RedNovelRegret 168 Rachel invited Jonathan to stay for lunch, and he accepted without hesitation. She headed off to the kitchen to prepare the meal, purposefully leaving the living room to the two of them. Still, she kept half an ear on the conversation drifting in from the other room.
Jonathan took a sip of his tea and noticed Charlotte's distant expression. With a gentle smile, he said, "Don't worry. If those women caround again to bother you or your mother, just letknow. I'll be there." Charlotte snapped out of her thoughts. "But I don't want to trouble you." "It's no trouble at all," Jonathan replied, setting his teacup down. "Anything that concerns you is never a bother." Charlotte shifted a little, feeling uneasy. Was she reading too much into it, or was he almost... confessing something to her? Jonathan seemed to pick up on her discomfort. He traced the rim of his cup in silence, wondering if he'd startled her.
Just then, Charlotte's phone vibrated.
She glanced at the screen. It was Evander.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtShe declined the call. But before she could set the phone aside, the doorbell rang.
Charlotte's grip tightened around her phone, and her expression changed. Could it be- Rachel cout of the kitchen, drying her hands. Jonathan stood up. "Letget it, Mrs. Sterling." He opened the door. There, standing on the porch, was none other than Evander himself.
Their eyes met, and the air tensed instantly.
Evander's lips curled into a cold, mocking smile. "Mr. Pembroke, you seem to have plenty of free time." Jonathan matched his tone with a polite smile. “Not nearly as much as you, Mr.
Howard." Evander's gaze slid past him, landing on Charlotte, then shifted to Rachel, whose face had grown tense. "It seems my mother-in-law isn't too pleased to see me." 1/3 14:45 R Chapter 168 Rachel clutched her apron, forcing herself to be polite. "Not at all, Mr. Howard. You're always welchere." Evander frowned at the formality. He clearly didn't care for it. "Charlotte and I aren't divorced yet. Is it really appropriate to call'Mr. Howard"?" Rachel hesitated, about to respond, but Charlotte interjected, "Evander, did you chere for something?" "Do I need a reason to visit?" His dark eyes flicked over her. "Or are you just worried I'm interrupting your search for a new family?" "You-" "If you're so willing, Mr. Howard," Jonathan cut in, his meaning clear, "why not just grant Lottie the divorce? After all, Miss Winthrop is still waiting for you." Before the words had fully left Jonathan's lips, Evander grabbed him by the collar, his knuckles turning white with anger. His eyes were icy. "Don't you think you're meddling a bit too much, Mr. Pembroke?" "Evander, stop it!" Charlotte hurried over, trying to separate them.
Evander released Jonathan, adjusting his tie as if nothing had happened. “Conrad's pretty badly hurt. Aren't you going to check on him?" Jonathan paused, straightening his shirt. "He brought it on himself." "Oh?" Evander's smile was sharp. "Aren't you at least curious what he said?" Jonathan smiled coolly. "Charlotte already knows." Charlotte understood Jonathan was referring to Conrad's attempt to frEvander. She stayed quiet.
Evander's smile faded. "Is that all? You know perfectly well how Mrs. Fontaine managed to avoid the investigation." Jonathan's face darkened a shade.
Charlotte frowned, looking between them. What did Evander mean by that? Jonathan took a steady breath. “Accusations require evidence, Mr. Howard." "I have evidence." Evander moved past Jonathan, their shoulders brushing. "The real question is, can you handle it?" Jonathan said nothing, a rare shadow passing over his usually composed features.
2/3 14:45) Evander walked over to Charlotte and put an arm around her shoulders. “No need to trouble yourself with my wife, Mr. Pembroke." Jonathan's clenched fists slowly relaxed. "Forgive the intrusion." He turned and left.
"Jonathan..." Rachel started to call after him, but with Evander still there, she hesitated, afraid of making things worse.
Jonathan hadn't been gone long when Natalie arrived, accompanied by four bodyguards and two housekeepers. She nodded to Rachel and Charlotte.
Rachel looked confused. "What's all this?"
Evander tightened his arm around Charlotte, who still seemed lost in thought, and addressed Rachel. "With just you and Charlotte here, she worries. To avoid any repeats of today's incident, they'll be here from now on to keep you both safe. They'll follow your instructions." "Thank you for your concern, Mr. Howard..." Rachel replied, though she sounded more uneasy than grateful.
Evander didn't answer, his gaze settling on Charlotte's unreadable face. Seeing her so indifferent, the n trace of a smile faded from his lips.
The lunch that might have been pleasant was completely ruined by Evander's arrival ''s arrival. Chalotte didn't even stay to eat with her mother; Evander whisked her away before she had the chance. On the drive back, Charlotte sat in stony silence, her eyes fixed on the world passing by outside the window.
3/2 14-45 Chapter 169
Visit our social media platform to read fascinating stories every day and connect with the community!
