Divorce Me Before Death Takes Me, CEO novel Chapter 403

Chapter 403

Audrey’s POV

“You seem to know Parker pretty well,” Adrian commented, watching me with those calculating eyes of his.

I kept staring out the window at the New York traffic. “I dated him for years. Anyone who spent that much time with him would get how he thinks.”

“And why wouldn’t he come after you? Just because he figured out you’re actually Audrey?”

I turned from the window with a frown. “Blake wouldn’t defend Rachel, and it has zero to do with me being Audrey. Like I told you before he never gave a damn about me. Any guilt or feelings were just an act.”

When Adrian still looked skeptical, I added, “He wouldn’t back Rachel because she dragged William Parker into her bullshit.”

‘Blake barely tolerates his mom and sister. If they weren’t blood, he’d never speak to them again.”

Adrian nodded slowly.

*But William is different,” I explained. ‘Blake grew up with his grandfather. After his dad died five years ago, William became the only family member Blake actually cares about.”

I gestured vaguely. “While Rachel was busy playing Miss Perfect, she painted William as some senile old man who’s easy to manipulate.”

Adrian leaned back in his seat. Makes sense. Emma’s my closest family now. If someone talked shit about her, I’d be pissed too.”

‘Exactly. To Blake, William is everything.”

“So why would Rachel miss something that obvious? She supposedly loves the guy.”

I pressed my lips together. “She probably knew but forgot in the moment. She –

My phone rang, Astrid’s name flashing on the screen. My stomach instantly knotted – Astrid never called unless something was wrong.

“Astrid? What’s up?” I answered, tension in my voice.

“Audrey! Emma’s gone!” Her panicked voice hit me like a punch.

My fingers tightened around the phone. “What do you mean gone? How could Emma be gone?”

Adrian’s head snapped toward me. “What happened?”

I quickly put the call on speaker.

‘Emma’s really gone!” Astrid cried, her voice breaking. “When I got to the Four Seasons, she was drawing in the living room with the bodyguards around. She asked me to draw with her.”

‘Later she said she felt cooped up and wanted to go outside. I didn’t want to at first, but she started crying and saying she wanted to find you guys.”

Astrid took a shaky breath. ‘I was gonna call you, but Emma pointed out your meeting with William was being livestreamed. She said if I called, everyone would hear.”

Adrian’s jaw clenched tight.

“She said you’d definitely be cool with me taking her to the hotel garden…” Astrid’s voice trembled. “It made sense, so I took her.”

“In the garden, she was playing with the flowers while I sat on a bench. The bodyguards were right there, so I just looked down to text Henry for a minute…” Her voice cracked. “Then something hit the back of my head and I blacked out.”

My heart hammered harder with each word.

“When I woke up, the bodyguards were knocked out too, and Emma was gone…” Astrid completely broke down. “I’m so sorry, Audrey, I’m so sorry, Adrian! I never thought she’d get kidnapped… I’m really sorry!”

‘I already had Henry send people to look, and I called the cops!”

I bit my lip hard and looked at Adrian. “Emma…”

Adrian’s face darkened as he hung up. “What good is crying when she’s already missing?”

The car barely moved in Manhattan’s lunch traffic. Adrian barked orders on his phone while telling our driver to hurry, but we were completely stuck.

After a few minutes of not moving, Adrian lost it. He slammed his fist against the door with a bang that made me jump.

‘Useless!” he snarled at our driver, his usual polish completely gone.

The driver flinched, catching my eye in the mirror. “Mrs. Knox… I’m sorry, but it’s always like this at lunch. There’s nothing I can –

*Not your fault,” I assured him, seeing how scared he looked. “He’s just worried about our daughter.”

I handed him some cash. “You should head back.”

We got out and started pushing through the crowded sidewalks toward the hotel. Adrian kept yelling at Henry on the phone.

“You said your guys would take care of us in New York. This is your idea of taking care?” he snapped. “Your bodyguards all got knocked out! Are these really professionals?”

His anger built with each step. “Find my daughter. Now!”

He suddenly stopped and turned to me, his eyes cold. “Audrey.”

I snapped out of my worried thoughts. “What?”

“Your friend better pray Emma comes back safe.”

My heart sank as I realized where this was going.

‘Or I’m suing her,” he continued.

I stared at him. “Are you serious?”

‘Damn right I am!” Adrian’s voice rose. “She was on her phone while watching my kid! That’s why Emma got kidnapped!”

His eyes flashed. “This irresponsible person nearly got my daughter killed – and you still want to be friends with her?”

He stepped closer. “Don’t forget, you’re alive because of Evelyn. Taking care of her daughter is the least you can do.”

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