bChapter /bb6 /b

“How old are you, Charlotte? Honestly, why are you letting a child get under your skin?”

Charlotte froze, stung by the tant favoritism in his tone. She’d known he wouldn’t believe her, but hearing it so inly still hurt.

She blinked against the sting in her eyes, forcing back her tears. “I didn’t push him. I swear I didn’t!”

Evander let out a short, coldugh. “So what, you’re saying a little kid tripped and decided to pin it on you?”

Charlotte’s chest tightened. She had known he wouldn’t take her side–so why was she still trying to exin?

Lowering her gaze, she struggled to steady her breath. “I guess I just had bad luck running into you all today. Fine, whatever.”

She turned to leave.

“Stop.”

Charlotte hesitated, feet rooted to the spot, but didn’t look back.

“Hans is just a child. There’s no need to take it so personally,” Evander said, his voice softer now. “Apologize to Hans.”

“Evander, maybe we should just drop this…” Tricia spoke up on her behalf. Evander’s eyes were icy. “When you’re in the wrong, you apologize. That’s how it works.”

Charlotte’s fingers curled into fists, her nails digging into her palms. Oddly, she didn’t even feel the pain.

Slowly, she turned to face Evander, her eyes defiant as she pointed toward the security camera by the streemp. “There are cameras all

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over Tranquility Manor. Before you y the hero, maybe check the footage first.”

“If it shows I’m at fault, I’ll apologize. But if it’s not my fault, don’t expect me to say I’m sorry.”

Without another nce, Charlotte turned and walked away.

Evander’s chest tightened. His face clouded, growing darker by the

second.

Tricia, rattled by the mention of security cameras, panicked. She couldn’t let Evander see that footage. Grabbing his arm, she tried to redirect him. “Evander, it’s really fine. Hans isn’t hurt, and I’m sure Dr. Sterling didn’t mean any harm.”

Desperate, she changed the subject. “Besides, Hans is going to bete for school. We should get going.”

Evander slipped his arm from her grasp. “I’ve already informed the principal. Take Hans; she’ll take care of everything. I have a meeting.”

He walked off to his car.

Tricia watched as Evander drove away, her hand clenching unconsciously around Hans’s little fingers.

“Mom, that hurts,” Hans whimpered.

Snapping out of her thoughts, Tricia crouched down and held his shoulders, her eyes both dark and gleaming with satisfaction. “You did great today, Hans. Really great.”

“Really?” Hans blinked up at her, confused but eager.

He didn’t understand much, but he knew that if he did something that made Mommy happy, it had to be a good thing.

Tricia stroked his cheek, her smile cold. “Hans, you want Uncle Evander to be your dad, don’t you?”

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Hans nodded enthusiastically.

Her smile sharpened. “Then you have to keep making him like you, do you understand? Be a good boy for him.”

Hans nodded again, determined. “I will!”

When Evander arrived at the office, his assistant, Natalie, hurried over. “Mr. Howard, your mother’s waiting for you in your office.”

He nodded and walked in.

Rosemary sat on the sofa, sipping tea with practiced elegance. She looked up as he entered. “I hear you arranged for Tricia to work at Charlotte’s hospital?”

Evander loosened his tie and sat down across from her. “Did Charlotte

Rosemary mmed her cup down, her voice sharp. “Evander, stop suspecting your wife at every turn. Do you really think Charlotte is the type to run to me withints?”

A faint, cynical smile touched Evander’s lips. “Isn’t she?”

“Do you really think she would have married into the Howard family if I hadn’t forced you? Don’t forget how all of this started.”

Rosemary’s expression soured, a bitter smile shing across her face. “If she’d actuallyined, do you think that woman Tricia would have had a chance toe back?”

Evander paused, then met her gaze. “Just leave Charlotte alone.”

Rosemary scoffed, halfughing with disbelief. “She took a million from me to leave you. What could you possibly see in a woman who’d sell you out that easily?”

“If you hadn’t interfered, she never would have left.”

Chapter b6 /b

She opened her mouth to retort, then suddenly let out a coldugh and stood up. “You’re mistaking ss for diamonds, Evander. One day, you’ll regret it. I won’t meddle in your marriage anymore. If you want a divorce, go for it. Do whatever you want.”

She swept out of the office.

Evander’s jaw clenched, his eyes dark and stormy.

Regret?

How could he possibly regret it?

Charlotte got the wealth and status she always wanted. Did she really

think she could ever leave him?

No. She’d never walk away.