Cold Husband Burning Regret: The Divorce He Couldn't Handle novel Chapter 255

The banquet hall was buzzing with people, a lively mix of leading scholars, hospital directors, and the entire Nebula Tech board.

Charlotte stepped out into the corridor just as Tricia and two blond women from her team approached from the other direction.

She recognized Tricia’s voice instantly—it was unmistakable.

Tricia’s expression flickered when she saw Charlotte, but she quickly forced a smile. “So you really are in Riverspire City?”

Charlotte didn’t answer.

“Miss Winthrop, do you two know each other?” one of the blond women asked, curiosity in her tone.

Tricia replied in French, “Her? She’s nobody important. Just another woman trying to use a man to get into this circle.”

“What? Is she really that low-rent?”

The other blonde laughed, “She can’t understand what we’re saying, right?”

Tricia flashed Charlotte a saccharine smile. “Of course she—”

Charlotte cut her off, her voice calm but clear. “Why are a bunch of Vandalians showing off their French in our own country? Did a couple years abroad suddenly make you all think you’re so sophisticated?” She looked Tricia up and down. “If we’re talking about who’s using men to get ahead, I think Miss Winthrop might know more about that than I do.”

“She’s not supposed to understand—” The blond woman looked mortified.

Tricia bit her lip. “Charlotte, are you really going to pretend you haven’t relied on a man? Evander’s in Riverspire City, isn’t he? If he hadn’t introduced you, would you have even met Professor Aldridge?”

She was talking about last time, at the gala in the Capital.

What Tricia didn’t know was that Evander had insisted on taking Charlotte—she hadn’t asked for it. Even if he hadn’t brought her, she wouldn’t have cared; Professor Aldridge was working with her mentor, and Charlotte had plenty of chances to meet him regardless.

Charlotte stayed silent, and Tricia, thinking she’d hit a nerve, stepped closer. “Are you still upset about me and Evander? Is that why you ran off to Riverspire City, hoping to lick your wounds in peace?”

The two blond women whispered to each other, eating up the drama.

Tricia looked down at Charlotte, desperate to put her in her place, to show everyone that Charlotte wasn’t even worthy to shine her shoes. In her sky-high heels, Tricia was nearly a head taller than Charlotte, who wore flats.

But to Charlotte, that arrogance looked more like desperate insecurity.

“Hiding?” Charlotte’s face was expressionless. “I applied for a transfer three months ago. I remember telling you I’d be leaving the Capital soon—you just never believed me, did you?”

Eyes brimming with tears, Tricia immediately pointed at Charlotte. “Professor Carstairs, Charlotte attacked me out of nowhere. I have no idea what I did to offend her.”

Fine, she thought, if Charlotte wanted her to play the victim, she would—there were cameras everywhere, after all. She’d like to see Charlotte talk her way out of this one.

Old Mr. Carstairs frowned, turning to Charlotte expectantly. “Well?”

Charlotte gestured to the two blond women. “The three of them were insulting me in French behind my back, assuming I couldn’t understand.”

One of the blond women’s face went pale. “That’s a lie! We never insulted you!”

“You called me low-class and spread rumors that I slept my way into this circle,” Charlotte replied evenly.

Old Mr. Carstairs’s expression darkened.

The two blond women stared at the floor, unwilling to meet anyone’s gaze.

Tricia rushed to explain herself. “Professor Carstairs, I was just telling the truth. Charlotte only ever relied on Evander. When my mentor, Professor Aldridge, visited the Capital, she only got an invitation because she was with Evander!”