BuzzNovelRegret 39 Chapter 39 Charlotte didn't let herself look tired until she was safely home, the front door shut behind her.
She glanced at her phone-Dean Chase had messaged. He'd reported Director Fontaine's unauthorized job shuffle that delayed the surgery, but all upper management had done was issue a warning. No real consequences. She wasn't surprised. As long as nobody died, these things were always swept under the rug.
She didn't bother replying. Instead, she pulled a crumpled note from her pocket, stared at it for a long moment, then tore it to shreds and tossed the pieces in the trash.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtThe next morning, Charlotte was jolted awake by her phone ringing. Eyes half-shut, she fumbled for it on her nightstand and answered without checking the caller ID.
"Miss Sterling, are you awake?" That voice... She glanced at the screen. Natalie! "Natalie?" "Your parents showed up at the company because of Mr. Hiram. Mr. Howard wants you to cin and handle it." Charlotte froze. Before she could respond, Natalie had already hung up.
Her parents had gone straight to Howard Enterprises? Just like that? Did something happen to Hiram? Charlotte didn't have tto wonder. She threw on her clothes, skipped breakfast, and hurried out the door. Howard Enterprises, Administration Office.
Evander sat behind his desk, legs crossed, flipping through paperwork with an air of complete detachment, Mr and Mrs Sterling stood before him, all but groveling Evander, we're family we? Please, for the sake of our two familles just let Hiram go. He cant has ninal record, ill ruin his future. terling had always hoped that with his son in laws influence, Hiran cou Chapter 39 land a cushy government job, maybe even make it big one day. That way, the Sterlings could finally break into high society and make the family proud.
Now all those dreams were crumbling. If Hiram ended up with a record, the government job was out of the question. As for business? Xavier knew his son's capabilities-if Hiram managed not to lose money, it would be a miracle.
Rachel, Charlotte's mother, nodded and forced a smile. "She's right, Evander. And Hiram is your brother-in-law, after all. Please, don't hold this against him." Natalie stood by, fighting the urge to roll her eyes. Funny-when it was their own daughter, in trouble, she'd never seen them beg like this.
Evander finally closed the file and set it aside. "Family?" he repeated, looking up.
The Sterlings froze.
He spoke with chilling calm, "Did I ever acknowledge that?" His words left them speechless. The tension in the room thickened. Years ago, when their daughter married into the Howard family, they thought their fortunes had finally turned. But Evander insisted on a "secret marriage"-if anyone breathed a word, they'd be cut off for good.
They'd spent years keeping up the charade. Their son-in-law was the famous Mr. Howard, but who would ever know? "But... but you and Charlotte are married, Evander," Xavier stammered. "No matter what, there has to be sroom for negotiation..."
Evander's smile never wavered.
"You've already enjoyed plenty of m benefits from the Howard family over the years. What makes you think you're in a position to negotiate withnow?" Xavier was at a loss for words. He'd chere to beg, but now he could only swallow his resentment and humiliation.
Outside the door, Charlotte paused. She heard every word-especially that last, cold question: "What makes you think you're in a position to negotiate?"
For a moment, her heart ached. But then she remembered the n"Howard scrawled on that note, m remembered how Tricia had set her En up, everything shed suffered in that hotel suite. She bit her lip, her resolve hardening. She would never fet herself be moved again.
She pushed open the door. "Mr. Howard, you gave your word on this. You're the one breaking your promise now and you're willing to let Hiram go to Jail because of it Chapter 39 Is this how a CEO of a major corporation does business? Do your promises mean nothing?" Chapter 40
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