Chapter 130
Audrey shook her head with a gentle smile.
“It’s really no trouble. And I have some work to finish tonight anyway. 111ee you tomorrow morning.”
I walked her to her car, fighting the urge to find another reason to make her stay.
As she drove away, I remained standing in the driveway longer than necessary,
After her leave, the mansion suddenly felt emptier than before.
I made my way back to the living room.
Settling into my leather armchair, I spread the quarterly reports across the coffee table and attempted to focus on the figures before me.
But not having absorbed a single word from the previous one.
“Sir, if I may be so bold,‘ he began, setting down a cup of coffee beside me I couldn’t help but notice your… distraction today.”
I arched an eyebrow. I’m perfectly focused, Edward.”
He cleared his throat.
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“With all due respect, sir, you’ve been staring at the same page for twenty minutes.”
I glanced down at the paper before me.
“Your point?” I asked, not bothering to deny the obvious.
“Perhaps, Edward suggested carefully, ‘Are you thinking about Miss Lane?
I didn’t answer, which was answer enough.
Edward continued. ‘If I may, sir, in matters like these, a more… assertive approach might be beneficial.”
I raised an eyebrow, gesturing for him to continue.
“In my experience,” Edward said, his proper butler demeanor slipping just slightly to reveal a surprising wisdom.
“When pursuing someone worth having, one must sometimes set aside ones pride. The most successful gentlemen in matters of the heart are those willing to be a bit… shameless.”
‘Shameless?‘ I repeated.
“Indeed, sir. Edward’s expression remained perfectly serious.
“Love rarely rewards those who stand on ceremony.”
I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose.
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21:51 Sat, Feb 7 7
Chapter 130
“And what exactly do you suggest?”
Edward’s eyes gleamed with unexpected mischief.
“Perhaps you and Master Noah could pay Miss Lane a visit. At her apartment. With enough essentials to… extend your stay.”
“You mean we should go to Audrey’s and just… not leave?”
The idea was absurd, impulsive.
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“Yes! Audrey promised we would have a sleepover someday!‘ Noah’s small voice suddenly came from the doorway, startling me. I hadn’t heard
him approach.
I turned to see my son standing there in his pajamas, his favorite stuffed animal tucked under one arm.
I looked between my son’s hopeful face and Edward’s barely concealed smile.
“This is ridiculous, I muttered, even as I found myself considering it.
“Sometimes, sir, Edward said quietly, the most successful strategies in matters of the heart aren’t the most sophisticated ones.”
Thirty minutes later, Noah and I were in the back of my car, heading toward Audrey’s Chelsea apartment.
I’d instructed James to follow with our overnight bags.
“Are we really going to stay at Audrey’s house, Daddy?‘ Noah asked, bouncing slightly in his seat.
“We’ll see, I replied, suddenly uncertain.
What had seemed like a brilliant impulse back at the mansion now felt increasingly reckless as we pulled up to Audrey’s building.
Minutes later, we stood outside Audrey’s apartment door.
Noah vibrated with excitement beside me while I felt an unfamiliar tightness in my chest.
Finally, I reached out and pushed the button. The soft chime echoed from within the apartment.
Footsteps approached from the other side of the door. Each sound increased the tension coiling within me.
Audrey opened the door, her expression shifting from surprise to confusion as she took in the sight of us standing there.
She was wearing simple jeans and a loose sweater, her hair pulled back in messy bun. But she looked beautiful.
“What’s going on?‘ she asked, her eyes moving from Noah to me.
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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.
