Accidentally Crossing the Tycoon Chapter 158

Audrey's POV:

I tucked myself into the corner of the restaurant in Manhattan, waiting for Emma to arrive.

My fingers tapped nervously against the water glass as I checked my watch again.

Emma was never late—a habit formed from years of living in London's underground world where tardiness could mean death.

Right on cue, a flash of fiery red hair appeared at the entrance.

Emma Clarke, with her smoldering eyes and don't-mess-with-me posture, scanned the restaurant until she spotted me.

Her arms were covered in intricate tattoos that disappeared beneath the sleeves of her leather jacket.

"Audrey!" she exclaimed, not bothering to lower her voice as she rushed toward me.

Before I could stand, I was enveloped in a bear hug that nearly knocked the wind out of me.

"God, I've missed you," Emma said, finally releasing me to slide into the seat across from mine.

Her eyes narrowed as she studied my face.

"You're different. Softer around the edges."

A knowing smirk spread across her lips. "Must be the new man."

I rolled my eyes.

"Why are you in New York, Emma? You should be in London with Jasper."

"Can't a girl visit her best friend without an interrogation?"

She flagged down a waiter with a flick of her wrist.

"I'll have whatever's the most expensive steak you've got. Rare. And your strongest whiskey."

After the waiter left, her expression sobered.

"I came to see you. And to deliver the latest batch from Jasper's lab."

She patted her bag.

"His new formula is better than the last. Should keep the symptoms at bay longer."

"You flew across the Atlantic just to deliver medication?" I asked skeptically.

"That seems excessive, even for you."

Emma shrugged, leaning back in her chair.

"I also needed to make sure you were actually safe. "

"We could have video called. "

"And what if someone was holding a gun to your head off-camera?" Emma countered.

"Or what if you were being controlled? Forced to say you're fine when you're not?"

I sighed. "You've watched too many spy movies. But now I'm worried about Jasper. Is it really safe for him to be alone in London right now?"

"He's fine. Hidden in plain sight, the clever bastard." Emma said.

"Besides, I just got here and you're already trying to ship me back? Some friend you are."

The server arrived with Emma's steak, and she immediately abandoned our conversation, attacking the food with single-minded focus.

She cut large pieces and barely chewed before swallowing, as if racing against an invisible clock.

Eating as quickly as possible, a habit formed during years when she never knew when her next meal would come.

"Slow down," I said gently. "No one's going to take it from you."

She paused mid-bite, embarrassment flashing across her face before she forced a laugh.

"Old habits."

She cut her next piece more deliberately, though her eyes still darted around the restaurant.

"At least I only eat the good stuff now. "

"Excuse me," a voice interrupted our moment.

I looked up to find a striking blonde woman standing beside our table, her posture perfect and her smile calculated.

"You're Audrey Lane, aren't you?"

"Yes, I am. And you are?"

"Amelia Harrison." Her smile didn't reach her eyes. "I've been wanting to meet you for some time now."

I froze at the name, my fork suspended midway to my mouth.

Amelia Harrison—Noah's mother.

I hadn't expected our paths to cross so suddenly.

Was this a targeted encounter or pure coincidence?

Either way, I'd have to handle whatever came next.

Recovering quickly, I set my fork down and met her gaze steadily.

"What can I help you with, Ms. Harrison?"

I asked directly, deciding my best approach was to face this head-on.

"I think you should step away from Caspar and Noah Thornton."

The bluntness of her statement hung in the air between us.

Emma snorted, but I held up a hand to silence her.

"And what exactly gives you the right to make that suggestion?"

Amelia's smile widened. "I'm Noah's mother."

She leaned closer. "You've played house with them long enough, don't you think? It's time for Noah to know his real mother."

I felt Emma shift beside me, her body tensing like a predator preparing to strike.

I placed my hand on her wrist under the table, squeezing in warning.

"You seem upset," Amelia continued, mistaking my silence for distress.

"I understand. It's hard to give up such a comfortable arrangement. But Noah deserves his real family, not some... temporary substitute."

Emma couldn't help herself in the end. Her laugh was harsh.

"Lady, you have no idea who you're talking to."

She stood up, her chair scraping loudly against the floor.

"Do you know what happened to the last person who threatened my friend?"

"Emma," I warned, but she was already leaning into Amelia's space, her eyes gleaming with a dangerous light.

"People who cross Audrey have a funny way of disappearing," Emma whispered, her smile all teeth.

"Do you believe I'll make sure you can't walk out of this door?"

Amelia stepped back, genuine fear flickering across her face.

I grabbed Emma's wrist hard.

"That's enough."

Emma shrugged and sat back down, but her eyes never left Amelia's face, that predatory smile still playing at her lips.

Amelia composed herself quickly.

"I can see you keep interesting company, Ms. Lane."

She placed a small folded note on the table.

"Tonight I have a date with Caspar at the hotel where we fell in love, and if you don't believe me, come and see for yourself tonight."

As she walked away, I unfolded the note.

It contained the hotel name and room number, nothing more.

"Want me to follow her?" Emma asked, half-serious.

"This isn't London," I hissed. "We're trying to live like normal people, remember?"

Emma rolled her eyes. "Fine, have it your way."

She drained her whiskey in one swift motion, then glanced hopefully at my barely touched plate.

"Any chance I could get another steak? I'm still starving."

I couldn't help but laugh.

Some things never changed—Emma's appetite was as legendary as her temper.

"Order whatever you want. It's on me."

Her face lit up.

"This is why you're my favorite person."

She waved the waiter over and ordered another rare steak with all the trimmings.

As she devoured her second meal with the same enthusiasm as the first, I studied the note Amelia had left behind.

The Plaza Hotel.

"So," Emma said between bites, "what's the plan now?"

"I need to find you a hotel to stay in," I replied, tucking the note into my purse.

Emma's eyes lit up.

"Let's go to The Plaza. That fancy place she mentioned."

She lowered her voice conspiratorially.

"If we happen to catch them having their little rendezvous, I could solve them at once."

She made a slicing motion across her throat with her steak knife.