Chapter 6
Fine. Routine business.
Audrey took a deep breath and rested her hand lightly on his arm.
His familiar body heat passed through the thin fabric of his suit.
Such an intimate gesture made her heart race for no reason. Heat rushed instantly to her cheeks.
Four years, gone.
Being this close again made her so nervous her palms dampened.
Phoenix seemed pleased by the faint change in her expression. An almost imperceptible curve touched his mouth.
The moment they entered the banquet hall, every gaze swept toward them like searchlights.
“Oh my God, that’s Mr. Castillo. He’s so handsome. We can finally see him in Westbrook in person!”
“I went to Bayshore before and waited half a month. I didn’t even get a glimpse of him.”
“The woman with him is so elegant. She’s beautiful. Is she his girlfriend?”
“That’s the titan of the investment world. The richest man in Westbrook now. He’s already above Mr. Webb Sr. and Mr. Simpson Sr.”
“Westbrook belongs to Mr. Castillo now.”
Gasps and admiration rose everywhere.
Nicholas Peterson hurried forward and introduced him loudly to the room.
“Ladies and gentlemen, this is the founder of PhiAu Capital, Mr. Castillo. Please welcome Mr. Castillo back to Westbrook.”
Thunderous applause broke out at once.
Before long, entrepreneurs from every corner surrounded him three layers deep.
Mixed among them were three breathtaking beauties. The watches on their wrists were expensive enough to buy an apartment. At a glance, they were daughters from wealthy families.
Audrey found an excuse and quietly withdrew from the crowd.
She had just stepped outside for air when a woman in a custom gown walked up to her.
“You’re Mr. Castillo’s secretary?”
“Hello.” Audrey nodded politely.
The woman handed over a check.
“I want Mr. Castillo’s schedule for the next month. This is your compensation.”
Audrey glanced at it. Three hundred thousand. Generous.
At the same time, she recognized the woman in front of her.
Margo Chapman, heiress of the Chapman family from Ashford and founder of an up-and-coming jewelry brand.
“I’m sorry. Protecting my boss’s privacy is a basic principle of secretarial work.”
“Too little?” Margo raised a disdainful brow and removed the expensive bracelet from her wrist. “This is a million-dollar piece. I’ll give you this too. I only want one month.”
Audrey suddenly smiled.
She lifted her hand and lightly touched the dazzling blue diamond at her throat.
“Ms. Chapman, since you’re in the jewelry business, you should recognize what I’m wearing and what it’s worth.”
Margo narrowed her eyes and stared closely at the necklace on Audrey’s neck.
That deep blue like the sea. That flawless cut.
The legendary Deep Blue Heart.
“Impossible. That can’t be real!” she cried.
“Excuse me.” Audrey had no desire to keep tangling with her, so she turned and left.
For the first time, she felt that being rich was, in fact, kind of delightful.
Margo stared at Audrey’s back, poison gathering in her eyes.
How could a little secretary afford a necklace that expensive?
Could it be... she had climbed into Phoenix Castillo’s bed?
That damned bitch. No wonder she refused to sell the schedule. She wanted Phoenix Castillo all to herself. As if she was worthy.
Margo waved over a male server and shoved the check directly into his pocket.
When Audrey returned to the hall, a magnetic, mocking voice sounded behind her.
“Ms. Mitchell. Not bad, hiding behind Mr. Castillo’s name.”
Audrey startled. He heard that?
She turned around, hung up a professional smile, and walked closer to him. In a voice only the two of them could hear, she said softly, “Mr. Castillo practically owns Westbrook now. As your secretary, of course I should enjoy a few reflected perks.”
Audrey did not know how tempting she looked in that moment, her face slightly tilted upward, her eyes bright and moving.
To Phoenix, she was temptation made flesh.
He wanted to strip her bare right there and throw her onto a bed.
Four whole years.
He had gone four years without a woman.
This time, he had not come back intending to continue being a monk.
Phoenix forcibly suppressed the heat churning through his body.
Another entrepreneur approached. “Mr. Castillo, hello. I’m Sam Campbell from Sam Tech...”
Phoenix turned his head to Audrey. “Go eat something. I’ll find you in a bit.”
“Okay.”
Audrey turned and walked toward the food area.
She really was hungry.
A server passed with champagne. She picked up a glass and took two sips.
Then she took a few delicate appetizers and ate slowly.
A sudden wave of dizziness and weakness hit her. Heat spread through her body.
Drunk?
Drunk?
From one glass of champagne? Impossible.
She set down her plate and hurried to find Phoenix.
Phoenix stood not far away, surrounded by people again.
A tall man suddenly blocked her way.
“Miss, you’re beautiful. Can I get to know you?”
“I’m sorry. I have something to handle.” Audrey tried to go around him.
The man smiled and grabbed her swaying body.
“You look a little drunk. I’ll take you to the garden for some air.”
Without giving her a chance to refuse, he wrapped an arm around her waist and forced her toward the back door.
Outside the back door were the garden and guest lounges.
Audrey’s whole body felt soft. She could not summon any strength.
“Let go of me!” She shoved him, but her hands were useless.
She tried to shout, but the man clamped his other hand over her mouth.
“Mmph... mmph!”
Audrey struggled in terror as he dragged her out.
Oskar Webb, who was smoking on the terrace outside the garden, happened to catch sight of it. His eyes chilled. He immediately dialed a number.
“Your little lamb just got carried off.”
Ten seconds later, Phoenix Castillo rushed out, cold fury written all over him.
“Where?”
Oskar pointed. “That lounge.”
He grabbed Phoenix before he could charge forward.
“You’re not really going to let this woman get off that easily, are you? Back then, you almost died because of her father. She still made a scene about divorce, still looked down on you for being poor. You haven’t forgotten, right?”
Phoenix shook him off. His voice was ice-cold.
“I didn’t plan to let her have me this soon.”
Then he added, “You handle the cleanup.”
He strode over. As soon as he reached the door, Audrey’s terrified cry came from inside.
“Who are you? Get away! Let go of me!”
Phoenix kicked the door open.
The scene inside made his eyes go bloodshot.
A man in a white suit had Audrey pinned to the sofa. One hand had already lifted her long dress.
Phoenix rushed forward like an enraged lion, grabbed the man by the collar, and smashed several punches into him, knocking him unconscious on the spot.
“Audrey Mitchell.” He moved toward her, intending to help her up.
Audrey’s cheeks were flushed an unnatural red. Her gaze was unfocused.
When she saw him, it was as if she had found both a lifeline and an antidote.
“Phoenix Castillo...”
