Cold Husband Burning Regret: The Divorce He Couldn't Handle novel Chapter 360

Judd dressed without hurry, emerging from the room as if the earlier incident hadn’t fazed him at all. “You needed to see me?”

“There’s a welcome party for the Rayburn family tomorrow night. Are you planning to come?”

He paused, a hint of a smile flickering at the corners of his mouth. “Do you want me to?”

She shrugged. “That’s up to you, isn’t it? You happen to be in The Capital and it’d be rude not to invite you.”

His smile faded just a little, eyes intent. “There’ll be a lot of people there, I suppose. Aren’t you worried the Howards will gossip if I show up?”

Charlotte laughed. “Honestly, Genevieve’s probably the only Howard who’ll bother to come. The others wouldn’t dare. And Genevieve’s been talking about me behind my back for years. If I don’t care, why should you?”

“Alright.” He looked down at her, his voice low. “I’ll be there.”

Night fell quickly.

Loretta slipped out the front door, glancing around as if she didn’t want to be seen. Not long after, she returned, clutching a small box wrapped in a mesh bag.

She crept through the garden, scanning the shadows, making sure no one was watching, before darting back inside.

From behind the rock garden, Julian stepped out, silently watching her disappear into the house.

He headed up to Wesley’s room, reporting everything he’d seen.

Wesley was flipping lazily through a book, but at the mention of a box, he looked up. “What kind of box?”

Julian replied, “It was wrapped in mesh, pretty tightly. Feels like there’s something alive inside.”

“So that’s her play for tomorrow,” Wesley said, snapping the book shut. “Go check the security feeds outside. See where she came from. If there were any unfamiliar cars, try to get the plates.”

“Understood.” Julian nodded and left the room.

***

The next day, the welcome party was held in the villa’s garden. During the day, Sean had spared no expense, hiring a professional outdoor event team to transform the grounds.

Genevieve’s face darkened; she bit her lip hard.

What was Charlotte doing here?

Charlotte drifted through the crowd with a glass of wine, her walk made mesmerizing by her heels—elegant, confident, every movement drawing glances her way.

A young trust-fund heir finally summoned up the nerve to approach her, but before Charlotte could respond, Genevieve swept up beside them. “That’s my sister-in-law,” she announced loudly. “She’s not even divorced and already out here looking for her next catch. You all better watch yourselves.”

Sister-in-law to Miss Howard?

That meant—

The young man’s courage vanished. Of all the people to accidentally cross, the Howard family was the very worst.

Charlotte took a sip of wine, smirking. “So now you’re willing to admit I’m your sister-in-law?”