Chapter 7


    Chapter 7


    After transferring money for the clothes to Hugo and deleting his contact details on WhatsApp, Audrey’s contact list was left with


    only Anne Hayes, Harper Hayes, Diego Dous, and Ryan.


    Ryan’s profile picture was taken from under the sea, looking up at the sun. He didn’t have a single post in his Moments. It could


    have easily been mistaken for an elderly person''s ount.Text content ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Her finger hovered over Ryan’s WhatsApp profile...


    “I''ll transfer the hospital expenses from yesterday to you via PayPal. I''ll include the cost of the tie f


    dirtied.”


    Audrey turned to Ryan, who was reading a document.


    The car suddenly swerved to the left to avoid a collision, causing Audrey’s phone to fly out of her hands towards Ryan.


    Audrey reached out and grasped at nothing but air then crashed into the man’s warm embrace. Just as she was about to grab


    her phone, Ryan’s strong, slender fingers firmly gripped her wrist.


    The phonended, quite inconveniently, in hisp.


    Audrey''s ears burned with embarrassment as she realized the awkwardness of the position. Looking up, she met Ryan’s deep,


    dark eyes behind his gold-rimmed sses. Her heart raced with difort.


    The driver, observing the rapidly departing car they had dodged, was sweating profusely. He apologized quickly, “Sir, I’m sorry.


    That car overtook us suddenly...”


    “It''s okay,” Ryan’s voice said from above Audrey.


    She straightened up and apologized, “I’m sorry.”


    Ryan gave her the phone, then reached down to pick up his scattered documents.


    “Thank you.


    The car crossed a speed bump and smoothly entered the gatedmunity of a vi in the city’s second ring. Audrey told the


    driver, “You can drop me off here.”


    “The ce you''re staying in now is dangerous,” Ryan said, closing the file on hisp. He added unequivocally, “Let Howard bring


    your luggage here.”


    She followed suit without questioning how Ryan knew her current address. She informed him, “I’m leaving Sheysea City


    tomorrow. It’s just for one night, so moving my luggage back and forth is too much trouble.”


    Ryan gestured for Audrey to enter the vi. “It’s just for one night. Even if you’re eager to cut ties with the Lambert family, it won''t


    make a difference tonight.”


    Audrey tightened her grip, recognizing the inherent authority in Ryan’s voice. It wasmanding,


    Chapter 7


    and yet, not overly so,


    She handed the keys to Howard, Instructing him, “Everything | need is in my suitcase. Can you park up the books on the table


    and the items in the drawer, please?”


    “Of course,” Howard agreed.


    Audrey had visited Ryan’s Sheysea City vi before but never stayed overnight.


    “Mr. Lambert is back,” Jess called out from the kitchen when she heard the front door open. Upon seeing Andrey, she greeted


    warmly, “Ms. Yeomans, you''re here too. I’ve just made some chicken soup.


    After asking Jess to prepare the quest room on the second floor, Ryan excused himself to attend a meeting in his study. Audrey


    ate lunch alone,


    Nathan’s public apology was released sooner than he had promised Audrey.


    Only three hours after they received their divorce certificate, a handwritten apology by Nathan was posted on the notice board at


    Sheysea City University. He also posted an apology statement on his personal Facebook ount.


    Online forums and discussion boards associated with the university also cleared Audrey’s name. They confirmed that Audrey


    hadn''t drugged Nathan.


    They had identally consumed the spiked drink, and Audrey’s resilience had prevented a malicious plot from seeding.


    Upon waking up, Nathan had impulsively photographed and retaliated mindlessly, as he still harbored doubts about Audrey.


    His actions had tarnished Audrey''s reputation, causing her immense emotional and social distress. He felt deeply guilty and


    remorseful and was now sincerely apologizing to her.


    Thements on his Facebook post were a mix of shock and disbelief. Some suspected ulterior


    motives.


    Others vehemently criticized Nathan for being a scoundrel who carelessly spread private photos, urging Audrey to sue him.


    A few, aware of Audrey and Nathan''s past, thought it was Nathan’s way of giving Audrey a way out


    due to old affections.


    Some questioned how to address the photos Nathan had spread, noting that many students had already downloaded and even


    shared them on social media.


    Fortunately, the incident didn’t escte further, as Nathan had apologized. Audrey hoped the entire matter would settle down


    quickly.


    Audrey hadn''t unpacked all her belongings


    from her suitcase as she nned to leave the next day.


    She had only taken out her pajamas and toiletries.


    Chapter 7


    374


    Unable to shower due to her injuries, she freshened up and went downstairs for water before sleeping.


    As she descended the stairs, she noticed Ryan on the phone as he stood in front of the refrigerator in the open-n kitchen.


    Tall and elegant, he stood amidst the Intery of light and shadow.


    His dark hair was still damp from a shower, and a towel hung around his neck. His navy blue loungewear was unbuttoned,


    revealing his pale skin, chest, and well-defined abs.


    His face was strikingly handsome in anguid pose.


    “I''ve never forgotten the kindness the Lambert family showed me, nor am | unwilling to engage in a marriage alliance with the


    Sullivan family. It’s just that the Sullivan family isn’t a suitable match, Ryan spoke in a deep voice as he took a drag ona


    cigarette.


    “Moreover, rather than handing over Lambert Corporation to an adopted son, it’s better to entrust it to someone of Lambert


    blood. If you’re open to understanding, you''ll find Audrey exceptional.”


    Whatever the person on the other end of the line said made Ryan furrow his brow. He tapped his cigarette into an ashtray.


    Suddenly aware he wasn’t alone, he lifted his gaze. His calm and deep eyes met Audrey’s.


    Audrey felt awkward standing on the staircase. She was uncertain whether to return to her room or get the ss of water like


    she''d nned.


    Ryan withdrew his gaze. He didn’t think Audrey was awake at that hour. He extinguished the cigarette and leisurely buttoned up


    his loungewear as he bnced the phone between his shoulder


    and cheek


    After ending the call, Ryan pulled off the towel around his neck. He asked, “Why are you still up?”


    His deep voice was slightly hoarse, perhaps from smoking.


    “| came down to get some water,” Audrey said as she walked to the refrigerator.


    Ryan casually tossed the towel onto the kitchen counter then retrieved water from the fridge. Audrey quickly took it politely before


    wishing him goodnight and swiftly heading upstairs.


    As Audrey’s figure disappeared up the staircase, Ryan finally averted his


    gaze.


    He pulled out another cigarette and held it at the corner of his mouth, leaning against the kitchen. counter. The flickering me of


    the lighter cast his sharply defined features in light and shadow.


    His face was reflected in the mirrored surface of the refrigerator, blurred by the wisps of smoke, as memories yed in his mind


    like a film reel.


    When they first met, he was 15, and Audrey was ten.


    Outside the rain—drenched police station, Audrey hid behind a tree as she secretly watched her biological mother being ushered


    into a luxury car. She refused to live with her mother and the


    Lambert family.