Tricia’s heart clenched. She watched Evander’s expression from the corner of her

eye, but his face remained calm, betraying nothing.

Mrs. Fontaine blurted out, “She seduced my husband!”

Evander’s gaze turned unreadable, deep and unfathomable.

Director Fontaine stepped forward, positioning himself beside Evander. “Mr. Howard, I apologize for this scene. Our family issues–we’ll handle them privately.”

He reached out, trying to pull Charlotte away.

But Evander’s eyes sharpened as he fixed them on Charlotte. “Did you seduce him?” Charlotte let out a coldugh. “If simply being in the same room counts as seduction, then Director Fontaine and Director Winthrop have been spending a lot of time togethertely. Are they having an affair too?”

Director Fontaine’s face turned ashen. “What nonsense! Director Winthrop is Mr. Howard’s girlfriend. Do you think you can act as shamelessly as she does?”

Charlotte lifted her chin, looking Evander straight in the eye. “Is Director Winthrop really your girlfriend?”

Everyone in the room froze, watching this tense standoff.

“Wait, is Dr. Sterling questioning Mr. Howard?”

“What’s going on between them?”

“That can’t be right. I heard Mr. Howard’s rumored girlfriend is Director Winthrop, everyone knows that…”

Tricia bit her lip, eyes brimming with resentment for Charlotte.

Her rtionship with Evander had always been ambiguous–he’d never given her a clear answer, If he denied it now, wouldn’t that make her aughingstock?

She took a shaky breath and clung to Evander’s sleeve. “Evander, I’m sorry. I must have made Dr. Sterling misunderstand…”

Evander interrupted coolly, his gaze fixed on Charlotte. “Misunderstan we need to worry about others misunderstanding our rtionship?”

hat? Do

09.42

His words rang out clear as day.

He was dering, in front of everyone, the certainty of his feelings for Tricia.

Tricia was momentarily stunned–she hadn’t expected him to answer like that: Then joy bloomed on her face as she slipped her arm through his. “Evander.”

Evander withdrew his gaze and walked away with Tricia.

As they left, Tricia nced back at Charlotte, her eyes full of smug triumph and challenge.

See? Evander chose her in the end.

Even if Charlotte wanted to go public, she’d only ever be “the other woman.”

“So Mr. Howard really admitted he’s with Director Winthrop, right?”

“They’re perfect together–so enviable!”

Charlotte lowered her eyes.

So, he finally admitted it in front of everyone.

She forced down the strange ache inside her and turned to leave, but Mrs. Fontaine yanked her back. “Who said you could go? We’re not done talking about you seducing my husband!”

Charlotte was speechless with frustration. “Tricia’s gone. How much longer do you want to keep up this charade?”

“Charade? A pretty little vixen like you–everyone knows you’re just hanging around the hospital to catch another man. You can go and hand in your resignation immediately!”

Mrs. Fontaine shoved Charlotte, hard.

Caught off guard, Charlotte lost her bnce and tumbled backwards, her head about to hit the steps.

But just as disaster loomed, someone darted behind her, shielding her with their own body.

Gasps erupted from the crowd as the two of them toppled to the ground. Charlotte didn’t feel a thing–she’dnded on top of someone.

She scrambled up, and when she saw the face of the man beneath he, urprise shed across her features. She reached out to steady him. “Jonathan?”

09:42 8)

bJonathan /bbclutched /bbhis /bbarm/b, bmanaging /bba /bbpained /bbbut /bbbrave /bsmile…bI’m /bokay.

Charlotte helped him to his feet.

bMrs. /bFontaine sneered, “See? What did I tell you? She can’t go bfive /bbminutes /bbwithout /bthrowing herself at the next man!”

Charlotte’s patience snapped. “Mrs. Fontaine, watch your mouth! You band /bbyour /bhusband have ndered and insulted me long enough. Did you really bthink I’d /bbjust /btake it lying down?”

A voice from the crowd piped up, “Isn’t that the Pembrokes‘ youngest son?”

“What’s Young Master Pembroke doing with Dr. Sterling?”

Director Fontaine stared in shock. Mr. Pembroke?

napi