From Desk to Altar: The CEO's Irresistible Bargain

"Mr. Parker..." Charlotte began, only to be interrupted by Chloe's eager interjection.

"Liam, does this mean... our engagement is still on?"

"Sure."

Liam's words floated through the air, light yet cutting, leaving Charlotte feeling as though her heart was being torn to shreds.

Her composure shattered, she protested, "But you promised me!"

Liam's eyes grew colder, "Since when do my words hold such weight for you?"

Just like him, he believed everything she said. When she said she didn't want money, just for him to treat her a bit better, he obediently did so.

But in the end, he was just a stepping stone for her to climb the ladder to the top!

How dare she play him, time and time again!

Watching Charlotte's ghostly pale demeanor, Liam let out a mirthless chuckle and turned to leave with Chloe.

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Desperate, Charlotte reached out to grab his arm, "I didn't come home because..."

She stumbled over her words, trying to explain, but Chloe chose that moment to feign weakness, collapsing with a delicate cry, "Oh Liam, my leg hurts so terribly." "Is that so? Let's get you to a doctor."

Their affectionate display, oblivious to anyone else, left Charlotte feeling utterly invisible as if she didn't exist.

She stood rooted to the spot, fists clenched, unable to move forward.

To chase after him would be to embrace humiliation; she had reached her limit.

All she could do was watch as Liam escorted Chloe to a car, their closeness unbroken.

"Charlotte, are you okay?" Vincent approached, concern etched on his face.

Charlotte shook her head, her mind a fog. The continuation of the engagement was unbearable.

If it went on, Chloe would have her mountain to lean on, making it near impossible for Charlotte to get past Liam to seek vengeance for Annie.

And more terrifying still... Charlotte's head bowed in despair.

The ongoing engagement also meant that any future with Liam was slipping through her fingers!

She had just begun to muster the courage to acknowledge her feelings for Liam despite the obstacles of their different social standings and stark reality. How could she... how could this be happening...

While Charlotte drowned in her sorrows, Chloe was on cloud nine.

Leaning into Liam's supporting hand, she deliberately snuggled closer to him.

But before she could savor the moment, Liam's grip tightened, unceremoniously dumping her into the car, causing her to bump her head and grimace in pain. "Liam, why would you toss me like that? Aren't we supposed to be continuing our engagement? You should be gentle with your fiancée."

Liam wiped his hands with a look of disgust, "Speak properly."

Chloe paused, a flush creeping onto her cheeks, "Liam, have you changed your mind? Are we truly to continue with the engagement?" Continue?

Disgust flickered in Liam's eyes. She was hardly worthy!

That night, when Charlotte had made an urgent call, it was Chloe who answered, and yet she said nothing to him, keeping it hidden until the morning. That very night, Charlotte had been kidnapped and taken to a rural pig farm.

Had he not investigated thoroughly afterward, he may never have known the ordeal Charlotte had endured.

"As long as you behave, the engagement can continue. But step out of line, and you might just end up a dead woman."

The dark undertone in his voice raised goosebumps on Chloe, who was now desperate to flee.

"I... I understand, Liam. I'll be good, I promise!" Chloe quickly reassured him.

Seeing her submission, Liam's expression softened slightly as he settled back into his seat, "Go call Charlotte over. Let's all have dinner together." "What? Why?" Chloe was stunned.

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Liam's eyes narrowed, contemplating the price of using him.

Charlotte wanted to sway his decision to stop the engagement with Chloe.

Well, it was time to see if she truly had the means to do so.

Outside, Vincent was urging Charlotte to leave, "It's getting late. Shall I take you home?"

Charlotte shook her head, her gaze stubbornly fixed on the car not far from where they stood.

Walking away now would sever the last thread of hope with Liam.

Vincent tried to persuade her again, but suddenly, the car door swung open, and Chloe stepped out.

Her usual air of feigned grace was gone, replaced with a stiffness that made her smile look uglier than tears.

"Miss Perry, perhaps there's been a misunderstanding between us. Why don't we clear the air over dinner?" Chloe suggested.

Charlotte was all too aware of Chloe's true intentions: to flaunt her victory and perhaps even provoke Liam to retaliate against her.

It was a banquet with the potential for disaster, yet Charlotte couldn't refuse.

She exchanged a fleeting look with Liam through the car window, a silent conversation before swiftly looking away. "Alright," Charlotte agreed.

Vincent, alarmed, blurted out, "She'll make things difficult for you, and when that happens..."

"I'm aware," Charlotte replied with a cool distance, "If there's nothing else, Mr. Blackwood, please go ahead and leave."

Vincent hesitated, his concern palpable, but Liam scoffed at him, "Doesn't Mr. Blackwood enjoy meddling in other people's business? Join us."

"You!" Vincent nearly lashed out physically but held back, his worry for Charlotte reigning in his anger.

Liam and Chloe got into one car, while Charlotte, instead of joining Vincent, hailed her own taxi.

At the restaurant, Liam and Chloe's public display of affection was unmistakable.

"Choose what you like; don't mind the others," Liam said as he handed Chloe the tablet to order. Chloe covered her mouth, giggling coyly, "We aren't married yet. My mom would scold me if she saw you pampering me this much." "But pampering you is my pleasure, isn't that right? To be gentle with my fiancée," Liam responded with a smile.

"Oh, stop it, you're embarrassing me!" she laughed.

Their playful banter ignores the presence of others at the table.

Charlotte watched, biting her lip as her heart ached.

Liam never spoke to her so tenderly. His soft words were reserved only for intimate moments to satisfy his desires.

The difference between a high-born lady and a girl from a humble background was stark.

The devotion she fought so hard to earn from Liam could never compare to the power of Chloe's whimsical pouts. Noticing her gaze, Liam looked over coolly, "Remember your place, will you?"

Charlotte's spirit faltered, and she looked down, "I do."

His assistant.

"The tea for Miss Beaumont is a bit too hot," he hinted with a hidden meaning. Charlotte took a deep breath, stood up, and took the tea to the window to cool.

Chloe said, "No need for that. I'm not that delicate."

"Don't care about her, just an assistant,"

Liam quipped, the saccharine tone piercing Charlotte's ears as she turned to look outside, trying to distract her mind.

By the time she had cooled the tea, the meal had been served, and Liam was busy serving Chloe, leaving Charlotte to herself.

"All your favorites, enjoy," Liam said as he placed a piece of fish onto Chloe's plate. Before his chopsticks could retreat, a plate was thrust in front of him.

Following the plate's trajectory, he met Charlotte's defiant face, her hand as stubborn as her expression.

Liam couldn't help but laugh at the audacity. It seemed he had spoiled her too much in the past, so much so that she had forgotten her place. "What's this? You expect me to serve you now?"