Chapter 149
“Clay, what are you doing out of bed? Look at your state. You need to lie down and rest. Lillian’s voice trembled with worry.
Without waiting for an answer, she barked at Audrey, “Hurry and support Clay. If you drive him into a fit and something bad happens, you’ll regret it for the rest of your life.”
“Audrey.” Paul descended the stairs, his face lighting up at the sight of her. “I was starting to think you’d gotten lost.”
“Not at all.” Audrey smiled. “I bumped into Dr. Wilson. He said he had to check on Mrs. Kent upstairs, so I got held up.”
In an instant, Clayton’s eyes shifted from desperate pleading to cold hostility. He charged forward and planted himself between Audrey and Paul
“Tell me who it is!” he snarled. “Is it Paul, or that goddamn other guy?”
Reaching out with his bleeding hand, he tried to grab Audrey’s shoulder, but Paul slapped it away. “Keep your hands off her.”
Clayton whirled on Paul, rage boiling in his
Paul’s casual clothes made him look
moes. “This is between me and her. Mr. Gibson, you’re butting into things that don’t concern you.”
He said, “Mr. Patel, you’re remarried. Audro
like a street tough than a CEO. He smirked scornfully, composedly snatching the gift box from Audrey’s hands.
can date whomever she wants. I’m her boss, and let’s face it. We’re closer than you are.”
His emphasis on “closer” was deliberate, and it worked. Clayton’s eyes flared with anger. His chest heaved as he gasped for breath.
The once–polished, elegant man now looked gaunt, a far cry from Paul’s confident swagger.
Lillian flagged down a nurse to deal with Clayton’s still–bleeding hand.
“Relax your hand,” the nurse said, gripping his wrist. She pried his fingers open, skillfully placed a sterile pad on the wound, and said, “Hold this down.”
But Clayton refused to cooperate. Defiantly, he balled his hand into a fist again.
The freshly applied bandage popped open, blood oozed from the needle mark once more, and Lillian paced frantically. “Audrey! Are you trying to kill him with anger?”
When Audrey was unmoved, Lillian’s concern for her son spilled into a blind rage. She blurted out, “You just divorced Clay and you’re already hunting for the next guy. Are you that desperate? Can’t you survive without a man?”
This time Audrey’s eyes sparked. A bitter smirk tugged at her lips.
She said, “Making friends makes me a slut? Then what’s your son doing? Marrying someone right after dumping me? Is that classy? Or how about whining for his ex–wife after marrying his savior who he had long pined for? What’s that called? Trashy?”
Lillian and Clayton froze, speechless.
Audrey continued, “I paid my own way in that marriage, and I’m still standing fine without him. But your perfect new daughter–in–law? I bet she’d shrivel up like a raisin without a man’s wallet to cling to.”
Ouch. That struck a nerve again. Valerie was nothing but a bottomless pit for cash.
She’d demanded 300,000 dollars before the wedding, and right after they married, she’d badgered Clayton for the money he’d held for her. Now, refuse, and she’d vanish like smoke.
Lillian wobbled, nearly collapsing into Clayton, who was barely standing himself. The two clutched each other for balance.
Clayton felt the bitter taste of regret burning in his throat.
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Chapter 149
He’d always seen Valerle as fragile, needing his protection, unlike Audrey who’d handled everything on her own since day one. He dran sense to coddle Valerie.
But marriage had revealed her true colors–a leech, a parasite, a nightmare he couldn’t shake off. And now, because of her, hard lnd everyÉSRE
Clayton gazed at Audrey with tortured affection, his voice thick with strain.
He said, “Audrey, open your eyes. That man has a mean streak. Who’s to say he won’t turn violent once he’s got you? Paul’s the CEO of Stride Commente with family in Ashbourne. You’re not on his level, and he’ll never be serious about you.
“I made a mistake before, but now I realize you’re the one I love. Let’s go back to how we were. Can’t we start over?”
As Clayton tried to close the distance, Paul stepped in, arm outstretched to block him.
He let out a scornful laugh. “Mr. Patel, that’s really something. When you were married to Audrey, you doted on Ms. Patterson nonstop. You knew she was lying and picking on Audrey, but you still humiliated Audrey in front of everyone.
“Now you’re married to the ‘love of your life,‘ but suddenly Audrey’s your true love? What’s the deal? Do you get off on chasing women who aren’t yours?”
“No, I…” Clayton stammered, scrambling for words. “I didn’t know. Valerie always seemed so gentle and reasonable. I never thought…
Audrey tapped her temple impatiently. “Let me jog your memory. What did you say after watching the security footage? ‘It’s just a trivial matter. Why make a big deal out of it?‘ But when you thought I was bullying her, you forced me to apologize in public.”
“Audrey…” Clayton said.
But she cut him off with a wave. “Spare me the ancient history. I’m not wasting breath rehashing old fights. We’re done for good. And stop flattering yourselves. I give a damn about your little sideshows.”
Just then, the elevator arrived with a ding. Carson held the door open, and Audrey followed Paul inside.
Clayton tried to lunge after them, but Lillian clamped a hand on his arm. “Let her go. What’s so special about some orphan girl acting like she’s queen? Once you’re back on your feet, divorce Valerie. I’ll find you a proper woman.”
The elevator doors inched shut, blocking out Clayton’s bitter stare.
Carson kept glancing at Paul. The way he’d jumped to Audrey’s defense made it clear–this guy was a rival.
Leaning closer to Audrey, Carson said softly, “The indoor toys you picked out arrived. When are you free to put them together with me?”
Paul frowned slightly. He thought of the other night, the man who’d answered Audrey’s phone. The voice on the line had been deep, calm, and unyielding–nothing like Carson’s gentle, tentative tone. ‘But maybe Carson only acts nice when Audrey’s around,‘ Paul thought.
“Dr. Wilson, thanks for doing Audrey a solid by arranging Mrs. Kent’s surgery,” Paul said, extending a hand with a hint of scrutiny.
Carson shook it, his tone smug. “Audrey and I don’t stand on ceremony.”
Audrey rolled her eyes. She thought, ‘Could they please stop complicating things?‘
Before she could clear the air–afraid Carson might misinterpret her relationship with Paul or Paul might grow suspicious–her phone vibrated in her pocket. Both men’s eyes snapped to it./
The elevator chimed, and the trio stepped out.
Holding the phone to her ear, Audrey answered brightly, “I’m at the hospital visiting a client.”
“Don’t waste breath on garbage,” a low voice rumbled from the speaker.
09:09 Thu, 5 Jun NOT
Chapter 149
Paul stumbled slightly. He hadn’t caught the words, but that deep, familiar timbre sent a jolt through him.
