Filed to story: My Husband Regrets Divorcing Me (Audrey & Cornell)
But Cornell’s grip remained firm, his voice dropping to a whisper.
“Please, don’t go tonight. Stay with me?”
The memory of Cornell’s allure that night flashed through Audrey’s mind, his striking figure etched in her memory, stirring a blush on her cheeks at the thought. The possibility of repeating that night if she stayed crossed her mind. Absolutely not!
Firmly, Audrey refused, “I can’t stay. My brother will start looking for me soon.”
Audrey remembered how her previous lie to Victor had easily unraveled, prompting Erick to tighten his watch over her. He had taken to video calling her at night, making unexpected checks.
Cornell, noticing her embarrassment, realized she was recalling their intimate moment the other night. His resolve to negotiate with Erick grew stronger, understanding that only with Erick’s blessing could they truly be together.
Cornell hesitated but didn’t want to press Audrey into a corner. He let out a sigh, a mix of resignation and mischief coloring his tone.
“Alright, you can leave. But as a small penalty for having avoided me for the previous two days, how about a kiss?”
Audrey’s cheeks warmed at his request, her voice tinged with disbelief. “What are you saying?”
He looked at her, his expression grave. “My stomach’s been acting up.
I could use a bit of comfort.”
With no real escape, Audrey leaned in, her lips brushing his in the faintest of touches. She felt her face heat up. This was new territory for her, initiating such an intimate gesture.
“I’ll be off then,” she managed to say, lifting her gaze to meet his.
The twinkle in his eyes sent her heart racing, and she turned away, trying to pull free from his grasp.
Cornell teased, “Looks like you still need some guidance. Guess I’ll have to be the teacher.”
“What?” Audrey asked. The next moment, Cornell drew her closer, her back against his chest.
Before Audrey could process his intentions, Cornell lowered his head, his kiss far more deliberate than hers. His hands cradled her face, deepening the kiss, leaving her breathless and unable to form coherent thoughts.
The warmth of his embrace enveloped her, her heart pounding against her chest.
After what felt like an eternity, Cornell finally released her, his voice rough with emotion. “That’s how a kiss ought to be.”
Audrey, her face aflame, attempted to rise, but his arms held her firmly.
“Stay just a moment longer,” he whispered, his voice husky. “It’s been two days too long. I’ve missed you.”
His words flowed easily, sweetened by genuine affection.
Cornell seemed ready to bare his soul to her and weave words of love he had never before uttered.
“I’ve missed you so much. You haunt my dreams, yet you stay just out of reach…”
There was a softness in his voice, a vulnerability that seemed at odds with the man of confidence she knew.
Hearing this side of him left Audrey speechless, caught off guard by the depth of his feelings, his pride momentarily set aside.
Cornell released her before making a request. “Tomorrow, I want to savor the porridge you make.”
He cherished the flavor of her porridge, unparalleled in taste over the last five years.
Porridge, of all things? Audrey was baffled. With countless staff at her beck and call, Audrey hadn’t touched a pot in ages, yet the task seemed trivial.
She nodded. “Alright, but you must let me go now. I need to head back.”
With one last kiss, Cornell let her slip away from his grasp.
He then stood up, offering, “I’ll drive you back.”
Audrey protested, eyes wide, “But you’re unwell.”
“I feel fine,” Cornell countered, eager for a few more moments with her.
Despite his handsome, yet slightly pallid appearance, Audrey saw through his bravado. “Absolutely not, or you can forget about your porridge.”
Cornell conceded, suggesting, “Let Matteo drive you back then.”
“I’ve got my own ride,” Audrey replied.
Still, Cornell insisted with a concern that roughened his voice, “Have him follow you back. It’s late, and I worry.”
Audrey felt a sweetness swell in her heart, a comforting warmth spreading within.
After Audrey’s departure, Cornell’s night took a turn. Katie’s anxious voice reached him over the phone.
“Cornell…” Katie was on the verge of tears, revealing her father’s sudden heart attack.
“How could this happen?” Cornell’s brow furrowed in concern.
“I don’t know. Suddenly, my dad passed out at home.” Katie’s voice trembled.
