Chapter 5

Elodie tensed up a bit, then slipped back into her sad look.

"Fights between couples are normal. Your dad and I have been at it our whole lives, but once you and your sister came along, everything got so much better."

Elodie said earnestly, "What you need to do now is have a kid with Frederick. Once there's a baby, he'll definitely change his mind."

Charlotte's face hardened at the mention of a child.

"No way am I using a kid to keep Frederick around. This marriage is over," Charlotte said firmly.

"You..." Elodie was taken aback by Charlotte's determination.

Oliver, who was nearby, raised his cane again when he heard this.

"Elodie, move aside! I swear, I'm going to make her regret this! She had the life of a rich wife, and she still wants a divorce?" Oliver said, looking exasperated.

"What will people think of our Russell Family if you get divorced? I can't handle that kind of shame."

"If I knew you were this useless, I would've let your sister marry him instead! I really regret it!"

Oliver accidentally let his true feelings slip and quickly shut up.

Charlotte sneered. "Dad, you finally said what you really think."

Charlotte stood up slowly. "I know I'll never measure up to Juniper in your eyes. I was raised in the countryside while Juniper grew up with you. If it wasn't for the marriage alliance with the Percy Family, you probably would've forgotten about me, right?"

Elodie suddenly covered her face and cried. "Charlotte, are you still blaming me?"

"Mom, I'm not."

Charlotte's tone was still gentle towards Elodie. "Honestly, when I was younger, I did resent you and Dad, wondering why I couldn't live with you like Juniper did. But as I grew up, I understood you had your reasons."

"Charlotte, I was in poor health back then. It's my fault." Elodie hugged her, looking very moved.

Oliver, however, stayed tough. "Why are you apologizing to this ungrateful daughter? Charlotte, tell me whether you go and make up with Frederick or not!"

"No way!" Charlotte's stance was just as firm.

"You ungrateful brat! I'll beat you to death!"

Oliver tried to hit Charlotte again, but she dodged this time.

Elodie, standing behind her, couldn't dodge in time and got hit, stumbling back and falling hard to the ground.

"Oh my God, my butt!" Elodie kept crying out in pain.

Charlotte rushed to help her up, but Oliver pushed her away.

"You ungrateful daughter! How dare you dodge? If anything happens to your mother, I won't forgive you!"

Charlotte was at a loss for words.

Oliver's cane had been aimed right at her abdomen. If she had been hit, the baby might not have survived.

So she had no choice but to dodge, but it caused Elodie to get hurt.

"I..."

Charlotte wanted to explain she dodged because she was pregnant, but Oliver cut her off harshly.

"Shut up! Go find Frederick right now. If you get divorced, don't ever come back! Your mother, your sister, and I will never forgive you!"

"What are you still standing there for? Get out!"

Oliver's harsh words made Charlotte's heart ache even more.

Elodie was still crying out in pain on the floor. Charlotte wanted to argue but couldn't find the words.

She silently opening the door and walking out.

Charlotte felt really guilty. After a few steps, she suddenly turned back.

But when she got to the door, she heard them laughing inside.

"Hahaha, Oliver, how was my acting?"

"Your acting is spot on, but you can't protect her like that next time. Do you know how worried I was just now?"

"It's all that bitch Charlotte's fault for dodging! I wasn't even ready!"

Charlotte felt a chill run through her body, as if her blood had turned to ice.

The voices inside were familiar, but the words felt so strange, especially coming from Elodie.

In her mind, Elodie had always been gentle and kind, never speaking such bitter words!

The two inside kept talking, not knowing Charlotte was at the door.

"Honey, what if that bitch Charlotte really divorces Frederick?"

"Don't worry. If they really get divorced, we'll just have Juniper marry him."

"No way!"

Elodie immediately objected, "I can't let Juniper suffer. That's why we brought Charlotte back from the countryside. Now you want Juniper to marry the man Charlotte doesn't want? No way!"

Oliver got anxious. "Back then, we were worried Frederick wouldn't inherit the Percy Family, so we didn't let Juniper marry him. But now he controls the whole Percy Family. Even if Frederick has other women, he won't mistreat Juniper. Most importantly, our company needs the Percy Family's support."

"No way."

Elodie was very protective of Juniper. "I'll find a way to force Charlotte to reconcile. I can't let Juniper suffer."

"Help me up quickly. The floor is freezing. I need to go back and take a hot bath."

Charlotte heard the commotion inside and quickly slipped away.

After leaving the Russell Villa, she wandered aimlessly on the street, feeling lost.

Her heart had become numb from all the blows.

Charlotte used to think Oliver didn't like her, but she never expected Elodie to be the same.

It turned out they both knew marrying into the Percy Family wouldn't bring happiness. All their kindness was just a facade.

It turned out no one in this world loved her.

Just as the thought of ending her life crossed Charlotte's mind, her belly began to ache again.

Charlotte instantly became clear-headed. She wasn't completely alone; she still had her child.

Even for the sake of her child, she couldn't give up!

Although her child gave her a bit of fighting spirit, she was unable to counteract the impact of missed meals, insufficient rest, and the relentless pressure from Frederick and her father.

The more Charlotte walked, the heavier her legs felt, like they were filled with lead.

After a while, Charlotte felt her body lighten, her vision went black, and she fell forward.

Using her last bit of strength, Charlotte protected her belly and then passed out.

Passersby saw her collapse and immediately gathered around.

"Call an ambulance! Someone has fainted here!"