Chapter 651


    The somber mood that had enveloped the office dissipated in an instant, reced by a warmth akin to


    an early spring day in March.


    Max looked up, catching the gaze of the senior executive who had just walked in. The HR Director


    started to detail the tasks ahead with businesslike precision. Once the official matters were wrapped


    up, heplimented the scarf again. Thepliment lingered in the air as he left, leaving behind an


    ambiance as balmy as a spring breeze.


    Patrick had been standing right beside Max the whole time, silently taking mental notes of the cunning


    the old fox wielded. It was no wonder this man had managed to keep his seat as Director for so long.


    Even at an age where most were considering retirement, Max hadn’t suggested he step down.


    Beyond his evident skill, the man was truly a master of diplomacy and charm.


    Patrick breathed a sigh of relief. Regardless of the events, Max was in good spirits now, and the


    morning’s oppressive atmosphere, which had nearly crushed him, had lifted. He had been on the verge


    of calling Brielle for backup, but remembering Max’s directive to keep this issue from her, he decided


    against it. Little did he know, Brielle’s former colleague had already filled her in on the situation.


    At the moment, Brielle was feeling anything but cheerful as she drove to the neighborhood where John


    had lived. She made her way down the alley and up to John’s residence.


    The crew was already hard at work, but Aubree was nowhere to be seen. She quickly sought out John


    to inquire about Aubree’s whereabouts


    “Aubree’s not scheduled on set today, so I told her to rest up at the hotel,” John exined. “We’ve just


    got back, and the ce needs a good clean. She hasn’t been feeling welltely, and I didn’t want to


    force her to stay here. Seems like shees from a well–off family. She booked a room at the hotel.


    Ricardo’s looking after her now.”


    Neither of the lead actors were needed on set that day. Aubree had intended toe and observe, but


    memories of that horrible night in Beaconsfield had resurfaced unbidden, leaving her pale and


    nauseous all morning.


    John had been on the verge of calling an ambnce when Ricardo intervened, insisting he’d take


    Aubree to the hotel to rest.


    John, a seasoned director, knew the entertainment industry was a tumultuous sea, but Ricardo seemed


    too pristine, hardly the type to take advantage of someone vulnerable. Given that Aubree appeared


    comfortable with Ricardo, John didn’t press the issue and let them be with a wave of his hand.


    Brielle hurriedly dialed Ricardo, but his phoney on the table in the hotel bathroom, vibrating silently


    alongside Aubree’s phone. Aubree retched over the sink.


    Aubree, maybe I should call a therapist for you,” Ricardo suggested with a frown.


    “No!” Aubree protested, her face ashen, her stomach in knots. She had tried to forget that night, but it


    was impossible. Returning to Beaconsfield had made her unwell, and she struggled against the waves


    of nausea.


    Both Ricardo and Aubree’s phones were unanswered, leaving Brielle worried. Even thought she was


    confident that Aubree would be safe with Ricardo by her side, she couldn’t help but fret about Andrew,


    that mad dog on the lookout for Aubree. If he learned where Aubree was staying, chaos would


    undoubtedly ensue.


    In a dark wish, Brielle hoped Andrew’s wounds would be infected, leaving him too weak to cause


    any trouble.N?velDrama.Org owns this text.


    Back in the hotel room, Aubree sat slumped on the edge of the bathtub, her face a pallid. mask of


    difort. Ricardo squatted before her, his gaze intense and earnest. Suddenly, he made an


    unexpected offer. “Aubree, should I take care of Tessa for you?” he asked seriously.


    Aubree thought he was joking and chuckled weakly.


    But Ricardo was dead serious, his usual fee for such a task forgotten. “Do you want me to, Aubree?”


    His clean–cut demeanor made his casual mention of murder all the more jarring, yet somehow not out


    of ce. He was reminiscent of a figure from Greek mythology, the youth who died clutching a


    narcissus flower, destined to be radiant yet tainted by shadows.


    This mythological character was well–liked because his innocence was genuine, as was his


    ruthlessness. He could be anyone in the world but could never truly be himself.


    Aubree closed her eyes, the acid sting of tears eased by his unsettling proposition. She had booked a


    suite in the hotel, a spacious sanctuary from her turmoil. Clutching her stomach, she moved to the


    couch and copsed into it, her face as white as linen.


    Ricardo pondered for a moment before digging out some antacids and fetching a ss of water, setting


    them beside her.


    Aubree didn’t particrly enjoy Ricardo’spany, especially after he and Brielle had identally


    witnessed her in thatpromising situation. His presence was too pristine. The cleaner he seemed,


    the dirtier she felt about herself. Her shame seeped into her bones, a stain no amount of scrubbing


    could remove.


    Her eyes reddened, and she covered them with her hand.


    Ricardo called for some takeout. “Have some soup. It’ll help settle your stomach,” he said as he busied


    himself with the curtains, letting the sunlight flood the room. He sat near the window, absently twirling a


    fruit knife between his fingers, his silhouette framed by the light.


    2/3


    Chapter 651


    Aubree’s face was still an unhealthy shade of white. She watched the glinting de dance through his


    nimble movements and couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow at the incongruous sight.