TimeNovelChapter 322 Judd's expression didn't flicker. "I appreciate the offer, Mr. Howard, but I'm driving tonight." His tone held a subtle undertone. "Well, that's a pity." Charlotte bid Judd goodbye and slipped into Evander's car.
Neither of them spoke during the ride.
Sensing the tension, Natalie, who was driving, put on a soft, soothing piece of music.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtEvander gazed out the window for a while before breaking the silence. "Did you enjoy the meeting?" Charlotte gave a quiet laugh. "It was pleasant enough. Your ex even struck up a conversation with me." For the first tthat evening, a ripple crossed Evander's otherwise calm face-something deep and complicated flickering in his eyes. “Can we go a single day without bringing her up?" She arched an eyebrow. "So, if I can't out-argue you, is that grounds for divorce?" He didn't answer.
Natalie pressed her Bluetooth earpiece and took a call. After a moment, she glanced in the rearview mirror. "Mr. Howard, that Loretta-oh, I mean, Miss Rayburn-asked if she could meet with Mrs. Howard.” Charlotte frowned. "She wants to see me?" Natalie gave a helpless shrug. "That's the message. She wants to meet tomorrow morning." Evander's reply was cool and flat. "Tell her-" "I'll meet her," Charlotte interrupted, cutting him off. "Why not? I'm actually curious what she wants." 1/3 Natalie caught Evander's gaze in the mirror.
Evander pinched the bridge of his nose, saying nothing.
The next morning, Charlotte went to meet Loretta.
When Loretta saw Charlotte, she finally recalled their brief encounter before. The woman really was beautiful-no wonder Mr. Howard was drawn to her.
Charlotte pulled out a chair and sat down. "Miss Rayburn, we hardly know each other. What is it you'd like to discuss?" Only now did Loretta remember: Charlotte was the Rayburn heiress. She had nothing to fear.
Loretta straightened her back and slid a bank card across the table. "There's three million on this card. I want you to divorce Mr. Howard." Three million-the "token of goodwill" from her father, pocket change really. Surely enough to tempt anyone. Charlotte burst out laughing. "Miss Rayburn, you wantto leave my husband for money?" "You're not good enough for him." Loretta leaned back, folding her arms. "I know your background-nothing special. And you have a brother in a coma. Do you really think you're cut out to be Mrs. Howard?" Even when Tricia returned from abroad, she'd never been so blunt about wanting Charlotte gone.
But this Rayburn princess didn't even try to pretend, Charlotte eyed the card on the table. "So, in your eyes, Evander is only worth three million?" "You think it should be more?" "I do." Charlotte rested her elbows on the table, leaning in closer. "Three hundred million would be more like it." 213 14:43 @ Loretta shot to her feet. "You're asking for three hundred million?" "Why not?" "You think you're worth that much?" "I'm Mrs. Howard. Even if I divorced Evander, I'd get half his assets. Three hundred million is a bargain, really."
Loretta clenched her jaw, then In my love & suddenly laughed. "So you don'tm really love your husband after all. Otherwise, how could you say something like that?"
"Love?" Charlotte gave a short, bitter laugh, meeting Loretta's gaze. "You're young. Never been marred, have Never been you? Wait until you marry the wrong person. You'll find out love is worth very little in a marriage."
She paused, a sardonic smile on her lips. "But if you're so eager to marry Evander, I'd be happy Ostep aside e17 and let you have the Mrs. Howard title. The only question is, will you do a better job than Tricia did? Can you take my place before too long?" The words had barely left Charlotte's mouth when the door to the private room swung open.
She turned, catching Loretta's stunned expression, and met Evander's gaze-cold, unreadable, but with a depth she'd never seen before.
That look in his eyes-so dark, so bleak-almost took her breath away.
212 14:43
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