From Desk to Altar: The CEO's Irresistible Bargain
Chapter 77: Mrs. Parker

Silence.

It was a sensitive topic. If anyone else had brought it up, Liam would have immediately flown into a rage.

But the words came from Charlotte.

"You're quite honest," Liam's voice was a bit hoarse. "Aren't you afraid that after knowing your schemes, I'll kick you out?" "Why?" Charlotte shot back, "I haven't lied to you, I've laid all my cards on the table, how can you be so cruel to me?"

Liam let out a scornful chuckle. "You really do delight in backing me into a corner, again and again."

"And what about Dylan?" he added. "Aren't you even a little bit worried that he might win, take everything I've got, and kick me out?"

"Are you?"

"Hardly." Dylan was convinced Liam's success stemmed from Kenneth's favoritism, funneling the lion's share of the family's resources his way. Truth was, Liam was the architect of not just his own ascent, but that of the entire Parker clan. Even Kenneth's renown could be traced back to him.

A smile played on Charlotte's lips. "Then neither am I."

Liam could feel her trust wrapping around him, and it made him go a little soft inside.

But he was still ticked off, "You've got a zillion reasons to be with me, but working with Dylan? That's got to be the worst idea ever."

"Charlotte, steer clear of him."

"Is this your way of breaking us up?" Charlotte inquired.

Liam's anger shot through the roof when he heard the words 'breaking up', "What are you to him, using that term?"

"Well then, what should I call it?" Charlotte batted her lashes, still in a playful mood. "Terminating our partnership?"

She couldn't help but laugh at her own quip. "Not a chance."

"Why?" Liam looked troubled, clearly not happy.

In the past, he would have long since lashed out at Charlotte, cautioning her to know her place.

Seeing the change in him, Charlotte turned serious. "Once Dylan and I go our separate ways, you'll have countless means to keep me close. I'll be yours once more, won't I?"

"Is that not what you want?"

"I want to be the only one in your eyes," Charlotte said, totally into him as she caressed his face. "I'm crazy about your eyes, how deep and devoted they are. I want them to only reflect me."

"And right now," she said, standing on her tiptoes and planting a gentle kiss on his eyelid, "you can only see me, your heart can only fit me."

"Charlotte," Liam's voice roughened, he tried to lean in for a kiss, but Charlotte pressed her fingers against his lips, stopping him right there. "Sneaking into your sister-in-law's room in the middle of the night? That's crossing a line, Mr. Parker. You should get back to your own room." Liam froze up, his breathing slow and heavy.

"Charlotte!" he glared, frustration seeping through every word. "Do you have any clue what you're doing here?!"

"Sure," Charlotte replied.

Since the moment she witnessed her mother's demise, since she rushed back to get back at Chloe, only to be blocked by Liam, who forbade her from laying a finger on Chloe, she knew exactly what her next move should be. "And you? Do you realize what you're doing?"

Liam inhaled deeply, not with words, but with action, bending down to kiss her again.

Charlotte subtly shifted, and his lips found her neck instead.

"I'll take that as a yes." A smile curved her mouth as she lowered her lashes.

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Liam's desire was plain to see.

Beyond that one kiss on her neck, Liam got no further. Charlotte gently but firmly coaxed him out the door.

She'd expected some measure of displeasure from him come morning. To her surprise, Liam was nowhere to be seen when she came down for breakfast. Instead, she found Daniel seated at the dining table. As Liam's childhood friend, Daniel's presence in the Parker family was hardly unusual.

"Morning." Charlotte approached with a greeting but made no move to join him, instead heading for the side table.

Daniel swallowed his mouthful of porridge and waved at her, "I'm here to pick up Mr. Parker for work. His driver's off today. Miss. Perry, care to ride with us?"

Charlotte replied with a polite smile. "I'm no longer in Mr. Parker's employ. I tendered my resignation."

"Resignation?" Daniel's brows shot up. "But why? You made a fine assistant. Mr. Parker had such faith in you - I heard he was even planning to have Henry mentor you personally in a few months' time."

"The life of an assistant is hardly one of ease and comfort. Why toil away, when being the Mrs. Parker is so much simpler?" Charlotte smiled as she answered.

"Huh?" Taken aback by her response, Daniel stared blankly for a good while before coming back to himself and resuming his meal.

"I think I'll take a turn about the garden. Enjoy your breakfast." With a courteous nod, Charlotte made her graceful exit.

"Uh, sure." Daniel ate his cake, but it seemed to lose all flavor.

When Liam finally made his way downstairs, Daniel couldn't wait to tattle. "Did you hear what Charlotte said? She had the gall to claim that being Mrs. Parker was leagues easier than working as your assistant. Even if she meant it in jest, that's going too far!" And anyway, even if she aspired to be Mrs. Parker, surely she didn't mean as Dylan's!

Mr. Parker is genuinely sincere here, and yet she's playing with his emotions!

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"Mr. Parker, we can't just stand by while she runs wild. Should I cook up a little plan to pry her away from Dylan?"

As soon as the question left his mouth, Daniel saw Liam's frame go taut. His hands balled into fists, then relaxed, then curled tight once more, as if wrestling with some inner quandary.

A long moment passed before Liam replied, his voice quiet. "That won't be necessary."

"It won't?!" Daniel scarcely believed his ears, but comprehension dawned swiftly, his doubts shifting to Liam himself. "Mr. Parker....don't tell me you're actually enjoying this state of affairs?" Liam remained composed, gracefully slicing a piece of steak.

Putting aside the matter of Dylan and Charlotte's relationship, he truly was quite content with the current situation.

Or perhaps more accurately...he reveled in this new Charlotte, at once bold, ardent, sincere, and fearless.

The Charlotte of old had been ever silent, averting her eyes from the love he bore her, second-guessing his every kindness.

He far preferred the woman she was now.

As for Dylan, he posed no real obstacle. Once Kenneth regained his health, Liam would see to it Chloe met with her just punishment. Charlotte's thirst for vengeance slaked, her ties with Dylan would come unbound of their own accord. "Mind your own business," Liam said with a warning glance at Daniel. "Don't start playing games without me knowing."

Daniel shrugged off the caution with a carefree attitude, "Sure, sure, I hear you. I've got better things to do than meddle in your love life."

After finishing breakfast, Daniel left. His visit was mainly for amusement, and offering Liam a ride to work was just a pretext.

Liam, having finished his meal and not replaceing Charlotte around, didn't seem too concerned.

Standing up to leave, he left a casual note hanging in the air, "Come to eat, it's going to get cold."