Chapter 246
Yann picked up some ointment from a pharmacy and gently applied it to the finger marks on Audrey’s arm.
“It’s really nothing,” Audrey said with a lighthearted laugh. “Tm not that fragile.”
Ever since they left the flower shop, Yann had been in a sour mood, quiet and withdrawn despite her best efforts to cheer him up
He rubbed the ointment into her skin, murmuring, “Sorry, I was late”
“This isn’t your fault. That’s all my Lucia’s fault,” Audrey insisted, leaning in to her head at his serious expression. used to it a long time aj
Yann’s hands stilled, and he looked up to meet her eyes. “You couldn’t defend yourself as a kid, but now you’re my wife.”
Audrey might have been used to the abuse, but he wasn’t.
No one can treat the person I adore so carelessly, he thought.
sa’s always been like this. I got
“Right, right. I’m Mrs. Audrey Winifred now. I won’t let anyone puth me around,” she said, placing her hands on his cheeks to pull up the corners of his mouth. “Don’t be grumpy Smile for me.”
Yann didn’t reply,
“Just a little smile”
He obliged with a faint twitch of his lips.
“Besides, if let someone bully me, wouldn’t that make you look bad?” Audrey gave his cheek a quick pock. “We’re filming a short at the studio today. Want to come with me?”
Yarn nodded.
Shooting shorts was low budget and casual, with down–to–earth scripts that didn’t require expensive props. The crew rented a house, set up simple decorations, and got ready to fim.
While the actors were rehearsing their lines, Brooke pulled Audrey out to the balcony.
“Who’s that?” She gestured quickly “is that your husband?”
“Mhm.” Audrey nodded.
“He’s a thousand times better looking than Clayton Brooke couldn’t stop staring
Yann was standing outside the apartment, on a phone call A male influencer walked past, and the difference in height, style, looks, and even clothing was obvious
“If he starred as the lead, this short would definitely go viral,” Brooke said.
Audrey laughed until her stomach hurt
Yann acting in a short? She wouldn’t dare even imaginit
She still remembered when she was in high school, ann picked her up from school and a talent scout tried to convince him to star in a movie.
When the director couldn’t persuade Yann, they turned to her, offering to give her acting opportunities too if he agreed
13
UB.DY
Chapter 246
Midway through the meal, Audrey went to the bathroom, and when she came back, the director never brought up acting again.
After rehearsing the script, filming started. The actors had memorized their lines perfectly that morning, but now they kept messing up their line.
The male actor kept glancing at Yann nervously, feeling overwhelming pressure that made him too scared to act boldly as his character should.
The actress, meanwhile, kept getting distracted by the incredibly handsome Yann, sneaking admiring glances at him whenever she could.
“Just take your man away, Brooke finally snapped.
For all her short temper, she was extremely strict about her work.
Audrey was trying to figure out how to ask Yann to leave when he came back from a phone call. “There’s something urgent at the office I need to handle he said.
“Hurry up and go. I’ll take a taxi home later. Her eager tone of shooing him away made Yann pause for a moment.
He bent down slightly.
Audrey quickly looked over her shoulder, then pushed him toward the elevator. At the elevator door, she pulled him down by the shoulders and kissed hischeck.
She said, “Your presence is too strong. They’re all scared of you”
Yann’s large hand held the back of her neck, pulling her close for a long, deep kiss before letting go.
“Call me when you’re done,” he said.
“Okay” She pushed him into the elevator and turned around to see Brooke’s half-face peeking out from the door.
Audrey’s face instantly turned bright red.
As soon as the elevator doors shut, the warmth in Yann’s eyes vanished, replaced by a frosty glare
When Logan returned home from work, he found Lucia sitting on the sofa, dabbing at her tears with a handkerchief
“What’s the matter?” he asked, his tone lacking real conce
Lucia wiped the corner of her eye and stood to take his cost. “It’s nothing important.”
“Mrs. Winifred’s supplementary card got locked while she was shopping today,” the maid beside her chimed in
Though Lucia had little standing among the wealthy socialites, she was still the mistress of the household. While she couldn’t make major decisions, she could approve salary increases or bonuses for the staff
in shopping matters, if she pretended not to notice, the servants could pad their own wallets.
After five years in the family, she’d gained the loyalty of to
Two servants
I you can’t keep your mouth shut, you’re fired.” Lucia chided, deliberately putting on a scolding tone. “How many swamped at work. Don’t bother him with small issues!”
we I told you? Logan’s
“Sorry, Mrs. Winifred. I was wrong,” the maid said fearfully, bowing her head. But she added stubbornly, “just worried it might damage the Winifred family’s reputation”
Logan took a sip of coffee, sank into the sea, and finally asked, “So what happened?”
2/3
Chapter 246
Lucia shot the maid a reproachful look and waved her away in prepare dinner. She then sat beside Logan, managing his shoulders and lega
She said, “The health supplements I ordered for you arrived today. When I went to pick them up, my card was declined Luckily, the shop denar knows me and agreed to hold them.
“Not a big deal, really. This morning I was supposed to meet Vivian and fence for coffee but had to cancel last minute Jenna was afraid that gone and couldn’t pay, people would think something’s wrong with our family. That might hurt the company’s image”
Logan listened in silence and gave a slight nod when she finished.
Jenna’s worries weren’t without reason.
In the social circle of wealthy ladies, they judged whether a family’s company was undergoing changes by each other’s clothing,
demeanor
Someone who always wore expensive jewelry suddenly dressing plainly might suggest financial troubles
Those who newly struck it rich often decked themselves out with designer bags and watches to show off
The Winifred family, while not super wealthy, was a prominent name in Ashbourne. If Lucia’s card got locked, it would send a bad signal to others
Logan took out his phone to call Yann.
Logan held shares in Darkshell Internationall and had his own investments, so money wasn’t a problem for him.
But family expenses had been under Yann’s approval ever since he renamed the company Darkshall International Yann had always handled this perfectly until now.
“Don’t disturb him so late. Lot vannrest after a long day. I’ll just call Freya tomorrow,” Lucia said, pretending not to care, though a flash of triumph showed in her eyes
After leaving the flower shop, she’d taken Jenna shopping for Logan’s birthday party.
After spending ages picking, she finally put together a perfect outfit, but at the register, her card was declined.
She hadn’t faced the embarrassment of not being able to pay for something in years. She might have exploded on the spot if Jenna hadn’t stopped her
“Do they really
think I’m powerless? Lucia
icia thought
Just then, a phone rang from outside the front door.
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.
