Divorce Me Before Death Takes Me, CEO

Chapter 428

Audrey's POV

Rachel stormed off, shoving through curious onlookers as she disappeared toward the preparation room. The

crowd quickly dispersed, returning to their champagne and gossip.

Henry took another sip of wine. “You went soft on her.”

‘What?’

“After everything she’s done to you,’ he said, swirling his glass, “you still held back. She tried to have you

kidnapped, maybe killed, and you just reminded her about ceremony time?”

His eyes studied me. “Still hanging onto that old friendship?”

The question stung. | remembered laughing with Rachel years ago, learning to drive together, planning our

futures over cheap beer.

“You still think she ever actually cared about you?” Henry pressed.

| set my glass down. “This isn’t about her. It's about Blake.”

My eyes drifted to where Blake sat with Jett in a far corner, away from attention.

Blake had been on those crutches too long already. We'd injected him with that medicine almost thirty minutes

ago, and he only had about ninety minutes left before it wore off.

| recalled our debate at Thompson mansion. Blake had insisted on walking rather than using his wheelchair.

“Someone on crutches blends in, he'd argued. “People see a guy limping at a wedding, they figure he twisted an

ankle. A wheelchair? That grabs attention.”

Felix had reluctantly agreed and practically begged Harrison Clarke for that adrenaline compound to temporarily

boost Blake's circulation.

The doctor had warned us about serious side effects, giving Blake just enough to last two hours tfor his

tic entrance, but not enough to cause permanent damage.

“This has nothing to do with Rachel,” | told Henry firmly. “We've got work to do.”

Henry studied my face before nodding silently.

Astrid’s POV

| chewed my juice straw while Ryan droned on about various society women and theirworth. His voice faded

to background noise as | kept glancing toward Evelyn Knox and Henry Hartford across the venue.

That woman who'd huggedoutside seemed genuinely concerned. And Henry... just thinking about him made

my heart race.

When we'd arrived, I'd spotted a familiar black car. Something about it triggered a strange feeling. Ryan had

pulledagainst him, his arm around my waist feeling completely wrong.

‘Hartford, we meet again,’ Ryan had called out.

The man in the back seat had a face that could've been carved from stone strong features, deep penetrating

eyes, an expression radiating authority while revealing nothing.

My heart skipped when his eyes met mine. | knew him. My body recognized him in ways my mind couldn't

articulate.

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Chapter 428

Fragmented memories flashed this man andin a hotel room, his powerful arms holdingtight, passionate

kisses. | couldn't see his face clearly in these memories, but | remembered the intensity, the connection.

“Enjoying your twith my brother? Henry had asked coolly.

Ryan tightened his grip. “My fiancée is happy with me.”

Henry ignored him completely, focusing on me. “I'm asking you.”

| felt like | was drowning in his gaze. “I'm... fine, | managed, looking down.

He laughed coldly. “Fine? | don’t see you for one day, and suddenly you're engaged to Ryan Quinn?”

“She's been my fiancée for years, Ryan interjected. “Since university in Europe. Why else would she work so

hard to get into your company?”

Henry's expression darkened. ‘Is that true?”

According to Ryan's evidence, it was. Files showed I'd deliberately infiltrated Henry's company, becoming his

closest female associate. Ryan had photos of us together on campus with classmates congratulating our

engagement.

But something felt wrong. If I'd been Ryan's spy, why did that thought makesick now? Why did being near

Ryan feel so wrong while Henry's presence stirred something deep inside me?

After waking without memories, I'd decided | wouldn't continue whatever deception I'd been part of. | wouldn't

be a pawn anymore.

“Yes,” I'd told Henry, forcing a smile. “Ryan and | have been together since Europe. | did whatever | could to get

close to you. It was all for him.”

The words felt like poison on my tongue.

Henry remained silent before speaking. “I never knew you had a fiancé or these motives.”

His voice lowered. “Was it all calculation from the beginning? Everything fake?”

When | hesitated, Ryan answered: “What's wrong, Hartford? Can't handle being played byand my fiancée?

Can't accept that your closest woman was working for me?”

“Shut up!” Henry thundered, silencing even Ryan. “I'm talking to her.”

He turned back to me. “Was everything between us fake from the start?”

| didn’t know how to answer. Why did he care so much about an employee's betrayal? His pain seemed deeper

than professional disappointment.

Before | could decide, I'd been swept into an embrace by Evelyn Knox, who calledher friend.

Those conflicted feelings still churned insideas | watched them talk, their heads bent close. Their obvious

familiarity stirred something unpleasant - a feeling | couldn't nbut that madewant to separate them.

Ryan's fingers wrapped around my wrist. “Pay attention,” he whispered. “It's starting.”

Audrey's POV

The chapel bells chimed, and the crowd immediately fell silent as the officiator stepped forward.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” he announced, “please settle down. Our ceremony will begin momentarily!”

The last whispers died away as everyone focused on the front.

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Chapter 428

‘First, let us welcthe parents of the bride and groom!”

Rebecca Parker entered first, her expensive black dress a funeral reminder. Despite her somber attire, her eyes

gleamed with calculation. Jonathan and Scarlett Rose followed with perfectly practiced parental pride.

As they took their places, guests aroundstarted whispering.

“Where's William Parker?” asked a woman in an elaborate hat. “Isn't he the family patriarch?”

Her friend leaned closer. ‘Don’t you know? William's been at death’s door for months. This wedding was partly

planned for him.”

Then his favorite grandson died yesterday. The bride's going through with it alone,” she continued. “I heard

William was rushed to Mayo Clinic last night. Still in intensive care!”

“Really?” the first woman gasped. “His grandson just died, he’s fighting for his life, and the entire family is here

instead of with him?”

The friend patted her arm. “You don’t get it. Now that Blake's gone, Rachel Hayes will run Parker Group. Today is

essentially her coronation.”

She gestured subtly toward the Rose parents. “Everyone’s here to curry favor with the new boss.”

‘I see,” the first woman nodded. “When you put it that way... | guess a dying old man isn’t as important as

networking with the new power player.”

Her companion sighed. “That's the world we live in. Everyone only cares about money. Even elite families like

the Parkers are no different.”

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