Watching You Burn In Regret novel Chapter 290

Carla's anger subsided as quickly as it had flared, replaced by cold calculation. She sensed a trap, but she knew she couldn't refuse.

"Of course," she said, her voice soft and obedient.

Edwin tilted her chin up, his smile deepening. "Such a good girl. Make sure you look beautiful."

The smile on his face was as dangerous as it was captivating. Carla's expression remained calm, but she felt as if a giant hand were squeezing her heart, leaving her breathless. For a fleeting moment, she realized that using Edwin as a stepping stone had been a mistake from the very beginning. She wasn't as ruthless or as cruel as he was. She couldn't win this game.

But now, she had no way out.

*

At the same time, in The Mountain Retreat, Zena sat alone in the living room. Her brow was furrowed, her face devoid of its usual vibrant energy. Her eyes were dull, tinged with defeat.

No one came to comfort her.

Her eldest son, Swain, was upstairs but had not left his room, let alone come down to offer a word of solace. Slater had left for the office early that morning without so much as a glance in her direction. As for Thurman, Zena suddenly realized with a jolt that he hadn't been home in a very long time.

Since the news broke that she had been removed as chairperson of Rutledge Group, her sons had grown increasingly cold, and her husband had stopped answering her calls altogether. Zena knew they blamed her. They blamed her for mismanaging the company.

A profound sense of sorrow washed over her. In a single day, she had gone from being a celebrated, successful businesswoman to a disgraced failure, her name dragged through the mud online. Her daughter was missing, her sons were distant, and her husband was gone. Her home had ceased to be a home. Everything she had been so proud of had crumbled to dust overnight.

Just then, the phone rang. It was her friend, Mrs. Blake.

The moment the call ended, she let out a cry of rage. With a furious shove, she sent a bottle of '82 Lafite crashing to the floor. The glass shattered, and red wine bled into the carpet. Still not satisfied, she swept a set of crystal glasses off the table, sending them scattering across the floor in a shower of glittering shards.

She had assumed Carla had run away simply to avoid marrying Garfield. She never imagined her daughter would have the audacity to marry Edwin. The masterpiece she had so carefully crafted had married the son of her enemy. It was the ultimate slap in the face.

Just then, Swain came downstairs, ready to leave. He saw the mess and his mother's fury but simply looked away, showing no intention of comforting her.

As he walked past, Zena's voice cut through the air. "Swain, where are you going?"

He didn't turn around. "To see Seren. It's her birthday."