Chapter 181
Chapter 181
She glanced at the perfume on the table and said lightly, “So the investor from Achhours,,
Miguel gave Brooke a reproachful look, then nodded.
Tears still clung to Brooke’s face, regret clouding her expression.
She reached out to take Miguel’s hand, but he pulled back,
She then looked to Audrey for help. Audrey picked up the perfume and handed it to her. “You misunderstood Mr. Gomez. Just admit it.”
“Honey Brooke shifted closer to him “I was wrong. I shouldn’t have doubted you. You could’ve just told me the truth…”
Miguel didn’t pull away this time, only looking helpless.
Brooke smiled through her tears. Then I’ll keep the perfume. You can buy another one for the investor
She knew it was an expensive brand. If she hadn’t already opened the package, making it unsuitable as a gift, she wouldn’t have dared to keep it.
With the misunderstanding cleared, Audrey quietly took her leave.
“Hey!”
Just as she stepped out of the building, someone called down from above
She looked up to see van leaning out the window. “Take care on the way”
“Got it. You too. Get some rest,” she called back with a wave.
The next day, Paul didn’t show up at the office until noon.
He walked in with a bounce in his step, clearly in a good mood.
“Lunch is on me,” he said, tossing the words over his shoulder as he entered his office.
“I feel like steak, Is that okay?” Intern Paige Foster looked to Audrey for approval.
She smiled. “Budget’s fine, just not sure we’ve got time for it.
Paige sighed and went back to her desk. Tiffany called out, “Chicken fajitas or pizza?”
Dorothy raised her hand. “Pizza for me!”
“Then pizza for me too,” Paige said, giving in.
Tiffany typed quickly on her phone. “Okay, two pizzas for you. Audrey and I are getting fajitas” She looked up to confirm.
Audrey picked up the folder and stood “Hold off for a minute. I’ll check with him firstTM
She knocked on the office door. From inside came Paul’s light, cheerful voice. “Come on in.
“Mr. Gibson, here’s the purchase list for the upcoming items. Please have a look.” She laid the document on the desk
Paul was focused on his phone, not looking up. “Just leave it.”
Chapter 181
After finishing his message, he finally glanced up and noticed Audrey still standing there. He set his phone down. “Is there something els
“This batch doesn’t match the one specified for the project. Same price, different numbers, if you didn’t approve it personally, I need to reject Sh leaned slightly, pointing at the document,
As the bent over in her blouse with a V–neck, her necklace slipped out.
She quickly reached up, securing the pendant back inside her coll
Paul’s gaze flickered for a moment, distracted by the movement.
“Here” Audrey’s voice drew his attention back to the document
Paul picked it up, scanning it.
The smile on his face gradually shifted, mischief giving way to something colder.
With a sharp smack, he threw the file back onto the desk.
“Reject it!”
There was clarity in Audrey’s gaze as she calmly gathered the papers. “We’re ordering lunch,” she asked. “Shall include something for you?”
“Takeout?” Paul sneered and waved it off. “Get us the salmon set from Pacific Salmon House!”
Audrey’s fingers tightened around the file, her thoughts racing.
Pacific Salmon House specialized in salmon, usually ordered to celebrate major deals
Paul’s sudden order spoke volumes. There must have been a breakthrough with their fundraising.
“Then I’ll thank you for them,” she said, giving a small bow before turning to leave
The secretaries immediately started talking a
about their boss generosity, while Tiffany watched Audrey, about to speak but then holding back.
The salmon set meal had just arrived at the Secretariat when Serena stormed in, fury in her wake. She swept past Audrey’s desk without a glance and headed straight for the manager’s office.
Audrey caught a far
a familiar scent, the same perfume Miguel bought.
Her fingers paused over the keyboard, and her expression turned cold.
“Why did you cancel the deal with Mater Construct?” Serena barged in, her tone sharp and accusatory.
- pr. “Take a look.”
Paul didn’t even look up. He moved his mouse, clicked a few times, then turned the screen toward her.
Serena hesitated, glancing down, and her lace went pale
Paul leaned back lazily in his chair, one leg crossed over the other, looking every bit like a man used to dominance. His gaze was cool, amused, tinged with disdain.
“You wanted me to pay to clean up Edana’s mess You got the credit, but I footed the bill”
“How dare you!” His voice suddenly rose,
Serena flinched. Her guilt flashed across her eyes, though she forced herself so argue, “You’re being unfair. I just thought Mater Construct had a solid reputation. I didn’t want you to miss out.”
Paul tapped his fingers lightly on the desk
13:14 Mon, 9 Jun G EE.
Chapter 181
The sound was soft, but it landed like a dumbest in Serena’s chest. Her eyes fixed on his hand. Cold sweat began to form on her back
Paul was never one to nitpick, and she’d been discreet. It shouldn’t have been traceable
A knock interrupted the tension,
“Come in.”
Audrey entered, 1
holding a takeout box, “Mr. Gibson, your lunch”
on his desk. As she looked up, her gaze caught the screen. Mater Construct’s quote was still displayed.
She placed the box on his
Then she noticed Serena’s panic. It all made sense.
* 63%
“It was you, wasn’t it, Audrey!”
1” Serena suddenly snapped. “Edana did you wrong. I get it! She’s paid the price. She was used and humiliated! Why are you still going after her?”
Unlike Serena’s outburst, Audrey’s voice was calm, almost detached. “I’m not sure what you
you mean?
“MaterConstruct was Edana’s connection. They’ve worked with Stride Commerce for years! You pushed Paul to cut ties and bring in someone new. Don’t tell me this isn’t personal!”
“Oh? I thought you were the one who brought in MaterConstruct.” Audrey nodded slightly. “I have nothing against Edana”
The implication was clear. Her issue was with Serena.
Serena’s face turned a deep shade of red, her body tense, her eyes wide with fury.
She turned to Paul, voice shaking. “You heard her. She admitted it. She’s targeting me!”
Paul barely glanced at her. He opened his lunch and began eating, unhurried.
After a few bites, he gestured toward Audrey, signaling her to continue.
Audrey spoke evenly “Since Edana’s departure, Tiffany and I have reviewed all her vendors. This quote from MaterConstruct didn’t come through either of us. And it certainly didn’t come from Edana, which leaves only one possibility. It was arranged by you.”
With every word, Serena’s face darkened.
She realized Audrey had known from the start. Letting Paul pull the plug was a calculated move, a power play meant to show her exactly where she stood
But Audrey hadn’t thought that far ahead.
MaterConstruct had been on their way out regardless. She chose today for a reason, to catch Serena off guard.
Only by provoking a reaction could she see more clearly what forces stood behind her
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
