“How long have you known Charlotte?” asked Sherlyn.
“About two years,” Louis answered despondently. “Mom, can you take care of the kids for two days? I want to bring Charlotte to the beach—”
“Don’t you understand?” The older woman furrowed her brows. “You’ve known her for two years, and you practically clung to her no matter where she goes. Charlotte has spent a lot of time with you in private. If she has feelings for you, you won’t be panicking right now.”
“Charlotte likes me, but…” Louis tried to explain, but his voice quickly trailed off. Even he could not convince himself.
Perhaps Charlotte had feelings for him, but she saw him strictly as a friend and did not have romantic feelings for him. Otherwise, she would not have kept a distance from him.
“Well…” Louis exhaled a deep breath and lowered his head in dejection. “I don’t know what else to do. I’ve done everything I could. I feel so useless.”
“Silly boy, you’re too honest.” Sherlyn gave him an indulgent look. “Think about it. How did Zachary and Charlotte fall in love?”
Zachary was an unfeeling, willful, and arrogant man. He was also the Lindberg family’s rival, yet Charlotte could not forget him.
“I don’t get it either,” Louis responded, a frown creasing his forehead. “I heard that they ended up together by chance back then. Charlotte got pregnant and gave birth to the children without knowing Zachary’s identity. Then they—”
“That’s right,” Sherlyn cut in when he mentioned a crucial point. “They didn’t even know each other at first but had sex, then she got pregnant and gave birth to the kids. Charlotte believed that she belonged to Zachary. In fact, most women would think the same. Once a man made his mark on her, she’d submit to him completely without even realizing it. You just have to make your mark on her, so she’ll fall head over heels for you, get it?”
“What nonsense are you talking about?” Louis did not share his mother’s sentiment. “After falling in love with each other, we’ll have sex naturally. I can’t possess her just because I want her to fall in love with me. That’s wrong and utterly disrespectful.”
Sherlyn was rendered speechless. “Forget it. You don’t even understand what I’m saying. What a waste of time.”
“Mom, stop spouting nonsense. That’s an immoral act!” he insisted. “Just take care of the children for us. Charlotte loves the sea, so we’ll spend some time there while I try to win her heart. I believe she’ll reciprocate my feelings one day as long I am sincere.”
“Fine. If you can persuade Charlotte to agree to the beach getaway, I shall take care of the kids,” Sherlyn agreed, too unbothered to educate her stubborn son further. “I’ve summoned the magician troupe to perform at the manor for the kids tomorrow, anyway.”
“That’s great!” Elation filled Louis’ entire being. “I’ll talk to Charlotte about the beach getaway now.”
“All right. I need to inform the kids about the good news too. I’m sure they’d be delighted to learn about that.”
Sherlyn placed her cup down and stood up to leave her room.
“Thank you, Mom.” Louis gave her a quick hug before dashing off to seek Charlotte.
Watching her son walking away eagerly, Sherlyn shook her head in a resigned manner.
“Lady Sherlyn, why did you agree to Sir Louis’ request? I thought you had a plan in mind?” one maid asked in a low voice.
“Charlotte won’t agree to go on the trip with him. She’s too focused on that ex-husband of hers to leave the manor.” Sherlyn seemed sure of herself. “Our plan shall proceed as usual.”
“Got it.”
