Filed to story: My Husband Regrets Divorcing Me (Audrey & Cornell)
“Cornell had the audacity to mock me for not having a wife? Whatever!
This bastard had it coming!” Luis muttered to himself.
Having satisfied his thirst, Cornell got up to leave.
Luis, considering Cornell’s generous spending at the bar, offered a piece of advice despite everything.
“Mr. Clement, when pursuing a woman, maintain a positive attitude and be thick-skinned.”
Luis had said his piece, indifferent to whether Cornell grasped the full intent or not.
Departing the bar, Cornell returned to the company and stayed overnight.
Since his divorce, he had rarely visited Serenity Villas.
The memories of Audrey there only fueled his resolve to win her back, yet he feared resorting to forceful methods, something he didn’t wish to do.
The following morning, Alexis and Eloise came calling for Cornell.
Eloise’s eyes brimmed with tears upon seeing him.
She had chased after Cornell’s car for two miles the day before, to no avail.
On her very first blind date, how could she endure being treated like this?
Distraught, she sought Alexis’ support.
Alexis, having shown support for Eloise in front of Eloise’s father, brought Eloise straight to Cornell for a proper explanation.
Cornell’s frown deepened at their arrival, querying, “Who’s this?”
At his words, Eloise’s tears broke forth.
She was hurt that Cornell, her blind date from just yesterday, failed to recognize her.
Alexis, having vowed to Eloise’s father to seek redress, now found himself in an awkward spot.
In a hushed tone, he chided, “This is Eloise. Remember her from yesterday?”
Only then did Cornell recall his preoccupation with Audrey, having barely noticed Eloise.
Alexis then gently suggested to Eloise, “Why don’t you wait in the lounge? I’ll have my secretary whip up something tasty. I need to speak with Cornell, and I’ll ensure he takes you out later to make amends, okay?”
Eloise, casting a glance at Cornell, left with flushed cheeks and quiet sobs.
Once alone, Cornell expressed his disinterest, “I can’t entertain her.
If you’re so fond of her, be my guest.”
Alexis, met with Cornell’s obstinacy, challenged him, “You’re still hung up on your ex-wife, aren’t you?”
Cornell’s gaze snapped to Alexis, ice in his stare.
As Alexis plotted, he pressed on, “I’m doing this for the company’s future. Don’t make me intervene with your ex, Cornell.”
Cornell’s grip on the pen tightened suddenly as he said in an icy tone, “Try it and you’ll face the consequences.”
The sheer menace in his gaze sent shivers through Alexis.
This wasn’t his first encounter with Cornell’s cruelty.
Previously, only Kyler and Luciana had been shielded by Cornell, but now, another woman had captured his concern.
Yet, Alexis knew he held no value to Cornell.
The more Alexis pondered, the stronger his resolve grew. Despite previous defeats by Cornell, leading to his exile, he was determined to stand his ground for his another son.
“Don’t push me, Cornell, and we can coexist peacefully,” Alexis offered.
Cornell looked up, his voice devoid of warmth.
“Done with your nonsense? Leave, immediately!”
“How dare you!” Alexis, seething with rage yet controlling his fury, suggested, “Perhaps try to tolerate Eloise. I’m not insisting on you marrying her. But if we ally with the Benton Group for the energy project, it benefits us all, doesn’t it?”
His implication was clear. Cornell could feign a relationship with Eloise until securing the project, then cite any trivial reason for a breakup.
Unfazed, Cornell hit the No. 1 button on his desk phone and commanded, “Matteo, escort the guest out.”
After being shown to the door, Alexis, fuming, managed to compose himself upon seeing Eloise, assuring her with a forced smile, “Cornell is a bit aloof and detached sometimes. He needs your warmth and charm to thaw his frostiness, understand?”
Eloise’s face lit up with understanding.
“Yes, I got it. Thank you, Alexis.”
Pleased by her adoring gaze, Alexis started to strategize.
He seized the opportunity, knowing Cornell’s looks were a magnet for young women.
“You’re the only one I see as my daughter-in-law, Eloise.
Make me proud,” he encouraged.
Eloise’s nod carried the weight of her growing hopes.
After Alexis’ departure, Eloise headed straight for Cornell’s office but was halted by Matteo.
Matteo offered a gentle refusal, “Apologies, Miss Benton. Mr. Clement is occupied with a conference call.”
Eloise insisted, “I’ll wait here for him.”
Matteo, reluctant to send her away due to the Benton family’s newfound prominence, allowed her to wait, offering snacks and drinks.
She preferred owing Nicole to being indebted to Cornell.
After consolidating the funds into one account, Audrey proceeded to Cornell’s company to clear the debt with him.
She had notified Matteo of her visit beforehand, which allowed her to enter the CEO’s office without any complications.
Approaching the door, she mentally rehearsed her approach, pondering the right words to address Cornell after their recent fallout.
Recently, Audrey had caused Cornell considerable embarrassment, and she doubted he’d be eager to see her now.
Turning a corner, Audrey’s gaze landed on a familiar figure beside the window blinds, whose eyes were fixated on the office interior.
At first sight, Audrey recognized the woman as Cornell’s companion from the cafe encounter.
Pausing, Audrey guessed she might be Cornell’s blind date. As she deliberated her next move, Matteo’s voice reached her ears.
“Miss Warburton, your early arrival is quite unexpected,” Matteo greeted.
At the sound of Matteo’s voice, Eloise turned around, catching sight of Audrey, which left her momentarily taken aback.
A moment later, Eloise connected the dots, recognizing Audrey from the cafe.
Eloise approached Audrey with a confrontational air, demanding, “Who the hell are you? What brings you here?”
The tension escalated quickly.
Eloise’s guard was up instantly upon seeing Audrey, whose striking presence sparked a hint of envy.
Sensing the brewing conflict, Matteo interjected, “Miss Benton, may I offer you some juice? I’ll have a glass brought to you.” He was hoping to defuse the situation.
“Sure, thanks,” Eloise replied, acknowledging her thirst after a long wait.
Undeterred, Eloise pressed Audrey further, “Anyway, what the hell are you doing here?”
Matteo felt a headache coming on, not anticipating Eloise’s persistent inquiries. Just as he was about to intervene, Audrey declared her intention.
“I’ve come for Matteo.”
“Is that so?” Eloise inquired, skeptical.
Audrey confirmed with a nod and presented a bank card to Matteo, inquiring, “Do you have the IOUs handy?”
With Matteo’s confirmation, Audrey instructed, “This card has three million dollars in it. Verify the amount, then please hand over those I0Us.”
Matteo hesitated, suggesting, “Shouldn’t we wait for Mr. Clement…”
Audrey cut him off, “No need. Just confirm the balance and provide me with the I0Us promptly, Matteo.”