Back at the hotel, Charlotte still felt as if she were floating, as if her feet unable to find solid ground.
Kingsley had just... kissed her.
The cool, pleasant scent of Kingsley's body still seemed to linger in her nostrils. She could still feel the heat and dominance of his kiss, the intensity with which he drew her lips and tongue.
This was her first experience of this kind.
When Kingsley kissed her, her body seemed to melt into water, completely devoid of resistance. Fortunately, Kingsley was restored to reason in time, and after the kiss, he escorted her back to the hotel.
Charlotte lay on the bed, her face burning and even stinging a little. This was her first kiss, and she hadn't expected it to be so thrilling and unforgettable. She feared she would never forget the feeling of this moment.
Charlotte pulled the covers up over her head, feeling too shy to face anyone. Imagining the person before her was Kingsley, the Kingsley she had always held in her heart, brought her a sense of comfort and belonging.
Were she and Kingsley now together?
Lying on her bed, tossing and turning, Charlotte couldn't calm down, feeling alternately excited, flushed, and nervous. She wondered if Kingsley felt the same way at this moment.
Thinking of Kingsley, Charlotte couldn't help but blush again and roll around on her bed. Her Kingsley was truly handsome!
Suddenly, a knock on her door interrupted Charlotte's thoughts. She stiffened under the covers.
"Charlotte? I heard you came back alone. Open the door, we'd like to talk to you and hear if you've had any strange encounters." It was Aaron's voice from outside.
But Charlotte was far from relaxed; she felt even more nervous, knowing Aaron wasn't the only one outside. Chris and Ian would surely be there too.
She shrank further under the covers and sheepishly replied, "No, I'm going to sleep. We can talk about it tomorrow!"
After a moment of silence, Chris's deep, slightly cold voice came: "Charlotte, open the door."
Charlotte shivered at the words. What should she do? How could she dare?
"Charlotte, you know, I don't want to open the door with the spare key," Chris added.
Charlotte was on the verge of tears. She emerged from the covers, composed herself a little, and slowly walked towards the door.
Looking at the nearby door handle, she blushed deeply and raised her hand with a trembling motion.
As she prepared to open the door, the phone suddenly rang outside. Immediately after, Chris's voice, low and cold, came through: "Uh, got it."
Charlotte's eyes widened slightly upon hearing his voice. Did Chris encounter a temporary issue?
"Ian, join me. Our team has uncovered some information about that individual," Chris's voice came through the door again.
That person, Kingsley? They've found something on Kingsley?
Charlotte's eyes widened in surprise, and she couldn't gather her thoughts before opening the door to her room. In the doorway stood Chris, Aaron, and Ian, all looking at her simultaneously.
"My dear Charlotte, you've finally emerged!" Aaron exclaimed, pulling her from side to side. "What just happened out there? The bouncer claimed you were taken by a dangerous individual? What's going on?"
"No, that's not true! It's a misunderstanding!" Charlotte stammered. "They misinterpreted the situation!"
Kingsley wasn't a dangerous person, and she was the one who had actually taken him away.
"We don't have time to sort this out now. You have an hour to gather your thoughts and explain everything to me," Chris said quickly before leading Ian away.
Before Ian left, he pointed at her with a displeased expression and said, "You're becoming more and more unruly."
Watching her two older brothers depart, Charlotte nervously bit her lip.
"Aaron, they...," she started.
"They located the individual from the concert earlier today," Aaron said, leaning lazily against the doorframe, but his eyes gleamed with curiosity. "Tell me honestly, who was that person? And who is the one tonight? Why were you seen leaving together?"
"I..." Charlotte struggled to concoct a plausible explanation for Aaron, but before she could think of one, Aaron's phone rang.
Answering the call, Aaron's expression shifted from skepticism to surprise after listening to the voice on the other end. "The Cooperative Intelligent AI project? The Livingston family?"
Charlotte's ears perked up immediately.
"Why the sudden interest?" he asked.
"Okay, I'll turn on my computer now, and we'll have a video conference."
Aaron disliked worrying about work. There were countless industries under the vast Scott family, but none of them piqued his interest even remotely; his sole passion and talent lay in researching artificial intelligence.
Aaron ended the call and promptly pushed aside thoughts of Charlotte, briskly stating, "Charlotte, go back to rest. I have business to attend to!"
With that, he swiftly departed, a determined look on his face.
Charlotte, however, felt a bit odd.
Glancing at the time, which now read past 10:00 p.m., Charlotte pondered for a moment before messaging Diana. "Diana, are you asleep yet?"
"Not yet. What's the matter, Charlotte? Is everything okay?" Diana replied promptly.
"There's something urgent! Meet me in your room!" Charlotte responded quickly.
In no time, Charlotte hurried to Diana's room.
As she entered, Charlotte wasted no time. "Diana, I need your help with something serious, something significant!"
"Related to your earlier escapade?" Diana teased, casting a knowing glance at her.
Blushing, Charlotte confessed, "Diana, I think I'm in love."
"What?" Diana exclaimed in disbelief.
Charlotte reiterated solemnly, "I'm serious, Diana." She then embraced her sister, wearing a pleading expression. "You can take your time with that, but as for the other matter, I need your assistance."
"What is it?" Diana inquired instinctively.
"Help me keep this from my brothers!" Charlotte implored with a mischievous grin, her eyes gleaming with cunning. "They're onto this now, and if they find out, it'll be chaos. I can't bear the thought of being separated from the person I care about; it's too pitiful!"
"Who is this person?" Diana asked, her tone concerned.
"It's Kingsley," Charlotte murmured softly, her gaze tender. "We grew up together in the same orphanage. He was always there to defend me when I was bullied. But then, he was reclaimed by the Livingston family..."
Diana furrowed her brow.
The Livingston family?
Was he the youngest son of the Livingston family?
Before Diana could respond, a stern voice interrupted from the doorway. "You can't be involved with him!"