The Mocked Miss’s Hidden Crowns novel Chapter 2157

Silence lingered between them.

"How old?"

Anthony took a drag of his cigarette, slowly exhaling a plume of pale smoke before asking evenly.

"Three years old. A boy."

The smoke dissipated into the cool air.

Anthony turned his head, looking at Donald with deeply conflicted emotions. "Donald, you really don't mess around, do you?"

He either did nothing, or he dropped an absolute bombshell.

"I didn't expect it either."

Leaning against the wall, a bittersweet smile touched Donald's battered face, as if he had just awakened from a lifetime of nightmares.

"I always thought that four years ago, she and her father plotted to drag me down into the abyss."

Donald muttered softly, "I only just realized how much suffering and humiliation she endured to save me."

She had survived her father's tyranny, endured Donald's 'hatred', and still managed to safely deliver their son.

"You've got the rest of your life to make it up to her."

Anthony checked his watch and put out his cigarette. "You've got plenty of time."

"Yeah."

Donald offered a self-deprecating smile, took a deep breath, and asked, "How did you handle the syndicate's cargo?"

At the mention of this, a proud smile spread across Anthony's handsome face. "Did you really think my girl would facilitate international smuggling?"

"Before she breached their security systems, she built an entirely fake digital interface overlay."

"Everything Salazar saw was an illusion. Her goal was to lure him in, make him think the cargo passed inspection, and then seize the entire shipment simultaneously across all borders."

So.

Not only did they lose nothing, but they also confiscated a monumental stash of illicit goods.

Donald listened, shaking his head in sheer disbelief.

He still felt a lingering wave of terror over how close it had been.

"I always knew Lottie was brilliant and fearless, but I didn't realize she was this much of a master tactician." Donald tossed his cigarette butt into the trash and smirked. "You old fox, you hit the absolute jackpot marrying our Lottie."

"I completely agree."

Anthony raised an eyebrow, his dark eyes brimming with pure adoration. "I definitely hit the jackpot."

"The young master's boat is heading back. They'll arrive shortly."

"Thank you."

Donald finally let out a massive breath of relief.

An hour later.

The door opened.

Charlotte stepped out, followed by the island's resident doctor.

"Tansy is fine." Charlotte wiped the blood from her hands, a thin layer of sweat glowing on her forehead. "She's exhausted. Let her rest for a bit."

"Thank you."

Donald stepped forward, pulling Charlotte into a fiercely grateful hug, his voice choking up. "Lottie, I don't know how to ever repay you."

If she hadn't held her ground until the very last second, Hector...

Hector would have truly lost both his parents.

"Grateful, huh?"

Resting her chin on Donald's shoulder, Charlotte looked past him at Anthony with her clear, bright eyes. A mischievous smirk played on her lips. "I was going to charge you millions of dollars, but..."