Before Lana could react, Charlotte had already swept out the door, leaving without a backward nce.

In the past, whenever Evander handed her his credit card, she would have been thrilled–she would have taken it as proof that she mattered to him.

But those days were over. She wasn’t that na?ve anymore.

Charlotte arranged to meet Jonathan at a bistro with live music. By the time she arrived, he was already waiting at their table.

Catching sight of her as she walked in, Jonathan teased, “You really know how to pick a ce, Charlotte. This one’s romantic.”

She pulled out a chair and sat down. “I can’t afford the fancy ces, but the cheap ones seemed beneath the mighty Mr. Pembroke, so I went for something in the middle.”

He chuckled. “You give me too much credit.”

“No, I’m just being sincere.”

They ordered a few dishes and a bottle of red wine, chatting easily as they ate.

For Charlotte, it was the most rxed she’d felt in years.

During her six–year marriage, she’d almost stopped socializing altogether. Old friends and ssmates had drifted away, and her life shrank down to work, home, and waiting for Evander toe home. She’d lost any real sense of herself.

At least now, she’d chosen to cut her losses before it was toote.

There was still time.

After finishing a meeting with thepany’s senior executives, Evander returned to

his office.

He settled into his chair, loosened his tie, and nced at his phone. There was a message from Lana.

As he read it, his previously calm expression grew moreplicated.

Was this woman determined to defy him at every turn? He’d already tried to make it up to her financially–what more did she want?

10:51

bChapter /b75

This endless drama was getting tiresome.

He dialed Charlotte’s number immediately.

When the call came in, Charlotte was on stage, ying a piano piece. Her phoney

on the table.

Jonathan noticed the screen light up with “Evander” and arched an eyebrow. He picked up and answered, “Mr. Howard?”

Hearing a man’s voice, Evander’s expression darkened. “Who is this? Where’s Charlotte?”

“Don’t recognize my voice, Mr. Howard?”

Evander was quick to piece it together. His tone turned cold. “Put Charlotte on.”

Jonathan’s reply was edged with mischief. “Charlotte’s busy right inow/i. She can’t take your call.”

Evander hung up without another word.

Jonathan set the phone down and looked toward the stage at Charlotte.

Just as he suspected, there was somethingplicated between her and Evander.

Would she turn out to be Evander’s weakness?

On stage, Charlotte finished her performance to a round of apuse.

She stood, bowed, and hurried back to their table, her ears tinged pink–whether from nerves or something else, Jonathan couldn’t say.

“You yed beautifully,” he said, pulling out her chair.

She sat, a bit shy. “I’m out of practice. It’s been a while.”

“I always thought med students were all stiff and serious–like the Carstairs n.”

Charlotte looked puzzled. “Professor Carstairs?”

“His grandson.”

Charlotte didn’t reply.

She remembered Professor Carstairs mentioning a grandson studying medicine abroad, but she’d never met him.

When they’d nearly finished dinner, Charlotte went up to settle the bill.

The hostess checked the tab and smiled. “Sorry, ma’am, but your bill was paid

10:51

about half an hour ago.”

Charlotte blinked in surprise and turned to Jonathan as he approached. “I told byou /bbI /bwanted to treat you! Why’d you pay?”

He shrugged, unconcerned. “I was joking. I can’t let ady pay for my dinner, can I?b” /b

“But-”

“Just owe me one,” Jonathan cut her off, guessing what she was about to say. “You can pay me back another time.”

As they stepped out of the building, Jonathan suddenly paused by his car and turned to Charlotte, who was busy looking for her ride. “Need a lift?”