Cold Husband Burning Regret: The Divorce He Couldn't Handle novel Chapter 266

Charlotte tilted her head a little, her voice cool. “You seemed pretty pleased when Tricia called you that, didn’t you?”

Maybe it was because she mentioned Tricia, but Evander’s grip on her hand tightened. He lowered his head and bit her shoulder.

Charlotte winced at the sting and struggled in his arms. “Evander, let go!”

He released her and spoke in a low voice, “I’d rather you called me ‘husband’.”

She stiffened for a moment, then managed a faint, indifferent smile. “Funny, I never knew you liked it. Who was I saying it for all this time—your dog?”

His expression darkened.

Just then, the big screen at the front flashed with the next auction items. Evander withdrew his gaze and guided her over to the sofa, settling beside her.

He asked, “See anything you like?”

Charlotte barely glanced at the screen. “Not really.”

Evander just smiled and said nothing.

The next lot was a ruby necklace—alternating oval and cushion-cut rubies with marquise and round brilliant diamonds, all gleaming under the bright lights.

Starting bid: ten million.

Evander called Natalie and gestured for her to bid twenty million.

Natalie raised the paddle for twenty million, and most of the room fell silent. But then, someone else upped the ante to thirty million.

Now, only two bidders remained.

Some people recognized Natalie as Mr. Howard’s secretary. The other man was unfamiliar, seated in the front row—likely another assistant or secretary representing a wealthy client.

A low buzz of conversation rippled through the audience.

“Who has the nerve to go up against Mr. Howard?”

“No idea. Whoever it is must have deep pockets to challenge the Howard family.”

Evander tapped his fingers idly on the armrest, eyes fixed on the big screen. Natalie’s voice came through his phone, “Mr. Howard, should we keep going?”

“Clear the board.”

Natalie hesitated. “Are you sure, Mr. Howard—”

“Do it.”

His tone left no room for argument, and Natalie realized he meant business.

Just as the auctioneer was about to bring down the gavel, Natalie signaled. The auctioneer paused mid-motion, and the entire room erupted in surprise.

Charlotte knew Evander was wealthy, but this was her first time seeing him throw money around so extravagantly.

“Clear the board” meant buying out the entire session. Those in the know exchanged glances and, out of respect, no one else bid on the remaining lots.

His gaze was sharp, as though he could see right through her.

Charlotte looked away. “I’m just not feeling well.”

“I’ve heard about you and Evander.” Judd turned to face her directly. “So, you’re choosing to stay with him?”

“Are you planning to remarry him?”

Charlotte’s expression tightened for a second, but she quickly met his eyes. “That’s really my business, isn’t it?”

He frowned. “I’m not interested in your private life. But you’re my grandfather’s student, so I wanted to ask. If you want to leave him, I can handle your divorce case. But if you’d rather stay, I’ll respect that.”

“You think you can win against him?”

Judd’s brow furrowed. “Seventy percent chance.”

“What’s in it for you, going up against the Howard family?”

“Nothing.” He paused, then added, “But it wouldn’t be the end of the world.”

Charlotte’s lips curved in a small, bitter smile. “I appreciate the offer, but I don’t believe anyone can really help me. Raising my hopes only sets me up for disappointment.”

He seemed to search her eyes. “Not everyone is like Jonathan.”

Charlotte was about to reply when Natalie’s voice interrupted from behind her, “Ma’am.”