Chapter 226
Chapter 226
Yann grabbed the delicate fabric and ripped it clean in two.
“What the hell?!” Audrey gasped, stunned. “Are you helping me put it on or take it off?!”
Another seam gave way.
“So that’s what this was about?” she snapped. “You dress me up just so you can rip it off yourself?”
She was balancing on one foot, trying to twist away, but it was pointless. The thin, silky sleepwear that had taken forever to put on now hung in shreds.
Stumbling slightly, she nearly fell until Yann caught her, pulling her into his chest with one strong arm.
The heat of his body startled her. She looked up, and in the mirror, caught a glimpse of the two of them, pressed close together.
His eyes were rimmed red, dark and intense, like a wild animal on the edge of losing control. His shoulders were tense, muscles braced like he was about
to pounce.
Their hands overlapped, wedding rings pressed tightly together.
Audrey whimpered softly, cheeks burning, and squeezed her eyes shut.
“You’re insane,” she muttered under her breath, almost biting the words. “This is the last time I’m ever wearing anything like that.”
Yann lowered his head, murmuring something into her ear, his voice barely a breath.
She froze and then grabbed onto the ceramic sink, holding on as his warmth wrapped around her like a wave crashing in slow motion.
Downstairs, Amelia had just stepped through the front door. Felicity, half–asleep, quickly got up.
“Did you eat already, madam?” she asked.
“Not yet. Do we have anything left?”
“Of course. I’ll get something started.”
But instead of heading toward the kitchen, Amelia walked straight upstairs.
She paused at Audrey’s room, then, after a second’s thought, turned toward Yann’s instead.
She gave a soft knock, but no reply. So she opened the door.”
Only a dim bedside lamp was on. A white dress shirt lay crumpled at the foot of the bed.
“Yanny?” she called, stepping inside.
The bathroom light was on, and someone’s silhouette moved faintly behind the frosted glass.
She knocked on the door. “I got a jewelry set for Audrey. Just tell her it’s from you, alright?”
“Got it,” came Yann’s muffled voice.
Amelia sighed and walked to the bed, picking up the shirt and hanging it neatly. Then she pulled a small velvet box from her bag.
In her eyes, her son was practically perfect, except for being utterly unromantic.
Other moms were busy fending off admirers swarming their sons while people mistook her son for being gay and he couldn’t even be bothered to clarify.
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Chapter 226
Thinking about how Yann had chased Audrey for seven years, Amelia couldn’t decide if her son was hopelessly stubborn or simply devoted.
They might be married on paper, but that didn’t mean she could relax.
There were plenty of men out there, richer, younger, and more charming.
Money wasn’t enough to keep a woman, not forever. And Yann was seven years older than Audrey. Time wasn’t on his side.
She figured she ought to step in, helping him hold this marriage together.
In the bathroom, Audrey clutched Yann’s arm, silently warning him to stop.
Amelia was still outside. Any noise now and she’d never live it down.
But what she didn’t realize was that the look on her face, far from intimidating, carried a hint of playful defiance.
Men crave approval and the thrill of being tested.
Pleasure held back, tension unspoken. It only made things more intense.
Yann’s eyes darkened, his movements growing more urgent.
Audrey pressed her lips tightly shut, refusing to make a sound. Through the door, she could still hear Amelia chatting away.
Finally, she couldn’t take it anymore and bit down hard on his wrist.
Yann hissed sharply through his teeth.
“You hear me in there?” Amelia called out. “Audrey’s a good girl. If you don’t step up, she’ll leave you sooner or later!”
Yann leaned in close, voice low and rough. “I’m not stepping up enough?”
Audrey shot him a sharp look.
Seeing him about to push his luck again, she quickly nodded.
He was more than “enough“, and she could barely handle it.
“You hear me?” Amelia asked again.
“I got it,” Yann replied.
Amelia picked up on his hoarse voice. “You okay? Your throat sounds off.”
“I’m fine. Just need a shower.”
She hesitated outside the door, clearly not done talking, but then the shower came on, drowning her out.
When Amelia came downstairs, Felicity had already reheated the food and set the table.
“Thanks,” Amelia said as she pulled out a chair and sat down.
After a few bites, she noticed Felicity lingering nearby, clearly wanting to say something. She gestured toward the opposite seat, inviting her to sit.
“Did Yann do something to Audrey?” Amelia asked.
Felicity knew both Yann and Amelia treated Audrey well, but Audrey was the lady of the house and she was only a maid. Boundaries had to be kept.
So she sat, keeping a respectful distance from the table.
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Chapter 226
“No, it’s not that. A guest came by today.”
Amelia nodded, chewing, signaling her to continue.
Felicity gave a brief account of Talia’s visit.
“She said the furniture came with the house, and Mr. Winifred never put any thought into it. That he doesn’t really care about Mrs. Winifred.
“She said one housekeeper and three maids are the bare minimum for a wealthy home. That I’m the only one serving Mrs. Winifred because she’s just a shield, not real love.
“She also said she’s better than Mrs. Winifred. More suited to be Mr. Winifred’s wife…”
“She’s got some nerve,” Amelia said coldly. “Who is she?”
Felicity quickly fetched the calling card from a drawer and handed it to her with both hands.
That same afternoon, Talia and Jocelyn were still analyzing the situation of what had happened, when a servant arrived.
“A lady named Ms. Amelia Smollett is here to see you.”
“Amelia?” Jocelyn’s eyes lit up with curiosity. She glanced at Talia. “Someone from your grandfather’s circle?”
Talia shook her head and stood.
T
Her grandfather, Edmund Price, had said he wouldn’t lend her his connections unless Yann showed up at his birthday banquet.
Maybe he’d heard something and sent someone to probe.
She went to the door herself.
“Hello, you are…” Talia stopped short, surprised to see a woman standing with her back to the entrance.
Amelia turned slowly.
She was impeccably dressed, radiating elegance.
The pearls at her neck gleamed with quiet luxury, and a Patek Philippe watch peeked from beneath her sleeve, paired with a big diamond ring on her finger.
“Ms. Smollett?” Talia’s eyes widened.
Inside, she was practically screaming. ‘Yann’s mother? What is she doing here?”
Shocked and flattered, she rushed forward, forcing a composed smile.
“Please come in! What an honor. Jocelyn, this is Ms. Amelia Smollett, the one I told you about. Mr. Winifred’s mother. A powerhouse in business.”
“Ms. Smollett, a pleasure,” Jocelyn added politely,
Amelia studied the two women.
Talia, usually androgynous in style with her short hair, had clearly made an effort earlier in the day, but was now back in loungewear with damp, unstyled
hair after a shower.
Jocelyn had a sweet, youthful face with a dimpled smile, almost too innocent, but her eyes hinted at something more calculating.
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Chapter 226
Amelia sat down, one arm resting casually on the armrest. “Would you mind bringing out Ms. Price?”
Talia hesitated, briefly thrown off.
Jocelyn smiled. “This is Ms. Talia Price.”
Amelia’s eyes moved from Talia’s face, slowly downward.
‘Her chest isn’t even as full as my son’s,’ she thought.
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.
