Ch. 141..150
Chapter 141
The sudden ringing of a cell phone interrupted the tense standalf. Seeing that the caller was his friend, whom he had asked to look into Aurrey's whereabouts, Logan quickly answered. "Did you find her?"
"I did. She was taken by Noah, but fortunately, Mr. Hayes arrived in time, and she is safe now the voice on the other end reported.
Relief flooded over Logan upon hearing that Audrey was safe. No wonder Alistair's phone wasn't reachable. He went off to be the hero Logan thought
"Okay, I understand," Logan said, exhaling in relief as he used to Emily: """Let's go2
Emily blinked, confused. "Where are we going? Aren't we going to fuul Andrey!"
"Let's go home," Logan replied enigmatically.
Dominic, who had been listening without catching the main point, grew anxious and pressed, "Taid you find hert Where is she? Is she safe?
"That's none of your business" Logan said deliberately.
Dominic seized Logan's collar, his face inches from Logan's, a berce expression on his face. "Logan, you'd better not push me. If you force me, I'm capable of anything"
Logan pretended to be frightened, exaggeratedly patting his chest. "Oh no, I'm so scared! Why don't you hurry up and try me?"
"Logan"" Dominic's eyes burned with fury
Seeing Dominic's anger, Logan felt a surge of satisfaction. "I can give you the address, but if you arrive after me, it's not my fault for not giving you a chance"
"Fine, le
tell me where she is Dominic
i said
turgently.
Logan provided him with the address, and Dominic rushed to his car, afraid of being left behind.
Emily, watching the exchange, questioned, "Mr. Barrett, aren't you giving him a chatice to be the hero? What if Audrey doesn't want to see him?" Logan chuckled softly. "Don't worry. He won't see Audrey."
"Huh?" Emily was even more puzzled.
Logan explained. "Audrey has been rescued and is now with her husband. You should head home."
"Really? That's great!" Emily felt a weight lift from her hear..
Moments later, Emily had a realization, her eyes widening as she asked, "So, the address you gave was a trick for Mr. Hayes' Aren't you afraid he'll Logan shrugged dismissively, spreading h
spreading his hands with a smile. "What's there to be afraid of? It's just like taking a dog for a walk
Dominic sped through the suburbs, reaching the cabin in half an hour, but by then, it was already deserted.
As he surveyed the cene room filled with adult toys and signs of struggle on the bed, Dominic's eyes turned red as he pounded the walls in frustrations.
"Why am Falways a step too late... Audrey, where are you now?" Dominic thought bitterly,
Night fell, and the air was thick with heat. Audrey writhed and struggled, groggy and disoriented, and through her hazy vision, she saw a man whose face looked just like her handsome husband's
"The drug's potency had dulled her senses, leaving her unable to distinguish between reality and hallucination. She couldn't recall how she had ended up like this
At that moment, all Audrey wanted was to follow her instincts. She wrapped her arms around the man's neck, leaning in closer.
Grant, who was examining Audrey, wished he could gouge out his own eyes, avoiding eye contact as he spoke softly, "Mr. Hayes, Mrs. Hayes was administered a rare, potent drug that acts quickly and lasts long. Currently, there's no antidote that can completely eliminate it..."
As the tension in the room grew heavier, Grant mustered the courage to continue. "To eradicate it completely, certain... lovemaking is required. Delaying will be harmful to Mrs. Hayes' health...
"I won't intrude further, Grant added, hastily packing up his medical kit and nearly running out of the room to avoid witnessing anything inappropriate.
The room was left with only Audrey, who was dazed, and Alistair, who watched her.
"Darling" Audrey's voice was sweet and soft, her lips pouting in a childlike manner. "Why don't you hold me? Why won't you kiss me!" "Darling. I feel so uncomfortable: please help me... she murmured, her hands slipping beneath Alistair's shirt, giggling as she felt his taut abs. Audrey was burning with desire, but aside from her hands exploring Alistair's body, she had no idea what to do next.
Feeling overwhelmed, tears streamed down h
her cheeks like pearls that had come loose. "Do you dislike me? You don't really like me, do you?" In that instant. Alistair felt as though his heart was being squeezed tightly, the pain making it hard for him to breathe. He pulled Audrey tightly into his embrace, speaking softly. "Audrey, how could I ever dislike you? I just feared Audrey's red lips brushed against Alistair's moving Adani's apple, gently biting it as her voice trembled sweetly. "I do want this.....
wouldn't want this
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Those work ignited Alistairs sanity into flames. His gaze darkened, more menacing than before, as he leaned down to kiss Audrey passionately. leaving her breathless Th
around them became thick with heat and the stickiness of their closeness
Andrey's shin had been completely rubbed off, her delicate arms draping over Alistair's shoulders, while her slender neck tilted back slightly, markril with the red imprints of hickives The alluring marks against her soft skin drove Alistair into a frenzy, making him lose all sense of reason. Audrey moaned helplessly, pushing agamus his choulders in a fondle struggle. Alistair complied, slowing his pace, trailing gentle kisses from her nose to her lips, then down to her chin and collarbone.
