CHAPTER 1
1308 Words
Unconsciously, her lower body arced against his. Her breathing became labored a few seconds later as he stole at will.
God, oh God.
The earth shook. There was only the man and the strong s****l awareness he awoke in her, and she was willing to swear on it. She also lost all sense of time and place.
As he raised his head and moved closer to her, she faintly protested that she didn't want it to end. Her eyes widened into enormous, dark pools.
She silently pleaded with heaven, "Please," eager to experience the warmth of his mouth on her own. He seemed to not attempt at all to elicit the heat and the tremendous passion.
Has she spoken the words aloud?
As Henry took hold of her chin and raised it high, she was unaware.
"Extremely pleasant. However, for the record...I don't want to follow Evander' lead and start dating the daughter of his second wife.
Her flimsy heart was torn apart by harsh, violent words, leaving it exposed and bleeding.
Didn't he realize that with that sexually suggestive kiss, he had successfully made her his own?
Her body trembled with the chill she felt.
Why could he?
Her response was triggered solely out of pride. Her efforts to muster skepticism were costly, but she succeeded... just. What exactly did we just discuss?
An example of futility?
Dark and sleepy in the starry night, his eyes were.
Yes, you're damned.
She turned and walked away from him, so humiliated that she didn't care if he followed her or not. When she encountered Evander inside, he paused for a brief moment and his eyes sharpened in response to her apparent distress. She quickly ran upstairs to her room, changed out of her clothes, and took a leisurely shower before continuing on her way. and sobbed until no more tears were left.
‘Please. Lay down."
Charlotte's eyes briefly widened as Henry pointed to the leather chair next to his own as the words abruptly took her to the present.
How much time has she spent imprisoned in the past? Dear God, I hope it's just a few brief seconds. Since turning eighteen, ten years had passed, and she was no longer a sexually impressionable adolescent susceptible to developing emotions.
Uncertain of whether it was a small act of defiance or an effort to put some distance between them, Charlotte chose the chair that was the farthest from Henry.
The lawyer sank into his chair, walked around his desk, took a file, and opened it.
The door was quietly knocked, and an assistant came in carrying a tray with a boiling pot of tea and coffee, as well as the necessary cups, saucers, milk, and sugar. the usual
A gift in anticipation of unexpected news, or preferential treatment for valued clients?
Whatever…She hoped it wouldn't take too long because she was scheduled to start her afternoon shift in a few hours.
Charlotte drank her tea hot and made an effort to control her small trembling as she waited for the lawyer to speak.
Legalese frequently used lengthy provisions to attempt to address every potential scenario. In addition to several other provisions, Evander left Lyra the use of their primary property and a sizable income from several personal assets that were allotted to her; these assets were to be kept in trust for his only son, Henry Anderson.
The remaining of his personal property was to be held in trust and given to Charlotte whenever she got married and had kids.
The Anderson Conglomerate and its several companies, which make up Evander's commercial holdings, were divided equally between Henry and Charlotte
As the lawyer continued, Charlotte's mouth gaped in shock before closing once more.
Henry's 50% share was contingent on his moving to Sweden and assuming leadership of the board of directors.
If this was not accomplished within three months of Evander' passing, Henry's ownership stake in the Anderson Conglomerate and its many businesses would be auctioned, with the revenues going to that had been designated.
Charlotte will receive dividend income from the shares holding her fifty per cent stake in trust for her kids.
Charlotte had known for several years about Lyra's insistence on a prenup that gave her the right to one residence and an annuity should Evander predeceased her.
If Henry was surprised that a prenup existed at Lyra's request, he made no mention of it as the attorney distilled the details of Lyra's will.
Personal belongings, jewelry, and any cash in Lyra's bank accounts were given to her only child, Charlotte Evans Somers, along with Lyra's perpetual annuity, the right to live in Lyra's primary residence during Charlotte's lifetime, and any other assets that were left to be held in trust for Charlotte's children.
Evander has been a kind benefactor, providing Lyra with a luxurious lifestyle that included frequent travel, a very generous stipend, and several presents of jewelry to ensure she never went without.
The implications became painfully obvious.
Evander had used up all of his cards.
By setting up his affairs such that his only son would go back to Sweden and take over his business interests, he was trying to accomplish in death what he had failed to do in life.
The lawyer said, "I respectfully suggest that the Anderson Conglomerate decision you make is paramount," and Henry nodded in accord.
The assets of Lyra and Evander, as well as their respective businesses, were listed after that. Untouchable until both estates went through probate, which may take several months given the intricacy of the assets.
As the consultation came to an end, Charlotte Got up and followed Henry to Reception, where she picked up her coat and made her way across to the bank of lifts.
Lyra's personal belongings were subject to several problems, but she for the life of her couldn't recall them right now.
When the lift came, she stepped inside and remained still by Henry's side as it quickly descended to the ground.
His height and shoulder width made her more conscious of her diminutive stature in such a little space.
They stood in stark contrast to one another. Henry's late mother's European origin was mostly responsible for his black hair, sculpted bone structure, and dark, slate-grey eyes. Charlotte, on the other hand, was the complete opposite of him, with ash-blonde hair, fine-boned features, and dazzling sapphire-blue eyes.
They exited the lift at street level and looked out onto the pavement as the rain gave way to patchy sunshine.
Charlotte hesitated uncomfortably as anxiety clashed with the harsh reality of what she might be able to negotiate in regards to her unpaid due to the menacing loan shark.
After probate, she could move into a luxurious house, but she was not allowed to sell or rent it out. Upon probate, a generous monthly annuity in perpetuity was deposited into her bank account.
She would receive a fairly significant income from shares worth a considerable fortune that was to be maintained in trust and not sold, again following probate.
Jewelry nd other possessions that belong to Lyra that she would never sell. A restaurant that, if significant financial assistance wasn't provided, she would soon have to close.
She had many assets, but few of them were liquid, therefore she had many assets but little cash. having no chance of raising the substantial sum of money required before midnight to repay the loan shark.
No bank would help her out with such a vast amount within hours, not even if she showed copies of Evander and Lyra's wills.
Could she—dare she—go up to Henry, explain her situation, and ask for his financial support?
Her body became chilly as ice seeped into her veins.
There was no alternate path.
None.
What had she got to lose, besides her pride?
- Writer
