Chapter 32: How Dare He
It took Ethan about two hours to reply, and even then, he was super brief.
[I'm really busy lately! Don't text me unless it's important!]
Tina felt a mix of hurt and sweetness. She was convinced she had Ethan wrapped around her finger. He was just using Chloe; only she could truly hold his heart.
Charlotte lost her job but didn't want to worry Maria, so she kept it to herself for now.
She sat alone on a park bench, lost in thought. The sun was shining, but Charlotte felt cold.
She went over the household finances. Michael's school fees were due soon, and her dad's case needed money, too. There wasn't much left.
Charlotte gently pulled a thin chain from around her neck, revealing a pale pink diamond.
She stroked it for a long time before finally deciding to visit a pawn shop. The manager examined it for a while and offered, "If you're just looking for a loan, I can give you $60,000. But if you sell it to me outright, how about $200,000?"
The pink diamond was worth at least $500,000, but Charlotte didn't have the luxury to care.
She needed the money.
With a bitter smile, Charlotte said, "I'll sell it."
She took the $200,000 check, pooled it with the remaining household money, and paid the fees at Gateway Law Firm.
As she was leaving, Lily called.
Lily had already heard from others that Charlotte lost her job. She said, "Where are you? Let me take you out to eat."
Charlotte didn't want to go home, so she agreed.
In the bustling restaurant, Lily was cutting the steak while cursing, "That bitch! I couldn't stand Tina in college. She always went after successful men. Back when you were with Ethan, she tried to seduce him several times."
Charlotte was momentarily stunned, then smiled faintly. "Well, she got what she wanted."
She told Lily what Tina had said.
Lily was shocked, then furious. "She's so shameless, and Ethan's such a jerk!"
Worried Charlotte might be upset, Lily tried to comfort her, "Don't let it get to you! Ethan's Chloe's fiancé now. It's none of our business."
Charlotte suddenly remembered Frederick mentioning that Chloe had once tried to kill herself over Ethan. Frederick probably knew about Ethan's mess but pretended not to.
Lost in thought, Charlotte was nudged by Lily. "Don't be sad over him."
Charlotte shook her head. "I won't."
Lily sighed, "Yeah, money's more important than him anyway."
Worried Charlotte might be short on cash, Lily pulled out a bank card, but Charlotte declined, "I don't need it right now."
Lily didn't believe her.
Charlotte softly said, "I sold the necklace."
Lily was stunned.
After a long pause, she trembled, "Why didn't you talk to me first? That was the only thing your mom left you. You've worn it since you were a kid."
Charlotte patted her hand, about to comfort her, when her phone rang on the table.
It was the manager from her part-time restaurant job.
Charlotte answered, listened for a bit, then slowly put down the phone and told Lily, "I got fired from the restaurant."
Lily was livid. "Was it Ethan again? How can he be so awful? Charlotte, let's go find him. I need to get justice for you! He tricked you for four years, and now he's trying to ruin you?"
Charlotte held Lily back.
She begged Lily not to go because she knew Ethan was doing all this to force her into being his mistress.
Lily cried in anger, "How can Ethan treat you like this? He's getting married and still slept with Tina! How dare he think you'd go back to him when he's so filthy?"
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