Cold husband burning regret

Charlotte Sterling and Evander Howard waited in the private dining room, sitting across from each other in tense silence. Neither spoke.

After a while, Evander leaned back in his chair and loosened his collar. “Don’t you have anything you want to say to me?”

Charlotte met his gaze. “What exactly do you want to hear?”

He hesitated, as if he knew whatever she might say wouldn’t be pleasant. He let it drop.

Jacques Howard returned, his expression distant, still caught up in the emotions of seeing an old acquaintance.

“Have a good chat?” Evander asked suddenly, his tone edged with irony.

The remark sounded almost mocking. Jacques frowned. “We just caught up for a bit. Don’t read too much into it–nor bother telling your mother.”

“Does she ever wait for my report?” Evander began setting out the silverware. “You know how she is.”

Charlotte pressed her lips together, silent.

Jacques glanced at her, then changed the subject. “Let’s order. The sooner we eat, the sooner we can get home and rest.”

Dinner passed quietly; father and son barely exchanged words, and Charlotte kept her head down, focusing on her meal. Suddenly, her phone rang, making her jump. She glanced at the screen–it was her brother.

Evander flicked his eyes up, watching her in silence.

Seeing the caller, Charlotte turned to Jacques. “Dad, I need to take this outside.”

Jacques nodded. “Go ahead.”

stepped into the corridor,

went back to Riverspire City

happened. I couldn’t just stay away.” Charlotte’s voice softened. “He only has me now. I can’t just leave him, but if he stays here in Riverspire, I’m worried he’ll

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Chapter 392

to get him out?” Wesley Rayburn immediately caught her

talk to him first. If we need help,

paused, then added, “And Charlotte–be careful out

“I will.”

the call, Charlotte finally felt the tension in

carrying a tray of fruit slipped past her, heading into a nearby private room. As

froze, peering through the half–open

Noreen Lennox!

exited, he noticed Charlotte standing nearby and started to ask something, but

furrowed with concern. “Noreen, honey, I know you don’t want an arranged marriage.

Noreen shot back, voice trembling. “I’m supposed to give up my entire future just to please

name. Making sacrifices for this family is your

Charlotte’s eyes widened.