NovelBookChapter 394
“They're all from Vera-she says reading helps her relax,” Hiram said, glancing at the stack of by his bed.
Charlotte sat in the visitor's chair, eyes warm with affection. “Vera's a good girl, Hiram. But don’t go burdening
her with too much. If you need help, ctoinstead. I'm your sister, after all-I’d never hold it against you.”
Hiram hesitated, lowering his gaze as something seemed to trouble him. “But | can’t keep leaning on you
forever. | know I've always been reckless and immature. Mom and Dad say they dote on me, but honestly, they
don’t think I'll ever amount to much. They believe my only shot at success is by relying on my sister's husband.”
He trailed off, a shadow flickering across his face. “All those years you spent with the Howard family, everything
you went through... If I'd known sooner, | wouldn't have-”
Charlotte cut him off, her tone gentle but firm. “Let’s not dwell on the past. It’s over now.”
She placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. “Do you want to go back to the city?”
He looked up, startled. “Back to the city?”
“Mom and Dad's place is still there. Uncle's family won't cause trouble anymore. If you want to, | can arrange for
someone to bring you home.”
Hiram searched her face for a long moment before speaking, voice low. “Is this because that woman wants me
gone? Are you askingto leave because you're worried she’ll try something again?”
Charlotte's gaze fell. “I do worry about you getting hurt again. And | don’t want Tricia coming around anymore.”
Though Tricia was his own sister, Charlotte knew Hiram could never accept the truth-or the pain that cwith
i)
Hiram managed a small, wry smile. “If you're only doing this out of concern, then | won't argue. Honestly, |
wouldn't mind seeing the city again.”
Charlotte smiled, saying nothing more.
After leaving the hospital room, she sent a message to Wesley.
His reply cquickly: [I'll have Julian pick him up.]
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Chapter 394
Julian was both trustworthy and, more importantly, a safeguard against anyone trying to interfere under the
guise of helping Hiram.
Relief washed over Charlotte.
Just then, Mrs. Rivers messaged her, inviting her to the Rivers family’s tea estate.
Charlotte's morning at the hospital was free, so she accepted the invitation. The sprawling private gardens
stretched green as far as the eye could see, the sunlight catching on endless rows of tea bushes. Rising from the
greenery stood a white glasshouse, its four walls gleaming-a sanctuary for nurturing rare flowers and plants.
A gardener led Charlotte to the glasshouse and held the door for her. Inside, just beyond the entrance, was a
cozy sitting area arranged for tea and conversation. Mrs. Rivers sat at the table, pouring tea, with two other
elegantly dressed women nearby.
“Lottie, you're here!” Mrs. Rivers set down the teapot and turned to her guests. “This is Laurinda’s daughter, and
also Dr. Carstairs’ protégé-Charlotte, the surgeon.”
Notably, she introduced Charlotte not by her married nbut by her own accomplishments.
Charlotte gave a polite nod to the two women.
By way of introduction, Mrs. Rivers gestured to a sharp-featured woman with a stylish bob. “This is Mrs. Moore-
her son’s a doctor, too.”
Charlotte paused, the ntriggering a memory: Gentry Moore.
The other woman, fuller-figured and lively, was Mrs. Chamberlain. Her husband worked alongside Winston
Rivers, both holding equal rank.
“Now that I look at you, you really do resemble your mother,” Mrs. Moore said, kindly. “I'd heard the Rayburns
had found their daughter after more than twenty years-didn’t
believe it till now!”
Mrs. Chamberlain set down her teacup. “Your mother was a beauty when she was young-everyone in Eldermere
City said so. It's clear her daughter inherited that
charm.”
Charlotte sat quietly, listening. From
their tone, it was obvious 0% m
women had knanh ef #hot er well.
She'Wondered if she could steer the
conversation toward The content is
on novelenglish.net! Read the latest
chapter there!
Zoe Donovan.
As if on cue, Mrs. Moore turned to Mrs. Rivers. “Speaking of Laurinda, didn’t she have
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Chapter 394
a younger sister?”
Before Mrs. Rivers could answer,
Mrs. Chamberlain jumped in, eyes
bright. “You must mean Zoe! | met
her back in Riverspige City. ®é3rthing
hed erate Yadly burned in a fire
years ago, but she had reconstructive
surgery and now runs her own
cosmetic clinic. She's quite
talented—one of my friends had her
nose and chest done there, and she
was thrilled with the results.” The
content is on novelenglish.net! Read
the latest chapter there!
“She’s running a clinic in Riverspire
City? | thought she yoed tobi
Neefy ViRtEmery The content is on
novelenglish.net! Read the latest
chapter there!
Neely.
Charlotte stiffened.
That name. She was sure she’d heard it somewhere before.
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