Divorce Me Before Death Takes Me, CEO

Chapter 402

Audrey’s POV

‘Everyone says I’m only getting close to William Parker for his money,” Rachel began, her voice cracking perfectly. “But that’s not true.”

She dabbed her eyes with a handkerchief, sniffling. “I only care for him because he’s a sweet old man I respect.”

The crowd around us went quiet. I watched her performance without reacting.

‘He thinks I’m Audrey,” she continued, voice dropping. “It breaks my heart to be someone’s stand-in, but I do it to make him happy.”

Tears streamed down her face. “Every day, I pretend to want his inheritance. It’s our little game when I ask for it, he’ll donate everything to charity instead… exactly what he wants.”

The crowd started whispering.

“Wait, so the livestream was all an act?”

“Damn, this Rachel girl’s something else…”

I caught her lips curving slightly before she fixed her sad expression.

‘But I don’t get it, Rachel turned back to me, voice shaking. “Since you showed up in New York, William’s health has tanked.”

She took a deep breath. “The nurses told me his condition crashed after your visits. What did you say to make an old man so sick?”

The crowd’s whispers grew louder, more accusatory. I felt their eyes on me.

Rachel suddenly dropped to her knees and grabbed my coat.

“Mrs. Knox,” she begged, tears flowing freely. “Blake and I are getting married tomorrow, but after seeing you this morning, William ended up in the ER.”

Her voice broke. “The doctors barely saved him. His dying wish is to see Blake marry his friend’s daughter – Audrey.”

She paused, catching herself. “I mean, since Audrey’s gone, he accepts me as her replacement because of his condition. Blake and I are only getting married to fulfill an old man’s last wish.”

She looked up at me, eyes wide. “Could you please stay away from our wedding? And don’t see William again until after?”

tightened on my coat. “I just want him

More tears fell. “Please…”

had grown, their whispers turning sympathetic

she’s been pretending all along to help

kindness, playing

shows up and suddenly gramps is in the hospital? Sketchy

there, unmoved by her calculated performance. Without warning, I pulled out my phone and dialed. Rachel’s eyes widened slightly, her

stepping

confusion

1/3

story?” she asked,

coming back to the States, but you know why. Need me to remind you what happened at the hotel this morning when William

stayed silent, eyes darting between my face and

supposedly seducing Blake…” I let my words hang as I hit the

silent as the phone rang on speaker.

up?” Blake’s deep voice came through, with

fiancée just stopped my car in traffic. She’s on her knees begging me to

silence followed on the phone, in the

finally said, voice suddenly

at the

ice-cold. “Didn’t you

opened but

instead?” Blake continued. “Blocking the Knoxes’ car in the middle of the street? Kneeling in public begging Mrs. Knox not to seduce me?

I…” Rachel managed.

sounding tired and disappointed. “I always thought

exactly what you’re doing

her

and needed to apologize. Grandpa went to the hotel because he found out Mrs. Knox is Audrey’s biological sister

over… there’s nothing ’emotional’ about my look.

started murmuring again, their

on, if I hear anyone bringing this stuff up again, neither I nor Parker Group will

up without another