Chapter 270
The meaning behind those words was crystal clear. The lawsuit was between Audrey and Tatia personally, and it wouldn’t affect the business partnerships between the Price family, the Turner family, and Dark shell infernational
However, if anyone else came to Audrey asking for favors, they shouldn’t blame vann for beating everyone equally and terminating all collaboration.
Keith had wanted to help Talia, but now he didn’t dare say another word.
The barbecue sauce was mixed to Audrey’s taste preferences, and she worried the others might not handle the spice level. To her surprise, all the guys could handle heat pretty well. Nearly every piece of meat had been marinated in hot sauce.
Hardy either wasn’t paying attention or simply wasn’t interested in anything outside of esports, because he completely missed the change in Keith’s
behavior
Quentin noticed but didn’t interfere–he’d never approved of Keith’s actions anyway
Audrey and Yann acted like nothing had happened, and after eating their fill, they headed home for some exercise.
The next day was Saturday, Yann took Audrey to Winifred Manor for dinner.
Lucia was bustling around the kitchen, and when she heard they’d arrived, she came out with a smile. “Audrey, I went to the market this morning specifically to pick out a fish for you.”
Today, Lucia wasn’t wearing her usual elaborate updo that screamed wealthy socialite. Instead, her long hair was casually pulled back in a simple ponytail, with loose strands framing her face.
When Lucia walked a bit too quickly, the loose hair flew back, revealing one side of her face, which looked unnaturally red.
“What happened to your face? Audrey’s sharp eyes caught it immediately.
Lucia glanced quickly at Yann, then hurriedly pushed the loose strands forward to cover her face. “It’s nothing, just a bit of an allergic reaction,” she said before turning and heading back to the kitchen.
Logan came down from upstairs. “Let’s eat first, then come to my study afterward.” He was addressing Yann, but Lucia’s body visibly stiffened at his words, and she quickened her pace toward the kitchen.
From the moment they entered, Yann had been holding Audrey’s hand. She quietly squeezed his finger once. Yann traced a small circle in her palm to respond, showing he’d also picked up on the tension. They could wait.
Aher dinner, Yann and Logan headed upstairs to the study. Lucia pulled Audrey aside to the small garden in the back, with Jenna standing guard at the entrance to keep the servants away.
“You took money from the Turner family?” Audrey cut straight to the point
Panic flashed in Lucia’s eyes as she rushed to defeld herself. “Do you think I need their pocket change? I was trying to maintain the relationship between the Turner family and the Winifred family.”
She stepped closer to Audrey, who immediately backed away two steps. Audrey avoided her like she was carrying a disease. Lucia looked hurt, but thinking about Talia’s threats made anger bubble up inside her again.
“Audrey, I have never asked you for anything. I’m begging you this once. Don’t sue Talia,” Lucia said,
Audrey’s gaze remained cold and distant. “You took the Pantheon Films project and accepted money from the Turner family”
Chapter 270
“Everything I did was for your own good. Do you think marrying Yann automatically gives you a place among the weality when
background or family connections. People will always look down on you.”
Lucia’s emotions were getting out of control, and the spoke laster, afraid Audrey would cut her off.
Lucia continued, “Pantheon Films projects go viral every Christmas. You’d have her office success and critical acclaim, which gives you bragging rights the wives‘ circle. And the money goes without saying. Every social event is built on cash”
The mere Lucia talked, the more obvious Audrey’s mockery became, until it was too olnvious to ignore it.
Audrey gave a cold laugh as she applauded, nodding slightly as if she agreed with Lucia’s pitch, but her eyes were full of contempt.
Lucia’s face flushed red under the sarcasm. “I’m doing this for your own good,” she said awkwardly. “Your stubbornness won’t just destroy you. It’ll destroy all of us.”
“Logan hit your face, didn’t he?” Audrey said suddenly.
Her
er gaze cut through Lucia like a knife, slicing away her forced smile. A flash of shame crossed Lucia’s face, quickly replaced by anger and resentment.
In all the years she’d been married to Logan, he’d never laid a finger on her. Even when she’d done things wrong before, he’d only given her sharp verbal reprimands and warned her not to do it again.
Yesterday, when Lucia went to find Logan at the golf club, he’d left her cooling her heels in the waiting room for over an hour
After dark, Logan finally saw off his clients and told her they could go home together,
Lucia was already worried about being exposed, and after being ignored for so long, her emotions got the better of her. She couldn’t even wait unol they got home before she started demanding that Logan pressure Yann.
“Audrey is running wild out there, and she’s destroying the Winifred family’s reputation. You’re the head of this family, Logan. Yannis letting her get away with it, but you can’t just ignore this,” Lucia said.
Before she could finish, a sharp stap landed across her face. Logan stared at her coldly. “Watch your behavior.”
Lucia held her cheek as tears welled up in her eyes, but she said nothing. Once she got home, she took her time and calmly told the whole story
When it came to accepting the project and compensation money from Pantheon Films, Lucia claimed Keith had asked her to pass them along to toga, hoping he would step in and intervene.
Now Logan and Yann were in the study together, and Lucia was sure they were discussing this exact situation.
“Once you’ve taken something, you can’t just give it back, Lucia thought. Audrey doesn’t want to drop the lawsuit, but she’ll have to. I just need to get Audrey to back down first, then I can negotiate with Talia.”
“Audrey, you have no idea how much Logan cares about the Winifred family’s reputation. Since you married into this family, you need to think about what’s best for everyone, not just throw tantrums like a child,” Lucia said.
She continued with a sigh, “Yesterday, someone sent a mediator to talk to Logan, and because of your mistakes, he took his anger out on me. I know he acts like he doesn’t care that you’re my daughter, but deep down, it still bothers him.
“If we can’t handle this situation properly, it could seriously damage your position in the Winifred family. What if–and I’m just saying what if he tells Yann to divorce you? What would you do then?”
Audrey let out a soft laugh, “Weren’t you hoping Yann and I would get divorced? If we split up, that would be exactly what you wanted.”
Lucia could see that Audrey wouldn’t budge no matter what approach she tried. “This is making me sick,‘ she th temper.
but she couldn’t afford to lose her
She had no choice but to keep trying, even though every word felt forced. “I wanted to introduce you to someone better, but if you destroy your
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Chapter 770
relationship with Talia and get kicked out of the Winifred family, who’s going to want you?
“Listen to me call Talia right now and tell her you’re dropping the Towsult.”
As Lucia spoke, she pulled out her phone and dialed Talia’s number. The call connected quickly, and the thored the phone into
Audrey held the phone to her ear. “Talia”
Talia frace for a moment. She glanced at the caller ID again, dend a triumphant smile spread across her face. Irene was sitting beside her and mouthed. “Who is it?”
Talia covered the phone and whispered, “It’s Audrey. She must be calling to drop the charges.”
Irene pressed a hand to her chest, feeling the weight that had been trushing her for days finally
something nice too.” she’s willing to back down, you should say
She leaned close to Talia’s war and whispered, “Since
The two families had business dealings together, so if the other side was willing to save face, they should take the opportunity to smooth thi
Talia’s smile immediately faded, but Irene’s expression turned stern as she gestured for Talia to follow her lead and stop being stubborn
After several pointed looks, Talia reluctantly spoke, “I was out of line at the tech presentation. It won’t happen again. Let’s let bygones be bygones Mayboy we can even collaborate on projects in the future.”
As soon as Talia finished speaking, she heard a dismissive snort come through the phone.
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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.