Gradually. Audrey found some enjoyment in the moment, wrapping herself around Alistair, unwilling to let go. The last clothes fell to the ground.
They were pressed too closely together, their heated breaths mingling, intensifying the warmth that enveloped them.
Altair 1
held Audrey's hand tightly, has long fingers entwining with hers, giving her no chance to escape. "Mim
A helpless whimper escaped Audrey as she frowned in pain, briefly regaining clarity, her gaze now filled with resistance.
"h hurts. Ouch. At that moment, Audrey genuinely wanted to retreat.
"Why do so many people enjoy making love It's not beautiful at all...' she thought
Alistairs back stiffened for a moment as he looked down at the soft Audrey in his arms,
his voice trembling. "Audrey, you
Audrey was
Lavirgin.
Though Alivuair didn't place much importance on such things,a surge of wild joy rost uncontrollably within him. Alistair cradled Audrey reassuringly "Don't be afraid I won't hurt you." He tenderly kissed her eyelids, studying every subale expression on her face, striving to please her..
Audrey gradually relaxed, her body becoming soft, her red lips parting slightly as she exhaled gently, drawing Alistair closer and letting her warm tongue glide over his earlobe BOOM!
Alistair's Enal restraint snapped, and the room filled with desire.
More than three hours later, Audrey lay completely exhausted in Alistair's embrace, deeply asleep. Yet Alistair was wide awake.
Propping his head up with one hand, Alistair gazed intently at the sleeping Audrey. He lost track of time, and as he watched her, he found himself unconsciously slowing his breathing. After a moment, Alistair slowly reached out, gently brushing his fingers against her soft, rosy cheek.
The tender touch made it hard for him to pull away, realizing how fulfilling it felt to truly have Audrey. It was as if the missing piece of his heart had tually been find
Quietly, Alistair got off the bed, rummaged through his suit pocket, and took out a brocade box. Inside was a bracelet that he carefully slipped onto
This was the heirloom given to him by his mother during his visit to Willowdale, passed down in their family to daughters-in-law.
The next morning. Audrey vaguely heard voices arguing while still in a dreamlike state. I will never acknowledge this unknown daughter-in-law
"Coming from such a modrat background, how can she possibly hold the position of matriarch in the Hayes family! Also, you better bring Sunny bark tu me tjuir kly, or I'll sever all ties with your "Whether you acknowledge in or not, she is my wife and the one I've chosen. If you don't respect her, I won't bring our chill back home," Alistair repled fly
The suite on the other end of the line securd enraged, growing louder and more furious. "I don't care how you behave out there. Sunny muSI return in the Hayes family" 10:55 AM -
Who is that? So rude and noisy so early in the morning. Audrey thought...
Annoyed, she furrowed her brow, still with her eyes closed, and swung her hand toward the source of the sound.
Slap!
A sharp sound echoed as Audrey's palm connected with Alistair's face. In a flash, Audrey who was drowsy suddenly opened her eyes wide.
""You're awake?" Alistair's voice was
s voice was slightly hoarse, laced with the laziness of just waking up, and incredibly sexy.
Morning light streamed through the window, casting a soft glow over Alistair's bare torso. Seeing the noticeable swelling on his handsome face made Audrey's heart skip a beat... That slap didn't have much force behind it. How did his face get so swollen so quickly? Audrey wondered,
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"What's wrong"
you
still feeling unwell!" Alistair asked. Seeing the change in Audrey's expression made his heart ache,
He naturally wrapped his arms around her waist, his movements a bit awkward as he gently rubbed her
At first, Audrey felt uncomfortable and ined to shrink away, but when Alistair pinched her waist, she immediately settled down.
After being massaged for a while, Audrey actually feli andrinore comfortabile.
"Are you hungry?" Alastair gared at Audrey tenderly, his voice softening Should I have someone firing breakfast in?"
Audrey nodded. Feeling a bit embarrassed to be talking while wrapped in the blanket, she wanted
Lio get up
But Alistair pressed her shoulders down, saying matter-of-factly. "You lie down. I'll get you breakfast. After your eat, you can sleep a bit more Thur worked hand last might." Audrey felt a rush of embarrassment, her toes curling in response.
The phone resting on the bedside table vibrated wildly. Alistair picked it up and glanced at the screen before hanging up without hesitation
The
person on the other end clearly wouldn't give up. Unable to get through, he resorted to sending a message.
voice message: [Alistair, I know you've changed a lot in these past
Alistair intended to silence the phone directly but accidentally opened the latest voice me Two years and no longer regard me highly.
[But Sunny is the only heir of the Hayes family.
1. y. Nothing can happen to him. So, you can play around, but I absolutely will not allow an unknown woman to marry into the Hayes family] Alistair knew how stubborn his father was, so he muted the phone and tossed it aside, n
not wanting to reply at all.
After learning that Alistair was the well-known third son of the Hayes family from Willowdale, Audrey anticipated that she might not receive his family's blessing- However, hearing those words from Alistair's father still stirred some unpleasant feelings within Audrey.
