Chapter 1522:
Ellis’s gaze lingered on Charlette for a heavy moment before he finally turned and left.
Once he left, Charlette’s hands trembled. She rifled through her purse, found her medication, and swallowed a pill without water. Her entire life felt like a wreck she’d only just escaped. That old man of hers, a complete leech, kept trying to pull her back down every time she found a bit of peace. Why couldn’t he have just rotted in prison?
Not far away, Maddox covertly snapped a picture of Ellis, a greedy smile on his face. He pegged Ellis as rich—Charlette’s suitor, maybe. If Charlette wouldn’t pay, he figured someone else would.
Satisfied with himself, Maddox walked off. Later, when Charlette finally composed herself, the corner was empty. Maddox had already slipped away.
By the time Charlette reached her apartment, her legs felt like jelly. She collapsed on her bed, haunted by the last look Ellis gave her before he left. It seemed like she would only end up hurting those who came close to her. She let out a bitter, self-mocking laugh.
Meanwhile, Maddox had spent the entire day circling the gate of Hillside Manor, but the man he’d seen the night before was nowhere to be found. He slapped
Maddox swatted at another mosquito, grumbling under his breath about the never-ending swarm of bugs.
Irritation mounting, he grabbed the arm of a stranger passing by.
“Hey, you recognize this guy?” he asked, flashing a photo of Ellis.
“He’s my son-in-law, you see. I’m here to find him. Could you give him a call for me?”
Karen glanced at the picture and recognized Ellis.
“Yeah, I know him. But he’s not married.”
Maddox’s eyes gleamed, already planning ahead.
“He will be my son-in-law soon enough. It’s just a matter of time before my daughter and he tie the knot. Come on, do me a favor and help me call him over. I’ve got some business to discuss with him.”
𝗧𝗿𝘂𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 gⱯ𝗅𝗇𝗈ν𝗍𝖊𝗅𝘀．ⅽ𝗼𝗺
Karen couldn’t help sizing Maddox up—his shabby clothes and sneaky demeanor didn’t exactly scream “father-in-law material.” It didn’t add up. With a raised brow, she said, “Wait right here. I’ll check for you.”
She sent a quick message to Elena.
Elena soon arrived at the gate.
Karen waved.
“Elena, over here.”
As Elena got closer, Maddox’s frown deepened.
“I asked for that guy, not some random woman. What’s this about?”
Karen paid him no mind and said to Elena, “He claims to be Ellis’s future father-in-law, but something feels off. Do you know…”
Elena immediately recognized this man as the one who had tried to snatch Charlette’s handbag yesterday. Masking her suspicion, she kept her tone neutral.
“Who are you, exactly?”
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.
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