Chapter 167
Laurel’s POV
Jennifer burst into my hospital room like a hurricane. Her hair was a mess, her designer suit wrinkled, and mascara ran down her cheeks.
“Laurel!” she gasped, thrusting her handbag at me. “Everything’s in here. Take it!”
I grabbed the bag, surprised by its weight. Jennifer dropped to her knees beside my bed and clutched my hand.
“You have to save me!” she sobbed. “I didn’t think she would report it to the police!”
I stared at her, confused by this breakdown. Jennifer was always composed.
“Those men I sent were caught on camera beating her up,” she continued, her voice breaking. “She went to the police, and now they’re after me!”
“If Chen and the others hadn’t used their cars to shield me and helped me escape through the alleys, I’d be at the police station by now,” she said. “And this wouldn’t have made it to you safely.”
I glanced at the bag, carefully sliding it under my pillow.
“Only you can save me now,” Jennifer pleaded. “Ask Blake for help. He adores you, he’ll do anything you ask!”
She squeezed my hand. “If he speaks up, that woman will drop the charges!”
Her breathing grew erratic. “Please, Laurel! I don’t want to go to jail!”
I suddenly noticed a shadow in the doorway and pressed my finger to my lips. “Quiet,” I whispered. “Blake is here.”
Jennifer froze, her tear–streaked face turning toward the door. The color drained from her face when she saw Blake, arms
crossed, watching us.
Blake approached slowly. “If you need my help, perhaps you should tell me what happened.”
Jennifer’s mouth opened and closed, no words coming out.
“I…” she stammered.
I quickly jumped in with a small cough. “Blake darling,” I said, my voice warm. “Jennifer heard I was sick and thinks it’s because she upset me earlier. She’s panicking over nothing.”
I reached out to pat Jennifer’s head. “I already told her we discussed everything, and you’re not mad about that silly actor
incident.”
I gave her my most sincere smile. “We would never report her to the police. Jennifer’s just worried about me.”
Jennifer wiped her tears. “Thank you, Laurel. I knew you wouldn’t blame me.”
She turned to Blake, still kneeling. “Mr. Parker, I apologize for arranging that actor to trick you. I’ve learned my lesson!”
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Chapter 167
Blake stared down at her without responding.
Jennifer turned back to me. “When I heard you were in the hospital again, I was terrified. If I made your condition jail wouldn’t be punishment enough.”
I seized the chance to spin a new story. “This has nothing to do with you,” I assured her. “Miss Sinclair still thinks I was behind those online attacks, so she’s retaliating.”
I sighed. “I wouldn’t mind if she only said mean things about me. But her people started calling Blake darling horrible names claiming he cheated during their marriage.”
–
I touched the corner of my eye. “Seeing them attack Blake broke me. I couldn’t handle it…”
Before Blake could respond, Michael appeared in the doorway.
“Everything’s arranged, sir,” he reported, then paused at the scene before him. “This is…”
“Is everything set?” Blake asked.
Michael nodded. “Yes. Miss Sinclair is already on her way. She said she’ll be at the Parker mansion in about twenty minutes.”
“But,” Michael added hesitantly, “she wants you to bring Miss Rose and… Jennifer.”
Blake raised an eyebrow. “Bring Jennifer?”
“Yes,” Michael confirmed. “She said she has personal business with Jennifer. When I asked what kind, she said we’d find out
when we got there.”
Michael looked confused. “I didn’t think they knew each other well?”
“Laurel is their connection,” Blake replied.
He turned to us. “Jennifer, get up. We’re not concerned about what happened before.”
Jennifer nearly collapsed with relief. “Thank you, Mr. Parker!”
“I need to take Laurel to my grandfather’s house,” Blake continued. “You’re coming
with
us.”
Jennifer hesitated. “Is that appropriate?”
“You were specifically requested,” Blake cut/her off. “Don’t try to avoid it.”
As Blake stepped outside with Michael, I leaned close to Jennifer. “Just come with us,” I whispered. “Even Audrey can’t bring police to the Parker mansion.”
Jennifer nodded, helping me out of bed. She reached for the bag under my pillow, but I stopped her.
“Leave it,” I said quietly. “We don’t know why Blake is taking us there. Better to leave the phones here.”
As Jennifer helped me toward the door, I wondered what Audrey wanted with her. Whatever was happening, I needed to be careful. Very careful.
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107
Audrey’s POV
William Parker took a steaming cup from his butler and handed it to one of the plainclothes cops sitting serdes from him,
“Thanks for coming on such short notice, William said with a warm smile.
The officers – one man, one woman accepted the tea. “Not a problem. If we catch her here, it’s worth the trip.
The female officer turned to me in the corner. I’d kept my face half–hidden with a mask and cap.
“You’re sure Jennifer Carson will show up?” she asked. ‘She’s facing more than just theft and assault charges now. There’s also last night’s kidnapping attempt.”
1 froze mid–sip. “Someone already reported the kidnapping?”
“This morning,” she nodded.
That caught me off guard. When I’d filed my report earlier, I’d only mentioned Jennifer’s attack and stealing Rachel’s phone. I hadn’t gotten to the kidnapping part yet.
Who beat me to it?
I pulled out my phone and texted Ethan: “Did you report to the police?”
His reply came fast: “No Audrey. Playing dead like you said.”
“What’s up?”
My frown deepened. Only three people lived through last night’s events – Ethan, Blake, and me. If neither Ethan nor i called the cops…
Did Blake report it?
The sound of cars pulling up broke my thoughts.
“They’re here,” William said, glancing at the officers. “Would you mind waiting in the guest room? Family business first.”
The officers nodded and followed the butler out. As their door clicked shut, the front door swung open.
Laurel walked in with her arm linked through Blake’s. Michael and Jennifer followed behind them.
“Mr. Parker, Miss Sinclair,” Laurel greeted with perfect poise.
William didn’t even glance her way. “Sit,” he ordered.
Laurel stuck close to Blake as they approached the sofa near William. Just as she was about to sit beside Blake, William stopped her.
“Not there,” he said coldly, pointing/across the room. “Over there.”
Laurel’s face crumpled. She grabbed Blake’s hand. “Blake darling…”
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Chapter 167
“What’s wrong? Can’t survive sitting away from him for five minutes? William’s voice dripped with contempt.
Laurel’s eyes watered. “Mr. Parker, I didn’t mean
“Then sit where I told you!” William cut her off, his tone leaving no room for argument.
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