Cold Husband Burning Regret: The Divorce He Couldn't Handle novel Chapter 278

“It’s not really appropriate for a married woman to be so interested in my affairs.”

Charlotte fell silent, deciding it was better not to say anything at all.

That evening, Charlotte received a message from Evander.

Something had come up at the last minute, so he wouldn’t be able to pick her up. He asked her to let him know she got home safely.

She replied with a brief “Okay,” then put her phone away.

Suddenly, Judd’s car pulled up in front of her. The driver’s window rolled down to reveal an unfamiliar man. “Miss Sterling, Mr. Carstairs asked me to give you a ride.”

Charlotte glanced at the license plate—it was definitely Judd’s car.

Still, she was cautious. “Where is he?”

The driver answered, “Mr. Carstairs had something come up at home. He left with Hilary.”

He even knew Hilary’s name and was driving Judd’s car, so he probably was the Carstairs family’s driver.

Charlotte opened the back door and got in.

On the way, she texted Judd, thanking him for arranging a ride.

But as soon as she finished and looked up, she realized the car wasn’t heading toward Summitview Wellness Retreat—nor was it going to Gardenia Apartments.

“Excuse me, are you sure you’re taking the right road?”

The driver glanced at her in the rearview mirror but said nothing.

A knot of unease formed in her stomach. “Turn the car around right now and take me to Summitview Wellness Retreat. If you don’t, I’ll call the police.”

“Miss Sterling, please don’t worry. The lady of the house wants to see you.”

“What lady?”

“Mr. Carstairs’s mother—Mrs. Carstairs.”

Charlotte’s hand tightened around her purse. “Why does she want to see me?”

“I’m afraid I don’t know.”

The car turned onto a narrow lane, lined with blooming trees that cast a blanket of petals over the road. The vehicle was soon swallowed by thick branches and blossoms.

They hauled her inside the vineyard and slammed the heavy door behind her.

Charlotte blinked through the pain and looked up. The courtyard was deserted, weeds growing wild everywhere.

She heard the car engine start and drive away. Desperate, she hurled herself at the iron gate, calling out, “Let me out! Somebody, please!”

But no one answered.

“Don’t waste your breath. No one’s going to hear you out here, no matter how loud you scream.”

Charlotte turned. Tricia emerged from the shadows with two men at her side. Charlotte’s expression darkened. “You?”

“Surprised? Mrs. Carstairs is on my side, after all.”

Tricia strode up to her and slapped her across the face. “See? In the end, you still ended up at my mercy. Charlotte, you and your whole family are nothing but trouble!”

The words stung.

Charlotte, without thinking, slapped her right back.

Tricia’s face twisted with rage as she shouted, “What are you waiting for? Grab her!”