Cold Husband Burning Regret: The Divorce He Couldn't Handle novel Chapter 202

Evander’s features tightened, coldness radiating from him. “I’m here for my wife.”

Wife?

Elmo’s father stared at him in surprise. “Your wife is…?”

Evander extended his hand toward Charlotte, his voice gentle. “Come here.”

All eyes turned to Charlotte. She was someone else's wife?

Did that mean this entire family…?

“Nonsense!” For the first time, Abigail stepped forward and blocked the way. “When did my granddaughter ever get married? That’s simply not true!”

Her aunt finally snapped out of her shock, frowning. “Exactly. If my niece had gotten married, would she really have kept it from her own family for all these years?” She looked at Charlotte, eyebrows drawn tight. “Lottie, even if you don’t want to marry, you don’t have to stage such a farce, do you?”

Elmo’s mother nodded in agreement. After all, when the Sterling family came to propose, they’d clearly said the girl was young and never married…

“Sir, perhaps there’s been some mistake. Today is our family’s big day—how could your wife possibly be my future daughter-in-law?”

“I’m sorry, but I am, in fact, already married,” Charlotte finally spoke up. “You can check my marital status at city hall. You’re both educated people—you know what bigamy means, don’t you?”

The couple’s faces drained of color.

Elmo’s father glared at Abigail and Charlotte’s aunt. “Was the Sterling family trying to scam us for our money?”

“No, no, of course not! They must be lying!” Abigail stammered, scrambling for an explanation.

Natalie cut in before Abigail could say more. “If you’re so sure, why not just check at city hall? Is that so hard? Besides, Charlotte’s marriage to Mr. Howard is recognized by the whole Howard family. If you keep pushing her, are you hoping to pick a fight with them?”

Charlotte’s aunt blanched, her legs almost giving out. The Howard family…

So Xavier Sterling had been telling the truth all along!

Sensing Charlotte trembling, Evander handed his umbrella to Natalie, then swept Charlotte up into his arms.

Just as he turned to leave, he paused and glanced at Natalie. “What business does the eldest Sterling run?”

Natalie replied, “He just opened a steel mill—not a bad business, actually.”

Charlotte’s aunt immediately understood his implication, her face turning ashen. “Mr. Howard, it’s all my fault! I didn’t know Lottie was your wife. Please, I beg you, spare the steel mill!”

Her husband’s steel mill was funded by her own family. If it failed, and her father found out she’d offended the Howards, she’d be disowned for sure.

Evander looked down at Charlotte, cradled in his arms. “Do you want me to let them off the hook?”

Charlotte’s face remained expressionless. “What happens to them has nothing to do with me.”

A hint of a smile played at the corner of Evander’s lips. He gave Natalie a quiet order. “The Sterlings’ steel mill doesn’t need to stay in business any longer.”