Chapter 3

Edward didn't sleep a wink that night.

He sat in his study, the ashtray overflowing with cigarette butts.

The Patek Philippe watch sat on the desk, its second hand ticking especially loud in the quiet night.

It felt like the clock was counting down to something.

Tina didn't want to set him off, so she already retreated to the guest room.

But Edward knew she wasn't sleeping either. The faint sobs drifting from the next room only made him more restless.

Just as dawn was breaking, Edward's phone rang.

It was Jack Smith, the chief legal officer at his company.

Jack said, his voice urgent and anxious, "Mr. Grant, something's happened.

"I just got a call from the bank. They've frozen a few of your personal accounts.

"And the merger we've been negotiating? The other side just pulled the plug; they said they received a risk alert notice."

Edward sat up abruptly, his eyes bloodshot.

Edward asked, "What's the reason? Why are my accounts frozen?

"It's... an application to secure marital assets."

Jack paused, then finally said it.

Jack said, "The applicant is... Ms. Charlotte Sinclair.

"And her lawyer is Oliver."

When Edward heard the name Oliver Lane, his mind buzzed.

Oliver was the most notorious legal shark in the capital.

He never lost a divorce case, and he was notorious for stripping husbands down to nothing.

Word was, his consultation fees were charged by the minute, and getting an appointment with him was nearly impossible.

How did Charlotte manage to hire someone like him?

Three years ago, Charlotte was just a housewife, always stuck in the kitchen.

Her social circle was pitifully small; besides a few equally dull housewives, she didn't know anyone important.

Edward practically snarled, asking, "Where did she get the money? And the connections?"

Jack said, "We're still digging into it.

"And Oliver sent over a lawyer's letter. He's asking you to..." Jack's voice faded to a whisper.

"Asking me to do what?" Edward asked.

"He's demanding you vacate the villa immediately. It was left to Ms. Sinclair by her parents before the marriage. Even though your name is on the deed, technically..." Jack said.

"Enough," Edward shouted.

Edward hurled his phone onto the desk.

The screen shattered, mirroring his crumbling pride.

Charlotte hadn't just returned.

She came back with a plan.

Every move Charlotte made targeted his Achilles' heel.

First, Charlotte trampled on his pride, then cut off his cash flow, and now she was kicking him out of his own house.

This wasn't the docile little lamb Edward remembered.

This was a wolf in sheep's clothing.

"Good. Very good," Edward said.

He let out a sharp, mocking laugh, something fierce flashing in his eyes.

Edward said, "Charlotte, you want to play? Fine, I'm in for the whole game.

"Let's see if you're the real deal, or just bluffing."

By 7:30 PM, at the Grand Regency Hotel, tonight was the annual charity gala, bringing together all the city's elite and socialites.

Edward showed up with Tina on his arm.

Even after the humiliation at the city hall yesterday, and with his accounts frozen, Edward had no choice but to show up.

This was Charlotte's battleground.

Not showing up would mean he was backing down.

Besides, Edward needed to call out Charlotte's schemes right to her face.

Edward was dressed in a bespoke black suit, maintaining the polished image of a high-powered executive.

But the slight gauntness of his face and the dark circles under his eyes betrayed his underlying anxiety.

Tina linked arms with him, her heavy makeup unable to mask the unease flickering in her eyes.

The moment they walked in, they could instantly sense the shift in the atmosphere.

The business partners who usually fawned over him were now shooting him meaningful glances.

People were whispering everywhere.

"Did you hear? Mr. Grant's attempt to get married yesterday was a total disaster."

"Whoa, the wife everyone thought was dead is actually alive. Things are about to get interesting."

"I heard Oliver took the case. Mr. Grant is seriously screwed this time."

Edward forced himself to stay calm, clutching his champagne as he tried to blend in with the crowd.

But everyone kept their distance, polite but cold, as if he were some kind of plague.

The sting of isolation only made his rage simmer beneath the surface, threatening to boil over.

"Where's Charlotte? Where is she?" Edward said.

Edward scanned the room with a menacing glare, his voice low and dangerous, every muscle tense with fury.

Tina, clearly frightened, tugged at his sleeve. She said, "Edward, maybe we should just leave..."

"Leave? Hell no. I want to see just how much chaos she can stir up," Edward said.

Just then, the main lights in the ballroom suddenly dimmed.

A spotlight hit the entrance of the spiral staircase on the second floor.

The host's voice rang out, full of excitement.

He said, "Ladies and gentlemen, tonight we have the great honor of welcoming a mysterious guest.

"She's a renowned investor who recently returned from abroad, and the biggest sponsor of tonight's charity gala.

"Let's give a warm welcome to Ms. Sinclair, one of the partners at Elisha Capital."

The room erupted in thunderous applause.

Edward looked up sharply, his gaze fixed on the spotlight.

A tall figure slowly emerged at the entrance of the staircase.

She wore a deep burgundy evening gown with a plunging neckline and a sleek, minimalist design that showed off her curves flawlessly.

Her tumbled carelessly over her shoulders, her lips were painted a fiery red, and she radiated an electric confidence.

It was still Charlotte's face.

But the way she carried herself, the look in her eyes, Edward felt like he was staring at a stranger.

Back then, Charlotte was always meek and reserved, speaking softly and only ever wearing simple, understated colors.

But the woman standing in the spotlight now was a far cry from the meek Charlotte he remembered.

She was proud, icy, and regal, like a queen making her grand entrance.

With every step she took down the stairs, it was as if she was striking right at Edward's heart.

Everyone's eyes were locked on her; there was an instinctive awe for someone who exuded such power.

Edward felt his breath catch in his throat.

Was this really Charlotte?

Charlotte strode to the center of the stage and grabbed the mic.

She scanned the crowd with a cool gaze, finally locking eyes with Edward and Tina tucked away in the corner.

For a split second, Edward felt like prey caught in a hunter's crosshairs.

Charlotte's lips curled into a smile that could make the whole room swoon.

She said, "Hello, everyone. I'm Charlotte.

"I'm back."

Just a few simple words, but those words hit Edward like a thunderous slap, stinging his pride.

Charlotte didn't lose control, didn't break down, didn't whine or play the victim.

She just stood there, shining like a star.

That was all anyone needed to see.

Edward's grip on his champagne glass tightened until it cracked in his hand with a loud snap.

The icy drink spilled over his skin, stinging him to the bone.

He stared at the woman who now felt completely out of reach, a kind of fear he had never known before, hitting him hard.

The woman he once thought was easy prey, now, she had become a deep abyss, one that could devour him without mercy.

The hunt had begun.