Chapter 17 The Price
The taxi arrived at the Beaumont Villa.
Elias rushed forward to open the Beaumont.”
for Audrey. “Ms.
“Elias, where’s Caleb?” Audrey asked impatiently as soon as she stepped out of the car.
Elias paid the fare and replied, “He’s in the study. He’s been locking himself in there since he returned from the company these past few days.”
Audrey frowned and quickly walked inside. The familiar décor made her pause ever so slightly as she entered the house. Her gaze dimmed.
Back when Nicholas had just been imprisoned, people were always protesting outside the Beaumont Villa and Beaumont Group. After she married into the Ainsworth family, they eased off a little, but only moved from the open into the shadows.
With Beaumont Group hanging by a thread, Caleb spent most of his time at the company or traveling for work. On the other hand, Audrey returned often, making her an easy target for those radicals. She had been cornered and shoved multiple times, even ending up in the hospital on several occasions.
Caleb blamed himself for not being able to protect Audrey while
Chapter
also heartbroken for her. Eventually, he forbade her from coming back altogether.
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Two years flew by, and Audrey’s visits had become few and far between.
Soon, Audrey arrived outside the study. The door was slightly ajar, and before she could push it open, the smell of smoke hit her.
“Caleb?” Audrey stepped inside, only to see Caleb was disheveled, slumped over the desk, eyes closed. Dark circles were visible. The ashtray beside him was overflowing with cigarette butts. Audrey’s eyes instantly welled up.
She stepped forward, and a burning heat shot through her fingers when she touched Caleb’s hand. She was shocked, and she quickly reached out to feel his forehead. Caleb was burning
- up.
Audrey panicked. “Elias, call the family doctor, quickly! Caleb has a fever!”
Elias‘ face shifted, and he hurried off to make the call.
“Caleb, wake up!” Audrey leaned in and gently shook him.
In his daze, Caleb heard the familiar voice. He frowned, and after a moment of struggle, he finally forced his eyes open, taking a while to recognize the person in front of him.
“Audrey?” Caleb’s voice was hoarse.
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“Yes, it’s me.” Audrey’s throat tightened. She gripped his hand.
Caleb stared at Audrey for a long moment before realizing it wasn’t a dream. Pushing himself u sat straight. “Audrey, why did you come back?” He cough.
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Audrey poured him a glass of water and handed it to him. “Here, have some water.”
Caleb took the glass, drank a couple of sips, then looked at her again. “Audrey, you’ve lost a lot of weight. Are you being mistreated by the Ainsworth family? Did Theodore give you a hard time? I’ll go and…”
As Caleb spoke, he tried to stand up. But after days of sleeplessness and exhaustion, his strength was nearly spent. He barely got halfway up before collapsing back into his seat.
“Caleb, you’ve got a fever. Stop moving around.” Audrey steadied him. “I’m fine. The Ainsworth family treats me well. They haven’t given me any trouble.”
Caleb said, “Then why…”
“Elias called me.” Audrey explained, “Caleb, what’s going on? If Elias hadn’t told me, were you planning on keeping this from me?”
Caleb’s gaze flickered. “It’s nothing. I have just been busy with work lately. Elias is blowing things out of proportion.”
Chapter 17 The Price
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Having grown up together, Audrey could tell immediately that Caleb was lying. But seeing him still feverish, she chose not to press further.
The family doctor arrived quick
it Caleb, not taking the
fever seriously, was about to refuse the injection. Audrey, however, stood firm, her face set with determination.
Caleb had no choice but to give in. He obediently let them take him to the bedroom for an IV drip.
Audrey stayed by Caleb’s bedside, only leaving once she was sure he had fallen asleep. Stepping outside, she turned to Elias. “Elias, tell me, what’s really going on?”
Elias hesitated.
Audrey pleaded, “Elias…”
“Ms. Beaumont, I don’t know all the details,” Elias said, lowering his head slightly. “But starting six days ago, every partner Beaumont Group had previously secured deals with, even the long–time suppliers, suddenly began pulling out of agreements. One after another, they canceled their contracts with Beaumont Group.
“The company has already lost nearly six hundred million. dollars in just a few days. Mr. Caleb Beaumont has been trying to figure out what’s going on, but none of those people are willing to meet with him.”
Audrey’s face darkened, and she recalled what Theodore had
Chapter 17 The Price
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said a week ago. She clenched her hand tightly, thinking, “Is this the price he said I’d have to pay for my mistake?”
Audrey closed her eyes for a moment before speaking, “Elias, I understand. Let me handle this.”
“Ms. Beaumont, do you know who’s behind this?” Elias asked, his concern evident. “How are you going to deal with it?”
Audrey turned her gaze toward the bedroom door, still slightly ajar. She thought, “Caleb, you must have already known who’s behind all this, haven’t you?”
There was only one person in Kenston, or even the entire country, with the power to make every company dealing with Beaumont Group risk offending the Ainsworth family just to break their contracts, and that was Theodore.
Audrey composed herself, not directly answering Elias‘ question. She said calmly, “Elias, please keep a close eye on
Caleb’s condition. I…” She paused, then continued, “I’m heading
out.”
