She was too clever, Charlotte could hardly avoid it. “He gave me two hundred thousand dollars.”
“That’s quite a lot,” Callie nodded.
If Nelson were a man without self-control, falling into a trap and giving someone some leverage, then the two hundred thousand dollars would have been well spent.
Jaquan was indeed a competent businessman.
Even if he didn’t succeed, he could use the video later to affect their relationship.
A sure win.
“I had no choice. In this circle, I don’t have many options,” Charlotte quickly explained. “I have no parents. Mr. Scott sponsored me through college. I owe him, and I must repay him.”
“No pain, no gains. Everyone has something in their pursuit. I can’t interfere with your decisions,” Callie responded calmly.
“But what you did endangered my marriage. I can’t just stand by.”
Charlotte’s hand loosened, and the hot cocoa nearly fell to the ground. “I’m sorry.”
“I’m not blaming you.”
“… I won’t meet Mr. Oconnor again,” Charlotte said resolutely, her eyes clear.
Callie didn’t make it difficult for her. She said softly, “You look good in a white dress. Just don’t tarnish that color with your actions.”
Charlotte watched her figure fade into the distance, feeling a sudden clarity. Even if she wasn’t entirely convinced, she had to admit that Callie was a woman worthy of Nelson’s love.
“Sorry,” she murmured softly.
Callie descended from the building and saw Nelson’s car parked downstairs, flashing its lights at her.
She jogged over, and the window rolled down. “Why are you here?”
Nelson closed his file, his profile gentle. He opened the car door. “I heard you were here. I happened to be passing by.”
The awkwardness between them hadn’t completely resolved yet, making things a bit uncomfortable. Callie got into the car, and Nelson looked past her, noticing Charlotte’s silhouette.
He squinted slightly and signaled to Kieran.
The car started, and Callie noticed a gift bag beside her.
“What’s this?”
“A phone I bought for you on the way. Open it and see.” He had noticed her broken phone.
Callie gladly accepted it and opened it to find the latest model. “How many gigs?”
“1TB.”
“Alright then.” Callie played with the phone, full of amusement. “I forgive you for being mean to me yesterday.”
Nelson chuckled softly. “Thank you, Mrs. Oconnor, for forgiving me.”
Callie was tired and rested her head on his lap to take a nap. She heard him ask, “Who did you meet today?”
“I met Jaquan and Marilyn,” she answered honestly.
“Quite honest.”
“Just in case someone jealous gets angry again.” She opened her eyes, full of mischief.
Nelson just smiled without commenting.
Lying down was too boring for Callie. Her hand reached for the file he had just been reading. She opened it and glanced at it, not expecting to understand it. But then she saw the name “the Quinn family.”
She paused.
Nelson squinted his eyes. “What is it?”
Callie quickly closed it. “Are you researching the Quinn family?”
“Know yourself and your enemy, and you will never be defeated.” Nelson bent down to tidy her hair. “How much do you know about the Quinn family?”
Callie laughed. “Are you probing your enemy’s ex-girlfriend for information?”
Nelson lightly patted her face as a warning.
“Not much. I only know that Jamir is the posthumous child of the Quinn family and their future heir.”
“That’s all?”
“That’s all.”