"Alistair's father cares so much about Sunny. He must vahie Sunny s'mother a lot too. Alistair and she are the couple approved by their parents," Audrey thought
As she considered this, a pang of sadness welled up inside her. "Where is my place now?"
Audrey had married Alistair and given him her virginity, yet in his father's eyes, she was merely an unremarkable woman, someone to play with but not to bring back to the Hayes family
Although Audrey had never aspired to cling to power, the feeling of being excluded was never pleasant. As her emotions swirled, Alistair turned to look at her
He was about to explain the voice message when he saw that Audrey's face was pale, her lips pressed together, and her eyes slightly res, as if she
might cry
Instantly, his heart sank, and he anxiously asked, "You look so unwell. Are you still feeling baik?"
Assuming that he had hurt t her last night, Alistair felt an overwhelming sense of guilt. "I'm sorry, I lost control last night."
Audrey slowly lifted her gaze to meet Alistairs. He was gazing at her tenderly, his eyes reflecting geamine affection.
Maybe I should trust him just this once," Audrey thought.
"Alistair" she said, her voice low and serious. "You said you would explain everything when you returned. Can you tell me now?? "Of course," Alistair a
ereplied without hesitation. "I kept it from you because I was afraid that if you knew my identity, you wouldn't agree to marry
"I know you're not the type to seek power or dream of marrying into wealth. You'd prefer to find an ordinary man to share your life with if I hadn't hidden my identity. I wouldn't have had the chance to marry you" Hearing this, Audrey was taken aback. It seemed Alistair had taken the time to learn about her even before their
marriage.
"Why? Could it be that he had a crush on me in the past? This absurd thought crossed her mind but was quickly dismissed.
They had no interaction before. Alistair never had the chance to have a esh on her, and he had been married before.
Alistair, unaware of Audrey's thoughts, said seriously. "Audrey, you can be angry with me and even punish me, but please... don't mention divorce...
Audrey's heart raced at those words. "I can forgive you for hiding your identity, but I need to confirm one thing
Alistair felt a surge of happiness, his eyes lighting up.
Audrey took a deep breath, asking with utmost seriousness, "Is there someone else in your heart?"
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"Why do you ask that?" Alistair clearly paused, taken aback,
'Haven't I made my feelings clear enough? he thought to to himself
Seeing he didn't outright deny it, a chill washed over Audrey's heart. She slowly lowered her eyelids to hide her emotions, her voice barely above a whisper. "Just answer me directly, yes or no?"
Noticing something was off with Audrey, Alistair, although puzzled by her deep concern, replied honestly, "No, from the very beginning, there has only been you
feel
Yet, instead of feeling happy upon hearing his affectionate words, Audrey felt even more disappointed. "You don't need to lie to make me fe
better."
"Audrey, before I met you. I truly never had any other woman in my heart," Alistair explained earnestly
"What about your ex wife?" Audrey locked her gaze on Alistair, her eyes turning icy. "If you didn't care about her, why did you have a child with her! Do you really think having a child with anyone is just casital?" "Ex-wife?" Alistair was baffled. When did I have an ex-wife? Why wasn't Laware of that?' he thought, confused.
"Wait? You weren't married!"
d" Audrey was further shocked by his reaction. "You let her have your child without being married! You're such a
scumbag!"
She grabbed a pillow from the bedside and hurled it at Alistair's face. Alistair didn't dodge, allowing her to vent her frustration for a moment before grabbing her wrist to stop her.
"Audrey, if you're going to condemn me, at least let me understand why he said, his voice deep and smooth, laced with a hint of helpless indulgence.
Audrey exclaimed. "Stop pretending to be clueless! You already have a son, so how could you not have had a woman!
"You clearly have feelings for her but act like you're deeply in love with me. Is ir fun to play with my emotions like this?"
By the end of her outburst, Audrey's eyes were red and glistening with unshed tears.
She had resolved to treat him like a surface-level husband without giving her heart away, yet his sweet words had sent her emotions spiraling out of control. She felt ashamed for letting him affect her this way. "Audrey, please don't cry." Alistair was instantly thrown into turmoil at the sight of her tears.
He reached out to wipe her tears, but Audrey turned her head away to avoid his touch. "You need to clarity things first"
With a resigned shake of his head, Alistair found himself chuckling despite the tension. "So, you think I married you just for Sunny and that I was still harboring feelings for my ex-wife while being involved with you?" "n't that how it is?" Audrey shot him an incredulous look.
Her eyes, red and teary, lacked any intimidation. Instead, she seemed more like a pleading rabbit.
Feeling a shift in his emotions. Alistair cautiously asked, "Audrey, have you considered why you care so much about rue having a child with someone else? Why does it matter so much to you if I had an ex-wife in my heart?" "What are you trying to say?" Audrey's voice quivered with rising panic.
