Back at the hotel where they were temporarily staying in Kingsford, Charlotte wasted no time. The moment she stepped inside, she began rummaging through the room, checking every corner until it looked like a tornado had passed through.


    Hugo stood there, utterly baffled. "Charlotte, what on earth are you doing?" he blurted out.


    Ignoring him, Charlotte continued her search until she was reasonably sure there were no hidden cameras. Only then did she drag him to the sofa, urgency in her voice.


    "Tell me about your sister!"


    "What?"


    Hugo was taken aback, not understanding this sudden interest. Since when was Charlotte curious about his sister?


    "Stop stalling and spill it!" Charlotte snapped, raising her hand threateningly.


    Hugo, unwilling to provoke her further, recoiled slightly. The pain from his injuries made him wince, and he felt a pang of frustration.


    "Charlotte, you''re pregnant. You shouldn''t be getting so worked up."


    "Just talk!" Charlotte had no patience for his objections, her hand still raised. Hugo capitted instantly.


    He hesitated for a moment, memories of M''s piercing gaze earlier that day resurfacing, causing a sharp difort in his chest. Suppressing the unease, he began―


    "My sister is incredibly smart."


    "She always did better in school than I did, made it into Northpoint University, but for some reason, our parents never liked her. They treated her poorly, but she was always good to me. I was a sickly child, and once, when I had a fever so high I started convulsing, she ran through the streets crying for help..."


    "Stick to the point!" Charlotte interrupted, her brow furrowed. "I asked about your sister, not you!"


    "Right, right."


    Hugo dared not stray from the topic, wracking his brain for more details.


    Truth be told, he didn''t know much. His sister had run away from home at eighteen, and they''d seen little of each other since. In recent years, they hadn''t been in touch at all. If it weren''t for that million-dor dowry issue...


    Hugo''s lips tightened as he recounted the few monumental events from his sister''s life before she disappeared, especially her daring escape at eighteen.


    After hearing all this, Charlotte felt a chill run through her. This was no helpless woman; this was a force to be reckoned with! She couldn''t fathom how someone like her could fail to hold onto a man.


    But then again, Lysander''s situation was entirely different. Unlike Charlotte, who had neither support nor a powerful background, Lysander stood firm with the backing of the formidable Montgomery family and his own considerable talents.


    If he didn''t want something, no one could sway him.


    Yet, could she truly side with M?


    She longed for her mother to recover quickly, to be acknowledged by the Harvey family...


    Why did Giselle, also a daughter of the Harvey family, get to live a life of luxury while Charlotte had to fret over her mother''s illness, medical bills, and constant financial worries, never finding a moment''s peace?


    Could M really help her achieve all that?


    Regardless of the answer, Charlotte had no choice. Compared to these people, she was weak and vulnerable, her life the only currency she held. If someone was willing to give her a chance, even knowing she was being tested, she had no option but to endure.


    She had no choice.


    These thoughts stirred frustration as she nced at Hugo, who sat across from her, silently tending to his injuries with ointment. It annoyed her endlessly.


    How could he be M''s brother?


    Aside from his excessively handsome face, he bore no resemnce. He was such a fool, utterlycking the intelligence and resourcefulness his sister possessed!