Chapter 1538:

“Word is Charlette’s just fine—it’s the old bastard who took the real beating.”

“Serves him right. Couldn’t have happened to a worse guy.”

Relief swept through the comment sections. The netizens loved a good spectacle, but even they drew the line at Maddox’s brand of shamelessness. Faced with someone that despicable, their earlier misplaced sympathy vanished, replaced by public contempt.

At the police station, no real evidence surfaced, so the whole group was quickly let go.

Maddox stormed out, still muttering curses under his breath. He shot a furious glare at Charlette, itching for a fight, but the sight of Elena and Ellis waiting just outside the doors kept him in check.

“You’ll regret this, you ungrateful brat! I’m not done with you yet!” Maddox spat, limping off into the night.

Charlette stepped out, greeted by Elena’s worried eyes.

“Everything alright?”

Charlette nodded.

“Yeah, just the usual questions. I’ll get home myself. You two go on—no need to babysit me.”

Elena weighed the situation and realized she’d only be in the way now that Ellis was around. She flashed a quick smile.

“I’ve got other things to handle. Let Ellis take you home, alright?”

Charlette barely had time to argue—Elena was already halfway down the block, leaving her no choice.

With a quiet sigh, Charlette climbed into the passenger seat, casting Ellis a sideways glance.

𝘼𝙡𝙬𝙖𝙮𝙨 𝙖𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙧𝙤𝙤𝙩: 𝗀ⱥ𝗅𝗇𝗈ν𝗍𝖊𝗅𝗌﹒ⅽ𝗈𝗆

The drive home was silent, tension thick between them. Neither spoke a word.

At the doorway of her home, Charlette tried to make her escape, muttering a quiet thanks as she went to shut the door—only for Ellis to slide his leg between the frame and force his way in.

Charlette’s brows knit together.

“Don’t you think you’re crossing the line?”

Ellis looked uneasy, Adam’s apple bobbing as he searched for words. This was uncharted territory for him. But he stood his ground.

“Say what you want, Charlette. I’m not leaving.”

Charlette blinked, caught off guard by how uncharacteristic he sounded. She leaned her weight against the frame, fished out a cigarette, and lit up, letting the smoke curl around her tired face. She blew out a slow stream, eyes unreadable.

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