Filed to story: My Husband Regrets Divorcing Me (Audrey & Cornell)
Tonight was the gala, and there was no room for error. Everything proceeded smoothly and in an organized manner.
In the evening, seeing a message from Cornell, Audrey took a photo of her bustling workspace to share with him. She told him that she was occupied and that she had to leave her phone with her assistant to handle the messages.
Meanwhile, in the hospital ward.
Cornell enlarged the photo, finding solace in seeing Audrey’s reflection on the glass in front of her. Knowing that she was gradually getting used to his presence, he felt warmth envelop his heart.
After a while, the door swung open hastily.
Holding a report, Matteo entered Cornell’s ward. “Mr. Clement, the DNA test results for that corpse are in. It’s not Cecilia.”
Cornell’s eyes darkened. “Is there any trace of Cecilia?”
Matteo shook his head. “We haven’t located her yet.”
“Fine.”
Cornell immediately dialed Audrey, but there was no response.
The room plunged into an eerie silence.
Growing increasingly restless, Cornell suddenly yanked the needle from the back of his hand, causing blood to spurt out.
Not minding the blood at all, he snatched his coat and marched out of the ward.
With only two hours remaining until the gala, Audrey was diligently ensuring every detail backstage was perfect, aiming for a flawless event.
Arthen Entertainment’s gala, broadcast live annually, was a spectacle of fashion and talent.
As the celebrities debuted on stage in their stunning outfits, the live comments lit up with excitement.
“Wow! look at their outfits!”
“If only I had grander words than just exclamation marks!”
“The traditional style is unbeatable. The designs are breathtaking!”
“It’s my first time having laid eyes on this elegant yet fashionable attire. They’re simply majestic!”
“Arthen Entertainment has truly outdone itself with this gala.”
“This event is unparalleled. Arthen Entertainment has set a new standard.”
The flood of comments reflected a unanimous appreciation for the evolution of traditional attire, catching everyone by surprise.
This moment wasn’t just about fashion. It symbolized a deeper connection. The youth, living in peaceful times, showcased their deep-rooted love for their heritage through their enthusiasm for traditional styles presented by celebrities, instilling a sense of national pride.
As Audrey observed the online viewership numbers climb, her eyes filled with tears of joy. The years of hard work and dedication were finally bearing fruit.
“Mom, can you see this? The traditional costumes you believed in, once thought to be sidelined by mainstream fashion, are now embraced and loved by so many… I hope this brings you joy…” Audrey silently said.
The gala exceeded all expectations, achieving record-breaking viewership ratings. The designs from the Crescent instantly became the talk of the town.
Audrey, having spent nearly an entire day backstage at Arthen Entertainment, was so engrossed in her duties that she barely had any time to eat.
After the main event concluded, Audrey and her team found themselves in a brief lull, their primary responsibilities over, leaving them to await the event’s end and manage the post-show clothing logistics.
Judd, Audrey’s assistant, insisted they take a break for their day’s first meal.
They settled into a discreet corner of the lounge, where Judd had arranged for some warm food to be delivered, and they began to eat.
The lounge, spacious and segmented by partitions, carried the murmur of conversations from nearby diners.
“Did you catch a glimpse of Crescent’s director? She’s striking. At first glance, I mistook her for a new model. Both her demeanor and looks are remarkable.”
“What intrigues me more than her appearance is how she clinched the deal with our company. Even esteemed studios like Alpire couldn’t land it after five years of talks with our CEO.”
“Yeah, I’m curious too. Miss Foster doesn’t appear to have much fame yet. Crescent is a newcomer on the scene. Could her success be linked to a certain kind of relationship…”
The speculation veered into unseemly territory, suggesting impropriety in how Audrey might have secured the contract, a notion that caused Judd to bristle with frustration.
Previously Erick’s aide, Judd had been reassigned to support Audrey in all her external engagements, a move Erick made to relieve Audrey’s workload.
Despite Crescent’s newcomer status domestically, its bespoke clothing services were renowned among the international elite.
Audrey possessed an innate gift for this craft, her interactions with clients allowing her to intuitively design apparel that aligned perfectly with their tastes, rarely erring.
Judd was well aware that Audrey’s success was no stroke of luck but the result of relentless dedication.
Audrey meticulously documented each client’s preferences, from the trivial to the significant, analyzing these notes to deduce their personalities and, by extension, their stylistic predilections.
