Filed to story: My Husband Regrets Divorcing Me (Audrey & Cornell)
Cornell stood motionless, bathed in the harsh overhead light that highlighted his handsome features.
Yet, to Katie, his expression might as well have been the grim reaper’s. A cold shiver ran through her, and just looking at him made her legs weak.
Cornell looked down at Katie, his voice deep and rough. “Katie, do you enjoy playing games?”
Katie’s heart skipped a beat. She fought her anxiety and tried to sound composed. “Cornell, what do you mean? I don’t get it.”
Cornell noticed her feigned ignorance, his eyes turning frostier.
“Didn’t I tell you to avoid upsetting her?”
Katie, filled with a mix of bitterness and resentment, replied, “I didn’t… I only came to you because I noticed some reporters nearby. I had no idea Audrey was here.”
Katie assumed she only said a few words to Audrey. How could that be seen as provocation?
“You didn’t know?” Cornell scoffed. “If you were unaware, why couldn’t you keep quiet?”
“You’ve got it all wrong. I had planned to get a dress made for a trip, which was postponed. I thought it was a good opportunity to…”
“Ah! Ah!” Katie had not finished speaking when she suddenly covered her face and screamed.
“Smash!” The sound of shattering filled the room as a porcelain bowl grazed Katie’s face and broke against the glass turntable.
“Keep your schemes to yourself.” Cornell had no interest in hearing Katie out. His lips twisted into a cold smile. “If you’re not interested in continuing our agreement, you’re free to leave.”
Katie’s expression shifted rapidly to one of panic as she reached out to grab Cornell’s arm. Yet, remembering the recent pain, she hesitated and pulled back her hand.
Katie realized that in front of Cornell, neither excuses nor tears would work, so she dropped the act. “Cornell, you promised me a wedding. What’s wrong with my defending my rights before then?”
Her confident tone and the quick change in her demeanor were striking.
This was her true self showing.
“Besides, as part of our agreement, I promised to get the Maxwell family to back off from attempting to murder Audrey and to help you find the antidote after the wedding. Aren’t those terms significant enough?”
Katie stood tall, her gaze radiating the confident glow of someone having the upper hand. In the deal with Cornell, she deemed herself as the one in the advantageous position.
When Cornell came back, Katie was the only one aware that he had been poisoned. Without wasting a moment, she went straight to him to lay out her demands. Obviously, Cornell would have to comply. After all, his very survival was at stake.
The poison was said to be lethal without a cure, but that wasn’t entirely true. Davey had helped Katie track down the scientist who had concocted the antidote.
Cornell, to Katie’s astonishment, set a condition that he wanted Audrey removed from the Maxwell family’s hit list. Cornell even mentioned the Maxwell family by name, making it clear he knew about her connections.
Cap?tulo 842:
Katie realized that with Cornell’s resources, figuring out Davey’s close ties to the Maxwell family wouldn’t have been difficult.
Cornell’s demand was manageable for Katie. She had been the one to orchestrate Audrey’s inclusion on the hit list anyway.
Katie assumed if she couldn’t win Cornell’s love, so be it. She’d bind him with obligations instead, believing that someday, she’d win his heart through them.
“Katie, you seem to be misunderstanding something,” Cornell said, his eyes intense and menacing. “The thing about agreements is they’re limited to what’s been agreed upon, nothing more. You said you merely defended your rights?”
He clenched and unclenched his fists, his joints cracking crisply.
Then, he slowly walked forward.
With each step he took, Katie’s heart pounded wildly.
Suddenly, Cornell’s long fingers gripped her chin firmly, Looking down at her as her pupils widened with fear, and his eyes held an icy chill. “Tell me, what rights do you think you have?”
Katie’s courage melted away under his intense presence. She clenched her teeth and shivered, saying, “Cornell, you’re hurting me. Please let go…”
He ignored her pleas, his voice sharp and commanding. “Who told you that you have these rights? Was it me?”
Cornell suddenly released her, and Katie slumped into the plush seat, gasping for breath.
The light revealed the icy sternness in Cornell’s face. Katie could tell he was furious! In such moments, she knew better than to argue with him. When he lost his temper, he was formidable.
Katie lowered her eyes, still showing a hint of defiance, and said through gritted teeth, “Cornell, regardless, we’re going to be married soon!”
