Cold Husband Burning Regret: The Divorce He Couldn't Handle novel Chapter 401

She truly did hate Evander—hated his cold-heartedness, his indifference. But she hated Charlotte even more, because Charlotte’s very existence had shattered all her carefully laid plans.

If Charlotte hadn’t appeared, she would have become Mrs. Howard long ago. She would have been free of this devil by now.

Finnick Vinterberg swirled the wine in his glass, watching the fury in her eyes, then let out a low chuckle. “Well, why don’t you show me just how sincere you are?”

Tricia froze, and in the next instant, she finally understood what he meant. The color drained from her face.

…

Later that afternoon, Charlotte hurried into the elevator, only to find Judd already inside. She faltered for a second.

As their eyes met, she quickly looked away and forced a smile. “What a coincidence.”

She stepped to the side, putting space between them.

Judd narrowed his eyes, watching the back of her head. “You’re acting a little strange today.”

She gave a half-hearted smile. “Am I?”

“You won’t even look at me,” he replied.

Charlotte was caught off guard. Slowly, she turned to face him. “Professor Carstairs… is that really so odd?”

Did he somehow know she’d overheard his conversation earlier? The thought made her uneasy, and awkwardness crept in.

Judd touched his cheek, considering. “Do I have something embarrassing on my face?”

“…No, nothing.”

“Then you just don’t want to see me?”

She was momentarily speechless. Trust him to cut straight to the point.

With an awkward laugh, she said, “You’re surprisingly good at guessing.”

The elevator reached the ground floor. Judd exited ahead of her. Charlotte followed, quickening her pace.

Feeling she might have gone too far, she called after him, “Professor Carstairs!”

It wasn’t that she didn’t want to see him—she just hadn’t processed everything she’d learned yet, and now she didn’t know how to face him.

Judd remained where he was, his expression growing stormy.

Evander all but dragged Charlotte out to the car. Once inside, he yanked off his tie and ordered the driver to leave.

She tried to pull away, but Evander caught her and pulled her firmly into his arms, lowering the seatback with a sharp gesture.

As the seat reclined, she barely had time to react before he gripped her jaw and kissed her, rough and urgent.

When things threatened to spiral out of control, Charlotte bit down hard enough to draw blood, then slapped him across the face.

The crack of her palm sounded shockingly loud in the hush of the car.

He froze, lips bleeding, his shirt collar askew and a flush creeping up his collarbone.

His chest rose and fell with each ragged breath. His voice was hoarse. “So I’m not even allowed to feel wronged?”

He read her silence, then let out a bitter laugh, eyes burning red. “You really are heartless when it comes to me.”