But Alistair pressed on, relentless in his questioning. "Audrey, you're jealous, aren't your
her chest
His deep, captivating gaze locked on
onto Audrey's face, leaving her no roop to evade. Audrey's heart raced, threatening to leap from he Flustered, the cast her eyes downward, her lashes fluttering, and stubbornly insisted, "I... I was just feeling possessive, not jealous." Surprisingly, Alistair only found her response more amusing. He pulled her tightly into his embrace, his warm breath brushing against her temple, his voice clear and bright. "Audrey, I'm really happy."
Even if Audrey wasn't jealous, this feeling was enough to show she had feelings for him. As Alistair felt joy wash over him, he admitted. "I don't have an ex-wife. I've only been married once. At his words, Audrey froze, her first instinct to suspect he was lying.
Noticing her disbelief, Alistair felt sad for a moment and quickly clarified, Sunny is the posthumous child of my older brother."
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Sunny is Alistair's older brother's son? When Audrey heard this news, her mind short-circuited for a moment.
She only knew that Alistair's older brother had died in an accident
at but never imagined he had left behind a son.
initially assumed that Sunny's mother died in childbirth,
Last time, Logan had mentioned that Sunny was a posthumous child, but Audrey had in leaving behind this posthumous child.
Was it all a misunderstanding? Audrey pondered.
Blinking slowly in realization, she finally stopped resisting Alistair's einbrace. Nestling against him, Audrey gently asked, "What about Sunny's mother?"
ALL the mention of this, Alistair's expression turned cold, and he replied in a low voice. That woman took the money and left."
Audrey's eyes widened in surprise. "She lef? She doesn't want Sunny!"
Alistair's eyes darkened as he spoke coldly. "She never liked children, nor did she even care for my brother. She was merely enamored by the power of the Hayes family and schemed to get my brother involved, resulting in Sunny's birth"
This revealed a rather unsavory chapter in the history of the Hayes family. Yet Alistair had no intention of hiding anything from Audrey "My brother passed away before Sunny was even bom.
"After that woman gave birth, she came to us, claiming she had given my brother a son. She demanded a substantial sum of money from my parents and insisted that we promise never to disturb her life again.
"At that time, my parents had just experienced the loss of their son, and I thought having a grandson would provide some comfort, so I agreed." Understanding the background of the situation and remembering Sunny's illness, Audrey felt waves of heartache wash o I over her.
Sunny had lost his father even before he was born, and after his birth, his mother had treated him like a commodity to be exchanged. He was the most innocent one, yet he bore the heaviest burdens.
With her eyes misty, Audrey choked out. "You brought Sunny to Riverdale, didn't your
Alistair nodded.
"Can I go see him?" Before Alistair could refuse, she added, "I was serious when I suggested that before. I've cared for many children with autism in the past. Let me try to connect with Sunny. It might benefit his condition"
il, when Audrey discovered that Alistair had married her for the sake of the child, she felt same resistance. However, upon leaming about Sunny's background and experiences, her heart was now filled with compassion.
Sering Audrey's concern for Sunny made Alistair happy yet somewhat envious. "There's no rush. Sunny has Michael taking care of him. We should have breakfast first, and then we'll go back
The two had breakfast together at the hotel, and on the way back, Audrey leaned against Alistair's shoulder and fell asleep. She had truly been through a lot the previous night.
During the morning rush hour, they hit some traffic, and it took them two hours to return home from the hotel
Seeing her car parked downstairs was a surprise for Audrey. She had intended to find some time to bring her car back but hadn't expected Alistair to take care of everything.
As they entered the building, a young man rushed over, looking anxious. "Mr. Hayes, you're finally back. Sunny has locked himself in his room and won't open the door no matter what we say". In his speech, Michael completely ignored Audrey, failing even to greet her.
Audrey didn't notice this and immediately asked with concert, "Has Sunny not eaten anything since you all arrived!"
Michael hesitated, not responding directly.
A glint of coldness Bashed in Alistair's eyes as he said tersely, "Mrs. Hayes is asking you a question"
Michael was momentarily taken aback. Alistair emphasized Audrey's status, clearly seeing through Michael's dismissive attitude.
Although Alistair didn't outright scold him, Michael felt deeply embarrassed. As Alistair's assistant, he had clearly failed in his duty
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Michael's expression immediately turned respectful. "Sunny generally has a very poor appetite and hardly eats anything. Forcing him to eat will only upset him more."
A flicker of worry crossed Audrey's eyes as she asked, "Is there anything he particularly likes
Michael was at a loss for words. It was Alistair who spoke up next. "He only shows a bit of emotion when he's with the two little rabbits we have at
home."
Little
rabbits?" Audrey raised an eyebrow. "We don't have any
rabbits at home, but I have a wooden rabbit figurine that might work. Let me find it.
In her have. Audrey remembered that she had hung the figurine given by Trevor on her car keychain. She turned to Michael, asking, "Who drove my car back? The key should have been brought over, right?"
Having just received a warning glance from Alistair, Michael dared not hesitate and quickly retrieved the car keys from the entryway. "Mr. Barrett had someone drive it back." he informed her.
Audrey nodded. "Alright, I understand, III thank him later"
Then she took the wooden rabbit off the keychain and walked to the door of the children's room, knocking gently.
