Knowing him, he wouldn’t give Audrey a second glance in that way.With a nod, she finally heeded Audrey’s suggestion and headed back inside******
The sleek black Ferrari purred its way into the villa’s driveway right as the evening clock chimed six. Its elegance and power are unmistakable.
Suddenly, like a darting shadow, a white figure sprinted towards the moving vehicle, positioning herself directly in its path.
The driver’s reflexes kicked in. With a sharp, precise movement, he stomped the brakes, the Ferrari jerking to a sudden halt just inches away from the figure.
Thrown forward by the abrupt stop, Brandon, seated comfortably in the back until that moment, gripped the edge of his seat. In a tone dripping with irritation, he snapped, “What in the world was that?”
Wiping away the bead of sweat threatening to roll down his temple, the driver gulped, “Mr. Larson, outta nowhere, this lady just pops in front of the car. Lucky for me, I hit the brakes when I did.”
Brandon’s frown deepened at the driver’s words, resembling a storm cloud ready to burst.
The car door swung open,revealing Audrey,pale and shaky,using the car as a makeshift support. Spotting him, her voice, like that of a lost child, quivered.
“Brandon… You’re back.
Rolling his eyes, he shot a questioning glance at his nearby bodyguard.”Really? What’s she doing here?” Audrey’s eyes welled up,her lips quivering,but she quicklymasteredheremotions,pullingthe vulnerable card.”Brandon,don’t get mad at me” she started, her voice wobbly.I just wanted a quick chat about my mom.”
The coldness in Brandon’s eyes could’ve frozen over a lake. His reply came swift and icy.”Didn’t I already have someone retrieve the ashes? What more do you want?”
She blinked away her tears,her voice strained with emotion.I just… I wanted to know when we could lay my mother to rest.”
She took a moment, the weight of the afternoon evident on her face. “I’ve been baking out here all day. I think Natalie forgot to invite me in, and your guys didn’t even toss me a water bottle. Everything’s spinning…”
Her knees buckled, and she began a slow descent, hoping to be caught by Brandon in a heroic,movie-like moment.
But life wasn’t a movie. Brandon,with a look of pure revulsion,effortlessly sidestepped the falling Audrey. She hit the ground with an ungraceful thud, the impact jarring her. Dazed, she turned her gaze towards Brandon, disbelief evident in her voice.”Brandon…why?”
He gave her one last, withering look.Escort Miss Larson back to her room and fetch the doctor,” he commanded his guards with a dismissive wave. And with that, he sauntered off, leaving a shocked Audrey in the gathering twilight.
Within the vast expanse of the mansion’s living room, Brandon, with an air of authority, entered and gracefully handed his coat to the maid. He cast a displeased glance at the butler, inquiring in a low tone, “Has something happened with Audrey?”
Quick to pick up on Brandon’s vexation, the butler immediately approached, regret evident in his demeanor. Without any excuses,he admitted, My sincerest apologies, Mr.Larson. Miss Larson remained adamant about awaiting your return in the garden. I fear she may have suffered a sunstroke in the process. It was a grave oversight on my part not to ensure her comfort. I am prepared for any reprimand you see fit.”
Natalie, who had been engrossed in a design book after a personal send-off for Mandy,looked up, genuine surprise mixed with a hint of amusement dancing in her eyes.”She lingered in the garden throughout the afternoon?”
With a reluctant nod, the butler sighed.”Despite my repeated efforts to persuade Miss Larson, she was insistent on waiting there for Mr. Larson. It’s beyond my comprehension, really.”
The butler couldn’t shake the feeling that Audrey seemedtohavebeencraftinganelaborate performance for Brandon.
Natalie, intending to mediate the situation, spoke in a placatory manner toBrandonsayingYou shouldn’t hold it against him, I, too, tried reasoning with Miss Larson. She was just unyielding in her desire to speak with you.”
Brandon, his brow furrowed deeper,responded, So, you had a word with her as well?” A flash of recollection brought back memories of Audrey’s divisive remarks.
Unaware of Audrey’s machinations, Natalie affirmed,”Yes,she emphasized the urgency regarding her mother’s affairs. Speaking of which, has she indeed suffered a sunstroke? How grave is her condition?” Exhaling deeply, Brandon replied while rubbing his temple,”I’ve dispatched the family doctor to assess. her. She should be in capable hands.”
Though not particularly fond of Audrey, Natalie felt a touch of relief.”That’s heartening. On another note, how do you intend to proceed with the burial of Miss Larson’s mother?”
Releasing his tie and allowing it to dangle loosely, Brandon replied, Follow her directive-bury her ashes alongside my mother. He then turned his attention to the butler,adding,”Make the necessary arrangements for Alina’s funeral. I want the interment by sunrise. We need closure.”
