Filed to story: My Husband Regrets Divorcing Me (Audrey & Cornell)
Now that Audrey was done saying her piece, she turned on her heel and was about to head back to the chamber when she bumped into Cornell who just came out of the chamber.
Cornell’s handsome face was dark and cold and his thin lips were tightly pursed. His displeased expression made it clear that he had heard Audrey’s words.
Audrey knew her words must have hurt Cornell’s pride. However, she didn’t feel any sympathy toward him. She only found the woman around him annoying. She didn’t spare him a second glance and walked away.
Cornell hesitated, his fist clenching and then relaxing as if he was unsure whether to grab her. Eventually, he decided against it.
Katie breathed a sigh of relief. In fact, she had seen Cornell coming out early on. Moreover, she always paid attention to her reputation and the impression she left on others. On the surface, there was nothing wrong with what she just said. Any outsiders who heard her would think that she wanted to catch up with Audrey.
But in reality, Katie wanted to use this opportunity to make Cornell see how hostile Audrey became.
Katie approached Cornell at a leisurely pace, her gaze fixed on him and a smile on her lips. “I don’t understand why Audrey is upset. It seems like there was a misunderstanding somewhere. Do you think I should apologize and clarify things with her?”
Katie was confident that Cornell wouldn’t find anything wrong with what she just said to Audrey. In fact, she was certain that her words made her seem generous.
Cornell’s thin lips parted slightly. He replied, “Don’t bother.”
Cornell knew better than anyone why Audrey was acting this way. Her actions were not driven by anger or jealousy. In truth, she despised everyone around him because she disliked him.
Oblivious to Cornell’s thoughts, Katie took his words as surficial meaning and was delighted, thinking he was siding with her and deemed Audrey being unreasonable. The more unreasonable Audrey acted, the more magnanimous she had to be.
Affecting a concerned expression, Katie murmured, “Don’t take Audrey’s words too personally. I’m sure she didn’t intend for them to be hurtful.”
Again, her words were delicately chosen. While her words appeared comforting on the surface, they were making Cornell replay Audrey’s words in his mind.
After all, Audrey just called Cornell a lame thing.
Cornell had never been described with such an adjective in his life.
If he was a lame thing, then there was no good thing in this world.
Cornell didn’t bother looking at Katie and warned, “She doesn’t like you. You should avoid her in the future and not make her angry.”
Katie was stunned. The smile on her face froze. She thought she must have misheard. “Cornell, what do you mean?”
Cornell stared at Katie. “I’m pursuing her now, so I don’t want any unnecessary misunderstandings. Since she doesn’t like you, just give her a wide berth and avoid her from now on.”
This time, there was no way Katie could misunderstand his words.
Instantly, she felt as if she had been slapped in public.
Katie flushed hot with embarrassment. As an heiress of a prominent family and vice president of a renowned company, she had to steer clear of a relatively unknown design director. Not only that, but she also had to make way for Audrey when she saw Audrey! She couldn’t comprehend the logic behind this.
Despite her usual etiquette and generosity, Katie couldn’t shake the feeling of dissatisfaction at the current situation.
Katie’s smile vanished as she fought to control her emotions.
“Cornell, did you ever consider my feelings?”
Katie’s words carried a touch of grievance. This wasn’t something she aimed for after enduring so much these years.
Katie came from a decent family. Marrying into wealth was no challenging task for her. But for the public to get the wrong id ea of her being Cornell’s fianc?e, she put up with the coverage of belittling her for her failure to marry Cornell.
She did it all for Cornell. She was dead set on marrying him. To her, Cornell’s wealth and power were just the cherry on top. She had fallen for him for years. She was certain no one in the world could love Cornell more than she did.
Cornell looked up at Katie, his words cold and unyielding. “I’ve decided to win Audrey back,” he declared. “I’ll talk to my mother.
If you find it hard to convince your parents, I’ll handle it. Don’t worry. I’ll take all the blame, so your reputation won’t suffer.” His tone left no room for discussion.
Katie realized the more content she had felt moments earlier, the more humiliated she felt now.
In essence, Cornell was telling Katie that she was no longer useless to him. After all, he had opposed the marriage with her all along.
It was Katie who had spread the rumors and taken advantage of the situation.
At that time, Cornell wasn’t following entertainment news, so he remained unaware until it exploded in the media.
Although Cornell had denied the rumors back then, the public assumed he simply wanted to keep it private, and no one doubted their relationship.
Later, Katie approached Cornell for help, expressing her reluctance to rush into marriage despite her parents’ consistent nagging. Katie proposed the idea of putting on an act of them being in a relationship to handle their own parents’ nagging.
Upon hearing Cornell’s words, Katie felt a wave of dizziness and struggled to stand. It took her a considerable time to steady herself.
