Chapter 19 Home
“I just told him not to call you lo
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ne up. I could have come up myself,” Ava said, her tone hinting at playful reproach. Then she glanced at Audrey, masking the sarcasm in her eyes.
Ava thought, “Mrs. Ainsworth? So what? Theodore is about to divorce her. I just have to endure a little longer, and once I become the next Mrs. Ainsworth, Audrey will never be able to stand above me again!”
Maxwell said, “Ms. Rosewood, let’s go.”
Ava nodded and followed Maxwell into the company building.
Audrey watched them walk away and smiled bitterly. She took a deep breath, pushing down the bitterness inside her, and lifted her eyes to the blindingly bright sky. She muttered to herself, “Audrey, you must always remember. This is how he treats the ones he loves and those he doesn’t. Theodore doesn’t love you.”
When Audrey returned to the Beaumont Villa, Caleb had just woken up after finishing his last IV drip.
“The fever’s gone.” Audrey checked his temperature with an ear thermometer. “How are you feeling, Caleb?”
Caleb leaned weakly against the headboard, his voice still hoarse. “Much better.”
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“I asked Elias to make some oatmeal. It should be ready
soon. I’ll bring it up for you,” Audrey said, putting down the thermometer and leaving the room.
Suddenly, Audrey’s wrist was gr
1..
“Audrey, Elias said you went out carlier,” Caleb asked, looking at the side of her face, his expression complicated. “Where did you go?”
“I had to take care of something,” Audrey replied evasively.
Caleb released her wrist and gestured for her to sit by the bed. “Did you go to see Theodore?”
Audrey lowered her eyes. She softly murmured in agreement, guilt clouding her eyes. “Caleb, I’m sorry. Theodore did this because of me. I went to see him but couldn’t get to him.”
“Silly Audrey, why are you apologizing to me? The last person you ever need to feel sorry toward is me.” Caleb could never blame her. She was the precious gem he and their father cherished. Seeing the guilt in her eyes only made his heart ache for her. “Audrey, when you came back, I asked if Theodore had hurt you, and you said no. Now, be honest with me. Did he really…”
“No.” Audrey quickly denied it.
Caleb frowned, clearly doubting her answer.
Audrey knew she couldn’t hide it any longer, so she casually
Chapter 19 Home
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added, “We just had an argument.”
“An argument?” Caleb wondered, “Would a simple argument drive Theodore to crush the Beaumont Group like this?”
Seeing that Audrey wasn’t willing to say more, Caleb decided not to press further. Instead, he affectionately ruffled her hair and said, “Audrey, remember, this will always be your home. The Beaumont family might not be as powerful as the Ainsworths, but if you ever feel wronged, I’ll do whatever it takes, even if it means sacrificing everything Beaumonts have, to protect you.”
“Caleb…” Audrey’s eyes reddened. She hugged Caleb, hiding the tears in her eyes. She murmured, “I haven’t been wronged by the Ainsworth family. They’ve all been good to me. As for Theodore, I’ll go speak to him again. You take care of yourself and don’t let things get out of hand like today.”
“Alright,” Caleb agreed.
Audrey quickly composed herself, released him, and went downstairs to get the oatmeal.
Caleb watched her retreating figure, his gaze dimming.
Caleb’s phone, hidden under the pillow, began to buzz. It was his secretary calling. “Mr. Beaumont, half an hour ago, Ains Group issued a statement announcing the termination of all cooperation with the Beaumont Group. All our partners demand we fulfill their orders within three days, or they’ll sue us for breach of contract.”
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Caleb asked, “How much are the liquidated damages? Have you
calculated them?”
“The total comes to 2.8 billion dollers, and with the cost of the
raid the Beaumont Group
orders currently in production, i will…” “The secretary hesitated before continuing, “Likely have to declare bankruptcy.”
