Chapter 8

Emily needed to study hard to make it into high society someday. To get the Anderson family's resources, she had to take on the identity of Charles's daughter.

Patricia didn't mind Emily changing her last name. In fact, she was thrilled that Charles had suggested it even earlier than in her previous life.

"No need to think about it. Let's just do it as you suggested," Patricia said.

Her phone buzzed, and she glanced at it. Nicole was asking if she wanted to go out for drinks.

Patricia thought for a few seconds, then looked at Charles in front of her. "I have plans later. Can you stay home with Emily? She's been really into you lately."

Without waiting for Charles's response, Patricia dashed out the door.

She had been with the Anderson family for a long time but hadn't had a chance to go out and have fun.

When she arrived at the bar where Nicole was waiting, she found Nicole already three drinks in, slumped over the table.

Nicole looked up and lunged at her. "You finally made it!"

"Why'd you drink so much?" Patricia frowned, the smell of alcohol hitting her as she got closer.

"Forget about that. Tell me about you," Nicole said, handing Patricia a glass of whiskey. "How's it going with the Anderson family?"

Even though they had talked on the phone, Nicole couldn't help but nag a bit since it had been a while since they last saw each other.

Patricia felt a warm sensation in her heart.

She and Nicole had known each other since elementary school and were like family. When Nicole found out Patricia was unexpectedly pregnant, she had even offered to help raise the child.

"I'm doing fine. I'm not stupid. Do you think the Anderson family can swallow me whole?" Patricia laughed.

In both her past life and this one, Nicole was the only one who truly cared about her.

Nicole reached out and touched her face, the alcohol making her eyes look softer and more playful.

"Everyone in high society wears a mask. And I've heard Charles has a lot of rumored girlfriends, probably more than just the ones that have been exposed. I watched that gala video, and I was so worried about you!"

Nicole grabbed Patricia's hand, her voice filled with concern. "If Charles treats you badly, how will you survive in that family?"

A shadowy figure paused in the corner, listening to their conversation.

Patricia's nose tingled, and she forced a smile. "Then I'll kick him out, and we'll live together."

Nicole hugged and kissed Patricia, delighted by her response.

"By the way, Patricia, I'm moving to Luminous City!" Nicole chattered on for a while before remembering the reason she had asked Patricia out.

She pulled a card from her bag and handed it to Patricia.

The card read: [Round Cat Bakery.]

"I'm opening a bakery in Luminous City! You and Emily can come by anytime for cakes, on the house!"

Patricia's eyes welled up. She knew Nicole was moving to Luminous City because of her.

In her past life, Nicole had only moved to Luminous City a year after Patricia married Charles.

She hadn't blamed Patricia for not telling her about the wedding and had held her hand, promising to always be there for her.

The two friends hugged and cried, sometimes happy, sometimes cursing.

Patricia's phone buzzed again, and she answered it.

"Hello, who is this?"

"Where are you?" Charles's voice was cold and mechanical.

Patricia quickly covered the phone's microphone, trying to muffle the bar's music.

"Ahem, I'm at a training center."

"Emily is at home crying for you," Charles said in a low voice.

"I'll be back before dinner. Gotta go."

Patricia hung up and continued drinking with Nicole.

Nicole, who was quite attractive, had several people come over to chat her up. She wanted to pull Patricia into the fun but hesitated, thinking about Charles. What if he found out?

"Charles? How would he know?" Patricia said nonchalantly.

"True. But that guy over there looks a lot like your husband."

Patricia turned around but didn't see anyone familiar. "You're imagining things."

She downed a few more drinks.

Charles watched Patricia from a distance, with Paul standing beside him.

"Mr. Anderson, should I inform Mrs. Anderson?" Paul asked anxiously.

Charles shook his head.

Earlier, Patricia had rushed out of the house, leaving Emily with him, claiming she had an urgent matter.

Turns out, she was just out drinking and complaining about him with a friend.

Paul was in a panic. He hadn't expected a client meeting to be at this bar, nor had he expected to see Patricia here!

