Chapter 958

“Get out, I’m in a hurry,” Richard said, his voice clipped and his expression stony.

Charlotte’s heart sank as she saw the seriousness in Richard’s face, chilling her to the bone. Despite understanding his concern, a wave of resentment washed over her.

Why did Thalassa seem to matter more to him than she did?

As she turned to address Richard, prepared to express her grievances, his icy glare met her, causing the words catch in her throat. Reluctantly, she stepped out of the car.

No sooner had her feet hit the sidewalk than Richard sped off. Charlotte inhaled a lungful of exhaust and felt her frustration boil over. She shouted angrily after the retreating car and kicked at the pavement in a fit.

“Ouch…” She scraped her thumb on the rough concrete, pain shooting through her. Hopping on one foot, she whirled around in a circle, the sting reaching deep inside her.

Her breath came in ragged pulls as she muttered to the space where Richard’s car had disappeared, “Richard, I won’t forgive you, and I won’t marry you. Humph!”

Richard floored it back to the diner. When he had last seen Thalassa, she was curbside, trying to hail a cab, but now she was nowhere in sight. He wondered if she had made it home or if someone had taken her away for a lesson.

Thalassa was Lysander’s girl, and Richard had seen firsthand how differently Lysander treated her compared to other women. Any lady who tried to seduce Lysander found herself promptly kicked to the curb without a second thought. But with Thalassa, it was another story.

Lysander had even taken her in as his own. And the fact that Thalassa had been by his side for so long, and had even borne his children, spoke volumes about her importance to Lysander.

If anything happened to Thalassa, Lysander would be furious, and anyone linked to her harm would not escape his wrath.

Richard was truly worried for Charlotte’s sake.

There was a fine line between innocence and foolishness, and she was bordering on the latter. If she hadn’t been so blunt about her intentions, he wouldn’t have realized she was still playing such games.

Not wanting to take any chances, Richard called Ethan.

“What’s going on? It’s so late. Can’t you let people sleep?” Ethan’s voice was thick with sleep and irritation.

“You make your staff work overtime, yet you’re in bed? How does that sit with your conscience?”

Richard teased.

“I pay them to work late; why should I feel guilty?” Ethan retorted.

“Cut the crap. What’s your secretary Thalassa’s number? I need it,” Richard said, urgency in his tone.

“You want my secretary’s number? What for? Planning to poach her?” Ethan was more alert now.

“I run an antique shop; I don’t need a secretary. Don’t overthink it. Just send me the number; it’s an emergency,” Richard said. Given their close relationship, formalities were deemed unnecessary.

“Hang on; let me check my contacts. I’ll text it to you,” Ethan replied.

Soon after, Richard received Thalassa’s number. Without hesitation, he dialed, only to hear the cold, automated message that the phone was switched off.

Hearing the impersonal voice on the line, a sense of dread washed over Richard.

Something was wrong!

Thalassa wouldn’t have turned her phone off if she had safely arrived home.

Wasting no more time, Richard stormed into the diner, his presence commanding as he sought out the manager.