Charlotte's slender fingers tilted Anthony's chin up and she leaned in, her movements slow and deliberate.

A second later, Anthony felt a rush of warmth on his lips, then a tiny, sharp sting that made him flinch.

"Are you awake now?" Charlotte's eyebrow arched as she looked at him, her smile somewhere between teasing and amused.

Anthony just stood there, a little stunned. When he finally snapped out of it, he pulled her close, arms wrapping around her waist. He pressed his face into her neck and breathed her in like he needed her to steady himself.

"You little liar," he muttered. She had complained about being tired, but in the end, she was just trying to get him to sleep.

"Did you look through the files?"

“Yeah.” Charlotte eased back into his arms, resting against his chest, scrolling through her iPad.

Before she could open the map, Anthony spoke up. "The small town next to the Isle of Veil."

Her fingers stilled. She shot him a look, quietly turned off the iPad, and tossed it to the side.

"So I guessed right." Anthony let out a soft laugh, brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "I already sent someone over while I was on my way back."

"If we're right about this, Nora won't have any connection to The Hawk Family."

“But about Franco..." Anthony's gaze lowered, his fingers gently brushing her cheek. "Solenia is the closest town. The people I sent are Franco's."

It was a small place. Anyone new would stand out right away.

"This can't stay under wraps for long." Charlotte played with his hand, her eyes half- closed, her face drawn tight. "My dad's not easy to fool. He's only been blinded by my mom for now."

Sooner or later, everyone would know about her condition.

"If Franco finds out about Nora's illness..." Anthony's voice dropped as he kissed her cheek, his brows knit together. "He could be even more reckless than you. He might go straight to the Isle of Veil for the antidote."

The antidote.

Charlotte's eyes flicked open, cold and sharp. "It's fine if he knows." She closed her eyes again, letting it go. "If my dad throws a fit and forcess things out in the open that s not necessarily a bad thing."

She wanted to know if the antidote was real, too.

Anthony frowned, watching her closely. His voice rumbled low in his chest. "There's more. I heard from Solenia that Allanson has started looking into Franco."

"Looking into what?"

"Allanson probably suspects you exist." Anthony lifted her hand and pressed a kiss to her knuckles, his voice husky. "Are you scared of your identity getting out?"

Charlotte shifted, searching for a comfortable spot in his arms. "They're the ones who should be scared."

Allanson still refused to hand over

the inheritance to Aloys. He'd been keeping tabs on Franco in the

shadows for years. Who knew what he really wanted? Maybe he was even considering bringing Franco back.

And honestly, except for not being as ruthless as Aloys, Franco was better in every

other way. If Franco ever did come back...

The entire Isle of Veil would be turned upside down.

“And that's not all...” Anthony's sentence faded as a shadow crossed his face.

"What else?” Charlotte could tell he was holding something back. She pulled away, annoyance flashing in her eyes.

"A marriage contract." Anthony looked at her, his voice steady and clear. "The heir of The Hawk Family and Mr. Churchill are engaged."

If her identity got restored...

“So what?” Charlotte relaxed, a soft smile playing on her lips. "I've met Mr. Churchill on the Isle of Veil..."