CHASING THE CARPENTER'S HEART のすべてのチャプター: チャプター 51 - チャプター 60

The enormous house felt strangely quiet after Mr. Madison left the dining room. Servants calmly cleared the plates from the table while Liam remained seated upright, staring at Chatrine with obvious dissatisfaction in his eyes. The moment the servants disappeared and they were finally alone, Liam turned toward her. “Why did you do that?” His voice was calm and low, yet the displeasure beneath it was unmistakable. “You told him I already have galleries in London, even Paris.” Liam disliked the feeling deeply. Why did Chatrine have to soften the reality of his life as though she were embarrassed by who he currently was? “You didn’t need to exaggerate things just to impress your father.” Chatrine merely lifted an eyebrow, perfectly composed as always. “I wasn’t exaggerating,” she replied calmly. “I was talking about the future.” She leaned back comfortably in her chair, lifted her wine glass, and took a slow sip before her gaze settled directly on Liam. “We’re going to open bran

Chatrine stirred slowly beneath the blanket, brushing the back of her hand across her face before opening her eyes in a sleepy haze. Her hair was a beautiful mess, her cheeks still faintly flushed after a night that had left both of them exhausted and satisfied. She found Liam sitting against the headboard beside her, watching her with a quiet smile. “What?” Chatrine’s voice came out husky and soft, far too vulnerable for the woman who normally seemed impossible to defeat. “Why are you looking at me like that?” Liam lifted an eyebrow and pointed toward the corner of the room. “I just discovered your secret treasure.” Still half awake, Chatrine followed his gaze. The moment she realized Liam had taken the old teddy bear from the shelf and was now holding it under one muscular arm, her expression immediately tightened in alarm. “Oh no. Don’t touch that.” Liam shook his head with exaggerated seriousness. “I was just imagining you hugging this thing while crying because your math g

The moment they stepped through the grand entrance, the gentle scent of aged wood and fresh flowers greeted them. The interior of the Harlot residence was every bit as breathtaking as its exterior. Cream marble floors gleamed beneath the afternoon light, a sweeping staircase curved upward beneath ornate wrought-iron railings, and towering walls displayed oil paintings framed in gold. Every corner felt less like a house and more like a private gallery built from generations of history. A servant in a black suit bowed respectfully. “Welcome, Miss Madison. Mr. Conelli. Mr. and Mrs. Harlot are waiting in the dining room.” Chatrine smiled politely. “Thank you.” Before walking on, she glanced briefly at Liam, a silent reminder to stay composed. They crossed a long corridor toward the dining hall, where a polished oak table stretched across the center of the room. Crystal chandeliers shimmered overhead while sunlight filtered through sheer curtains overlooking the gardens beyond. Tobias

The room lay in darkness behind heavy curtains. Only a single hanging lamp illuminated the large wooden table, casting sharp shadows across the fearful faces surrounding it.Olivia was shoved forward until she stood before her husband, barely able to breathe. The two broad men restraining her remained behind like silent guards carved from stone.From behind the desk, Sebastian Harper watched her with rigid stillness, his jaw tight. His eyes burned cold, carrying the kind of calm fury that destroyed without warning. When he spoke, his voice came slow and hard like forged steel.“You have caused far too much trouble.”“Why would you do this to me?” Olivia’s voice cracked instantly. Her bound hands trembled violently. She looked less like a person now and more like a trapped animal.Sebastian did not move.“Your actions nearly destroyed my entire business.” His palm slammed against the table, making the cup on top tremble sharply. “You interfered with the wrong people.”Confusion flicker

After successfully completing all their plans in Seattle, Liam and Chatrine finally returned to Canterbury. There had been several delays along the way, but in the end, they came home.One week.Liam and Chatrine had only spent one week in Seattle.The summer air in Canterbury still carried its dry warmth that afternoon. Liam stopped the car in front of the gallery, and his eyes widened instantly, his jaw nearly dropping from shock.The building that had been covered in black ash and the smell of burned wood only a week ago now stood proudly before him, looking like an entirely different place.“My God…” Liam whispered, barely believing what he saw.He immediately jumped out of the car and stood frozen in amazement, staring at his gallery.The front terrace, once scorched and ruined, had transformed completely. Old oak pillars had been polished until they gleamed beneath the sunlight. Walnut framed glass doors stood elegantly at the entrance, while industrial hanging lamps radiated a