Chapter 80
Chapter 80
With that, Audrey glanced at Edana and this time truly left.
Edana was a classic fake friend. She acted warmly helpful to everyone but secretly stirred up conflicts. Tiffany, being straightforward, had trusted Edana too much and had been completely manipulated.
Audrey figured she’d given a clear enough warning. If Tiffany still let herself be a pawn, she didn’t belong in the job. Audrey wasn’t her parent–no duty to smooth her way.
By the time they exited, Audrey was already gone.
Edana, still awkward from earlier, bought two drinks for Tiffany. “The Baldwin Biotechnology contract is signed, but there are lots of follow–ups. You take
this one. I’ll handle the rest.”
Tiffany took the file, flipped through it, and sat at her desk.
Edana’s workspace was the largest, closest to the manager’s office. She’d just sat down when she stood again. “The manager’s office coffee cups haven’t been cleaned yet. Let me take care of that first. You keep working…”
At LuxeCharm International Grand Hotel, the lobby buzzed with guests, glasses clinking. Yann stepped from the lounge.
Across the room, a woman spotted him. Like a famished wolf eyeing prey, she straightened and strode over determinedly. ‘Yann! Yann Winifred!‘ she thought, excited.
Rumor had a mystery guest tonight, but none expected Darkshell International’s CEO, the ultimate eligible bachelor. Catching his eye, even briefly, could launch a career.
The woman took a red wine from a waiter, calmed her excitement, and flashed her most natural, alluring smile.
Swaying over to Yann, she opened her mouth–only to freeze as he whispered, gaze fixed on the doorway, voice cool and flat.
“My suit’s custom–made by a master designer and starts at 300,000 dollars. Think about whether you can afford to spill that wine on my suit before you
do.”
She looked around, realizing he was addressing her. ‘Has he guessed my plan?‘ she wondered. The wine glass, already tilting, felt like a grenade. “Mr.
Winifred… I… uh…”
“Scram!” Yann snapped.
She hurried off, flushed and defeated.
In the corner, several socialites covered their mouths to snicker.
“Who does she think she is, trying to pull a scam on Mr. Winifred?” one hissed.
“At that networking dinner the other day, someone literally tried to push a woman with the mole by her eye onto him,” another whispered. “They thought she was his type–turned out they killed the deal instead.”
“A recent magazine poll named Mr. Winifred the top Dream Man,” a third chimed in. “He got more votes than second, third, and fourth place combined. Too bad such a catch isn’t into women.”
“Seriously? Don’t spread rumors,” someone protested.
“See for yourselves,” The socialite nodded toward the doorway. The others craned their necks.
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21:00 Sat, 31 May
Chapter 80
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Calvin, in a black tuxedo, entered the room. Broad–shouldered and tan, he had a noticeable mole beside his eye. He ignored the whispering socialites, walking straight to Yann.
Yann’s usual icy demeanor softened slightly as Calvin stopped beside him, his posture a blend of respect and familiarity.
Too distant and drowned by the music, their words were indistinct. The socialites only saw Yann adjust his collar and smooth his suit jacket as he faced Calvin. The socialites gasped, covering their mouths.
‘Oh my god! What did we see?!‘ they thought.
Even though it was an open secret, no one dared speculate about Yann’s private life. Some had even offered to be his “fake wife” for status, knowing his
connections were invaluable.
But the truth was, Calvin leaned in to report, “Ms. Henderson is here, signing in outside.”
Yann fidgeted like a teenager. “Is my lapel pin straight?”
“Perfect,” Calvin replied.
“Does my hair look messy?”
“Sleek.”
“How about the suit? Does it fit right?”
“Like a glove.”
Calvin was puzzled. Yann had negotiated billion–dollar deals and faced down CEOs, yet every time he prepped to meet Audrey in public, he acted like he was meeting royalty. Truthfully, Yann probably didn’t care this much about actual royalty.
‘His infatuation with Ms. Henderson is obvious. Too bad she seems completely oblivious. Maybe she needs glasses,’ Calvin thought.
Clayton had vowed nothing would stop him from meeting Samson. But the moment he reached Malcolm’s door, a call from the police station came through–he couldn’t avoid it.
Valerie’s mother, Cheryl Patterson, had traveled all the way from Haldenwick. At the station, she’d wept that after losing her husband, she had no one to support Valerie, who had become emotionally unstable due to hef unhappy marriage.
Cheryl swore she’d care for her granddaughter and Valerie sincerely apologized. The police couldn’t detain Valerie any longer.
Clayton had arranged a one–bedroom apartment for Valerie, intending for them to make do for the night before finding a better place. Now Cheryl held
Luna in her arms.
“Skip the house search,” Cheryl said. “Vally and I will stay at your place for now. I can clean and cook so you have hot meals when you get home. We’ll move once you find us a suitable place.”
Clayton froze. ‘Stay with me? Audrey is already wary of Valerie. If Valerie and her mother and child move in, my hopes of reconciling with Audrey will vanish,‘ he thought.
Valerie, sensing his hesitation, choked back a sob and tugged Cheryl’s sleeve. “Mom, Clayton already helped me leave that jerk. We can’t keep relying on him just because Dad helped his family.”
“Cut the crap!” Cheryl snapped. “Without your dad, John wouldn’t be alive today. The Patel family promised they’d always help us if we were in trouble.”
“But… I don’t want to make things hard for Clayton.” Valerie said.
“It’s just a temporary stay, not a handout. Is that really too much?” Cheryl stared at Clayton as if threatening to cause a scene at Starise House if he
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