Chapter 20 Not Backing Down
Outside the bedroom, Elias was
- g. “Ms…”
1/4
Audrey raised a finger to her lips, signaling Elias to stay quiet.
“Elias, don’t tell Caleb,” Audrey whispered with a faint smile, glancing down at the bowl of oatmeal in her hands. “Let’s go inside.”
After having dinner at the Beaumont Villa, Audrey returned to Kingwood Villa, where she sat in the living room waiting for Theodore.
Perhaps it was because of the seven–day business trip that Audrey eventually dozed off as she waited.
Audrey didn’t wake up until Hazel gently roused her. She blinked at the growing daylight and suddenly realized it was already the next day. Theodore still hadn’t come home.
Audrey picked up her phone and opened her WhatsApp. The first profile picture was Theodore’s, and their last conversation was from seven hours ago when she’d asked him when he would.
return.
There were only two days left before the deadline. Today, no matter what, Audrey had to see Theodore.
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Just past 9 AM, right at the start of the workday, Audrey pulled up in her BMW Mini outside Ains Group. She got out of the car and once again walked into the Ains Group building.
Since Audrey and Theodore had
registered their marriage.
without holding a wedding or announcing it publicly, the receptionist didn’t recognize her.
So, when Audrey asked to see Theodore, the receptionist’s first instinct was to turn her away.
After all, Theodore was the head of Ains Group. One couldn’t just demand to see him on a whim.
But the next moment, the receptionist caught sight of Audrey’s face and suddenly remembered seeing her yesterday and how Maxwell had spoken to Audrey directly.
Hesitating for a moment, the receptionist decided to call Maxwell.
Five minutes later, the receptionist hung up the phone, her face cold. “I’m sorry, please leave. Mr. Ainsworth doesn’t want to see you.”
Audrey said, “I really have something important…”
“Everyone who comes to see Mr. Ainsworth claims they have something important,” the receptionist sneered in disdain. “Ms. Beaumont, I suggest you take a good look in the mirror and ask yourself if you’re worthy. Now go. If you don’t leave, I’ll have to
Chapter 20 Not Backing D
call security.”
3/4
Audrey pressed her lips, her lashes lowering as she stayed silent, deep in thought.
Seeing Audrey not moving, the receptionist lost her patience and yelled, “Security, get over here and throw this woman… Hey! Stop! My badge!”
Audrey darted into the elevator, leaving the receptionist and security behind her.
Audrey held the receptionist’s badge over the elevator sensor. After hearing the beep sound, she quickly pressed the button for the 72nd floor. The button lit up, and the elevator began its
ascent.
Theodore had his own private elevator, but this one was for staff. Employees used their badges to access floors corresponding to their department and rank.
However, the receptionist’s badge was unique.
Though their rank was low, their badges granted access to all floors because of their role in reception. This included the 72nd–floor executive office, though no one would typically use the badge to go up there and risk getting in trouble.
About eight minutes later, the elevator came to a smooth stop on the 72nd floor.
As the doors opened, Audrey stepped out, only to find Maxwell
backing
Chapter 20 Not Ba
waiting for her five steps away, flanked by two tall, burly bodyguards.
“Mrs. Ainsworth, please leave.” Maxwell’s voice was as cold and unyielding as the impression he a sgave. “If you insist on ignoring my advice, I’ll have no choice but to escort you out.”
The bodyguards immediately understood and began advancing toward Audrey.
Audrey’s eyes narrowed. Instinctively, she wanted to step back but forced herself to stay still. If those two bodyguards grabbed her and threw her out, there was no way she could resist. But she couldn’t back down now.
Audrey had made it this far, and the Beaumont Group’s only chance of survival was if she could convince Theodore to call off his attack.
“Maxwell.” Audrey stood her ground, her tone firm. “I have to see Theodore today.”
