Chapter 3

Early in the morning, Charlotte was still deep in sleep when her phone rang.

"Who is it?" she mumbled, not even bothering to check the caller ID.

"Stop sleeping and bring some porridge to the ward right now. The same kind you made for me before. Hurry up, Serena had a rough night and can't eat anything else."

Frederick's cold voice snapped Charlotte awake.

She sat up, fully alert, her eyebrows knitting together. "I'm not your servant. Dream on!"

Frederick's tone turned icy. "This is what you owe Serena. If you hadn't provoked her, she wouldn't be in this state."

"Her tantrums are not my problem," Charlotte shot back, her voice just as cold.

"Charlotte, it's just porridge. Must you defy me on this?" Frederick's patience was wearing thin.

Serena had been a nightmare all night, leaving him utterly drained. All he wanted now was a bowl of Charlotte's soothing porridge.

Every time he had a hangover, Charlotte's porridge was his go-to remedy. It had become a habit.

"Just porridge? You say it like it's nothing. Why should I make it for her?"

Charlotte sneered.

The porridge she made for Frederick was always top-notch. The ingredients were expensive, and it took five hours to cook, needing constant attention to avoid burning.

Frederick frowned, showing a rare hint of vulnerability. "I want some too."

Charlotte's breath hitched for a moment.

If it were in the past, she would have gladly sacrificed her sleep to make porridge for him.

But now, she felt nothing for him.

"You want it? Pay up, one million dollars a pot."

Frederick's patience snapped. "We haven't officially divorced yet. Don't push me."

"So what if I do?" Charlotte was unfazed.

"Make the porridge and bring it to the hospital, or I'll cancel the divorce and make your life hell."

Frederick hung up, not giving her a chance to respond.

Charlotte fumed, pounding the bed. "Frederick, you bastard! You're shameless!"

He was the one who wanted a divorce, and now he was threatening to cancel it. What did he want?

Charlotte's heart ached. Every encounter with Frederick deepened her pain. She just wanted to be rid of him.

When Serena was sent abroad for treatment, Charlotte could still fool herself into staying with him.

But now, staying entangled with Frederick would only bring more trouble.

It was just porridge.

She was willing to make it, but she doubted Serena would have the guts to eat it!

When Charlotte arrived at the hospital with a pot of porridge, she heard a delicate voice from inside the room, "Frederick, why did you ask her to come? I don't want to see her."

"I just asked her to bring the porridge. She'll leave right after."

Frederick's voice was unusually gentle.

"But will you look down on me after seeing her all dressed up? I'm exhausted and not wearing any makeup, you know."

Serena's pale face turned even paler with fear.

Frederick immediately reassured her, "I won't look down on you. No matter how she looks, you're the most beautiful to me."

"Really? Swear it." Serena clung to his sleeve.

"Okay, I swear."

"Frederick, you're the best!" Serena finally smiled through her tears.

Outside the door, Charlotte listened to their intimate conversation, feeling a pang in her heart.

Frederick had never been this gentle with her. Even during their most intimate moments, he was always rough and intense, never caring about her feelings.

She had always thought Frederick was a cold-hearted person, but now she saw him being so patient with another woman.

Charlotte felt a pang of jealousy. If she said she wasn't hurt, it would be a lie.

She didn't want to listen to their conversation anymore and put down the thermos to leave, but the sound caught the attention of the two inside.

Frederick immediately opened the door, and when he saw it was Charlotte, a barely noticeable smile appeared on his lips.

Charlotte handed over the thermos and turned to leave, but Frederick grabbed her arm firmly.

"Let go of me. What do you want?"

Charlotte turned her head angrily, glaring at Frederick.

As she turned, her hair brushed against Frederick's face, and the familiar scent instantly soothed his fatigue.

Frederick lowered his head and whispered in her ear, in a voice only the two of them could hear.

"I want to fuck you."

"You!"

Charlotte's ears turned bright red in an instant. She was mortified and furious but couldn't bring herself to curse.

She wasn't as shameless as Frederick!

Frederick looked at her blushing face, and a rush of heat went straight to his lower abdomen, his long-dormant desire awakening.

Actually, he had lied to Serena earlier because Charlotte's appearance and figure perfectly matched his aesthetic. Everything about Charlotte aroused his sexual desires.

"Frederick, what are you two talking about?" Serena's voice was soft and fragile.

"Nothing," Frederick replied, but his heated gaze remained on Charlotte.

Charlotte heard the huskiness in his voice and, meeting his gaze, immediately knew he was thinking something inappropriate.

In her anger, she lifted her foot and kicked hard at Frederick's crotch.

"What are you doing? Trying to murder your husband?"

Frederick easily blocked her attack and grabbed her leg, rubbing it continuously.

Their current posture was very suggestive, and this scene was an eyesore to Serena.

Moreover, she hadn't expected Charlotte to look so gorgeous even makeup-free!

Serena's eyes filled with tears, and she spoke pitifully, "Ms. Russell, if you're angry, you can hit me, but please don't hurt Frederick. He merely feels sympathy for me and wants to help me. Please, do not treat him harshly."

Hearing her words, Frederick immediately let go of Charlotte's leg.

He walked over to Serena and comforted her softly, "Don't get upset. She can't hurt me."

Charlotte found it ridiculous.

Her inner thigh was red from Frederick's grip. Who was really being rough?

"In that case, you better keep Frederick in check. Don't let him bother me. As for your relationship, I'm not interested. I'm not that cheap."

Charlotte's words were directed at Serena, but her gaze was like a knife aimed at Frederick.

Frederick's eyes darkened at her words.

Every time he heard Charlotte say she wanted to leave him, it ignited a fire of anger in his heart.

He did want a divorce to give Serena the title of his wife, but he had also given Charlotte the chance to stay by his side. As long as Charlotte was willing to be his mistress, he would still provide her with the most affluent life.

But why wouldn't Charlotte agree?

Serena couldn't stand seeing Frederick's eyes full of Charlotte.

She quickly got out of bed but stumbled and fell to her knees.

She muttered, "Ms. Russell, I know I shouldn't be alive. To avoid making things difficult for you, I'll go die now."

As she spoke, Serena crawled towards the window, as if she was going to jump.

Frederick, heartbroken, immediately stepped forward and scooped her up.

Seeing Serena's swollen ankle and slightly dirty hands and feet, he was burned with anger.

Frederick's eyes were icy cold. "Charlotte, get over here and kneel to Serena, then clean her feet!"

Charlotte was shocked by his words, her eyes filled with blood, unable to believe what she had just heard.

Frederick even wanted her to kneel to Serena!