Chapter 15 One–Year Agreement
Audrey lowered her eyes, hiding her sadness.
r insisted that Theodore
Audrey knew the only reason her i. marry her was to prevent the victims‘ families from seeking revenge on her and, more importantly, to save the Beaumont Group.
Her father, Nicholas Beaumont couldn’t stand by and watch three generations of the Beaumont family’s legacy crumble.
However, since the Ainsworth and Beaumont families were not related, the Ainsworth family couldn’t just step in to help the Beaumont Group without raising suspicions. A marriage alliance was the only way their support would seem legitimate.
After a long pause, Audrey said, “Grandpa, if it weren’t for you. and the Ainsworth family, the Beaumont Group would have gone bankrupt two years ago. We wouldn’t have survived this long. But I can’t selfishly ask the Ainsworths to keep shielding us from every storm. These two years of breathing room have been a blessing, and my family is already deeply grateful.
“After the divorce, I’ll go home and work with Caleb to keep the company afloat until Dad is released. If…” Audrey paused, then said, “If we still go under in the end, as long as Caleb, Dad, and I are together, the Beaumont family won’t fall apart. I will have no regrets.”
Chapter
Agreement
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Dunstan remained silent.
The study was so quiet it felt like the air had stopped moving.
Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, Dunstan sighed, “Audrey, have a seat.”
Audrey obediently sat down.
Dunstan said, “Audrey, I know your grievances over the past two years. I have no grounds to stop you now that you’ve asked for a divorce. But since the one–year agreement has been set, it wouldn’t be proper to change it at the drop of a hat. Can you wait until a year is up to divorce?”
Audrey glanced at Dunstan’s weary expression. She wanted to say something, but in the end, she only managed a single word, “Alright“.
Dunstan nodded satisfactorily, instructing Lucas to help him. return to his bedroom.
Audrey stepped out of the manor as the sun dipped below the horizon, waiting for her ride.
A dark Maybach pulled up. The window lowered slowly, and Theodore commanded coldly, “Get in.”
By the time the Maybach smoothly navigated down the winding mountain road and entered the city limits, night had fully
settled.
Chapter 15 One–Year Agreement
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Audrey sat in the passenger seat, her head turned toward the window. The night blurred past her, and in the dim streetlights, the reflection of Theodore’s hand gripping the steering wheel stood out. His fingers were long, strong with sharp knuckles.
Theodore rarely wore his wedding
Unlike Audrey’s, his
ring finger bore no trace of a band, …ristine and unmarked as the heart that had always belonged only to Ava.
Audrey looked at Theodore’s chiseled profile. She blinked away the sting in her eyes and said quietly, “Grandpa’s already agreed to the divorce. As for that one–year agreement…”
Suddenly, the screech of tires tore through the air. The car jerked to a halt.
Audrey was thrown forward, the seatbelt digging harshly into her chest. She gasped in pain, trying to catch her breath.
Before Audrey could fully recover, Theodore grabbed her chin.
“Audrey, are you still playing this act?” His cold gaze cut through her, the words dripping with mockery.
Audrey winced from the pain. Her breath caught in her throat. “I’m not acting, Theodore. The divorce… it’s not me…”
“Then tell me, who is it?” Theodore growled, his voice rising with each word, cutting her off before she could finish. “The agreement was sent to your email within two hours. Apart from you, only Maxwell saw it. If it wasn’t you, then who was it? Him?”
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Chapter 15 One–Year Agreement
Audrey’s face turned pale from the pain, her jaw aching so badly. that even opening her mouth became a struggle.
“What’s wrong? Cat got your tongue? Just a second ago, you were swearing it wasn’t you.” Theodore’s eyes narrowed. His scorn cut deep, like a knife to her heart. “Suggesting the divorce first, playing the long game, forcin andpa to buy you time to delay it. Audrey, you’ve certainly played your cards well!”
Audrey felt like her jaw was about to dislocate.
eyes
“I didn’t!” Audrey yanked Theodore’s hand away, her reddening with frustration, her voice hoarse. “Theodore, I never once thought of doing that.”
His face darkened, radiating an intensity that sent a chill down her spine.
“Still pretending, are you?” Theodore sneered. “Fine, let’s see how long you can keep this act up.”
A wave of dread crashed over Audrey at his words.
In the next moment, Theodore slammed on the gas. The Maybach roared to life, its engine growling as it shot forward at breakneck speed.
Audrey saw the speedometer, which had shot up to its limit. She was frightened and blurted out, “Theodore, are you out of your mind?“
