Charlotte approached the pair and turned to Shane, greeting him with a polite nod. "Uncle Shane."
Shane smiled, set down his teacup, and then addressed Loretta. "Loretta, didn't you want to go shopping? Use my card. I need to talk to Charlotte alone for a bit."
"Thanks, Uncle Shane!" Loretta's eyes lit up with genuine delight.
Shane gestured for a nearby bodyguard to accompany her. The bodyguard nodded and left with Loretta.
Once they were gone, Shane spoke. "Have a seat."
Charlotte sat down unhurriedly, a faint smile on her face. "Is there something you wanted to see me about, Uncle Shane?"
"No need to be so guarded," Shane said, pouring her a cup of tea. "You're Wesley's sister. I'm not going to hurt you. Besides, Sean was always good to me in the past."
Charlotte picked up the teacup, her fingertips gently tracing the warm ceramic. Her smile didn't waver. "You're not just here to make small talk, are you?"
"And what if I am?" he said nonchalantly. "I haven't been back to Eldermere City in a long time. I was abroad when I heard Sean had found his biological daughter. I wanted to come back and offer my congratulations, but I got held up. You're not upset with me, are you?"
She looked up at Shane, a hint of inquiry in her clear eyes. "Of course not. Wesleyr has mentioned you before, so I was quite curious myself."
His movements paused, and he lifted his gaze. "Wesley mentioned me? What did he say?"
Charlotte faltered for a second, a flicker of confusion in her eyes. "Wesley was just worried I wouldn't be familiar with the Rayburn family dynamics since I'm new, so he gave me an overview."
As she spoke, she secretly glanced at Shane. Was it her imagination, or did his expression seem most relaxed, even pleased, when she mentioned her brother?
Were they that close?
But Wesley certainly didn't seem that way when he talked about Shane…
Before she could dwell on it, Shane said, "So you're aware that the Rayburn family relationships are quite complex."

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