The Illegitimate Flame: Bride of Ashes
Chapter 61- I’m Janet’s sister

Chapter 61: Chapter 61- I’m Janet’s sister

"Are you coming with me to the company, or will you stay at home?"

When Janet opened her eyes, Charles was already standing before her, dressed neatly in a silver tailored suit with a deep red tie. His hair was strong but not flashy, framing a pair of sharp, calculating eyes. His handsome appearance, combined with a hint of laziness in his demeanor, made Janet momentarily dazed.

"I..." Janet hesitated to answer, but Charles cut in before she could finish, "Forget it, you’d better stay at home."

He couldn’t guarantee whether Derrick would show up at the company again, and as long as Janet was by his side, he knew Derrick wouldn’t give up.

"What’s wrong? Why don’t you want me to go to the company?" Janet sat up, hugging the blanket around her. The room was filled with his masculine presence. Her big eyes never blinked as they fixed on him, afraid to miss a single expression on his face.

"Isn’t it because I’m worried you’ll get tired? Don’t overthink it. Just rest for a few days. If you want anything to eat, ask Aunt Fang to make it for you."

Aunt Fang was the housekeeper, and Charles had already treated Janet as the lady of the house, deserving the best care.

"Charles!" Janet grabbed his arm. There was no abnormal expression on his calm face, but she knew Derrick must have said something to him. She didn’t want to be a burden, so she didn’t insist further.

"Then... can I go find Peggy?"

"You can. But if any strangers come looking for you, don’t talk to them, okay?" Charles patted her cheek, leaving a gentle kiss before standing up and making a phone call, then walking out.

When Janet stepped outside, she realized the call had been to summon a driver. She wasn’t sure if Charles wanted to keep track of her or was simply sending her off safely.

Meanwhile, Harold had already learned Manfred’s schedule inside out. He knew that every Wednesday, Manfred visited the most exclusive gym in City A, so he arranged for Elvira to keep watch.

When Manfred finally emerged, dressed head-to-toe in black—a low-neck T-shirt and matching pants—and wearing sunglasses, Elvira couldn’t help but feel a surge of fear.

The second time she saw him, the memory of her pounding heart from their first encounter made Elvira swallow nervously. She straightened her back and walked forward, quickly replacing her fear with confidence. No man had ever resisted her charm—why should she fear him?

Accidentally, Elvira bumped into the man walking toward her. Acting on instinct, she tilted her body coquettishly and fell directly into his arms. Manfred reflexively pushed away the woman drenched in perfume. Apparently, he still hadn’t recognized her as the same woman who had pushed Janet into the pool that day.

To him, women were just another category of humans.

"Manfred!"

Elvira, pushed aside and humiliated, stumbled into the nearby corridor. Frustrated, she called after the man who didn’t even glance back. He was the second man besides Charles who wouldn’t fall for her. His innate ruthlessness made her blurt out his name. When he finally turned, walking step by step toward her and squatting before her, the vast shadows around them wrapped her like a trap—and she realized she had provoked a tiger.

"Woman, don’t tempt fate. If I catch you again, you’re dead!"

Manfred pushed up his sunglasses and glanced sideways at the woman on the floor, vaguely familiar but still unable to place her.

He didn’t have time to deal with every woman throwing themselves at him. Rising to his feet, Manfred flicked off imaginary dust from his clothes, stylishly turned, and walked away.

"Wait, please wait! I’m Janet’s sister. I’ve come to ask for your help!"

Elvira scrambled to her feet, chasing after him, speaking hurriedly once she realized he hadn’t recognized her.

As expected, Manfred halted when he heard Janet’s name. He turned and scrutinized Elvira from head to toe with incredulous eyes, finally dismissing her with two words: "Not possible."

How could Janet be this woman’s sister? They were worlds apart.

"Fine, tell Janet to come find me. Whatever she needs, I’ll help!"

Manfred gave a wicked smile, his charming grin stunning Elvira. Such a darkly handsome man—when he smiled like that, the scenery around seemed to lose its color.

By the time she snapped back to reality, Manfred had already jumped into a sleek sports car parked across the street. Seated beside him was a man in white—elegant and refined. Elvira didn’t catch his face clearly, but sensed the same aura she had felt from Charles.

"Janet again!" Elvira shot a spiteful glance at the departing sleek black sedan. How could all these men be blind, seeing only Janet? But no denying it—since leaving the Louis family, Janet had shed her stiff, old-fashioned image and become even more beautiful. If only she had scratched her face back then!

"Janet, I feel like someone’s watching you!" Peggy sat across from Janet during their meal. Outside, in the black sports car, a pair of eyes continued to observe Janet’s every move.

"Well, Peggy, actually..." Janet was hesitating, unsure how to explain her relationship with Charles. It was already established; Peggy would find out sooner or later.

"Confess freely, resist harshly!" Peggy’s eyes narrowed, already noticing the subtle blush and feminine coyness on Janet’s cheeks—expressions she had never seen from her before.

She also knew Janet had followed Charles abroad. When Janet called her on her birthday, she said it was a business trip with Charles, but Peggy had already guessed the truth.

"So you’re hooking up with your own uncle-in-law!" Peggy almost spat out her food in surprise. She had no idea Janet was married—this stubborn girl had kept it from her all along.

"Don’t say it like that! I met Charles first!" Janet defended herself quickly. She was already at Black Rock Co. before marrying Philip. And now knowing Charles was the man she ran into when she got drunk filled her heart with happiness.

"Wow, calling your uncle-in-law and boss so affectionately, Janet, looks like your springtime has come!" Peggy had never met Charles in person, but just hearing his name was shocking enough. Now that he was Janet’s man, she was even more stunned.

"But what about our dashing Mr. Shang?" Peggy rested her chin on her hand, eyeing Janet carefully. Suddenly, she caught sight of a figure appearing at the door and nudged Janet to look behind her.

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