After My Death, My Husband Who Threw Me Into the Hunting Grounds Went Insane novel Chapter 93

AUDREY

"Thank you for coming here again, Audrey, and I'm sorry about yesterday," Juliet stated sincerely when I came back to the mansion the next day. I could tell that ever since Anton married her, he changed a little bit. 

"I'm used to it. This is where I grew up, and Dad has always been like that. There are worse days than yesterday." I forced a smile to cheer her up. "Where's Anton?"

"Upstairs with Edward. Apparently, ever since last night, all he did was complain, so Anton asked him if he could rest in his room today." She smiled back at Chelsea. "Welcome back."

Chelsea responded with a smile. "Thank you."

"Oh please, do come in. You haven't had a chance to stay yesterday." Juliet ushered us inside. Since it was still early, there were only a few people inside. 

"We chose to use the house for Samuel's wake because Edward requested it. After a short debate, we cannot complain anymore, because you know–" she shrugged–"your father can be—"

"Difficult. Yes, I know."

We walked close to Samuel's remains, and I stared at his picture when he graduated from college. I couldn't forget how happy he was when he emailed me the same picture and told me he had finally done it. If only I could turn back the time. I would've met him when he asked me. A teardrop fell on my cheeks again.

We exchanged a few conversations with Juliet while we waited for Anton.

"We're going back to Dublin next week," she said. "It's hard for Anton to leave, but we have to go back to work."

"And he's going to be alone…." I whispered.

"Yes. I'm afraid."

"So, who's going to look after your father then?" Chelsea asked.

"Mila will stay. Her niece is coming here next week to help her with the chores," Juliet explained. "The budget has been tight, but if there is someone Edward trusts outside the family, it's Mila. He is oddly pretty and seems normal when he spoke to her."

"Mila's is Dad's nanny. He looks at her like his mother," I said.

"I guess that's it. By the way, Cecile hasn't shown up for days. Anton is going to try to find her before we leave. I'm really sorry for what happened to the house, Audrey. Anton and I were trying to settle the papers, but it was you who needed to see the mortgagor or the Scotts. The mansion is still under your name, but it won't stay for long."

I clenched my fist in anger. I didn't know how Dad's mistress managed to mortgage the house. No, we couldn't really call her a mistress when she was married legally to him. They were pretty new. Only three years. She could've used her status.

This was my mother's house. It was given to her by my grandfather, and this was the only memory I had of her. They could take everything away from us, but they couldn't let the Scotts take this from me.

"Or you could talk to him in advance when he comes here," Juliet added.

I looked up at her, a little puzzled. "Talk to who?"

"Charles Scott is coming here today in person, which is strange because he usually sends his assistant, once a week. He called Anton the other day. He's probably going to talk to him about the house. It is such a bad time, but we've got a little time, so maybe I think it's better if you personally meet him."

"I know Charles," I said. "He was Samuel's childhood friend."

The last memory I had of him was a little boy with eyeglasses, and short for his age. Dad introduced and arranged a marriage for me and his dad when I was only fifteen. They promised to marry me to Benjamin when I turned eighteen. I couldn't imagine when I met the old man. The image of a fat man with huge hands and scary eyes had stained my pure mind. 

It was the reason why I was driven to run away. It was when I met Liam Cross.

Shortly, Anton joined our conversation. He told us Dad was currently sleeping upstairs, but he would usually come down at dinner when he woke up, so he suggested or even requested if I could stay low from his sight. 

"I can't run forever from him, Anton. Not after what Cecile has done to Mom's house," I said firmly.

"City life definitely suits you, Audrey," Anton commented with a chuckle. 

"This has become your home too. I mean, I hope you understand that."

"Audrey, this is probably your mother's house, but this is basically where we all grew up," he pointed.

I heard Chelsea sigh. "If I may, and I hope I'm not getting too much involved, how much did your stepmother take for the mortgage?"

"It's three million, not quite for the value of this mansion. It's vintage, and it's been here for seventy years, but Audrey's grandfather had preserved it, so it's still pristine. Its value is more than that, but where else can we get three million dollars? I don't even have a million right now." Juliet held his husband's hand.

Anger grew deep inside me. Nevertheless, perseverance alone wasn't enough for us to take the house back. Where the heck did Cecile take the money? 

"Maybe we can talk to Charles to extend our deadline. He's Samuel's friend."

"I doubt he would help us," Anton said. "I'm sure it was his motive to take this house in the first place. Our reputation had gone bad ever since we lost everything. They don't care about us anymore."

"I can still try. I'm not giving up, Anton," I insisted.

"All right. Then if you think you can talk to him. But if you could please excuse me. I have to attend the others."

I nodded. Anton sprang up and greeted the new guests. 

"Oh, how lovely is that. As a supermarket owner, that leaves me as the CEO, right?" she asked.

"Yes, ma'am." Chelsea nodded and smiled.

"And she's like in the same position with my Jun, is that right?"

"Probably so." I shrugged.

"Ah!" She clasped her hand. "Then you are probably fated together! I'd like you to meet my son, Audrey. Not because you're a Hopkins, which pretty much doesn't have much value nowadays, but as an assistant to the CEO!"

Chelsea's shoulders fell. I snorted at her expression.

Suddenly, we were interrupted by the noises coming outside. The other guest had begun to prowl at the second entrance. 

"What is happening?" Mrs. Clifford asked.

"I don't know. Let me just check." Chelsea volunteered and tried to sneak in between the commotion. "Excuse me, please let me through." 

Curiously, the guests suddenly stepped aback, seemingly forming a pathway. I stood up and strode to the entrance. 

"Audrey!" Anton came in, coming from the entrance as well with his wife. 

"What's going on?"

He shook his head in disbelief, and like the other nosy guests, he stepped aside. 

I stood in the middle, and Chelsea sprinted back to my side. 

The time seemed to have stopped. A man in a designer suit came in, and the noise grew loud. I ignored the whispers and gossips and slowly walked towards him.

"My, my! What a commotion," he finally spoke. I almost didn't recognize him, but the more I looked at his face, my brain sent signals of recognition. Dressed in a designer black suit and ties, he was as tall as Anton and no longer the skinny, nerd boy he used to be. I could tell that he didn't look after his father, and he looked just like his stunning German mother. 

"Charles," I murmured. 

"I knew you were here." He walked towards me and leaned close to kiss my hand. "It's been a while, Audrey."