Chapter 5
Lacas and his sister Jen were childhood friends of Nathan. They practically grew up with Audrey.
As Lucas mentioned, after Audrey woke up from her coma, Jen was among the few who supported her relationship with Nathan.
Audrey closed her eyes, clutching the blanket tightly. She suppressed the rising anger inside her. Her pale face was devoid of any color.
“Why didn’t she speak to me?” Audrey asked.
“Jen knows she messed up, and she’s too ashamed to meet you,” Lucas replied, his lips tightening as he pulled up a chair beside her hospital bed, “I understand your concern. You’re worried that even if Jen explains things to Nathan now, he’ll still think she acted solely to protect you.”
“Nathan’s opinion… doesn’t matter anymore,” Audrey said, her voice cold and detached. “I don’t care about.”
When Audrey cared about Nathan, his opinion mattered to her.
But now, she was indifferent to him. His thoughts about her, whether he considered her despicable or disgusting, meant nothing to her..
Nathan, standing outside the hospital room door, unconsciously clenched his fist. He was unsure whether Audrey’s indifference or her declaration of his insignificance irked him more.
He stood still with no intention of entering the room any longer.
Lucas thought Audrey had reported the incident to clear her name in Nathan’s eyes. He was relieved to hear her say she didn’t care about his opinion.
He negotiated, “If you don’t care about Nathan’s opinion, can we drop the case now?”
“I may not care about Nathan’s opinion, but that doesn’t excuse what Jen did under the guise of helping me. Which university would dare accept me with such a stigma attached to my name? That’s why I need Nathan’s public apology,” Audrey explained.
Her eyes were still closed, and her voice was weak. She continued, “Lucas, I didn’t die, and I’ve woken up. I need to continue living my life. How can I establish myself in society without a degree? How can I live?”
The scandal had been so severe that no university would dare to admit her if the police investigation didn’t clear her name, despite being one of the best students in Sheysea City that year.
What would Audrey do for work without attending a university degree?
She wasn’t rich and didn’t have a family business to inherit. She was just another ordinary person with no parents or close relatives to rely on. She had no one but herself.
Lucas understood the logic.
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He had to clean up the trouble his sister had caused. “Let me offer you compensation, Audrey. What do you think?”
Lucas suggested, “You can work for the Gray family business. You can sign a lifelong employment contract. Germundo, Japoria, anywhere in Eurindel–choose wherever we have a branch. You set the
salary.
“That’s my proposal. If you choose to accept the offer or decide to drop the case, jen will clarify things with Nathan to avoid misunderstandings.
“I don’t care if Nathan misunderstands, nor do I need your help to arrange my life! I will get my degree. All I want is a public apology from Nathan. Once he does that, I can drop the case.
Before Audrey could finish, Nathan pushed the door open and entered the room, frowning
Audrey turned her head.
She appeared frail and slender in her hospital gown, with her hair cascading over her shoulders and pillow. There were no high–collar shirts or scarves to conceal her wounds. Visible injuries marked her forehead, chin, and neck.
Her complexion was even worse than the day before as she suppressed her anger. The emotions in Audrey’s eyes cooled when she saw Nathan.
Nathan’s anger intensified as he read Audrey’s indifferent expression towards him.
“Let’s get the divorce finalized today, and stay as far away from me and Amelia as possible. I’ll arrange for the public apology tomorrow!” Nathan declared.
“Nathan!” Lucas exclaimed, taken aback that Nathan had sought out Audrey. He stood up in surprise to explain, “I came to explain the drugging incident. Yesterday, on your birthday, Jen was planning to clarify that this matter had nothing to do with Audrey, but then…”
“You and your sister are always putting on a show with Audrey. Aren’t you tired of it?” Nathan vented his pent–up fury at Lucas.
He continued, “You’re afraid that the police will find out it was Audrey, so you came up with a lame excuse to drop the case? Are you saying Jen didn’t serve me drinks that night?”
Audrey felt as if she had been slapped in the face.
Although she was aware of Nathan’s distrust in her character, his eagerness to publicly apologize to her revealed his desperation.
She loosened her grip on the blanket.
She had moved on from Nathan, and all she wanted was a public apology so she could enroll in Cloudmill University. The marriage was bound to end. She was willing to comply with his wishes.
Lucas worried Nathan’s words would provoke Audrey to insist on a thorough police investigation. He hurriedly explained, “This really was Jen’s doing. She is
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“When are we getting the certificate? I can go with you right now,” Audrey interrupted with a calm and gentle voice.
There was no hint of grievance or reluctance in her tone, not even a trace of bitterness, just calmness in every word.
The room fell silent momentarily. No one had expected Audrey would agree so easily.
When Nathan didn’t respond, Audrey repeated, “What time for the certificate? I’m available.”
Audrey’s indifferent attitude caused an unknown emotion to spread rapidly in Nathan’s heart, making his voice sound incredibly irritable. “Now! Immediately! Right away!”
“Okay. Give me a few minutes to change,” Audrey said, getting out of bed. “Lucas, you can go back. I’ll withdraw the case.”
Lucas was taken aback by how easily the issue was resolved. He hadn’t even used half of his prepared
arguments.
“Don’t go. I don’t have a car. You drive Audrey and me to city hall and be our witness,” Nathan said to Lucas before he could move. “So she won’t play any tricks.”
Audrey didn’t say anything. She changed into the clothes Hugo had brought the day before and left the hospital room.
“Nathan is getting dressed,” Lucas informed Audrey.
Audrey wrapped a scarf around her neck, covering her chin and neck injuries. “Before going to city hall, I need to go back to my place. Tell Nathan we’ll meet at the entrance.”
Nathan came out of the adjacent room, glancing at Audrey with a cold sneer. “Ah… your tricks are always so creative!”
He leisurely adjusted his sleeves, then added, “The night is long and full of dreams. Lucas and I will go with you.”
She nodded.
Nathan was surprised to see the kind of place Audrey lived in.
The messy, narrow alley was lined with small vendors, making it impossible for cars to enter.
