Cold Husband Burning Regret: The Divorce He Couldn't Handle novel Chapter 489

No one in the room wanted to get involved in the Howard family's affairs. There was no point in offending Mrs. Howard for the sake of a stranger.

Daphne had no intention of standing up for Charlotte either. In fact, she saw it as a good thing if Charlotte left the project, or better yet, left Riverspire City altogether.

The awkward silence stretched until Old Mr. Carstairs finally spoke, his voice low. "Mrs. Howard, it's rather inappropriate to air your private grievances in a public forum like this."

Miranda lifted her chin, her gaze sweeping past Charlotte to meet his. "Then I will await your reply in private."

Without waiting for the gala to end, Miranda made her exit.

Suddenly, Charlotte was the center of unwanted attention. The celebratory mood of the evening had been thoroughly ruined, and the event had to be temporarily suspended for an adjustment.

Leah followed Miranda into a private lounge, where her aunt was still fuming. "Aunt Miranda," she began cautiously, "don't you think that was a bit much? If my cousin were here, he would not be happy."

"I wish he were standing right here," Miranda retorted. "Happy or not, it wouldn't change my decision."

"But…"

Before Leah could finish, the lounge door opened, and a server escorted Old Mr. Carstairs and Daphne inside.

Miranda prompted Leah to pour tea for their guests, then fixed her gaze on Old Mr. Carstairs. "Have you reached a decision?"

"I don't wish to interfere in your family matters, but Charlotte is my student. She was also once your daughter-in-law. Is it really necessary to drive her into a corner like this?"

Miranda laughed coldly. "She is Sean Rayburn's daughter. What more can I do to her? I simply don't want her involved in anything connected to the Howard family, including this project. If you are unwilling, then we will have no choice but to pull our funding."

She pressed her advantage. "Think carefully. If we withdraw our investment, the Cloudcrest Medical Group will no longer provide any of its pharmaceutical research technology."

Rosemary's Cloudcrest Medical Group employed half the country's top technical experts and had been instrumental in the nanomedicine research. If the Howard family pulled out, the Carstairs family would have to beg them for access to their specialists in the future.

"I understand," Charlotte said with a sense of calm acceptance. "That's why I'm leaving voluntarily."

Just as Old Mr. Carstairs was about to say more, he was interrupted by someone who needed him for what appeared to be an urgent matter.

After responding, he turned back to Charlotte. "While I can't help you with this, I will do my best to support you in other ways."

Charlotte nodded.

As soon as he re-entered the hall, the smile on her face faded, replaced by exhaustion. She understood the intricate dance of social and professional obligations all too well.

She turned to leave and saw Judd standing a short distance behind her.