By Zephyria “G, Georgina, what are you talking about!”
Seeing Charlotte’s face turn pale as she looked around, Georgina felt even more frustrated. It was obvious that she was terrified that Gordon might hear. Even though such a thing could never happen.
“I’m okay, Georgina, nothing happened, so don’t worry.”
Charlotte whispered in a more lifeless voice than usual. Her voice was so small that it sounded like a mosquito flapping its wings. Georgina was about to say more, but then closed her mouth. What could she do, being only a teenager? Adults have their own circumstances.
“I’m sorry, I must have seen it wrong.”
When Georgina apologized, Charlotte nodded slightly and lowered her head. An awkward silence flowed, and then Yu-jin returned with the child.
“Welcome, Chef!”
Georgina, who quickly opened her mouth first, continued her words of praise as if she had been waiting.
“Oh my goodness, what a wonderful dish it was. I couldn’t help but admire each course. And the plating. To experience such a wonderful course meal is an honor for the rest of my life…”
Yu-jin smiled bitterly at his daughter, who was beaming with pride as she listened to Georgina’s flattering words. In fact, Angela hadn’t done anything. She had simply asked to serve the dishes from the show as a course meal…
Of course, no one here was unaware of that fact. Anyway, he was both amazed and grateful to see everyone trying to make his daughter feel good.
“Chef, what’s the next course?”
At Georgina’s question, Angela answered with a haughty expression.
“Now that we’ve finished eating, it’s naturally tea time outdoors. I’ve prepared a place in the garden, so everyone follow me.”
Yu-jin followed his daughter, who confidently took the lead, then Georgina, and finally Charlotte. They headed to a gazebo set up on one side of the garden. Seeing various refreshments and tea prepared on a lavishly embroidered tablecloth, Georgina exclaimed, “Wow.” She was about to sit down in a chair when Angela suddenly grabbed her hand.
“Georgina, I have something to show you.”
“Really? What could it be?”
While showing delight, Georgina glanced around. As if asking if it was okay to leave for a moment. Yu-jin smiled and nodded, and so did Charlotte. Soon, Georgina disappeared with the child, and Yu-jin was left alone with Charlotte.
A sudden silence fell between them. Yu-jin felt a cold sweat running down his back at the unexpected awkwardness. He glanced at Charlotte and tried to smile as he asked.
“Shall I pour you some tea? There’s also coffee. Which do you prefer?”
He spoke kindly for once, but Charlotte’s reaction was lukewarm. An answer was slow to come, and only a heavy silence grew longer, but after a long time, she still looked down and mumbled in a barely audible voice.
“I… I like tea…”
“Ah, yes.”
Yu-jin answered as if he had been waiting, and removed the tea cozy covering the pot. Yu-jin and Charlotte silently watched as the still hot black tea steamed and fell into the teacup. The strong scent of black tea seemed to ease the tension between them for a moment.
“The scent is really nice. The Butler must have prepared good tea.”
He smiled and spoke, but Charlotte still didn’t react. Yu-jin felt like he was suffocating and pretended not to notice as he lowered his gaze and brought the teacup to his lips. He didn’t want to make any more effort. Dealing with Winston every day was already painfully nerve-wracking, and he had to go to such lengths for a guest.
One person who can’t communicate is enough.
Yu-jin unconsciously frowned at the face that naturally came to mind. Charlotte misunderstood that.
“I’m sorry, I… must be frustrating you a lot…”
At the muffled whisper, Yu-jin was startled and shook his head.
“Ah, no, that’s not it. I was just thinking about something else. Really.”
He spoke urgently, but she didn’t seem to believe him easily. Yu-jin suddenly realized that Charlotte’s beautiful profile looked very haggard. Being Gordon’s wife, it was understandable, but was he being too harsh? He thought so inwardly, but he couldn’t help but feel a sense of pity. He used to be like that too. The Campbell family members, who endlessly lowered his self-esteem to the ground.
Yu-jin suddenly didn’t know if it was fortunate or unfortunate that he had been kicked out. He had survived several near-death experiences and had been terrified of being left on the streets until recently, but on the other hand, he had never felt personally humiliated. There were people who looked down on him and despised him, but they were on a different level from the Campbell family members. Compared to the Campbell family members, they were insignificant.
Maybe this person was like that too.
It was as if he could see how she had been treated by the people in this house, including Gordon. Seeing her constantly pulling down her sleeves to hide the bruises on her wrist, he even felt a sense of kinship. Of course, Charlotte might be offended if she knew that Yu-jin felt this way.
“A long time ago…”
Nevertheless, his lips moved on their own. Perhaps this person would rather have her pride hurt. He tried to soften his words as much as possible and spoke with difficulty.
“When I was at Delights, there was a time when it was quite noisy. I heard that a member of the Campbell family hit a partner at a party. The victim’s condition was quite serious, and it turned out it wasn’t the first time. Harold was incredibly angry.”
Charlotte looked at him with a pale face. Yu-jin continued carefully.
“They had been covering it up with the Campbell family’s money and power every time, but in the end, they had some trouble. The victim’s injuries were quite serious, and I heard that they used some pretty despicable methods because they wouldn’t compromise.”
Having said that, Yu-jin cautiously looked at Charlotte. Her face, as pale as paper, was looking at Yu-jin.”……Why are you telling me this?”
She asked in a voice so frail it sounded like it was being squeezed out of her. Perhaps she was confused. Yu-jin hesitated before answering with difficulty.
“I thought it might be helpful…….”
“What do you know?”
Suddenly, Charlotte’s voice turned sharp. It was a completely different tone from the subdued voice he had heard until now, and Yu-jin was startled, staring at her.
“Gordon would never do such a thing. We love each other, and we’re doing well. What do you know to say such things to me? Nonsense rumors……!”
Ah, Yu-jin inwardly sighed. Regret washed over him at the thought that he had done something unnecessary. He should have just pretended not to know.
“I’m sorry.”
Yu-jin easily apologized and lowered his gaze.
“I think I was mistaken. I’m sorry for making you feel bad.”
Charlotte fell silent at the repeated apologies. A heavier, more uncomfortable silence flowed. Yu-jin silently watched her bring the teacup to her lips, averting his gaze and only looking in the direction Georgina and Angela had gone.
“We’re not like you.”
Charlotte suddenly blurted out. When he inadvertently turned to look, she glared at Yu-jin with cold eyes and continued.
“I don’t know what you were thinking, but you’re wrong. I hope you won’t judge arbitrarily and say presumptuous things.”
At the words that were no different from a warning, Yu-jin only stared at her face instead of answering. Charlotte was saying, how dare you treat me as if I’m on the same level as you.
As if I would.
Yu-jin barely managed to suppress the laughter that almost escaped him and nodded briefly.
“I will be careful in the future.”
Not being sarcastic was the best consideration he could offer. If it had been Winston, he would have been full of sarcasm, but he couldn’t do that to Charlotte.
Was it because he had been subjected to that level of contempt so often?
It was a sad thing to become accustomed to scornful gazes. Yu-jin hoped that his child would not grow up like that. Seeing Angela returning with Georgina at that moment, he renewed his resolve.
Angela can never be raised in this house.