Chapter 7
After transferring money for the clothes to Hugo and deleting his contact details on WhatsApp, Audrey’s contact list was left with only Anne Hayes, Harper Hayes, Diego Douglas, and Ryan.
Ryan’s profile picture was taken from under the sea, looking up at the sun. He didn’t have a single post in his Moments. It could have easily been mistaken for an elderly person’s account.
Her finger hovered over Ryan’s WhatsApp profile….
“I’ll transfer the hospital expenses from yesterday to you via PayPal. I’ll include the cost of the tie f
dirtied.”
Audrey turned to Ryan, who was reading a document.
The car suddenly swerved to the left to avoid a collision, causing Audrey’s phone to fly out of her hands towards Ryan.
Audrey reached out and grasped at nothing but air then crashed into the man’s warm embrace. Just as she was about to grab her phone, Ryan’s strong, slender fingers firmly gripped her wrist.
The phone landed, quite inconveniently, in his lap.
Audrey’s ears burned with embarrassment as she realized the awkwardness of the position. Looking up, she met Ryan’s deep, dark eyes behind his gold–rimmed glasses. Her heart raced with discomfort.
The driver, observing the rapidly departing car they had dodged, was sweating profusely. He apologized quickly, “Sir, I’m sorry. That car overtook us suddenly…”
“It’s okay,” Ryan’s voice said from above Audrey.
She straightened up and apologized, “I’m sorry.”
Ryan gave her the phone, then reached down to pick up his scattered documents.
“Thank you.
The car crossed a speed bump and smoothly entered the gated community of a villa in the city’s second ring. Audrey told the driver, “You can drop me off here.”
“The place you’re staying in now is dangerous,” Ryan said, closing the file on his lap. He added unequivocally, “Let Howard bring your luggage here.”
She followed suit without questioning how Ryan knew her current address. She informed him, “I’m leaving Sheysea City tomorrow. It’s just for one night, so moving my luggage back and forth is too much trouble.”
Ryan gestured for Audrey to enter the villa. “It’s just for one night. Even if you’re eager to cut ties with the Lambert family, it won’t make a difference tonight.”
Audrey tightened her grip, recognizing the inherent authority in Ryan’s voice. It was commanding,
Chapter 7
and yet, not overly so,
She handed the keys to Howard, Instructing him, “Everything I need is in my suitcase. Can you park up the books on the table and the items in the drawer, please?”
“Of course,” Howard agreed.
Audrey had visited Ryan’s Sheysea City villa before but never stayed overnight.
“Mr. Lambert is back,” Jess called out from the kitchen when she heard the front door open. Upon seeing Andrey, she greeted warmly, “Ms. Yeomans, you’re here too. I’ve just made some chicken soup.
After asking Jess to prepare the quest room on the second floor, Ryan excused himself to attend a meeting in his study. Audrey ate lunch alone,
Nathan’s public apology was released sooner than he had promised Audrey.
Only three hours after they received their divorce certificate, a handwritten apology by Nathan was posted on the notice board at Sheysea City University. He also posted an apology statement on his personal Facebook account.
Online forums and discussion boards associated with the university also cleared Audrey’s name. They confirmed that Audrey hadn’t drugged Nathan.
They had accidentally consumed the spiked drink, and Audrey’s resilience had prevented a malicious plot from succeeding.
Upon waking up, Nathan had impulsively photographed and retaliated mindlessly, as he still harbored doubts about Audrey.
His actions had tarnished Audrey’s reputation, causing her immense emotional and social distress. He felt deeply guilty and remorseful and was now sincerely apologizing to her.
The comments on his Facebook post were a mix of shock and disbelief. Some suspected ulterior
motives.
Others vehemently criticized Nathan for being a scoundrel who carelessly spread private photos, urging Audrey to sue him.
A few, aware of Audrey and Nathan’s past, thought it was Nathan’s way of giving Audrey a way out
due to old affections.
Some questioned how to address the photos Nathan had spread, noting that many students had already downloaded and even shared them on social media.
Fortunately, the incident didn’t escalate further, as Nathan had apologized. Audrey hoped the entire matter would settle down quickly.
Audrey hadn’t unpacked all her belongings
from her suitcase as she planned to leave the next day.
She had only taken out her pajamas and toiletries.
Chapter 7
374
Unable to shower due to her injuries, she freshened up and went downstairs for water before sleeping.
As she descended the stairs, she noticed Ryan on the phone as he stood in front of the refrigerator in the open–plan kitchen.
Tall and elegant, he stood amidst the Interplay of light and shadow.
His dark hair was still damp from a shower, and a towel hung around his neck. His navy blue loungewear was unbuttoned, revealing his pale skin, chest, and well–defined abs.
His face was strikingly handsome in a languid pose.
“I’ve never forgotten the kindness the Lambert family showed me, nor am I unwilling to engage in a marriage alliance with the Sullivan family. It’s just that the Sullivan family isn’t a suitable match, Ryan spoke in a deep voice as he took a drag on a cigarette.
“Moreover, rather than handing over Lambert Corporation to an adopted son, it’s better to entrust it to someone of Lambert blood. If you’re open to understanding, you’ll find Audrey exceptional.”
Whatever the person on the other end of the line said made Ryan furrow his brow. He tapped his cigarette into an ashtray.
Suddenly aware he wasn’t alone, he lifted his gaze. His calm and deep eyes met Audrey’s.
Audrey felt awkward standing on the staircase. She was uncertain whether to return to her room or get the glass of water like she’d planned.
Ryan withdrew his gaze. He didn’t think Audrey was awake at that hour. He extinguished the cigarette and leisurely buttoned up his loungewear as he balanced the phone between his shoulder
and cheek
After ending the call, Ryan pulled off the towel around his neck. He asked, “Why are you still up?”
His deep voice was slightly hoarse, perhaps from smoking.
“I came down to get some water,” Audrey said as she walked to the refrigerator.
Ryan casually tossed the towel onto the kitchen counter then retrieved water from the fridge. Audrey quickly took it politely before wishing him goodnight and swiftly heading upstairs.
As Audrey’s figure disappeared up the staircase, Ryan finally averted his
gaze.
He pulled out another cigarette and held it at the corner of his mouth, leaning against the kitchen. counter. The flickering flame of the lighter cast his sharply defined features in light and shadow.
His face was reflected in the mirrored surface of the refrigerator, blurred by the wisps of smoke, as memories played in his mind like a film reel.
When they first met, he was 15, and Audrey was ten.
Outside the rain–drenched police station, Audrey hid behind a tree as she secretly watched her biological mother being ushered into a luxury car. She refused to live with her mother and the
Lambert family.
