When Charlotte let herself into the apartment with the spare key, the living room was dark. She closed the door quietly, careful not to make a sound, and started toward her bedroom. But then, the lights behind the glass bar cabinet flickered on.

She stopped in her tracks. Evander stepped out from behind the bar, wearing a robe and holding a glass of whiskey.

“Couldn’t sleep?” she asked.

He set his glass down on the marble countertop, his eyes lingering on her. “Couldn’t get any rest,” he replied. “You’re home pretty late.”

“Work ran late.” Her gaze drifted to the drink in his hand. Without thinking, she added, “You really shouldn’t be drinking, not with your health like this.”

He paused, a faint ripple passing through his otherwise calm eyes before vanishing. “Relax. It’s not going to kill me. You won’t be a widow just yet–sorry to disappoint.”

His tone was sharp, almost mocking.

Charlotte had no patience for his sarcasm. She turned to go to her room, but he

called her back.

“Charlotte.”

She glanced over her shoulder. “What now?”

He looked at her for a long moment, as if searching for words, but in the end, all he managed was, “Get some rest.”

She didn’t bother replying and disappeared into her room.

Evander stared after her, gripping the glass so tightly the veins stood out on the back

of his hand.

that day echoed in his

Charlotte wants to stay with you? I heard Mr. Rayburn say it himself–she only agreed to be with you because your mother promised

better. She’s not here

forehead, struggling to catch his breath as a dull ache tightened in his

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17:14

Chapter 398

day, The

don’t want to go

pleading as she stood before Rosemary Howard. “Why is my brother doing this to me? Just because of Charlotte? He’s

to send me away? Why? I’m still part of this

right–if I had known he’d turn on me like this, I should’ve listened to her and fought

temples, already developing a headache from Genevieve’s whining, but that last comment caught her attention. “What

meant to say

“N–nothing.”

to fight Evander for

incredulous.

“Grandma, that’s

you to go along with them.” Rosemary took a deep breath, her disappointment clear. “There’s a reason your brother wants you to study overseas. If you keep staying by your mother’s side, who

“Grandma-”

Linette, the housekeeper. “Make arrangements–Genevieve is to leave

hesitated. “And

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