Cold husband burning regret

Regret 256 Chapter 256 Chapter 256 Professor Aldridge stood right beside Old Mr. Carstairs, and hearing the exchange, he glanced at Charlotte-yes, she was indeed the syoung woman he'd seen before.

He acknowledged that, during his last meeting with Evander in London, Charlotte had been by Evander's side. As these words were spoken, everyone except Old Mr. Carstairs began whispering among themselves.

Nepotism wasn't unheard of, but it was usually reserved for circles of power. In academia, merit mattered far more than connections; background and relationships might help widen one's network, but they couldn't substitute for genuine talent.

Especially for people like Old Mr. Carstairs and Professor Aldridge-they had no use for empty titles or unqualified protégés.

Just as most assumed Charlotte would be dismissed, Old Mr. Carstairs absentmindedly turned the prayer beads around his wrist, then spoke to Professor Aldridge. "Didn't you say you wanted to meet my protégé?" Professor Aldridge nodded. "That's right." Old Mr. Carstairs beckoned Charlotte to his side and placed a hand gently on her shoulder. "This is my student- Charlotte." A wave of shock rippled through the crowd.

Tricia's face drained of color, turning from pale green to an ashen white. She looked utterly stricken.

Charlotte? Old Mr. Carstairs's student? Impossible.

Professor Aldridge was taken aback. "My word, she's really your protégé?" "Without a doubt," Old Mr. Carstairs replied, a note of pride warming his usually reserved tone. "I chose her myself-she's the most gifted young surgeon I've ever cacross." Tricia's hands balled into fists. At that moment, both Professor Aldridge and Old Mr. Carstairs had eyes only for Charlotte-this was not the outcTricia had envisioned.

Swallowing the sting from the slap she'd received earlier, Tricia bit her lip.

1/1 12:54 Chapter 256 "Charlotte, if you're Professor Carstairs's student, why didn't you say so sooner? You let us misunderstand-" "Whether or not I'm Professor Carstairs's student hardly needs Miss Winthrop's approval, does it?" Charlotte replied coolly, giving her not the slightest courtesy.

The onlookers murmured among themselves.

"What's her problem? Miss Winthrop just said she didn't know Charlotte was Professor Carstairs's student, that's why there was a conflict. Charlotte could at least show sgrace." "With Professor Carstairs backing her, what's she got to be afraid of?" "But Miss Winthrop didn't even apologize! And besides, not knowing someone's credentials doesn't give you the right to insult them, does it?" Tricia's eyes rimmed red, tears threatening. "Professor Aldridge, I've let you down. I never thought I'd be so unwelchere..." Professor Aldridge, unaware of the deeper grudge between Tricia and Charlotte, tried to smooth things over with Old Mr. Carstairs.

Charlotte scoffed, her face cold. "You wantto shake hands and make peace with a woman who broke up my marriage and destroyed my family? I'd sooner shovel muck with my bare hands." With that, she looped her arm through Old Mr. Carstairs's. "I'm sorry, Professor, but I just can't do it." No one could tell if Charlotte's claims were true, but her refusal to play along certainly seemed rather harsh.

To everyone's surprise, Old Mr. Carstairs patted her hand reassuringly. "If you don't want to, no one can force you." He turned to Professor Aldridge. "I'm sorry, but I won't allow anyone to mistreat my student." Professor Aldridge took the hint and made no further attempt at reconciliation.

Shortly after, Charlotte accompanied Old Mr. Carstairs into the grand hall for the reception.

When Tricia tried to follow Professor Aldridge inside, she was stopped by his assistant, "Professor Aldridge says you don't need to cin." "What do you mean?" "Professor Carstairs is the founder of the nanotherapy project. We're partners. But DIA 12.54 Chapter 256 you've managed to offend his favorite student the moment you arrived. Professor Aldridge's reputation is already in jeopardy because of you. The fact that you're still on the team is as much as he's willing to do for you. Don't cause any more.

trouble." With that, the assistant turned and left.

Tricia was left standing outside, and soon the sounds of laughter and celebration drifted from the hall. Her eyes reddened with fury.

Charlotte was such a thorn in her side.

After the afternoon reception ended, Charlotte stayed behind with Old Mr. Carstairs to see off Professor Aldridge and his team.

As the last of the guests departed, Old Mr. Carstairs glanced at Charlotte, who seemed lost in m thought. He could guess what was on her mind. “This Tricia-is she the one involved with the Howards?"

Charlotte snapped back to the present, slipped her arm through his, and walked down the marble steps with him. "Does it matter? What matters is, she's the reason my parents are dead." "You didn't go to the police?" "There was no evidence." Charlotte's gaze dropped. "She had people cleaning up after her. Even if I went to the police, she'd be out in no time." Old Mr. Carstairs stopped, his expression grave. "You suffered all this in London, and you didn't think to tell me?" She pressed her lips together. "I didn't want to trouble you."

He knew her character well. Old Mr.

Carstairs closed his eyes and took a deep breath before speaking. "m thought that, with Rosemary in the Howard family, at least you'd have someone to stand up for you. I never imagined things would turn out this way. I blmyself-I've been so absorbed in my work, I didn't keep up with your news." "Professor, I never wanted you to worry about me. Besides, didn't you ask Jonathan to look after me? I couldn't possibly trouble you any further." Old Mr. Carstairs was momentarily taken aback. "I asked Jonathan to look after you?" 3/4 12:54 Chapter 256 Charlotte looked puzzled. "Didn't you?" Seeing the professor fall silent, lost in thought, Charlotte immediately understood.

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