Cold Husband Burning Regret: The Divorce He Couldn't Handle novel Chapter 434

Charlotte bit her lip, not wanting Vera to feel as disappointed as she did. She changed the subject. "Have you heard from Norene these past few days?"

Vera shook her head. "No. Do you think something's happened to her?"

"She's not in danger. Just… not free."

"So she really is being forced into a marriage?"

Charlotte nodded. "The two families have already set the wedding date."

Vera felt a pang of sympathy for Norene. While she couldn't truly understand, she could imagine the torture of being married to a man you didn't love.

"Miss Sterling," the salesman said, approaching with a smile. "What did you think of the car? Would you like to take it?"

Charlotte handed him her card. "Yes, I'll take it."

The salesman accepted the card with both hands, beaming. "Excellent! I'll get the paperwork started right away!"

After buying the car, Charlotte drove Vera home. Just after she dropped her off, she received a text from an unknown number.

It was Tricia's court date.

She didn't know who sent it or why, but it felt like an opportunity. She couldn't bear the thought of letting Tricia get away with it.

…

At a restaurant overlooking a lakeside garden, Evander deleted Charlotte's number from his bodyguard's phone after sending the message. He returned the phone and sat alone on the terrace, gazing at the vibrant red maples.

"Well, Mr. Howard, you certainly look relaxed. I suppose the rumors about your cancer are true."

Natalie turned to see Finnick Vinterberg approaching, flanked by two imposing henchmen. The bodyguards stationed nearby immediately moved to block their path. One of the henchmen started to make a move, but Finnick stopped him with a raised hand.

"Am I not welcome here, Mr. Howard?"

Evander glanced at Natalie, who then signaled for the bodyguards to stand down.

With that, he stood up and left with his men.

Natalie returned with the tea and glanced at the invitation. "An invitation from the Vinterbergs? Do you think this was Neely's idea?"

Neely had to know who Evander was. He was the mastermind behind the kidnapping. Even if he wasn't there in person, he would have known the details of every child involved.

Evander picked up the invitation, his face unreadable. "The Vinterbergs certainly have a long guest list."

Natalie drew a sharp breath. "Neely returns to the country, rushes into a marriage with the Lennox family, and throws this massive wedding. I have a bad feeling about this."

Evander's eyes narrowed in silent contemplation.

…

At ten o'clock that night, Charlotte had just finished her shower when the doorbell rang. With a towel wrapped around her damp hair, she peered through the peephole and saw Judd Carstairs. She opened the door. "Professor Carstairs, are you back from your trip?"

"I am," he said, holding up a takeout bag. "Late-night snack?"