The General's Ex-Wife's Regret

Chapter 5

Upstairs was a VIP room Sofia had specially reserved at the hotel—lavishly decorated, dripping with wealth. From the floor-to-ceiling windows, one could even see the prison where Carl had been held all year.

“If you don’t mind, I can take the necklace,” Sofia’s voice came from behind as she pulled out an ornate chair for Carl. “I know a master craftsman—he’ll have it looking as good as new.”

Carl looked at her briefly, then back at the necklace, exhaling as though the weight of it pressed on his chest.

“Okay. I appreciate it.”

He placed the keepsake in her palm. Sophia tucked it inside her handbag, but her lips pursed when his expression didn’t change.

She rolled her eyes.

“What’s wrong? Is this about that ‘new brother-in-law’ the kid mentioned earlier?”

Carl cleared his throat but stayed silent. It was true. He still couldn’t believe that this was the real reason his wife had left him, thinking he had no money, no power, and tossing him aside without a second thought.

His fists clenched tightly. He wanted to tell Sophia everything, but for her safety, he couldn’t.

Sophia tilted her head, her patience thinning. She hated the way he brooded over another woman. Abruptly, she stood, then settled herself on his lap.

Her soft skin pressed against his thigh, radiating a heat that could burn. Instantly, a fire ignited between his legs.

“Sophia—what are you doing? Get off,” he hissed, his hands frozen midair, unsure where to touch.

Instead, she looped her arms around his neck and stared at him with her bedroom eyes.

“Forget about her, okay? Instead… come with me later to a charity banquet.”

“I— I don’t think I can, Sophia. I just want to rest after everything.”

She leaned closer, lips curving dangerously.

“Come on, Carl." Sophia leaned down, and the surge of her chest instantly drowned out Carl’s resistance.

“This will be our first banquet together. Do you really want to see another man standing by my side?”

Veins popped on Carl’s neck as he struggled to suppress the fire rising within him. Such a daring, seductive woman was impossible to resist.

“Fine! Fine! I agree!” Carl raised his hands in surrender. “Just get off me, and I’ll do anything you want!”

“Tch, men…” Sophia bit her lip, smiling as she released the human trap, no longer teasing him. Her fingers lingered on the pendant Carl had given her, holding it with a hint of intimacy.

No rush—she was confident Carl would never escape her grasp.

—

Meanwhile, Ophelia pulled out her phone, still reeling from what had happened earlier—how easily they had been thrown out of the Grandsaint Hotel.

“Jasmine!” she blurted the moment her daughter answered. “Did you know Carl Donovan has already been released from prison?”

In her office, Jasmine froze. Sitting beside her was Michael Montez, son of Montez Corporation’s CEO and their powerful family business partner.

“Really? Is that true?” Jasmine asked, stunned. She had just visited Carl earlier in prison, and he hadn’t told her anything.

“Yes!” Ophelia’s voice rose. “We saw him messing around with some woman in front of the Grandsaint Hotel. That shameless bastard—he’s obviously been screwing her behind your back! Eating your food, drinking your booze, even cheating on you! And when we caught him, they had the nerve to beat us up! Who the hell does stuff like this?!”

Jasmine’s grip on her phone tightened, her chest twisting at the accusation. She couldn’t imagine Carl cheating—or hurting James without reason. He’s not that kind of person.

James suddenly grabbed the phone.

“It’s true! If you don’t believe me, come to the hospital and see what they did to me!”

Jasmine sighed, pressing her fingers to her forehead.

“I can’t. Michael and I have a banquet tonight. I’ll send someone instead.”

Hearing Michael’s name, James brightened instantly.

“Oh, my brother-in-law is there? Can I talk to him? I want to greet him!”

Jasmine stiffened. Michael, sitting close, had clearly heard every word. She forced an awkward smile.

“Stop it, James. We’re just business partners.”

Michael chuckled, clearly amused. James’s words had stroked his ego.

“It’s fine, Jasmine. No harm done.”

She gave him a tight smile before returning to the call.

“I need to go now, James, Mom. I’ll try to visit after the banquet.”

“Okay, Sister! Could you send a personal chef here? I’m starving.”

Jasmine exhaled sharply. “Fine. I’ll let Lea arrange it.”

She ended the call, then turned apologetically to Michael.

“I’m sorry about that.”

Michael waved it off with a smile. “No worries. But maybe… after we seal the Carson contract, you should think about what James said. You’re already divorced.”

Her smile faltered. Michael was indeed a fine man, a wealthy, well-connected, promising. Having him by her side would strengthen her position even more.

“We’ll see about that,” she replied softly.

But deep inside, she couldn’t deny the sting—the raw ache at the thought of Carl already having someone new.