Chapter 100 What are You Doing with My Wife?
Bruce stood at her office door, a gentle but worried smile on his face.
Audrey was so surprised she couldn't speak for a moment.
"Why do you look like you've seen a ghost?" He chuckled softly.
"Can I... come in?" he asked carefully, noticing her silence.
Audrey still couldn't find words.
Seeing Bruce after so long—after everything—felt strange. Awkward. He'd kept his distance, and now suddenly he was here, looking at her with that familiar concern.
Bruce stepped inside when she didn't object, standing in front of her desk.
"Where have you been? More than a week out of the office." His voice was gentle, but the worry was unmistakable. "Were you sick?"
Audrey hesitated, then shook her head quickly. "No, I'm fine. Just had some things to take care of."
Bruce frowned slightly but smiled again. "What things?"
She looked away, clearly not wanting to answer.
He sighed.
The distance between them had grown so wide. They used to be close. She used to confide in him. Now... she didn't want to share anything anymore.
Especially since Elliot had become more involved in her life.
Bruce wasn't blind. He'd seen the change. Since that celebration dinner, Audrey had become harder to reach.
The Audrey he knew—the one who always had time for him, who smiled and talked without hesitation—was different now. More closed off. Harder to read. Like she was hiding something.
And every time Elliot's name came up, there was something in her eyes he couldn't quite name.
Attachment? Fear? Something deeper?
Whatever it was, every time Bruce tried to get closer, the distance only grew.
And it hurt.
He tried to lighten the mood, crossing his arms. "Not busy with Mr. Harrington today?" His tone was half-teasing.
Audrey glanced at him briefly before looking at her phone. "He has a client meeting. Went with the other assistant."
"Ah, so he's finally tired of you." Bruce chuckled, trying to joke.
Audrey looked at him, expression flat.
She knew he was joking, but somehow it didn't feel funny. She forced a small smile, barely there.
Bruce's heart sank a little, but he pushed through. Elliot was gone for hours. This was his chance.
He looked away for a moment, then said, "If MGC doesn't renew our contract, this might be my last month here."
Audrey blinked, surprised.
She hadn't thought about how long Bruce would be at MGC. But hearing that he might leave soon... something strange flickered in her chest.
Before she could process it, Bruce smiled. "What? You were hoping I'd stay longer?"
She exhaled slowly. "It's not that. I just didn't expect it to be so soon."
He looked at her with that familiar intensity. "Then before I really leave... how about dinner? Consider it a farewell."
She went silent.
"Nothing serious," he added quickly, trying to sound casual. "I just want to talk. Before this chance is really gone. After this, we probably won't see each other as often."
Audrey bit her lip, weighing the request. She knew she should say no. But she couldn't find a strong enough reason.
Bruce watched her hopefully. "Don't tell me you're going to refuse?" He tried to joke. "When was the last time we actually sat down and talked? Feels like forever."
His voice dropped slightly. Sad.
Audrey finally looked at him. At the man watching her with eyes that held something she couldn't quite read.
She sighed. "Okay."
Bruce's face lit up. "Great! I'll wrap things up here. Wait for me in the lobby?"
She nodded briefly, turning back to her phone, trying to ignore the strange feeling creeping into her chest.
Bruce walked out, clearly excited.
The moment he disappeared, Audrey's shoulders slumped. "What did I just do..."
Before she could dwell on it, her phone rang.
Marcus.
She answered, already feeling pressured. "Yes?"
"Are you alright, ma'am?" Marcus's voice was concerned. "You sound tired."
She ignored the question. "What is it?"
"I'm waiting near the building. What time will you be leaving?"
She didn't answer immediately. Guilt and anxiety swirled inside her.
"Can I... go home by myself today?" Her voice was quiet.
"Are you working late? I can wait—"
"No, no. Not working late." She cut him off, scrambling for an excuse.
A pause. Then Marcus's voice, careful. "Ma'am... do you have plans outside the office?"
" Yes..."
