The Illegitimate Flame: Bride of Ashes-Chapter 37- extra

"What time is it?" Janet mumbled, clutching Charles’s arm. Her sleepy, wide eyes, tousled hair, and slightly parted pink lips gave her a kind of seductive beauty.

"It’s noon. Why didn’t you go eat?" Charles brushed the hair from her forehead, his large hand naturally resting on her slightly flushed cheek.

"I don’t feel like eating... I just want to sleep," Janet blinked slowly, realizing she had dozed off for over an hour. It was already lunchtime, but she had no appetite at all — only the lingering drowsiness.

"You can’t skip meals. Are you sick?" Charles reached out and felt her forehead. Not finding any sign of fever, he still wasn’t reassured and gently pulled her up. "I’m taking you to the hospital."

"No... no need. I’m not sick. Why are you back now? Have you eaten yet?" Janet was now fully awake, caught in his embrace, and when she turned her head, she met his intense gaze.

"No. Come with me," Charles said firmly, taking her hand and leading her out of the office. As they passed through the main hall, he didn’t let go of her hand for even a moment, completely unconcerned about what the other employees might think.

"What time is it?" Janet murmured drowsily, grabbing onto Charles’s arm. Her sleepy eyes, messy hair, and slightly parted pink lips gave her a kind of alluring beauty.

"It’s twelve. Why haven’t you gone to eat?" Charles gently brushed the hair from her forehead, his large hand naturally cupping her slightly flushed cheek.

"I don’t feel like eating. I just want to sleep." Janet blinked slowly, realizing she had been asleep for over an hour. It was already noon, but she had no appetite—just an overwhelming sense of fatigue.

"You can’t skip meals. Are you sick?" Charles placed his hand on her forehead. Finding no signs of a fever, he still looked concerned and pulled her up. "I’ll take you to the hospital."

"No... no need, I’m not sick. Why are you back now? Have you eaten?" Janet was fully awake now, and as he embraced her from behind, she turned her head slightly to meet his burning gaze.

"No. Come with me." Charles didn’t give her a chance to refuse. He took her hand and walked straight out of the office. Passing through the lobby, he didn’t loosen his grip for even a moment, completely ignoring the stares of their employees. freeωebnovēl.c૦m

Janet struggled a bit but couldn’t shake free. Her face burning, she followed behind him. Even after getting into the car, she could still feel the strange, probing looks from the people earlier—undeniably laced with judgment. After all, no one knew she was married yet.

And if they found out she and Charles also had the added layer of being brother- and sister-in-law, who knew what kind of assumptions they’d make?

She glanced at Charles’s sharply defined profile. A man like him, dazzling and magnetic, should have someone far more outstanding by his side. But her? She was nothing more than a Cinderella in borrowed splendor.

Charles’s recent gestures had already given her an illusion—was it because he liked her that he treated her so well? Or was it merely because she was his sister-in-law?

While Janet was lost in thought, Charles had already parked the car in front of a specialty Chinese restaurant. Whether intentional or not, the thoughtful gesture made her heart tighten slightly.

They chose a quiet spot to sit. Charles, elegant as always, held the menu and ordered dishes that were light yet nutritious. Janet cradled the glass of water before her, her flushed cheeks reflecting in its surface. She was already starting to feel more alert.

"Very well, sir. Please wait a moment," the server said as he closed the menu. Janet was a little surprised. She had already noticed the way the manager had fawned over Charles when they entered. It was only later she learned this restaurant was actually owned by Black Rock Co.

This was the first time she had dined alone with him. She couldn’t help but recall the last time at Elwin’s house, when they had sat at the same table—though with Derrick and Philip between them. Compared to now, that memory felt like a dream.

"Charles, what a surprise to see you here!" A soft, feminine voice suddenly interrupted. Janet looked up and saw the elegant and radiant IVANKA smiling with a dewy charm, gazing at Charles with clear affection.

"What a coincidence. Come join us," Charles replied, his expression unchanged, though a faint curve at the corner of his lips seemed to show a bit more warmth upon seeing her.

"Didn’t expect the big boss to be so considerate, dining with his secretary?" IVANKA casually remarked as she took the seat beside Charles. Her gaze when it fell on Janet, however, carried no malice—just curiosity.

"Wasn’t I always considerate to you too?" Charles tapped a finger lightly on the glass table and glanced sideways at IVANKA. But Janet, hearing the familiarity in their exchange, felt a sudden pang in her chest—so he wasn’t just kind to her...

IVANKA giggled softly at his response. After all, she had risen to fame thanks to Charles. If she hadn’t been so different from other women—her eyes lacking the usual schemes and calculations—Charles probably wouldn’t have even looked her way.

"Oh right, the Yi Lu commercial switched models. I’ll arrange something else for you." When Zoey had replaced IVANKA in that ad campaign, Charles hadn’t objected. But now, having someone he favored swapped out went against his principles.

Janet listened quietly to their smooth exchange, her head gradually lowering. She still remembered how she had accidentally bumped into IVANKA at Black Rock Co. that time, and Charles had looked so concerned. And now, he was taking such good care of her again. She couldn’t help but wonder—was she just an extra in all of this?

What was once a table for two had become a table for three. Janet merely sat in silence, listening to their conversation—so quietly that it seemed she was nothing more than a spectator.

"Where are you going?" Charles lifted his eyelids as he saw her stand up. His expression remained calm, but his gaze locked onto her, unwavering.

"I’m going to the restroom. You two go ahead and enjoy," Janet replied, her voice even. But inside, the once light and airy atmosphere had grown stifling. Turning abruptly, she left, not even sure why she was suddenly upset.

When she came out of the restroom, she looked through the crystal pillars and saw the two of them deep in conversation, completely at ease. Charles had a satisfied smile playing on his lips. He had always known how to lose his temper with her—when had he ever smiled at her so gently?

The more she thought about it, the more suffocated she felt. Frustration welled up in her chest. Instead of returning to her seat, Janet turned and walked straight toward the exit. She didn’t want to see the two of them anymore.