Chapter 7
Dylan’s handsome and noble face, with his exquisite features illuminated under the light, made him appear even more mysterious and elegant. Setting aside the grudges between this man and the original host, Dylan was undeniably the most handsome man Audrey had ever seen.
“I’ll take you home,” Dylan commanded, his voice deep and cold, leaving no room for refusal. He fixed his icy eyes on Audrey’s face trying to decipher her thoughts. He spoke as if the seven years apart had never happened.
“No need,” Audrey replied curtly, her tone cold and detached. Regardless of what the original host and Dylan had gone through, she had no desire to be entangled with him.
Dylan’s gaze grew colder and more dangerous. “Then who do you want to take you?”
Audrey inet Dylan’s intense gaze with calm composure. Despite his intimidating and dangerous aura, she remained unfazed. “It’s none of your business.”
The next moment, the atmosphere around Dylan grew dangerously cold. Andrew and the others, standing not far away, tensed up, worried that the two might escalate into a fight.NôvelD(ram)a.ôrg owns this content.
“What’s going on? Wasn’t Audrey always gentle with Dylan?” Cade whispered.
“You said it–used to be. Seven years ago and now are different,” Shawn replied, his tone matter–of–fact. “Besides, Dylan personally sent her to prison. She has every reason to hate him.”
“Poor Audrey,” Cade muttered with a shake of his head.
“Seven years have passed. It’s hard to say who’s truly unfortunate now,” Andrew remarked, observing Audrey’s steadfast defiance toward Dylan.
In the next moment, Dylan reached out to Audrey. Audrey’s eyes narrowed, and she swiftly stepped back, evading his hand. Dylan’s expression turned even colder and more intimidating. “Audrey, come with me!”
“No,” Audrey refused icily.
Behind her, Cade, Shawn, and Andrew were almost awestruck by Audrey’s commanding presence. It was their first time seeing someone defy Dylan, especially a woman who had once loved him deeply.
They pondered, ‘Can time truly change everything? Seven years have passed, and it appears Audrey no longer loves Dylan.
It makes sense though. Being sent to prison by someone she once loved deeply would inevitably erode even the strongest feelings, especially under those circumstances.
Dylan reached out again, and this time, Audrey didn’t dodge. Instead, she countered as soon as Dylan extended his hand. Onlookers hadn’t anticipated Audrey fighting back, but she did so skillfully.
Audrey’s side kick was blocked by Dylan, but she swiftly followed up, a silver needle appearing in her hand, aimed directly at Dylan’s neck.
“Mr. Clifford, you’d better stay away from me Audrey warned, her aura defiant and arrogant. She then withdrew the silver needle, cast a cold glance at Dylan, and turned to leave.
Cade, Shawn, and Andrew were stunned. They pondered, ‘When did Audrey become so strong and confident? She even had the nerve to threaten Dylan. Unbelievable!”
On the other hand, Dylan, who once appeared indifferent to Audrey, now watched her departure with a deeper, more complex expression. Rather than anger, his eyes. betrayed a new emotion akin to regarding a prized prey. That gaze sent shivers down others‘ spines.
In the lounge, Brian was anxiously about to go out to find Audrey when she returned.
“Audrey, are you alright?” Brian rushed over, his concern evident as he scanned her for, any signs of injury.
“I’m fine. Let’s go,” Audrey replied calmly, her gaze softening as she looked at Brian.
Seeing that Audrey was unharmed, Jason also breathed a sigh of relief. “I’ll have the driver take you back,” he offered.
Back at the Grandview Hotel, Brian promptly went to his room and initiated a video call with Lucas.
“Brian, did you manage to get the Bamboo Reishi?” Lucas asked eagerly, having awaited Brian’s update.
“Yeah, I got it, but that bad guy showed up and upset Audrey,” Brian replied.
Upon hearing this, Lucas’s expression turned icy, reminiscent of Dylan’s. “I heard he has a shipment at the border. I’ll teach him a lesson for Audrey,” Lucas declared.
“I’ll hack into the Clifford Group’s system later. Let him taste the consequences of- bullying Audrey,” Brian agreed, their shared anger fueling their resolve.
That night, the Clifford Group’s network came under another malicious attack. Simultaneously, their border shipment was targeted by unknown assailants. While Patrick managed to swiftly counter the hacking attempt, preventing any losses, the evident hostility was promptly reported to Dylan.
“Mr. Clifford, I’ve got the list of recent guests at the Grandview Hotel, but…” Richard hesitated.
“But what?” Dylan took the list, his refined features furrowed in a frown, his voice icy.
“But Audrey and her son also checked in yesterday,” Richard revealed.
Dylan paused briefly, then ordered, “Find Audrey’s number.”
Audrey had just finished her bath when her phone rang. Seeing it was a Northville number, she hung up immediately. However, less than two minutes later, the phone rang again. Audrey frowned and answered, “Who is this?”
“It’s me,” came a deep, magnetic voice in response.
Audrey’s eyes narrowed as she recognized Dylan’s voice, and she immediately. attempted to hang up.
As if anticipating her move, Dylan coldly warned, “Audrey, try hanging up…” Before he could finish, the line went dead. Dylan’s express