Cold Husband Burning Regret: The Divorce He Couldn't Handle novel Chapter 397

The hostess led Tricia to the private room next door. Standing at the threshold, she took a moment to smooth her hair and touch up her lipstick, confidence radiating from her every move as she pushed open the door.

Her gaze fell on the blurred figure behind the folding screen—tall, broad-shouldered, unmistakably young. She tucked her hair behind her ear and stepped out from behind the screen, her smile charming and practiced. “You must be Mr. Selwyn?”

The man didn’t turn around. He picked up his glass, his tone cold and amused. “It’s been years, and you haven’t changed a bit. Looks like failing to become Mrs. Howard hasn’t dulled your skill at chasing men.”

Tricia’s smile faltered.

That voice—

The man turned. The moment she saw his face, she stumbled backward, nearly losing her balance. “Finnick Vinterberg? You… How is it you?”

“What’s wrong? After you climbed aboard Zoe’s ship, did she not tell you I was back in the country?”

Tricia’s face drained of color, her body recoiling instinctively.

To her, Finnick Vinterberg was the devil in disguise. She’d been fooled by his appearance once before, and the torment—physical and emotional—he’d inflicted on her was something she’d never forget.

Finnick strode toward her, and the closer he got, the harder she trembled.

He stopped just in front of her.

Tricia’s knees buckled; she collapsed to the floor, pleading, “Don’t—”

“You’re still just as terrified of me,” Finnick remarked, a note of boredom flickering across his face. He didn’t spare her another glance. “Don’t flatter yourself. I’m not interested in used-up women. I have conditions for my sponsorship.”

Tricia clenched her fists, biting her lip. “What do you want me to do this time…?”

Finnick sat down on the sofa, crossing his long legs. “I want the nanomedicine technology.”

Tricia froze. “You… you’re insane. You want me to—”

“What, is there actually something you’re afraid to do?” Finnick nudged her chin up with the toe of his shoe. “Do you need me to remind you of what you are?”

Tricia’s face went from pale to ghostly white. “I’ll do my best.”

“Don’t make me wait too long.” He uncrossed his legs. “Get out.”

Tricia scrambled to her feet and hurried out of the room, forcing herself not to look back.

Once outside the club, she collapsed into the driver’s seat of her car, pounding the steering wheel in frustration. That lunatic Finnick—he’d barely returned to the country and already wanted her to steal nanomedicine technology. She’d finally earned Professor Aldridge’s trust—was she really supposed to throw it all away for him?

She pressed both hands to her forehead, her nerves raw and frayed.

Suddenly, a plan flickered to life in her mind.

They walked side by side down the corridor. “Sharp, calm, and rational.”

Judd’s eyes dropped. Rational, huh… If this counted, then yes, maybe he was a little too rational.

“I’ll drive you back,” he said.

“But didn’t you need to pick something up?”

“It can wait.”

***

Judd pulled up outside Charlotte’s hotel. As she unbuckled her seatbelt, he suddenly reached out a hand.

She turned to him, puzzled.

She nodded, stepped out of the car, and walked toward the hotel lobby.