She set the noodles down. “When friends help each other, it’s not about commands. We’re equals.”
She turned to Michael, smiling. “Eat up. There’s plenty more.”
“Thank you, Ms. Sinclair,” Michael replied, clearly uncomfortable.
“Ms. Sinclair‘ sounds so formal,” Audrey said. “You can call me Audrey, like my other friends do.”
I narrowed my eyes as she returned to the kitchen, leaving Michael caught between loyalty to me and his new friendship with my ex–wife.
When she was gone, Michael cleared his throat. “Sir… when Miss Rose called, was she explaining about the studio?”
“No,” I said, still watching the kitchen doorway. “She said she saw news about last night’s accident victims. She wanted me to help identify the bodies so their families could find closure.”
Michael’s spoon stopped midway to his mouth. “Miss Rose is… certainly compassionate.”
“Compassionate?” I laughed coldly. “I’d think so too, if I hadn’t almost become one of those bodies she’s so concerned
about.”
Michael’s hand froze, shock spreading across his face. Before he could respond, Audrey returned, placing my reheated noodles in front of me.
Audrey’s POV
I put Blake’s noodles in front of him, noticing the sudden silence between the men. Whatever they’d been discussing had clearly ended with my return.
Watching them eat, I said, “Dr. Everett said Mr. Parker’s injuries weren’t serious. The wound should heal once the fever breaks. Now that Michael’s here, I should get going.”
I have an important meeting today with executives from our partner company. It’s already past seven, and I still need to
prepare.
Blake looked up sharply. “Where do you think you’re going?”
His eyes were cold. “Don’t forget, to the world, you’re already dead.”
I froze. “I – ”
The doorbell rang, cutting me off. Then a familiar voice called out.
“Blake darling! Open up! It’s me!”
The three of us froze.
Michael and I exchanged looks, then we both turned to Blake.
He set down his chopsticks. “I didn’t invite her.”
1/2
Chapter 160
“Then how did she find this place?” I challenged. Michael said this villa is so private that even i never would she know where to come unless you told her?*
Blake had hung up with Laurel half an hour ago, and now she was at the door. The timing was suspicious.
“This place is private, not invisible,” he said. “Someone determined could track it down.”
He looked at me. “There’s a hidden room behind the painting at the end of the upstairs hallway, Code 0628. If you don’t want to be seen, go now.”
I frowned, hating the idea of hiding but understanding why I needed to.
“You really didn’t tell her to come?” I asked after a moment.
Blake gave me a cold look. “You never believe me anyway, so why ask?”
He turned to Michael. “Open the door.”
“Yes, sir.”
Michael headed for the entrance while I reluctantly went upstairs.
I found the painting Blake mentioned at the end of the hallway. Lifting the frame revealed a door with a keypad.
As I punched in 0628, my heart skipped.
That date… it was when I rescued Blake from the beach five years ago!
I steadied myself against the wall, suddenly dizzy.
That familiar feeling hit me again. The villa’s decor, and now this code…
Everything pointed to what happened between Blake and me five years ago.
“Blake darling, what took so long? I’ve been waiting forever!” Laurel’s voice floated up from downstairs, breaking my
trance.
I took a deep breath, stepped into the hidden room, and pulled the door shut. The painting frame fell back into place with a thud.
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Divorce Me Before Death Takes Me, CEO
Chapter 161
