Chapter 66
Audrey's POV:
I left the restaurant with Caspar following right behind me.
The cool evening air was a welcome relief after the tense atmosphere inside.
A sleek black car was already waiting at the curb, and James immediately stepped out to open the door for us.
"How did you know I was there?" I finally asked as the car pulled away from the curb.
The question had been burning in my mind since he appeared at the restaurant like some knight in a tailored suit.
Caspar's expression stiffened for just a moment, almost imperceptibly, before he answered. "I happened to be in the area for a business meeting. Fortunate timing, it seems."
"Well, thank you for the perfect timing," I said sincerely.
"Though I have to say, introducing yourself as my 'new professional partner' was quite the power move," I added with a small smile. "You're really serious about wanting to be my new employer, aren't you?"
"Of course," Caspar replied matter-of-factly.
"Your artistic talent has significant commercial potential. A properly structured arrangement could be mutually beneficial."
I felt a strange sense of relief wash over me at his businesslike tone.
Caspar added. "But whatever you choose, I'll support it."
I couldn't help but smile. "Well, if all new employers are as helpful as you, getting my work out of Horizon's clutches and offering legal support... I'd be crazy not to follow you once I'm free of that contract."
"Just staying practical," he replied, though I caught the hint of satisfaction in his expression.
James spoke up from the front seat.
"Speaking of which, Ms. Lane, I can assure you the termination will be successful. Mr. Thornton has already instructed the Thornton Group's legal department to handle your case against Horizon Gallery."
He paused, a small smile playing on his lips. "Their chief counsel is preparing the paperwork as we speak. "
My eyes widened in surprise. "Your chief counsel? For my contract dispute?"
I shook my head, feeling somewhat embarrassed by the attention. "That seems like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut, doesn't it? Surely they have more important Thornton business to handle."
"The Thornton Group is exceptionally generous when it comes to employees we value," Caspar stated simply, as though deploying top legal talent for an art gallery contract was perfectly reasonable.
James made a sound that suspiciously resembled a suppressed laugh before clearing his throat.
"Indeed, Ms. Lane. Mr. Thornton has always been like this towards important people."
I glanced between them, sensing there was something I wasn't quite getting, but decided not to press further.
I suddenly realized while looking out the car window that we were not heading towards my apartment.
"This isn't the way to my place," I noted, looking questioningly at Caspar.
"Noah seems to have grown accustomed to having you around while I was away. He was quite distressed when he found you'd left without saying goodbye. I promised him that he would see you tonight."
A pang of guilt shot through me. In my rush to meet David and Victoria, I hadn't taken the time to properly say goodbye to Noah.
When we finally pulled into the long driveway of the Thornton estate, I spotted a small figure waiting by the entrance.
As soon as the car came to a stop, Noah came running toward us, his face lighting up at the sight of me. He practically launched himself into my arms as I stepped out of the car.
"You came back!" he exclaimed, his little arms wrapped tightly around my neck.
"Of course I did," I smiled. "I was only gone for a little while, sweetheart."
I held and comforted the increasingly clingy Noah for a long time before he finally smiled.
After dinner, I read Noah a bedtime story, staying with him until his breathing deepened into sleep. Only then did I gently extricate myself from his grip and tiptoe out of the room.
Back in my own guest room, I collapsed onto the bed.
Just as I was considering a hot shower, my phone rang.
George Bailey's name flashed on the screen.
"Hello, George," I walked to the balcony and tried to speak in a calm tone.
"'George'?" he snapped immediately. "Is that how I raised you to address your father? Where are your manners, Audrey?"
I closed my eyes, counting to three before responding. "Do you really want to argue about what I call you right now? Just say what you need to say."
"I'm calling to give you one final opportunity to reconsider your poor decisions," George said, his voice taking on that condescending tone I knew all too well.
"Stop the divorce with Samuel before it's too late."
I sat up straighter, suddenly remembering that tomorrow was indeed the day I had scheduled to meet with Samuel and sign the divorce papers.
With everything that had happened with Horizon Gallery and the Thorntons, it had almost slipped my mind.
"No way." I replied firmly, feeling a flare of irritation as I recalled Samuel's dismissive text message.
There was a long pause before George spoke again. "If you go through with this, don't bother coming back to the Bailey house. There will be no place for you there."
I let out a short laugh, though it held no humor. "As if anyone besides Margaret actually wants me there anyway."
Without waiting for his response, I ended the call and tossed my phone onto the bed beside me.
A strange melancholy settled over me.
Taking a deep breath, I tried to steady myself.
"Problems at home?" Caspar's voice startled me.
I turned around and found him leaning against the railing of the neighboring balcony, just a few feet away from me.
"How long have you been standing there?" I asked, embarrassed at being caught in such a vulnerable moment.
"Not long," Caspar replied, his voice quiet in the evening air. "I just finished showering and came out for some fresh air. I wasn't intentionally listening to your conversation."
I studied him for a moment.
He was dressed in silk pajama pants and a simple white t-shirt, his hair still damp from the shower. The casual attire was such a stark contrast to his usual tailored suits that it momentarily caught me off guard.
There was something undeniably attractive about seeing this more relaxed version of him that made me suddenly aware of the intimate setting—just the two of us, in nightclothes, on adjacent balconies under the stars.
I quickly averted my gaze, focusing instead on the distant city lights.
"Yes, I'm going through with the divorce tomorrow." I nodded, more to myself than to him.