Chapter 37 Got Something to Hide

"Why aren't you saying anything? Got something to hide?" Harper taunted, a sly grin on her face. "Hit too close to home, did I?" Charlotte was with her kids and didn't want to frighten them. She silently picked up her belongings, deciding it was best to leave the scene. Harper, who was enjoying a shopping day with her long-time best friend, suddenly turned around and saw her son. She was just about to say hello when she caught sight of the woman standing across from him - it was Charlotte. Anger flashed in her eyes as she stormed toward them. "Charlotte! What are you doing here? Trying to seduce my son? I'm telling you, it's never going to happen." Charlotte just laughed at the sight of Harper and her son. "You two are definitely cut from the same cloth." "Isn't it obvious? A woman who cheated in her marriage like you... Who else would take you except my son? That's your plan, isn't it?" Harper accused. Frank's expression turned sour. "Mom, not here, please. Let's just go home." "Home? After everything she's done to us, don't we deserve some sort of payback?" Harper was fuming. "You're divorced now. You should stay away from her!" "Mom, please, stop causing a scene." Frank was aware of the whole backstory. Plus, Charlotte was now with Luke, whom he definitely didn't want to provoke. He attempted to calm his mother, but Harper wasn't having any of it, continuing her loud rant regardless of the attention they were drawing. In the elegant restaurant, the other diners' gazes shifted toward Charlotte, their expressions changing as they observed the confrontation. Harper, fueled by anger, accused Charlotte, "Life has been hard without my son, right? You're just after his money, that's why you won't leave him alone. How can you be so shameless?" Charlotte asked Denise to safeguard the kids, then confronted Harper with a resolute slap. "If you don't know the real story, you shouldn't spread rumors. Consider this a warning. If you keep this up, it won't end with just a slap." Shocked, Harper had never experienced such a confrontation, never having been hit before, not even by her father. She was appalled to be struck by someone she deemed unworthy. Frank immediately defended his mother. "How could you hit my mom?" In a dramatic outcry, Harper announced to everyone, "Look! This woman had an affair and bore another man's kids. If I hadn't exposed her, who knows what she'd do next to lure my son!" Andy, a brave young boy, stood protectively in front of Charlotte. "You can't treat my mom like this!" In response, Harper pushed Andy, sending the three-year-old tumbling to the floor. "This must be the result of your affair, just as clueless as his father." Horrified, Charlotte rushed to her son's aid, cradling him protectively. "Stop it! How can you attack a kid?" Fueled by a fierce protective instinct, Charlotte stood up, swiftly handed her child to Denise, and confronted Harper with unyielding determination. In a swift motion, she knocked Harper to the ground and grabbed her hair, forcefully pushing her head toward the floor. Harper, caught off guard, screamed in disbelief, "What are you trying to do to me, you lunatic?" Charlotte's response was sharp and clear. "You hurt my son, I'm just giving you a taste of your own medicine." Frank tried to step in to stop the escalation, but Charlotte's hand met his cheek with a firm slap. "You've lost it, hitting me too!" Frank cried out in shock. "What makes you think you're off-limits?" Haunted by memories of similar altercations with Harper post-divorce, Charlotte felt a wave of anxiety but knew she couldn't show weakness now. Turning to Andy, she asked with concern, "Does it hurt, Andy?" Andy bravely shook his head. "No, it doesn't hurt." Charlotte's gaze hardened. "If anything happens to my son, I won't let you get away with it." Feeling the weight of the onlookers' stares, Charlotte didn't bother to explain. Her only thought was to leave with the kids, avoiding any further conflict with Harper and Frank. But Harper, relentless and bitter, taunted, "You dare attack us over those kids. I'll make sure you pay for this." "Then try." At that moment, Luke arrived, taken aback by the scene. He had been out arranging a special ring and was planning a peaceful lunch, only to walk into chaos. As Luke, Harper's brother-in-law, approached, Harper immediately took the chance to shape the story to her advantage. "I'm just disciplining this shameless woman. You should keep your distance from the likes of her, or you'll end up in trouble. Luckily, we realized her true nature in time and didn't get deceived further." Luke's expression darkened with anger. "Frank, I thought I told you to stop harassing her." Frank, clearly shaken, hastily apologized. He had suffered greatly from their previous encounter, having to buy back the villa at a steep cost. His company also faced heavy losses, and he was still trying to recuperate. The mere presence of Luke was enough to unsettle him. Attempting to calm the situation, Frank pleaded with Harper. "Mom, please, let's just go." Harper, however, was relentless, berating everyone indiscriminately. "I don't get why you're so afraid. It's not about whether we're in the wrong. I'm just scared you're falling for her tricks again. How did I raise such a spineless son?" Luke then turned to Charlotte with a look of deep concern. "Are you okay? Did you get hurt?" Charlotte shook her head. "No, I'm fine." Harper's voice, filled with indignation, continued to echo through the restaurant, "A woman who disrespects her elders like her shouldn't even exist. Luke, can you believe she hit me?" Luke firmly stood in front of Charlotte, shielding her. "She did the right thing." He regretted not being there sooner to shield Charlotte from such hostility. It was clear to Luke that Charlotte's happiness was genuine when she was with him, and he had no intention of letting Harper's behavior disrupt that. Harper, unable to comprehend Luke's stance, looked at him incredulously. "Do you even understand what this woman has done before? I'm trying to warn you, don't let her deceive you." "I stand by what I said. Charlotte is my wife now. As for any past indiscretions, I'm sure your son is more aware of the truth than anyone else." Luke's voice was icy, his eyes locked on Frank with a look of disdain. Completely absorbed in her own narrative, Harper failed to notice Luke's growing anger. "How can you associate with someone like her? Charlotte is a walking disaster. Aren't you concerned about how she might ruin your reputation?"