Cold Husband Burning Regret: The Divorce He Couldn't Handle novel Chapter 248

The people nearby looked distinctly uncomfortable.

If these words had been spoken in private, they would have set the rumor mill on fire—after all, who among the upper crust didn’t have skeletons in their closet? Affairs, secret children, mistresses tucked away in expensive apartments—it was practically part of the job description for the wives of high society. No one even batted an eye anymore.

But no one ever aired this kind of dirty laundry in public. Even when their own husbands strayed, these women turned a blind eye for the sake of their family’s reputation.

That’s why Mrs. Howard’s bluntness was so shocking. She’d ripped the bandage off in front of everyone, and it was obvious she’d done it to humiliate Mr. Howard.

The Howards were not people anyone here could afford to offend, but no one dared say anything.

Only Chairman Lennox stepped in to break the tension, chuckling, “Mrs. Howard’s got quite the sense of humor. Just teasing, aren’t you?”

Everyone knew it was no joke, but they played along, waiting until the crowd dispersed. When the room had thinned, Evander set down his glass, strode over, and stopped in front of Charlotte. “You knew exactly what Hans is dealing with. Why would you say that?”

“I only told the truth,” Charlotte replied, arms folded across her chest. “Your family wants an heir so badly. Why not just acknowledge Hans as your son?”

“If you pity him, if you feel sorry for him, you could simply make it official. After all, the boy used to call you Dad.”

His chest rose and fell sharply, though his voice stayed even. “I never thought you’d misunderstand my relationship with him.”

Charlotte smiled faintly, her eyes holding his. “None of that matters now.” The smile faded; she glanced around the room. “This party’s a bore. I’m leaving.”

She brushed past Evander and was just about to go when he suddenly caught her arm.

“I’ll drive you home.”

Charlotte didn’t reply.

Evander murmured a few words to Chairman Lennox, excused himself, and left early with Charlotte trailing after him, half-lost in thought.

She’d embarrassed him in front of everyone, fully expecting him to lose his temper. Wasn’t that always what happened whenever Tricia and her son were involved? He never failed to turn the blame on Charlotte.

Lost in her thoughts, she didn’t notice Evander stop ahead of her, and she bumped right into his back.

He turned, steadying her with a hand on her waist, his gaze dark. “I know you wanted to make a scene, but there was really no need.”

She paused, her gaze falling on the plate of pasta he’d prepared.

Without a word, she sat down, picked up her fork, and took a bite.

Evander slipped off his apron, set it aside, and took a seat opposite her. “How’s it taste?”

Charlotte poured herself a glass of warm water, sipped, and said, “You learned to cook like this for Tricia, didn’t you?”

The faint smile on his lips faltered and vanished.

“I’ve told you I don’t like sweet things. Of course, Mr. Howard always remembers Miss Winthrop’s preferences, not mine, isn’t that right?”

She set down her utensils, dabbed her fingers with a napkin, and didn’t touch the pasta again.

Evander didn’t say a word. Suddenly, he stood up, took her plate, and walked over to the trash, dumping the whole serving in without a glance back.