Filed to story: My Husband Regrets Divorcing Me (Audrey & Cornell)
“I didn’t see your text. Maybe you could explain it in person?”
Erick suggested.
Elin was left speechless. She longed to forget everything about the previous evening. “I’m out having dinner,” she said.
“With whom?”
“With Audrey…” Elin confessed reluctantly.
Erick, learning it was Audrey, felt a slight easing in his tense chest. “Alright, enjoy your dinner.”
Elin, noting that mentioning Audrey was effective, said to Erick, “Make sure to lock the door when you leave.”
Noticing Elin’s tone had returned to being distant, Erick frowned and abruptly hung up.
Elin gazed at the silent phone for a moment. That was just Erick’s way. In his presence, she could never escape being seen as the daughter of a maid.
Audrey walked into the restaurant, and a waiter escorted her upstairs.
The restaurant was a luxurious venue, consisting entirely of chambers without a main hall, ensuring significant privacy.
Audrey had been following the waiter upstairs silently. Suddenly, the waiter greeted, “Good evening, sir.”
Audrey looked up and was taken aback by Cornell’s striking appearance.
Her heart skipped a beat!
Clearly, Cornell had spotted Audrey. His deep, dark eyes held a chilly aloofness.
Their eyes locked for a brief second, and Audrey nearly let the question that was eating her up slip out. Was the baby Katie was carrying his? This question was crucial for her. It had the power to change everything she thought she knew about Cornell.
However, Cornell only gave Audrey a fleeting look of indifference and then turned away as if she were just another face in the crowd.
Cornell started to walk off, his steps long and determined.
Audrey’s hands clenched until the waiter’s voice brought her back, “Miss?”
Audrey shook off her thoughts and hurried after the waiter.
Cornell was walking toward the same direction as Audrey and the waiter.
The restaurant had a unique setup with its chambers scattered about, offering more privacy.
Watching Cornell’s tall silhouette move forward, the sharp lines of his suit highlighting his lean physique, Audrey noticed he looked slimmer than usual. His usual distant air seemed tinged with a sad loneliness.
Cap?tulo 839:
Audrey chuckled to herself quietly. This wasn’t her concern, after all. Cornell hadn’t even bothered to say hello, and perhaps some questions were better left unanswered. Maybe it would be better if they remained strangers.
“Cornell.” A woman’s slim arm linked with Cornell’s. “The dishes are ready. Let’s eat together.”
The atmosphere froze for a moment.
Audrey’s steps halted abruptly. Cornell didn’t particularly like the dishes in this restaurant, but here he was with Katie, likely creating fodder for tomorrow’s gossip columns with their public display of affection.
Katie sensed a coldness coming from Cornell, chilling her to the bone, but she maintained her grip effortlessly. She doubted Cornell would reject her in Audrey’s presence.
As Katie expected, Cornell didn’t pull away. Instead, he replied in an even tone, “Alright.”
Cornell then began to walk away. Katie wasn’t ready to let the moment end. She paused, pretending to just notice Audrey nearby.
“Miss Foster?” Katie’s voice carried a tone of feigned surprise as she stepped forward. “Are you dining here? Why not join us?”
Though Katie’s invitation was bubbly, Audrey wasn’t deceived. When latching onto Cornell’s arm, Katie had spotted her already. This invitation was clearly a show.
What really shocked Audrey was Katie’s current appearance. Although not breathtaking, the previous Katie was far from plain. Typically dressed in designer clothes, Katie usually presented herself as a refined and dignified socialite. Now, it might have been her pregnancy, but her face looked pale and drawn. Her makeup was peeling, unable to hide the dark spots underneath.
This was a sharp contrast to Katie’s flawless image that the news often showed. She was likely enhanced because the Clement Group, which first reported on her, would naturally want the CEO’s wife to look good. Pregnancy really changed Katie.
Audrey wasn’t interested in watching their affectionate display. She responded indifferently, “Thanks, but I’m here with a friend.”
The shock in Audrey’s eyes didn’t escape Katie’s notice. Her grip on Cornell’s hand tightened without her realizing.
If looks could kill, Katie’s stare right then was lethal, particularly after she saw Audrey’s face, smooth and delicate Like a fragile eggshell.
Jealousy and resentment bubbled up from within Katie. Why did her pregnancy have to make her look so unattractive? She cursed the baby inside her for draining her beauty. Yet, here was Audrey, stunning as ever with eyes full of emotion, seemingly trying to charm on purpose.
