Chapter 15
Audrey’s POV:
It was already nine o’clock when I returned from the Thornton family estate.
I took a deep breath and pushed open the apartment door.
To my surprise, the living room was brightly lit, with George, Eleanor, and Sienna all present–clearly waiting for me.
‘Finally decided to come back?” George’s voice carried suppressed emotion as he sat on the main sofa.
Eleanor sat beside him, her expression was elusive..
Sienna lounged lazily in the armchair, admiring her fresh manicure, though I noticed her eyes constantly darting in my direction.
The air was thick with an eerie calm–the quiet before the storm.
“Good evening,” I offered a flat greeting, preparing to head straight to my room.
“Stop right there.” George’s voice suddenly rose.
I halted and turned to face them.
“Is there something you need?” I asked calmly.
“Word is you’ve got yourself a sugar daddy? Cut off from your allowance so you went hunting for a rich benefactor?”
I stood in the center of the living room, the crystal chandelier’s cold light washing over me, unable to dispel the hostility in the air.
Eleanor chimed in with disappointment written across her face.
“Don’t forget you’re still a married woman. You’ve let us down completely.”
took a deep breath, fighting to stay composed.
“I won’t stand here and take these baseless accusations. If you have evidence, present it. Without proof, these are just slanderous allegations.”
Sienna gracefully rose from the sofa, her expensive designer outfit glittering under the lights.
“I saw you with my own eyes getting out of that car, with some gray–haired old geezer behind the wheel. Isn’t that obvious enough?”
‘I’m an art instructor at the gallery,” I replied coolly. “He’s simply the parent of one of my students, not whatever twisted scenario you’re imagining.”
George dismissively waved his hand and stepped closer, pointing at my clothes.
“Cut the crap! Could your gallery job possibly afford threads like these?” His finger nearly jabbed my chest. “This Luxura custom piece retails for at least thirty grand!”
The Luxura outfit was from Finley’s own fashion line–a birthday gift she’d given me back in London.
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3:04 pm P M
Chapter 15
But I wasn’t about to explain that. Give people too much face and they lose sight of their own worth.
“Since you’ve already made up your minds, why bother interrogating me?” I stepped back, avoiding George’s pointing finger, my voice turning ing
“I don’t carry the Bailey name anymore. My life is none of your business.”
“What?” Eleanor shrieked, her face contorting with rage. Do you really want to break up with the Bailey family?”
George’s face turned beet red: “We raised you all these years, and this is how you repay us?”
“Repay? You actually have the nerve to talk about repayment?‘ I let out a cold laugh. Are you sure you want to settle that score with me?”
“Who got thrown under the bus to sign that contract marriage? Whose sacrifice brought in Samuel West’s financial backing?
“Stop using this as your shield, Audrey,” Sienna had spat.
“Yes, you married that man for me, but let’s be honest–you didn’t actually sacrifice anything, did you? You never even met him face to face! One signature on a paper, and suddenly you’re the martyr of the family?”
“If you hate us all so much, why don’t you just pack your things and get out? Nobody’s forcing you to stay in this house!”
“Enough!” Margaret emerged from her room, her cane striking the floor with sharp, crisp sounds.
‘I’d like to see who dares kick Audrey out.” She roared.
“I’m not dead yet, and the Bailey family empire was built by my hands. It’s not your call to make.” Though her voice was aged, it carried unquestionable
authority.
Sienna immediately backed down, not daring to speak further, though she continued glaring at me venomously.
Margaret approached and gently patted my hand.
‘Audrey, don’t pay attention to them. I’ll take care of everything for you.”
I barely managed to force a smile for my grandmother. In this house, she was the only one who genuinely cared about me.
Just then, the butler entered the living room carrying an elegant envelope.
“Miss Bailey, thiş just arrived–an invitation from the Thornton family.”
Sienna excitedly rushed over and snatched the envelope.
‘It must be for me!”
She eagerly tore it open, and upon reading the contents, her pupils dilated with a mixture of delight and smugness.
“Look! It’s a personal invitation from ‘King C Caspar Thornton himself!”
She announced triumphantly: “He’s invited me to the Thornton family art charity gala!”
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8:04 pm P M
Chapter 15
Eleanor and George’s eyes immediately lit up with that greedy gleam that made my stomach turn
“Really? Sweetheart, that’s fantastic! How did you meet Mr. Thornton? Eleanor gushed excitedly. The Thorntons are New York’s most elite family
George beamed with pride.” Thornton is not exactly someone ordinary people can just bump into!”
Sienna’s expression stiffened momentarily before quickly returning to her smug look.
“Last week I attended his cousin’s birthday party, maybe that’s when he noticed me. Just help me prepare the perfect gown for the galat i need to absolutely dazzle everyone there.”
She deliberately glanced my way, her lips curling into a mocking smile.
“Too bad some people are only fit to be little art teachers in galleries, never destined for high society circles.”
The irony was almost too rich. But I didn’t intend to pay attention to her and went straight back to my room.
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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.
