Michael took Charlotte to a seaside restaurant specializing in T-Nation style meat fondue. However, the moment the words "T-Nation" caught her eye, a wave of unease washed over her.

Despite her absolute certainty that Levin wasn't the man from that night four years ago, the staged photos were enough to turn her stomach. What made it worse was knowing those images were now in the hands of the White family’s mother-daughter duo. If they were ever leaked, her reputation would be decimated, and the fallout would inevitably stain her children’s lives.

"What's wrong?" Michael asked gently, noticing the shadow that had fallen over her face. "Do you not like T-Nation fondue? We can go somewhere else."

"No, it’s fine."

She didn't want to ruin his carefully planned evening, and they had already driven quite a distance. Changing plans now would only be a waste of time.

"Then let’s head in."

He led her to a pre-booked private room where every dish on the menu was something she loved. As the waiters retreated, the atmosphere softened. They began to reminisce about their university days, their laughter coming easier as they spoke of simpler times before life had become a series of scandals and survival.

Eventually, Michael’s tone shifted. He asked how she was doing lately.

The smile vanished from Charlotte’s face. She turned grim, lowering her head to sip her tea in a heavy, pointed silence.

"I heard from Helena that you're... quite close to Mr. Nacht of Divine Corporation," Michael hinted, testing the waters.

"He's my boss," she responded swiftly, her voice clipped.

"Charlotte... don't ever cross the Nachts," Michael warned, his expression earnest.

She looked up in confusion. "Why would you say that?"

"Well, how should I put it..." He searched for the right words. "In the corporate world, there’s a saying about the two pillars of the nation. The Nachts control the south, while the Lindbergs dominate the north. They are the biggest players in the game, but their homes are lion's dens. Both families are incredibly complicated and dangerous. You're too innocent to be caught in their gears."

"Oh," she answered with a slow nod. "I thought you knew more than that."

"What?" Michael looked genuinely puzzled by her curt remark.

"Nothing." She flashed him a small, weary smile. "Let’s just have some tea."

Michael was a world apart from Hector, Zachary, or even Chris. He loved the arts and loathed the cutthroat nature of business. He despised the way people schemed against one another in the dark. He was a man of pure heart, almost saintly in his feelings, and he lacked the sharp, cynical edge of a man like Chris.

Because he was so untainted by power struggles, Charlotte realized she didn't want him pulled into her messy, dangerous world.

When the food arrived, they chatted comfortably. Michael looked after her with the same easy attentiveness he’d shown years ago, and Charlotte allowed herself to settle into the familiar rhythm.

Suddenly, her phone rang. She excused herself to step into the hallway. It was Mrs. Berry, calling to say that Ellie had caught another cold and was running a high fever. She had already taken the child to the hospital.

Charlotte panicked instantly. "How is she? Is it serious?"

"Don't worry, it's just a common cold. But she misses you. She keeps crying for her mommy."

Charlotte’s heart ached. She desperately wanted to fly to her daughter’s side, but her current situation made it impossible. "Please look after them for me, Mrs. Berry. I'll be back as soon as I settle things here."

After hanging up, she turned to head back to her room, but her gaze was caught by the door of the private suite opposite hers. It was cracked open just a few inches. Through the gap, she saw two familiar figures.

Hector and Helena?

Hector looked completely wasted. He was slumped over, drinking heavily and complaining with the bitter air of a broken man. Helena looked on, her heart clearly breaking for him, before she finally reached out and pulled him into a desperate embrace.

Instead of pushing her away, Hector grabbed her face with drunken intensity and began to kiss her fiercely.