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The maid didn’t move. She stood firm, blocking the doorway politely but clearly.
"I'm sorry, Mrs. Kingsley, but no one is at home today," the maid said, her voice polite yet firm. "Miss Annie is also sick, so she can't see you."
Janet shoved past the maid, storming into the house, her eyes scanning the surroundings. "That's alright. I'll wait for Charles to come home or for Annie to feel better,” she said, as if she owned the place.
"Mrs. Kingsley, I really can't let you stay," the maid insisted, trying to block her.
But Janet ignored her, pushing past her roughly as she stomped deeper into the house.
Just then, Charles walked through the door, and entered the house, his eyes immediately narrowing when he saw Janet.
His jaw tightened at the sight of Janet, and the anger he'd been harboring for the way Dante had treated Anya flared up again. He also knew Janet’s personality. He was always able to see through her facade of sweetness. She was nothing but a greedy woman, and he didn't want her anywhere near Anya.
Janet, noticing Charles, immediately plastered a grin on her face and walked toward him. "Oh Charles, you’re finally home! I waswondering if I’d get to see you today." She offered him the gifts. "I thought Annie would enjoy these."
Charles didn’t even glance at the gifts. His jaw tightened, his face hardening with the anger he’d been holding back. "What are you doing here?" Though he tried to mask it, his displeasure was clear.
Janet took a half-step back, her smile faltering for a moment before she quickly recovered. “I brought some medicine for Annie. Remember that skin doctor I had mentioned? I went to see him just for her, and he prescribed this. It should help with her treatment.”
"We don’t need it," Charles replied curtly, brushing her off. "You can leave now."
Janet was taken aback by his coldness but quickly regained her composure. “Why don’t I stay and help apply the medicine on Annie? I’m sure it would be good for her.”
Charles snapped. "She has everything she needs, Janet." His tone was sharper now. "Leave this damn house. Now."
Chapter 18 Jealousy
Janet’s eyes widened, but her pride wouldn’t let her back down. “Charles, is something wrong? Why are you so upset today?”
Charles' eyes darkened, and he took a deep breath. "It’s nothing. Just not a good time. Please leave.”
He turned away and headed into the house, giving a curt order to the maid. "Close the door once she leaves."
Janet, humiliated and angry, huffed loudly.
She wanted to lash out at Charles, but she knew better. If she wanted to secure a future with Dante, she needed to keep a low profile. So, swallowing her pride, she glanced back into the house one last time before stepping outside, her glare burning a hole in the door as it shut behind her.
Upstairs, Anya had been listening to the entire exchange. When she finally came down, Charles’ stern expression softened the moment he saw her. His anger faded, replaced by a tenderness that only Anya could bring out.
"Come here," he said softly, lifting his hand toward her.
"Hey, Dad," she said softly, walking up to him.
He smiled and lifted a hand to gently pat her head. "How was your first day?"
"It was alright," Anya answered, her tone casual, but her eyes lingered on him with concern. "But you don’t look alright, Dad. What’s wrong?"
Charles’s smile didn’t quite reach his eyes. His skin was pale, and there was a shadow of exhaustion on his face that hadn’t been there before. It made him look older than he was, as if the weight of something heavy was pressing down on him.
"I’m fine," he said, forcing a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. "Don’t worry about it. I won’t let anyone or anything hurt you again, I promise."
Anya’s concern deepened. "Dad, what’s going on?"
Charles exhaled deeply, brushing a hand over his face before giving her another forced smile. "Nothing. I just miss your mom," he said quietly, his voice breaking just a little. "You need to study hard and take over the company soon, so I don’t have to worry about you anymore, okay?"
Anya nodded, but her eyes were still filled with worry.
He smiled at her, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes. He turned and walked away, his shoulders slumped, his steps slow. Anya’s heart tightened as she watched him go, the unease growing in her chest.