Paul was never short of women around him.
But someone like Audrey, capable, principled, strikingly beautiful with a sharp, unmistakable presence, he had never met before.
It was as if some primal instinct in him had been awakened. The more unattainable the woman, the stronger the urge to prove himself.
Yet in her clear, deep eyes, there wasn’t a trace of admiration or dependence, not even the faintest flicker.
Just as Audrey reached for the door, he called out suddenly, “Audrey!”
She turned, and Paul was already striding toward her, hurrying around the chair with a purpose in his step, as if something pressing weighed on him.
Her face remained calm, the same polite, professional smile in place. “Yes?” she asked gently.
He drew a deep breath. “When I first started the company, things were tense with my family. The business was still in its infancy, and we were despesute for funding.
“Serena stepped in. She worked relentlessly, pulling strings and knocking on doors until we secured our first angel investment. Back then, Edana also kept operations afloat. Without them, we wouldn’t be where we are today.”
He paused. A flicker of conflict crossed his face. “I know the way they’ve treated you lately has been out of line. You’ve put up with more than you should’ve.
“But the company’s at a turning point now. We still need Serena’s help to get through it. I’m asking you to bear with it, for now. Once Series A is done, I’ll make things right. I promise.”
Paul rarely talked about the past. Too many tangled emotions, too many interests at stake.
But standing before this woman who stirred something in him he couldn’t quite name, he felt an urgent need to lay it all bare.
Audrey listened in silence.
Her eyes, clear as still water, gave nothing away. She looked like someone listening to a story that had nothing to do with her.
Paul finished, his eyes fixed on her face, searching for a reaction, any sign that his words had reached her.
But there was none.
Her expression hadn’t changed, still that poised, distant smile, polite, detached, and empty.
A wave of helplessness swept over him.
He sighed. “Go on. Get back to work.”
She responded without hesitation. “Okay.”
And just like that, she turned and walked out of the office.
It was almost lunchtime. As usual, Tiffany placed the order, Chicken Fajitas, the go–to choice.
The two of them headed out with a pair of intern secretaries in tow. Audrey wasn’t the chief secretary, but everyone instinctively led to her for
direction.
While they waited for their food, Audrey pulled out her phone and sent a message to Calvin.
[Stride Commerce is gearing up for Series A. Please get things ready.]
1/3
Chapter 176
The reply came almost instantly: [Mr. Winifred is already lined up.)
Yann had done more than just secure funding. He had assembled a team to support her, shield her, and help bring her ambitions to life.
Valerie had just taken the bandages off her face. Using her phone camera as a mirror, she studied her reflection with quiet satisfaction.
Imported medicine really did the trick.
Her face was still slightly swollen, but her skin looked noticeably smoother.
A sudden call startled her. The number was unfamiliar.
She swiped to answer. “Hello? Who’s this?”
A sweet female voice replied, “Hi, is this Ms. Valerie Patterson? I’m calling from Aegis Auctions.”
“How did you get my number?”
Though the voice was polite, Valerie remained cautious.
The woman on the other end sounded prepared for the question. “Seraphina Jewelry had tentatively registered an emerald brooch for our upcoming
auction.
“When we followed up, they informed us it had already been sold to you. So we obtained your contact details through the relevant channels.”
Her tone was gentle and sincere, disarming by design.
Valerie relaxed a little.
She lightly touched her cheek. It still hurt when she spoke, but the call had lifted her spirits.
“Oh, I see. So if I want to participate in the auction, what do I need to do? Anything I should prepare?”
She tried not to smile too widely, but the stretch still tugged at her healing mouth, making her wince.
The woman quickly added, “If you’re interested, I can have a specialist reach out to guide you through everything. We’d just need an address where we can reach you.”
Without hesitation, Valerie gave them Clayton’s address.
When the call ended, she was flushed with excitement. She threw her arms around Cheryl’s arm, eyes gleaming.
“Mom, we’re really going to make a fortune! This is incredible!” Her voice trembling with barely contained joy.
Cheryl caught her daughter’s enthusiasm and laughed too, though there was calculation behind her smile.
She patted Valerie’s hand lightly. “Sweetheart, let’s be clear. That 300 grand is mine. Anything above that, you keep.”
Valerie’s smile stiffened for a split second.
She hadn’t forgotten. It was only 260 thousand her mother had put in back then. And
I now she was claiming 300 thousand without blinking an eye.
Still, this wasn’t the time to argue. No matter how annoyed she felt, she swallowed it down and kept her smile bright and sweet. “Fine, whatever you say,” she replied smoothly. “As long as we get the money. But Clayton can’t suspect a thing.”
“I’ll meet with them tonight to discuss terms. You head to the hospital and keep him there, do whatever it takes. He can’t come home.”
Chapter 176
Cheryl had half a mind to go along, not out of distrust, but because opportunities like this were rare in a lifetime.
But if Clayton came home early, the whole plan would fall apart.
He was desperate for cash. If he insisted the brooch was marital property and demanded half, their scheme would collapse.
“Don’t worry. I’ve got it handled.”
As night fell, Valerie returned home, and Cheryl made her way to the Ironhaven Medical Center.
Clayton lay in bed, pale and frail. His stomach had been weak to begin with, and ever since that last outburst left him vomiting, even food made him sick. He’d lost weight rapidly, his face drawn and spirit dulled.
