Chapter 29
Audrey’s POV
I didn’t bother answering but studied Laurel’s face, partially hidden behind the bandages. The placement seemed deliberate, strategie VOR – CONTROL | enough to suggest injury while still allowing her to display her delicate, fragile face. A Hollywood star indeed.
*Please…” Laurel’s voice trembled with practiced vulnerability as she pressed one manicured hand to her chest. “If Mrs. Parker says she didn’t do it, then. – let’s not pursue this further. I don’t want to cause any more trouble…”
I almost admired her performance, as her words and every deliberate action were implying that I was the one who slapped her last night.
The security footage will show exactly what happened,” I said, my voice steady despite the burning pain in my stomach. ‘Why don’t we review it?
Elizabeth cleared her throat delicately. “Actually, the surveillance system in the ballroom was turned off during the celebration. Many of New York’s elite attended – they value their privacy highly.”
How convenient, I thought, watching Thalia’s momentary flash of relief.
“She’s obviously lying!” Thalia’s voice rose sharply, perhaps a bit too quickly. “Who else would have hit Laurel? A Hollywood star with a spotless reputation why would anyone else attack her?”
I turned my gaze slowly from Rebecca to Laurel, my voice carrying a hint of cold amusement. “Do you really think you can freely accuse me just because there’s no security footage to prove what actually happened?”
“Accuse? Look at her face!” Rebecca gestured dramatically toward Laurel. “Anyway. You have to apologize to Laurel, and we can put this unfortunate incident behind us.”
I watched as Blake sighed, his brow furrowing with what looked like concern. “Laurel’s health has always been delicate,” he said, his voice softening in a way it never did for me anymore. “That slap was hard. Just apologize, Audrey. Why make things more difficult?”
I raised an eyebrow, meeting his dark gaze as a sardonic smile played at my lips. “Are you really going to twist the truth just to protect your precious Miss
Rose?”
If Blake had actually witnessed me strike Laurel, he would have confronted me instantly – he’d never have waited for his mother and sister to play defenders of Laurel’s honor. His silence now spoke volumes. He knew exactly who had struck her, but acknowledging that truth would mean disappointing his mother, sister, and most importantly, his beloved Laurel. Far easier to make me the villain of this little drama.
Perhaps I had grown too accustomed to his betrayals, because his words didn’t pierce my heart the way they once would have. After years of collecting disappointments, my heart had developed quite the tolerance.
“You want an apology?” I walked deliberately toward Laurel, who shrank back against Blake’s chest. “Fine. Let’s examine the evidence first.”
Before anyone could react, I reached out and yanked the gauze from her face. The placed bandages came away easily, revealing… a handprint.
Interesting,” I said, letting the gauze flutter to the floor. “I’ve lost quite a bit of weight recently. My fingers are quite thin now.” I held up my palm for comparison, then gestured toward Thalia’s larger hands. “This mark clearly wasn’t made by my hand. How could I possibly have made it??
Laurel let out a theatrical gasp, burying her face in Blake’s chest. “Blake, darling… she’s being so cruel…”
watched as Blake’s arms came around her protectively, saw Thalia’s face pale slightly as others in the room began to notice the size discrepancy. Even Elizabeth and Olivia leaned forward, their expressions shifting from disdain to uncertainty.
The familiar taste of metal filled my mouth, but I forced it back. I wasn’t done yet.
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Divorce Me Before Death Takes Me CEO
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