hapter 45
Charlotte frantically replayed their conversation in her mind.
He said he was going home to sleep, she said she was too, so….
So what exactly?!
How on earth was she supposed to respond to that?!
The woman who had just commanded an entire ballroom with deadly elegance now stood with wide, uncertain eyes, looking as confused as a student facing an impossible exam question. That disarming blend of vulnerability and allure- simultaneously innocent and captivating – could make any man feel a pull from chest to gut…
Zarek shifted his gaze away.
Seeing he wasn’t pursuing the question, Charlotte lowered her head as well.
The awkward topic ended as abruptly as it began. When the elevator reached her floor, she offered a polite goodbye, “Goodnight, Mr. Weasley. Sleep well.”
Zarek responded with a noncommittal “Mmm.”
Charlotte stepped out, watching the elevator doors gradually close.
Just as she was about to exhale in relief, a long, elegant finger extended through the narrowing gap. The doors reversed direction and slowly reopened.
…?
Charlotte’s momentary calm evaporated instantly.
“I tried on the suit,” Zarek stated, his tone deliberately neutral.
Oh, that.
Charlotte managed a smile. “And? Did it fit?”
“Not particularly well. Shoulders too narrow, pants too short.”
Charlotte stood frozen, internally groaning. “Then perhaps… I should just reimburse you instead.”
Zarek didn’t acknowledge her suggestion.
He simply regarded her with eyes deeper than midnight, his expression completely unreadable.
The elevator doors slowly closed again.
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Chapter 45
Charlotte remained rooted to the spot, thoroughly bewildered.
What exactly did that mean? Was that acceptable or not? Would it kill him to give a straight answer?
This communication style that left everything to interpretation was mentally exhausting. That’s precisely why she had escaped their earlier conversation. Talking with him created such pressure… her brain cells were dying by the
second.
Then she caught herself complaining about someone who had saved her life, who had stepped down from his position to testify on her behalf, whose appearance in the park had clearly been out of concern for her well–being–and felt a pang of guilt.
From that perspective, she was being rather ungrateful.
Inside her apartment, she tossed her purse aside and collapsed onto the sofa, closed her eyes, and fell asleep just like
that.
At the police station.
Issac stared at the nine photographs placed before him – eight men and one woman. The men looked like the kind of lowlifes you’d cross the street to avoid.
He couldn’t bear to imagine his wife in the hands of these creatures.
He couldn’t fathom ho?
“According to your wif
terrified she must have felt in that moment.
statement, after being drugged and taken to the hotel room, she called you three times,” the officer explained clinically. “You ignored the first two calls. On the third attempt, your mistress Evelyn Grantham answered. Your wife recorded this conversation. Listen.”
The officer pressed play.
Issac endured the recording again, the horror washing over him anew.
Combined with the fact that she had desperately tried to reach him three times, the full, brutal truth crystallized before him. He rested his head in his hands, his vision blurring.
“Now explain why you didn’t answer your wife’s calls. And why was your phone in your mistress’s possession?”
The officer’s tone remained professional but carried an unmistakable undercurrent of disgust.
Issac composed himself and looked up. “I was working late at the office. Evelyn came by and… took my phone, claiming she wanted to play a game. I was focused on work and didn’t think much of it.”
“You’d casually hand over something as private as your phone to your mistress?” The explanation clearly wasn’t landing.
“Check the security footage. My office has cameras installed.”
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Chapter 45
“Rest assured, we will verify everything.”
separate interrogation rooms, Evelyn and Amanda were also being questioned.
Evelyn sobbed dramatically, pushing all blame onto Amanda.
When asked about Issac’s involvement, she vehemently denied it, insisting with theatrical passion that he knew nothing and had no part in it. She claimed she only mentioned him on the phone to hurt Charlotte.
She presented herself as willing to sacrifice anyone as long as her beloved was protected.
Given what she had done, the two female officers questioning her could barely hide their revulsion.
Amanda sat rigid in her interrogation chair, her face cycling between humiliated flush and horrified pallor.
She answered all questions truthfully, withholding nothing.
She had never experienced such mortification in her entire life.
She now regretted everything bitterly. She had assumed a Grantham daughter would have class, that Evelyn would make a proper daughter–in–law. Who could have imagined this girl would be more dangerous than a demon?
To commit such a vicious act and then frame her… she would absolutely never allow her to join the Wood family!
While they were being questioned, high–powered legal teams for both families had arrived to arrange bail.
Summer had anticipated this and remained at the station to counter them, providing additional evidence and representing Charlotte’s interests.
Bottom line: that manipulative bitch Evelyn wouldn’t escape justice.
As for Issac… he wouldn’t be released before 8 AM tomorrow.
2:00 AM.
Summer drove from the police station to Charlotte’s apartment.
Charlotte had slept for a few hours before waking. She’d changed out of her red dress, removed her makeup, and was now packing her luggage.
“I brought late–night provisions,” Summer announced, holding up bags of takeout.
They sat on the balcony, sharing barbecue and beer under the stars.
Charlotte traced the rim of her glass thoughtfully, looking skyward. “Someone told me I should feel happy after getting my revenge. I suppose I should.”
She tilted her head back and drained her beer in one go, exhaling with satisfaction. “God, that feels good!”
Summer observed her friend’s beautiful, bare face and forced smile, feeling a deep ache in her chest.
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Chapter 45
This marriage had nearly destroyed her. After finally reaching the end, she had hoped for a clean break on her own terms, but Issac had denied her even that small dignity.
He had pushed until she snapped and tore everything to shreds.
“Charlotte, in the future… will you ever trust love again?”
The question was for Charlotte, but also reflected Summer’s own growing doubts. Was it inevitable that women, no matter how beautiful, accomplished, or good–hearted, would eventually be betrayed?
Charlotte hugged her glass to her chest, gazing into the quiet night. “I can’t condemn all dogs just because one bit
me.”
“But I will be wary. When one approaches, I’ll keep my distance.”
Summer nodded in understanding.
Ultimately, the trust was gone…
They finished their drinks and curled up under blankets, talking for hours – about good times and bad, the past, present, future – laughing and crying until Charlotte fell asleep with her arms around Summer.
Morning.
Charlotte stood in the living room wearing a trench coat, her suitcase packed beside her.
Summer hugged her tightly. “Go enjoy your trip without looking back. Leave everything else to me. When you return, the divorce certificate will be waiting, and you’ll be completely free.”
“Mm–hmm.”
Charlotte nodded.
She had decided to stick with her original travel plans. Though it felt selfish to dump everything on Summer, she desperately needed to escape, to be anywhere but here.
Charlotte had an 8 AM flight.
Summer had planned to drive her to the airport but received an urgent call from the police station: Issac’s suspicion
had been cleared, and he would be released in half an hour!
“Charlotte, something urgent just came up. Take a cab to the airport. Safe travels.” She didn’t mention Issac, just ruffled Charlotte’s hair affectionately before grabbing her bag and rushing out.
Issac Wood!
Even if she had to physically block the doorway, she would delay him until at least 8:00 sharp!
Charlotte left the apartment with her luggage.
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Chapter 45
While waiting for a rideshare outside the complex, her phone rang with an unknown number.
Looking at it, her intuition screamed not to answer….
At that moment, a silver–topped Maybach exited the complex, stopping smoothly in front of her.
The driver’s window lowered to reveal Liam Morgan with a pleasant smile. “Miss Whitmore, where are you
headed?”
Charlotte looked up, momentarily surprised, and answered honestly, “The airport.”
“What a coincidence. We’re heading there ourselves. Why don’t you join us?”
