Dear Billionaire, I'm Not Your Wife Anymore! - Chapter 12: Chapter 12

I tried to keep my smile appropriate. "Senior Cole, I didn't expect to see you here."
"Yes, I didn't expect you to come either." Cole's voice was as gentle as I remembered, his gaze falling on me with some surprise and curiosity.
The way he looked at me was just like that patient senior who used to explain thesis papers to me on campus. But time had passed for most of a year, and we had each been drifting in our own life trajectories. This reunion now—I couldn't tell if it was fortunate or ironic.
I was about to say something more when from the corner of my eye, I saw Braden and Charles walking toward us.
But just as Braden's steps were about to reach me, a slender arm wrapped around his wrist first.
It was Linda.
She wore a black evening dress, her lips curved in an alluring smile, but her tone carried coquettish questioning: "Why didn't you answer my call earlier?"
I calmly lowered my head, hiding the irony in my gaze.
Braden's expression didn't change, he just replied softly, "I'll explain later."
Linda was tactful enough not to continue questioning. She just smiled and held his arm while shifting her gaze to Cole beside me.
I could feel her confusion and wariness. She was probably wondering—how could I, a "Mrs. Kingsley" who had never set foot in high society circles, appear so familiar with such a distinguished man?
I ignored her gaze and focused on listening to Cole describe his research projects from the past few months, his tone filled with academic enthusiasm.
But soon, Charles approached, his gaze sweeping between Cole and me with some surprise: "You two know each other?"
I smiled slightly, "Yes, old friends."
"What a coincidence." Charles chuckled, "Braden, I was just about to introduce this gentleman—Cole Maverick, Professor Cleven's most accomplished student, one of our honored guests tonight."
I watched Braden's face show a rare expression of appreciation as he actively extended his hand: "Mr. Maverick, hello. I'm Braden Kingsley."
"Pleasure to meet you." Cole responded calmly, his gaze showing no trace of fear or flattery. The two men's hands briefly clasped, then quickly separated.
Cole soon excused himself and turned to chat with another guest, but Braden's gaze returned to me with a light scrutiny.
I was about to walk away with my juice when suddenly my arm was grasped by a large hand.
His movement wasn't big, but it was irresistible, the force carrying his usual cold hardness.
"Mind your position," he said in a low voice, his tone like wind in a snowy night, bone-chillingly cold.
I turned to look at him, my expression gradually cooling.
He could brazenly socialize with his mistress in this circle, while I merely chatted with an old acquaintance for a few sentences and was deemed "overstepping"?
I gently struggled, and he didn't persist, releasing me. I walked to the bar as if nothing had happened, ordered another juice, as if that little episode was just a disturbance in the air.
Just as I took my first sip, I heard two ladies conversing in German beside me.
"Who is she? I think this is the first time I've seen her."
"She's Braden's wife from his home country." Linda's voice was gentle and smiling.
"Then you'd better be careful tonight and keep some distance from Mr. Kingsley, or his wife will be angry."
"She won't mind." Linda laughed lightly, "They're in the process of divorce."
My fingers slowly tightened around the glass.
"She looks like she's never seen the world. She's indeed not very compatible with Mr. Kingsley."
I slowly turned my head toward the lady who was commenting on me. She was curiously examining me, like appraising a commodity.
They probably thought I couldn't understand German. But over these six years, besides caring for my child and doing research, I had learned four languages—including German.
Linda could brazenly spread the "insider news" about my impending divorce from Braden in this circle because—Braden allowed it, even tacitly approved it.
Ironically, I wasn't even surprised.
"Charlotte."
The gentle voice sounded beside my ear again. I turned—it was Cole.
He had come back, concern in his expression.
"How did you come to Germany? When did you arrive?"
I smiled lightly and answered in Italian, "I'm accompanying my husband and daughter for Christmas here."
He was startled, then showed a familiar smile and continued in Italian, "It seems you still remember everything I taught you."
Cole couldn't help but move closer to me, his gaze quickly sweeping toward Linda's direction. "If you want to leave, I can take you away."