Divorce Me Before Death Takes Me, CEO

Chapter 404

Astrid’s POV

“Five?” I blinked, trying to process Adrian’s words through my throbbing headache.

I shook my head, certain of what I’d seen. “But there were definitely six bodyguards. Five grouped together and one standing apart. I counted them myself.”

Adrian’s face darkened. “There were five! Henry gave me ten guys total. One was driving us, four were in the car behind protecting me and Evelyn. The other five were watching Emma. That’s it.”

He whipped around to the nearby officer. “How many knocked-out bodyguards did you find at the scene?”

The officer checked his notes. “Five, sir.”

Adrian turned back to me, eyes cold as ice. “Only five bodyguards were found unconscious. So how exactly did you see six?”

I frowned, confusion battling with certainty. My eyes burned but I kept my voice steady. “That’s impossible… I know I saw six. I wouldn’t mess that up.” A thought hit me. “Unless… one wasn’t actually yours. What if he was… what if he kidnapped Emma?”

Adrian laughed, but there was no humor in it. “Still lying? Obviously –

Audrey’s POV

“I believe Astrid,” I cut in firmly.

Adrian turned to me, surprise flashing across his face.

“When I ask Astrid to handle something, she takes it seriously,” I continued. “She adores Emma. Before all this happened, she was worried about taking Emma to the garden. Why would she be careless enough to miscount the bodyguards?”

I turned to the hotel manager who’d joined us. “Do you still have the surveillance footage?”

fell. “The garden

about when they left the room?” I pressed.

someone pull it right away.” He hurried off, clearly relieved to escape

Astrid gently. “Do you remember how many guards were with

nodded without hesitation. ‘Six. Definitely

her skeptically. “We’ll

like this. Astrid had always been our rock – even when Thalia Parker targeted her, when online trolls attacked her, she never broke down. She once told Ethan and me, “Cry over that petty crap? Please. If

and touched her arm gently. “Emma’s never been in danger before. Adrian’s just scared out

fine. He should be mad at me. This is

“What are you standing around for? Aren’t you coming to see the footage? Or are you scared

be there?”

of anger watching him attack Astrid. This hurt worse than

“Let’s go, Audrey. My memory’s solid. There were six guards. I’m not afraid

footage shows six bodyguards like I said,

raised an eyebrow.

she said firmly. “To

I turned, surprised. “Astrid…”

as you are. This isn’t on her. She just

jump

friend in front of you. He might not be yelling at you directly, but I can tell he’s been taking his

her shoulders. “So if the video shows six people, proving I wasn’t lying or careless, it means you’ve been wrongly accusing me and taking it out on Audrey.

fell silent. Something

me, his voice quieter. “I’m sorry. I’ve been worried

onto Astrid’s arm

The elevator dinged open.

surveillance room, a staff member

nodded. “Play