hapter 44
Zarek turned to Charlotte, his gaze lowering with effortless courtesy. “I overheard someone questioning your character and found myself speaking up. I hope my intervention without your consent hasn’t complicated matters. for you.”
Charlotte suppressed her surprise at being addressed with such consideration by someone of his stature. “…I should be the one apologizing for dragging you into this, Mr. Weasley.”
“Would you like me to provide further context to these people?” he asked.
“…If you wouldn’t mind.”
She carefully regulated her breathing, fighting to maintain composure.
Now that he had stepped in, refusing his assistance would be both ungracious and unwise.
The socialites in attendance watched with barely concealed fascination. A man with his looks who still conducted himself with such refined courtesy–the way he dipped his head to address her privately was simply devastating.
Zarek turned to face the crowd. “Last night, I was indeed the one who intervened on Miss Whitmore’s behalf.”
“I was concluding business at that hotel when, upon leaving, I encountered Miss Whitmore in the corridor. She appeared disoriented. The person accompanying her seemed suspicious, which prompted me to request hotel security investigate. Together with staff, we arrived in time–fortunately before any harm was done.”
He relayed the events with meticulous precision.
He deliberately omitted any details that might invite misinterpretation or speculation.
In doing so, he not only validated her account but effectively prevented malicious rumors from taking root.
Charlotte marveled at his calculated thoroughness.
Yet she couldn’t help wondering–why would someone so deliberately careful “happen to wander by” this event, willingly entangling himself in such an unsavory situation?
Perhaps… Had her circumstances appeared so dire that it awakened some latent protective instinct in him?
As these thoughts crossed her mind, her eyes remained fixed on him. This upward–gazing expression was captured perfectly by Issac, who missed nothing.
Issac’s fists tightened involuntarily.
Both the Wood and Grantham families remained strategically silent. When Evelyn attempted to speak, Daniela swiftly covered her mouth.
The guests nodded in agreement, expressing complete belief in Zarek’s account.
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The Weasley heir personally vouching for Charlotte–what could possibly carry more weight?
Even if Charlotte had actually been with eight men, even with irrefutable evidence, everyone present would suddenly develop selective blindness and deafness, their mouths firmly sealed.
Anyone contradicting him would be directly challenging the Weasley heir.
Besides, his investment in the situation suggested Charlotte must truly be innocent. Even compassion for a beautiful woman in distress wouldn’t move someone of his standing to defend a genuinely compromised reputation.
“Thank you for saving my wife!”
Issac stepped forward and placed his arm around Charlotte’s shoulders, like a drowning man grasping at anything that might float.
Before Zarek could respond, Charlotte coldly removed Issac’s hand. “Mr. Wood, you have absolutely no right to speak for me. And I wasn’t joking about the divorce–you’ve already signed the papers. Tomorrow at noon, the cooling–off period ends!”
Issac’s expression suggested his world was imploding. His voice emerged panicked and strained. “You’re actually going through with this?”
He couldn’t process it.
She had loved him so deeply–surely she wouldn’t leave. She was just angry, just venting her emotions in the heat of
the moment.
Charlotte’s gaze remained unforgiving.
She glanced at her watch. “The police will be here any minute. Rather than worrying about our divorce, perhaps you should focus on your girlfriend and your mother. Though you won’t escape consequences either–your precious ‘candy‘ mentioned last night that you were involved in this scheme.”
Issac’s eyes widened in horror. “You honestly believe I would do this to you? I would never hurt you!”
11
Charlotte stared at him silently before breaking into a bitter laugh. “Never hurt me? How dare you say that with a straight face?”
“You think I just discovered your affair with Evelyn?”
“I’ve known everything–every date, every hotel room, every vacation…”
“Do you have any concept of what it feels like to have a knife driven through your heart, yet somehow you don’t die? Just constant torture, day and night, like descending into the deepest circle of hell. And for what? What did I do wrong? How did I ever fail you?”
Her voice remained soft, almost gentle, but each word carried the weight of profound betrayal.
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Issac struggled to breathe.
Her every word pierced him like a needle. He regretted everything–he had temporarily lost his mind. He didn’t want a divorce. He couldn’t lose her!
During their exchange, Zarek had subtly positioned himself.
Whether intentional or not, he had placed himself to partially shield Charlotte from view, allowing others to hear her voice without witnessing her vulnerability.
At the entrance, a group of uniformed police officers arrived.
They approached the Wood and Grantham families, produced an arrest warrant, and took Evelyn, Amanda, and Issac into custody.
As they were led away, Evelyn wailed dramatically, but the Granthams were powerless to intervene.
The evidence–both testimonial and physical–was overwhelming.
And now Zarek Weasley had publicly aligned himself with Charlotte.
The families could only frantically contact their legal teams.
The dramatic spectacle finally concluded.
The principal actors were exhausted, while the audience had witnessed an unforgettable performance.
Undoubtedly, New York’s elite circles would dissect tonight’s events for weeks. Those absent would forever regret missing such extraordinary drama.
Soon, the ballroom emptied.
Zarek departed with Rex.
Charlotte deliberately waited until Zarek had left before making her exit.
Instead of immediately calling a car, she walked to the park behind the hotel and slumped against a tree.
The ground lights cast dim shadows. In her red dress, she resembled a vengeful spirit who had finally achieved
retribution.
The truth was, she already knew precisely who had orchestrated the attack and who had merely assisted.
She knew Issac hadn’t directly participated. She knew Amanda had simply helped lure her to the hotel at Evelyn’s request. But when filing the police report, she had deliberately withheld these distinctions. She wanted them all to be arrested, to face questioning under the harsh lights of justice.
She hated Issac. This was exactly what he deserved!
“Tap, tap, tap…”
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Footsteps approached.
As they drew nearer, the air carried a hint of expensive sandalwood cologne.
Charlotte lazily looked up.
The filtered light cast ethereal shadows across his already sculpted profile. His expression revealed little, while the night seemed to emphasize his commanding presence… making him even more imposing.
“Having achieved your revenge, shouldn’t you be celebrating rather than hiding out here alone?”
“…I’m tired.”
And why are you following me?
The latter question remained unasked.
Zarek was silent for several seconds. “If you’re tired, go home and rest.”
At his practical suggestion, Charlotte immediately stood. “You’re right. I’m heading home now. Goodnight, Mr. Weasley!”
She took a few hurried steps in her heels, then turned back to add, “And thank you for today!”
Zarek: “…”
Charlotte took a taxi back to her new place.
She hadn’t driven, so she entered through the main lobby to take the elevator.
When the doors opened, she froze.
Zarek was standing inside.
Charlotte reluctantly entered, scanning her fingerprint on the panel. Looking up at him with an awkward smile, she attempted small talk. “You must be tired too, Mr. Weasley.”
“Yes, heading home to sleep.”
“Me too.”
“So?” Zarek tilted his face slightly, his expression unreadable.
”
Charlotte’s brain momentarily short–circuited at his question.
Um?? Was there supposed to be more to this conversation??
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Chapter 45
