Filed to story: My Husband Regrets Divorcing Me (Audrey & Cornell)
Audrey’s esteemed status as a VIP customer, adorned with a prestigious black gold card, merited such accommodations.
With a mix of consideration and apology, the cabin manager explained, “Per our protocol, we should’ve secured a presidential suite for you. Unfortunately, both the presidential and executive suites are reserved for a high-profile individual’s wedding. These grand spaces are earmarked for VIP guests.”
Audrey’s smile faltered, freezing upon her lips, as she connected the dots. The high-profile individual in question was Likely Cornell.
Over the preceding days, Audrey had buried herself in work, almost as if she were attempting to bury her past with Cornell along with it.
Consequently, Cornell’s wedding hadn’t crossed her mind. Yet, fate had led her to the very hotel hosting his wedding feast.
Judd, too, caught on to the situation and interjected while the cabin manager continued her discourse, “Could you assist us in securing alternate accommodations? Or shall we make the arrangements ourselves?”
The cabin manager hesitated momentarily before responding, “As a holder of the esteemed black gold card, the airline bears the responsibility of arranging your stay. Unfortunately, this hotel stands closest to the airport. The nearby five-star and six-star establishments are fully booked, owing to the wedding festivities.”
Judd’s brow furrowed in disbelief. “Not a single room available?”
The cabin manager’s response bore a note of concern. “If the distance proves too great, it might cause inconvenience to you.”
Before Judd could press further, Audrey intervened, “It’s quite alright. We’ll manage here.”
Exhaling a sigh of relief, the cabin manager felt a weight lifted off her shoulders. She had been concerned about failing to cater to the needs of the VIP guests and potentially facing complaints.
However, observing Audrey’s cooperative demeanor since boarding the plane, the cabin manager couldn’t help but feel apologetic. As a result, her demeanor softened even further, reflecting her desire to ensure Audrey’s comfort. She extended an offer to assist Audrey in arranging a series of spa services, but Audrey politely declined, intending only to retreat to her hotel room and indulge in a relaxing bath.
With a gentle nod, Audrey dismissed the cabin manager, saying, “You needn’t worry about us. Carry on with your duties.”
“Very well, I wish you a pleasant stay,” the cabin manager replied, departing with a gentle nod.
Audrey, retrieving her phone, perused her messages while Judd couldn’t help but grumble, “This airline is truly abysmal…”
Cap?tulo 916:
Judd’s complaint was cut short by a commotion from the front of the plane, where a voice exclaimed loudly, “You there! Who allowed you to take photos? The bride doesn’t allow photos!”
Audrey could see only the pale side of a woman’s face and a flash of her wedding dress. It was Katie, unmistakable in her bridal gown.
The dress cast a spell, illuminating Katie’s usually dull complexion with a delicate radiance.
As Katie turned toward the elevator, her eyes met Audrey’s. A flicker of surprise crossed her features, but she quickly composed herself.
Audrey expected Katie to seize this moment to exchange barbs, yet Katie looked away, letting her assistant guide her into the elevator.
Without Katie’s distinctive look, Audrey might have doubted what she saw. Typically, Katie wouldn’t miss a chance to taunt her.
When the elevator doors closed, concealing the last of the wedding dress, Audrey felt as if she were in a dream. Ever since Cornell had banished her from Ardlens, she had not expected to find herself at his wedding.
Lost in her reverie, Katie’s assistant, who had spoken earlier, approached Audrey abruptly. “Hey, why are you still holding your phone up?”
Looking around, Audrey realized it was just her and Judd nearby, and she was the only one with a phone. At that moment, she understood the assistant’s accusation. “I wasn’t taking pictures; I was just checking my phone,” she clarified.
Ignoring her explanation, Katie’s assistant attempted to snatch Audrey’s phone but Judd intervened with a firm grip.
“Back off!” Judd commanded sharply.
“You!” The assistant winced, twisting his wrist from the grip, and called over to a passing waiter. “What’s this about? Weren’t we supposed to not allow phones here today?”
The waiter turned to Audrey and asked with reason, “Hello, may I know your room number?”
After Audrey provided her room number, the waiter’s attitude shifted to one of respect. “I apologize for the misunderstanding. You’re welcome to return to your room and rest.”
The assistant stood in their way. “Why should they leave? I haven’t checked her phone yet.”
The waiter intervened. “This lady is our guest, and she’s allowed to use her phone. You have no evidence she took any photos of the bride.”
Audrey appreciated the waiter’s fairness but wanted to resolve the situation. She challenged the assistant, “If you find no pictures on my phone, what will you do then? How will you answer for your mistake?”
The assistant faltered for a moment before responding sharply, “If there are no pictures, that’s for the best. Why not show me your phone to confirm?”
Audrey could barely suppress a laugh. Katie’s assistant was as unreasonable as she was, assuming the world should cater to his demands.
