The Mocked Miss’s Hidden Crowns novel Chapter 147

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“I…” Kenneth hesitated, his eyes fixed on Charlotte as his heart pounded in his chest. Was it really okay to call himself her cousin just because she looked so much like his aunt? It felt like he was jumping the gun.

He took a deep breath and tried to play it cool. “I just can’t stand seeing a girl getting picked on.” His fingers tightened nervously, but he didn’t look away from Charlotte. His eyes practically sparkled, and his voice was soft—almost too soft. “Especially when she’s this cute, this pretty.”

Charlotte paused, her snack halfway to her mouth. Her clear eyes flashed with a warning that was hard to miss. Anthony’s face went cold in an instant, his glare landing on Kenneth and making the temperature in the room drop. Cute and pretty? What did that have to do with Kenneth? Charlotte was his Lottie. Her looks had nothing to do with anyone else.

But Kenneth didn’t seem to notice Anthony’s mood at all. He was way too focused on Charlotte, totally caught up in her beauty and the aura she gave off. The Gates family genes really were something special. He couldn’t help but remember the last time she’d left him in a cloud of exhaust fumes—she was so cool. He’d seen old videos of Nora when she was young, handling a race car with one hand at fifteen and looking absolutely stunning. Charlotte was even more impressive.

He leaned in a little, trying to sound casual. “Lottie, can I ask you something?” He grabbed a plate of crispy dates from the table and scooted closer, grinning in a way that was way too eager.

Lottie? Charlotte’s brows pinched together, and she instinctively moved closer to Anthony. Her rejection was quick and clear. “No, you can’t.”

The second Kenneth called her “Lottie,” Anthony’s expression iced over. He uncrossed his long legs, letting his hands rest on his knees, his posture tense with irritation. His fists clenched tight. The anger was building.

Kenneth just kept going, acting like Anthony wasn’t even there. He leaned forward, his eyes glued to Charlotte. “I just wanted to know, who else is in your family?” he asked, sounding way too interested.