bChapter /bb329 /b

Loretta stood there, stunned after being scolded. She was just about to snap back when Sean and a housekeeper, drawn by themotion,

hurried into the room.

“Laurinda!” Sean rushed over, panic in his voice. He saw Charlotte pressing on Laurinda’s philtrum, trying to revive her, while Loretta clung to his arm. “Dad! It was her! That woman hurt Mom! She’s just after Mom’s jewelry–that’s why she did it!”

Sean’s brow furrowed as his gaze fell on the scattered jewelry across the bed. His wife almost never brought those things out–they were meant only for their daughter.

“What do you think you’re doing to my wife?” Sean demanded, stepping forward to pull Charlotte’s hand away.

But as Charlotte looked up, Sean froze, his grip loosening. There was something about her face–it bore a striking resemnce to how his wife looked in her youth.

He stared for several seconds, then nced at Loretta. She looked nothing like Laurinda…and not much like him either.

“Mr. Rayburn, I’m a doctor. Mrs. Rayburn fainted suddenly; I wasn’t harming her as Miss Donovan ims.” Charlotte met Sean’s eyes calmly. “Besides, you brought me here yourself. I’ve known Mrs. Rayburn for a while. If you don’t believe me, you can ask Julian.”

Loretta scoffed. “Oh please! You’re just some doctor from Riverspire–how would you even know my brother or my mother?”

“Miss Donovan, if you’re that confused, maybe you should book a neurology appointment. I’ve told you–if you still don’t believe me, just ask Julian and Mr. Rayburn.”

“You-!”

Loretta fumed, her face turning green with anger. Clutching Sean’s arm,

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sheined, “Dad, she’s just trying to upset me! She has to be lying!”

Sean’s hand tightened at his side. He’d only just found his daughter–how could he let her be wronged? Still, even though the young woman before him looked so familiar…he would only trust evidence.

“Someone, please show thisdy out.”

“Mr. Rayburn!” Charlotte protested.

Sean turned away, unwilling to meet her eyes. “This is a family matter, and we have our own doctor. Your help isn’t needed.”

The housekeeper came to Charlotte’s side, gesturing politely toward the door.

Charlotte pressed her lips together, a sharp ache piercing her chest. She stood and left without another word.

She strode through the garden, only to nearly collide with two familiar figures stepping out from the shadows. Charlotte stopped short. It was the first time she’d seen Evander since that night in the private

room–he’d returned to the city.

Evander’s expression was cool and distant. When he saw Charlotte, his face betrayed no emotion–gone was the warmth he’d shown her in Riverspire.

He must have moved on. Letting go was for the best.

Charlotte rxed her clenched fist and tried to walk past him, but Loretta’s shrill voice rang out behind her. “Mr. Howard, my dad said you promised to have dinner with me tonight. Is that true?”

Charlotte paused, ncing back.

Loretta skipped up to Evander, positively beaming.

Charlotte turned away again, determined to leave. But as she walked off, Judd’s words echoed in her mind: *You never used to be like this.*

Six years of marriage had turned her into someone who just endured. And

what had she gained?

Charlotte stopped, her gaze falling on the garden’s automatic sprinkler

hose.

“Mr. Howard, you still haven’t answered me~” Loretta purred, convinced that a little flirtation would win any man. She didn’t notice the flicker of coldness in Evander’s eyes.

Suddenly, a torrent of water cascaded down from above, drenching Loretta where she stood. She shrieked and hopped in ce.

Natalie, startled, grabbed Evander’s arm, thinking it had started to rain, but when she turned, she saw Charlotte holding the garden hose.

Sopping wet and furious, Loretta shrieked, “Are you out of your mind?!”

Charlotte tossed the hose aside with a cold smile. “I think the one who’s

lost her mind is you, Miss Donovan. Asking Mr. Howard to dinner right in front of his wife? What, trying to make me sick? Or are you just desperate to be the other woman? If the Rayburn family knew you were throwing yourself at a married man, wouldn’t they disown you?”

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