Filed to story: My Husband Regrets Divorcing Me (Audrey & Cornell)
He looked at the girl and commanded, “Stand up.”
The girl’s eyes were red. She gazed at Audrey with a submissive look, as if she dared not stand without Audrey’s forgiveness.
Audrey was left speechless.
Cap?tulo 817:
Cornell was running out of patience and said coldly, “If you Like doing so, go outside and do it.”
Seizing the opportunity, the girl quickly got to her feet. “Thank you.”
With tears still in her eyes, she sobbed her gratitude toward Cornell.
With the mini skirt, the girl’s deliberate movement was suggestive to Cornell. Her reddened eyes with tears made her looked even more pitiful.
It was the first time that Audrey had seen such a drama queen.
Perhaps the girl’s frequent nightclub visits had stripped her of shame.
Cornell then asked, “What’s your name?”
“Ah…” Caught off guard, the girl responded, “Are you asking me?”
Cornell folded his hands and fixed his gaze on the girl, full of intrigue.
The girl smiled with tears, replying, “My name is Amilia Wills.”
Cornell raised his eyebrows slightly and echoed, “Amilia?”
Quick to confirm, the girl spelled out, “Yes, A-M-I-L-I-A. Amilia.”
“amilia.” Cornell smiled and said, “Nice name.”
Cornell signaled a waiter, flashed a black card, and instructed, “Apply for a membership for Amilia.”
Amilia was so astonished that her mouth hung open. A membership to this club required assets exceeding 100 million dollars for eligibility. It granted access to all relevant upscale dining and leisure facilities. Only with the membership could she secure a reservation.
The membership was not merely a marker of wealth but also a symbol of elite status. It was a dream for many, Amilia included. She had never imagined that she might actually possess such a membership in her lifetime.
Overwhelmed with joy, Amilia’s voice trembled as she stammered, “Thank you… Thank you…”
Cornell simply smiled and said, “Go ahead.”
With a burst of happiness, Amilia followed the waiter to process her membership. Before she left, she cast a venomous glance at Audrey while Cornell was distracted.
To Audrey, that look felt like a slap across her face. Moments earlier, she had threatened to expose Amilia’s lack of membership.
Yet, within seconds, Cornell had granted Amilia a membership. This was more than just a slap in the face. It felt like a series of deliberate, agonizing cuts through her heart.
Sitting motionless, Audrey’s face drained of color, feeling as if she had swallowed a stone. She ventured, her voice tinged with discomfort, “Cornell, you don’t believe me?”
Cornell, without glancing her way, responded with nonchalance, “Miss Foster, you’re reading too much into it.”
At that moment, Audrey felt the absurdity of the situation. She felt she didn’t recognize him anymore. She wondered, to force her surrender, what other measures he might employ.
Cap?tulo 818:
Unable to remain seated, Audrey was about to leave when Benson and his friend returned. They had been caught up in conversation with some old acquaintances nearby, oblivious to the unfolding drama.
Approaching with two well-dressed young men, Benson introduced them to Audrey with enthusiasm. “”Audrey, meet the sons of my closest friends. They’re trustworthy fellows. Currently working overseas, they plan to return to Ardlens eventually. It’s good for you to network. After all, you’re all the future of our community.”
Observers with a keen sense of awareness would realize Benson’s intent to match Audrey with a potential suitor.
Benson, recently irked by Cornell’s demeanor toward Audrey, held a certain esteem for Cornell but placed Audrey, whom he viewed as a daughter, above all others. Thus, he felt compelled to bolster Audrey’s social standing and demonstrate her popularity.
Despite his age, Benson’s occasional youthful whimsy lent him an endearing charm. It was genuine and cute.
Caught in a quandary, Audrey refrained from embarrassing Benson, exchanging business cards with the two men courteously. She yearned to depart yet found herself anchored by Benson’s ongoing engagement with the two men.
Then, unexpectedly, the club’s emcee activated the microphone, announcing robustly, “Esteemed guests, it’s another warm Friday night. Let’s set aside our devices and embrace our neighbors with warmth and affection.”
Rarely a visitor to such venues, Audrey was at a loss with the proceedings.
The next instant, the lights dimmed to darkness.
