Chapter 185
Chapter 185
incided with her visit to Royal tone A
sune. After failing to out argue the interet, the opted for a more din
investigate Yann’s sexuality in personi.
Audrey fushed the toilet, as if that could also wash away her growing sense of helplessness
Not just Amelia, even she, Yann’s legal wife, was starting to question everything.
As the exited the restroom, a cleaning lady and a water delivery guy were whispering by the corner.
They immediately fell silent when they saw her, putting on a show of busyness,
But the moment she passed, the gossip picked right back up-
Back at her desk, Audrey considered whether she should talk to Tarm
He was married, perhaps indifferent to the rumors. But Calvin was still single. For him, the consequences could be more serious
Dorothy, guilt–ridden and visibly nervous, approached her excefully, clearly terrified she’d report everything to Paut
“I’m really sorry. Ms. Henderson, Paige and I never meant to disappoint you!” She set down a glass of water on the desk. “I didn’t do it on purpose. There
were… reasons
Audrey cradled the cup, feeling conflicted.
Dorothy, legs shaking, saw that she said nothing and rushed to plead, “Please, Ms. Henderson, I swear it won’t happen again…”
Audrey hooked over a chair with her foot and gestured for her to sit, if the girl ended up kneeling in front of her, it would look like workplace bullying
She blew on the steaming water and took a small sip.
“Tell me your reasons. If they’re worth forgiving, I won’t bring this to Paul”
Dorothy swallowed hard, glanced toward the outer office, and clenched her lists. After making sure no one was coming in, she lowered her voice to a
whisper
“Mr. Gibson brought Paige and me in for a reason.
“That’s what Ms. Conan said, not me,” she added quickly, distancing herself. “Ms. Conan said Mr. Gibson hired you because…
She pointed at the small mole near Audrey’s eye
You had the look Mr. Winifred likes. But at your first meeting, he blocked both companies trying to gift him women. So Mr. Gibson gave up on you. weren’t so capable, he would’ve found a way to let you go long ago
“But he still wanted to connect with Darkshell International. So he changed plans and placed me and Paige here instead. He just never found the right- opportunity for us to act. We thought we’d do some groundwork fast and somehow ended up joining that… interest community”
So Paul had her suspicions too. That explained why he stopped trying to use Audrey and began looking for someone to mirror Calvin.
Audrey tilted her head, examining Dorothy
Now that she mentioned it, the girl did share a certain resemblance to Calvin, especially around the eyes and brows, though her features were naturally more delicate. If Dorothy hadn’t said anything, she’d never have made the connection.
As for Page, the resemblance was in the pose and mouth, but it was her unfiltered, brazen personality that really matched him.
1/3
13:15 Mon, 9 Jun G
Chapter 185
“Ms. Conan said that if we managed to get
reddening,buting nervously at the hem of has shirt.
be made permanent, but also get a
ta free apartment, Gorothy said, syes
“We said yes without knowing what we were agreeing to But now that we realize Mr. Winifred and Calvin an actually in love it just feels wrong”
Her voice dropped, edged with reluctant humor, “Paige even said if nothing else works, the’ll send her brother. They’re twins. He’d have a barter shot”
The sip of water Audrey had just taken sprayed straight onto Dorothy’s face.
Mascara ran in dark streaks down her cheeks.
“Sorry.” Audrey said quickly, grabbing tissues to help
Dorothy was caught off guard by the kindness, and took the tissues herself. “Ms. Henderson, I can’t stop Paige, but I swear, I’d never do anything to ruin Mr. Winifred and Calvin. They’re truly in love. They deserve to be protected.”
Audrey just wished she’d stop talking
“You think they’re really a couple!”
“Absolutely!” Dorothy’s eyes lit up as she saw the amusement in Audrey’s expression. She pulled out her phone eagerly. “I’ve got proof”
Netizens had uncovered plenty
Someone had snapped a photo of Yann at a jewelry store. Calvin had stayed in the car, glued to his phone.
For an assistant, it was odd, not following his boss inside.
People read it as intentional distance, an effort to avoid suspicion
The prevailing theory was Yann picked out something, sent a picture to the car, waited for a reply, and only then made the purchase.
The next day, he attended a meeting with a new ring on his right ring finger.
“Who wears a ring on that finger unless it’s a wedding band?” Dorothy said, eyes shining.
Silently, Audrey reached up and touched the pendant beneath her blouse.
The whole thing was ridiculous yet strangely plausible.
“You’re really leaning into this,” she said with a dry smile.
“It all adds up!”
Seeing no sign of disapproval, Dorothy dropped her voice like she was sharing classified intel
“Someone in the community said Mr. Winifred was supposed to come back from a business trip today, but he was so heartsick he pulled several all- nighters just to get back early and see Calvin.”
It was absurd.
Yet the level of detail sounded like it came from someone far too close to the truth.
Audrey found herself quietly astonished. Society’s tolerance had come farther than she’d thought.
“if it makes you happy,” she said, resigned, turping back to her screen.
“You’re not gonna tell Mr. Gibson, right?” Dorothy clutched her chest like she was bracing for a heart attack.
“Just don’t let Mr. Winifred find out.”
2/3
Chapter 185
“Promise!” Helieved, Dorothy kicked off within foot, her chait indling oothly back to herde hated
early in a great mood.
As they were leaving for the day. Derally passed by and whispered, eyes gleaming, “New update Winter booght a bouquet of commos: You know what it means? Love boldly, to matter what people say”
Audrey nearly deleted her entire doci
rying to backspace one wrong character.
“Can’t people possip in silencer she thought.
At Royal House
Yann was in the kitchen, apron on, finishing up dinner. He carried a dish out just as Audrey walked through the door
“Wash your hands. Food’s ready.”
He turned back to the stove, switched off the simmering beef stew, and pulled on oven mitts.
As Audrey stepped into the living room, her gaze fell on the vase of brightly colored cosmos on the table.
She didn’t quite know how to react. She liked cosmos mainly because they were cheap.
Who knew they came with such dramatic symbolism?
“What’s wrong?” Yann set the pot down on a trivet, took off the mitts, and walked up behind her. He wrapped his arms loosely around her waist, resting lightly in the curve of her shoulder,
“it’s been two weeks since we got our marriage certificate,” he said in a low voice. “Thought I’d get some flowers to mark the day. There’s a little gift too
Audrey reached for his hand.
His fingers were long, his grip firm. The ring on his finger pressed awkwardly against her skin.
She turned his hand over and looked back at him. “Take the ring off.”
“Why?” His eyes dimmed, as if the air had been knocked out of him. “Honey… you don’t love me anymore?”
田
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.
