Chapter 11
Now it was right in front of him.
As if possessed, he lifted a hand. His fingertips were just about to touch her cheek.
Audrey suddenly opened her eyes.
Those clear, awake eyes crashed straight into his.
Phoenix’s hand froze in midair.
He jerked it back, his expression instantly freezing over.
“We’re here.”
“Get out.”
Audrey quickly got out and slammed the door shut with a heavy bang.
Even the driver winced. That was a limited-edition Phantom worth more than twenty million.
Phoenix curved his lips.
Little poisonous thing.
He said lightly to the driver, “Take the car in for an appraisal tomorrow. Once she slams it a few more times, you can send her the bill.”
The driver flinched. “Mr. Castillo, I’m afraid Ms. Mitchell can’t afford that.”
Phoenix said, perfectly calm, “She can. Her ex-husband has money. All she has to do is ask.”
“Yes.” The driver nodded quickly.
Since when had the boss become this dark?
…
The next day.
When Audrey returned to the office, her eyes were ringed in blue-gray exhaustion.
By the time she got home, showered, and crawled into bed last night, it had already been three in the morning. Then she had woken up at seven sharp.
This was more life-draining than working a construction site.
Now even the words on the documents were doubling in front of her.
By comparison, Phoenix looked disgustingly refreshed.
At eight thirty, he stepped into the office in a sharply tailored dark-gray suit.
His figure was tall and upright, shoulders narrowing to a lean waist. As he moved, the custom trousers wrapped his legs in smooth, powerful lines.
Audrey’s internal phone rang abruptly. The sharp sound made her heart skip.
“Ms. Mitchell. Coffee.”
The man’s voice on the line was cool and commanding.
After a pause, he added a warning.
“If you mess with the sugar again, I’ll strangle you.”
A few minutes later, Audrey came in with a cup of scalding black coffee.
She had also brought her tablet, ready to report the day’s schedule.
“Good morning, Mr. Castillo.”
She set the coffee gently by his hand and stood straight.
“At ten this morning, Mr. Shaw from Keywin will come in to sign the contract.”
“At twelve thirty, there’s a lunch meeting at the Seavan Hotel.”
“At four this afternoon, you have another signing ceremony…”
Phoenix lifted a hand, stopping her.
He took a sip of coffee. Rich bitterness spread through the air.
After listening, he said only one thing.
“Have Ms. Jackson and Ms. Moore handle the other arrangements. Tonight at seven, you come with me.”
What?
Her again?
Audrey’s face immediately darkened, refusal written all over her.
He was doing this on purpose.
He wanted to exhaust her to death.
Phoenix caught the change in her mood at once and added, “Also, book me a tattoo artist.”
Audrey looked at him like he had sprouted a second head.
“Why do you need a tattoo artist?”
Phoenix suddenly tossed down the pen in his hand.
The expensive fountain pen rolled twice across the desk before stopping.
He leaned back into the wide leather chair, arms folded over his chest, his posture lazy and oppressive all at once.
Then he said lightly, “I’d like to tattoo the four words I Am the CEO on my forehead.”
“That way, my secretary might remember I’m her boss.”
“And obey my work arrangements.”
That passive-aggressive tone.
Audrey was so thoroughly needled that she couldn’t speak for several seconds. Her chest tightened with frustration.
Then she suddenly smiled.
“Mr. Castillo, I suggest adding three more words.”
“What?” Phoenix raised an eyebrow.
“I Am Human.”
The air froze.
Phoenix slowly lifted his eyes to her, his gaze alarmingly cold.
“Are you done?”
Audrey said, “I’m done.”
“Get out.”
…
Audrey worked until five in the afternoon before finally completing the project investment letter of intent Phoenix had demanded at the last minute and placing it on his desk.
Then she fled.
Her mother wasn’t feeling well today and was resting at home.
Audrey needed to take Little Bean to Skylar Campbell. Poor baby had already been waiting at kindergarten for more than an hour with her little eyes full of hope and abandonment.
Audrey drove straight to the kindergarten at sixty miles an hour.
She had no idea another Rolls-Royce was following behind her.
She carried Little Bean out of the kindergarten and kissed her little face affectionately.
“Handsome Daddy.”
Little Bean suddenly called out again.
Audrey’s spine went cold. She turned and, sure enough, saw Phoenix Castillo’s hateful ice-block face.
Did this man have nothing better to do after eating his fancy boss lunch? Was he addicted to stalking her?
“Shut up. Don’t call him that,” Audrey hissed.
Little Bean’s mouth flattened.
“Mr. Castillo, what a coincidence. Are you also here to pick up a child?”
“Mm. I just wanted to see your little sis again,” he said.
Your sis, my ass.
Audrey fired the curse back silently.
“I want one strand of her hair,” he said frankly, not bothering to circle around it.
Once a seed of suspicion took root, it would sprout.
After all, the last time they were together, he had taken the condom off and gone at her several times. Who knew whether this woman had taken anything afterward?
Audrey: “…”
He really was planning to do a paternity test.
Audrey knew this man hadn’t given up.
Fuming, she shoved the child into his arms.
“Fine. Take her, then. Since you’re so convinced she’s yours. She drinks milk four times a day, refuses carrots, and is allergic to seafood.”
Phoenix held the soft little thing, warm and sweet with the scent of milk.
For a moment, he was completely at a loss.
“What’s your name?” Phoenix asked.
“My name is Claire Mitchell. Claire like clear and bright. My nickname is Little Bean,” Little Bean introduced herself solemnly, her dark berry eyes full of joy.
“Who is she?” Phoenix pointed at Audrey.
“She’s Sis, Handsome Daddy.” Little Bean called him that again, her small arms looping around his neck.
Phoenix felt as if he had suddenly gained two daughters. Annoyed, he growled, “Don’t call me Daddy.”
