Chapter 338
Chapter 338
After Yann left, Paul mimed stabbing his own eyes out, which nearly made Audrey spit out her milk.
“What the hell was that?”
“I must’ve been blind!”
Tiffany stifled a laugh and poked him with a folder. Paul quickly backtracked. “No, I mean, I’ve met all kinds of people, but somehow I didn’t realize you were the real boss!”
He’d known who Yann was for a long time, though Yann had no idea who he was.
Wanting to build a connection but lacking access, Paul had tried to win him over indirectly, hiring people that fit Yann’s known preferences, hoping one might catch his eye.
It was questionable, sure, but it was the best strategy he could come up with.
Audrey had been hired not just because she met Stride Commerce’s requirements, but also because of a tiny mole near the corner of her eye.
Paige and Dorothy had also been shortlisted, but Audrey was clearly the best option.
What he never expected was that while he was trying to get close to Yann through his love life, Yann’s wife had already infiltrated his company and ended up as its largest shareholder.
Technically, Paul still held management rights. But in practice, he now worked for Audrey.
Watching Yann’s earlier attitude toward Audrey had left Paul with very mixed feelings.
The man he was so desperate to impress was clearly the one trying to win favor with Audrey, which meant if he played his cards right with her, he’d please Yann too.
Then he remembered those brief, ambiguous feelings he’d once had for Audrey, and gave himself a slap. If he’d dared pursue her back then, he’d probably be six feet under by now.
“What now?” Audrey glanced at Tiffany. “Has he been like this lately?”
Tiffany, startled, nearly dropped her folder and quickly shook her head.
Since learning who Audrey really was, Paul had grown far more confident even at client meetings, and had been chasing deals with unprecedented enthusiasm.
But today, something was clearly off. The moment he saw Audrey, he started poking his eyes and slapping himself.
Sliding his chair closer, Paul leaned in. “Ms. Henderson, considering how dedicated I’ve been, any chance of a small bonus?”
Audrey set down her cup and dabbed the corner of her mouth with a napkin. “Actually, I’ve changed my last name. It’s Audrey Brown now. Emilia will handle the paperwork.”
Paul and Tiffany exchanged a baffled look. Neither/understood why she’d changed her name so suddenly.
Audrey didn’t keep them guessing. She briefly explained her family situation.
Paul listened with his mouth open and then gave her a thumbs–up, thoroughly impressed.
He updated her on the company’s current status and handed over a few documents that required her input. She kept two of them as ones she needed to discuss with Yann.
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Chapter 338
When it came to business, he was the expert.
Just as the conversation veered toward gossip, Yann came down from upstairs, his tone gentle but unmistakably urging Audrey to rest.
Paul and Tiffany took the hint. They stood up to leave.
As they did, Paul kept shooting Audrey exaggerated winks, contorting his face so much it looked like it might cramp.
“That’s Paul Gibson,” Audrey said, looping her arm through Yann’s. “He runs Stride Commerce. Back when I worked there, he looked out for me”
Only then did Yann glance at Paul. “Thank you for taking care of her.”
“That’s the least I can do!” Paul beamed like he’d won a prize.
By the next morning, word of Audrey’s return to Ironhaven had already spread through Stride Commerce.
Naturally, the transport team working with them heard as well. Neil mentioned it casually to Clayton after work.
The name hit Clayton like a spark to dry kindling. Plans immediately began forming in his mind.
Lately, his life had descended into chaos.
The Woodsons had promised Valerie fifty thousand dollars, but the moment the police escorted her back to Ashbourne, the offer vanished.
Only then did Valerie realize the entire agreement had been a trap. The Woodsons had accepted her terms to appear magnanimous, positioning themselves as victims on moral high ground.
badacco offer
They adored Riley. It was Valerie who had insisted on taking her away. The fifty thousand had been offered to ensure Riley’s comfort, tuition and living
expenses.
But Valerie had left illegally and was forcibly detained. Even if they had honored the deal, she wouldn’t have been able to care for the child. The breach, in the end, was hers. She’d lied, overreached, and in their eyes, extorted.
Wyatt refused to file for divorce, so Alexa did it herself. Courts rarely grant a first petition, but Alexa was resolute. She intended to file again once the six- month period passed.
With Valerie’s burn stabilized, she was returned to Ashbourne. Riley, meanwhile, never made it there. Without an enrolled school, no new one would
accept her.
Alexa had already cast off her husband. She certainly had no intention of taking back a resentful daughter or a paralyzed mother–in–law. So Riley and Lillian moved into Clayton’s cramped apartment.
Lillian and Riley shared the bedroom while Wyatt and Clayton slept in shifts on the living room couch. With four people crammed into one bedroom and one living room, showering was out of the question, and using the bathroom required a schedule.
Wyatt blamed Clayton for everything. His gaze, once indifferent, had grown cold and accusatory.
One night, Clayton dreamed Wyatt smothered him with a pillow. He woke in a sweat to find Wyatt sitting silently across from him, cigarette burning between his fingers, eyes heavy with something unreadable.
From that moment on, Clayton began avoiding home, claiming long hours at work to keep his distance.”
Audrey had become the only light left in his collapsed world.
If she remembered what they once had and if she’d reach out just once, maybe he could climb out of this mess.
He’d heard she’d sold the Kinsia House condo and bought two smaller units in another complex, both for rent.
09:03 Fri, 20 Jún (
Chapter 338
Maybe she’d lease one to him.
The thought alone lifted his spirits. That day, he even smiled. His coworkers joked he must’ve won the lottery.
Clayton just smiled and said nothing.
After work, he went straight to Stride Commerce.
At the front desk, he was asked to sign in. The receptionist picked up the phone. “A Mr. Patel is here to see Ms. Brown…”
“No, Ms. Henderson,” Clayton interrupted, correcting her quickly.
She glanced at him but didn’t respond. Into the phone, she continued, “No appointment. Says he once did Ms. Brown a great favor.”
Clayton opened his mouth again, but she’d already hung up. “Please wait. Mr. Gibson will be right down.”
Just as she finished speaking, the elevator doors opened. Paul stepped out, briefcase in hand, Paige trailing hirm, mid–sentence.
“Mr. Gibson,” the receptionist said, standing. She gave Clayton a look. “This
M
”
Paul glanced at him again, still not recognizing the man. He and Paige stepped to either side, trying to get a better look at his face.