"Can I ask what you're planning to do?"
She hesitated. If she told him the truth, would he let her go?
"Ma'am." A soft sigh. "I could find out anyway."
"Bruce asked me to dinner." The words came out rushed. Quiet.
Another pause. "Bruce? You mean... Bruce Miller?"
"Is there another Bruce?" she snapped, then immediately felt stupid.
Silence.
"Does Mr. Elliot know about this?"
She didn't answer. She didn't need to.
A long sigh. "Ma'am, I hope you're not planning to do anything that would upset Mr. Elliot."
She stiffened. "Marcus, it's just dinner."
"But it could still become a problem." His voice was serious. "I've known Mr. Elliot longer than you. I know how he gets when it comes to things—and people—that matter to him. I'm just suggesting you think twice."
Audrey bit her lip, rubbing her temple. "Marcus, I'll be fine. It's just dinner. Nothing more."
"Alright, ma'am." He finally relented. "But I'm driving you there. And I'll wait until it's over. I won't take no for an answer."
What could she say?
Regenté Grand Hotel – Private Lounge
Elliot sipped his coffee slowly, eyes sharp on the documents before him. Around him, several men in expensive suits chatted casually. But his focus stayed on the serious discussion at hand.
Beside him, Stu sat quietly, occasionally adjusting notes on her tablet. He'd replaced Audrey for this meeting.
Originally, Audrey was scheduled to accompany him. But once he saw the guest list—all men, some with notoriously bad reputations regarding women—he'd swapped her out immediately.
Audrey probably didn't realize the real reason. He didn't care. He wasn't taking any chances with his wife in that kind of environment. Especially with their marriage still a secret.
"Mr. Harrington, I've reviewed the documents you sent," said the man across from him, Mr. Adrian Tan, an investor from Singapore. He leaned back with a thin smile. "Your proposition is interesting. But I want to know—what's your expansion plan for the next two years?"
Elliot glanced at Stu. He pulled up a presentation on her tablet.
"MGC has set expansion targets for three major cities in the next two years, focusing on acquiring local companies with high potential." His voice was calm, confident. "We're also finalizing several strategic partnerships to strengthen our distribution network."
Mr. Adrian nodded slowly.
But before he could respond, another man at the table—Leonard Tan, Adrian's cousin—chuckled.
"A shame your personal secretary isn't here, Mr. Harrington." Leonard's tone was casual, but something about it made Elliot's skin crawl. "I've heard a lot about how beautiful she is."
Elliot's eyes narrowed. His jaw tightened. Stu suddenly felt the shift in the air.
"I've always wondered," Leonard continued, leaning back comfortably. "What's it like working with such a beautiful woman every day?"
Elliot said nothing. But the atmosphere in the room changed. Heavy. Oppressive.
Mr. Adrian caught the tension and quickly intervened. "Leonard, we're here to discuss business, not comment on someone's staff."
Leonard chuckled. "Relax, Adrian. Just joking."
Elliot finally looked at him. His cold stare made Leonard pause, before the man shrugged and turned back to the business discussion.
He reached for his coffee, then set it down harder than necessary.
"Excuse me. Restroom."
His voice was flat, but the tension underneath was unmistakable.
Stu watched him go, confused but smart enough not to ask.
Elliot walked to a quieter corner of the lounge. Dim lighting. Away from the noise.
Away from those bastard's comments.
The moment he was alone, he pulled out his phone and called Audrey.
One ring. No answer.
He frowned.
He tried again.
Longer this time. Still ringing.
His pulse quickened. Something felt wrong.
Audrey never ignored his calls. Especially when she knew it was him.
His eyes darkened.
Just as he was about to hang up—
"Hello, Mr. Harrington."
That voice.
For a split second, Elliot froze.
Then rage flooded his body—gasoline thrown on fire.
His jaw tightened. His eyes narrowed to slits. The fury building in his chest was ready to explode.
"What," his voice dropped to something dangerous, barely controlled, "are you doing with my wife?"