Chapter 55 Family Dinner
“Yes, I just received it.” Audrey kept walking, a slight smile unconsciously curving her lips. “Thank you.”
1/5
“You were qualified from the start, so there is no need to thank me. With your skills, this competition is beneath you,” the old man said. “If you want to challenge yourself, you can enter higher–level competitions. I can help…”
“Thank you for the offer, but it’s been a long time since I’ve competed. I’m not sure if I’ve improved or not, so I’d like to start with a smaller competition.”
“Alright,” the old man sighed. “You’ve always had your own way of doing things. I don’t know what you’ve been going through, but I’m glad. In a year, you’ll be able to take my place! After all these years, I’ve finally found the right person! And now that you’ve agreed, you’re officially my last apprentice. Stop being so formal!”
Audrey imagined the old man’s expression as he said this and smiled, calling him, “Teacher.”
“Ah! Now that’s what I like to hear!”
The old man chuckled satisfactorily before speaking earnestly, “Audrey, I may not know what you’ve been through, but I hope you never underestimate yourself.
“I’ve told you before, you’re the most gifted person I’ve ever seen in architectural design. I believe you’ll surpass me one day.
Chapter 55 Family Dinner
Audrey felt a warmth rise in her chest.
“I won’t forget that, thank you.”
A Maybach stopped at the line before the traffic light.
2/5
“Mr. Ainsworth, that woman up ahead looks like Ms. Beaumont,” Maxwell said after glancing at the woman crossing the street. He turned to look at the back seat.
“Maxwell, have you been slacking lately?”
A chill ran down Maxwell’s spine. He immediately lowered hist head in apology. “I’m sorry, Mr. Ainsworth.”
At the same moment, the light turned green, and the Maybach started moving again.
Theodore kept his eyes on the tablet, reviewing documents, until the Maybach crossed the street. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed a figure standing on the median.
The woman was on the phone, a smile lingering on her lips. Her eyes softened with warmth, completely different from the cold, sarcastic expression she’d worn on the stairs that night.
Theodore’s eyes cooled as he wondered who she was talking to.
Percival?
Or was it that childhood friend, Ryan?
Before he could think further, Audrey had already crossed the street and was walking in the opposite direction.
Chapter 55 Family Dinner
“Turn around,” Theodore suddenly ordered.
3/5
Maxwell was momentarily stunned. Looking in the rearview mirror, he saw Audrey’s figure getting farther away and hesitantly asked, “Mr. Ainsworth, do you want us to follow Ms. Beaumont?”
Theodore didn’t respond.
Having been Theodore’s assistant for years, Maxwell didn’t need words to understand what he meant.
He promptly instructed the driver to follow Audrey from a reasonable distance.
Not long after, Audrey ended the call and entered the design institute’s office building to grab some documents.
As she walked, she glanced down at her phone, opening a ride–hailing app.
Suddenly, someone blocked her path, placing both hands on her
shoulders.
Audrey looked up, startled. “Ryan? What are you doing here?”
Ryan ruffled her hair. “I happened to be nearby. Since I’m heading to your family dinner later, I thought I’d check if you were working late. I didn’t expect to actually find you here. working overtime.”
“No, I’m not working overtime, just picking up some documents.”
Chapter 55 Family Dinner
Ryan raised an eyebrow and glanced at the stack of folders in her hands. “Give them to me, I’ll carry them.”
“It’s fine, I…”
Ryan took the folders from her without giving her a chance
to refuse. “Come on, get in the car and head to your house together.”
4/5
Audrey nodded and walked alongside Ryan to the car. They got in and drove off together.
Not far away, inside the Maybach, the temperature dropped like an icy cellar.
Maxwell nervously swallowed. “Mr. Ainsworth, your dinner with Mr. Garcia from Victory Group is coming up. We should…”
“Follow them,” Theodore interrupted coldly.
Maxwell and the driver exchanged glances for a moment before the Maybach started up, following the Bentley carrying Audrey and Ryan from a safe distance.
Suddenly, as they passed through a traffic light, the Bentley sped up.
The driver barely had time to react and was about to speed up when the light turned red.
“Mr. Ainsworth, I’m sorry. I didn’t expect that car to…”
The temperature in the car plummeted even further.
Chapter 55 Family Dinner
“Charge ahead and force that car to stop!”