Audrey knocked on the door, but there was no response from inside. Not feeling rushed, she squatted beside the door and began to hum softly. "Little rabbit, linle rabbit, please open the door. Your bunny friend wants to come in!" Still, the door remained shut. Audrey slipped the wooden rabbit through the crack, deliberately leaving a little bit sticking out, and patiently waited. Moments later, the figurine was pulled inside.
Her eyes brightened as she leaned close to the door and spoke softly. "Sunny, are you there at the door? I'm your mom. Don't be afraid. I'll be here for you, just like the little rabbit"
She pressed her ear against the door, trying to hear any response from within. However, Sunny remained silent inside.
Separated by the door. Audrey couldn't be sure of Sunny's feelings, but the fact that be accepted her rabbit meant he wasn't completely rejecting her approach. Still, he didn't want to come out. Alistair sighed helplessly, helping Audrey to her feet and shaking his head. "Let's just call the psychologist over
"Wait Audrey pressed her hand on his arm, shaking her head. "Sunny just arrived in an unfamiliar environment, and he's already feeling insecure. Suddenly bringing in a stranger might stare him even more....
"He's not in a serious state. There's no need to panic. I'll make something delicious and bring it to him. If he's willing to come out to eat, then everything else will fall into place"
The fact that Sunny accepted Audrey's gesture through the door suggested he wasn't inherently withdrawn. Children who became withdrawn needed not a rigid treatment process, but rather patience and love
Since Sunny was unwilling to come out, Alistair had no other options for the time being and reluctantly agreed to Audrey's suggestion
Audrey went into the kitchen to prepare food, while Michael couldn't help but voice his doubts. "Mr. Hayes, do you really think this will work? If not. I'll just call a professional doctor."
In the past, when Sunny had isolated himself, the Hayes family had tried offering him treats, even hiring top pastry chefs to make desserts, but he wouldn't even glance at them. Sunny would even throw tantrums and break dishes. "Let's give it a try. Perhaps Audrey really has a solution." Alistair replied calmly, his tone nonchalant.
Michael remained unconvinced. After all, even the doctor who had treated Sunny for years was unable to reach him during his episodes.
Can Audrey really be more effective than a professional psychologist? I doubt it, Michael thought.
Half an hour later, Audrey emerged from the kitchen carrying a plate of delicious pasta. As she passed through the living room, she said to Michael, "I made an extra serving. If you're hungry, feel free to help yourself." Michael was taken aback. She even prepared something for me... he wondered. For a moment, his feelings grew quite complex.
Audrey didn't notice Michael's expression and approached the door of Sunny's rooms with the plate of pasta
Instead of knocking, she set the dish down at the door and began speaking to herself. "It smells so good! This pasta is incredible. It has eggs, vegetables, and even carrots shaped like little rabbits, so cute...
Inside the room, there was a faint sound of footsteps, as if someone had approached the door.
Audrey continued. "It would be such a shame for this beautiful carrot rabbit to go uneaten after all the hard work that went into n
Feigning a sigh. Audrey asked in a soft voice, "Sunny, would you be willing to help me finish this plate of pasta with the carrot bunny?"
The footsteps inside came to a halt, but the door still didn't budge. Michael shook his head in disappointment. It seems this method won't work for Sunny either he wondered. making it."
Yet Audrey remained calm, continuing to gently coax him. "Sunny, if you want some pasta, just knock softly on the door, okay?"
"I know you don't like being disturbed, but if you knock, I'll leave, and you can enjoy your meal in peace." Another long silence ensued.
Just as Michael was about to urge Audrey to give up, there was the faintest sound of the door opening. Michael was momentarily stunned.
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The door quickly closed again. Audrey quietly moved to the door and heard the sounds of Sunny eating the pasta inside. She smiled slightly and whispered "He's eating"
Michael was momentarily stunned. In the past, when Sunny was unwell, he had always needed to be forced out by a psychologist. This was the first time Sumry had actively come out of his room.
Is Mrs. Hayes just lucky! Or is she truly better than a professional psychologist? Michae] wondered.
The three of them dit linger at the door for long and soon made their way to the living room.
Michel understood that Audrey and Alistair had things to discuss, so he didn't disturbi
b them and retreated to the kitchen to eat his pasta. The semi- open kitchen allowed him to hear their conversation outside.
Through the recent one-sided interaction, Audrey had gained a rough understanding of Sunny's condition
After taking a sip of water to clear her throat, Audrey softly spoke. "Sunny's situation is better than I expected. He can understand commands, which means he's
's not inherently autistic"
Upon hearing this. Alistairs joy was evident. "Audrey, do you have a way to help him?"
-
Meeting his hopeful gaze, Audrey nodded slightly. "Most cases of developmental autism are caused by environmental factors. It requires patient guidance, careful companionship, and nurturing. I can't guarantee I can cure him, but I'm willing to try" "Thank you" Alistair looked at her with deep seriousness, his eyes reflecting genuine warmth.
