Chapter 2

Charlotte stepped out of the car. It was a few minutes past seven and she had just returned after a stressful day at work. She could tell that her husband was back because his car was already parked.

"Welcome ma'am." One of the bodyguards greeted her when she walked past him.

"Thank you," she replied. "Is my husband back?" She asked an obvious question.

"Yes, ma'am. He got back a while ago."

Charlotte scoffed slightly before heading into the quiet mansion she was sharing with her husband. It's a house given to them as a wedding gift by his family.

She was welcomed by Hannah, the chef. "Welcome ma'am. You're a bit late today."

"I had a lot to do in the office today, I lost track of time," Charlotte answered, pulling off her coat.

Hannah took the coat from her and smiled. "You look very tired. I think you should go to bed early today." Charlotte nodded, though she knew she would not be doing that; she had a few documents to work on before going to bed. "I made your favorite meal," Hannah continued. "You should head upstairs to take your bath. Do you want me to bring your food to your room or will you..."

"Please bring it to my room. I don't think I have the strength to come downstairs again."

"I will do that."

"Thank you, Hannah," Charlotte said.

She headed upstairs to her room which was opposite her husband's. Staring at his door, she couldn't help but shake her head. She could hear the loud music coming from his room; a sign of how easily he enjoys his life. Charlotte knew there was nothing for her to do about it. She will either head back downstairs to sleep in any of the available rooms or ignore the loud sound and get the sleep she deserves in her room.

**

A knock on Charlotte's door woke her up from her sleep. She opened her eyes slowly, wondering who was knocking.

"Who is there? Hannah?"

"You do remember that there is a dinner party tonight? Don't you?"

It was her husband, Melvin. Charlotte scoffed slightly.

"Of course, I do."

Charlotte waited for him to say a word and when none came, she knew he had left. She picked up her phone to see what the time was before heading to the bathroom to take her bath. Dressed in a simple t-shirt and trousers, she headed downstairs for breakfast.

Melvin was at the dining table having breakfast but stood up the moment he saw Charlotte heading downstairs. He picked up his coat and bag.

"Hannah, I am leaving," he said but there was no reply.

He left before Charlotte got closer. She knew she was the reason he left but she cared less about it.

She sat down. "Hannah?" She called. "Can I have my breakfast now?"

"Yes, ma'am. Just give me a few minutes and I will be right there." Hannah answered.

While Charlotte waited patiently for Hannah to bring her breakfast, she surfed through the internet.

"There is no work today?" Hannah asked after she had served the breakfast.

"There isn't. I have a dinner party to attend this evening. I can't get myself stressed out before then."

Hannah nodded with a smile. "You should eat up. I will be in my room. Call me when you need anything."

Charlotte smiled. "I will."

After Hannah left, she quickly sent a message to Bella to remind her of the dinner party; though she knew Bella was not the type to forget important events like that. She dropped her phone and began to eat.

She was done in a few minutes. Without disturbing Hannah, she cleared the table and did the dishes before returning to her room to get more rest.

**

Charlotte was dressed in a black off-shouldered flowing gown and black stiletto heels. She had a simple makeup on and her hair was packed in a messy low bun. Giving herself the last look in the mirror she headed downstairs to wait for her driver and assistant to take her to the dinner party.

"You look so beautiful, my lady." Hannah complimented when she saw her.

"Thank you, Hannah. Have you seen Bella?"

"I have not...". She heard the sound of a car driving in. "I think she is here now."

"I am leaving Hannah. See you when I get back." Charlotte said, heading to the door.

"Have fun, ma'am." Hannah waved at her and she waved back.

Getting outside the house, she met with Bella.

"Good evening, ma'am." Bella greeted. "You look so beautiful, dressed in black."

Charlotte smiled. "Thank you. How are you doing, today?"

"I am doing great, ma'am. The car is ready."

Charlotte entered the car and the driver drove off. On their way, she spoke mostly about work and nothing more.

The car arrived at the venue a moment later and she stepped out of the car with Bella while the driver drove the car away.

"I will get you a glass of wine," Bella said.

"I will be over there," Charlotte replied.

After Bella left, Charlotte walked past a group of people talking about her. Among them was Mr Mark Anderson, the boss of Anderson Enterprise, a rival that harbors resentment towards her due to a business competition he lost to her. Charlotte doesn't know what prompted them to talk about her but she could tell that Mr Anderson had a hand in it. She stood aside to listen to what they had to say.

Charlotte listened as he openly ridiculed her capabilities.

"She is not a talented young woman like you all painted her. She is just a leech who leeches off her husband. I can tell you that all the contracts she had won so far were not because she merited them but as a result of her husband's influence. Do you want me to tell you a secret? She will end up betraying her husband. It's obvious how thirsty and desperate she is for power."

Charlotte scoffed. She could tell he was just jealous and embarrassed he lost to her; he could not take it.

Just as she wanted to chirp into their conversation, her husband walked up to them. She waited impatiently for her husband's reply.

"You don't talk about my wife like that." Her husband answered.

Charlotte was disappointed at how indifferent and calm he was towards the situation. She moved closer to him to question his attitude but he left before she could do that. Without a second thought, Charlotte gestured to Bella to get the car ready; she had no reason to remain at the dinner party.