Filed to story: My Husband Regrets Divorcing Me (Audrey & Cornell)
That worthless coward wasn’t worth his concern. He planned to hire a lawyer for Alexis and leave the rest to fate.
However, when Henley heard from his subordinates that Cornell had evacuated all the guests and had even cleared out the hotel, he instantly suspected something was wrong. Reflecting on recent events, he suspected that Cornell had bigger plans than just targeting Alexis and himself.
So, Henley quickly got his overseas contacts to investigate, and they confirmed that Lorenzo had arrived in Ardlens. He immediately concluded that Cornell’s main objective was likely Lorenzo. He and Alexis were merely minor obstacles that Cornell brushed aside in his quest to attack the major threat.
Aware of Lorenzo’s expertise with explosives, Henley was certain that explosives would play a crucial role in Cornell’s plan.
Henley couldn’t understand why Cornell would take such a significant risk that would undoubtedly upset many people. However, he couldn’t dwell on these thoughts because he suddenly remembered Audrey was still at the hotel.
Henley urgently instructed his driver to turn the car around, and he entered the hotel through the underground corridor on the second basement floor before it could be compromised. The owner of the International Banquet Center, a good friend of his, had previously informed him about the hidden passages.
Once inside, Henley evaded Lorenzo’s men and searched various locations until he finally found Audrey behaving suspiciously.
To his surprise, as he drew closer, he witnessed something absolutely terrifying she was doing! She dared to attempt cutting the wires, despite not having a day’s worth of knowledge about explosives. He was torn between admiring her courage and questioning her sanity!
Audrey asked, “Where did you come from?”
“The basement, second floor.”
Hearing this, Audrey quickly lost interest, realizing it wasn’t important enough to report to the commander.
She reached out to grab the scissors, but Henley quickly reacted and kicked them away.
“What are you doing, trying to kill yourself?”
Audrey looked at the scissors, now far out of reach. She was already exhausted from moving around in her pregnant condition, and now he was adding to her stress. She was angry. “Henley, please go. Stop meddling with my business.”
“Wow, you’re really ungrateful. I came here to save you out of kindness, and this is how you thank me?” Henley’s face grew stern, his tone suggesting Audrey owed him a debt of gratitude.
Yet, Audrey had only one question. “How did you know I was here?”
Henley found himself suddenly speechless.
Audrey, perceptive, immediately caught on to something. “Was my flight transfer your doing?”
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At this point, Henley no longer bothered to pretend, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed. “Yes, it was me,” he confessed without any guilt. “I thought, with your ex-husband getting married, how could you miss the show?”
Audrey was doubtful. “What? Are you out of your mind?” She had never imagined that Henley was the mastermind behind her being trapped here!
“Henley, what did I ever do to you? You tricked me into coming here, confined me in a hotel room, and almost got me killed by that Lunatic?”
Seeing Audrey so visibly upset was unusual for Henley. She was typically either aloof or simply ignored him. However, seeing her visibly angry seemed oddly charming to him.
Suddenly, he questioned his own feelings. Previously, he desired to have her, but now, he was satisfied just to have her attention. He was indeed desperate.
“Leave me alone!” Audrey was furious. She couldn’t bring herself to say another word to him.
Noticing her flushed face, Henley clarified, “I didn’t instruct anyone to lock you in the room. It wasn’t me, and I deny any involvement.”
Audrey snorted. If not Henley, the only other person who had seen her was Katie. If Katie was responsible, she wasn’t surprised. Henley and Katie were the ones who would recklessly step on others’ toes, just like now, Henley proudly declaring himself the hero coming to her rescue. In fact, if it weren’t for him, she wouldn’t have ended up in this predicament in the first place.
Audrey took several deep breaths to calm herself and asked, “You mentioned you had wanted to rescue me. Is there a secret passage?”
Audrey hoped to gather some valuable information to relay to the commander, helping the special forces in their mission.
To her surprise, Henley observed her suspiciously. “What? You’re planning to organize a rescue for Cornell?”
Audrey knew Henley hated Cornell to the core, and her unwavering feelings for Cornell were only a minor factor. The main issue was rooted in Alexis’ deluding Henley into believing being the rightful heir of the Clement family’s wealth. The stark contrast in background between them was also at play.
Henley would stab Cornell in the back, and there was no way he would tell her the way to rescue Cornell. There was also the risk that any information he gave could be a trap. With that realization, Audrey decided not to ask Henley further.
She walked over and picked up the scissors from the ground.
Henley was surprised, thinking she might be out of her mind. Did she not value her life? She still wanted to cut the detonator wires!
He reached out to intervene, but Audrey held up the scissors, warning him, “Stay back!”
Henley’s expression darkened instantly. He had come to rescue her, and now she was threatening him with scissors!
Henley smirked mockingly and said, “Do you really think those tiny scissors can hurt me?”
Trying to contain his frustration, he warned, “Audrey, I’m losing my patience. You can either come with me willingly, or I’ll knock you out and take you myself.”
