Chapter 27: She was leaving?

As soon as Charlotte was ushered into the office, the man inside, who seemed to have been anticipating her arrival, stood up in an animated flurry. "Mr. Crowe, I've come to..." Recognition struck Charlotte, and for a fleeting moment, she was speechless. "You? You're actually Mr. Parker's assistant?" The man's surprise was tinged with a hint of eagerness, and there he was, the same sleazy fellow Charlotte had taught a lesson the night before during an unpleasant roadside encounter. Chloe's meddling was more intricate than she had thought. Charlotte got straight to the point, "I'm here for the copies Mr. Parker requested." "Not so fast, Charlotte," Mr. Crowe said, his voice slick as he rubbed his hands together, revealing a set of gleaming teeth. "It must be fate that brings us together again." "Please, Mr. Crowe, the copies," Charlotte insisted, her voice firm. "You've got quite the temper," Mr. Crowe remarked, unfazed, as he dangled a document envelope just out of reach. "Shar