Ethan saw Anastasia's expression and realized she had misread something.
But if he wanted to explain, he'd have to reveal the truth that Sophia had been abducted. Anastasia would undoubtedly be concerned and afraid after hearing him say that. He didn't want to tell her about it because she would not be able to sleep well in the future as a result of her anxiety.
Claudia appeared to Ethan's side and exclaimed, "Great! You are good for nothing, and lucky Anastasia agreed to marry you! How dare you become acquainted with any other woman named Selene out there! Ethan Knight, you're such a scumbag! Since you had an affair, you should divorce Anastasia and leave the house! What are you waiting for? Go on! Get a divorce now!"
Claudia had hoped that her daughter would divorce the loser Ethan and marry a wealthy young man. When she found out that Ethan had been messing around outside, she immediately wished they would be divorced. This was the moment she had been waiting for.
Charlotte glanced at her mother, completely stunned. She knew what had happened and understood why Ethan had brought Sophia home so late. She understood that Aunt Selene, Sophia mentioned that she had to be the person Alan Carroll assigned to look after Sophia. It's good to know that the so-called Aunt Selene took care of Sophia very well and didn't notice she was kidnapped.
Charlotte had no idea how well Selene handled Sophia, but she expected Ethan to not betray Anastasia and have nothing to do with her!
Charlotte quickly spoke to stop Claudia from cursing, hoping she could come between them. "Mom, you don't know anything, so don't spout nonsense, okay?"
Then Charlotte quickly told Anastasia, "That Aunt Selene Sophia mentioned is a friend of mine. You had to work overtime today, and Ethan was also busy then, so he asked me to pick Sophia up. But something crucial came up for me, so I asked a friend to take after Sophia for a while. That is what happened. It has nothing to do with Ethan."
"Anastasia, don't get the wrong notion!"
Anastasia looked at Charlotte and Ethan with concern, not saying anything.
Claudia laughed with a high-pitched tone. "Charlotte, don't try to cover up for this jerk. And don't make us stupid for not knowing anything. When did you first meet your good friend Selene? Why don't your sister or I know? You are still young. You don't realize how cruel these men are! This good-for-nothing can deceive you today and take Sophia to visit that immoral woman, so who knows what he can do next?!"
Claudia then raised her hand to poke Sophia's head. "And you, little one, do not know any better. You start chanting her praises simply because she gave you treats and played with you. You'll know when she becomes your stepmother!"
Sophia pouted sadly due to her words, and Anastasia also became gloomy.
Sophia was as valuable as Anastasia's life, but Ethan took her to meet another woman who could get into Sophia's good books in just a few hours. Sophia even sang compliments for her. That woman was not an ordinary person either.
If they do...
Anastasia felt like a dagger had wounded her heart as she considered Claudia's suggestion. The pain and sadness enveloped her, no words can explain it.
She stared at Ethan and continued, "You must give me a full explanation of what happened today. Don't even consider making up a random excuse to trick me. You have to tell me the truth."
Ethan didn't expect Anastasia to mistrust him after Claudia fueled the fire. He couldn't stop smiling cruelly.
However, he could not convey the truth then, and he did not want to make up an excuse. He was smart but had no idea what to say right now.
Anastasia humphed bitterly, took Sophia up in her arms, and turned to leave.
She went upstairs without turning back.
Standing to the side, Charlotte trembled and frantically persuaded Ethan: "Oh no, Anastasia is angry! Hurry and explain to her! Tell him the truth!"
Ethan had been thinking about it and was ready to head upstairs to explain things to Anastasia when his phone rang. Dylan sent a message.
He paused in his footsteps and shook his head at Charlotte. "The matter has not been resolved yet. I'll go handle it and explain it to Anastasia when I return. For now, I need to go and resolved first."
With that, Ethan turned and departed.
The unresolved issue naturally referred to Alan Carroll and his family.
Dylan included an essential piece of information in his text.
Alan's older brother, Bobby Carroll, had recently given birth, and the baby shower was scheduled for today. The Carroll family was in good spirits and had sent out numerous invitations.
The Carrolls were one of Emerald Coast County's top four families, ranking with the Monroes.
As a result, the Carrolls' invitations were essential, and various families were hurrying to congratulate them in an attempt to become closer to them.
Gideon Boysen had mentioned it to Ethan once before. But at the time, Alan had already attempted to drug Charlotte, which made Ethan quite angry with the Carrolls. So he understandably declined the invitation to attend the Carrolls' party. He initially does not want to have anything with them.
But Ethan was now driving to the cluster of villas where the Carrolls lived.
But he wasn't going there to congratulate them. He will send a message that they will remember for a lifetime.
The Carroll residence was lavishly decorated at the time, and there was a large crowd and numerous luxurious cars at the entrance.
Although the baby shower started in the afternoon, the central celebration feast began in the evening.
Alan had long loathed his elder brother, Bobby Carroll, who was poised to become the family's head. He was disgusted by Bobby's baby shower and had been lurking in his bar with Luisa in the afternoon, which had resulted in the earlier incidents.
The black Jaguar pulled over in the parking lot in front of the Carroll house, and Ethan led Dylan out.
He grinned coldly as he observed the colorful scene in front of him. "It just so happen that everyone from the Carroll family is present today. No need to go with them one by one. How wonderful!"