Tears brimmed in Katie’s eyes as she spoke. “Would you mind postponing the clarification press conference tomorrow? The Glyn group is in disarray. News like this could tank the stock price. For the long-standing friendship between our families, could you consider delaying it..
Cornell took a moment, his lips drawing into a thin line. “I’ll reach out to the finest cardiovascular specialist for your father and make every effort to pull him through.”
Relief washed over Katie, her heart lighter with the knowledge that her choice was sound.
The next moment, Cornell’s voice carried a chill. “The Glyn Group can have half a month to steady itself against any sudden events and shifts in the stock market before we hold the press conference.”
This concession was a significant gesture of respect from Cornell to Katie’s father. The Glyn Group now had a fortnight to manage the crisis. It was enough time. His mind was set. He would swiftly handle any tribulations that might unsettle Audrey.
Katie couldn’t believe what she just heard. The words coming from Cornell were rut hless. Trembling, she choked and pled, “Cornell, but…”
But before Katie could finish her words, Cornell, with an emotionless voice, interrupted, “I don’t want to hear any but! Katie, listen up.
If the Glyn Group fails to come up with a solution for the present crises, then the PR team needs to be booted out of the company.”
“I…” Katie wanted to argue, but Cornell interrupted her again, saying firmly, “That will be all.”
Then, not caring for what Katie had to say, Cornell had cut off the call.
A little while later, Matteo came in and delivered the news that Reagan, having been escorted, had arrived home safe and sound.
Cornell said nothing for a moment. Finally, he raised his head and said, “I want you to probe Katie’s father’s condition. The moment you discover anything suspicious about his illness, inform me.”
Having seen through Katie, the firm trust that Cornell previously had in her was now shattered. Now, every word that came out of her mouth sounded like lies to him.
If Katie’s claim turned out to be true, then the whole situation could easily be diffused. After all, Katie’s father was a long-time supporter of his faction. Cornell would give the Glyn family ample time to take care of the crises at hand.
But, if Katie had lied to him, he wouldn’t be merciful in the slightest. He would unleash his full wrath upon her.
Before long, Matteo was able to obtain Katie’s father’s test report.
According to the report, Katie’s father had developed complications that led to him experiencing a shock which could lead him to become critically ill.
“I have also combed through every other document in the hospital that has anything to do with Mr. Glyn, and from the look of things, he is quite in a serious condition. And all the time he has been at the ICU, Miss Glyn has been by his side,” Matteo reported.
Cornell nodded and glanced at the report. It was an authentic one, which meant there was no foul play anywhere.
Cornell then looked at Matteo and instructed, “Contact the best cardiovascular specialist in the country and see to it that they have a consultant with Mr. Glyn.”
“Will do,” Matteo replied.
Just as Matteo was about to leave, he suddenly remembered something else needed to report to Cornell. Turning around, he said, “By the way, Mr. Clement, a fire occurred down at Velvet Alley, killing a woman. The police have released an identification notice based on her physical characteristics. And from the way the victim was described, I think she might be Miss Murray. However, I have not yet confirmed if it’s her.”
Cornell had dumped Cecilia into the Velvet Alley to teach the latter a lesson.
In line with Cornell’s orders, Matteo didn’t seize Cecilia’s phone.
That gave Cecilia the freedom to contact the police if she didn’t want to be harmed. But then, if she contacted the police, she would be bought to book for drugging others. She’d end up in jail.
Cornell had given Cecilia two options. Cecilia preferred being tortured in Velvet Alley to being in jail.
Matteo felt no pity for Cecilia whatsoever. She had brought a painful ending down upon herself.
Cornell lowered his gaze slightly and simply said, “Go to her residence, gather her personal belongings, and see to it that you identify her.”
At that moment, the image of Cecilia’s last look, which had been resentful, popped into Cornell’s mind. He mustn’t let his guard down until the victim’s DNA had been confirmed to be Cecilia’s.
Not that Cornell was afraid for his safety. If he knew anything about Cecilia, it was that instead of targeting him, she might go after Audrey instead.
Meanwhile, at the door of the ICU.
Katie stared at the phone in her hand as she squeezed it out of frustration. How could Cornell be so cold and ruthless? Didn’t he have an iota of humanity in him?
Katie closed her eyes for a moment and placed a hand on her forehead.