She was wise enough not to fixate on the matter. Quickly regaining her composure, she said gently, “Okay, it’s up to you.”
Hearing this, Cornell nodded without any expression. He started walking toward his car, and Katie hurried to catch up with him.
As Katie intended to hop in, Cornell turned to her. “I had asked Matteo to arrange another car for you,” he said.
Katie’s face paled at his words. In the past, she and Cornell often arrived and left several places together. Though Matteo was usually behind the wheel and Cornell was in the backseat, she would simply sit in the passenger seat, leaving room for the reporters to spin some tales.
Just as Katie had expected, the reporters had always overlooked Matteo, constantly featuring her and Cornell in headlines.
However, Cornell wouldn’t even let her get in his car now. Katie looked at him, a mix of fury and sorrow in her eyes. Today’s events had hit her hard, leaving her feeling downcast.
“Do you really have to treat me this way, Cornell?” Katie’s voice wavered, betraying her upset, and she struggled to hold back sobs.
Cornell, unable to ignore it, looked up at her with a sharp, questioning gaze.
Feeling his intense stare, Katie quickly composed herself, holding back her tears. “I just meant we’ve always been seen together,” she explained. “It was all for work, so people wouldn’t misinterpret our relationship.”
Cornell responded icily, “I’m not concerned about what others think.
I’m worried Audrey might get the wrong idea.”
Before Audrey’s unexpected return, Cornell paid little mind to such trivialities. Now, things were different.
Cornell suspected Reagan might not be as affected by these rumors as he feared. From his observations, it seemed she wasn’t particularly interested in him. Yet, he was keen to avoid any misunderstanding.
He’d learned his lesson from his indulgence of Cecilia’s doings. In short, he didn’t want Audrey to misunderstand him again.
“I’ll have the PR department issue a clarification,” Cornell stated flatly. “I hope you’ll cooperate. From now on, Matteo will handle everything. You don’t need to deliver any documents to me personally.”
Katie, at a loss for words, fought to maintain her composure and managed a forced smile as she replied, “I understand. I’ll be more cautious in the future.” “But Cornell, my father’s health has been poor lately. Could you delay the statement until he’s better?”
Cornell’s frown deepened, prompting Katie to quickly add, “It won’t take long. Maybe just half a month, okay? Plus, I’ve already made a statement before, and I’ve never told anyone that we’re engaged.
Could you do this for me, for my father’s sake?”
The Glyn family had always stood by Cornell, supporting him when no one else did.
Cornell, a reasonable man, nodded his agreement before stepping into his car.
Katie entered the other vehicle arranged by Matteo. As their cars crossed paths, she caught a glimpse of Cornell’s profile. Even in imperfect light, his features struck her as a work of art. This sight made her clench her fists.
Katie found herself thinking about the two people she had encountered near the bathroom earlier. She realized she wasn’t the only one eager to see Audrey out of the picture. With this thought, she relaxed her grip and leaned back comfortably in the seat.
The glow from a street lamp illuminated her face, which now bore a determined, almost fierce look. She was resolute. No one would take Cornell from her.
In the other car, Matteo glanced over his shoulder. “Mr. Clement, where to next?” he inquired.
Cornell, massaging his temples wearily, replied in a subdued tone, “Just wait a moment.” He was waiting for Audrey, who hadn’t emerged yet.
Matteo, noticing the fatigue on Cornell’s face, couldn’t help but feel concerned for Cornell. He offered, “Should I get someone to drive you home, and I’ll wait here?”
“No, don’t bother,” Cornell replied, glancing at the exit and checking the time. He was expecting Audrey to have come out by now.
Worried, Cornell instructed, “Go check on her. If she’s in trouble, help her out directly.”
Receiving the command, Matteo nodded and stepped out of the car.
Meanwhile, in the chamber, Audrey finished her water in one gulp. She had insisted she was driving herself and couldn’t have any alcohol.
But truthfully, she just had a low alcohol tolerance. Without a trusted companion, she wouldn’t drink in the company of strangers.
The dinner was lively, with everyone in high spirits. Cary, seeking to further brighten the mood, offered to play some games.
Leaving early seemed inappropriate for Audrey, as it might dampen the lively atmosphere.
While seated, Audrey started feeling dizzy and her heart began racing.
She tried to leave, but lost her balance as soon as she stood, breaking into a sweat.
Cary quickly summoned a waiter and assisted Audrey to the lounge.
Once in the lounge, Audrey’s headache intensified, and she suspected something was wrong. She reached for her phone to call Erick, only to realize she didn’t have it with her. It must have been left on the table.
Audrey struggled to her feet, intending to ask the waiter for her phone. As she moved towards the door, it swung open.
Cary walked in. His eyes widened upon seeing her unsteady stance.