Accidentally Crossing the Tycoon Chapter 157

Audrey's POV:

I stood motionless on the balcony outside my studio, watching Caspar's car disappear down the long driveway of the Thornton estate.

Something about his abrupt departure left an unsettling feeling in my chest.

The news about Noah's mother showing up after years of silence couldn't be good.

A soft knock at the door pulled me from my thoughts.

I turned to find Noah peeking around the doorframe, his dark eyes wide with curiosity.

"Come in, Noah," I said, gesturing him forward.

Noah slipped into the room, his backpack still slung over one shoulder.

"Am I disturbing you, Miss Audrey?" he asked politely.

"Not at all," I smiled, setting aside my brushes.

"You're home early today. How was school?"

"I just got back," Noah said, carefully placing his backpack beside the door.

"Edward said I don't have to go to school as much this week."

My eyebrows rose slightly.

I immediately thought of Amelia Harrison's sudden appearance.

Was Caspar worried she might try to approach Noah at school?

"Did Edward say why?" I asked casually, trying not to betray my concern.

Noah shook his head.

"Well," I said, forcing a light tone into my voice, "that means we'll have more time together. I can teach you some new painting techniques."

Noah's face brightened at this, his eyes crinkling with genuine pleasure.

"Really? Can we start tomorrow?"

"Absolutely," I promised.

He wandered around my studio, trailing his fingers along the edge of my worktable.

Then, as if the thought had just occurred to him, he turned to me with unexpected directness.

"Miss Audrey, have you ever worn a wedding dress?"

The question caught me completely off guard.

"What?"

"A wedding dress," he repeated earnestly. "The white kind that brides wear."

"No," I answered honestly, surprised by the sudden change in topic. "Why would you ask this?"

"My friend Mike showed me pictures of his parents' wedding. His mom wore a white dress. That's very beautiful. You would definitely look prettier if you wore it."

His gaze was innocent but penetrating.

"Don't you want to be a bride?"

I felt heat rise to my cheeks.

"Did your father ask you to ask me this?"

Noah shook his head emphatically.

"No. I just wondered."

His expression was too guileless to be anything but sincere.

"Well," I said carefully, "wedding dresses are for special occasions. I haven't had that occasion yet."

"But you're with my father," Noah insisted, his brow furrowing with the confusion that only a child could express so purely.

"Mike says when people love each other, they get married."

I knelt down to his level, trying to find the right words.

"It's a bit more complicated than that, sweetheart."

"Will you wear one someday?" The longing in his eyes was unmistakable.

"Maybe someday," I replied lightly, not wanting to crush his hope but not willing to feed it either.

*If Jasper actually manages to develop that antidote*, I thought, *I'd wear a wedding dress just to see the joy on this little boy's face*.

Noah nodded thoughtfully, a spark of something that looked suspiciously like planning flickering in his eyes.

"Okay," he said, seemingly satisfied with my non-committal answer. "I won't disturb your work then."

After he left, I stood in the center of my studio, Noah's innocent question echoing in my mind.

For a brief, indulgent moment, I allowed myself to imagine it—standing in a flowing white gown, perhaps in the Thornton estate garden.

My phone's sharp ring shattered the fantasy.

I glanced at the screen and saw Emma Clarke's name.

Reality came rushing back.

"Emma," I answered, shaking my head at my own foolishness.

Women like me didn't get fairy-tale endings in white dresses.

"Audrey!" Emma's voice bubbled with unusual excitement.

"Guess what? I'm in New York!"

"What?" I straightened up, surprised. "Why didn't you tell me first?"

"You know how it is," Emma replied, her tone shifting to something more cautious.

"Unpredictable movements are safer."

I understood her meaning immediately.

After everything we'd been through in London, caution was second nature.

"Have you eaten yet?" I asked, already reaching for my purse.

"I know a quiet place in Chelsea where we can talk without worrying about being overheard."

"Perfect. I'm starving actually." Emma admitted.

"I'll text you the address. We can meet there in an hour?"

"I'll find it. See you soon."

I hung up and began gathering my things.

As I reached for my jacket, Noah appeared in the doorway again.

"Are you leaving?" he asked.

"Just for a little while. I have an important meeting."

"Can I come?" His eyes brightened with hope.

I shook my head gently.

"Not this time, Noah. This is grown-up business."

His shoulders slumped, and he looked down at his shoes.

"Okay," he said simply, despite the clear disappointment in his voice.

I reached out and gently ruffled his hair.

"I won't be gone long."

I made my way to the main entrance, keys in hand, only to find Edward standing there like a sentinel.

"Ms. Lane," he said formally, "are you going out?"

"Yes, I have a meeting in the city."

"Allow me to arrange for a driver to take you," he offered, his tone polite but his eyes watchful.

"That's not necessary, Edward. I prefer to drive myself."

"At least provide me with the address of your destination," Edward persisted.

"I can have someone meet you there later, if you'd like."

"I won't be drinking, Edward," I said with a smile that didn't quite reach my eyes.

"I'm perfectly capable of driving myself back."

Before he could protest further, I slipped past him and headed for the door.

I could feel his disapproval radiating behind me, but I didn't look back.

I knew Edward's concerns weren't unreasonable.

Caspar was surrounded by potential threats right now, especially with Amelia's sudden reappearance.

But my connection to Emma and our London history was also a secret.