Charles' POV:
"Charles, we received some photos of Scarlett.A paparazzo gave us these pictures and asked us to
post them on the front page of today’s newspaper," one of my contacts from one of the media outlets
called with the news.
I was having lunch with my friends when I received the call.I had told them before that anything related
to Scarlett must have my approval first before being released.
"From which TV station is the paparazzo? Withhold the photos for the time being," I ordered.
I could not help but frown when I received the news.This had happened before.
"It's not a paparazzo from any TV station.The pictures must've been taken privately.This happens all
the time, but it's rare for the paparazzi to target a news anchor like this, especially when she isn't that
famous yet.By the way, should I send the photos to you now?"
"Okay.Send the photos to Abby Restaurant now."
I hung up the phone and returned to the table.
All of a sudden, Spencer leaned over and smiled mockingly at me.
"Why do you look so worried? Is your dear Rita not feeling well again? Did she ask you to go to her
now?" he teased.
David, who was cutting steak, also raised his head.
"You should also care about Scarlett when you have time.She's been our friend since we were little," he
said with a hint of hesitation in his voice.
He seldom meddled in other people's business.
Today was an exception.
"Charles, instead of caring about Scarlett, you should divorce her as soon as possible.Set her
free.She's young and beautiful.For sure, she'll find an excellent man for her,"
Spencer advised while looking at me with an inexplicable look on his face.I massaged my forehead
with my thumb and index finger in annoyance.
"Since when did you become so nosy? I'll deal with this matter by myself as soon as possible."
David looked at me in bewilderment.
"Charles, you never delay anything.It's not your style,"
"David, tell me, why are you in such a hurry to see me get a divorce? Don't tell me you also like
Scarlett" I grumbled.
I knew he only regarded Scarlett as a sister.It was just that I was unhappy that he was siding with her.
David did not answer my question and just rolled his eyes at me.
The man I had contacted from the media a while ago arrived soon.
Without further ado, he took out the photos from his bag and put them on the table.
In the photos, Scarlett was having breakfast with Abner.
These photos did not mean anything, but they would affect her reputation, especially if such a thing
happened repeatedly.
I took the photos and looked at them carefully.
"Do you remember the person who sent these?"
Someone must have taken these photos for the sole purpose of ruining Scarlett's reputation.
They did not even take a clear picture of her face in fear of being discovered.
"They said that the man who gave these photos was in a black suit and sunglasses.He said that
someone had asked him to release the photos anonymously.I think this man knows that anything
related to Scarlett must have your approval, so he doesn't want to risk giving himself away," the man
from the media thoughtfully said.
I nodded and gestured for him to leave.
Once the man was gone” David pointed at the photos and inferred, "Scarlett isn't that famous.I doubt
any paparazzi would follow such a gossip that doesn't gain that much attention.Scarlett must've
offended someone."
"I bet it's Rita,"
I nonchalantly said while stirring my coffee.
"Why do you think so?"
David and Spencer asked almost at the same time.
"Rita and Scarlett were at odds before."
I knew Rita could order her bodyguard to help her.
They had an affair, after all.
But for some reason, I was neither jealous nor sad when I found out about them.
All of a sudden, Spencer stood up and slammed the table.
"What does Rita want to do to Scarlett? When she hooked up with those old men, I've warned you that
she wasn't a good woman.Aren't you going to do something this time? If you're going to cover up for
her again, I'll go to that whore and settle accounts with her myself."
I ignored Spencer and instead asked him and David an intriguing question.
"If your fiancee slept with someone else, would you still marry her?" Rita saved my life.
I should at least fulfill her last wish, shouldn't I?
The two of them fell silent.
It was David who first regained his composure.
"Let me ask you something.What if Scarlett has had sex with another man abroad? Will you still want
her?" Scarlett had told me before that she was still a virgin.
I knew her.She was not promiscuous.
Even when I kissed her, she trembled like a leaf like she had never been kissed by a man.
"You know Scarlett. She's different."
I averted my gaze as I spoke.
I could not bring myself to think that Scarlett had slept with another man.
What would I do anyway? Well, frankly speaking, I might kill that man.
Scarlett's POV:
Getting off work is undoubtedly the most relaxing moment of the day.
I had not had such a pleasure for a long time.
As soon as I walked out of the gate of the TV station, I saw Charles standing by his car.
He was wearing a black suit and had a cigarette in his mouth.
His tall figure cast a shadow over me.
He turned his head and saw me standing a few meters away from him.He then leisurely blew a smoke
ring, walked up to me, and stroked my hair.
"What are you waiting for? Get in the car.Let's go to the hospital and visit Grandma."
Charles opened the door and pulled me in without waiting for my reply.
My heart skipped a beat.
Back when I was in high school, Charles often stroked my hair and asked me to go home with him just
like he just did.
It was a pity that we could no longer go back to the way it was.
Charles loved someone else, and we were going to divorce soon.At the thought of this, I came to my
senses and refused him.
"I can take a taxi."
"Scarlett, I came here to pick you up.Stop being so stubborn."
Charles seemed to have seen through everything that he insisted on pulling me into the car.
Once we were inside, Charles handed me a paper bag.
"Look at what's inside."
I opened the paper bag while eyeing him with suspicion.
It had pictures of Abner and me having breakfast together this morning.
There was even a photo of him walking out of my apartment.
What was the meaning of this? Did Charles order someone to take these photos to grill me? How dare
he? I was upset and disappointed in him.
"If you're wondering who took those pictures, it wasn't me.I don't have time to ask the paparazzi to tail
you and take photos of you.Someone must want to ruin your reputation.Don't worry.I've made sure that
these photos won't be released,"
Charles explained when he saw the resentment on my face.
I lowered my eyes in guilt.
"I see.Thank you."
Charles never cared about me.But, how did he find out that someone was watching me and taking
pictures of me in secret? Anyway, the fact that I was thinking about this...
I must be out of my mind.
"I don't accept thank yous.They're meaningless.Why don't you make me breakfast for a week instead?"
Charles looked at me expectantly as he drove.
"It's fine by me as long as you don't mind my poor cooking."
I accepted his request without a second thought.
I did not want to owe him anything, after all.
We arrived at the hospital a few moments later.
As if we were lovers, Charles held my hand and pulled me into the elevator.
But when we were inside, I went to the corner and stayed as far as I could from him.
What he had done last time weakened my resolve.I must not let that happen again.
"Don't worry.I won't be rude to you anymore," Charles reassured.
He must have seen through me at a glance.
I did not say a word and just nodded in response.
The elevator door opened a few moments later.
To my surprise, Rita was standing at the door of the ward.
The moment she saw us, she walked up to us and clung to Charles's arm with a sweet smile.
I could not help but lower my head in resentment.
I felt like I was a toy that had been abandoned once again.
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