She paused and took a deep breath, her eyes beginning to tear up.
“At least in public, try to show some respect for me.”
“Don’t pretend you haven’t read the contract you signed.” His eyes dark and unforgiving, he said coldly, “Only the wedding. Nothing else.”
Katie’s face instantly paled. She was dead set on marrying Cornell.
Although he was reluctant to make it official with a marriage certificate, the mere promise of a wedding was enough for her. After all, should anything happen to Cornell, she would still be recognized as his spouse in the eyes of others. Her position would remain secure.
The dishes had turned cold.
However, Cornell, appearing calmer now, pulled back a chair and said casually, “Eat now. Aren’t these your favorite dishes?”
With that, Cornell scooped the soggy vegetables onto Katie’s plate.
The ladle clinked sharply as he set it down. His lips curled into a slight smile. “Eat.”
Katie pressed her lips together, her face ghostly pale. These dishes were cold. Plus, she wasn’t in the mood to eat. “I… I’m not hungry,” she stammered. She stood up hesitantly, ready to leave. “I will leave first.”
“Sit down!” Cornell commanded. His voice was cold and distant, carrying a chilling edge that could make anyone tremble.
Cap?tulo 843:
Katie’s legs tensed, and she dropped back down into her seat.
“Didn’t you say you enjoy the dishes in this restaurant?” Cornell’s slender fingers drummed on the table as he uttered, “Finish them.”
Noting the rare darkness in his gaze, Katie felt a chill run through her palms. For the first time, her feelings for Cornell had included not only obsession but also fear. She knew she had no other choice.
“I’ll eat,” she declared. Gripping her fork tightly, she began stuffing her mouth with the broth-soaked vegetables and meat, eager to finish quickly and get away. Cornell’s domineering presence almost suffocated her.
Halfway through the meal, Cornell’s voice cut through the tension.
“Don’t worry about the dress. It’s already taken care of.”
At his words, Katie choked, coughing violently. The red broth smeared her lips, blending with her sweat-damp makeup, leaving her looking dreadful.
At that moment, Katie wasn’t concerned about the dress. She just hoped nothing would go wrong before the wedding. She grumbled under her breath, “Damn you, Audrey! I’ll handle you after the wedding.”
To Katie, ending someone’s life, whether they were marked or not, made no difference. Furthermore, their agreement on removing Audrey from the hit list was only effective overseas. Audrey was now in Ardlens. When she decided she wanted Audrey gone, she wouldn’t hesitate!
“Okay, I got it,” Katie conceded, keeping her thoughts to herself.
Meanwhile, Audrey and Elin had just finished their meal.
The earlier incident had dampened Audrey’s appetite, but she managed to eat something.
At the door, they noticed a discreet black SUV pull up. The driver got out, and to their surprise, it was Stefan, whom they hadn’t seen for some time.
Audrey was shocked. “Stefan, what are you doing here?”
Stefan came over with a friendly smile. “I just got back from Aurora last night. Erick sent me to drive you home,” he said in a playful tone.
Audrey understood that Stefan’s relationship with Erick wasn’t based on orders, but on mutual respect. That was why he cared so much for her.
Elin, overhearing this, tensed up, wishing she had offered to drive Audrey home instead.
Then, Stefan turned to Elin and said kindly, “Elin, Erick mentioned you haven’t responded to his message. He wants to speak with you.”
Elin’s cheeks turned red at once. Erick was always so infuriating.
The way Stefan looked at her made it clear he thought there was something between her and Erick.
Audrey raised an eyebrow at this news. Seeing Elin’s reluctance, she tried to Lighten the mood. “It’s so late. What could Erick possibly want to discuss with Elin at this hour?”
“I’m not sure,” Stefan replied.
Turning back to Elin, who had regained her composure, Audrey asked, “What’s going on?”
“It’s about this troublesome client at the studio,” Elin explained.
Cap?tulo 844:
“He got handy with me last night when he was drunk. Luckily, Erick stepped in and dealt with him. Now the client is threatening to sue, claiming I set him up to be attacked. Erick said he’d handle it. That’s probably what this is about.”
Indeed, the incident last night was the reason for all this commotion. Elin suspected someone had spiked her drink, leading to her intimate moments with Erick.
The very next day, the man Erick had confronted accused Elin of arranging an assault against him.