The Illegitimate Flame: Bride of Ashes-Chapter 43- angry again

Zoey’s face flushed a deep red. She had never expected Charles to bring up the humiliation she suffered years ago. She didn’t care about a few baseless rumors—but what made things unbearable was that the man in question was clearly in league with Charles, and he was a noble from high society. Every accusation pointed straight at her, and she had no way to fight back.

"I’m giving you ten minutes. Get changed and come out. If you really don’t want to shoot, then leave. I, Charles, don’t care about losing a few bucks," he whispered coldly in her ear before turning around and walking out with Janet in tow.

When Zoey saw their hands tightly intertwined, her lungs nearly exploded with rage. Why was it that every time she was up against this man, she came out losing?

She wanted to tear off that cold, indifferent mask of his and see him panic for once. Or was he really as heartless and cruel as the rumors claimed?

Janet, still slightly dazed, let Charles pull her into the shooting area. The lights were set, props arranged—everything was ready. All they needed now was the female lead to appear.

So, they had known each other three years ago. Perhaps Zoey’s hatred toward Charles stemmed from love. But then... what about Philip?

Thinking of Ternence’s feelings for Zoey—and his disheveled state yesterday—Janet sighed softly. At some point, Charles had let go of her hand and was now speaking with a tall, confident young man at the front of the stage.

"Alex, once this commercial is done, let Ivanka take over. Sorry to trouble you this time," Charles said, frowning slightly, offering a rare apologetic smile to the talented young director. He had always judged people based on their abilities, and he wouldn’t let another incident like this happen again.

"Boss, you’re too kind. It’s my pleasure," Alex replied courteously. With that single word of appreciation from Charles, the gloom from earlier completely vanished.

Perhaps it was Charles’s presence that kept Zoey in line for the rest of the shoot. This was, after all, her first time on screen, and with Black Rock Co. as the partner, the project had drawn a lot of attention.

After the indoor scenes wrapped up, the crew moved outside for location shots. Amos was personally overseeing the set design. Charles, however, had no patience left to wait. He turned to take Janet away—only to see her in August’s arms!

Janet had been watching Charles’s retreating figure, lost in thought, when her foot got caught on a power cable one of the staff had carelessly dragged across the floor. Just as she was about to fall, a pair of clean, strong arms caught her around the waist.

She fell—straight into August’s chest, landing on the ground with him beneath her. Looking up, her gaze met Charles’s—eyes blazing with fury.

Panicked, she scrambled to her feet, her face flushed with gratitude as she looked at August.

"Thank you... August."

But August, still half-sitting on the ground, deliberately extended a hand toward her, silently asking Janet to help him up.

Janet didn’t think too much of it. After all, he had just saved her. She gently placed her soft hand into his much larger one. With a subtle shift of strength, August stood up with ease—but even then, he didn’t let go of her hand.

A glint of provocation flashed in August’s eyes as he looked straight at Charles, who stood not far away. There was no need to hide it—he could feel the fury radiating off Charles like a storm. That was enough for him to know—he’d bet on the right woman.

"I accept your challenge," Charles said coldly as he strode up and stepped between them. He grabbed Janet’s other hand without hesitation. As he brushed past August, his expression tightened.

There was the scent of a trap.

And Charles had walked right into it.

"Didn’t I tell you to stay away from August? Are you stupid?!" Charles slammed his hand against the steering wheel, his fury barely contained.

Since when had his desire to go after August shifted into this irrational obsession with her?

"Can you be reasonable for once?" Janet shot back, her voice tight with frustration. "August was just helping me! He caught me when I tripped. That’s all!"

Charles was being utterly unreasonable. She had already done her best to keep her distance from August, just like he asked. What was she supposed to do when August came to her?

"Oh, you’re getting bold now, huh? First Manfred, now August. What’s next? Are you trying to make me a cuckold?"

Charles barked the words without thinking—yet never once mentioned Philip. And even after he said it, he didn’t feel the need to take it back.

But Janet blinked, confused.

What was he talking about? She wasn’t involved with any of them—how had things twisted into this?

And what did he mean by "make me a cuckold"? Was he implying...?

"August is your cousin, isn’t he? Do you have something against him?" Janet asked cautiously. She’d always suspected there was tension between them. After working at Black Rock Co. these past few weeks, it had become obvious: in front of Charles, August was a taboo subject.

"Shut up. Just remember your place!" Charles snapped, cutting her off sharply. freēwēbnovel.com

Clearly, he had no intention of explaining the history between him and August. Whatever it was, it went far beyond a simple cousinly grudge.

Of course he only knew how to yell at her.

Feeling wronged, Janet turned her head toward the window, lips pursed in a pout, refusing to say another word to the man beside her.

When they reached the city center, Charles’s phone began to ring. He glanced at the screen, and his face darkened. But he didn’t pick up—instead, he let it ring, the shrill tone filling the silence.

Janet turned her head at the sound, just in time to meet his deep, intense gaze.

In that instant, something sparked in her chest, like a jolt of electricity. Her heart began to pound uncontrollably, as if she’d just been caught doing something wrong.

"Aren’t you going to answer that?" she asked softly as the phone rang again.

"If I got engaged to another woman," Charles said suddenly, eyes locked on hers, "what would you do?"

The phone kept flashing, but he ignored it. Women. They were always trouble.

But in this moment, he just wanted to know—was he in her heart?

"Engaged?" Janet echoed, stunned. She took a deep breath. "What does that have to do with me?"

There was a dull ache in her chest, but it lasted only a moment. Why would he ask her something like that? Between them, there was nothing. Wasn’t that the truth?

And yet...

Why did the thought of Elvira, or Zoey—his former fiancée—make her heart feel so suffocated?

Charles’s expression turned glacial at her answer. His already cold face became frosted over with icy rage.

What does that have to do with me?

Was that all she could say?

After everything he’d done—everything he’d given—did she really feel nothing at all?

"Yeah," Charles repeated slowly, his voice low and venomous, "what does it have to do with you?"

He slammed on the brakes so hard the whole car seemed to shake with his fury. The air inside the cabin thickened with his storming anger, making Janet shiver involuntarily.

"Get out."

Charles forced down the urge to strangle her, his words cold and sharp as ice.

Good. This woman was getting better and better at pushing his buttons. Had he spoiled her too much?

Janet was startled by the sheer intensity of his rage. Her hands trembled as she reached for the door handle and stepped out.

The black Bugatti roared away like a dark dragon disappearing into the night.

She didn’t understand—why was he angry again?