Cold Husband Burning Regret: The Divorce He Couldn't Handle novel Chapter 430

Finnick Vinterberg ended the call with Norene’s mother, exhaling a thin stream of smoke as he turned toward Yolanda. “It’s been years, Miss Carstairs. You’ve certainly grown up.”

Yolanda stared at him for a moment before realization dawned. “Wait... you’re Finnick Vinterberg?”

“So you do remember me after all.”

Her face darkened—a rare sight. “How could I forget? You made it your mission to torment me back then.”

He chuckled softly. “Still holding a grudge after all these years?”

“Can you blame me? Seeing your insufferable face always puts me in a bad mood.”

Instead of being offended, Finnick only smiled wider. “How have your parents been all these years?”

Yolanda’s tone was cool. “They’re fine, thanks for asking.” She turned to Charlotte. “Let’s go.”

As Charlotte brushed past Finnick, her eyes flickered to the phone in his hand. Finnick noticed and turned, raising his phone. “Mrs. Howard, bring your husband next time. You really should come to my wedding.”

He waved the phone deliberately.

Charlotte’s hands curled into fists. Norene’s phone was with him—which meant Norene must be here, too.

As the two women disappeared into their private room, Finnick’s smile faded, replaced by cold calculation. He spun on his heel and went back to his own suite.

Inside, Norene sat on the couch, flanked by two bodyguards. If she so much as shifted, one of them pressed her back down.

“Finnick Vinterberg, don’t think calling my parents from my phone to reassure them will make this go away. Eventually, they’ll see what you’re really after.”

He ignored her outburst, taking his seat and placing her phone on the table. “Let’s not call it ambition. This marriage? Your parents agreed to it. It wasn’t the Vinterbergs twisting anyone’s arm.”

Norene glared. “Only because you tricked them!”

He swirled his wine, smiling faintly. “Don’t be naïve, Miss Lennox. Didn’t your family agree to this alliance for their own benefit? So, no, it’s not trickery—it’s mutual advantage.”

He paused, his eyes glinting. “Besides, if the Lennoxes really cared about you, why hasn’t anyone been searching for you after all this time?”

That last remark hit its mark. Norene paled as Finnick took a slow sip. “No need to be so wary of me, Miss Lennox. We’ll be married soon enough—living under the same roof, whether you like it or not.”

She scoffed. “You wish. Even if you force me into this marriage, I’ll never accept being part of your wretched family!”

Charlotte pressed her lips together. She didn’t ask more.

The money that disappeared in that old bank robbery was never reported in the news.

Clearly, someone had quietly covered the loss.

—

It was late by the time Charlotte finished dinner and returned to her apartment. Stepping from the elevator, the motion-activated hallway lights snapped on, illuminating a figure slumped by her door. The sight startled her.

As the man’s face came into view, she frowned. “Evander? What are you doing here—?” Before she could get any closer, the sharp smell of alcohol hit her.

Evander was slouched against her door, his long legs nearly blocking the entrance, eyes red-rimmed and shadowed as he watched her. “You’re back. I’ve been waiting for you.”

She sighed. “What’s gotten into you now? Get up.” She tried to pull him to his feet, but he reached out, yanking her into his arms.

Charlotte stiffened, struggling in his embrace.

He held her tighter, his hands trembling. “I can’t stand the thought of you with someone else, Charlotte. Can’t you give me a chance?”