Chapter 817

At that exact moment, they, along with most of the venue, realized the undeniable

truth of Charlene and Thorne’s relationship.

The realization rooted Raleigh to the floor.

Charlene…

Was actually Thorne’s ex-wife?

How was that even possible?

After absorbing the bombshell that Charlene was the mother of Thorne’s child, Dalton and Kelvin quickly pieced the puzzle together.

But just like Raleigh, the revelation only left them more bewildered.

Kelvin’s jaw was practically on the floor. “Who… who could have possibly seen this coming? You’d never guess it by the way they act around each other. No wonder Stewart didn’t react when we sent him the photos. It all makes sense now…”

He was too shell-shocked to find the right words.

Dalton remained silent, but he felt exactly the same.

He couldn’t believe Charlene was Thorne’s ex-wife. Their everyday interactions were so remarkably sterile that it felt impossible for them to have shared such an intimate past.

While the crowd was still reeling, Stewart let a sharp smile touch his lips. He looked up at Raleigh and said, “So, Mr. Shaw… do you have anything you want to add?”

Stewart’s words sliced through the murmurs, bringing an instant hush over the ballroom.

Raleigh faltered, his mind still spinning in circles.

But…

He looked at Charlene, his lips pressing into a tight line. Even if she was Thorne’s ex-wife…

Suddenly, Vesta’s gentle voice broke the tension. “Mr. Ferguson, my senior was entirely out of line today. I apologize on his behalf.”

Truthfully, Jasmine’s sudden appearance had rattled her to the core.

However, she had quickly picked up on the crowd’s assumption: everyone thought Charlene was Thorne’s ex-wife.

She knew this was a golden opportunity to salvage the situation.

If she could just put a stop to everything right here, right now, then she…

Stewart smiled, but there was zero warmth in his tone. “Ms. Hawkins, I am speaking with Mr. Shaw. Please have some manners and wait your turn. Can you do that?”

There was no way Vesta was going to back down now.

She forced a polite smile. “Mr. Ferguson, this whole thing started because of me—”

Stewart sneered, casting her a

dismissive glance. Exhausted by her games, he turned straight back to Raleigh. What’s the matter Mi Shaw Speechless? Are you going to let a woman fight your battles for you?”

Vesta’s expression slipped. Pressing her lips together, she took a sharp breath and looked at Raleigh. “Raleigh—”

Raleigh could feel the sheer, unapologetic disdain Stewart held for Vesta.

The realization made his expression harden all over again.

Seeing Vesta try to intervene, he held up a hand, silently telling her he had this handled. Then, turning hisz icy glare onto Stewart and Charlene, he declared, “Mr. Ferguson, the presentation on the screen.. is admittedly my mistake. I had no idea Ms. Ross was Mr. Hendersons ex-wife. However, considering her repeated, targeted attacks against my junior, I do not believe-“

As he spoke, the crowd caught on. “Wait, so Charlene has been targeting Vesta out of pure jealousy?”

The narrative shift clicked for Kelvin and Dalton as well.

Kelvin couldn’t help but mutter, “Is she still hung up on Thorne? Is that why she’s

going after Ms. Hawkins? She’s jealous?”

Dalton had somewhat recovered from the initial shock.

Hearing Kelvin’s theory, he cast a cool glance at Charlene, privately agreeing with the assessment.

While the room hummed with fresh

gossip, Stewart let out a chilling laugh, cutting Raleigh off before he could finish Ex-wife Mr. Shaw who told you they were divorced? As far as I know, they are still legally married!”