I heard your mother is back. I’ll go say hello.”
In fact, Nelson’s schedule didn’t include the Ellison family today. He had just finished a social event when Anthony called, saying Charlotte was being bullied at the Ellison family.
His head throbbed, but he made a decision. “I’ll go.”
The incident in Afupshire had left him feeling guilty toward her. It was better to make amends sooner rather than later.
So he came to the Ellison family to help Charlotte out of trouble.
But now the crowd was gossiping about his relationship with Marilyn, speculating whether Nelson’s marriage was in crisis and if he was really going to marry Marilyn.
It was quite ambiguous.
Even Sienna hadn’t expected Nelson to come today, but she knew he wasn’t there for her daughter.
The two hadn’t seen each other in many years. Most of the time, Sienna avoided him. Every time she saw this young man, her feelings were complicated, inevitably recalling some sad memories.