Filed to story: My Husband Regrets Divorcing Me (Audrey & Cornell)
Audrey stood upright, her body poised and vigilant.
Time ticked by slowly.
While Audrey’s attention remained focused on the descending floor numbers displayed on the elevator panel, she maintained a vigilant watch over the man’s every movement from the corner of her eye. She refused to let her guard down for even a moment.
Observing the man’s cautious glances around, Audrey remained on high alert.
The venue’s elevator was outfitted with high-definition cameras capturing every angle, and it appeared that the man took a moment to glance toward them.
Each passing moment felt agonizingly long.
At last, the elevator reached the basement level.
Audrey’s legs had stiffened with tension.
“Ding.” As the elevator doors slid open, the man remained stationary, seemingly waiting for Audrey to exit first.
With legs stiffened by tension, Audrey cautiously began to step forward, but the sound of approaching footsteps from behind caught her attention. She was just a few strides away from where the driver awaited her in the car.
Quickening her pace, Audrey had barely moved when a sudden grip on her shoulder jolted her.
Audrey’s body tensed instinctively, and without hesitation, she swung her elbow back forcefully.
The person behind Audrey managed to evade the blow slightly, allowing Audrey the chance to dash toward the waiting car. However, her escape was halted by a deep voice calling out her name. “Audrey…”
Whirling around in alarm, Audrey recognized the figure behind her as Cornell.
Audrey threw herself into his arms in a rush of relief, still trembling with adrenaline. “Cornell…”
Feeling Audrey’s trembling, Cornell’s expression hardened immediately.
“What’s the matter?”
Audrey glanced around, finding no one there. She couldn’t shake off the feeling of unease, wondering if her instincts were playing tricks on her.
The man in the elevator emitted a distinct scent, unlike the locals, perhaps foreign.
Now, with no one trailing them, Audrey considered the possibility that the individual she sensed was simply someone heading to retrieve a vehicle.
Just then, a black sedan passed by.
Blinking, Audrey said, “There was a man in the elevator earlier. I thought I was being followed.”
“Get in the car first,” Cornell instructed, his senses on high alert.
Once settled inside the vehicle, Cornell placed a call.
As the security team swiftly locked down the entire parking lot, Audrey watched anxiously as they meticulously searched for any suspicious individuals, including the black sedan that had recently passed by.
To her surprise, the outfit of the driver of the sedan bore a striking resemblance to the man Audrey had seen in the elevator.
Removing his hat, the man revealed his ordinary face.
Audrey began to question her perception, wondering if fatigue had caused her to conjure up illusions. Seeking to allay Cornell’s lingering concerns, she reassured him, “It’s alright. I may have been overly suspicious.”
Feeling awkward, Audrey then apologized to the man.
Victor, now behind the wheel of Audrey’s car, departed with Cornell’s vehicle following closely behind.
Once their cars had vanished from sight, the previously parked black sedan slowly reemerged outside the lot.
The driver swiftly removed a lifelike mask, exposing a blond, blue-eyed visage. He dialed a number, his tone grave. “Mr. Glyn, the situation has become complicated. There are too many bodyguards around her.”
Unlike Aurora, where disposing of someone was as simple as squashing an ant, security in Ardlens was stringent, making any misstep a potential risk of capture.
As the man conversed, the emblem tattooed on his arm was starkly illuminated by the moonlight.
Aurora.
Meanwhile, Davey found amusement in tormenting a canary confined in a nearby cage.
He continued to taunt the bird, flicking it with his finger and sporting a smirk. “Let’s postpone the plan for now. Casey just woke up. I’ve decided to refrain from any killings this month, particularly since I don’t want to upset her.”
Despite Casey’s seemingly lack of recollection, Audrey was still her daughter, after all.
“There’s something else of interest, Mr. Glyn,” the man interjected.
“Oh?”
“I’ve encountered this woman on a previous assignment.”
Davey’s curiosity piqued. “So, someone else was after her as well?”
“Not quite. It just coincided with my ‘tribulation day,’ and I required a soul for the tribulation.”
This time around, the same principle applied. Otherwise, with his standing, he wouldn’t be tasked with such assignments.
The man reminded Davey, “The individual in question is also linked to you.”
Davey inquired, “My niece?”
“Yes, but surprisingly, this woman managed to survive.” The man recalled the incident vividly. The car Audrey was in five years ago had plunged into the river and disintegrated upon impact. It was astounding that Audrey had managed to survive such a catastrophic event.
“Don’t worry, Mr. Glyn. I’ll ensure this one doesn’t slip through my fingers,” the man assured, a sinister grin playing on his lips. “No prey evades my grasp.”
Davey chuckled darkly. “Then strike in a month.”
Resuming his interaction with the canary, Davey was taken aback when the bird suddenly pecked at him.
“Crack.”
Without hesitation, Davey swiftly ended the bird’s life, its once vibrant form now still within the confines of its cage.
Davey’s eyes gleamed with a twisted amusement as he stroked the lifeless creature. “Isn’t that much more obedient?”
Suddenly, a noise from outside caught Davey’s attention.
“Who’s there?” Davey hurried to the door and swung it open.
There, Davey found Casey kneeling on the staircase. His gaze turned as cold as it had been when he had dispatched the canary.
Approaching slowly, his voice eerily calm, he questioned, “Casey, what are you doing here?”
Casey’s shoulders quivered as she glanced upward, her voice trembling with fear. “Davey, I couldn’t find you… Davey paused, studying her intently for a prolonged moment. Finally, his Lips twitched slightly. “What reason is there for fear? I haven’t gone anywhere.”
“Davey, my foot hurts…” Casey’s visage, mature yet beautiful, bore an expression of innocence that surprisingly suited her well.
Davey gradually crouched down, his smile lacking warmth. “I’ll carry you back.”
He hoisted the alluring Casey, and as he rose, she leaned her chin dependently on his shoulder.
Their gazes drifted in divergent directions, each lost in their own contemplations.
The following day.
Audrey arrived at the studio and was just about to exit the car when suddenly, a swarm of reporters emerged.
“Miss Foster, Miss Glyn of the Glyn Group has leveled an accusation against you, alleging that you seduced her fianc? during their engagement period. Is there any truth to this claim?”
“Miss Foster, rumors are circulating that you are financially supported by multiple benefactors, including Mr. Frazier of Arthen Entertainment. Can you confirm or deny these allegations?”
“Miss Foster, isn’t it true that Mr. Frazier and Mr. Clement are close acquaintances? Are there any arrangements or associations?”
“Miss Foster, have you been made aware of the speculation regarding Miss Glyn being pregnant with Mr. Clement’s child…”
A deluge of accusations left Audrey stunned.
Before Audrey could formulate a response, a hand adorned with distinct knuckles forcefully swiped away one of the relentless cameras.
Cornell’s demeanor exuded coldness as he turned his gaze toward the owner of the camera. “Why not address your inquiries to me directly?”
The camera hit the ground with a loud crash.
The man, suddenly without his camera, barely had time to register who was before him when he turned white and yelled, “Crescent is assaulting people now!”
His outcry caused a stir among those present.
Cornell, dressed in shiny black shoes, stepped on the shattered camera. In a cold tone, he grabbed the man by the collar and tossed him to Matteo, saying, “Here’s a phony reporter who sneaked in. Take him to the police.”
The man froze for a second and protested, “I am a reporter, a legitimate one! Your claim doesn’t make a difference!”