Chapter 86

**Audrey's POV**

When William finished breakfast, I gathered the plates and turned toward the trash bin by the door. That's when I noticed Blake was gone.I couldn't remember hearing him leave.

"He left after taking a call." Felix noticed and spoke up, wiping his mouth with a napkin. "I couldn't hear what it was about, but I think it was Laurel Rose again."

"Oh." I tossed the trash away, face blank.

I'd just wondered when he'd disappeared. As for why or for whom, I didn't care.

William snorted as he adjusted his pillows. "That boy has been completely bewitched by that woman!"

"By the way," William added, lowering his voice, "I heard that brat mention last tíme that Laurel Rose got sick while she was in Europe."

He pointed at Felix. "Help me find out what ilIness she actually has!"

Felix raised an eyebrow. "So you're saying Blake might be good to Laurel because she's sick?"

I busied myself straightening William's blankets, avoiding the conversation.

"What illness? It's all an excuse!" William huffed. "Looking at Laurel Rose with her rosy complexion and strong voice, even if she is sick, it's nothing serious."

He waved dismissively. "What, does she have terminal cancer or something?"

My body trembled at the words "terminal cancer." Then I forced my hands steady, smoothing William's blankets.

"These sheets are a mess," I said, focusing on the task.

Felix seemed to see my reaction, his eyes narrowing as he glanced between William and me.

I pretended not to notice and gathered the remaining breakfast items.

After making sure William was comfortable and promising to visit again,Felix and I walked out together. The elevator doors closed behind us with a soft hiss.

"Just now..." Felix began, frowning.

I kept my eyes on the changing floor numbers.

"When William was talking about Laurel being sick, I noticed you seemed off," he said, tilting his head. "What's wrong? Are you...sick?"

I froze momentarily, then shook my head.""No."

"Then you-"

"You're mistaken," I cut him off. "I didn't notice anything wrong with myself."

"So... I really was mistaken?"

"Yes," I pressed the lobby button again.

The elevator hummed around us. I needed to change the subject.

"Mr. Thompson," I said.

Felix looked relieved. "What is it?"

I took a deep breath. "Those things you said earlier to William..."

I met his eyes. "Tll just assume you were joking."

Confusion crossed his face.

"After the divorce, besides William, I don't want any connection with people close to Blake Parker," I said firmly. "I hope you understand."

Understanding dawned, followed by disappointment. His lips curved into a bitter smile.

"Can't you give me a chance?" he asked softly. "I'm not Blake..."

I looked up, my smile cold. "Could you, for my sake, make sure your family has no business dealings with Blake Parker?"

Felix opened his mouth, then closed it. His silence was answer enough.

Blake Parker ran Parker Group - basically New York's business equivalent of royalty.You couldn't make it in Manhattan without crossing paths with him eventually. The Thompsons and Parkers went way back, with Felix's family scoring major deals thanks to that connection for years. No way Felix could promise to avoid Blake. His family would never allow it.

"Since you can't," I continued, "if I accepted you, I'd inevitably have to see Blake Parker sooner or later."

The elevator continued its descent.

"First, it would affect your family's business relationship with him," I explained. "Second... I don't want any ties with Blake Parker after the divorce. It's best if we never see each other again."

My tone softened slightly. "I hope you understand."

The elevator reached the lobby. "I'll be going now," I said, offering a slight smile.

I stepped out with purposeful strides, but instantly froze when I saw what awaited me. The lobby was packed with reporters surrounding Blake and Laurel at the center. Laurel clung to Blake's arm, her face animated as she spoke. Blake stood behind her, looking at her with tenderness I hadn't seen in years.

"Blake is a wonderful person," Laurel said, her voice carrying across the space. "Perhaps some people don't understand his goodness and end up hurting him. I feel so sorry for him."

The reporters nodded sympathetically. One called out, "Miss Rose,regarding the online rumors that Mr. Parker is deliberately showing affection to you because his wife cheated during their marriage, what's your take?"

Another added, "Miss Rose, do you think Mr. Parker's feelings for you are genuine, or is he just trying to spite his wife on the marriage certificate?"

I couldn't look away from the scene unfolding before me. Without thinking,I pulled out my phone and hit record.

Laurel's face took on a sad expression. "Blake darling and I have known each other for five years. Although we were apart for tree years, I believe our connection is something no one can come between."

She glanced back at Blake, blushing. "In the future, Blake darling and I will always be good friends!"

The reporters laughed knowingly. "Just friends or boyfriend and girlfriend?" someone teased.

Laurel's blush deepened. "We're just good friends for now. Please don't misrepresent us!"

"We understand!" a reporter called out. "Before Mr. Parker divorces that ungrateful woman, you're just friends, right?"

Laurel glared at him. "Don't make things up in your reports. If it affects Blake darling's divorce property settlement, I won't forgive you."

The reporter grinned. "Don't worry, Miss Rose, we all understand!"

Felix emerged behind me, taking in the scene. "Looks like Laurel Rose has been giving these reporters plenty of favors," he said coldly. "It's clearly a case of a homewrecker, but they're making it seem like Laurel is Blake's rightful wife."

I didn't respond, and only then did Felix notice my action, his eyes widening. "Audrey, why are you recording this?"

I stopped recording once I had enough footage and uploaded it to my cloud storage. "Keeping a memento," I said calmly. "Don't you think it's quite entertaining?"

Felix stared at me like I'd grown a second head.

Let him be confused. The proper Mrs. Parker who endured every slight with dignity no longer existed. Cancer had killed her before it would claim my body.

As I put my phone away, a commotion erupted from the press pool.

"Wait, who's that?" a reporter pointed in our direction.

Another's eyes widened. "Isn't that the woman on Mr. Parker's marriage certificate?"

"It really is her!"

The reporters turned toward us like sharks smelling blood, abandoning Laurel and Blake. Cameras swiveled, microphones extended, and they charged in our direction.

"Miss Sinclair, why did you cheat during your marriage, betraying Mr.Parker by getting pregnant with someone else's child and secretly terminating it?"

I stepped back, bumping against the elevator doors.

"Miss Sinclair, today Miss Rose was hospitalized and Mr. Parker came to discharge her. Why are you here? Is your jealousy driving you to stalk them?"

The questions kept coming.

"Miss Sinclair, what do you say to accusations that three years ago, you disregarded Mr. Parker's wishes and inappropriately married him while he was in a coma?"

"Miss Sinclair, seeing Mr. Parker with Miss Rose, do you feel guilty? Will you choose to divorce and let them be happy, or will you shamelessly cling to Mr. Parker and break them up?"