Chapter 365: So the Company Is Yours?

Charles Prescott gritted his teeth. "I’ve poured my heart and soul into the Fawcett Group! Don’t go too far! If he snatches it away, this isn’t over between us."

"It would have been better if you hadn’t come," Anne Sutton said. "But now that you’re here, I’m suddenly thinking that letting Ethan Linden manage the Fawcett Group might not be a bad idea after all! At least I’ll get to see you miserable. Charles Prescott, you’re finally getting what’s coming to you! Have you forgotten how you treated me back then?"

’She’d remembered every single rotten thing he’d done, one by one!’

Charles Prescott fell silent for a moment after hearing Anne Sutton’s words. "I’m sorry," he finally said.

He stood up, putting some distance between them. "It’s my fault. I was a fool back then; I didn’t realize what was truly important to me. If I could choose again, I’d want nothing to do with those other women. I’d want only you by my side. I wish I had married you and we had started a family."

Unlike his usual hypocrisy, Charles Prescott’s words now sounded sincere.

He didn’t know when it had started, but the thought of her with Ethan Linden made him miserable.

’This woman should have been his, but now, she felt impossibly far away.’

Anne Sutton watched his dejected act, not buying it for a second. "That sob story won’t work on me. We both know exactly what kind of person you are. The only reason you regret anything now is because I’m the chairman of the Fawcett Group. But if I hadn’t left you, if I hadn’t gotten together with Nathan Fawcett, if I didn’t have everything I do today, would you still be saying this to me? No. All you’ve ever seen is wealth and glory, your own self-interest, and your women. I was never your first choice."

Charles Prescott said, "You’re right. It’s my fault. I’m going to go pick up Leo."

He glanced at her, then turned and walked out.

Anne Sutton sat on the sofa, watching him go. ’Tsk. Who did he think he was fooling with that lovesick act?’

The housekeeper came over to Anne Sutton and said, "It seems Mr. Prescott has changed lately. He’s not like he used to be."

This was the same housekeeper who had been with her back at the Fawcett Family estate, so she knew what a piece of work Charles Prescott had been.

Anne Sutton chuckled. "You actually believe that? He’s just putting on a show."

’She remembered how he’d once promised he wouldn’t make her get rid of the baby. And she’d believed him.’

’But when he turned on her, he showed no mercy whatsoever. He even bribed her own father.’

The housekeeper said, "That’s how men are. The more they can’t have something, the more obsessed they become. It seems that’s what Ms. Sutton has become to him."

Anne Sutton said, "I agree with you on that."

She picked up her phone and glanced at the time. It was still early. She wondered if she should take a nap before eating.

Just then, Nathan Fawcett and Ian returned.

They were back sooner than Anne expected. "I thought you’d be back later!" she said.

Ian ran to Anne’s side and tugged on her hand. "Mama."

Anne looked at the little boy, then her gaze shifted to Nathan Fawcett, who was now walking toward her. He stared at her, his expression grave.

His intense gaze made her feel inexplicably nervous. "Why are you staring at me?"

Nathan Fawcett reached out and gently stroked her head. "I don’t know why," he said, "but I can’t help but worry when I’m not with you."

"What’s there to worry about?" Anne said. "We’ve been talking the whole time, haven’t we?"

’It’s not like we haven’t been calling each other.’

Nathan Fawcett said, "I worry that if I’m not here watching over you, you’ll be stolen away."

"Pfft..."

Anne Sutton flushed at his words. "You’re overthinking things! How did you get back so quickly? You didn’t leave at the crack of dawn, did you?"

"We left first thing in the morning," Nathan Fawcett said. "Ian woke me up before the sun was even up. He couldn’t wait to get back."

At this, Anne picked up Ian, whom she hadn’t seen in days, and hugged him tight. "My sweet boy! Charles Prescott was just here, but he’s gone now. I have a feeling he might come back later, though."

Charles Prescott didn’t know Nathan Fawcett would be back.

’He must have assumed Nathan wasn’t around.’

’So he’ll probably come back after picking up his son.’

Nathan Fawcett said, "If he wants to come, then let him. I’m here now."

Anne looked at him, and seeing him there did make her feel more secure. "Mm."

Anne had been planning to take a nap, but now that Ian and Nathan were back, she no longer felt sleepy. They decided to eat first instead.

Halfway through the meal, Charles Prescott returned.

Anne watched him, surprised he had returned so quickly.

He had Leo with him this time.

Leo trotted behind him, his short legs struggling to keep up with his father’s strides.

Charles Prescott looked surprised to see both Nathan Fawcett and Ian. "Why are you back?"

He had been planning to use the opportunity of Ethan Linden being in Westhaven to have a heart-to-heart with Anne.

But now...

’Nathan Fawcett was actually back!’

Nathan Fawcett looked at him. "Am I not allowed back?"

"Aren’t you supposed to be in Westhaven auditing the books?" Without waiting for an invitation from Anne, Charles Prescott sat down. He looked at Nathan Fawcett, his eyes turning cold.

Nathan Fawcett said, "I came to check on Anne. I can go back anytime. More importantly, what are you doing here, President Prescott?"

Charles Prescott retorted, "This isn’t your house. I’ll come and go as I please. I’m here to see the chairman. Got a problem with that?"

"..." Seeing his brazen attitude, Anne said, "You came to see me, you’ve seen me. You can go now."

Charles Prescott said, "He hasn’t left, why should I?"

Anne Sutton snapped, "Are you insane? Who do you think you are, waltzing into my house whenever you feel like it? I didn’t invite you!"

Charles Prescott said to Anne, "As long as you’re not married to Ethan Linden, I still have a chance, right? Leo, say ’Mama.’"

Anne Sutton: "..." ???

Leo glanced at Anne Sutton. "She’s not my mama."

Charles Prescott said, "What did I tell you on the way here?"

’He had specifically told Leo to call Anne ’Mama’.’

’Ethan Linden’s son called her that, so why couldn’t his?’

’Maybe hearing it would soften her heart!’

Ian said, "She’s my mama, not his mama."

He hugged Anne from his seat beside her.

As if afraid that Leo would steal her away.

Charles Prescott said, "Ethan Linden, you’re pretty good at raising kids! If it weren’t for your clever son, Anne wouldn’t be so fond of you. Now that you’ve lost everything, she’s still falling for your act."

"..." Anne said, "Charles Prescott, do you realize how pathetic you sound right now?"

"I just think it’s unfair!" Charles Prescott said. "Why does he get everything just by sucking up to you, while I did so much for the Fawcett Group and ended up with nothing?"

Anne retorted, "What? So if I step back from the company and let you run it, it suddenly becomes yours? Now that I want someone else to run it, you’ve got a problem with that?"