Chapter 308
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The mirth hadn’t yet faded from Jocelyn’s eyes when her lips twisted into a grimace, leaving her expression eerily distorted. She never expected to run into Yann here. “M–Mr. Winifred.”
Just minutes earlier, after Clayton had been dragged away by security, Yann had headed to the lounge.
Hugo told him about Clayton’s desperate plea to see Audrey and the woman who had lurked in the shadows and followed Clayton.
Yann ordered Hugo to stay guard and went after them himself. So he had just heard every word Jocelyn said to Clayton.
“Ms. Clark.” Yann’s voice was icy. “Do you think Talia’s having too easy a time inside?”
Jocelyn narrowed her eyes. Her hands clenched into fists. She knew exactly what Talia endured in prison, and she had even filed complaints. But each protest only worsened Talia’s suffering.
She had long suspected orchestrated retaliation, and now, Yann confirmed it outright. It was not just a warning but a taunt.
Jocelyn pleaded, “Mr. Winifred, Talia made mistakes, but she has paid for them. Please show mercy.”
Yann sneered, “The sun is still up, and you’re already dreaming.”
Jocelyn knew Yann had a sharp tongue, but she hadn’t expected it to cut this deep.
Her face cycled between pale and livid before she took a deep breath and squared her shoulders. “What happened with Eclat was my doing alone. Punish me if you must, but don’t take it out on Talia.”
Yann looked at her with icy eyes. “You want to reunite you with her behind bars?”
Jocelyn’s mouth snapped shut.
“Good. I’ll make it happen.”
“Mr. Winifred, please…”
Yann strode past her without a second glance. When Jocelyn moved to follow, Calvin blocked her path. “Today’s guest list is exclusive. Trash and strays aren’t welcome.”
Jocelyn gritted her teeth. She dared not argue with Yann, but Calvin was nobody to her. “Who do you think you are? Audrey is a fig leaf for your relationship. You stick to Yann like glue. Aren’t you afraid someone will find out the truth?”
Calvin was speechless, thinking, ‘Gossiping behind closed doors is one thing, but saying this shit to my face? If Audrey or the guests caught wind of it, the consequences would be disastrous.‘
He yanked out his phone and dialed a number. “Yeah, we’ve got an uninvited pest near the parking lot side entrance. Send security.”
Realizing he was calling the hotel manager, Jocelyn turned to leave, but Calvin blocked her path again.
Jocelyn hissed. “You just told me to go!”
Calvin pointed at the bushes. “Exit the way you came.”
Jocelyn had slithered through a gap in the hedges unnoticed. Doing it again under Calvin’s mocking stare was unthinkable.
Calvin thought, ‘Slandering my relationship with Yann? I’ll make sure she learns her lesson.‘
She sneered, “The manager is on his way, He’ll blacklist you and hand you over to the police. I’ll be filing a formal complaint about their negligence.”
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Chapter 308
Jocelyn was seething. She couldn’t afford to be detained. She needed to stay free to pull strings for Talia.
“Fine. I’ll crawl,” Jocelyn spat before slowly crouching down, Humiliation burned through her as she inched through the thorny bushes.
The moment she emerged on the other side, the manager arrived. “Mr. Jenkins, where’s the trespasser?”
“She just crawled through there.” Calvin pointed to the bushes.
Jocelyn was picking thorns from her clothes when Calvin’s words made her jerk–a sharp prick drawing blood.
She fumed inwardly, thinking, ‘What a bastard! He said he could let me go, yet still tattled.
She spun on her heel and ran away. The manager gave chase. “Stop. Stop right there!”
Calvin straightened his tie, satisfied. He went to see Yann, meeting him near the side entrance. “Leave it to me.”
“I’ve already contacted the security agency.” Yann had no intention of letting Clayton off easy.
Yann and Calvin returned to the lounge. The door opened, and the noise from outside roused Audrey from her nap. Rubbing her eyes, she sat up. “Is it
over?”
“Almost. The guests are leaving now.” Yann’s voice softened as he handed her a glass of water. He waited until she was fully awake before leading her out.
“I’m not drunk. I can still drink.” Lena brandished a bottle in one hand while clutching Owen’s sleeve with the other. “Whoever quits is a puppy!”
Owen stood in his rumpled white shirt with an undone bowtie and unbuttoned collar. His arms hovered protectively around Lena’s swaying frame. “Fine, I’m a puppy. Happy now?”
“You’re my puppy.” Lena giggled. She spotted Audrey and promptly released Owen, stumbling toward her.
But Yann yanked her back by the collar. “Stand straight.”
Lena wobbled but made a valiant effort. “Audrey, I have a puppy. See? …” She turned to point but pitched backward with a dizzy gasp.
She braced herself for impact. After all, Yann would never catch her. But instead of hitting the floor, she landed in someone’s arms. She stared at the man’s face for a few seconds, then mumbled, “My puppy.”
“I’ll arrange a ride for you,” Yann said, pulling out his phone.
Owen quickly interjected, “I’ll drive take her home. I’m heading out anyway.” He turned to Audrey with a polite nod. “Drop by our place sometime.”
“Will do. Thanks for handling Lena. She’s a handful when she’s like this,” Audrey replied. Then, she gently coaxed Lena, “Be good.”
Lena shoved Owen away and lunged for Audrey again. “No. I’m sleeping with you tonight.”
Yann clamped a hand over Lena’s mouth, his expression one of pure distaste. “You reek of alcohol.”
Lena pouted, feeling wronged. She had only drunk so much to shield Audrey from toast. This was her thanks? No praise, just complaints about her smell.
Then it hit her. Audrey was pregnant. She couldn’t stand the liquor fumes.
Grinning, Lena reached for Audrey’s belly, only for Yann to smack her hand away.
Now genuinely hurt, Lena clutched her stinging fingers, lips trembling.
“You worked hard today, Lena. I’ll give you a gift,” Audrey said quickly, grabbing her hand to soothe it before pulling a gift–wrapped box from the bag in Sylvie’s hand and pressing it into Lena’s arms.
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In B
Chapter 308
Lena’s tears vanished instantly. “Yann, you still owe me forty thousand
dollars.”
Yann sighed, “Keep dawdling, and that check’s void.”
“I’m leaving right now.” Lena yanked Owen’s sleeve. “Go, my puppy.”
As Audrey watched them leave, an uneasy feeling settled in her chest. She tightened her grip on Yann’s arm. “Lena will be alright, won’t she?”
Too many novels hinged on drunken one–night stands that turned lovers into strangers or enemies.
Owen was Amelia’s stepson. If things went south, the fallout would be unbearable.
“Owen’s jacket got ruined by her puke,” Yann muttered, leading Audrey forward.
If Owen had no feelings for Lena, he would have fled the moment Lena started slurring.
“And his death compensation? You said you were safekeeping it for me. Well, when do you plan to hand it over?”
