Chapter 147
Chapter 147
Three days flew by. With the project contract still unsigned, Luther grew antsy and invited Paul out for dinner.
“Audrey, any word from Ms. Hale?” Paul asked.
“Ms. Hale’s been out of Ironhaven lately,” Audrey said, keeping it straightforward. “But she should be back soon.”
She’d been chatting with Amelia on the phone these past couple of days and could tell Arnelia was getting anxious. Chances were Cecilia had tracked down her grandson and was locked in a custody battle with the other party.
Luther scowled. He wanted Paul to speed things up.
Promises didn’t mean squat until they for good.
20
written in
black and white. Since his part needed upfront cash, any accidents and that money word wa
But Paul’s behavior threw him off. Paul watched Audrey intently, kept refilling her coffee, and even made excuses to stop her from drinking.
Luther zeroed in on the faint hickeys still lingering on Audrey’s neck and his eyes narrowed mischievously.
“Mr. Gibson, you’re so laid–back. It must mean this deal’s a done deal,” he said, swirling his wine server and eyeing Audrey. “Audrey, I agreed to all your demands. You won’t leave me hanging, right?”
As he raised his glass, Audrey reached for her wine server, but Paul stopped her. He took it, clinked it with Luther’s, poured half into his own, and lifted his own. “How’s Mrs. Kent holding up? Maybe Audrey and I can swing by and say hi.”
Audrey felt awkward. Paul had been acting differently ever since Edana left. He was too attentive.
Luther’s gaze bounced between their wine servers, his smile hard to read.
Paul shrugged casually. “She’s under the weather. Women get those days, you know? I’ll cover for her.” He tipped back his glass in a big gulp, showing his sincerity.
Luther couldn’t argue, so he took a sip and excused himself to the restroom.
Audrey said, “Mr. Gibson, are you…” ‘Are you misunderstanding something?‘ she thought.
Before she could finish, Paul waved her off with a smile. “You need to pace yourself. Leave someone like Luther to me.” He picked up a nearby hot beverage and poured a cup for Audrey. “If you need a hand with Ms. Hale, just say the word.”
Audrey held the cup, hesitated briefly, and took a small sip.
It took Luther forever to come back, and he brought a woman with him. “Would you believe it? Serena’s having dinner here too.”
Paul’s fork dropped on the plate. He looked up, still wearing that smug, roguish smile, though a flash of sharpness darted through his eyes.
“You must be Audrey,” Serena said with a smile, extending her hand. “I’m Serena, Edana’s cousin. Mr. Gibson’s…” She glanced at Paul. “Good friend.”
Audrey felt the undercurrent between Serena and Paul but stood calmly to greet her.
The moment they shook hands, Serena squeezed hard, her gaze provocative, while Audrey wore a polite, distant smile.
Serena relied on brute force, aiming to catch Audrey off guard and leave her flustered. But Audrey suddenly pressed her thumb into a Serena’s wrist. A piercing pain shot through Serena, and she yanked her hand back with a gasp.
With a thud, the wine server on the table was knocked over, spilling wine all over Serena.
Paul’s eyes narrowed sharply. He clenched his fork tightly, staring at Serena with a dark, heavy gaze.
spot on
Chapter 147
Serena bit her lip, forcing a relaxed tone. “Sorry, I drank a little too much earlier. I won’t disturb your meal. I’ll come to visit Mr. Gibson as she left, she patted Paul’s shoulder.
Serena thought Paul would follow her out. She slowed down at the door and glanced back, only to see him already eating. From the moment she entered to when she left, Paul hadn’t said a word to her as if they didn’t know each other at all.
Serena’s expression changed. She slammed the door hard and walked away visit Layla another day but changed his mind after dinner, saying
ulu said
Probably Luther bringing Serena around had ticked Paul off. He’d originally
“Why wait when today works?”
he
Luther couldn’t say no, so the three of the
ent to the hospital together.
Audrey offered to buy get–well gifts and took the
e stairs up alone. In the surgical ward, she ran into Carson.
“Clay’s in the hospital again.” Carson didn’t even try to hide the sneer on his face. “Ever since he married Valerie, he’s been getting beat up nonston What a weird way to pay back a favor. I’ve never seen anything like that.”
This time, Clayton was covered in bruises, but none were even bad enough to count as minor injuries. No matter what Lillian said, he refused to call the cops. Chances were he knew who did it.
“Wanna go take a peek?” Carson grinned slyly.
“Nope. I’m here with my boss to see Mrs. Kent.” Audrey knew he wanted her to go make fun of Clayton, but she had no time for that nonsense.
Hearing that, Carson handed the medical chart he was holding to the nurse’s desk. “I’ll come up
Ding. The elevator reached their floor right then.
with you then.”
Carson motioned for her to take the elevator. As they got to the door, Lillian walked out. “Audrey?”
After a round of treatment, her eyes didn’t squint anymore, but her mouth still drooped a bit, and she had to keep a handkerchief handy to wipe her
saliva.
When Lillian saw the gifts Audrey was carrying, her eyes lit up.
Putting on her “high–and–mighty lady” act, she snapped, “I knew you still had feelings for Clay. Since you’re so eager, you can take care of him the next few days.”
Lillian glanced at the supplements in Audrey’s hands and shook her head. “His stomach’s sensitive, so he can’t eat that stuff. Make him something nourishing, not too oily. Keep it simple. Also…”
Even Carson, an outsider, couldn’t stand it and quickly cut in, “Mrs. Patel, you’ve got the wrong idea.”
Lillian wiped the saliva from her mouth and said crossly, “Enough. I know the whole story. She was the one who asked for a divorce, and now she’s got the nerve to want him back.”
She turned to Audrey. “Take good care of Clay. When he gets out, I’ll make sure he marries you again. But let me lay it out straight.
“After remarriage, you can’t act out of line like before. Our family’s doing well is what keeps your life good. Got that?”
Carson let out a sarcastic laugh and looked at Audrey, only to see her smiling in a way that sent shivers down his spine.
‘Oh no,‘ he thought. ‘Lillian’s really digging her own grave.‘
“Vally’s been a better wife than you ever were. She’s sweet to Clay and treats me right too. I only let you two be together because I felt bad for how alone you were and because you actually love Clay.”
Chapter 147
Even though Lillian hated Valerie, in front of Audrey she couldn’t help but try to put her down. Making Audrey always thankful to the Patel family was how she kept her under control.
She turned toward the hospital room and frowned when Audrey didn’t follow. “You’re already here. Stop being so shy,” she snapped.
Audrey called out, “Sounds like Valerie really does treat you well. Otherwise, why’s your mouth so crooked from joy?”
