Page 30 of The Billionaire's Betrayal
A soft knock on the door pulled me from my thoughts.Audrey stepped in, holding two steaming cups of coffee, her face lit up with a warm smile that instantly erased the exhaustion of my already hectic morning.
“Good morning, Tristan,” she said in her melodic voice.“I figured you could use this to get through the day.”
“You read my mind,” I replied, grateful for this small ritual that had become ours.
I got up from my chair and walked around the desk to meet her.Our fingers brushed as she handed me the cup.Standing close to her, I took in the comforting aroma of the coffee before taking a sip.These shared moments, simple and genuine, had become precious breaks in the whirlwind of our days.
The sleek jumpsuit Audrey wore today elegantly hugged her figure.
Her expression shifted slightly as she took a breath, as if gathering her thoughts.
“It’s about Eva,” she began gently, her eyes searching mine.“I know we’ve had our… differences, but I’m really worried about her.She’s so wrapped up in her role as CEO and the Hope Foundation that I fear she’s heading straight for burnout.I’ve noticed she smiles less, that her mood darkens… I’m afraid she’s pushing herself too hard.”
There was genuine concern in her voice, and it touched me.I liked this side of Audrey, especially knowing how hard Eva could be on her.
“I was wondering if I could lend a hand,” she continued cautiously.“Not to take her place, of course, just to lighten her load a bit before the inauguration.”
“And how do you see that happening?”I asked, intrigued.
A small smile played on her lips, as if she had been waiting for that question.
“I did some research,” she said, pulling a file from her bag.“Epsilon Ventures, an investment fund specializing in social projects, could be an ideal partner.Their reputation in the educational field is outstanding, and their support would give the Foundation immediate credibility.”
She had clearly thought this through.It wasn’t a bad idea, such a partnership could definitely strengthen the Foundation’s visibility.
“Eva values the Foundation’s independence,” I pointed out.
“Of course,” Audrey nodded reassuringly.“I would only initiate the discussions, introduce the project.Eva would still have full control over the decisions.And in the meantime, she could focus on what truly matters to her.”
She paused, as if a new thought had just occurred to her.
“I could even draft a first version of her inauguration speech,” she suggested.“Just a rough outline for Eva to tweak as she sees fit.It would give us a chance to collaborate, to get to know each other better…”
The idea intrigued me.If Eva saw that Audrey was genuinely trying to help, maybe the tension between them would ease.And if they learned to work together, everything would become much simpler.
“Alright,” I agreed.“But let’s go slow.I don’t want Eva to feel sidelined.”
“Of course.Thank you for trusting me, Tristan.I promise you won’t regret it.”
She stood gracefully, her hand brushing the edge of my desk as if to extend our conversation.A subtle, satisfied smile played on her lips as she walked to the door, her confident stride accentuating the natural sway of her silhouette.
“Thanks for listening, Tristan,” she murmured before closing the door softly behind her.
It was only after she left that I wondered if I had just made a huge mistake.Was I underestimating Eva’s resistance to Audrey?Would she see Audrey’s efforts to help, or would she take my approval as a betrayal?
I pushed the doubt aside with a deep breath.After all, I was only trying to help the woman I loved… right?
18.Her presence filled the space
TRISTAN
I was immersed in reading a financial report when a knock at the door pulled me from my thoughts.
"Come in!"I said without looking up.
The familiar sound of heels clicking against the hardwood floor made me glance up.Audrey walked in, a stack of files tucked under her arm.Her dress, more form-fitting than usual, accentuated her silhouette with a calculated elegance.I noticed how her outfits, always professional, had grown subtly bolder over the past few weeks.That realization unsettled me.Since when had I been paying such close attention to these details?
"I finished the report you asked for on Monday," she said, her smile brightening the room.
