Chapter 111
Audrey’s POV:
Clara? It’s Audrey, 1 said as soon as she answered her phone.
‘Noah and I are down at the hotel café. Would you like to join us? I’m about to die of boredom.”
I glanced at Noah, who was contentedly coloring in the small activity book I’d brought along.
“We’ll be right down!” Clara replied.
Twenty minutes later, I watched Noah carefully as he sipped his hot chocolate, the whipped cream leaving a tiny mustache on his upper
lip.
We’d secured a quiet corner table, away from the bustle of wedding preparations.
“Is it good?” I asked, reaching over with a napkin to wipe his mouth.
Noah nodded enthusiastically.
The café door opened, and I spotted Clara walking in, her face brightening when she saw us.
She was followed closely by Finley, his tall frame commanding attention even in casual clothes.
“Look at you two,” I teased with a smile. “Joined at the hip already. The wedding isn’t even here yet.”
Clara slid into the seat across from me, a playful smirk on her face.
“Sounds like someone’s jealous,” she teased back.
Finley settled beside her, his eyes twinkling with amusement as he looked between Noah and me.
“You two look cozy. You’re becoming more and more like mother and son, aren’t you?”
I raised my hands in mock surrender.
“Okay, I yield. You win,” I laughed softly.
“I’m serious,” Finley continued, a mischievous smile playing on his lips.
“I have already married Clara.I expect an invitation to your wedding next.
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Chapter 111
Before Leonht formulate a properly sarcastic response, Neal lonked up from his hot chocolate with complete seriousness.
“I will invite you to Daddy and Audrey’s wedding,” he announced matter–of–factly. And you can bring Miss Clara ten
My mouth fell open.
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Finley burst into laughter, his shoulders shaking with genuine mirth.
“Noah,” I whispered, mortified.
“Smart kid,” Finley interrupted, still chuckling. “Very perceptive.”
Clara smiled sympathetically at my embarrassment before changing the subject.
“By the way, Audrey, do you know who Daisy is? She’s the one who changed your room assignment. Apparently, she did it to accommodate a famous artist named Liora, who’s coming to the wedding.”
I exchanged a quick glance with Finley, not quite sure if I’d heard correctly.
Clara continued, rolling her eyes. “She keeps bragging about knowing this mysterious artist that everyone’s trying to commission.”
Clara looked between us curiously.
“Do you two know this Liora? Is she really that good? How does she compare to Audrey’s work?”
Finley nodded seriously. “She’s exceptional. I’d say she’s on exactly the same level as Audrey. She’s been collaborating with my gallery for
years.”
“Really?” Clara leaned forward with interest. “What does she look like? Is she as pretty as Audrey?”
“I’d say they’re about equal in that department too.” Finley replied with a perfectly straight face.
Clara’s eyes widened.
“Wow, she must be quite the knockout then!”
I couldn’t help but laugh at this point.
“Finley, stop teasing Clara,” I said, shaking my head. “Clara, Liora is sitting right in front of you.”
Clara’s eyebrows shot up in confusion, her gaze shifting between Finley and me. “What do you mean?”
Finley nodded toward me. “Audrey is Liora. Or rather, ‘Liora‘ is the pseudonym she uses for her ‘Star Skies‘ collection. The ones that have been causing such a sensation in European galleries.”
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Chapter 111
Clara’s law dropped,
You’re… you’re that attist?
Clara’s voice tose with excitement before she caught herself and lowered it again.
Audrey, this is… this is incredible! Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Because it’s meant to be a secret,” I explained gently. “I don’t want to attract attention.”
Clara slumped back in her chair, processing this revelation. “My God, Audrey. I’m so proud of you.”
Then her expression shifted from shock to dawning realization.
“So Daisy’s friend…”
“Either Daisy made the whole thing up for social points, or someone’s pretending to be me.” I said with a slight shrug.
Clara leaned back, a thoughtful gleam in her eyes.
“Let’s just wait and see what happens, then.”
The following day, I changed into the elegant dress Clara had prepared for me and stepped out of my room.
As I closed my door, I nearly collided with Caspar and Noah, who were waiting in the hallway.
Noah peeked around his father’s legs, looking adorable in his miniature tuxedo.
“You look beautiful, Audrey,” he said solemnly, like a little gentleman.
“Thank you, Noah. You look very handsome yourself,” I replied, touched by his sincerity. “Both of you do.”
Caspar’s eyes swept over me, his expression unreadable. “That color suits you,” he said finally.
His eyes were still on me, and I felt suddenly self–conscious under his gaze.
“Thank you,” I said simply. “We should probably head down now.”
We made our way down to the hotel’s grand ballroom, where the dinner was being held.
When we stepped through the entrance, the event was already in full swing, with dozens of elegantly dressed guests mingling and
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Chapter 111
chatting.
The moment we crossed the threshold, I felt the shift in the room’s energy.
Conversations paused mid–sentence. Heads turned. Eyes widened.
Caspar’s commanding presence seemed to magnetize the entire space.
Standing beside him, I suddenly found myself under the same scrutiny, dozens of curious gazes sweeping over me with unconcealed
interest.
“There you are!” Clara’s voice cut through my discomfort as she hurried toward us, looking radiant in a champagne–colored cocktail dress. “I’ve been watching the door for ages!”
Ethan appeared at Clara’s side, accompanied by an elegant older couple.
He stepped forward with the confident smile of a practiced host.
“Mr. Thornton, Ms. Lane. This is Robert Cole and my mother, Sarah Cole.
The Cole parents were a strikingly handsome couple, their elegant demeanor and refined mannerisms immediately revealing their upper- class upbringing.
“Mr. Thornton, it’s truly an honor to have you attend. We’re deeply grateful you could join us for this celebration.”
“The honor is mine,” Caspar replied smoothly, his handshake firm and assured.
When Robert turned to me, he paused, his eyes widening slightly as he studied my face.
His lingering gaze made me uncomfortable.
I shifted slightly, resisting the urge to touch my face or check if something was wrong with my appearance.
Finley cleared his throat softly beside him.
“Oh, forgive my staring,” Robert said, blinking as if coming out of a trance.
“It’s just–you remind me so much of Sarah when she was younger. The resemblance is quite remarkable.”
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.
