Accidentally Crossing the Tycoon Chapter 134

Audrey's POV:

By the time I returned to the Thornton estate, dusk had already settled over the grounds.

As I pulled into the long driveway of the estate, I spotted Clara Willow's silver Audi already parked near the entrance.

Caspar had arranged this dinner gathering, wanting to discuss Kevin's impending arrival with everyone involved.

I entered the foyer, Edward greeting me with his usual efficiency, taking my coat.

"Good evening, Ms. Lane. The others are already in the west sitting room."

I found Clara sitting cross-legged on the floor with Noah, who was excitedly showing her his latest drawings.

Finley stood nearby, communicating with Caspar.

"Audrey!" Clara called, waving me over. "You're finally back."

"You have to see what Noah's created. He's getting even better."

I smiled, joining them on the floor.

"These are incredible, Noah," I said, genuinely impressed by his progress.

"Your control of colors has improved so much since last week." I ruffled his hair gently before looking around the room.

"Where's Ethan? I thought he'd be joining us tonight."

Clara replied.

"He's having dinner with Daisy first. Said he needed to make sure she was settled before coming over."

I nodded, considering how devoted Ethan was to Daisy. He truly doted on her.

I couldn't help but wonder how things would change once he found his biological sister.

Would he still maintain the same level of attention and affection for Daisy? Or would blood prove thicker than the bonds they'd formed?

Keeping a perfectly balanced relationship between both sisters wouldn't be easy.

Though I reminded myself, these family complications weren't really my concern.

I was enough of my own drama with the Baileys to sort through without getting invested in the Cole family dynamics.

Clara leaned closer to me, her voice dropping slightly.

"By the way, thank you for what you said yesterday. Finley and I finally had a real conversation about everything last night."

She smiled, looking more relaxed.

"You were right—keeping things bottled up only makes them worse."

Her eyes sparkled with curiosity as she whispered, "Speaking of which, did you ask Caspar about his dinner with that woman last night? Figure out who she is?"

I felt heat rush to my face as the memory of my ridiculous jealousy flooded back.

The embarrassing scene at the restaurant, the tense conversation afterward, and finally learning that Sophia was a lesbian with a long-term girlfriend.

"There's nothing between them," I muttered, mortified that I'd ever thought otherwise.

"She's just a colleague. "

Clara nodded thoughtfully. "That makes sense. Caspar doesn't strike me as the type to play around anyway."

Before she could continue, Amy appeared in the doorway, her expression tense.

"I'm sorry to interrupt," she said, twisting her hands nervously.

"Mr. Thornton, Kevin just called. He says he won't arrive until midnight now."

I frowned. "Why the sudden change of plans?"

"He said it would be safer later at night," Amy replied, her voice uncertain. "Something about fewer people being around."

Caspar's mouth curved into a sardonic smile.

"How cautious of him. "

Finley stood, straightening his jacket.

"Well, if we have a few more hours, I suggest we proceed with dinner. No point in waiting on an empty stomach."

Edward led us to the dining room, where he'd prepared an elegant spread.

The aroma of perfectly roasted meat and fresh herbs filled the air as we settled into our seats.

Noah sat between Caspar and me, his posture straight as he carefully unfolded his napkin and placed it on his lap without being reminded.

Clara watched him with obvious admiration as he meticulously cut his food into small, even pieces and chewed with his mouth closed.

"Look at him, he certainly has impeccable manners," Clara remarked, smiling at Noah across the table.

"Most children his age are making a complete mess."

I nodded, watching Noah with a gentle smile.

My mind drifted back to our very first meeting.

Even then, despite being clearly hungry, he'd eaten his food with the same meticulous care.

I glanced between Clara and Finley, suddenly curious.

"So, when are you two planning to have a child? "

"Audrey!" Clara's cheeks instantly flushed pink.

Her eyes darted to Finley, half-embarrassed and half-amused.

Finley didn't miss a beat.

"Whenever she's ready," he said with a casual shrug, though his eyes softened as they met Clara's. "I'm available anytime."

"Finley!" Clara's blush deepened as she gave his arm a gentle smack, but the affection in her gesture was unmistakable.

I couldn't help but smile, feeling a weight lift from my shoulders. It was reassuring to see them like this.

The rest of dinner continued in this light-hearted atmosphere.

We had just finished our coffee when the doorbell rang.

Edward soon appeared with Ethan in tow, who entered the dining room with noticeably less energy than usual.

Though he greeted everyone politely, his smile didn't quite reach his eyes.

When informed that Kevin won't arrive that quickly, Ethan's shoulders relaxed slightly.

"Well," he said, turning to Caspar, "how about a drink? "

Caspar's eyes shifted to me, a subtle question in them that I didn't immediately understand.

When I didn't respond, he cleared his throat.

"I'll have to pass," he said with deliberate casualness. "Someone doesn't approve of that."

Heat rushed to my face as I suddenly realized he was referring to me and my previous concerns about his health.

"I could join you for a drink," I offered impulsively, trying to cover my embarrassment.

We relocated to the living room where Edward prepared drinks—scotch for Ethan and Finley, a gin and tonic for Clara, and wine for me.

Caspar, true to his word, stuck with sparkling water.

We had barely settled in when Edward appeared at the doorway.

"Mr. Thornton," he said, his voice low and controlled, "I've noticed someone suspicious lingering near the front gate."