Chapter 14
Chapter 14
“Look, I can do laps!” Logan announced, attempting to swing his legs off the bed.
David’s hand on his grandfather’s shoulder was gentle but firm. One more day of observation. Then you’re free.”
Logan hid his triumphant smile. Finally, progress! He really couldn’t stand spending another day in the hospital.
A delicate knock interrupted their negotiation. Audrey glided in the picture of springtime in a white sundress, her carefully curled hair pinned back to frame her face.
“Grandpa Logan. I heard you were ill,” she said sweetly. “I brought you some flowers. Hope you’ll get well soon.” She turned to David with practiced shyness. “Hi, David, Suprised to see you here.”
“Of course I’m here. I need to keep an eye on him: David’s tone could have frozen hellfire.
Audrey falteredmomentarily before recovering with a polished smile, desperately trying to maintain a conversation with David.
Logan watched this performance with hidden amusement. She not here for my health, he thought, suddenly finding the flowers less appealing. ‘She’s hunting my grandson.
He glanced at David’s glacial expression. And he’s acting like a hermit. I need to get out of here fast–this boy needs serious help with his marriage prospects before he ends up alone forever. This family would fall apart without me‘
David caught his grandfather’s scheming look and knew nothing good would come of it. “There’s a meeting I need to attend,” he announced, already striding toward the door.
Audrey’s heart sank. All that time on her hair and makeup this morning, and he was leaving before she could even get a proper conversation going.
“Grandpa Logan, I should go too, she jumped up. “I’ll visit again soon!”
Well, Grandson, looks like you’ve got a predator on your trail, Logan mused to himself.
“David, wait!” Audrey called in the hallway. “My driver already left. Could you give me a ride?” She looked at him expectantly.
“I have a meeting. My assistant will take you.” His brow twitched slightly.
“Oh, thank you then,” she replied with perfect poise.
At the hospital entrance, Audrey executed a flawless “accidental stumble on the steps. “Oh!” she gasped, falling directly into David’s arms. In the shadows, a camera clicked rapidly.
Nathan arrived just in time to witness the performance. ‘Bold move, he thought, amazed she dared to pull such a stunt. His boss was notorious for his icy rejections–she was playing with fire.
“Take Miss Darling home,” David ordered, displeasufe radiating from every syllable.
“Let me help you to the car, Miss Darling.” Nathan stepped forward quickly
“It was an accident, I swear, Audrey pouted.
08:15 Thu Jan 16
Chapter 14
David ignored her completely and headed to his car. His expression remained glacial, every perfect feature carved from ice, but his thoughts drifted to another girl–the drunk one from the club. He wondered if she even remembered him the next morning.
From her balcony, Danielle observed the manicured gardens below. She spotted Audrey emerging from a luxury car and then making an animated phone call that left her beaming with atisfaction.
Danielle had just turned away when her phone exploded with notifications,
[Breaking news: Charrington Group CEO and Darling Heiress’s Secret Romance Exposed!] Photos showing their “embrace” from multiple angles were attached,
The comments section exploded with responses, While a few voiced doubts, they were quickly drowned out by an avalanche of excited supporters.
[They’re perfeck together–both the looks and the background!]
[Real–life prince and princess serving relationship goals!]
[Talk about a power couple–they both look like they stepped out of a magazine!]
[His eyes are full of love–you can’t hide that kind of passion.]
She looks at him with such adqration.]
[True love exists! Put a ring on it ready!!
The topics with hashtags [PerfectMarch] and [Wedding BellsSoon) shot to trending.
[Spill the tea–how did you land the Ice King, Miss Darling?]
[Tell us your secrets!]
[As a Charrington Group employee, Miss Darling visits often and the boss definitely has a soft spot for her.]
[This is fairy tale romance! Wedding when?]
The news created such a social media storm that it even reached Xavier Darling, the youngest Darling boy, on his closed
film set.
Danielle raised an eyebrow at the trending topics, her cool expression unchanging. So that man had something going on with Audrey?’ she wondered, a bit surprised by the relationship.
“Have you seen the headlines?” Joseph’s voice carried steel when he called Audrey
“What headlines?” Audrey’s voice dripped honey.
“What’s your relationship with David?” he pressed.
“Did something happen? Why are you asking so suddenly?” She injected a tremor of hurt into her voice.
“Check social media,” he said flatly. “You should know there’s a marriage arrangement between our families, but it was meant for Danielle. We never mentioned it all these years because she was missing”
08:15
Chapter 14
Audrey’s perfect mask slipped for just a moment at Danielle’s name, revealing something ugly beneath. If you’re going to favor her, don’t blame me for what comes next, she thought viciously.
After hanging up, Joseph made a mental note to discuss the old arrangement with their parents.
Meanwhile, David emerged from his multinational conference to find his private life trending. He’d been completely unaware for two hours.
“All content has been scrubbed from every platform, Nathan reported, watching his boss’s arctic expression.
He continued. “The media outlets have been warned. This was dearly orchestrated–too perfect a setup. It must have something to do with Miss Darling. The original source has been taken to Radmont Villa for Aran to… handle.
Nathan shuddered slightly. Everyone knew Aran specialized in handling darker affairs–his methods were infamously effective and better left unspoken.
