Accidentally Crossing the Tycoon Chapter 174

Audrey's POV:

I swallowed hard, trying to maintain my composure.

I hadn't expected them to appear at this moment, to stand up for me so fiercely against Amelia.

For the first time in my life, I felt what it meant to have a family shield you from harm, to have people who would rush to your defense without hesitation.

"How did you know to come here?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

Ethan stepped closer.

"I was with Caspar earlier today, discussing some business matters when Dorothy called him."

He gave a slight shrug. "I couldn't help hearing parts of the conversation—something about 'Noah's mother' being here. When he suddenly made excuses and rushed off, I put the pieces together."

He placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder.

"Don't be afraid, Audrey. You're not alone anymore. "

The simple statement hit me with unexpected force.

Dorothy Thornton cleared her throat, her features pinched with confusion.

"Wait a moment... what exactly is happening here?"

Robert turned to Dorothy, offering a gentlemanly slight bow.

"Mrs. Thornton, I apologize for arriving unannounced. I hope you can understand my protective instincts where my daughter is concerned."

"Mr. Cole, are you saying... Audrey... is your daughter?" Dorothy's astonished gaze moved from Robert to me, then to Sara and Ethan, who stood protectively at my side.

Amelia looked equally stunned, momentarily speechless.

Robert nodded firmly. "Yes. Daisy is not my biological daughter."

"I was aware of that," Dorothy replied, still struggling to process this revelation.

"But... I don't recall you ever mentioning that Audrey was the daughter you'd found."

"Audrey prefers to keep her personal business private," Robert explained smoothly.

"She's never been one for the spotlight or public attention. We've respected her wishes to maintain a low profile."

"Well, this is wonderful news!" Dorothy's eyes lit up with genuine delight.

Amelia stepped forward, disbelief written across her face.

"That's impossible," she protested.

"Audrey grew up in New York. The Cole family has been based in Chicago for generations. She can't possibly be your daughter."

Her eyes narrowed suspiciously. "Have you even done a DNA test? Is there a mistake?"

Sara's expression hardened as she stepped closer to Amelia.

"I suggest you mind your own business," she said, her normally gentle voice carrying an unmistakable threat.

"If I hear you say one more disrespectful word about my daughter, you'll regret it."

Amelia visibly flinched, taking a small step back before quickly composing herself.

"You misunderstand me," she backpedaled.

"I'm not trying to challenge Audrey about anything. I'm Noah's biological mother. I just want to be back in my son's life. That's all I care about."

"I don't give a damn who you are," Robert cut in coldly.

"All I know is that you're interfering with my daughter's happiness, and that's something I won't tolerate."

Amelia, taken aback by Robert's harshness, turned pleading eyes toward Caspar, clearly hoping for his intervention.

Robert spun to face Caspar directly, his stance challenging.

"Well, Caspar? Do you have anything to say? "

His voice hardened.

"I won't let Audrey suffer any wrong in this house. She has a family now ready to stand behind her anytime."

I opened my mouth to intervene, to defuse the growing tension, but before I could speak, Caspar took a step forward.

"Audrey," he said, his voice suddenly clear and strong in the tense room, "will you marry me?"

The room fell into stunned silence.

My heart hammered against my ribs. Of all the things he might have said, this was the last I expected.

Yet somehow, it wasn't entirely surprising.

Caspar had mentioned marriage several times before, but I'd always deflected, changed the subject, found some way to avoid confronting what that might mean.

But now, in this chaotic moment with everyone watching, I could no longer dodge the question.

It hung between us, demanding an answer.

I met Caspar's eyes—sincere, intense, waiting.

My gaze flickered briefly to Amelia, whose shock had rendered her speechless, her previous confidence completely shattered.

A thousand thoughts raced through my mind.

The rational part of my brain listed all the reasons to hesitate, to ask for time, to step back.

But in that moment, looking into his eyes, only two words formed on my lips.

"I will."

The simple declaration seemed to echo in the sudden stillness.

Caspar's lips curved into a smile.

He turned to face Amelia, his expression transforming from tender to cold.

"Did you hear that clearly?" he asked, his voice carrying an edge of steel beneath its smooth surface.

"Audrey will be Noah's only mother. The *only* one."

He turned slightly, addressing the security staff who had remained discreetly in the background.

"Please escort Ms. Harrison off the property. She is not to set foot on Thornton grounds again."

"You can't do this!" Amelia cried, her composure completely shattering as two security men approached her.

"Caspar, you'll regret this! You have no right to keep me from my son!"

Amelia's face contorted with rage as she was firmly guided toward the door.

"This isn't over!" she shouted over her shoulder.

"You'll be sorry, Caspar! Both of you will!"

Dorothy turned to Robert and Sara after Amelia disappeared from the door.

"Mr. and Mrs. Cole, it seems we have a wedding to plan. Perhaps we should all sit down and discuss this new development more civilly."

Robert seemed momentarily at a loss, clearly not having anticipated this outcome.

"Audrey," he said, his voice gentle but concerned, "are you certain about this? "

His question broke through the haze of emotion surrounding me.

What had I just done? The weight of my impulsive answer suddenly hit me full force.

"The wedding details can wait," I said, finding my voice. "Caspar and I need to discuss many things first."

Before anyone could object, I grabbed Caspar's hand and pulled him toward the staircase, away from the surprised faces of both families.

Once we were upstairs and safely out of earshot, I rounded on him.

"Was that deliberate?" I demanded in a harsh whisper.

"Proposing in front of everyone like that?"

Caspar leaned against the wall, that infuriating half-smile playing at his lips.

"You said yes, Audrey. You can't take it back now."