REUNION

As Raymond and Charlotte left the restaurant, Grace's gaze lingered, her expression unreadable.

At the car, Raymond offered to drive Charlotte to the office. "Come, let me take you back," he said, opening the door for her.

Charlotte declined with a warm smile. "No, I'll take a taxi. I have a meeting around this area." Her lie was motivated by a desire to avoid Rachel's glare if she were caught with Raymond.

Raymond urged, "But I insist—" before his phone interrupted him. He apologized to Charlotte and excused himself to take the call.

Charlotte leaned against the car, waiting for Raymond to finish. She intended to remind him to email her the photos he took of Grace and her supposed "boyfriend."

As she watched Raymond answer the call, she observed his expression shifting from confusion to deep concern. And before she could fully process his reactions, he ended the call.