I’d always assumed her world revolved around domestic life with no aspirations beyond being my wife. How wrong I’d been. Only after she left did tegit uz see how completely I’d misunderstood her dedication.
As I studied the delicate lines of her designs, Michael cleared his throat.
“Sir,” he said, holding up his phone. “Miss Sinclair has a message for you.”
He played a voice message: “Tell Blake that since he doesn’t want to hear from me, we should keep our distance. I won’t design the rings. Find someone else.”
I couldn’t help but smile slightly, picturing the fire in her eyes as she recorded those words.
“Should we find another designer?” Michael asked carefully.
I gathered the sketches, my expression cooling. “No,”
“Tell her that featuring her designs as our engagement rings is part of her work’s promotional plan. If she refuses, our partnership with Original Studio becomes unnecessary.”
I looked directly at Michael. “A professional designer doesn’t pick and choose clients. If she can’t handle designing rings for her ex–husband and his fiancés.. maybe she should quit design and go back to homemaking. She was quite good at that.“/
Michael shifted uncomfortably. “Anything else, sir?”
“No,” I replied, returning to my papers. As he turned to leave, I added without looking up: “Relay my exact words to Audrey Sinclair.”
Audrey’s POV
‘Blake actually said that?” I asked, gripping my phone. “That I should go back to being a housewife?”
I paced my apartment, anger building with each step. “He’s good at spinning things, isn’t he? All this talk about promoting my jewelry – we both know what this is really about.”
It’s about pleasing Laurel and humiliating me. If he truly wanted to promote my work, there are countless other ways. Would he ride in a garbage truck to his engagement to promote Parker Group’s waste management division? Of course not.
“Miss Sinclair,” Michael said carefully. “I know this design means a lot to you. Having your work showcased at such a high–profile event could lead to more commissions. Don’t miss this opportunity.”
I stopped pacing and took a deep breath. Michael was right about one thing – this project was important. With my limited time left, seeing my designs come to life mattered more than my pride.
‘Fine, Michael. I’ll do it.”
I could almost hear his relief through the phone.
“But I have a condition, I added. ‘I want to attend the engagement ceremony.”
‘I don’t just want to attend, I continued with resolfe in my voice. “I want to be the person assigned to care for Rachel Hayes during the ceremony.”
Michael was quiet for a beat. ‘I’ll run this by Mr. Parker.”
The line went dead.
I stared at my phone, the abrupt end to our conversation leaving me in tense silence. If Blake was determined to use me to impress Laurel, I’d make it worth my while.
Rachel would be at the engagement ceremony. As her caretaker, I’d have those precious moments with her that I’d been denied for years. I could tell her
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Chapter 228
about everything that had happened, whisper all the things I’d saved up to say. And most importantly I could say & proses
For that chance, I’d design not just engagement rings but whatever the hell Blake wanted
I pressed the phone to my chest, my pulse quickening as I waited, I had no illusions about the gamble I was taking. Blake could easily say res
He held all the cards here.
I paced my apartment, checking my phone every few seconds. Minutes stretched like hours.
When it finally rang, I nearly dropped it in my rush to answer.
“Well?” I couldn’t keep the tension from my voice.
“He agreed, Michael said simply.
Chapter Comments
Visitor
he is pretty dense
Visitor
how he ain’t figure it out yet
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