Chapter 229
Yann laced his fingers more firmly through hers and said gently, “Alright.”
At that moment, Calvin opened the suite door. Earl, seated on the sofa, stood to greet them with a smile.
But when he saw the woman beside Yann, he paused, just for a second.
Hér presence was clean and youthful, and her gaze was sharp and intelligent.
But her attire was modest and unadorned, nothing like the daughters of elite families, nor the type of socialite who flaunted wealth online.
“This is Mr. Earl Adams,” Yann introduced. “He oversees urban planning and education. Mr. Adams, this is my wife, Audrey.”
“Mr. Adams, it’s a pleasure,” Audrey said, withdrawing her hand from Yann’s.
She placed her left hand lightly on Yann’s elbow while extending her right in a polite, measured handshake.
Earl was impressed by her composure. He returned a courteous grip, just the fingertips, brief and formal. “Mrs. Winifred, you seem quite remarkable.”
“You flatter me,” Audrey replied, modest and composed.
Yann invited Earl to the head of the table and took a seat beside Audrey.
No sooner had she sat down than she sensed someone watching. She turned her head casually and spotted a woman standing quietly behind Earl,
glasses perched on her nose.
She looked like an office professional, likely Earl’s secretary.
Her expression was layered–surprise, confusion, a flicker of resentment, and underneath it all, a trace of sympathy.
Noticing Audrey’s gaze, the secretary leaned toward Earl and murmured, “I’ll just grab a bite downstairs.”
Earl glanced at the table. The setting clearly indicated this was meant to be a private dinner.
Before he could speak, Audrey turned to Calvin. “Set two more places. You’re not outsiders. Just join us.”
The secretary met Audrey’s eyes again, this time with a quiet certainty. The sympathy she carried seemed to deepen.
After a short while, Earl asked what Audrey was currently working on.
She took the opportunity to talk about the software development work at her tech company.
“I heard you were the one who spotted Randy Flynn’s talent early on,” she said, lifting the wine decanter. “It was your recommendation that led to his software being adopted by the criminal investigations bureau. I was hoping to ask a favor.”
Earl, though not a heavy drinker, couldn’t decline in Yann’s presence. He reached for his glass.
“Half for you, half for me,” Audrey said with a smile,
Before he could protest, she raised her glass and drank her half cleanly.
Earl, slightly taken aback, followed suit. “You give me too much credit. It was a matter of timing. As far as I know, Randy’s still overseas. I’m not sure I can help.”
“He’s back,” Audrey said calmly.
StrideVestment had scheduled a meeting with him, but Randy had canceled last minute, saying he had a visit to the Price Manor.
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Chapter 229
Upon investigation, it turned out that the person who’d helped fund Randy’s education years ago was Edmund,
Audrey had been considering an early return to Ashbourne to speak to Randy in person until Yann arranged this dinner with Earl
She went on to outline her company’s strengths and long–term vision, expressing her genuine hope that Randy would consider joining
Earl listened quietly, then turned to Yann.
He now saw this dinner for what it was. Though it had appeared to be his own idea, the structure and timing suggested otherwise. Yann had set the stage to have him persuade Randy.
Yann could’ve done it with a single phone call, and Earl wouldn’t have refused. He might have even used the opportunity to request increased investment in Ironhaven.
But by letting Audrey take the lead, Yann shifted the meaning entirely.
It was about giving her room to grow and guiding her into the public eye gradually, not dropping her in all at once to face speculation and doubt.
“Mr. Winifred,” Earl raised his glass, “you two are the dream couple. Stay happy. Stay in love.”
Yann clinked glasses with him. “We will.”
Audrey lifted her glass right after, and the three drank in one go.
As Calvin got up to pour more wine, Earl stepped out to call Randy.
He returned shortly with good news.
Edmund hadn’t tried to bring Randy into StellarCore. He’d only asked about Randy’s time abroad, and casually touched on his relationship status.
According to Earl, Randy had his sights set on FlexiTech Group and was planning to reach out to them himself.
Audrey finally let out a breath of relief.
“Your company’s FlexiTech Group?” Earl turned to her, surprised. “Mrs. Winifred, you’re so young and already so accomplished. Mr. Winifred really lucked out.”
Yann took her hand, his gaze soft. “That’s true.”
On the way home, Audrey leaned against Yann’s arm and closed her eyes. “You brought me tonight to build my social skills, didn’t you? Grow my
network.”
She saw through it clearly. Earl held real power, and he and Yann were tied together by mutual interest.
If Yann wanted something, Earl was unlikely to say no.
So tonight’s dinner was, essentially, a public endorsement.
Yann shifted, spreading his legs so she could lie more comfortably across them. “Next time, stop drinking like it’s water,” he said, brushing a finger across her lips.
Audrey batted his hand away, kicked off her shoes, and sprawled back in her seat.
“Once I’m in your position, even if I wanted to drink like that, no one would dare let me.”
She found a more comfortable spot to rest her head. After a moment, she opened her eyes. “Earl’s secretary looked at me like she felt sorry for me. What did you say before I got there?”
“Nothing about you,” Yann replied as he adjusted her headband, which was pressing into his leg.
Chapter 229
Audrey didn’t press.
But a few minutes later, something came to mind.
She grabbed her phone and opened Yalvin’s forum.
A fresh post was gaining attention.
Someone claimed Yann and Calvin were actually a couple. Because of external pressure, Yann had brought a woman as a cover, one who knew exactly what was going on.
The dinner had originally been private, but it was the woman who’d suggested Calvin stay and eat with them.
That was how she got to witness Calvin’s quiet care toward Yann. And to avoid suspicion, Calvin had extended the same courtesy to the woman.
As Audrey read, the poster’s identity became obvious.
Baldwin saw a white Range Rover pulling out of the clubhouse and quickly honked, rolling down his window and waving.
The vehicle stopped, and he rushed over.
“So, who was…”
The window lowered, revealing Calvin’s face.
“Mr. Connor? What are you doing here?”
At that moment, Baldwin realized this must be the answer Audrey had alluded to.
Yann had once explained that his lover preferred to remain out of the public eye. But Baldwin now understood it was Calvin’s gender that rendered his presence in the spotlight impossible.
Thus, Yann had chosen to host a private dinner for Earl, not merely as a gesture of goodwill, but to reveal Calvin’s particular situation and enlist Earl’s help in maintaining discretion.
Now, Baldwin no longer harbored any doubt. The important guest was indeed Calvin, and more importantly, Calvin was the only one Yann held dear in his heart.
AD
