Chapter 243
Audrey’s POV
Thalia’s eyes widened as she turned to Laurel, ‘You know this person?‘ Thalia finally asked, eyebrow raised.
Laurel hesitated before nodding. “Yes.”
“She’s my mother’s daughter with that man,” she said quietly. “Rachel Hayes.”
“Oh, so this is the sister you never talk about?” Thalia’s eyes lit with recognition.
“I thought she died years ago,” Olivia chimed in, leaning closer to study Rachel. “When you said your sister would attend your engagement, I figured you meant, like, a photo or something. Not that she was actually alive but… you know.”
My grip tightened on Rachel’s wheelchair handles. Each word made my blood boil, but I kept my face neatral. Tonight wasn’t about confrontation it was about getting Rachel out safely.
“We don’t usually mention my sister,” Laurel explained with practiced sadness. “Her existence reminds us that my mother once abandoned my father and me.”
She glanced down at Rachel with cool detachment. “But now that she’s like this, my father and I have moved past it. That’s why I wanted her here tonight.”
“Wow, that’s really generous of you,” Olivia gushed. “But why is she with Audrey?”
Laurel laughed lightly. “Because Miss Sinclair has experience with vegetative patients, of course.”
Her eyes met mine, filled with mockery. “Blake suggested she’d be perfect for the job. After all, when he was sick, she took such good care of him. One Audrey is worth three professional caregivers.”
“My brother is something else,” Thalia snorted. “Even after divorce, he’s still making you do his dirty work?”
She looked me up and down. “Is he paying you? Or are you working for free?”
A cruel smile spread across her face. “No compensation, just free labor. You’re so cheap, Audrey. Blake says ‘jump‘ and you’re still asking how high?”
I bit my tongue. Arguing would only draw more attention and risk our escape plan.
“That’s enough!” Astrid stepped between us, practically vibrating with anger. “We’re taking care of Rachel because she’s our friend! We don’t need your commentary.”
“This woman’s been a vegetable for four years,” Thalia shot back, “How exactly did you become friends? Séances?”
“We knew her before, Astrid snapped. “Rachel and I go back to elementary school. Audrey met her five years ago. Our friendship is deeper than you could possibly imagine.”
She took a step forward. “If it weren’t for Rachel, we wouldn’t be caught dead at this train wreck of an engagement.”
Astrid grabbed the wheelchair handles. “Let’s go. Talking to these people is lowering my IQ.
I nodded, more than ready to leave.
“Running away?” Thalia moved faster than I expected, grabbing my wrist. “Afraid we’ll expose your lies?”
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I stared at her hand, then met her eyes.
I’ve been holding back to avoid complications. But Thalia keeps pushing, mistaking my restraint for weakness. This could draw attention and jeopardize our escape plan, but now, I’d finally had enough.
I pulled away from Rachel’s wheelchair, turning to face Thalia directly. With a quick motion, 1 yanked my arm free from her gr
She lost her balance, stumbling backward with a surprised yelp. She crashed into a nearby table, sending cake and champagne flying, dass shattered across the marble floor as wine soaked into her gown. She sat there stunned, surrounded by frosting and broken glass.
I stood over her, suddenly finding myself in the position of power. “Do you really think I’m afraid of you?”
“Astrid’s right. You are truly brainless,” I said, my voice steady. “Laurel says jump, and you’re the perfect lapdog. She weaponizes you with a few words, and you attack with your pathetic vocabulary.”
“The Parkers are New York royalty,” I continued, “yet instead of working to deserve that name, you spend your days chasing fame and letting Laurel lead you around by the nose.”
“Instead of harassing me, find yourself a tutor,” I said coldly. “You can’t even insult someone creatively. It’s sad.”
The room fell silent. Nearby conversations stopped as people turned to watch.
Blake’s POV
From behind the pillar, I watched with unexpected satisfaction. As Thalia’s brother, I should’ve been rushing to her defense. Yet bearing Audrey’s sharp words gave me a strange sense of pleasure.
She should’ve done this long ago, I thought. Constant patience only invites more humiliation.
I couldn’t help the small smile that touched my lips. Even now, Audrey Sinclair continued to surprise me.
Audrey’s POV
Eventually, Laurel remembered her role.
“Thalia!” she called, her voice concerned but her body language, telling a different story.
Despite being closest to Thalia, Laurel made no move to help her up. I could see it clearly. Laurel had hesitated because the floor was covered
in cake, wine, and glass. She’d been afraid of ruining her shoes right before her big moment as the star of the evening.
“Know why your precious Laurel isn’t helping you?” I asked, nodding toward her feet. Because in her mind, you’re less important than those high heels.”
Laurel’s face paled. “Thalia, I’m not –
“Someone help!” Olivia called, running to find security. “Miss Parker needs assistance!”
Two guards hurried over, carefully navigating the broken glass to help Thalia up. Only then did Laurel rush forward, grabbing Thalia’s arm with exaggerated concern.
‘Are you okay? Are you hurt?” she asked, her voice dripping with fake sweetness.
Thalia stared at her, face ashen. “When I fell, you were right there. Why didn’t you help me? Why wait for security?”
Her voice hardened. Is Audrey right? Am I really less important than your shoes?”
“No, that’s not it, Laurel stammered, her face paling.
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Chapter 243
She bit her lip, glaring daggers at me over Thalia’s shoulder before turning back to her friend.
She grabbed Thalia’s hand. “That’s not what happened, Thalia. I wasn’t worried about my shoes, 1 was afraid the gets hurt my feet.”
Her voice dropped. “Tonight’s ceremony is important. If I’m limping around, every
yours too.”
will talk. It wordbet jo make my family look bad,
She glanced my way. “That’s exactly what she wants.”
Thalia’s anger vanished almost instantly. Amazing how easily Laurel could play her.
“Stop trying to cause trouble!‘ Thalia snapped at me. ‘Laurel’s going to be family. Who the hell are you to talk about our relat
I couldn’t help but laugh. “Guess I was wasting my breath. Can’t expect someone without a brain to suddenly grow one from a few wit
I grabbed Rachel’s wheelchair, ready to leave with Astrid.
“Hold it,” Thalia barked, motioning the security guards to block us. “You think you can hurt me and just walk ws?
“Be reasonable,” I said, raising an eyebrow. “You grabbed me. I pulled free.”
“You lost your balance. How’s that my fault?”
I walked to a nearby table and casually picked up a bottle of wine, then headed back toward Thalia.
“If you hadn’t yanked away, I wouldn’t have fallen!” Her face flushed with anger. “This is all your fault, you –*
Before she could finish, I smashed the wine bottle directly against Thalia’s head.
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