Chapter 11
“Gone? What do you mean, gone?” Charles froze, as if he hadn’t fully registered the words.
Irene… missing? That was impossible.
Just yesterday, she had agreed to attend Aiden’s birthday party without the slightest hesitation. She didn’t seem upset. Why would she suddenly disappear?
“Mr. Whitmore, the housekeepers said Mrs. Whitmore never came home last night. Her clothes and documents are gone too. All Indications point to a voluntary departure.”
Charles’s gaze darkened. The assistant’s words hit him like a punch to the gut, panic flooding through him.
His mind went blank. He couldn’t even think.
“No. That’s not possible! Irene would never choose to leave like this. What if something happened to her?”
He didn’t even notice his own voice trembling
She was his wife. She loved him so much. Why would she walk away?
The assistant remained silent, then quietly handed him a phone. “Mr. Whitmore, please…. take a look at this.”
Charles took the phone. The screen lit up with a statement from the Aldridge Group’s official account.
He squinted, confused, and scrolled down. But when he saw the words “divorce announcement,” it was like a bolt from the blue.
He blinked in disbelief and reread it again. He knew every word–but together, they made no sense.
How had he suddenly become a divorce overnight?
The assistant hesitated for a moment before speaking again, knowing what he was about to say would cut deep.
“Mr. Whitmore… The Aldridge Group has publicly stated they will be severing all ties with Whitmore Holdings. Miss Irene Aldridge and yourself have officially dissolved your marriage.
Charles felt something sink violently in his chest.
“What the hell is going on?! Irene is my wife! The Aldridges couldn’t have done this without my consent!!
He forced himself to stay calm, but his clenched fists had already turned ghostly white, betraying his inner turmoil.
“Get the car ready,” he ordered coldly. “I’m going to the Aldridge residence.”
The assistant was about to comply immediately when Elise suddenly barged in.
“Charles, the party is about to start. You can’t just leave now!”
His expression turned to stone. His gaze cut through her like a blade. “Elise, since when did you start eavesdropping at my door?” The glare made Elise tremble
She tried her usual trick–tears welled in her eyes as she dropped to her knees and clung to his sleeve. “Charles, I’m only worried about you.”
“Today’s important for Alden. If you suddenly leave, what will people think about him?”
“I don’t want anything Just don’t ruin this for Alden. Please… for the sake of your son, wait until the party’s over.”
Charles looked down at her tear–streaked face.
Normally, he might’ve softened. But right now, his mind was entirely consumed by thoughts of Irene—there was no room left for anyone else.