Charles, unaware of his assistant's inner turmoil, recorded a video on his phone and said, "Let's head back to Rosewood Estate."

When Patricia returned home, she sprayed some perfume to mask the smell of alcohol, hoping not to get caught.

Upstairs, she found Charles playing with their daughter in the master bedroom. Emily was holding a rubber band, asking Charles to help her tie her hair.

Charles awkwardly took the hair tie, staring helplessly at Emily's hair.

"Daddy, I want my hair like Snow White's!" Emily's eyes sparkled.

'Snow White's hair isn't tied; it is styled by professionals,' Charles thought to himself.

He looked at her hair for a while, unable to figure it out, and finally said, "Emily, let me practice for a bit, and then I'll help you."

He glanced at the bedroom door, which was being pushed open, and smiled. "See if Mommy's back."

Emily's attention shifted, and she ran to Patricia, snuggling into her.

"Mommy, I was so good today!" Emily boasted. "Where did you go? I missed you."

Feeling guilty, Patricia made up an excuse. "Mommy was working." She handed Emily back to Charles. "Let Daddy show you a couple of cartoons. Mommy needs to take a shower."

Charles gave her a brief look. "What does Emily usually watch?"

"Winnie the Pooh!" Emily shouted.

Charles opened his phone and randomly selected a video.

The next second, bar music played, with Patricia's voice faintly audible.

"Hey, isn't that Mommy?"

Patricia, who was picking out clothes, felt a chill down her spine. She turned around to see Charles's phone playing a video of her drinking at the bar!

"You!"

Patricia was flustered, unable to find the words.

Emily watched the video for a moment, her little eyes darting around as she realized she had been deceived. Her lips quivered, and she started to cry.

"Mommy lied to me," Emily sobbed.

Seeing her daughter cry, Patricia's heart ached. She picked her up and comforted her. "Emily, Mommy didn't mean to lie to you. Mommy was wrong. I'm sorry, sweetheart."

"Mommy won't lie to you again, okay? Next time, I'll tell you wherever I go, alright?" Patricia nuzzled Emily's chubby cheeks.

Emily's mood shifted quickly, and she nodded.

"No more lying to Emily."

"Okay, I won't."

After calming Emily down, Patricia immediately pulled Charles out of the master bedroom.

"What do you mean by this?" Patricia pointed at his phone.

Charles crossed his arms, his expression calm and unapologetic. "Telling our daughter the truth. She has the right to know."

"She's so young. I can't take her to a bar, can I?" Patricia was furious. This man was unbelievable!

Charles replied matter-of-factly, "Drinking in front of a child sets a bad example."

Patricia's face stiffened, her temple twitching.

Wasn't this what she had scolded him about last time?

What a jerk!

Patricia glared at the calm man in front of her, seething with anger.

She grabbed her clothes and tried to leave, but Charles blocked the bathroom door, preventing her from going in or out.

Charles leaned against the wall, looking at Patricia's angry face. Her defiant stance made him smile slightly.

"What are you doing?" Patricia slapped his hand away, her voice intentionally raised, though her eyes betrayed a hint of playfulness.

Her stubbornness made Charles lean in closer, his warm breath brushing her forehead.

"Are you really that mad?"

His breath made her ears turn red, and her body trembled slightly. She wasn't inexperienced and knew exactly what Charles meant.

Patricia glanced down, remembering the feel of Charles's chest under her hands that night. The thought made her head buzz, and the alcohol made her face even hotter.

'Oh well, it's not like it's the first time. Even if Charles usually acts like a jerk, he was pretty good that night. If he wants to, it's not a big deal,' Patricia thought.

She reached out to push his chest, her palm touching his warm skin. Her ears turned red, and her strength faded, leaving only a light touch, more like a caress than a push.

Seeing her like this, Charles's rationality slipped away. He wrapped his arm around her waist and kissed her, pinning her hands behind her back.

Ignoring her resistance, he kissed her from her soft lips down to her neck and collarbone.

Supporting her waist, Patricia's breath quickened. When she met Charles's gaze, his eyes were filled with desire.

Charles paused, looking down at his wet hand.