With his handsome noble face. Alistair seemed distant yet somehow affectionate, exuding both tenderness and sweetness. If this were recorded and posted online, countless girls would surely be captivated
Audrey's heart raced slightly, and she lowered her guze, whispering, "We're family, so no need for thanks. I've said I'll treat Sunny like my own child"
Previously, Michael had thought Audrey was too low in status to match Alistair. Now, however, Michael felt himself to be too shallow.
Putting aside everything else, very few girls at her age could accept becoming a stepmother."
Though the internet was full of chatter about becoming a pain-free mom and getting a child for free, in reality, if such a situation fell upon oneself, it wouldn't be easy to remain unaffected.
Audrey's willingness to overlook Sunny's condition and actively help him already set her apart from many women
No wonder Mr. Hayes treats her so differently. Michael thought..
Half an hour later, Sunny finished the pasta and quietly opened the door to place the plate outside.
Before Audrey could respond, Alistair instinctively stepped forward to take the plate and headed to the kitchen to wash it
Michael, just finishing I his meal, stared wide-eyed and stepped forward. "Mr. Hayes, let me do it"
"No need" Alistair replied casually. "You should just stay with me in Riverdale for now, Go back and rest.
With that, Alistair rolled up the sleeves of his expensive shirt and picked up a bear-patterned dishcloth, washing the plate diligently.
"Don't forget to scrub the pots and mop the kitchen floor too. Audrey sat cross-legged on the sofa, peeling an orange leisurely as she watched a
snap opera
"Cor it," Alistair responded quickly.
Michael was m
was momentarily taken aback, thinking. "Mr. Hayes' family status seems a bit low
As Audrey persed a segment of orange, she looked up and caught Michael staring intently at her. Her simile faltered slightly as she offered him a pier "Want to share? Michael was at a loss for words as he thought to himself, 'No, I don't deserve this. Mrs. Hayes, you really don't have to be so approachable
He shook his head, his expression respectful. "No, thank you, Mrs. Hayes. I won't disturb you any longer.
Audrey raised an eyebrow. "Mr. Cooper, are you leaving? Let me see you out..."
She was about to go put on her slippers
Michael, not daring to let Audrey see him out unless he wanted to lose his job, quickly stepped back, waving his hands and speaking rapidly. "No need! I can leave on my own." Without waiting for Audrey to rise, he hurriedly opened the door and exited. As soon as Michael left, Audrey's phone, which she had placed on the sofa, rang
"Audrey, are you asleep?" Jessica's cheerful voice came through the phone, full of excitement.
Audrey smiled in response and asked, "Not yet. What's going on, Mom? Why are you so happy?
"Layla and her two sons have been arrested, Jessica's tone carried a hint of schadenfreude. "Although we don't know the reason yet, you won't have to worry about that bizarre marriage anymore." Audrey raised her eyebrows in surprise, glancing back at Alistair, who was busy in the kitchen. Could this also be his doing? Audrey wondered.
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Realizing that the Harper family's capture was likely Alistair's doing. Audrey felt a surge of emotion in her heart as she listened to Jessica continue on the phone. "Audrey, I know she's your nominal grandmother,
"Yet she doesn't even recognize your dad, her own son. You don't need to show her any filial piety. Just pretend you're unaware of the situation and live your life in peace."
Jessica worried that if Audrey learned about the Harper family's arrest, she might feel sentimental and soften her heart to help them.
What Jessica didn't know was that the Harper family had been involved in Audrey's kidnapping, and there was no way she could ever forgive them.
Since the past couldn't be changed, and to avoid upsetting Jessica and harming her health, Audrey decided to stay silent about the kidnapping incident.
After chanting for a while longer, Jessica tentatively asked. "Audrey, when are you going to bring your husband home for a meal?"
Audrey paused. If it were before, she would have readily agreed to let Alistair meet her family, but now..
1. Jessica added understandingly. "If it's not convenient, that's okay......."
Noticing Audrey's hesitation.]
Audrey shook her head. "It's not that it's inconvenient. It's just that he's really busy with work. I'll talk to him about it."
"Alright, Jessica replied.
Jessica didn't genuinely want to meet Alistair. She simply found it awkward to ask for a divorce without having seen in person Moreover, since Alistair had helped her while she was hospitalized, it was only right to meet him for a meal as a way to show her gratitude. Audrey felt somewhat troubled. She wanted Alistair to meet her parents, but his status was just too lofty. Besides, Alistair's father hadn't accepted her yet. Arranging a meeting at this time made her anxious about putting pressure on her family.
When Alistair finished tidying up the kitchen and came out, he found Audrey sitting on the couch, lost in thought. The television was still on, but her gaze was unfocused, burdened by heavy thoughts.
Alistair quietly approached and sat down beside her, gently brushing his damp fingers against her cheek.
"What are you thinking about? You look so absorbed, he asked.
Startled, Audrey snapped back to reality and stared at him. Her eyes were so deep, as if holding
Alistair felt a twinge of worry. "What's wrong?"
Audrey spoke softly. "My mom called earlier. She wants to invite you over for dinner.
