Chapter 267
Keith was completely confused. ‘Yann already turned us down fat. Why is Lucia here trying to negotiate again? Does the even have te Bucures speak for Audrey? he thought:
A serves added an extra chainest to Talia She was dressed pretty casually today. Nothing about her outfit suggested this was supported fi engagement celebration.
The only thing different from usual was that Talia was weating a diamond necklace, which was unusual since the never wore jewelry
“That necklace looks great on you,” Keith said.
“Thanks.” Talia reached up to touch it lightly
Keith gave hét a questioning look about why Lucia was here, but Talia jist shrugged. She’d been in the bathroom when Lucia arnved
Mrs. Winifred, has Audrey agreed not to
to press charges?” Now that everyone was here, treno cut straight to the point.
Lucia looked at Wendy and Irene, then at Keith and Talia. “I really shouldn’t have come today. I’m interrupting your celebration.”
Irene waved her off, saying it was fine. If they heard good news today, it would just make the celebration even better.
The truth is, Audrey’s all bark and no bite,” Lucia said with an embarrassed smile. “She just joined the Winifred family and doesn’t understand how close our families have always been. Things would never need to go as far as a lawsuit.”
Wendy nodded with satisfaction. “I knew you were sharp and perceptive–a woman who really gets it. We should have coffee together sometime you’re free.”
Lucia beamed at the compliment, her smile growing even brighter.
Keith sensed something fishy and probed carefully. “Does Audrey know you’re here?”
“Mrs. Winifred naturally represents the Winifred family’s position,” Wendy said with a smile, giving Keith a sharp pinch under the table. “The Winifred family is being generous, so we need to know when to back down.
of the Turner family now, Keith. That project you mentioned before–you still need to give it to Mrs. Winifred as an apology.”
“Talia is going to be
to be part of the
“I understand.” Keith nodded in agreement, though something still felt off to him.
Lucia’s eyes flickered as she asked, “How big is this project Mr. Turner mentioned? I’m not being greedy or anything I’m just thinking that since Audrey turned it down before, maybe we could…”
Keith immediately caught on to what she meant. Audrey had looked down on that previous project, but if they sweetened the deal with more benefits, she’d agree to drop the lawsuit.
it really wasn’t that big of a deal If Audrey wanted it, all she had to do was ask, Keith wasn’t a stingy person,
After all this back and forth, Keith had ended up looking like someone who chose women over friends in Yann’s eyes, and now he had to let Lucia haggle
over terms.
Tused to think Audrey was a good person, he thought. I had no idea she was so calculating”
While the group downstairs discussed compensation in their private room, the gathering in the upstairs room war
Ing down.
Whether people were genuinely trying to please Audrey or just putting on a show, they all ordered plenty of face masks out of respect for Amelia.
The waitstaff helped carry the little gifts from guests out to the car while Audrey and Amelia fought over who would pay the bill.
Chapter 267
Today’s my treat. Don’t fight me on this,” Amelia said.
“You Introduced me to all these friends should be the one paying” Audrey insisted.
“When FlexiTech Group goes public, you can take me on vacation. Amelia handed her card to the serm
- server, who took it and processed the
The two women chatted and laughed as they walked outside. Jenna quickly ducked behind a pillar is Mrs. Windred really hanging out with Ms. Smoke? They seem pretty close. How is this even possible?‘ she thought
Audrey invited Amelia to stay at Hillcrest Gardens for a few days, but Amelia declined, saying she had other things Intake care of.
After dinner, Eden came to Hillcrest Gardens with Ted, bringing the shopping list for the week. Audrey Had told them before to maintain the same ́standards as always, so she wasn’t planning to look too closely at the details..
But as Audrey was about to sign Eden’s list, she hesitated.
The most expensive private chef plus ingredients in the country costs maybe 3000 dollars a day at most, but the kitchen budget for Winifred Manor is 10 thousand dollars? Are they eating gold flakes with caviar for all three meal?‘ Audrey thought.
“Are they picky about their ingredients?” Audrey looked up at Eden. “Does it really need to be this expensive? she thought
Eden wiped his nose with the back of his hand and looked down as he answered. “Mr. Logan Winifred and Mrs. Lucia Winifred are both in good health and have healthy appetites. They eat pretty much anything,”
That told Audrey everything she needed to know. She crossed out the amount with her pen and wrote down 3000 dollars instead.
*I know having money means you should eat well, but there’s no point in throwing it away like this.” Audrey hadn’t planned to look through everything so carefully, but after this discovery, she went back and reviewed the whole list again.
Lucia’s monthly allowance was 30 thousand dollars, and that didn’t even include her monthly clothing budget, styling costs, entertainment expenses, and art purchases.
All together, it came to around 150 thousand dollars. For a family like the Winifreds, it wasn’t much, but for Lucia personally, it was serious money.
No wonder Lucia always seemed so anxious. Once she got used to living this lavishly, there was no way she could ever go back to an ordinary Mestyle.
Audrey didn’t interfere with Lucia’s spending though, if Logan wanted to give her that money,
“Please keep a close eye on the ingredient costs
“Yes, Mrs. Winifred,” they both replied.
then she deserved it.
going forward,” Addrey said, handing the list back to the two housekeepers.
When Lucia saw that Audrey hadn’t cut her personal expenses, she felt much more relieved. “At the end of the day, I’m still her real mother, she thought. “She won’t be too harsh with me.”
The next day, Lucia asked Audrey to go see an art exhibition with her.
“I was in a bad mood yesterday and my tone was a bit harsh. Don’t take it to heart,” Lucia said.
After walking around for a while, the two sat down to rest in the gallery corridor. Audrey pulled out her own water bottle from her bag, unscrewed the cap, and took a sip.
Lucia noticed that Audrey’s attitude remained distant throughout, so she decided to stop trying so hard to please her. “Talia has married into the Tumer family now.
“Both the Price family and the Turner family have business dealings with the Winifred family. Mess with one family, you’re messing with all of them,”
Chapter 267
Audrey glanced at her coolly but didn’t say anything
Lucia continued, “Talia’s company is already failing, and your company has made it into the top five, You have everything now, so there’s no need to kick someone when they’re down.
“Here’s what I’ll do, I’ll make the decision for you. You take the project Keith offered, and we’ll call it
“What if I don’t agree?” Audrey put her water bottle back in her bag
Licia was about to lose her temper, but remembering the benefits she’d received, she scooted closer to Audrey and red to be patient
“Audrey, the business world isn’t about right and wrong. Your can’t just refuse to let things go when you’re in the right if you have a falling out with Price family, how is that poing to affect Yann’s relationship with his friend?” Lucia said.
Audrey let out a cold laugh. “When they were scheming against me, they didn’t care about Yann’s feelings. Now that I’m holding them suddenly they remember he exists?”
“Don’t be so stubborn. I’m doing this for your own good.*
“I don’t want your kind of help,”
Audrey leaned back languidly in the wrought iron chair and crossed her legs. “I haven’t even gone after you and Talia for plotting against me yet. gives you the right to play mediator?”
Lucia felt her skin crawl under Audrey’s sharp gaze. She turned her head to the side and raised her hand to tuck her hair behind her ear, trying to ide how guilty she felt.
“Does Talia have something on you?” Audrey asked suddenly.
“No,” Lucia quickly denied it, her brows furrowing with disapproval. “You’ve been like this since you were little–always suspicious of everyone and everything. I’m your mother, and everything I do is for your own good. You’re still young and don’t understand now, but someday you will.”
Lucia placed her hand on Audrey’s shoulder. “Just listen to me this time and let it go. In the future” Her words were cut short by footsteps echoing through the corridor as someone approached,