“Henley, are you really trying to save me and take me away?” Audrey asked.
“If I go with you, where will you take me? Will you let me go home?”
Henley was at a loss for words.
Audrey continued, “You won’t. You’ve lost your place in the Ardlens. So, are you planning to take me overseas, to some isolated place where you can confine me?”
Henley remained silent. At that moment, it was just the two of them, and there was no point in continuing to lie. Henley also felt no need to pretend in front of her.
“Henley, haven’t you figured yourself out yet?” Audrey taunted, “You’re always the self-centered type. You do whatever suits you, no matter what others think. And if it comes down to it, you’re not above using force.”
Audrey’s understanding of Henley’s character was deeply accurate, and her observations were spot on.
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Henley’s complexion turned from pale to red and then settled into a cold expression.
“Isn’t he the same?” He scoffed.
“Audrey, you should realize that all men are somewhat alike. No one is free of selfishness. In the past, he stirred up all sorts of trouble because I was getting too close to you. His feelings for you were just possessiveness. Only you women think that’s love, all naive-like!”
Henley confidently concluded, “In reality, for us men, love and possession are the same things.”
After his lengthy declaration, Audrey responded, “No, he’s different from you, and he’s different from many other men.”
Audrey chose not to elaborate further, knowing there were aspects Henley might never understand.
Henley’s obsession had already penetrated deep into his being. His childhood might have something to do with it, but that didn’t make it right for someone to become evil and scheme against others.
The reason humans had evolved to become the most advanced primates was because of the possession of intelligence, commitment, love, and many other virtues…
If most people gave in to their grievances and struggles, resorting to hurting and persecuting others, then humanity would never have achieved its historical greatness. Instead, it would have surrendered to selfishness and darkness long ago.
“Henley, I’m warning you, either you leave now, or if you try to stop me…” Audrey stopped, lifting the scissors in her hand, and spoke firmly and honestly to him.
“This little pair of scissors might not harm you, and I might not have the strength. But if you come to me, I’ll cut the detonator wire. If you’re ready to risk your life as well as mine, then stay.”
As Audrey said this, her expression remained surprisingly calm and composed, as if she was merely preparing to trim some leaves with the scissors, not cut a detonator wire.
Henley was completely taken aback. Her unwavering gaze made him believe that if pushed far enough, she would truly follow through.
All at once, a burning jealousy surged from his heart to his head, making every pore on his body stand on end. “Tell me, what is it about Cornell that makes you will to go this far?”
Henley’s frustration was overwhelming. “Even if his wedding was just for show, you can’t tell me you weren’t hurt at all!”
Henley was not reconciled. Why… Why couldn’t Audrey treat him this way? He believed he had been just as devoted as Cornell.
Like today, he knew the building was filled with explosives, yet he still came back to rescue her. They were both risking their lives. What was the difference?
“Of course I was hurt,” Audrey freely acknowledged.
Even now, thinking back on those past few weeks when Cornell was icy toward her, her heart still felt the pain.
But after Matteo explained everything, Audrey found it impossible to hold onto her anger. Understanding his poor health and the extent of his scheming against a large group, all just to make things easier for her. He even revoked the will and added more favorable conditions for her.
Cornell’s dealing with Alexis and Henley had all been about securing advantages for her and the children. He had even endangered himself by setting up a trap to catch the notorious Lorenzo. The purpose behind his actions was unmistakable… It was all for her.
That time in the car, hearing the altered voice of Lorenzo, Audrey understood that until they caught this villain and held him accountable, she would never have a peaceful day. Lorenzo was a threat to many, and at any moment, he could target her.
Thus, Cornell’s final act was to try to capture Lorenzo himself. The reason he held a wedding with Katie was to catch Lorenzo off guard, making Lorenzo think she was no longer significant to Cornell.
All of this was what Matteo had said to Audrey on the phone before, and by connecting the dots, Audrey was sure this was precisely Cornell’s plan.
Audrey looked up at the puzzled Henley and said, “Although I can’t accept the methods he thought were in my best interest, I can understand them. He didn’t selfishly manipulate me into choosing him by using love as moral blackmail.
There are deeds he’s done that I might never even learn about, yet he carried them out without wanting anything in return… What he wanted was merely my safety as well as my children’s, to ease his own worries. Any one of the acts I’ve said is sufficient reason for me to do this.”
In his final moments, as a man, Cornell sacrificed his own well-being, pouring all his efforts into protecting the woman and child he cherished. Audrey was sure that he had fulfilled the roles of both a partner and a father. With his sickly body, he had already done enough. Now, it was her turn to act on his behalf.
Henley’s face seemed as if it had turned to stone. At that moment, he felt like a misfit clown, trying too hard to fit into their world, only to be pushed aside.
He had never felt so keenly that he was on the verge of losing Audrey. No, it was more precise to say that he had never truly had what he was now about to lose.
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