Chapter 50 Chapter 50
Chapter 50 Chapter 50
After the call with Esther, Averie’s heart tightened with disappointment because she wasn’t expecting her friend to hide such a big deal of a business from her. Out of her good heart, she couldn’t blame Esther entirely because fear could shut anyone’s mouth but still, it stung her.
And worse, there was no way to mention Carmine’s involvement to Darian. Not yet. Carmine was his ex, and she’s well trained in pretense. Averie couldn’t risk being seen as a jealous wife defending her friend just because her name popped up. . Her relationship with Darian was fragile enough; she feared she’d ruin everything.
Averie looked outside the building,to the crowd of reporters who dwindled but was still hovering. Averie exhaled shakily in self preparation.
Darian finished speaking to a few officers, then approached her.
“I’ll handle it,” he said gently.
With the sincerity in his eyes, Averie smiled at his quiet protectiveness and decided, she needed to come clean to him anyways.
“Darian… The truth is,Esther overheard Carmine on the call the other time,” she confessed quietly.
Darian laughed lightly, shaking his head. “Esther must have panicked when they mentioned her name. Don’t worry. I’ll settle it.”
Averie’s heart clenched but she didn’t bother to show it. She smiled faintly to avoid suspicion and walked out toward the reporters waiting by the barricades.
“Where are you going?” Darian asked, trying to hold her back but she was already out.
The cameras flashed. Microphones shot forward the minute Averie appeared.
“Mrs. Graham! Is the launch canceled?”
“Did the new scandal affect your brand?”
“Was there a sabotage involved?”
Averie smiled confidently.
“Everything is fine. The launch will proceed in the next few days exactly as planned. Thank you.”
Her calm assurance seemed to have worked because then, the reporters finally backed off, satisfied. She seized the chance and lleft with Darian.
In the car, Darian glanced at her. “You seem calm. You have a plan?”
“Yes,” Averie said. “Handle the attendant’s case properly at the station. Once we know where the original order was shipped, I’ll take it from there.”
She didn’t reveal the real plan forming in her mind, which is to turn the attendant against Carmine. To allow distrust tear their alliance apart and only that way would she come to her senses.
As soon as they stepped out of the car in front of the old man’s apart, the butler rushed to them.
“Young Master, Madam… Old Mr. Graham has been waiting for you at the west side of the house.”
Darian and Averie exchanged a horrified look. The west house was where Darian lives, their home. They feared the old man had gone there for inspection. They feared that their separate-room arrangement was in danger.
“Let’s go,” Darian breathed urgently.
They hurried back into the car and sped across the estate grounds.
Averie Quinn nearly sagged with relief when she saw the old man comfortably seated, chatting with Carmine. Carmine was poised beside him, pouring him water like a doting granddaughter-in-law wannabe.
Darian greeted him warmly and Averie followed.
While Darian spoke to the old man, Carmine glided to Averie’s side, her smile sharp as a blade.
“Heard you had a little scandal today,” She whispered, eyes glittering. “Rough day?”
Averie didn’t flinch. “Why did you frame my friend?” she challenged her straightup.
Carmine’s lips curled into a cold smirk.
“Because unless you step aside and return Darian to me… I’ll come after everyone around you.”
Averie let out a short, amused laugh.
“Try it.”
Then she stood up gracefully.
“Darian,” she called sweetly, “could you help me with my zipper?”
Everyone’s attention shifted to Averie who’s heading to the bedroom. The old man immediately waved Darian off with a laugh. “Go! Go help your wife.”
Carmine’s expression turned murderous as Darian took Averie’s hand and walked her away gently.
The performance continued for the rest of the evening—They tried so hard to convince them that they were a loving couple.
THE NEXT MORNING~
Averie was preparing to leave for the police station when her phone buzzed. It was Esther.
She answered reluctantly “Hi Esther”
“Averie… can we meet? Just briefly please”
Averie hesitated but avoiding her would solve nothing when they were friends.
“…All right.” she answered.
~
They met at a small café parking lot, away from prying eyes. Esther looked exhausted,dark circles and her puffy eyelids. She immediately bowed her head.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered. “For everything. I envied you… and I made bad decisions Averie. I should’ve warned you about Carmine. And I should never have gotten involved with that man…” Esther finally confessed her dilemma to Averie.
Averie’s expression softened.
“My situation was complicated too,” she admitted. “And I’m sorry I wasn’t the safe space you needed. But Esther… you can’t keep projecting your insecurities onto others. It hurts you more than anyone.”
Esther nodded, wiping her tears.
The two friends hugged tightly after a long conversation, Specifically, how to help Averie with the scandal.
Hours passed after her meetup with Esther and she arrived at the station with a lawyer at her side. Her expression was composed, but inside she was already sharpening every part of her plan.
She would meet up with Clara and commence her plan.If she couldn’t get close to Carmine and find her weak point, she could as well pick up from the weak link she left behind.
Averie would make sure the attendant had no reason left to protect Carmine.