The General's Ex-Wife's Regret

Chapter 6

The Carson banquet building gleamed under the evening sky, its grand façade glowing with golden light. Inside, a colossal chandelier glittered from the vaulted ceiling, scattering diamonds of brilliance across the polished marble floor. A long crimson carpet stretched from the entrance, where guests from the country’s most prominent families made their arrival.

Among them were Jasmine Garcia and Michael Montez.

Michael’s smile widened as he offered his hand to Jasmine while she gracefully stepped down from the car. She wore a silver V-neck gown that shimmered with every movement. The daring slit in her skirt revealed glimpses of porcelain skin, and the bare design of her back left the crowd captivated.

As the two walked the red carpet, whispers rippled among the guests.

“Is that Ms. Garcia?” one voice murmured.

“Yes. I heard she’s one of the rising young CEOs in the country,” another replied.

“She’s breathtaking. No wonder she came with Mr. Montez.”

“Isn’t he the heir to Montez Corporation? They look perfect together.”

Michael’s chest swelled with pride at the comments. His lips curved into a smug smile.

“You look stunning tonight, Jasmine,” he said, his tone thick with satisfaction. “I’m sure every man here envies me.”

Jasmine gave a faint smile. “Thank you, Mr. Montez.”

She hadn’t prepared for this event to outshine others in beauty, but to finally stand before tonight’s host. Still, she could feel the weight of every glance on her.

“But they say Ms. Carson is quite the beauty herself,” another guest remarked. “It seems Jasmine may have some competition tonight.”

Jasmine’s brow arched ever so slightly. She’d heard the rumors too but had never once come face-to-face with the young Carson heiress.

Michael bent his arm, offering it to her. “Shall we?”

Jasmine slipped her hand around his arm with practiced poise, and together they strode confidently toward the hall. But before they could step inside, Michael’s eyes narrowed.

Someone was standing at the entrance. Waiting.

“Well, look who’s here. What are you doing here?” Michael called out. He was grinning like he owned the place. “This is a fancy banque, and not exactly your scene. Are you lost?”

Carl didn’t answer. He didn’t even look at him and tried to walk past them instead, but Michael deliberately stepped in front of him.

“Ah… Were you waiting for leftovers? Tsk!” Michael shook his head. “What a pathetic man!”

He looked at Carl from head to toe with his smug and theatrical grin. The disdain was all over his face.

A vein throbbed at Carl’s temple. Michael was trying to step on him, and he wouldn’t let him.

“Why would you care that I am here? It’s none of your business,” he said. His voice was icy, making Michael falter a bit. Making him look ridiculous.

Michael laughed to cover it. It was sharp and moving.

“Not here to mooch, then? Just here to cause trouble. You know she’s here, right? Came just to bother her, didn’t you? ”

He turned to Jasmine, who was just quietly listening to them. Then he looked at Carl again.

“I can’t believe that your envy would eat you up. All this time, following Jasmine like a dog. Living off her money. And now that she's doing well, you want to ruin her life?”

Carl clenched his fists. He’d had enough. He turned fully towards him.

“Enough! When we divorced, it was clear already. We are done. No regrets. Whatever she does is none of my business. So, why would I waste my time on someone that I don't care about any longer?” he snapped. His voice was calm but cutting.

The words hit Jasmine like a slap. This was the same man who once adored her, who would’ve moved mountains just to win her smile. And now he spoke with a voice as cold as ice. Worse, she realized the nearby guests were watching, listening, judging. Her cheeks burned with humiliation.

“Then what are you doing here then?” Jasmine snaps sharply. “Don’t tell me you are getting some fresh air? You’ve been locked up for so long that you’ve forgotten how things work out here!” she said, her piercing gaze cuts into Carl like a blade.

“Why? Are there any changes here? Did someone make a rule that no one can go to this place?”

“You—”

Jasmine pointed at Carl, but before she could finish, Michael stepped in. With his back facing Carl, he wrapped his arm to Jasmine.

“Stop, Jasmine. Don't lower yourself to a man like him. He and we belong to different worlds. It's not worth getting worked up over him.”

Jasmine greeted her teeth trying to calm her nerves.

Michael turned at Carl with feigned sorrow.

“I can't believe you really did that, Man! Why don't you man up for real and apologize, Carl? She was once your wife, no matter what! Do you really have to treat her like this after the times you've spent together?”

Carl let out a dry laugh, looking at the man wedged between them, stirring the pot just to pose as some hypocritical savior—what a joke!

He decided that it was just a waste of time talking with them. Carl prepared himself to leave, but Jasmine stopped him again.

“Stop. Did I say you could leave? No one’s going anywhere until this is cleared up!” she exclaimed.

Carl clenched his fists. But before he could talk, a voice came behind them.

“Who said you could stop him from leaving?”