“I’m not interested in entertaining your baseless accusations,”
Audrey retorted. “If you believe I’ve taken photos, present your proof. The burden of proof is on you, not me. I won’t waste my time satisfying your demands.”
Audrey’s firm response silenced the assistant more effectively than any threat of physical intervention from Judd, who, despite his protective stance, would never strike unless absolutely necessary.
With the matter closed, Audrey returned to her room and stayed in for the evening, opting to have her dinner delivered.
While dining, Audrey turned on the TV to the financial news, only to see coverage of Cornell’s grand wedding. She had forgotten that the local channels in Ardlens would be focused on broadcasting his extravagant event.
Cap?tulo 917:
The screen displayed the opulent noon banquet, with guests milling around a venue lavishly adorned with flowers, highlighting the considerable expense incurred for the wedding.
Cornell, the groom dapper in a sharp suit, and the beautiful bride, Katie, walked hand-in-hand toward the podium at the entrance.
Seeing this, Audrey felt an urge to look away. She wasn’t one to torment herself and, being pregnant, she could do without the emotional strain.
It marked a significant step for her to detach from Cornell’s actions.
The further she was, the less she felt.
Just as Audrey reached to turn off the TV, the background noise abruptly stopped.
Dressed in a pristine white suit, the polished yet duplicitous Henley clapped slowly as he stepped onto the stage.
“What a wonderful day today,” Henley announced, his smile betraying insincerity as he addressed the newlyweds. “On behalf of the Clement family, congratulations, Cornell.”
His words stirred the crowd.
On behalf of the Clement family… What did that imply?
Past incidents within the company had been shielded to protect the Clement reputation.
Though kept secret, rumors had circulated, leaving many at the venue unaware of Henley’s true connection to the Clements.
The crowd murmured, puzzled about how Henley could represent the Clement family.
On stage, Cornell’s face showed displeasure. Henley and Alexis, along with some shareholders, had been explicitly barred from the event.
Yet, here they were, invitations in hand.
Cornell turned to Katie, standing next to him in her white gown. His statement was not a question but a declaration. “You issued the invitations to them.”
Taken aback by Cornell’s astuteness, Katie felt her heart pound and her fingers tense. Indeed, at Henley’s request, she had covertly distributed invitations under the guise of the bride to all relevant shareholders.
Yet, Katie kept up her charade, unwilling to admit. “Cornell, I don’t know what you’re talking about…”
“Interesting!” Cornell scoffed, turning away with —_ apparent indifference to Katie’s explanations or actions.
Choked by his dismissive glance, Katie found herself speechless, her face struggling to maintain composure.
With the situation unfolding as it was, Katie decided to abandon her pretense. After all, Cornell’s downfall was imminent, and she would soon dictate how he was perceived.
On stage, Henley stood confidently, his lips curling into a slight, proud smile. Today, he planned to avenge past humiliations and ensure Cornell experienced a dramatic fall from grace. “As a member of the Clement family, I have a few words to say.”
Henley’s declaration caused further unrest among the crowd. From representing the Clements, Henley now claimed to be one of them. What a mess!
The audience buzzed with mixed reactions, but Cornell’s expression remained unfazed.
Cap?tulo 918:
Katie glanced at Cornell, momentarily surprised by his composed demeanor. However, her surprise was short-lived, as she relished the unfolding drama, particularly thinking of Audrey, who she imagined was watching from somewhere hidden. The thought brought her a perverse delight.
Katie had chosen not to provoke Audrey earlier, anticipating this very moment. Moreover, Cornell had assigned someone to monitor her, restricting her movements. How else could she have missed such a prime opportunity to antagonize Audrey?
Yet, it seemed Cornell was unaware of Audrey’s return.
Observing Cornell’s calm demeanor, Katie reflected on the so-called punishment he had imposed on Audrey. He simply sent Audrey abroad and banning the latter from returning to Ardlens.
Katie was fuming. That was hardly a punishment, not compared to what she had endured. Cornell had forced her to spend days with the box of her deformed baby, a freak she thought had gone with her use of well-devised schemes. The nightmarish vision of Abel, his body charred, haunted her sleep. For two consecutive nights, this horrifying specter had come to her, demanding accountability.
In Katie’s nightmare, Abel, who usually followed her every command, turned against her, choking her as he demanded why she hadn’t protected their child.
Actually, the moment Katie learned the child in her belly wasn’t Cornell’s, dark thoughts crossed her mind. She considered ending its life.
However, the potential to use the child against Cornell made her hesitate.
Yet, the idea of eliminating the child lingered, waiting for the right moment. After all, she believed no man would wholeheartedly accept another’s child.
Driven by desperation, Katie recklessly consumed hormone pills and neglected her health, seeking any excuse to terminate the pregnancy.