Chapter 63 Audrey

It was nearly midnight as I lay in my bed, tears silently streaming down my face. The events of the day kept replaying in my mind like a horrible movie I couldn't turn off, and sleep eluded me. Linda's cruel laughter, the snip of scissors, the feeling of being exposed and humiliated in front of everyone....

I shuddered, pulling my blanket tighter around me. It was like a nightmare. It certainly would have been easier if it had actually been one.

Suddenly, a soft knock on my door made me jump. I froze, wondering if I had imagined it at first, but then another knock came-slightly louder this time.

I hesitated, unsure of whether to answer or not. What if it was Linda and her friends again? But when another knock came, I quietly climbed out of bed and padded to the door to peer through the peephole. I was met with a familiar face on the other end.

"Miss Thatcher?" Charles, Edwin's assistant, called out. "Are you in there?"

I chewed my lip as I debated whether to open the door or pretend I was sleeping, but I knew that if Edwin had sent his Beta to come and talk to me, that I likely couldn't refuse whatever it was.

Just.. just a moment, I finally said, wiping my mascara-streaked face and trying to smooth down my ruffled hair. I opened the door a c**k, peering out cautiously.

Charles met my gaze, his expression somber. "I apologize for the late hour, but I need you to come with me."

"Come with you?" I repeated, confused. "Where? Why?"

"I can't say much here," Charles replied, glancing down the hallway. "But it's important. If you wouldn't mind, please get dressed and meet me outside in five minutes"

I bit my lip, considering "Is it about... what happened today?"

Charles nodded. "In a way, yes. I promise, it's nothing bad. You'll understand soon."

After a moment, I nodded, "Okay. I'll be right there."

I quickly pulled my hair back into a bun, threw on some jeans and a sweater and cleaned the mascara from my face, then slipped out of my room, Charles was waiting by a sleek black car when I made my way outside, and he opened the door for me as I approached.

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"Where are we going?" I asked as I got in.

"You'll see," was all he said as he started the engine and pulled away from the curb.

We drove in silence through the quiet streets of the city. I watched as familiar buildings gave way to the downtown area, then eventually to a more secluded spot by the river. Pulling into a spot, Charles parked the car and turned to me.

waiting for you over there," he said, nodding toward a bench beneath

I recognized him immediately-he was all

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up as I neared, “Audrey," he said

case anyone else was spying on us. I couldn't

about?" I

jaw clenched as though the thought physically pained him. "I'm so sorry, Audrey. What they did was inexcusable." I swallowed hard, fighting

couldn't just... I had to

stopped. "I don't know if I'm okay right now, if I'm

silence for a moment after that, the only sound that of the gentle lapping of

was. Pulling out the

like, so I went and got you a new one

by his thoughtfulness. "I... I

favors to get some stores to open late Edwin

the soft fabric of the new blouse. "This is incredibly kind of you, Edwin. But you didn't have to

said firmly. "And I promise you, Audrey, Linda and her friends will receive the utmost punishment for their crimes. What she did was

efforts, a few tears escaped and rolled down my cheeks. Edwin noticed immediately and slipped a handkerchief out of his pocket, handing it to me. I took it

close. For a moment, I stiffened-but then I couldn't help myself. I

moments.

"They were so strong, and I couldn't do anything to stop them. This isn't the first time something like this has

rumble in his chest. "Well... You're

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Chapter 63

us speaking. Finally, I

need to thank

about the fashion show?" I asked, suddenly remembering that whole debacle.

of it. "I'm handling it. We're reviewing all the scoring criteria and the judges"

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