Chapter 225
Jocelyn had been through plenty of high–pressure situations, but the dangerous look in Paul’s eyes still sent a chill down her spine.
She instinctively stepped back. “I’ve got somewhere to be.”
With that, she turned and hurried off, not daring to look back.
Paul pressed his tongue against the inside of his cheek, gave a low snort of laughter, pulled out a bill and slid it under the coffee cup. Hands in his pockets, he strolled out of the café like he had all the time in the world.
Back in the study, Yann’s fingers paused over the keyboard. He glanced sideways at the other desk.
The same Audrey who just a while ago had teased about being too sensitive was now taking his advice without flinching.
If anything, her eyes sparkled with focus.
It was like she didn’t see him as someone judging her ideas, but as a tool for pressure testing them. Every question he asked was fuel for improvement.
She scribbled something on her pitch notes, marked a few areas, then opened her tablet to dig into government incentives for cosmetic medical
products.
Next, she was researching tariffs and international shipping options.
Then she felt it, that familiar heat of someone watching her.
She looked up and met Yann’s gaze.
His eyes were deep, like they could pull you right in. Audrey had stared at that face a hundred times, and still wasn’t immune.
“When my product’s ready,” she said, chin resting on her palm, “you’ll be my brand ambassador, yeah?”
Yann turned back to his screen. “What’s the pay?”
“What do you want?”
“I’ll do yours if you do mine. Same rate. Let’s see who sells more,” He clicked to close a window.
Audrey gave a wicked little grin. “Fair trade. I like it.”
Yann’s lips curved faintly, not quite a smile, but close.
Just as she was about to return to her work, Audrey’s phone buzzed. She glanced at the screen, and her eyes slowly widened.
Her investment portfolio had just been updated. One of the accounts had earned a twenty percent return in one month.
She looked up at Yann, startled.
He wasn’t looking at her, but the smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth said enough. He knew exactly what she’d seen.
“You did this?” she asked, standing up. “You took the car money and invested it?”
She had no idea where he’d put it, but the results spoke for themselves.
StrideVestment had managed the account, but Yann was the one who pulled the strings. She might’ve been listed as the investor, but she knew damn well who really ran the show. And the profits were all hers.
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Chapter 225
Yann didn’t say a word as she approached. He just tapped his mouse a few times.
Audrey slipped her arms around him from behind. A series of tabs closed instantly on his screen, too fast for her to catch what they were.
She figured it was work–related and let it go, resting her chin on his shoulder instead.
“So,” she purred, “what’d you invest in? That kind of return doesn’t just happen.”
Yann reached for her hand, opened a drawer, and pulled out a folder.
She let go of him and took it.
Inside was a portfolio summary. StrideVestment had also backed a rising tech company. One that operated in the same space as Talia’s firm, and was quickly becoming a direct competitor.
“Randy just got back in the country,” Yann said calmly. “I’ve already sent someone to approach him. If we bring him in, it could give us the edge over
Talia’s StellarCore.”
Audrey’s hand trembled as she held the document, her fingers tight with emotion. Her eyes stung, and her chest tightened.
Yann had seen through her, long before she realized it. He knew she didn’t want to be just another face in his bed and knew she wanted more than to be some trophy at his side or a weight around his neck.
He had carefully paved a way for her, shielded her from the world, and made sure her pride and dignity remained intact, even if it meant carving out a future just for her.
Audrey wrapped her arms around him, squeezing him tight: “You’re so good to me. What if I… ever fall out of love with you?”
As Yann turned, his arm accidentally brushed the mouse.
A strange sound suddenly blared through the study.
Audrey froze for a second, confused.
Yann quickly reached out, one hand covering her eyes, the other scrambling to shut it off.
She struggled to pull his hand away, and the weird sound finally stopped.
“What were you watching?” she asked suspiciously.
Yann looked at her, all calm seriousness. “You sure you wanna know?”
Audrey’s gut said nope. She turned to bolt, only to be yanked backward by the waist and dropped straight into his lap.
“Let go! I don’t wanna know!” she shrieked, smacking his chest. “I was in such a good emotional place. Don’t ruin it! Seriously, I’m not looking!”
The folder she’d been holding flopped onto the desk. She clapped both hands over her face in protest.
Yann just wrapped his arms around her, warm breath brushing her ear. Audrey tensed, instinctively curling into herself. A sliver of curiosity snuck in, and her fingers opened just a crack.
‘Oh no. Nope. Too much!‘ she thought.
But her hands kept opening. Her eyes peeked through, wide and very intrigued.
“Where did you even find that?” Audrey turned to him.
Yann gently pulled her hands away and whispered by her ear, “Wear it for me… and I’ll tell you.”
Chapter 225
Audrey crossed her arms instantly. “Not happening!”
But when she looked at him, those usually sharp, unreadable eyes were lit with mischief, hopeful, almost boyish,
Her heart melted a little.
She thought about everything he’d done for her, backing her silently and giving her a shot at beating Talia fair and square. It was not exactly the moment to play hardball.
Under the heat of his gaze, she sighed in defeat.
“Fine. Just this once, as a thank–you for earlier,” Audrey said, glancing again at the screen and instantly pulling a face. “Send me the link. I’ll buy it and wear it. For you.”
With a click, Yann closed the page.
Then, he took her hand and started leading her out of the room.
Felicity, hearing footsteps, looked up from downstairs. “Mr. and Mrs. Winifred, would you like a late–night snack?”
“No need. You can turn in,” Yann called down as he led Audrey back to their bedroom.
Audrey was still trying to process what was happening.
Like pulling a rabbit from a hat, Yann revealed a set of leopard–print lingerie, exactly like the one from the computer. The fabric was practically see- through, with only a few fuzzy patches for modesty..
Audrey instinctively backed away.
‘If wear that… there’s no way I’m sleeping tonight,’ she thought.
“Maybe… we save it for another time?” she suggested nervously.
But Yann was already blocking the doorway, eyes intense, like he was holding out a rare treasure.
Audrey braced herself in her mind. ‘Okay. It’s fine. Totally fine. Talia’s got her dad’s money. I’ve got this man and everything he’s built. That’s fair. This is just… a weird little trade–off.‘
Blushing furiously, she grabbed the outfit and darted into the bathroom.
The barely–there fabric felt like it was burning her hands. Audrey winced, trying to figure out how to even put it on. ‘Who invented thi thought, face twisted in disbelief.
Meanwhile, Yann sat on the edge of the bed, lids lowered, trying to hide the storm of anticipation building inside.
His fingers tapped faster and faster on the mattress, his calm facade clearly cracking.
Ten minutes later, he suddenly stood and strode to the bathroom, then, without warning, pushed the door open.
mare?!‘ she
“AHH!” Audrey screamed, spinning around mid–sock, one leg half–wrapped in black lace. Her cheeks turned crimson. “This thing is impossible!”
“I’ll help,” Yann said, voice low and husky, like velvet over gravel, warm and dangerous.
