Chapter 4
Marenno, Swissera.
The Hohenzollern Estate sprawled across three thousand acres at the foot of Merin Peaks. It boasted a castle, a lake, forests, and pastures.
Charlotte stood on the terrace of the master bedroom, gazing at the snow-capped peaks that never melted, feeling like she was living in a dream.
Just three days ago, she was still working as a nanny for the Sinclair family.
Three days later, she had become the mistress of this castle.
"Miss," Henry, the butler, said respectfully from behind her, "your grandfather is waiting for you in the study."
Charlotte turned around, wearing a silk nightgown that was a couture piece, supposedly the last work of a famous designer who had passed away. Sleeping in it felt like lying on a pile of cash.
"Okay, I'll go right away," she replied.
As she walked through the long corridor, oil paintings covered the walls.
Henry pointed out each one as they went: "This is an original from the Renaissance, and that one's by an Impressionist master. Miss, the estate's art collection is valued at about eight billion dollars."
Charlotte's foot slipped, and she almost fell down the stairs.
Eight billion dollars?' Charlotte thought, stunned.
She remembered the landscape painting Ethan had paid half a million for and kept in his study. He guarded it like a treasure, never letting her even get close.
"Careful, Miss," Henry said, catching her with a gentle smile. "Mr. Hohenzollern told me, all of this will be yours. Hang them wherever you like, or if you ever feel bored, you could even toss one in the fireplace. No one would mind."
Charlotte was utterly lost for words.
Guess I really need to learn how to survive in the world of the filthy rich,' Charlotte thought to herself.
In the study, William was reading through some documents, his reading glasses perched on his nose.
Even in his eighties, he was lively and sharp, his silver hair meticulously combed. The moment he saw Charlotte walk in, he took off his glasses and smiled warmly, like any grandpa would.
"Lottie, come sit with your grandpa," William said.
Lottie walked over and let him guide her to the sofa. His hands were warm and rough with calluses, the marks left by a lifetime of riding and shooting.
"How are you settling in?" William asked. "Is there anything you need? Maybe a man? I can find you one, black, white, Asian, tall, short, fat, skinny, just say the word, and I'll get you whatever you want."
"Grandpa!" Lottie burst out, half laughing, half exasperated. "I just got divorced."
"That bastard ex-husband of yours?" William snorted. "I've already got people looking into him. Bullying my granddaughter? He must be tired of living."
Lottie's heart warmed at his words.
Three days ago, she was completely alone in the world, with no family at all.
Three days later, she had the most protective grandpa in the world.
"Grandpa," she said, carefully, "I want to go back home."
William raised an eyebrow. "What for? Is there anything in that place worth going back for?"
"There are some things I need to get back myself," Lottie said, her eyes darkening, "And there are some scores I need to settle in person."
She paused, then added, "And my mother's grave is still back home. I want to bring her to Swissera, so you two can be together again."
William grew quiet.
After a long moment, his eyes grew misty. He patted the back of Lottie's hand, his voice thick with emotion. "Alright, alright. I'll be waiting for you. Do whatever you need to do. The Hohenzollern Dynasty will always have your back."
He pulled out a folder from his drawer. "This is a list of the family's business holdings in the Liorenne region. Keep it with you. And one more thing-"
William smiled mysteriously. "I've prepared a special surprise for you."