The Mocked Miss’s Hidden Crowns novel Chapter 1285

Imperial Heights.

Anthony barely let up on the gas the whole way home, his sports car tearing down the road like he was flying it instead of driving. As soon as he pulled into the villa, he swung open the car door, his expression dark enough to send the bodyguards and maids scrambling out of his way.

“Where’s Charlotte?”

“Charlotte’s in the living room,” one of the maids managed, swallowing hard.

Did Charlotte get herself in trouble with Anthony again? The tension was thick enough to cut.

Anthony tossed his keys to a bodyguard and stalked into the main hall, his stride all ice and long legs.

The moment he stepped inside, he spotted Charlotte sitting on the sofa, looking up at him with wide, innocent eyes.

Their gazes locked. Neither said a word. The room felt like it was holding its breath.

Charlotte, definitely guilty about something, blinked at him. She was just about to speak up and admit her mistake when Anthony turned and walked straight upstairs, never glancing back, not even out of the corner of his eye.

Crap. She’d really set him off this time.

Charlotte bit her lip, her face tight with worry. Hugging a throw pillow to her chest, she got up and quietly followed after him.

“What just happened? Is something wrong?” one of the maids whispered to a bodyguard, both of them peeking around the corner.

“Did I really just see Anthony ignore Charlotte?” the maid asked in a hushed voice.

“You did,” the bodyguard replied, still watching the stairs. “That wasn’t just ignoring her. He was giving her the coldest shoulder I’ve ever seen.”

Giving her the cold shoulder? Since when did Anthony dare treat Charlotte like that?

***

Charlotte checked the bedroom first, but he wasn’t there.

She headed straight for the study and tried the handle.

“You don’t want to see me?” Charlotte’s hands dropped away, her brows knitting together. “Should I just go, then?”

She took one step away, but before she could get any farther, he caught her wrist and pulled her right back.

Anthony sat down in his chair, tugged her onto his lap, and wrapped his arms around her waist. He rested his chin on her shoulder, his voice sounding rough and tired.

“Don’t move. Just let me hold you for a bit.”

“Okay.”

Charlotte settled in, playing with his hair, then took his hand and placed it gently on her stomach. “How about now? Are you still mad?”

Anthony let out a quiet, helpless laugh. “Are you seriously using the baby to bribe me?”

She smiled up at him, raising an eyebrow. “Is it working?”

He brought her hand to his lips, pressing a soft kiss to her fingers, his eyes warm and dark. “Yeah. Are you scared?”