Katie was fuming.
But Audrey didn’t pay heed to Katie, oblivious to the latter’s vicious thoughts.
Seeing Cornelll not pushing Katie away, with their arms intertwined, Audrey felt a surge of nausea and disgust wash over her.
Erick had brought up the stagnant investigation into the kidnapping case involving Janey and Annis. They had finally tracked down a thug linked to the kidnappers, but just as they were about to question the thug, a lawyer stepped in, and the thug disappeared. They later found out the lawyer was connected to the Clement Group.
Audrey had long harbored suspicions about Katie’s role in the kidnappings. How else would Luciana have known where the kidnappers were? It had to be from the information Luciana got in return for meeting Katie’s demands.
Now, with Luciana being unavailable and the death of those kidnappers, the fact that the mastermind stood unharmed seemed to be solely due to Cornell. If he decided to shield someone, they were untouchable.
Feeling more and more uncomfortable, Audrey tried to leave but was halted by Katie’s extended hand. “Miss Foster, about the dress you designed for me, I approved the draft earlier today. Have you seen it?”
Audrey was taken aback by the abrupt change of topic. Initially, Katie’s deposit appeared to be merely an attempt to embarrass her, and there hadn’t been any follow-up or confirmation since then, leaving the issue hanging.
Now, intent on turning the embarrassment into reality, Katie wasn’t letting it slide. She purposefully said, “I got my wedding dress made last year. Could you just make a couple of casual outfits for me to wear on the honeymoon, and maybe two suits for my husband too?”
Cap?tulo 840:
Audrey frowned and instinctively turned to Cornell. She doubted he failed to see that Katie’s request of having her design clothes was just a way to embarrass her.
Katie, smiling, said to Cornell, “Cornell, Miss Foster’s designs are quite nice. Just let her handle it.”
Cornell’s gaze was cold, and as he started to speak, he suddenly shifted his statement, remarking indifferently, “You handle these minor things.”
At his words, Audrey wasn’t surprised. She shouldn’t have expectations anyway.
It could have been the restaurant’s air conditioning that was malfunctioning. Audrey felt every bit of her skin prickle under her clothes, the cold bothering her deeply. If they could stoop to such behavior, why shouldn’t she use this to her advantage? She would be silly not to seize the opportunity to earn some money.
Facing them directly, Audrey stated plainly, “Alright, I’ll have my assistant schedule a time with you later.”
“Enjoy your meal,” Audrey added, managing a faint smile.
With that, she moved forward, not stopping for a second.
Katie was on the verge of saying something more, but Cornell quickly stopped her by grabbing her hand.
Realizing Cornell was holding her hand, Katie immediately softened, her expression turning to a sweet smile, hoping Audrey would glance back at them.
But Audrey continued walking with steady, unwavering steps, not looking back once.
Katie was overwhelmed with disappointment, but soon, other feelings emerged. She deemed Cornell’s holding her hand as huge progress.
Moments earlier, she had taken moments to muster the courage to Link arms with him loosely, avoiding direct contact.
“Cornell…” Katie whispered softly.
Although he was holding Katie’s hand, Cornell didn’t look at her. His gaze was cold and distant, fixing straight ahead, even though the path was empty.
Just as Katie began to feel confused and was about to ask, Cornell’s grip intensified, painfully squeezing her hand until her bones felt like they might break.
Katie’s face contorted with pain as she exclaimed, “Cornell!”
Cornell remained stoic, seemingly oblivious to her cries, his hold as relentless as a vise. This made her sweat and grimace.
“Cornell…” Katie was nearly in tears from the pain, managing to gasp, “It hurts. Please let go.”
That was when Cornell finally looked down at Katie, his voice cold.
“Someone is taking pictures.”
However, Cornell didn’t relax his grip. Instead, he pulled her along, striding forward swiftly.
With the press taking pictures of them, Katie managed to fight back the urge to cry in pain, forcing a smile.
The pain was intense, her fingers being pressed so tightly that they felt distorted, on the verge of serious damage. Despite the agony, Katie tried her best to maintain a smile, one that looked more pained than any tear could express.
Cap?tulo 841:
Finally, they made it to the reserved chamber. As soon as the door shut behind them, Cornell quickly released her hand.
Katie stumbled and grabbed the back of a chair to steady herself, while tears streamed down her face. Her right hand throbbed painfully, almost feeling numb.