Chapter 7 Mike Searches for Charlotte Everywhere

• In recent years, John's health took a hit, so he stayed at the old Warner Residence to get better. Charlotte used to swing by there often.
• Charlotte frowned, taking a moment to think.
• "No, I'm done with Mike now, so no more visits to Old Mr. Warner's. I don't want Mike to think I'm still hung up on him."
• John was the only decent one in Mike's family.
• Ben was glad Charlotte had moved on from the Warners.
• However, to Ben's surprise, John kept reaching out to Charlotte.
• John expressed his regret and sorrow over hearing about Charlotte's divorce from Mike.
• Charlotte sighed softly, her voice gentle as she replied, "I'm sorry, Dad, but I had to end things with Mike.
• "Divorce will be better for both of us. He deserves to find his own happiness."
• John sighed softly, "I blame myself for how my family treated you. If only I had been more..."
• However, Charlotte interrupted him gently, "Dad, it's not your fault. I just didn't want you to get too involved."
• Charlotte wanted John to stay out of her and Mike's affairs, so he respected her wishes. However, John could not shake off the feeling of regret. If only he had been more proactive in handling Mike's issues or had intervened to remove Lanie from the equation, perhaps Mike and Charlotte wouldn't be facing this situation now.
• "I found out about your divorce from Mrs. Potter, who also had some unkind words to say about you. Consequently, I've let her go," John explained.
• It turned out that Mrs. Potter had been informed by Lanie about the divorce, as she had been keeping tabs on Mike's activities.
• Charlotte harbored a deep dislike for Mrs. Potter, who was skilled at flattering Lanie and constantly schemed against Charlotte, spreading rumors that questioned her rise to wealth and suggesting that she should step aside for Lanie.
• It was probable that Mrs. Potter found out about the divorce through Lanie. At the same time, Lanie likely used Mrs. Potter to inform John, possibly to position herself for marriage to Mike.
• "Dad, make sure you take care of yourself. You'll have a better daughter-in-law in the future," Charlotte said, hinting at someone like Lanie.
• John ended the call and saw his son entering. He raised his hand and hurled the phone toward Mike's head, resulting in a loud "bang" and leaving a red mark on Mike's forehead as he made no attempt to dodge it.
• "You're such a fool! How could you let yourself be played by a woman?" John scolded, pointing at his son. "Even a blind man could see through Lanie's act and your wife doing drug trials for her! And now, she's gone."
• Mike felt a knot in his chest as he clenched his jaw. "Dad, where's Charlotte?"
• "How should I know?" John's anger had not eased. "She's not your wife anymore, so don't go meddling in her life."
• Mike sighed, massaging his temple. "Can you at least tell me where she is?"
• Sean searched high and low, but Charlotte seemed to have disappeared without a trace.
• John chuckled, "Are you still insisting on Charlotte doing Lanie's drug trials?"
• Mike countered, "I know for sure now that Lanie's illness is just an act ... "
• Finally, John remarked sarcastically, "I've said this countless times before, but you never believed me. You were adamant that Lanie's health issues stemmed from that car accident years ago and she needed care."
• Mike had no rebuttal to that.
• "Oh, and here's something Charlotte didn't want. I found it in your room," John said, tossing an album onto the table.
• As luck would have it, the album fell open, revealing its contents.