Chapter 173
Chapter 173
“Of course! Why else would Mr. Winifred come to Ironhaven, if not for him?” Baldwin said with a sigh.
Then, with a trace of regret, he added, “With a man like him, he could have any woman he wants.”
“Watch your mouth,” Nash snapped, face cold. “Mr. Adams treats him like an honored guest. If you cross the line and get yourself into trouble, don’t drag me down with you!”
Baldwin quickly tapped his lips. “Alright, I won’t say another word. I didn’t mean any offense. I respect Him. I really do.”
Audrey hadn’t expected the rumors to have spread even within government circles.
Clearly, outside her field of view, the gossip had gained enough traction that Amelia had traveled all the way to fronhaven just to see the truth with her
own eyes.
Spotting her at the door, Baldwin smiled and nodded. He waited for Nash to leave before inviting her in.
“Ms. Henderson, here to follow up on the supplies?” he asked, walking over to crack a window and let the smoke out.
Audrey noticed he couldn’t raise his left arm very high, likely some shoulder pain after their meal on the cruise.
“I actually came to bring you some medicine,” she said, handing over a packet and explaining its use in detail.
Baldwin looked skeptical. He’d had this issue for years, and no doctor had managed to fix it.
A herbal compress seemed unlikely to help, but still, he couldn’t help being a little hopeful. He had his secretary heat it in the microwave.
It came out a bit too hot. After letting it cool for a moment, he placed it on his shoulder.
The scent of herbs mingled with the rising warmth, quickly filling the room.
The weather was already hot, and with the compress on his shoulder, sweat soon beaded on his forehead.
“Turn down the AC,” he told his secretary.
“Wait,” Audrey interjected. “The heat opens your pores. If cold air gets in now, it’ll only make things worse. Better to let the sweat come out naturally
after the treatment.”
He considered it, then nodded. “You’re careful. I appreciate that.”
The secretary brought in coffee and quietly left the room.
Leaning back, Baldwin absentmindedly touched the compress on his shoulder and asked, “After that day… Paul didn’t give you any trouble, did she?”
He was referring to the incident with Edana, something clearly meant to target Audrey.
Though Paul hadn’t sided openly with Serena, she hadn’t protected Audrey either. No harm had come to her in the end, but appearances still mattered.
“No,” Audrey replied with a polite nod.
Her phone buzzed.
Calvin had sent over the digital power of attorney, giving full authority to Samson Legal’s team to handle the property sale. Her signature was required.
She signed it on–screen and sent it back. When she looked up, she found Baldwin watching her with a curious smile.
“What is it, Mr. Connor?”
1/3
08:49 Mon, 9 Jun Bo
Chapter 173
Looking slightly embarrassed, he rubbed his face. “Well… a friend of mine has a kid. You know, part of… that smaller community.”
Audrey smiled, inviting him to continue.
“You seem open–minded and easygoing,” Baldwin began. “I figured you’d be cool with this. Thing is… he’s not into women. He likes, uh… well, you know what I mean. So I was wondering… people like him, do they have any particular preferences?”
Audrey pinched the bridge of her nose, then licked her lips, as if being awkward.
Baldwin quickly waved his hands. “Wait, was that rude? If it’s inappropriate, just pretend I didn’t say anything!”
“It’s fine,” Audrey said with a faint smile. “I respect every group. As long as no one’s getting hurt, everyone’s entitled to their own preferences.”
“Yes, exactly!” Baldwin nodded, visibly relieved.
“But,” she added, “are you sure you’re right about his preferences?” She raised an eyebrow. “If you’ve misread him, this could seriously backfire.”
She didn’t even want to imagine someone making a move on Yann based on a false assumption. The outcome would be disastrous.
Baldwin wasn’t a bad person. Audrey was willing to keep working with him, and she just didn’t want to see him led astray.
“Like… say, wearing white socks with sneakers. That’s one thing. Sure, some wear dress shoes too, but honestly, the sneaker crowd usually wins…” She stopped herself, realizing how off–track she’d gone. “Anyway. Some of them love looking at themselves in the gym mirrors.”
Baldwin stared at her, completely lost.
Truth be told, he didn’t know any gay people. Or if he did, he hadn’t realized it. This was uncharted territory.
He thought back to that day on the cruise. Calvin hadn’t acted flirtatious toward Yann. If anything, he’d been overly deferential.
At that big event, Yann had seemed unreadable, emotionally distant, the kind of person you couldn’t get close to.
And yet, there was a bruise on the corner of his mouth. You didn’t get that close to someone unless there was real intimacy.
And on that day, Calvin had never left his side.
As the compress cooled, Baldwin removed it and rotated his shoulder experimentally. It felt lighter and better.
“That actually helped!”
“Glad to hear it,” Audrey replied.
“How much is it?” he asked, more polite now.
-Audrey grinned. “If you’re really grateful, how about a couple boxes of those fancy skincare masks? Let me feel a little spoiled too.”
He looked at her, amused, phone in hand.
Their eyes met for a few seconds. Then he burst out laughing. There was a touch of teasing in his gaze, a flash of respect for her capability.
This girl, who looked so delicate on the outside, clearly had more strength than anyone gave her credit for.
After Audrey left with her new face masks, Baldwin immediately reached out to Calvin.
tion, and above all, a quiet
Yann had returned to Ashbourne to handle business. As his secretary and unofficial bodyguard, Calvin stayed sharp. When the call came, he agreed to meet at a café below the gym.
Baldwin arrived first and waited. When Calvin stepped inside, he started sizing him up.
2/3
08:50 Mon, 9 Jun
Chapter 173
Today, he was in workout gear, T–shirt, shorts, white sneakers, white socks, a totally different look from the tailored suit on the cruise.
‘Sneakers and white socks. Got that right,‘ Baldwin noted privately.
“Mr. Jenkins! I’m Baldwin Connor, president of Baldwin Biotechnology. We met briefly on the cruise.”
“Nice to meet you again.” Calvin had just showered. His hair was still damp as he sat down.
“Can I get you something?” asked Baldwin.
“No need. I brought my own.” Calvin pulled out a large tumbler, “Low–fat coffee. Helps with metabolism post–workout.”
He clearly cared about fitness and maintaining his body, which only deepened Baldwin’s suspicions.
He was just about to broach the subject when Calvin’s phone rang.
Baldwin gave a small gesture, signaling he didn’t mind the interruption.
“Excuse me,” Calvin said, stepping away to answer.
As he turned, Baldwin caught a glimpse of the caller ID. It was the silhouette of a boxer’s back, which only confirmed his hunch.
“Mrs. Winifred, what is it?” Calvin answered once he was outside. If no one was around, he used Mrs. Winifred. In public, it was always Ms. Henderson.
“The president from Baldwin Biotechnology might reach out,” Audrey said, trying to salvage their public image. “Just… whatever you do, don’t wear white socks with sneakers!”
“Huh?” Calvin glanced back, and Baldwin was smiling at him.
He turned away and sighed. “I came from the gym. I am wearing white socks and sneakers. What’s the problem?”
“You actually went to the gym?” Audrey slapped her forehead.
‘Too late. This is going to be a disaster!‘ she thought.
