Cold Husband Burning Regret: The Divorce He Couldn't Handle novel Chapter 438

Charlotte watched as Evander, surrounded by his entourage, spoke intently with a colleague. Zoe, noticing the subtle tension, let out a sneer. "I heard you and Mr. Howard are getting a divorce. What a shame. All it took was one Tricia to destroy your marriage. No wonder you're so determined to take her down."

Charlotte remained unfazed by the mockery. "My fight with her isn't over a man. It's over two lives. As someone who's never even been married, how could you possibly understand that a human life is more valuable than a marriage?"

Zoe's face tightened, but she forced a smile. "You really are her daughter. Just as infuriating."

"We're family, Zoe. Why turn on your own?" Charlotte asked. "Is this really what you want? To have your own relatives stand against you?"

"Family?" Zoe's eyes glinted with a cold fire. "I have no family."

Charlotte knew it was useless to reason with someone so consumed by hatred. She said nothing more and walked into the courthouse. Left alone, Zoe's smile vanished, replaced by a dark, brooding expression.

The trial began. Tricia was led to the defendant's stand by two female officers. She looked like a ghost of her former self—haggard and vacant, all her previous pride and arrogance gone. When she saw Evander and Charlotte in the gallery, her eyelids twitched with a flicker of fear. Her gaze then found Zoe, and she seemed to relax slightly.

Zoe glanced in their direction, and when her eyes met Charlotte's, a strange, triumphant smile spread across her face.

Charlotte appeared calm, but inside, she was uncertain. She had no idea how Zoe planned to help Tricia, or if Tricia might even walk free. At the thought, her hands clenched into fists.

Evander, sitting nearby, watched her for a moment. When she looked up, he quickly averted his gaze, as if they were strangers.

Before Charlotte could dwell on it, the court listed Tricia's charges: child abuse, incitement to commit grievous bodily harm, and premeditated murder. The initial sentence was announced: fifteen years in prison, but due to the psychiatric evaluation, it was reduced to ten years, with a one-year suspension.

"Does the defendant have anything to add?" the judge asked.

Tricia glanced at Lawyer Shepherd, then said flatly, "I accept the verdict."

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