RedNovelRegret 253 Charlotte let out a laugh, utterly unfazed. "Funny-when I was the one being slandered, I don't remember him being this eager to help." Natalie's smile faltered, a flicker of discomfort crossing her face.
"She's just a young girl," Charlotte continued, her tone dismissive. “There's no need for Mr. Howard to make such a big deal out of it. A little scolding would have sufficed." She had just turned to leave when Natalie called after her, "Mr. Howard askedto check-what would you like for dinner tonight?" Charlotte paused, not missing a beat. "Takeout." Evander had his assistant wipe the trending rumors and issue a statement to set the record straight. He barely had tto relax before Natalie's message arrived.
He had just finished making a reservation at the city's most exclusive restaurant, only to see that single word- takeout. It stung more than he cared to admit.
He knew Charlotte was only under his roof because they'd reached stemporary truce. He tried, in his own clumsy way, to make amends. Still, no matter what he did, she kept her guard up, bristling like a hedgehog. Nothing he did seemed to get through to her.
Not that he could blher.
Honestly, he deserved it.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtJust then, his phone buzzed with a message from an unknown number. Attached was a photo-a candid shot in a hospital hallway. Judd and Charlotte.
Judd was leaning down, ever so slightly, as if sharing a private word. From this angle, both dressed in crisp white, they looked-maybe not romantic, but perfectly matched. Like they belonged together.
Evander's jaw tightened, his mood souring in an instant.
He'd never paid much attention to Jonathan Pembroke before. But seeing another man standing so effortlessly at Charlotte's side-this was the first tit truly bothered him.
At seven that evening, Charlotte stopped by Gardenia Apartments to grab smaterials. Professor Aldridge's team would be arriving in Riverspire soon, and she wanted to be well-prepared for her lecture.
12.53 She made her way downstairs, tote bag in hand, and ran straight into Judd, who was just coming back.
She caught sight of the takeout bag in his hand and raised an eyebrow. "Even you order takeout, Professor Carstairs?" Wasn't he a notorious germaphobe? "If I don't, are you planning to cook for me?" Charlotte was momentarily at a loss. "Are you joking, Professor Carstairs?" He looked genuinely perplexed. “You asked, I answered. How is that a joke?" She fell silent. Was this what genius-level logic looked like? Judd's phone rang. He glanced at the caller ID, didn't answer, and slipped it back into his pocket without a change in expression.
Assuming he had his reasons, Charlotte offered a polite smile. "Well, I won't keep you, then. See you around." Judd didn't try to stop her.
Once she'd disappeared down the street, he checked his phone-missed call from Jonathan.
He called back. "Judd, why didn't you pick up?" cJonathan's voice.
"Busy just now. What's up?" Jonathan sat in his car, eyes fixed on the apartment building across the street-Judd's building. There was a pause. "Let's grab a drink tonight. Feels like it's been ages since we talked." "Sendthe address," Judd replied.
Back at the Summitview Wellness Retreat, Charlotte stepped into the living room just as Natalie emerged from the study. "Ma'am, you're back late tonight.” "I got held up with something." Charlotte brushed past her, heading for the stairs.
Natalie seemed about to say more, but then someone appeared in the doorway-a tall, imposing figure, perfectly blocking her escape.
Evander was smoking-a rare sight lately. He frowned, taking a moment to regain his composure, exhaling smoke toward the ceiling. "You went back to Gardenia Chapter 253 Apartments?" Charlotte's gaze fixed on his face, unmoving. "I needed to pick up sthings. Is that a problem?" He said nothing, jaw clenched, eyes dark and unreadable as they bore into her.
Charlotte's chest tightened with unease. She glanced back for Natalie, but her housekeeper had vanished.
She took a step back, instinctively. That simple motion was enough to cut him to the bone.
He stood in the dimmest corner of the room, his expression unreadable. "Charlotte, tellwhat do you want from me? What do you wantto do?" She stopped, hands clenched tight. "You don't have to do anything. There's no going back-not for us." With that, she drew a deep breath and walked past him.
Maybe she was imagining it, but as she brushed by-half in shadow half in light she caught a glimpse of him at his lowest, a man on the verge of breaking apart.
Charlotte bit her lip and forced herself not to look back.
Did he really feel pain, too? If so, it still wasn't enough.
When the door closed behind her, Evander didn't even notice the m cigarette burning down between his fingers. The ash dropped onto his hand, cold and spent, and he didn't even flinch. 3/3
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