The Betrayed Heiress Is Now the CEO’s Obsession

Outside the private room, Charlotte Riley overheard Zac Gibson say, “Charlotte is gorgeous, no doubt. But the reason I pursued her? She reminded me of Wendy Cooper. For years, I was just searching for traces of Wendy in her.”

That night, she finally made the call she had been avoiding for years.

“Dad, I’m ready. I’ll come home and go through with the engagement.”

Later, when Zac saw Charlotte at a high-society gala—elegant, untouchable, and more dazzling than ever—only then did he realize the truth.

And he completely lost it.

*

The night Charlotte walked away from her family’s arranged marriage, Sean stood by the window, swirling his wine, his expression unreadable.

“Lottie, one day, you’ll come back to me willingly.”

Rumor had it that Jersey City's most powerful heir, Sean Jasper, was cold, reserved, and indifferent to women.

Charlotte believed it.

Until she realized just how intense and unwavering his devotion truly was beneath that composed, self-restrained facade.

When Charlotte Riley arrived at the bar to pick up Zac Gibson, she paused at the doorway when she overheard the conversation inside.

“Zac, Wendy Cooper is back. What about Charlotte?”

Zac’s voice was calm and indifferent. “What about her?”

“You’ve been with Charlotte for three years. Now that Wendy is back, what will you do?”

Through the narrow gap in the door, Charlotte saw Zac light a cigarette.

Smoke curled around him as he remained silent for a moment. Then, in a low voice, he said, “I don’t know. I don’t want to hurt Charlotte, but I also can’t let go of Wendy.”

One of his friends sighed. “Wendy was your first love—the one who always lingered in your heart. You two had such a fiery, passionate relationship back then. It’s no surprise you still can’t forget her.”

Another friend interjected, “Come on, though. Charlotte has been with you for three years. She’s beautiful. And you still can’t move on from Wendy?”

Zac rubbed his temples, his voice carrying a trace of exhaustion. “Charlotte is gorgeous, no doubt. But the reason I pursued her? She reminded me of Wendy. For years, I was just searching for traces of Wendy in her.”

“So she’s just a stand-in?” one of his friends sighed. “Man, I actually feel bad for Charlotte.”

Someone else asked, “So when are you going to break up with her?”

Zac flicked the ash off his cigarette. “I don’t know. Charlotte is obedient and understanding. Honestly, I’m a little reluctant to end things.”

A friend patted him on the shoulder. “Zac, you can’t have it both ways. You need to make a choice.”

“Why choose?” another friend said lazily. “Just keep dating both. And if you feel guilty about Charlotte, buy her some gifts. Women are easy to please.”

Zac let out a short laugh. “Not everyone is like you, juggling three or four women at once. I’m not that reckless.”

Outside the door, Charlotte curled her lips in a self-deprecating smile and turned to leave.

She walked along