Delete My Love for You novel Chapter 35

Darren?

Hearing that name again, Charlotte instinctively looked up.

Catching sight of the gravity on Herbert’s face, she offered a composed, almost amused smile. “What’s wrong? Did he die?”

Herbert hesitated for a moment, then shook his head. “Well… to be precise, you’re the one who died.”

Charlotte’s brows knitted together, prompting Herbert to clear his throat and elaborate, “The day of the experiment, Darren somehow caught wind of your ‘death’ and held a seven-day funeral for you.”

“And next month, he’s getting remarried. The bride is none other than Xena—the canary he kept for years.”

Herbert glanced at Charlotte, expecting at least a flicker of emotion.

Instead, she looked genuinely pleased. “Well, here’s to the happy union of two snakes. Mr. Nelson, I'd say that’s good news.”

Herbert froze, taken aback by her indifference to Darren’s impending marriage.

“So, how do you plan to re-enter society? Darren already had your old identity deleted.”

Charlotte stayed calm. “Identity doesn’t matter. What I need is time to adapt to the chip in my brain.”

“Charlotte, I’ve already drawn up a schedule to help you get used to the implant. Take a look.”

With that, Herbert handed her a list.

First task: Physical adaptation—Compete in the Astra Women’s Fencing Tournament!

***

Three days later, in the tournament prep room, Charlotte fumbled a bit as she checked her foil. Suddenly, a commotion erupted near the entrance.

“Ms. Lancaster’s here!”

“Ms. Lancaster, you’re marrying the CEO of the Harrington Group next month, destined to be the next society darling. Why bother with this tournament?”

Darren, looks like you’re living the high life now that I’m ‘dead.’

Just then, Xena sauntered over.

“This suit is killing my back. The match starts in ten minutes—hey, you, come give me a massage.”

Every eye in the room turned to Charlotte.

She responded coolly, “Ms. Lancaster, I’m your opponent in the ring. You sure you want me giving you a massage?”

Xena scoffed. “What, you think you’d dare try anything?”

A fellow contestant piped up, “Everyone knows, here at Astra, if Ms. Lancaster so much as gets a blister from her heels, Mr. Harrington could bury the whole brand overnight.”

“If you refuse her, or if she gets the slightest scratch, you’re not just out of this league—you might find your whole family out on the street.”

Charlotte’s eyes flickered with something unreadable as she listened.