Amidst her confusion, Audrey found herself enveloped in the embrace of someone.
Being embraced in the darkness without knowing the identity of the other party, a sudden chill slithered through Audrey’s body, causing goosebumps to prickle along her spine. It was an alien and inexplicable dread that gnawed at her core.
“Let… Let me go…” Audrey’s face was pressed tightly against the man’s chest, her voice muffled and barely audible. She struggled against his grip, but it was unyielding, his strength overwhelming.
Amidst the darkness, the announcer’s resounding voice declared, “The pinnacle of love is revealed in an embrace. May this tender and soothing gesture alleviate all sorrows tonight.”
“Let me go…” Audrey struggled once more, yet her cries were swallowed by the man’s enveloping hold.
His chest was like a magnet, holding her captive, its pull threatening to consume her.
Audrey kicked frantically, but her legs met only empty space.
As the countdown clock reached its final second, the suffocating grip around Audrey suddenly dissipated.
The room was filled with a resounding “snap,” restoring light.
Audrey’s eyes swiftly shifted toward Cornell’s seat, where an unexpected scene unfolded before her.
Amilia, rubbing her arm gently as she whimpered, had somehow ended up next to Cornell. “You squeezed me so tightly…” she lamented.
Audrey’s complexion paled, a sudden rush of breathlessness overtaking her.
Klein Becker, the bespectacled boy seated beside Audrey, edged nearer to Audrey and said, “I sincerely apologize. Just then…”
Audrey’s voice sliced through the air sharply. “Hugging someone without their explicit consent is the height of disrespect!” Her tone’s intensity silenced the surrounding chatter abruptly.
Benson, his expression marked with concern, turned to Audrey. “Are you alright, Audrey? Is everything okay?”
Cap?tulo 819:
Audrey struggled to regain her composure, her voice retaining a frosty edge as she spoke. “I’m feeling somewhat unwell. I must excuse myself.”
Noticing Audrey’s pale complexion, Benson refrained from insisting she stay. “I can have my driver accompany you,” he offered.
“That won’t be necessary. My driver is waiting outside,” Audrey declined politely.
As Audrey exited the room gracefully, Benson turned to Klein with a stern expression. “What did you do to upset Audrey like that?”
Klein scratched his head, stammering, unable to offer a coherent response.
Benson wasted no time in cutting through the evasiveness. “Did you hug her against her wish just now?”
“I… I regret my actions.” Klein began to explain before opting instead to apologize. Who could blame him for being captivated by such a stunning woman like Audrey? Caught up in the moment, Klein had impulsively embraced her, unaware of the consequences it would bring.
“You fool!” Benson scolded sharply, “You absolute imbecile!”
“Could you assist in clarifying matters to Audrey? I never intended for this outcome. Her reaction took me by surprise,” Klein said to Benson.
In a swift motion, Benson’s wine glass landed on Klein’s face.
“Ugh!” Benson exclaimed, his tone filled with disdain. “You must be dreaming! Count yourself fortunate I’m not pummeling you. I will inform your father of this incident. Your lack of tact astonishes me. Have you ever interacted with women?”
“I implore you, please. I promise this won’t happen. There was no malice in my actions.” Klein nearly sank to his knees, begging for leniency. “If my father discovers this, he’ll be livid. He might even ground me.
“I’m culpable as well for taking the time to see your true nature before introducing you to Audrey.” Benson’s frustration boiled over, and he shattered a wine glass at Klein’s feet. “Now, leave my sight!”
To Benson, this marked a profound failure. He resolved to offer Audrey a heartfelt apology the next day. His judgment had hit rock bottom.
Recognizing Benson’s intense anger, Klein wisely refrained from further words. He promptly rose and made his exit.
“Wait a moment,” Benson called out.
Thinking Benson’s request signaled a change in attitude, Klein turned, a spark of hope in his eyes.
“Audrey’s business card. Give it here,” Benson commanded.
With a sigh, Klein retrieved the card.
Benson then motioned toward Ruben. “You too, sonny. Both of you seem up to no good.”
“I haven’t done anything!” Ruben weakly protested.
Benson scoffed. “You two are inseparable, so I’m sure there’s some mischief afoot.”