Chapter 7

Some students started whispering to each other. I took a deep breath, pulled out my phone, and opened up a folder.

"This is a complete record of my creative process," I said, raising my voice so everyone could hear. "It covers all thirty-seven drafts and shows exactly where every idea came from." I handed my phone to the student next to me. "Take a look for yourselves. See if you still think I copied someone."

Sarah's expression shifted. "I-I didn't mean anything by it."

"Sarah, I looked at your design myself," I pressed on. "Correct me if I'm wrong, but your color scheme is almost a carbon copy of last year's international silver medal winner. Now that's what I call copying."

Everyone started gasping. Sarah's face went from red to white. "You're slandering me."

"Should I show everyone both pieces and let them judge?" Charlotte said with a smile.

She tried to say something, but tears started streaming down her face as she bolted out of the room. I finally felt a bit of relief, but then I caught Ethan's frown from across the room, watching everything. He probably thought I was picking on Sarah again.

The afternoon exhibition went off without a hitch. Sure, Sarah's classmates kept shooting me hostile glances, but most people were genuinely impressed with my work. It felt amazing to finally get some recognition. I was so caught up in it that I barely noticed how tired I was.

"Charlotte." Ethan suddenly appeared in front of me. "Can we talk?"

I followed him to the corridor outside the auditorium. The setting sun streamed through the glass windows, highlighting the sharp lines of his profile with a golden edge. I used to be so into that face. Now, all I felt was exhaustion.

"What is it?" I asked.

"It's about Sarah," Ethan said.

I cut him off. "If you're just here to give me a hard time, save it. After everything you saw in those security videos, you still don't see what she's really like?"

"I'm not here to blame you," Ethan said, his brow furrowed. "I just thought you should know. Sarah's got it rough. Her dad drinks, and her mom's really sick, and Sarah needs that scholarship if she wants to keep going to college."

I froze. "How do you even know about that?"

"She told me," Ethan replied. "That's why she's always trying so hard to prove herself, even if it means crossing the line sometimes."

"So you're actually sticking up for her?" I said, disbelief in my voice. "Ethan, having a rough home life doesn't give her the right to hurt others."

"I know," he said, for once not arguing. "I just hope you can cut her some slack."

"I've been more than patient," I said with a bitter smile. "Otherwise, she'd have faced the consequences for what she's done a long time ago."

Ethan was quiet for a moment, and then he suddenly asked, "Are you and Julian actually together?"

His question totally threw me off. Of course, Julian and I weren't together, but just remembering his out-of-the-blue love confession made my cheeks heat up.

"That's none of your business," I finally said.

Ethan's eyes darkened. "Yeah, you're right. It's not my business."

An awkward silence settled between us. Suddenly, my phone buzzed. It was Louis Gordon, my dad's assistant.

"Miss Williamson, Mr. Williamson suddenly collapsed, and he's in the hospital," Louis said, his voice tight with urgency. "The moment he woke up, he asked for you."

My blood froze. "Which hospital? I'm coming right now."

I hung up, didn't even bother explaining to Ethan, just snatched up my bag, and ran. He shouted something at me, but I was already gone. Dad had always been strong. How could he collapse out of nowhere?

Louis was waiting for me in the hospital hallway, looking really worried.

"The doctor said he's got heart trouble from working too hard," he said in a low voice. "Mr. Williamson hasn't taken a proper break in months, especially since the project on the east side of the city started."

My eyes burned with tears. Dad pushed himself so hard for the company and me. That was why he collapsed.

When I stepped into the hospital room, Dad was lying there, pale as a ghost. He forced a weak smile when he saw me. "Charlotte, how did the Arts Festival go?"

"It went really well," I said, clutching his hand and blinking back tears. "Please, don't stress about any of that. Just rest up and get better."

"There's something I have to tell you," Dad said, his voice faint. "The negotiations got moved up. They're happening next week. There's no way I can make it in this state..."

"Maybe we could push it back..." I offered.

"No." Dad suddenly got all worked up. "The Lancaster Group is just waiting for us to slip up. Charlotte, you have to go and represent me this time."

I was stunned. "Me? But I don't know enough about the project."

"You know more than you think," Dad said, squeezing my hand. "I've been really proud of the way you've stepped up lately. A Williamson never backs down, right?"

I bit my lip and nodded. Dad gave me a relieved smile and then closed his eyes, exhaustion written all over his face.

When I stepped out, I slumped against the wall, and my legs were weak. Next week, I was supposed to face Waylon Lancaster, the sly old fox of the business world, and his crack team of pros. And I was just eighteen, hadn't even finished college yet. Seriously, what chance did I have?

"Charlotte?" Ethan's voice echoed down the hallway. I looked up and saw him standing there, holding out a jacket. "You left this behind when you rushed out."

Only then did I realize I was trembling. Whether from the cold or just plain fear, I couldn't tell. Ethan paused for a moment and then gently draped the jacket over my shoulders.

"Is your dad alright?" Ethan asked.

I shook my head and then nodded. "He'll be okay."

Ethan just stood quietly by my side, not walking away like I thought he would. The night kept getting darker, and the hospital lights made everything look cold. Right then, I actually felt a little comfort from the guy who'd never liked me.

"Do you want me to ask Julian to come over?" Ethan suddenly asked.

I looked up at him, not sure why he'd even offer. His face was conflicted, like part of him wanted me to say yes, and another part was hoping I'd say no.

"No need," I replied softly. "He's got a concert tonight."

Ethan nodded and stayed by my side in silence. We stood together in the hospital hallway, each lost in our own thoughts. Oddly enough, it wasn't awkward at all.

At that moment, I realized maybe I'd never truly understood Ethan. And maybe, he'd never really seen the real me either.