The women’s uninformed chatter about Crescent’s global standing left Judd itching to correct their misconceptions. He was on the verge of confronting them when Audrey intervened.
“Just focus on eating,” Audrey urged.
“How can you stay calm? Don’t their words bother you?” Judd pressed, his appetite lost in his indignation.
Judd huffed, “If only they knew of your acclaim in Swynborough, they’d think twice before speaking.”
“You said it yourself. They’re unaware. And enlightening them would be as effective as talking to a brick wall. Why waste our energy on fleeting gratification?” Audrey responded with a tranquility that belied the situation.
“True success is measured through deeds, not debate,” she continued, the positive reception to their work speaking volumes more than any rebuttal could.
Acknowledging both the accolades and the criticisms was part of the journey. Dwelling on every negative comment could distract from one’s vision and creativity.
Audrey noticed Judd still on his feet and urged him, “Please sit down and eat quickly. We have to be at the venue later.”
Judd, once accustomed to Erick’s demanding pace, found Audrey’s composed demeanor a stark contrast.
Influenced by her serenity, he settled down to eat, albeit with a frown as the neighboring table’s gossip grew more audacious.
“Doesn’t this upset you at all?” Judd couldn’t help but ask again.
Audrey replied, unfazed, “It’s inconsequential. Ignoring them spares me the irritation.” Her confidence was rooted in her skills, rendering the rumors powerless.
After tidying up the lunch box, Audrey told Judd, “Make sure you finish eating before you join me. I’ll head out ahead.”
With her head raised, Audrey strode past the nearby dining table.
Those seated nearby were taken aback, having not realized the focus of their gossip was within earshot. A wave of embarrassment swept over them. If Audrey had been leveraging connections for her success, she wouldn’t be dining in the public lounge instead of a private one, away from prying eyes.
One of the main instigators of the gossip couldn’t help but scoff.
“She’s just putting on a show, trying to make it seem like she’s not involved with our CEO…”
Her words were cut short as several individuals stood up from a nearby table, their attention shifting in unison. “Hello, Mr. Frazier!”
Devonte, clad in a crisp black suit, commanded the room with an authoritative presence, even without a smile.
The lounge fell silent, the atmosphere charged with tension.
The gossip, caught in her disparagement, stood up hastily, only to lose her balance and collapse back to the floor. She hurriedly stammered apologies, “I’m sorry… Mr. Frazier…”
Devonte, observing Audrey’s retreating figure, concealed his frustration behind a stoic facade. Internally, he lamented the situation. Cornell had been bombarding him daily with calls, eager to know Audrey’s condition. If Cornell caught wind of Audrey being slandered, the fallout would be immediate.
Devonte knew all too well the recklessness of those who indulge in baseless rumors today, only to pivot to the company’s artists tomorrow.
Without offering a second glance to the woman crumpled on the floor, Devonte issued a command, his tone devoid of warmth, “Clean up this area.”
He then turned around and walked away.
Devonte’s assistant knew exactly what Devonte meant. The directive wasn’t about tidying the lounge but about addressing the issue of misconduct among the staff. He addressed the group with composure, saying, “Please proceed to the finance department to finalize your salary payments and then leave.”
Those gossips, feeling the sting of misfortune, didn’t dare voice any objections. They were well aware that any protest could lead to being escorted out by company security.
Their frustration was silently directed at the main instigators of the gossip. Without those fanning words, they would not be facing unemployment.
Despite Arthen Entertainment’s offering a generous severance package, complete with additional compensation, the ousted employees knew the stigma attached to their dismissal would likely prevent future employment within the industry. This payout wasn’t just severance. It was effectively their farewell to the industry.
Audrey remained oblivious to all these.
Heading to the restroom and exiting shortly after, Audrey inadvertently collided with a cleaning staff member in a rush, whose coffee had spilled all over her attire.
Audrey inspected her stained clothes, her expression turning to one of concern. With the event approaching, she knew she ought to maintain a professional appearance. Stained clothing was unacceptable.
The cleaning staff, visibly shaken and on the verge of tears, received a non-confrontational signal from Audrey to move on, avoiding further conflict.
Audrey then made her way back to the wardrobe for a change of outfit.
The cleaning staff, seemingly bent over her task, sneakily watched as Audrey passed by.