Zac’s expression darkened. “Charlotte, you know I’ve always loved you.”
Charlotte let out a cold laugh. “You mean the same way you loved sheaking around behind my back with Wendy? The same Wendy your mom adored and couldn’t wait to have as a daughter law? Now she’s pregnant with your child, and you’re just going to walk away from her?”
Zac’s face turned pale, and he took a shaky step back. A flicker of panic flashed in his eyes. “You know about that? Charlotte, please don’t be mad. Let me explain. That night I was drunk. I thought she was you, and that’s the only reason it happened ”
“Save it,” Charlotte said, her face filled with disgust. “Zac, don’t matter yourself. I only brought it up because I’m enjoying watching you suffer. After everything you and your mother put me through, it’s about time the tables turned. I’m honestly enjoying every second of it.”
Mark stepped in with a firm voice. “That’s enough, Zac. Leave. Charlotte and I have real business to take care of.”
“Dad, come on-
“I said leave. Now.”
Once Charlotte finished the meeting and came downstairs, she saw Zac still waiting outside.
“Charlotte, please. I need to talk to you,” he said, stepping forward with a hopeful look in his eyes.
“There’s nothing left to say,” Charlotte replied, her voice flat and cold.
“I know I’ve lost the right to say this, but I still-
“Move,” Charlotte cut him off sharply. “If you keep pushing, don’t blame me for what happens next.”
“Just listen to me for one second-
Charlotte glanced toward Petra.
Without a word, Petra stepped forward and shoved Zac aside. The force of it nearly sent him stumbling to the ground.
Zac looked like he still wanted to say something, but one look at Petra’s cold, hard stare was enough to shut him up.
Charlotte climbed into the car.
Petra started the engine and turned her head slightly. “Miss Riley, where to now?”
“Back to the firm.”
“Understood.”
The day of the divorce hearing arrived.
Inside the courtroom, Charlotte was relentless. Her arguments were clear, confident, and precise. She dismantled the opposing attorney’s case point by point, leaving them with little to respond to.
In the end, the judge ruled to delay the divorce, citing a need for further reconciliation efforts.
Outside the courthouse, Mark was smiling. “No matter what, thank you for everything today.”
Charlotte returned a polite smile. “Of course. Mr. Gibson, just a reminder—if you and Mrs. Gibson live separately for an entire year and she files again, the court is very likely to grant the divorce. So I strongly advise that you don’t move out permanently.”
Mark nodded. “I just need a little time to clear my head. I’ll go back home after a few days.”
1/3
Chapter 425
“That’s fine. Just be careful not to stay away too long.”
“I understand.”
Suddenly, a furious voice cut through the crowd.
+25 BONUS
“Charlotte Riley, you bitch!” Monica stormed over, her face twisted in rage. “Don’t you dare walk away. We are not done here!”
Charlotte turned and frowned as Monica caine charging toward her with her hand raised.
Without hesitation, Charlotte caught Monica’s wrist with her left hand and blocked the strike. In the same motion, she raised her right hand and slapped Monica hard across the face.
The sound echoed, sharp and loud.
A red mark instantly bloomed on Monica’s check.
“You hit me?” Monica shrieked.
Charlotte said nothing. She slapped her again, this time with her left hand across the other side of her face.
“You-” Monica tried to speak, but Charlotte landed two more blows before she could get another word out.
With one hit from the right and one from the left, Monica was left stunned and speechless.
She stood frozen, completely caught off guard, unable to react.
“Mrs. Gibson,” Charlotte said coldly. Her eyes were like ice. “You really need to stop overestimating yourself.”
Monica’s face was red and swollen on both sides.
Even Mark was stunned into silence.
He had never imagined Charlotte could be so fierce. Until now, he had always thought of her as just a delicate young woman.
By the time he snapped out of it, Charlotte had already turned and walked away.
Still seething, Monica tried to rush after her again. Mark stepped in quickly and grabbed her arm.
“That’s enough. Don’t cause a scene. This is a courthouse,” he said firmly.
Monica burst into angry tears. “Mark Gibson, you heartless bastard! Your wife just got slapped across the face, and you just stood there watching? Get away from me! Don’t you dare touch me”
Chapter 426
