Cold Husband Burning Regret: The Divorce He Couldn't Handle novel Chapter 527

Seeing Caleb, Kate visibly tensed. Hulda noticed her expression, frowned for a second, and then looked away, a thoughtful expression on her face.

"Everyone's here," Caleb said with a smile, turning to Mr. Rayburn with a respectful nod. "Dad."

Mr. Rayburn lifted his teacup. "You're back. I assume you've seen the news?"

Kate's fingers clenched involuntarily, a wave of unease washing over her. Ever since Caleb had forged a connection with the Chase family of Port Stellar, he had clearly sided with Sean's branch of the family. His sudden return could not be a good sign.

"I heard. The online backlash is significant, but I'm sure Sean has a way to handle it, doesn't he?" Caleb said casually as he sat down on the sofa.

A maid carefully approached, pouring him a cup of fragrant green tea.

Sean scoffed. "Wesley is already handling it. As for the lies online, they'll fall apart the moment the police get their hands on the dashcam footage."

Hulda forced a faint smile. "That's true." She glanced at Kate, then added, "My only concern is that the old man's family might cause a major scene."

Kate took the cue and nodded in agreement. "Exactly. There are so many unreasonable people in the lower classes. It would be a real problem if they tried to extort us over this."

"A clear conscience fears no accusation. You don't need to worry about it," Sean retorted, standing up. "Dad, I have to go. I won't be staying for dinner."

Mr. Rayburn nodded.

As Sean was crossing the courtyard, a voice called out, "Sean."

It was Caleb.

"Something you need, Caleb?" Sean asked, turning back.

Caleb stopped in front of him. "About Lottie's situation… if you need any help, I'm here. We are family, after all."

Sean didn't hesitate to decline the offer. "I appreciate the thought, Caleb, but we can handle our own affairs."

Before Caleb could say another word, Sean turned and walked away. Even if Caleb's offer was genuine, it likely came with strings attached, and he had to be cautious.

…

Realizing something was terribly wrong, Charlotte shot to her feet. She tried calling back, but the call wouldn't go through.

Elsewhere, in a parking garage, Kate met with the deceased man's son and handed him a heavy bag of cash. He took it with both hands, feeling the weight of the sealed bag. It had to contain at least ten stacks of bills.

"This should be enough for now. If you can make the online campaign even bigger, I can add another twenty thousand."

A grin spread across the man's face. "This is more than enough! But I'll need some assurance that you're giving this to me willingly and won't try to get it back later."

Kate smirked dismissively; forty thousand dollars was what she might spend on a new handbag. "Fine. Just get the job done. Otherwise…"

"Don't you worry, you can count on me!" the man said, thumping his chest.

After Kate drove off, the window of an SUV parked behind her slowly rolled down. Elliot took off his sunglasses and scrolled through the high-resolution photos he had just taken, a phone pressed to his ear. "So, I just spent the day playing paparazzi for you for free. Don't I get something out of it?"

"I can set you up on a blind date," Evander said calmly as he walked out of a hospital.