Accidentally Crossing the Tycoon
Chapter 23
Audrey’s POV:
As Caspar’s footsteps faded down the corridor, the hospital room fell into an uncomfortable silence.
His parting words-“They must be worried sick about you–hung in the air with unintended irony.
Worried sick? The Baileys?
My hand trembled as I reached for my phone on the bedside table.
The screen lit up, revealing exactly what I’d expected–not a single missed call or message from any Bailey family member.
I remembered when the accident happened, I had been rushing to meet Samuel West, my contract husband of four years whom I’d never actually met.
A glance at the clock showed it was well past our scheduled meeting time at Le Bernardin.
Taking a deep breath, I dialed George Bailey’s number.
“What’s wrong?” His voice sounded oddly calm when he answered.
‘I need to tell you I can’t make it to the meeting with Samuel West. Something unexpected happened.*
‘I see.” He replied quietly.
I paused, confused by his lack of reaction. “You’re… not upset?”
A cold laugh came through the speaker. “Samuel West canceled the meeting himself about half an hour before you were supposed to arrive.”
My fingers tightened around the phone. “What? And you didn’t think to call and tell me?”
“Must have slipped my mind, George replied, his voice dripping with false innocence.
He’d hung up on me.
I could practically see his smug expression through the phone.
This was deliberate–his petty revenge for all the times I’d refused to bow to his demands.
Three hours earlier…
I had been at the gallery, helping Noah with his latest painting, when my phone rang.
Eleanor’s voice had been unnaturally sweet.
‘Audrey, dear, you need to come home right away. It’s important. Family emergency.”
The word ‘emergency” had sent me rushing out the door, my mind racing through terrible possibilities.
1/4
3:05 pm P M
Chapter 23
Had something happened to Margaret?
When I arrived at the Bailey residence, breathless and worried, I met with a scene that immediately set off warning bells.
George, Eleanor, and even Sienna were sitting in the living room, all wearing expressions of forced pleasantness.
The last time they’d looked at me that way was when they’d needed me to sign the contract marriage papers four years ago.
“Audrey, darling, have a seat,” Eleanor had patted the space beside her on the sofa.
“What’s the emergency?” I’d asked, remaining standing.
“We’ve received wonderful news, George had announced, his smile not reaching his eyes. “Samuel West has requested a meeting with you. Tonight. At Le
Bernardin.”
I immediately understood their sudden change in attitude.
The Bailey empire, once proud and self–sufficient, now survived on my contract husband’s continued support.
They couldn’t afford to offend him, which meant they suddenly couldn’t afford to offend me either.
For four years, Samuel West had been the perfect silent partner–providing financial support without making a single demand or even requesting to meet his
contract wife.
His sudden desire to see me had clearly thrown the Bailey family into disarray.
I’d looked from one face to another. “And this is the emergency that couldn’t wait?”
George’s smile had faltered slightly. “Audrey, since it’s about the Bailey family, you shouldn’t throw a tantrum at this time.”
I couldn’t help but let out a cold laugh. “The Bailey family? I thought you made it perfectly clear four years ago that I’m not a Bailey. My name is Audrey Lane now, remember? *
George’s expression hardened instantly.
“Listen carefully, Audrey. I don’t have time for your rebellious attitude. Tonight, you will go to Le Bernardin, you will meet your husband, and you will be charming. Is that clear?”
I crossed my arms. They were looking for a Bailey daughter to fulfill the contract. I’m not a Bailey, remember? Why not let Sienna go?”
Sienna jumped to her feet, her perfectly manicured nails digging into her palms.
‘How dare you! You’re the one who signed the marriage certificate.”
“What’s wrong, Audrey? Afraid to finally meet your husband? Worried he’ll return you like damaged goods?”
I studied Sienna’s flushed face for a moment, a slow smile spreading across my lips as inspiration struck.
“Actually, I’ll go. On one condition.”
George leaned forward. “What?”
2/4
3:05 pm P M
Chapter 23
From this point forward,” I said, my eyes never leaving Sienna’s, ‘your precious daughter follows my lead at home. When I need something, the helps. When
I say jump, she asks how high.”
Sienna’s jaw dropped. “You can’t be serious-
“Perfectly serious, I interrupted.
The color drained from Sienna’s face.
She looked to her father for support, but George was already calculating the cost–benefit analysis in his head.
“Fine,” he said finally. ‘Sienna will… assist you. Within reason.”
Sienna’s outraged ‘Daddy!” was cut short by his sharp glance.
The Bailey family was nothing if not practical when it came to preserving their financial interests.
The hospital room door opened, pulling me from my memories.
Caspar entered, his gray suit still stained with my blood.
‘How are you feeling?” he asked, approaching the bed. “Any new discomfort or pain?”
I shook my head slightly. “No change. Just tired.”
He nodded, studying my face for a moment before asking, “Where were you headed when the accident happened? From what I can tell, that wasn’t the direction to your home.”
The question caught me off guard.
“I was meeting someone,” I said vaguely, avoiding his eyes.
To my relief, Caspar didn’t press for details.
‘I don’t think this was an accident, Audrey,” he said, his voice low and controlled. “The SUV that hit you ran a red light at full speed, then immediately fled the scene. The license plate was obscured.”
I blinked, trying to process his words. “You think someone deliberately…?”
He nodded, studying my face carefully.
“Have you angered anyone recently? ”
My mind raced through possibilities.
‘I can’t think of anyone,” I said honestly. “My life is… relatively quiet.”
‘I’ve asked James to investigate thoroughly. In the meantime, you should rest. His voice softened slightly. “We’ll figure this out.”
“Thank you,” I said quietly. “For everything you’ve done today.”
3/4
8:05 pm P M
Chapter 23
Caspar’s expression remained unreadable. ‘I’m doing this for Noah.”
He moved toward the door, pausing with his hand on the handle. “Take a good rest, and I’ll let you know if there’s any news.”
Without waiting for my response, he left, the door closing softly behind him.
I stared at the closed door, feeling strangely alone despite the nurses bustling in the hallway outside.
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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.