The butler hesitated momentarily, then cautiously inquired,”Mr. Larson,can we be absolutely certain about Alina’s relation to your mother? Could there be any hidden agendas?”
Maintaining a stern gaze, Brandon responded affirmatively,I had it verified. Alina was indeed kin to my mother.”
Though aware of the familial ties, Brandon harbored a lingering indifference towards Alina due to past family estrangements.
Acknowledging Brandon’s assertion, the butler intoned with a note of resignation, The arrangements will be executed posthaste. Your wishes will be honored, Mr. Larson.”
As the butler was about to exit,Brandon casually called out,”Hey,make sure those bodyguards keep an eagle eye on Audrey tonight. And tell her to stick to the guest room. No sightseeing tours in the mansion, alright? After tomorrow’s ceremony, she hops on the next carriage out; no detours to the mansion,understood The butler left, and a weight seemed to lift from Brandon’s shoulders.
He swiveled around,eager to envelop Natalie in one of his signature hugs, only to be met with a graceful sidestep.
“Whoa, what just happened there?” Brandon mumbled, a little taken aback by her dodge,”No love for the hug?”
Natalie, gracefully perched on the other side of the sofa, gave him an amused smirk.”Well, let’s see. Audrey voyages miles on end just to see you, and you’re practically giving her the boot. Little heartbroken, are we?”
Brandon visibly aggrieved, slid next to Natalie and playfully pinched her cheek. “Hey now, what’s this? Jealous much? You think there’s something cooking between me and Audrey?”
Natalie gave an exaggerated roll of her eyes and said,”Oh, come on! It’s just that your cousin seems super clingy.Wants all this face-to-face chitchat. Lock her up in the guest room, and who knows? Maybe she’ll start singing the blues.”
Brandon’s chuckles were cut short when Natalie, feigning annoyance, swatted away his hand. She mockingly huffed,”Hands off, mister! Go console your dear cousin.”
Natalie’s playful banter hid a deeper unease. Every time she thought of Mandy’s gossip from earlier, a knot formed in her stomach. She trusted Brandon, but those little whispers of doubt still sent her heart into an unsettling flutter.
The quirk at the corner of Natalie’s mouth and the playful gleam in her eye made Brandon chuckle. He lightly tweaked her nose, teasing her in a jesting tone. “Come on, Natalie. Jealous over my cousin Really?”
Hearing the word “cousin”,Natalie’s mind drifted back to the tidbits she’d gathered from Mandy earlier in the day, causing a ripple of discomfort.
She brushed Brandon’s hand away with a huff, retorting, “I’m not green-eyed or anything. Just calling it as I see it.
Picking up on her icy demeanor, Brandon tilted his. head, brows knitted. Okay, spill. What’s going on, Natalie? Audrey stirs up some trouble for you? Or maybe she dropped some not-so-sweet nothings in your ear?”
Taking a moment to let the coldness in his voice sink in, he added,more somberly,”If she’s bugging you, just say the word. I’ll show her the door faster than you can say ‘goodbye’.
in, he added,more somberly,”If she’s bugging you, just say the word. I’ll show her the door faster than you can say ‘goodbye’.
Natalie, sensing that Brandon wasn’t the least bit swayed by Audrey’s tactics, felt a wave of relief wash over her. She shrugged it off, saying breezily,”You know what? Water under the bridge. Anyway, she’ll be out by tomorrow.
Grabbing her hand gently a crease of concern marred Brandon’s forehead.”Hey, something’s off. Do tell me. If you don’t clue me in,I’m going to be counting sheep all night.
Natalie sighed at his earnest expression, deciding to open up.
She relayed the morning’s conversation with Audrey and ended with a shrug, a bit defeated.”To herI might as well be a ghost in this house. It feels like I don’t even belong.”
His face turning stormy, Brandon tightened his grip on her hand, remorse evident in his voice.”I can’t believe she’d pull that on you. I’m so sorry you had to go through that.”
Natalie, taking in the regret mirrored in his eyes, felt a pang of guilt. Softening, she reassured him,”Hey it’s not on you. I kind of jumped the gun there. My bad Brandon pulled her into a gentle embrace, whispering softly against her lips, “If there’s a shadow on your day because of this,it’s on me.But I promise she’ll be out of our hair by tomorrow.”
Nestled against his warm chest, hearing the rhythmic beat of his heart, any lingering tension melted away from Natalie.Brandon, thanks for putting up with my drama.”
Lifting her gaze, she wrapped her arms around his neck, sealing the sentiment with a tender kiss.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.
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