Alistair raised an eyebrow. "Sure, when?"
olding countless unexpressed emotions,
The reason Alistair hadn't met the Harper family before was that he was unsure if Audrey would accept them. Now that they had acknowledged each other, it was time for him to meet them. Feeling a bit guilty, Audrey admitted. "Well, I told her you might not have time since you're so busy with work
"No matter how busy I am, there's always time to meet your family. For our first meeting, I'll make sure to bring some nice gifts," Alistair replied. As Alistair stood up to leave, Audrey quickly grabbed his hand. Biting her lip, she hesitated before saying. "Well... my parents have some
A
misconceptions about you and might... try to persuade you to divorce me."
again.
Alastair was momentarily taken aback. He had just managed to comfort Audrey, and he didn't want to be sidelined a Quickly, Alistair changed the subject. "I have a lot of work piled up from being away for the past few days, so I really don't have time to meet them right now. How about we wait a bit longer?"
"Okay, let's wait a little longer, Audrey said. She could feel Alistairs affection for her, but she wasn't sure if this kindness would last a lifetime.
If they ended up parting ways, she hoped it would be a peaceful separation, so it was better not to involve her parents in their relationship just yet. That evening, Audrey made a delicious seafood stew for Sunny. He finished eating but still refused to come out. Audrey attempted to coax him out with a bedtime story, but it didn't work. Instead, she had to tell him the story through the door to help him fall asleep.
When the children's room was decorated, Alistair had considered that Sunny would be staying over, so he had installed a monitor in the room
After finishing the story. Audrey heard silence from inside the room and decided to check the monitor. Sunny lay quietly in bed, hugging a small rabbit pillow, already asleep. Watching the video of Sunny's calm and peaceful sleeping face made Audrey's lips curl into a soft smile, her expression gentle.
Alistair wrapped his arm around her waist from behind, resting his chin lightly on her shoulder as he lowered his voice, saying, "Darling, I want to hear a bedtime story too."
Chapter 149
Alistair's deep, sensual voice munnured right by Audrey's earlobe, sending a shiver down her spine as her ears
Audrey jabbed him in the stomach with her elbow, feigning a pout, "Cut it out"
1-1
rs turned a bright red.
Alistair knew she loved his voice, yet he kept teasing her like this on purpose.
"Alright, I won't," he replied innocently. But the next moment, he wrapped one arm around her waist and lifted her up effortlessly.
"Ah!" Audrey yelped, instinctively throwing her arms around his neck and kicking her legs in
in protest. "Alistair, put me down! What are you doing?
Being carried like a child, Audrey felt her face heat with embarrassment,
Ignoring her protests, Alistair carried her straight to the bedrooms, gently laying her down on the bed.
Their faces were mere inches apart, their noses almost touching
The atmosphere grew thick with tension, and Audrey's cheeks flushed a deep red, her soft voice trembling. "What what are you planning to do?"
"He's not thinking of making love again, is he? Audrey thought. 'Didn't we just... Last night?"
"I also want to hear a story," Alistair murmured, his fingers threading through her hair as he gazed at her with a tender, lingering look. Audrey's lips curved into a small smile, her gaze innocent. "You're not a little kid...
"Then I guess I'll have to do what grown-ups do. Alistair whispered as he slid his warm hand under her shirt caressing her waist.
Audrey's eyes widened, and she shivered, her lashes fluttering nervously. But she made no move to push him away.
Alistair leaned closer, his eyes tracing the curve of her lips with a palpable intensity, his deep voice coating. "Is this alright?" For a moment, Audrey was at a loss for words
He carried me to bed like some rogue, yet now he's pretending to be a gentleman; she complained to herself.
Blinking up at him. Audrey cupped his face in her hands and planted a light kiss on the corner of his mouth, then instinctively pulled back. But Alistair quickly held her by the nape, drawing her close. As the distance between them closed, even with the bright light in the room, Audrey couldn't make out his expression, only his suddenly quickened breaths.
Alistair parted her lips with gentle insistence, his kiss both soft and unyielding, deepening until she was breathless.
The kiss lasted so long that Audrey found herself gasping for air by the time Alistair finally pulled back.
Breathing heavily, he rolled off the bed, his hand absently brushing a stray lock of her hair from her face as he said in a husky voice. Tonight, you need a good rest. I'll go take a shower." Audrey wasn't sure how to respond. Just moments ago, she'd clearly felt Alistair's desire
While a linde disappointed, she couldn't help but feel warm inside at the way he prioritized her well-being, like being wrapped in a coupon of
Meanwhile, on the other side, Eliza shot up in bed, her face contorted in shock. "What? Noah's been arrested?"
The sheet mask she'd been wearing slipped to the floor, but she didn't even notice.
Sitting on the edge of her bed, Eliza took a deep breath to steady herself and continued asking. "Didn't the Wright Family have someone powerful backing them? How did they get caught so easily!" Noah but the
The person on the other end replied, "I don't know the details, but it seems that woman has someone powerful helping her. Not just Noah b entire Wright family has been taken down.
