Cold Husband Burning Regret: The Divorce He Couldn't Handle novel Chapter 319

“You really don’t need to worry so much. The Howard family wanted you back on this project, and Mrs. Howard thinks very highly of you. There’s no reason to second-guess yourself. You should make the most of your talents and work with the team toward a win-win outcome.”

Professor Aldridge’s words caught her off guard. “And what about Mr. Howard? What does he think about this?”

“Mr. Howard hasn’t said anything on the matter. Is there anything else you’re worried about?”

“No… nothing else.”

“Good. Then come see me tomorrow morning.”

“Alright.” Tricia ended the call, staring at her phone for a long time.

She touched her right hand, now weak and almost numb, and her eyes grew misty.

She hadn’t been completely cast out.

She knew those years with Evander couldn’t have all been a lie. There was no way he could just erase her from his life.

He was only punishing her.

But as soon as she remembered he was doing all of this for Charlotte’s sake, Tricia’s faint smile froze, hardening into resentment.

If it weren’t for Charlotte, things never would have come to this.

…

Judd relayed the news of Tricia’s return to the nanomedicine project to Charlotte. Watching her calm, unruffled reaction, he couldn’t help but frown. “Did you have something to do with this?”

Charlotte turned to him. “And if I did?”

“What exactly are you planning?”

She smiled serenely. “I want to ruin her with praise.”

Evander might be willing to let her off the hook, but Charlotte couldn’t.

If she hadn’t learned the shocking truth—that Tricia was actually the real daughter of the Sterling family—she never would have lost her focus. For a time, she’d stopped pursuing the matter. Otherwise, given the video evidence Vera had provided, she would have seen to it that Tricia ended up behind bars, no matter what.

But now, she realized prison would be far too easy.

With no concrete proof that Tricia had murdered her mother, Rachel, and with the only charge being that she pushed her own child down the stairs—an act that hadn’t even resulted in death—the worst she’d face was a few years in prison.

“If you took the money and played the part, you need to accept the consequences. Relax, I have no interest in making you an enemy. We could be friends—hell, we could even work together. Whatever you want, I’ll help you get it.”

Loretta gritted her teeth. “How much do you want?”

“I don’t want money,” Tricia replied coolly. “I want to borrow the Rayburn family’s influence to deal with someone I need out of my way.”

Loretta knew exactly who she meant.

Mr. Howard’s wife.

And honestly, who wouldn’t want a man like him—brilliant, powerful, and devastatingly handsome?

She was the Rayburn heiress now. Whatever she wanted, the Rayburns would make sure she got it.

She was determined: she’d make sure Mr. Howard married her.

And right now, it was clear—working with Tricia was her best shot.

Inside the research building, Charlotte walked toward the data department, research files in hand. At that moment, Tricia finished her phone call and stepped out into the hallway. Their eyes met. Instinctively, Tricia hid her weakened right hand behind her back, lifted her chin, and regarded Charlotte with a cold, defiant stare.