Divorce Me Before Death Takes Me, CEO novel Chapter 424

Chapter 424

Astrid’s POV

Ryan frowned at the butler, his eyes cold. “You can go.”

The butler bowed slightly and left, leaving me alone with Ryan. Without a word, he walked back into his study.

The room smelled of cigars and leather, with dark wood shelves and a massive desk. I placed the tray down, pretending to be more focused on arranging the cups than I actually was.

“Who were you talking to?” I asked casually. “Sounded like a guy.”

Ryan watched me for a moment before sitting down. “Just a classmate,” he said, taking a sip of tea. “What are you doing out of bed? You just had an accident.”

‘I was going stir-crazy in that room,” I said, trying to sound normal.

After a pause, I glanced at the TV mounted on the wall. “I saw on the news that Rachel Hayes is still having her wedding even though her fiancé died. That’s… something else.”

Ryan’s face darkened. “You want to go?”

“Well, I met his gaze, “I saw the guest list they showed. I’m apparently invited.” I paused. “But I’m paired with someone named Henry Hartford, not you. What’s up with that?”

‘Who’s he to me?” I asked, my confusion genuine.

Ryan’s expression changed abruptly. The coldness melted into a smile that never reached his eyes. He stood and walked toward me, touching my hair in a way that made my stomach turn.

“He’s my brother,’ he said, leaning close. And you’re paired with him because we’re too close. His voice dropped to a whisper. ‘Four years ago, when you came back from studying abroad, you started working to get close to Henry, all to help me get revenge. He thinks you’re just an executive at his modeling

agency.”

I stood still, processing his words. The hatred in his voice was unmistakable.

This doesn’t sound like something I’d do…

‘So I work for your brother to… help you get revenge?” I asked carefully.

Ryan smiled wider. “Exactly. You’ve been my inside source for years.”

He grabbed a smartphone from his desk drawer. “Your old phone got wrecked in the crash. This one has my number in it.”

‘I don’t know your other friends,” he added. “I just got to New York. You can reconnect with them at the wedding.”

I took the phone, frowning. “So you’re cool with me going to the wedding?”

“You obviously want to go, Ryan shrugged. “We’re engaged, but I’m not gonna control you. If you want to go, go.”

He patted my head. “Besides, I don’t know any of your New York friends. You can introduce me to them there.”

His smile seemed genuine, but something about it made my skin crawl. Ryan suddenly pulled me into a hug.

“I’m glad you’re okay,” he said against my hair. “When I heard about the accident, I was scared I’d lose you.”

1/3

Ryan’s embrace felt completely wrong. My body tensed instinctively, a deep aversion rising from somewhere inside me. When he finally let go, I felt like I could breathe again.

“I should get back to my room and rest,’ I said, backing toward the door. “Thanks for the phone. And for letting me go tomorrow.”

I hurried back to my room.

Audrey’s POV

I stepped out into the morning sun with raccoon eyes from a sleepless night. Worry about Astrid had kept me tossing and turning until dawn. I headed to grab breakfast before going back to the hotel.

At the hotel, I discovered Adrian and Emma had already checked out. I immediately called him.

“You took Emma and left?” I asked when he answered.

“We’re at the airport, Adrian replied, sounding tired. “After thinking about it all night, I decided to take her back to Sydney.”

‘New York’s full of people who have it out for you,” he continued. “As her dad, I can’t keep Emma somewhere this dangerous.”

He paused. “Plus, with us gone, you can figure out what really matters to you.”

His tone softened. “Look, I shouldn’t be boxing you in. You’re loyal by nature – you wouldn’t ditch Emma and me, or anyone who helped save you.”

‘I’m sorry about yesterday. I lost it. Emma and I will keep tabs on New York news from Sydney, and after William passes, we’ll be ready for you to come home.”

“Okay,” I said. “Once everything here is wrapped up, I’ll come back.”

I hesitated, then added, “Thanks for looking after my adoptive parents. When I’m done here, I’ll come back and handle my responsibilities. I won’t abandon what Evelyn entrusted to me.”

I stood there for a moment. I understood what Adrian was really saying reminding me of my debt to them, of my obligation to return. I gave my breakfast to a homeless man and headed for the subway.

Any word on Astrid?” he asked after a long silence.

“Still looking,” I replied, the worry gnawing at me.

“I was a jerk yesterday because I was scared for Emma,” Adrian said. “Tell Astrid I’m sorry when you find her.”

His voice dropped lower. “Also… have Henry Hartford check out his half-brother. Him and this guy Vincent Brooks have been making moves in New York. Might be connected to Astrid going missing.”

I stopped walking. “Vincent Brooks?”

“Yeah, he’s been hanging around Rebecca and Thalia Parker lately.”

‘I knew him back in Europe,” Adrian explained. “Saw him on the news yesterday and thought it was weird, so I got his contact info and reached out.”

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