"You'd better watch yourself. If people and our you instigated Noah to act against her, things might not end well for you
Eliza's eyes widened in panic, her face going pale "Instigatedt I only had a casual chat with Noah! This has nothing to do with me."
Despite her words, a wave of anxiety washed over Eliza. With her big break on Supergalactic Idol coming up, a scandal like this would ruin
everything
Before the caller could say more. Eliza quickly hung up. She immediately deleted all traces of their conversation and blocked the contact.
After processing all the evidence and calming down, Eliza began wondering who could have helped Audrey.
Audrey was no longer the Rhodes family's heiress and was soon to leave the company. With her diminished status, it seemed unlikely anyone from the Rhodes family would step in to help. "Could it be Dominic? No way, she thought
Not only would Dominic probably hold a grudge over Audrey's recent troubles, but even if he didn't, his influence alone wouldn't be enough to bring down the Wright family so swiftly unless his parents got involved. But both of them despised Audrey. They'd never support her.
Or maybe Logan? Yes, it has to be him. Eliza concluded.
The Barrett family was one of the few in Riverdale with the clout to swiftly topple the Wright family and rescue Audrey.
Eliza clenched her fists in frustration. Why is Audrey always so lucky?" she fumed internally. 'No, I can't just sit back and watch. I need to secure that spot on the talent show as soon as possible.
Only by shining on the show could Eliza hope to thoroughly outshine Audrey once and for all.
Chapter 150
The next day, Audrey woke up to a message from Kieran Patel, the head of the talent show.
Kieran informed her that promotions for Supergalactic Idol had begun, and the trending topics regarding invited guests would dominate social media in the coming days. If Audrey had time, she could do a livestream to solidify her fanbase. Audrey logged into Twitter, Supergalactic Idol's official Twitter account just posted a new tweet announcing the invited guests for the show.
Although it was a talent competition, Supergalactic Idol was backed by one of the leading entertainment companies in the country.
The guests included well-known singers, actors, and idols, along with popular short video streamers from various platforms. This stirred a lively discussion among netizens aking it to the big screen now!I
[A short video streamer? People who shoot shon videos are making it to
Are you living in the last century? Short video streamers are no worse than those third-rate stars, and they often have more popularity and topics of interest.]
[A web celebrity is just that. Having a topic doesn't mean they can compare to real stars. There's a huge gapi
[Enough already. Let's guess who this mysterious short video streamer is! I'm so curious! Other guests can sing and dance, so what's this streamer capable of?
I bet it's a dance streamer. The show might invite someone who does exotic dancing just for the spectacle. That would definitely grab attention.)
[Seriously? This is a legitimate show, okay!]
op male or
Despite all the guesses, none were particularly serious or credible, with theories ranging widely. Some speculated it was either the top female streamer from the platform, claiming they would have the most buzz and interest.. However, soon after, the top male streamer clarified that he hadn't been invited. Just then, Eliza's fans began flooding the Twitter comments, praising her effusively.
[Let me introduce our last special guest for Supergalactic Idol, Eliza, who is both beautiful, and talented She's our exclusive sweetheart.
Although the show's producers had only aimed to create hype with the last guest, Eliza's fans were quick to spin it intu à declaration of her being a special guest
In no time, netizens didn't even stop to verify the authenticity of the news before they began arguing
[A special guest? That washed-up web celebrity from nowhere should stop inflating her own worth.]
Even a major film star is just an ordinary guest. How can a web celebrity dare to call herself special? Have some self-respect]
What's wrong with calling her special? Eliza is the only invited web celebrity, which shows the show's producers recognize her talent. They deliberately kept her name a secret to build hype. What the fuking do you know!] This statement ignited outrage among others
was just over the top
and trying
[Better than other guests? Are you all out of your mind? I went to check her out on the platform, and her singing was 100 hard. When she tries to seduce guys, her voice is sweet, but who even likes that anymore? Improve your tastel [If Supergalactic Idol really invited her, this season is doomed.]
[I think you're just jealous that Eliza got invited. She's only twenty-four and has achieved heights you'll never reach. It's normal to feel envy but don't let it turn you bitter. Your attitude is pretty harsh]
Don't be ridiculous. Without her live stream filters and beauty enhancements, any average girl in the industry could easily overshadow her looks. What's there to be jealous of? [She I
e hasn't even
Leven appeared on the show yet, and her fatis are already so
y so aggressive. Aren't they worried about offending the producers?
Perhaps Eliza's fans realized that squabliling wasn't ideal for her image, so they quickly shifted gears, focusing on promoting Eliza instead.
They edited and re-created her live stream videos, applying beautiful filters and post-production sound editing to produce promotional content. They even invested money to push her singing compilation onto the trending list. Suddenly, Eliza's fame surged online, reaching impressive heights.
However, her fans were so quick to engage in fights that they generated backlash multiple times, leading to mixed reviews. But being ridiculed for 1/2
her fame also attracted attention. The more they clashed, the more it gave the impression that she was genuinely popular.
Still, Eliza was clearly not satisfied with just that.