Cold Husband Burning Regret: The Divorce He Couldn't Handle novel Chapter 52

Director Fontaine's face dropped. He hadn't expected Charlotte to not only come up with an excuse but to dig her heels in, either.

By now, all the department heads in the room could read between the lines.

Of course, in their eyes, this kind of workplace bullying was mere child's play. As long as it didn't impact their own interests, they were more than happy to look the other way.

Tricia clenched her fists beneath the table, biting her lip before finally letting out a breath. "It was my oversight. Sorry, Dr. Sterling. I'll have someone add you to the group chat after the meeting."

Charlotte nodded, accepting the apology without making things awkward. "Thank you, Director Winthrop. I appreciate it."

Tricia's smile faded. She turned away, her expression growing stormy.

After an hour, the meeting finally ended. Charlotte returned to her office, and not long after, Tricia's invitation to join the group chat popped up on her phone.

She glanced at it, ignored it, and went back to sorting through her reports before transferring out.

Then her phone rang.

It was her mother, Rachel.

Charlotte hesitated for a long moment before answering. "Yes?"

"Lottie, do you have some time this afternoon? I'd like to talk."

A few seconds of silence passed before Charlotte finally replied, "Alright."

—

That afternoon, Charlotte met her mother at a restaurant.

Rachel smiled at her, trying to sound warm. "Lottie, what would you like to eat? I'll order for you."

Charlotte was about to refuse, but changed her mind at the last second. "Anything's fine. I'm not picky."

If her mother really cared, she would already know what Charlotte liked and disliked. The question itself made the answer clear.

Rachel hesitated, a flash of guilt crossing her features.

Realizing she'd lost control, Rachel's face went pale. "Anyway, you're just… not the same as your brother…"

Charlotte let out a laugh, her eyes rimmed red. "We're both your children. What exactly makes us so different?"

Rachel looked away, offering no answer.

Charlotte didn't bother pressing. Her mother's attitude said it all.

Maybe, in a couple of months, she could finally walk away from all this without a second thought.

Charlotte smiled to herself. When the food arrived, she didn't take a bite—just drained her water glass, stood up, and said, "You have two months. After that, if Hiram hasn't landed his job, I want nothing more to do with the Sterling family."

"If you want to go to Evander, or anyone else, that's your business. Just don't come to me. You won't be able to find me."

She picked up her bag and left, a bitter smile on her lips.

Rachel sat there in stunned silence, unable to make sense of Charlotte's final words—and, in truth, not daring to think too deeply about them.