Chapter 26
Chapter 26
““Audrey Patel!” Clayton snapped, his eyes blazing.
Clayton thought bitterly, “She is really trying to tank the firm’s deal with Stride Commerce. She actually wants to ruin him. She did all this ja COVER
look after Valerie? Does she have to go this fan7”
Compared to his fury, Audrey looked calm. She retorted, “Being loud doesn’t make you right. If you have proof, Mr. Patel, show it. Otherwise, this is stander, and I’ll hold both of you legally accountable”
Audrey gave Vallerie a long, dismissive look, and her lips barely nowed as she mouthed the word “bitch“,
Valone swallowed the rage bubbling inside her and put on a wounded act. “We’re at others’s company, Audrey, if you have a problem with me, take it up privately. What you’re doing now is disrupting their work.”
Clayton suddenly realized just how many eyes were on them. Even folks deeper inside the floor were standing up to watch.
Stride Commerce was a major player in tronhaven. He was here to lock down a partnership. If this blow up and messed with their work, the deal might fall apart.
Clayton got a bit anxious, and he wanted to shut this down fast.
Hewarned, “You’ve got a record, Audrey, Don’t forget you’ve been charged with assault before.”
His words were a heavy blow straight to Audrey’s heart. He’d promised the case was withdrawn, and that it wouldn’t affect her future career. But now, just to protect Valerie, he threw it out in front of everyone and stomped Audrey’s pride hard.
Audrey’s eyes turned sharp like a blade. She looked at Clayton like she could see straight through him.
Clayton clenched his fists. He hadn’t wanted to throw her past in her face. But she refused to apologize and forced him to be cruel.
He then thought, “if she can’t even take the heat I give her, how’s she gonna survive on her own after the divorce?”
Then Audrey raised her voice and said, “There are cameras in the elevator, I want everyone to see the footage.”
“This isn’t your damn house. You don’t get to call the shots,” Clayton growled.
“Checking the footage shouldn’t be a problem,” a lary, amused voice chimed in from behind him
Clayton turned around. The moment he saw the speaker, he suddenly bowed and said, “Mr. Gibson, my apologies. We didn’t mean to disturb you. I
have her leave right away.”
Paul Gibson was the owner of Stride Commerce. He was around the same age as Clayton, but he had already run a large trade firm.
He wore reddish hair and white casual wear, looking laid–back and carefree. He stouched at his desk like some ex–gang boss who’d just gone legit
The second Valerie heard the man agree to check the footage, her stomach dropped.
She yanked on Clayton’s sleeve and whispered, “Let’s not do this. I don’t blame Audrey. Please, just for my sake, don’t be so cruel to her.”
Clayton glanced at Audrey, thinking with determination, ‘If she would just back down and show a little humility, I might’ve called it off and spared her the humiliation
“But she stood tall, chin up, eyes full of disdain. Since she’s stubborn as hell, she should learn the hard way!
Clayton spoke up, “Well-
“No need for the act, Audrey cut him off. “The footage will tell the truth.”
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Chapter 285
Clayton had planned to reature Valerie and ease her nerves a little. But Audiny about her? No way.
firm tone made him bestela Jie wonnered, Coddfhave be
Valerie is kind and gentle. She probably just wanted to patch things up, so she went over to talk with Audrey. She is never the scheming type?
But now the seed of doubt had been planted, Clayton then looked at Valerie,
Valerie’s face had gone pale, and beads of sweat were forming on her forehead. She whispered, “Clay, I really don’t want things to get ugly between me and Audrey. Let’s just focus on your work. Don’t let this hurt your relationship with Mr. Gibson.”
Clayton nodded and turned to Paul. “Mr. Gibson, their issue is personal. I’ll sort it out. I actually came today to discuss a potential partnership”
Paul waved a hand casually and replied, “It’s not personal, actually. Audrey is about to join Stride Commerce. If she’s got big issues, we will get the offer
back
After that, Paul turned to his assistant and said, “Go get the footage!
