Time-Limited Love: A Contract Expired, Not Renewed novel Chapter 223

Landon waited until Zinnia was ready to leave before scooping up Dapper from his cozy spot and following her out.

“We’ll go together,” he said.

Zinnia simply nodded, seeing no reason to object.

When she opened the door, she found Charles standing politely outside, wearing his trademark, almost ingratiating smile.

“Charles?”

“Good morning, Mrs. Ford.”

Charles grinned, eager as ever to please.

“How long have you been here? Why didn’t you come in?”

“Oh, not long at all, Mrs. Ford. I just arrived,” he replied smoothly, stepping aside to make way for her. “After you, Mrs. Ford. Mr. Ford.”

Zinnia shot Charles a puzzled look, catching the odd gleam in his eyes and the unnatural curve of his smile.

As she and Landon—still cradling Dapper—stepped into the elevator together, Zinnia heard a rapid-fire series of camera clicks behind her.

She turned around and spotted Charles snapping photos of her and Landon.

“Charles, what are you doing?”

In the three years since she’d married Landon, the two of them had never exactly been close, but Charles had always treated her with utmost respect. These days, she found herself more tolerant of Charles than even Landon. So even now, being caught in his candid shots, she felt more confusion than annoyance.

“PR,” Landon murmured, leaning in to whisper near her ear.

“I asked Charles to take a few extra pictures. They’ll go to the PR department to help squash those rumors about our marriage being on the rocks.”

Zinnia understood immediately.

“Let’s try to act natural in the next ones, so it doesn’t look staged,” Landon added quietly.

The elevator was small, and Charles shrank back into the corner, his mind already spinning a melodramatic romance novel featuring Landon as the brooding CEO desperate to win back his wife.

The crosswalk light turned red, and Zinnia headed off, disappearing down the sidewalk.

Charles watched her go, then glanced sideways at the scheming Mr. Ford beside him.

“Mr. Ford, that was a brilliant move,” he said, giving Landon a thumbs-up.

It all made sense now. Last night, he hadn’t understood why Mr. Ford had asked him to send that rumor about a separation straight to his phone. But now it was clear—this was all part of a clever plan to reconnect with Mrs. Ford under the guise of quashing rumors.

What a cunning—no, what a shrewd and brilliant man, Mr. Ford.

Landon shot Charles a look that said, “Keep your mouth shut,” before climbing into the car with Dapper.

Charles hurried after him, sliding into the front passenger seat. He turned to Landon and reported, “Mr. Ford, all the toys, treats, and food for Dapper have already been delivered to your office this morning.”

“Excellent. Double your bonus this month,” Landon replied.

Charles’ eyes lit up like two hundred-watt bulbs.