Robert spread his arms and said, “You’re a smart girl. In that case, allow me to be frank.”
Charlotte made a gesture with her hand.
The next moment, Robert continued straightforwardly, “The marriage between the two families is decided by Mr. Lindberg and me. Neither of us begged one another to make it happen. Besides, our family has proven our sincerity and shown our gesture of respect to you, Mr. Lindberg, and the Lindberg Corporation. So, it will be a form of disrespect to us if you keep dragging on the decision.”
Once Robert finished, Charlotte lowered her head and apologized. “I’m sorry. It’s my fault. Well, I’ve planned to visit you even if you aren’t here today.”
“So, are you saying that you have an answer?” Robert gazed at her.
Without beating about the bush, Charlotte responded, “I think I ought to make something clear before I tell you the answer. After all, I guess your family is interested in understanding it. Why don’t we be open and honest with one another?”
Robert was delighted. “Absolutely! I like to speak to smart people.”
“First, Zachary and I didn’t manage to get our marriage certificate. Besides, our wedding wasn’t completed yet. Hence, we’re not husband and wife legally.”
Charlotte paused for a while and added, “In the past, we agreed that the three kids would bear Zachary’s family name. However, we’ve come to a decision that I’ll have Robbie’s custody. As such, Robbie will bear my family’s name. As for my shares in Lindberg Corporation, I’ll transfer them back to Danrique. It will happen regardless of I’m married or not—”
Charlotte observed the change in Robert’s expression once she finished and realized that he looked a bit shocked. Apparently, he didn’t expect that she would make such arrangements.
“Certainly,” Louis replied right away, “When you’ve married me, I’ll take care of you on my own. Your shares in the company aren’t important.”
Charlotte gazed at Louis when she heard it. Deep down, she could feel that Louis was sincere.
“Is there anything you want to add?” After a while, Robert came to his senses and asked smilingly.
“That will be all for now,” Charlotte responded with her curled lips, “Sir Robert, is there anything you would like to ask me? Please go ahead.”
“You said that Robbie would be under your custody. In that case, would you change his family name to ours?” Robert cut to the chase.
Charlotte was startled, for she had never considered the matter before. Back then, she didn’t decline it when Henry requested to change her children’s last name to Nacht.
At that time, the children had reunited with Zachary and loved him. Besides, Zachary was sincere to them and married her against all odds.
Nevertheless, things took a dramatic turn after Charlotte married Zachary. The Nacht family drove her away while keeping the children. Then, partly because of the Nacht family, Zara and Sharon attempted to kill her, and Mrs. Berry became the unfortunate casualty. After experiencing all these, Charlotte thought about taking revenge on the Nacht family. In the end, she let go of her grudge and stayed away from the family for her children.
Despite the pain inflicted upon her, Charlotte never thought about changing her children’s last name again.
Deep down, she opined that a name wouldn’t determine someone’s future. Also, the children would suffer if their names were changed many times.
She didn’t have to care about Zachary’s feelings. However, what would Robbie, Jamie, and Ellie think? Will it break their hearts since they are so young?
After pondering over it, Charlotte gave them a crystal clear answer. “I won’t change my kids’ last name. After all, names are only used to address someone, and I don’t think they are so important.”
“Did Mr. Lindberg bring it up with you?” Robert continued to ask.
“Nope,” Charlotte frowned as she said, “Sir Robert, feel free to speak your mind.”
After thinking about it for a few seconds, Robert said, “The kids’ names in Chanaean can remain as they are. However, after you’re married into our family, I hope that they can change their Ustranasion names by bearing our family name!”
“Dad—”
“It’s impossible,” Charlotte rejected without hesitation. “Marrying Louis or not is my personal affair and not related to the children. Why should they change their last names for me?”
