Chapter 2: It's Probably a Fake Henry Russell

She couldn't help but let her thoughts run wild.

After a moment of silence, a pair of gray-brown eyes calmly looked at Charlotte Cooper, the gloomy and cold pupils reflecting her gorgeous and enchanting face.

"Charlotte, you're drunk."

Drunk?

"Who's drunk—you or me?" Charlotte held her shoulders and scrutinized the man in front of her.

"Just five days ago, you were traveling around Europe with your little lover, making headlines in gossip magazines. Now suddenly, you're back, acting like a good husband to me, Henry Russell. What are you trying to do? Surely you're not planning to kill me so that your other women can take over, right?" she teased, half-jokingly, half-seriously.

In reality, ever since their secret marriage three years ago, news about Henry's affairs has been endless. One day it's a famous starlet, the next an international supermodel, the day after that, a designer...

Charlotte knew he was taking revenge on her, tormenting her.

Because...

"These kinds of things won't happen again." Henry lifted his gaze, his eyes heavy.

Did he mean he had seen the error of his ways and decided to turn over a new leaf?

Too bad she didn't believe a single word.

"Mr. Russell, even without all those other women, can you forget your beloved one?" Charlotte sneered and went back to her bedroom.

Soaking in the bathtub, exhausted in body and mind, Charlotte's thoughts drifted back to everything that had happened three years ago. The words Henry had spoken on their wedding day about tormenting each other had all been carried out over their marriage.

They had been in a cold war for three years. Was Henry's sudden change another new way to torture her?

Well, what was there to be afraid of?

This was the price she had to pay for her obsessive pursuit of married life.

Charlotte slept deeply, and when she groggily walked out of her room the next day, she was still shocked by the scene before her despite her mental preparations.

It must be a dream, she thought.

Charlotte, deep in thought, dragged her body and was about to return to her room when a low and cold voice rang out behind her—

"Brush your teeth and wash your face. Get ready for breakfast."

It sounded like a call from hell.

She turned her head somewhat stiffly to see Mr. Russell, who had not shown himself in the mornings for three years, gazing at her with deep eyes, holding two glasses of milk.

The milk was thick and creamy, its warmth spreading from the cup to Charlotte's fingertips, as if scorching her heart as well. The instigator of all this sat expressionless across from her, wearing a gray housecoat, looking every bit like a lazy, indifferent husband.

Oh, this harmless appearance...

For a moment, Charlotte was dazed, but she quickly snapped back to reality.

No, Charlotte, how could you be fooled by such a false script? Think about this man's attitude over the years—it must all be part of a scheme!

Wake up!

Charlotte sat up straight and silent.

Breakfast was tasteless, and the eerie atmosphere lasted all the way to the film set.

"So, Mr. Russell is still taking you to work today?" Ella, the assistant, couldn't help but ask.

Charlotte nodded and half-seriously, half-jokingly said, "Remember, if I ever die, tell the police the killer is Henry Russell."

Ella couldn't help but laugh, "Charlotte, maybe you're overthinking it. After all, you've been married to Dr. Russell for years. Maybe he's come to his senses and wants to live a good life with you."

"Things between us aren't that simple."

After all...

Charlotte's lips tightened.

Today was the day of the Russell family gathering. As soon as she finished work, Henry's black Mercedes was parked outside waiting for her.

As expected.

By now, Charlotte Cooper has grown indifferent. She expressionlessly opens the car door and gets into the passenger seat, her gaze never wavering, her attitude cold and glamorous.

"Let's go." She lifts her sunglasses slightly.

Henry Russell doesn't move. He lowers his eyes to look at Charlotte; after a moment, he suddenly leans towards the passenger seat.

A chill greets her face, and Charlotte freezes, her expression wooden: "What are you up to?"

Henry's face is cold, his jawline taut. He doesn't respond, instead slowly reaching over to take out the seatbelt for the passenger seat.

A click.

The safety lock is buckled.

Charlotte: So she was just overthinking things...

They drive in silence, Henry quietly driving as Charlotte watches the mottled shadows of trees outside the window, slightly tipsy from the cold.

An hour later, the car smoothly comes to a stop in front of a villa on the outskirts.

Charlotte opens the car door and is the first to walk into the villa.

"Big bro, you're back?" As soon as she enters, a cheerful young girl rushes towards her.

Her short curly hair, round dewy eyes, straight delicate nose, and luscious lips - she's like a blossoming flower in spring.

"Why is it you?" She puffs up her round eyes, glaring at the striking woman before her. "Where's my big brother?"

Seeing the Russell family princess, Charlotte smiles slightly, revealing her cold, white teeth. "Little Lily, have you missed your sister-in-law?"

"Who would ever miss you, you crazy woman?!" Cloud Russell scoffs and walks away with a huff.

Ever since marrying Henry Russell, this girl has never shown her a good face, but Charlotte doesn't really mind. Sometimes teasing a child can be quite fun.

The Russell family is large, with many different branches, but when it comes to direct descendants, it's just Henry and his sister. So it's not hard to imagine how much the little princess is spoiled; even her arrogant, willful personality isn't considered a big problem.

At dinner, Henry Russell cut a steak for Charlotte and handed it to her. Seeing this, Cloud Russell, a chronic "brother control" enthusiast, jutted her jaw and stared at Charlotte defiantly: "Charlotte Cooper, I don't like you coming to my house! You're not allowed to come anymore!"

"Zhenzhen, what nonsense are you talking about!" Mrs. Russell lovingly scolds her daughter, then turns her head to smile gently at Charlotte. "Charlotte, don't mind her. Zhenzhen doesn't mean anything by it."

The implication is not to bear a grudge against a spoiled child.

As Charlotte smiles faintly, about to speak, Henry's expression suddenly turns cold, his eyes moving to Cloud's face. He clears his throat, his voice low. "Apologize to your sister-in-law."

There's a moment of silence in the air.

No one expected the man who'd never given Charlotte any regard to actually stand up for her?!

This is a first!

Cloud Russell stares at her brother in disbelief. "Brother, what's wrong with you today?"

Did he take the wrong medicine?

Of course, she swallows the second half of the sentence.

Henry Russell just looks at her coldly. "I said apologize."

His tone is beyond doubt, making Cloud Russell shudder.

In shock, she turns her head away, her lips tightly closed, her whole body exuding defiance.

Mrs. Russell takes a quick glance at her son's expression, then promptly steps in to mediate the situation. "Alright, alright, it's not easy for the whole family to get together for dinner. Zhenzhen is still young and doesn't understand, just be more tolerant of her."

"Yes, Mr. Russell, what are you angry about?" Charlotte smiles faintly, her tone tinged with sarcasm.

Scenes like this have happened countless times over the past three years, and Henry Russell has always stood by coldly. Why is he standing up for her now? What for?

After a moment of silence, Henry lowers his eyes.

As everyone thinks the matter is settled, he speaks again, his voice bleak, "Cloud Russell, if you don't apologize, it's fine. Just know that from now on, you're not my sister, Henry Russell."