NovelEnglishChapter 420
Audrey's POV
| bit my lip and wiped away the tears streaming down my face as we left the morgue room. Relief that the body
wasn't Astrid’s had hitlike a tidal wave, but now fear was creeping back in.
“But where's Astrid gone?” | asked, my voice cracking.
If she’s not the accident victim, where the hell is she? No calls, no texts, not even coming back for her favorite
necklace... Something's wrong.
Blake shifted his weight on his crutches. “Henry Hartford's flying back already. Astrid’s his employee - he'll turn
over every stone looking for her. She'll turn
up soon.”
He held my gaze. “I've got people watching my mother and sister too. If they know anything about Astrid, you'll
be the first to hear.”
I nodded, swiping at another tear. “Thanks.”
“Don’t thank me,” Blake said, the corner of his mouth lifting slightly. He turned and made his way toward the
exit, navigating carefully on his crutches.
My phone rang, cutting through the silence. | answered without checking, desperate for any news.
“Astrid? Where are you?” | blurted out.
“Still haven't found your friend?” Adrian's cold voice hitlike ice water.
| pressed my lips together, gripping my phone tighter.
“Don’t worry too much,” he said dismissively. “She’s a grown woman, not a lost puppy.”
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| nodded to Blake and Felix before walking to a bench away from them. This conversation didn’t need an
audience.
“I've got a European investor asking for Q-elegant specifically,” Adrian continued. “Pack up. We're heading back
to Sydney tomorrow.”
My jaw tightened. “Adrian, | already told you I'm staying in New York until William passes. | just reconnected with
him -”
“Audrey,” he cutoff. “Emma was kidnapped today. Who knows what'll happen if we stay?”
“This isn’t Sydney. Hartford's people can’t protect us the sway here.”
His voice rose. “Emma’s traumatized! And this deal was something Evelyn wanted when she was alive. It's finally
happening.”
He softened his tone. “Can’t you just cback with me? Is that so much to ask?*
| took a deep breath, glancing at Blake and Felix waiting by the car. “Adrian, business can wait. When | left
Sydney, it was because William was dying. | want to be with him till the end, or at least attend his funeral. You
understood that before, so -
“What about Emma and me?” he snapped, “You said you'd treat Emma like your own daughter. But what
happened?”
“She was in danger today, and you cared more about Blake Parker than her.”
“Now I'm asking you to return to Sydney for Emma’s sake, and you're making excuses about the Parkers being
more important.”
His voice turned bitter. “What matters more to you - that old man, or Blake Parker himself? You've disappointed
loved most to hell, and you can’t even play her role properly. Instead, you're tangled up with people who hurt
you!”
Every word stabbed my heart. My face burned with either anger or sh- I couldn't tell which. My head spun
so badly that if I hadn't been sitting, | might ve blacked out.
| gripped the phone until my knuckles went white. “Adrian, I've told you repeatedly that Blake and | are done.
You're the one who won't believe me. | already explained why | checked on Blake - after making sure Emma was
safe. And now Astrid’s missing while William's still alive. I'm not leaving New York.”
| took a breath. “If you're that worried about Emma, take her back to Sydney yourself.”
My voice steadied. “After | find who I'm looking for and do what | need to do... if you still regret saving me...”
1 sniffed. “I'll kill myself. This life should have ended ten months ago anyway.”
Silence stretched between us.
“When did | say | wanted you dead?” Adrian finally replied, his voice strange. “You're supposed to live on for
Evelyn, taking care of Emma.”
“But you said you regretted it,” | replied flatly. “Whatever, Adrian. If New York's too dangerous, take Emma and
go tomorrow. When I’m done here, I'll cback to Sydney, and you can do whatever you want with me.”
| hung up before he could answer.
Adrian’s POV
| stared at my phone as the busy signal echoed in my ear, my forehead creasing into deep lines.
Emma lay on her stomach in front of me, looking up with eyes too wise for a four-year-old.
“Daddy,” she sighed. “I keep telling you, that’s not how you get Mommy to cback.”
She shook her head. “You just said all those mean things...”
Her small shoulders slumped. “I don’t think Mommy’s coming back with us now...”
Audrey's POV
| made my way back to Felix’s car. Blake was already settled in the back seat, and Felix had taken the front
passenger seat. Great - | had to sit next to Blake.
As | buckled up, Felix twisted around. “Audrey. Adrian wants you back in Sydney?”
“Yeah,” | replied flatly. “SEuropean client wants to work with Q-elegant.”
| paused, then smiled without humor. “My sister's Q-elegant. Adrian thinks it’s important because it was Evelyn's
dream, so he’s in a rush.”
‘So... are you going?” Felix asked hesitantly.
| shook my head firmly. “No. With Astrid missing and William's situation... I'm staying in New York. Sticking to my
original plan.”
Felix exhaled loudly. “You scared me! Thought you were actually leaving!”
He glanced at Blake with a knowing look. “Feel better now, Blake?”
“It has nothing to do with me,” Blake muttered, turning to look out the window.
Silence filled the car. | felt Blake watchingeven as | stared straight ahead, my face frozen.
I should help him with rehab if | have time, | thought, my eyes dropping to his legs. If | could help him stand
again, I'd feel less guilty... less indebted. | don’t want to owe him any more than | already do.
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Sitting this close, | could smell his cologne that scent | once knew so well. There was a twhen being this
close to Blake would've made my heart race.
Now | just felt awkward.
The car arrived at the Thompson mansion. Felix jumped out to help Blake. | reached for my door handle, but
someone outside pulled it open first.
“Get out. I'll help Blake, a deep, magnetic voice said from outside the car.
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