Divorce Me Before Death Takes Me, CEO novel Chapter 425

Chapter 425

Audrey’s POV

I took a deep breath in the subway car, trying to shake off my worries.

If Henry has feelings for Astrid, I should trust him to find her.

I decided to head to Thompson mansion. If Ryan Quinn had kidnapped Astrid to get at his half-brother Henry, she’d probably be kept safe. People taken as leverage usually aren’t harmed.

Henry promised to bring her back, and I chose to trust him. Right now, I needed to focus on today’s priorities.

The subway’s TV caught my attention when I heard a reporter’s voice.

“Miss Hayes, you’re holding a wedding with no groom. Is this just to make everyone call you Mrs. Parker?”

Rachel appeared on screen, eyes red but makeup perfect. “The title might matter to some,” she replied with a trembling voice. “But for me, it’s about the promise Blake and I made.”

She stared into the camera. “We planned this together. This place, the dress, the rings… we even rushed our marriage license.”

Tears slid down her cheeks. “This ceremony was our dream. Yesterday happened so fast, I’m still in shock. I just can’t believe he’s gone.”

Her voice cracked. “I need to keep our commitment, even alone. Maybe after the wedding, I’ll finally accept that he’s not coming back.”

I watched her act with cold detachment. Her words sounded sincere, but her eyes held a hint of triumph the cameras missed. The subtle curve at the corner of her mouth gave her away.

The same Rachel who just ordered someone to follow me and possibly dump me in the ocean. What a performance.

I looked away as my train reached the station. Stepping onto the crowded platform, I made my way outside.

The moment I hit the street, my neck prickled. Someone was following me. I glanced back casually but saw only the usual rush of commuters. When I turned a corner, I heard footsteps adjust their pace.

Jett Rhodes again? No, that couldn’t be right. Jett was at Thompson mansion looking after Blake this morning. With Blake’s condition, Jett had become his shadow. He wouldn’t leave Blake to follow me.

If not Jett, then who?

I suddenly turned toward a nearby mall. Whoever was tailing me was about to learn what happened when you messed with Audrey Sinclair.

The mall buzzed with early shoppers weaving through bright displays. I headed straight for the most crowded area, checking reflective surfaces for my shadow.

There he was a man in dark clothes trying too hard to look casual. When he noticed the growing crowd, panic flashed across his face. He quickened his step, worried about losing me.

I smiled coldly, disappearing deeper into the crowd. While he frantically searched for my beige coat, I slipped behind a display and watched him grow desperate.

When he passed my hiding spot, I quietly made my way to the stairwell. I slipped inside and positioned myself behind the door.

Moments later, the door swung open. The man rushed in, looking downstairs, assuming I’d fled that way. As he turned to descend, something made him pause. He turned just as I pressed my eyebrow razor against his neck.

1/3

Chapter 423

Looking for me?” I asked with a cold smile.

His eyes widened. ‘Mrs. Knox, take it easy…”

‘I’m perfectly calm,” I replied. “But you’re going to tell me who sent you and why you’re tailing me.”

Fear crossed his face. It was… Miss Hayes. She told me to track you, report everything, and keep you away from today’s wedding. If necessary –

He swallowed hard. “If necessary, grab you when you weren’t looking. Maybe even… dump you in the ocean.”

He glanced at me nervously. “She said you’re a threat to her.”

I paused, confused. A threat to Rachel even though she thinks Blake is dead? Why still come after me?

“Miss Hayes was really hung up on your deal with William Parker,” he continued, forcing an awkward laugh. “I overheard her telling her mom that the old man wants you to witness him donating his assets. If you disappeared, nobody would make sure it actually happened.*

I pressed the razor more firmly. “Don’t move!”

He froze, face going pale.

“Rachel and her mother actually said this?” I demanded.

He nodded frantically. “Yeah! I went back to clear up some questions about my job and caught their conversation. Her mom even said Rachel was more capable than her dead sister. Said she should’ve invested in Rachel from the beginning.”

He was practically begging now. “That’s all I heard, I swear. I’ll back off, won’t try anything. Just let me go, okay?”

I studied him. “What do you think?”

Before he could answer, I withdrew the razor and kicked his knee hard. He crumpled to the ground as security burst through the door.

“Police are on their way,” I told them, checking my phone. “Hold him until they arrive.”

The lead guard nodded. “We’ve got this, ma’am. You can go.”

“Thanks,” I replied before walking away.

As I left, I squeezed the voice recorder in my pocket. I’d always thought Rachel hated me because of Blake. But now I saw clearly – money was what truly mattered to her. Even with Blake “dead” and his fortune nearly secured, she still couldn’t stand William’s assets going to charity instead of her pockets.

Rachel’s POV

I stood in the chapel, listening to workers chat as they prepared for my wedding.

“First time seeing a bride hold a wedding after the groom died,” one said.

“What’ll they do when the groom’s supposed to enter?”

“If Parker had a brother, he could step in. Too bad he just had a sister.”

‘I heard his sister’s wearing his suit to finish the ceremony.”

‘Hayes must really be devoted.”

“Devoted? Please! They couldn’t cancel last minute.”

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