The Illegitimate Flame: Bride of Ashes
Chapter 172- taboo

Chapter 172: Chapter 172- taboo

The little one grasped Charles’s finger, babbling something unintelligible, her tiny hands waving excitedly as if delighted by his sudden closeness.

That adorable face framed by a pair of beautiful, sparkling eyes reflected Charles’s silhouette. The resemblance was uncanny — once, through Trista, he had seen Janet just like this.

"My baby..." Charles murmured, stroking Trista’s smooth cheek. He bent down and planted a deep kiss on her tender lips. The scent of candy mixed with baby powder caught in his chest — it struck him that he had never truly kissed his daughter before.

"Giggle, giggle..." Perhaps the stubble on Charles’s chin tickled her, for the little girl waved her arms joyfully, laughing softly at her daddy’s kiss.

Charles released her hand and stood up to leave. As he exited the room, the nanny entered. Since Trista had come home, she had been under the care of the servants — Charles hadn’t spent a single night with her.

"Bring Trista to my room tonight!" Charles ordered before leaving. His gaze briefly flicked to the professional nurse who had come from the hospital with them. The young woman looked at him with admiration, but he remained cold and aloof as he strode toward the study.

After showering, Charles emerged wearing a loose gray bathrobe tied at his waist, revealing a broad, muscular chest. Water droplets from his damp hair trickled down, giving him a devilishly handsome and sensuous look. As he stepped out of the bathroom, he immediately noticed the little figure on the bed and Trista’s caretaker standing nearby.

"Put the child down and leave!" Charles deliberately ignored the woman’s suggestive glance. His coldness toward Trista had made everyone around wary before, but now his sudden change had a magnetic pull on the woman’s heart.

"Mr. Elwin, I’ve just fed Trista, but she might wake during the night needing another bottle. Should I stay?" The woman looked shyly at Charles’s sharp features, using Trista as an excuse to get closer to him. Her obvious hint did not escape Charles’s notice.

"No need. You can leave now!" Charles didn’t even look up as he strode toward the wide bed. Trista was already rolling over, babbling words he couldn’t understand as she crawled toward him. Seeing her tiny body slowly inch closer, a rare softness flickered across Charles’s handsome face.

His cold smile momentarily stunned the woman beside him — such a charismatic man.

"Miss, starting tomorrow, you don’t need to come anymore." Charles didn’t look at her but sharply caught the admiring look she threw him. He pulled Trista onto his lap and, with an innocent yet commanding tone, spoke to the woman beside him.

"Boss... did I do something wrong?" The woman’s legs weakened at his words, almost unable to stand. His piercing gaze, though seemingly harmless, shook her to the core.

"Don’t make me say it again! Out!" Charles’s cold response sent the woman fleeing, covering her face in defeat. Bitter jealousy stirred in her heart — what kind of woman could truly capture the heart of such an icy man?

In this household, the name Janet seemed taboo.

He didn’t want a scheming woman lingering under his roof. Hearing the door close behind the woman, Charles smirked coldly and picked up his phone from the bedside.

"Giles, find me a new nanny tomorrow. Older, experienced with kids."

After hanging up, Charles’s dark eyes met the bright ones of little Trista, who was mischievously untying the belt of his bathrobe, her curious gaze roaming across his face.

"Janet..." The clear, shining eyes made Charles involuntarily utter the name he kept in his heart. The thought of Janet and the upcoming meeting tomorrow stirred a complicated feeling inside him.

As the clock ticked its final second, Charles’s proud silhouette strode into Black Rock Co.’s lobby. Approaching the elevator, a familiar figure inside made his heart skip a beat.

That face — etched deeply in his mind, a ghost he tried to forget but couldn’t — with big, bright eyes shimmering like startled fawns, delicately arched brows like new moons, a cute nose, and pink lips slightly parted.

Only a few steps away, their eyes met. Charles clearly caught the fear in her gaze.

She hadn’t changed at all. Compared to a year ago, after giving birth, she had become even more beautiful — more womanly.

Charles found himself unable to tear his eyes away from her once again. How he longed to step forward, pull her into his arms, and kiss her deeply. But reason won over emotion. The memory of her sudden disappearance, and the way she had ignored both him and Trista for a whole year, rekindled the flames of resentment in his heart.

Ding — the elevator doors closed in front of him. Charles’s gaze followed her all the way up, but finally, he turned and walked toward the private elevator.

"Anything you need, just say!" The newly assigned secretary placed a freshly brewed cup of coffee beside Charles and lingered, hesitating as she looked at him. Charles snapped his pen shut, furrowed his brows, and fixed the timid woman with a serious stare.

"Boss, Amos just called. You’re scheduled to inspect the coastal resort project with him today. It’s time now," the young secretary said nervously. Though she had worked at Black Rock Co. for several years, being suddenly promoted to the boss’s secretary left her both shocked and excited.

"I know." Charles lifted his eyes calmly. Without emotion, he picked up the coffee, took a small sip, frowned, and set it back down.

Seeing Charles’s furrowed brow, the secretary stiffened nervously but kept a respectful gaze.

"That’s all. You may go now," Charles said, inexplicably annoyed and restless. After the secretary closed the door, he grabbed his coat from the executive chair and headed out.

When he reached the ground floor, Amos was already waiting. Charles walked over first, his eyes casually scanning the figure standing next to Amos. His gaze narrowed dangerously.

Janet. That woman brazenly appeared within his sight. If the glance earlier that morning had lightly strummed the strings of his heart, now, seeing her blinking those radiant eyes restored to their former glory, standing right before him, the still waters of his heart rippled once again.