Chapter 222
Talía composed hersell quickly after pressing the doorbell, assuming an air of elegance. Zoe greeted her coolly upon opening the door “Come in, Mis Winifred just returned.”
Talia dodged Zoe’s outstretched hand to take the gift and marched straight inside. Zoe shot a disdainful glance at her back.
Audrey emerged from the guest restroom, drying her hands, to find Talia standing in the living room, peering around. Talia was stunningly dressed, clearly having gone to great lengths to attract Yann.
“Zoe, bring some coffee for us, please,” Audrey said with a polite smile.
Talia tried hard to hide disdain in her eyes but failed as she turned to Audrey. The house was sparsely decorated, as if hastily furnished to fool other people. Audrey wore no luxury brands; her cheap clothes only looked passable because of her good figure.
“Please take a seat,” Talia said, placing the gift box on the coffee table before bending to sit on the sofa, adopting the posture of a hostess. Zoe rolled her eyes at Talia’s arrogance as she brought the coffee from the kitchen.
Audrey soothed Zoe with a glance before sitting across from Talia.
Talia lifted the coffee cup to smell its aroma. Though Audrey’s furniture was modest, the coffee was excellent. She took a sip, impressed, then another before asking, “Who else lives here with you?”
Audrey took a sip of coffee before replying, “Sorry. No comment.”
Talia froze. She didn’t expect such a blunt rebuff. She sniffed the coffee again, then said with a smirk, “The Price family’s business ties with the Winifred family are complex, and Ashbourne’s commercial circles are more intricate.”
“I don’t know why Yann chose to marry you, but since he did, he must hope you can consider the big picture,” she added.
Talia set down her cup and looked at Audrey seriously. “You must understand what I mean.”
Audrey shook her head. “Actually, not quite. Can you put it straightforward?”
Talia scoffed, gesturing at the generic furniture. “This is the default decor provided by Royal House for all owners. Clearly, Yann doesn’t care much about this place.” Her glance at Audrey implied he cared no more for her.
“I don’t live here full–time, but I still have a butler and three servants. That’s the minimum standard,” she added.
Audrey smiled at Zoe. “Zoe was just hired recently. I used to clean the house myself.”
Talia had anticipated this, her eyes triumphant. She still didn’t believe Yann had truly married a nobody–this must all be a front.
“Don’t you get it?” Talia said.
“Get what?” Audrey asked.
Talia glanced at Zoe, then back at Audrey, hoping the maid would leave. But Audrey just stared back blankly, holding her coffee cup.
“Go to your room,” Talia ordered Zoe.
Zoe stayed firmly behind Audrey.
Talia sighed, “Ms. Henderson, I’d prefer she not hear our conversation.”
Only then did Audrey say, “Zoe, start making soup now. He should be back soon.”
“Yes, Mrs. Winifred,” Zoe emphasized Audrey’s title before retreating to the kitchen.
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09:12 Wed, 11 Jun
Chapter 222
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Once alone, Talia patted the spot beside her, urging Audrey to sit closer. But Audrey stayed put, refilling her coffee, “What exactly do you want to say
Talia gritted her teeth, suppressing her irritation. “Yann doesn’t stay here often, does he?”
Audrey nodded.
“And you haven’t slept together?” Talia pressed.
Audrey blinked.
To Talia, this reaction confirmed her suspicions. “Yann married you as a cover, but you’re not fit to be his wife. I hope you know your place and leave him before it’s too late.”
Audrey smiled broadly, crossing her legs. “Whatever his reasons, my quality of life has improved. You’re already well–off–why do you still resort to men? What’s your real motive for urging me to leave?”
Talia’s smile faltered. She looked up at the air conditioner. “Is your AC broken? It’s stuffy in here.”
Avoiding the question meant guilt. Audrey decided to lean into being “shameless.” She couldn’t lose to Talia’s provocation.
“Are you jealous? I’m not as well–born or capable as you, but Mr. Winifred chose me. Maybe he likes how compliant I am?” Audrey said.
Talia clenched her fists. Audrey was nothing but a bitch, not the self–reliant woman others described.
“Audrey, you’re digging your own grave,” Talia hissed.
Audrey replied, “Oh, I thought I was building a love nest.
“I could never afford a Royal House villa on my salary, but now Mr. Winifred allows me to live here and has hired a servant for me.
I’m an easily satisfied person. With money, I can live without love. But if he offers both, I’d even follow him to hell.”
Talia could no longer feign politeness. Audrey felt that Talia might attack her with her sharp chin. So she got up, took a few steps away, and touched the wine cabinet beside her.
“The decoration of this house means nothing to me,” Audrey said. “Even if Yann installs a golden toilet for me, it can only be used for shitting. He might as well spend the money on me.”
Talia’s face turned pale. Not only was Audrey bitchy, but she was also vulgar, rude, and greedy, with no taste for quality life at all.
Wealthy families all liked to decorate their houses with valuable paintings and antiques, but Audrey simply didn’t care about such things.
Talia thought Audrey might as well sell the Royal House and move to a shabby little flat, so that she could have tens of millions of dollars more to squander.
But Yann also lived here. He couldn’t possibly let her sell the house. In this house, Audrey only had the right to use it, not the right to
Taking a deep breath, Talia tried again. “Ms. Henderson, this is why you and Yann are incompatible. Your values-”
se of it.
