Cold Husband Burning Regret: The Divorce He Couldn't Handle novel Chapter 20

Tricia unzipped Charlotte's purse, and sure enough, pulled out a sparkling diamond bracelet. Gasps swept through the small crowd that had gathered, everyone staring in shock.

The way they looked at Charlotte changed instantly.

"I can't believe Dr. Sterling would do something like this."

"My God, I really misjudged her."

"If she's got this kind of character, how is she even allowed to practice medicine?"

"Stealing a bracelet? How desperate must she be for money?"

Every scathing word sliced into Charlotte, and she felt as if she'd fallen into a frozen lake—numb, breathless, utterly alone. Her face turned even paler, but gradually a strange calm settled over her, icy and unwavering.

She knew exactly what had happened. Tricia had planted the bracelet in her purse—there was no other explanation for Tricia's certainty. Again and again, Tricia had tried to set her up, but why? Was it because of Evander?

But their marriage wasn't public knowledge. How could Tricia possibly know?

Tricia's expression was the very picture of disappointment as she turned to the crowd. "Dr. Sterling, even if you did admire my bracelet, you can't just take it when I'm not looking, can you?" She sighed, shaking her head. "It's not the most expensive piece I own, but it's my favorite. Even if you liked it, you shouldn't have done this."

The whispers, the accusations, the sneers—every bit of it reached Charlotte's ears. She clenched her fists, her gaze hollow and cold.

Evander noticed the color draining from Charlotte's face. His chest tightened with a sudden sense of dread. He swept a hard look over the crowd. "Enough. That's enough. Move along."

But as he tried to disperse the onlookers, Tricia stared at him in disbelief. "Evander…"

"So you're all saying I stole her bracelet, is that it?" Charlotte's voice rang out, steady but sharp.

Evander's brow furrowed even deeper, his eyes shadowed with something unreadable.

Charlotte ignored him and strode right up to Tricia, who looked caught off guard.

Without warning, Charlotte slapped her—hard.

The crowd recoiled in shock.

Everyone knew Tricia was backed by Mr. Howard, the hospital's director. No one dared lay a finger on her, especially with Mr. Howard standing right there.

Jonathan stood rooted to the spot, stunned. He'd never expected Charlotte to have such a fiery streak. Damn, he thought, she's got guts. Just my type.

Evander hadn't seen it coming either. He grabbed Charlotte's wrist. "What are you doing?"

One sentence, and it felt like he'd condemned her on the spot.

Charlotte's blood seemed to freeze in her veins, her whole body shivering. Her throat tightened painfully. "You know me—I would never—"

"I only believe in evidence," he cut her off.

Those words shut the door on her last hope—and on her heart.

Tricia latched onto Evander's arm, her voice soft with false generosity. "Evander, let it go. I'm sure Dr. Sterling didn't mean any harm. The bracelet's back, so let's not make a big deal out of it. I don't blame her."

Her "magnanimity" won her admiring glances from the crowd.

No matter how Charlotte tried to defend herself, it was pointless. The bracelet had come out of her purse, right in front of everyone. Who would believe her now?

Charlotte let out a laugh, swallowing the pain. "Well, looks like there's no way I'm getting out from under this mess today. Fine. Guess I should've checked my horoscope before I left the house. Let's just say I got bitten by a mad dog."

Her eyes lingered on Tricia and Evander one last time, full of cold contempt, before she turned on her heel and walked away.

Evander pressed his lips together, a bitter taste in his mouth. He started to follow her, but Tricia clung to his arm. "Evander, please—let it go. Don't make things harder for Dr. Sterling."