Chapter 174
Audrey steeled herself and offered a final suggestion through clenched teeth.
“Just tell him you stepped out to answer a call from your wife.”
“What?” Calvin, still hot and flushed from his workout, felt a chill run through him.
Yann was the jealous type. If he ever found out, he’d probably drag him into the ring for a beating.
The salary might be generous, but bruises still hurt, and unless absolutely necessary, he’d rather avoid them.
“Just say it!” Audrey stressed. “You need to look like you’re happily married, especially in front of him.”
Calvin didn’t know the full story, and it wasn’t the time to ask. He simply agreed.
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“Also, I want to keep working with Baldwin. If he asks you for a favor and it doesn’t conflict with Yann’s plans, help him out,” she added before hanging
- up.
Back in the café, Calvin gave a slightly awkward explanation. “My partner called.”
Not mentioning the gender only strengthened Baldwin’s belief that he was gay.
“You two seem pretty close,” Baldwin said, visibly moved.
Calvin nodded. Audrey wanted him to act affectionate, but he didn’t even have a girlfriend. He could only channel Yann’s perspective. “Whenever I’m on a trip, he keeps calling to check what I’m up to.”
Baldwin’s smile froze on his face, and he nearly rubbed the skin off his hand from nervous fidgeting. “That’s… sweet.”
Calvin thought for a moment, then added, “It’s been seven years. We finally made it work. Hopefully, for life.”
Baldwin was stunned, thinking, ‘Seven years? No wonder Yann’s never had any rumors with women. He’s been entangled with Calvin all along. Even the coldest heart would’ve softened by now.‘
Calvin casually shared a few stories of Yann’s quiet affection toward Audrey, then finally asked, “So, what did you want to talk about?“.
Now back on track, Baldwin relaxed and explained his visit.
He wanted to take over a project bid previously won by Hawdia/Group.
Calvin offered a few pointers, though the actual execution would be up to Baldwin to weigh.
As they parted, Baldwin slid a contract toward Calvin. “This came from a debt repayment. I won’t use it. Mr. Jenkins, maybe your family could use a better place to live. That neighborhood has excellent facilities.”
Calvin opened it, property papers, for a unit in the same complex where Audrey had just bought two apartments.
“I can’t accept this,” he refused immediately.
Baldwin pushed it back. “Everything’s done. You just need to sign. The deed will be in your name. Just a token of appreciation. If you don’t take it, I’ll feel awkward asking you for help in the future.”
Thinking of Audrey’s plans for long–term cooperation, Calvin didn’t decline again.
“I’ll hold onto it for now.”
“Perfect!”
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Chapter 174
Baldwin saw him off with satisfaction, then immediately called Nash.
“Nash, you were right! Their relationship’s real. Mr. Winifred called all the way from Ashbourne to check in…”
Unaware of the drama, Calvin stepped into the blazing sun and suddenly sneezed.
He rubbed his nose, tossed his backpack into the trunk, and started the car to pick up Audrey.
Audrey finally met Cecilia.
The older woman had been secretly searching for her grandson while keeping it hidden from Amelia. It had been a draining battle of wits between the two.
When she saw the contract and confirmed the ten percent profit bump, she looked at Audrey with surprise.
“How did you get Paul to agree?”
Audrey didn’t hide anything. She explained the conflict with Flora and the deal she made with Luther.
Cecilia picked up the pen, silently conceding that Amelia had chosen an impressive girl, but at least her son had gotten ahead of them, with a child on the way.
She signed and handed the contract to her secretary.
“Since you’re leading the project,” she said with a faint smile, “come with me to Haldenwick.”
“Haldenwick?” Audrey mentally checked. Stride Commerce had no business there. It must be a personal errand. “Alright.”
The stamped contract returned, official and binding.
As Cecilia watched Audrey leave, a glint of calculation passed through her eyes. Amelia had made enough trouble for her. It was time to return the favor.
Just as Audrey stepped out of the office tower, a car horn sounded behind her.
She turned to see a car slowly approaching. Calvin parked, unlocked the doors, and she got into the back seat.
“How did it go?” she asked, referring to his meeting with Baldwin.
“He’s aiming for Hawdia Group’s project,” Calvin replied, handing her a contract from the front seat. “He gave me this. I’ll have it processed under your
name.”
Audrey glanced at the document, then returned it. “He gave it to you. You should keep it.”
She felt, in some strange way, that she had tarnished Calvin’s reputation, and she owed him for that.
No matter how much Yann gave her, she wasn’t in a position to repay anyone right now. The least she could do was not take from him.
Calvin was about to insist, but Audrey smiled. “You were my neighbor at Kinsia House. Can’t you still be my
or now?”
He laughed, conceding.
“By the way, what’s your relationship with Marlyn?” she asked, remembering the elderly woman with the plump little grandson.
“A distant relative,” Calvin said as he drove. “After my parents passed, I stayed with her for a while.”
His father had taken on a factory contract and become the target of jealousy in the village. Someone had laced their food with poison. His parents, his younger sister, and even the family dog, none survived.
He was away at university at the time, the only one spared.
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Chapter 174
Back then, grief and rage consumed him. He found release in underground fight clubs, nearly losing his life more than once. That was when he met Yann
Yann helped him win the case and restore justice. After graduation, Calvin began working for him.
“But Yann has no operations in Ironhaven. What are you doing for him here?” Audrey picked up on the slip.
Calvin rubbed the bridge of his nose, realizing he’d said too much.
He couldn’t admit his real task was to keep an eye on her. I’m his off–the–record bodyguard. Whenever he travels, I go with him. No one knows, so no one watches out for me.”
“Didn’t expect being a CEO to be a high–risk job,” she murmured.
Calvin thought, ‘Being his shield is even riskier.‘
He dropped her off at the Stride Commerce building. Her own car was still parked there, so she could drive home after work.
Just before she got out, she turned and said, “Make sure you get that deed signed in your name.”
“Will do,” he replied, driving off.
As Audrey walked toward the entrance, Paul’s car rolled up. The passenger window lowered halfway. Serena looked at her with a deliberate, taunting
smile.
Audrey didn’t flinch. She believed the only smile that mattered was the one at the end.
She entered the office building just a few steps ahead of Paul. His face showed both eagerness and faint anxiety.
“Did Ms. Hale sign?” he asked directly.
Without a word, she handed him the contract. Paul flipped straight to the final page. His smile broke out like a spark catching fire.
“With these two projects,” Serena said, though her eyes were locked on Audrey, “Series A will be in the bag. Once I’m a shareholder, you won’t have to work so hard anymore.”
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