“What? She’s joining Stride Commerce?” Valerie’s voice shot up before she could stop herself. “You mean her? Audrey?”
Valerie thought bitterly, “Stride Commerce is way out of Audrey’s league and way better than the firm I used to work at. I wasn’t able to land a job half as good and has to stay in Clayton’s firm just to stay afloat.
“How could Audrey, an orphan from some no–name town, just waltzed into a prime position? This has to be Clayton’s doing. He must’ve pulled strings to make up for getting her locked up in Ashwood and costing her that last job!
Valerie bit her tongue and complained in her mind, ‘I want to stay close to Clayton, sure, but if he could pull this, why didn’t he ever help me get something better?‘
The jealousy boiled over in Valerir’s heart. “Audrey has already said she wanted a divorce, but why is Clayton still so good to her? Just because of her pretty face? Is that all it takes?”
Valerie turned to look at Clayton, her eyes tinged with something wounded. Clayton read it as insecurity and inferiority.
Valerie used to be the campus sweetheart, an art prodigy, and the winner of multiple national awards. Everyone thought she’d go global, have exhibitions, and make a name for herself.
But later, she married the wrong man, an abusive one. And that mistake shattered her dreams.
Clayton looked at Valerie and suggested, “Mr. Gibson, I’m not sure Audrey is the right fit for the job. If you’re looking for someone for an admin position, Valerie might be more suitable.”
Paul gave Valerie a long once–over, smirking. “Is that so?”
Valerie straightened up at once, schooling her face into a graceful, practiced smile. However, her smile didn’t last three seconds.
Paul said with a chuckle, “We’re hiring a secretary for our CEO, not a porcelain doll
Valerie’s face turned ghost white. She shrank a little, edging closer to Clayton like she could disappear into his side.
Clayton opened his mouth to defend Valerie, but just then, someone brought over the security footage.
Poul handed it off to one of his people and instructed, “Play it.”
Valerie stumbled and said, “Clay, I feel dizzy. Could you take me outside for some air?”
She could barely stand still, and Clayton’s expression showed a hint of concern.He replied, “Okay, let me help you”
They turned around and were about to leave, only to be blocked by Audrey. She said coolly, “What’s wrong? You were so loud when you accused me just now. Now that proof’s right here, you wanna leave?”
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Chapter 26
“She’s not feeling well, Audory. Don’t be ridiculous,” Clayton sail, reaching for the briefcase in Valerie’s hand. He held it out toward Audrey without
thinking.
She used to carry it for him every time they walked into a room together. He assumed Audrey would take it, yet to his treprise, after he let go, tha brekase slammed to the floot
Clayton froze on the got for a second, something deep inside him cracked.
Valerie clung tighter to Clayton’s arm and said, “Audrey, I really don’t feel well, You don’t need to apologize. Please just let me step out for a minute, My
chest hurts.”
Audrey didn’t move an inch. Her eyes locked onto Valerie’s flustered gare.
“Here we go.” someone called out.
Paul said, “Turn the volume up”
Soon, Valerie’s voice echoed through the office. “Hey, Audrey, I’m working at Clay’s law firm now. I just came with him to meet a client. Don’t get the wrong idea.
Then it was Audrey’s voice: “Right. An art major working at a law firm. Are you trying to say it has nothing to do with Clayton?”
Valerie said, “No, no, that’s not what I meant. What’s wrong with the bracelet? i think it looks cool. I just casually mentioned it in front of Clayton, and he just gave it to me. If you like it, I can ask him to get you one too.”
Audrey replied. “No, thanks. Since you like garbage, you can keep it.”
It was Valerie’s voice again. “Say whatever you want to me, but don’t think the worst of Clayton, okay?”
“It doesn’t matter what happens, Audrey Clayton’s always gonna take my side
“Don’t be mad at Audrey. It’s my fault. I lost my!
y balance.”
Clayton froze, feeling it hard to believe what he heard, Vallene, however, clinging to his arm, was shaking like a leat
