Chapter 8
Impossible. She found the thought ridiculous. She was only an ex-wife. With Phoenix Castillo’s current net worth, he would not care.
So all he had given her tonight was a pill.
The next morning at eight thirty, Audrey Mitchell walked back into the office with two dark circles under her eyes.
The entire secretarial department had become a flower shop overnight. Dozens of bouquets in every possible variety bloomed across the room, their fragrance thick in the air.
On Audrey’s desk sat an enormous arrangement of premium Juliet roses.
A bouquet that cost several months of her salary.
She knew exactly who had sent it.
Archer Hart was at it again.
Aria Jackson came over and nudged her shoulder. “That rich boy has been chasing you for over a year, hasn’t he? Not even a little tempted?”
Audrey paused. “Mm. I’m considering it.”
Now that Phoenix Castillo was back, she couldn’t let him discover that the reason she had never accepted anyone new was because she still hadn’t let him go.
If he found out, his ego would rocket straight past the stratosphere.
Camila Moore looked genuinely pained. “Next time, tell him to send cash. This is literally money with petals. It’s all going to wilt.”
“Get rid of it later,” Audrey said lightly.
She didn’t even bother reading the card tucked in the flowers. Archer’s clumsy love letters were basically stand-up comedy with worse punctuation.
She had met Archer Hart more than a year ago while accompanying her former boss to a business dinner. After that, he had latched onto her.
Gifts every few days. Flowers. Jewelry. Expensive nonsense.
He treated her like a conquest in a dating game.
Aria picked up a velvet box and lifted out the star-shaped diamond bracelet inside, waving it in front of Audrey.
Aria’s heart visibly cracked. “You’re throwing this out too? Cartier’s newest You’re My Star bracelet. Platinum with diamonds. Fifty-two thousand dollars.”
At that exact moment, Phoenix Castillo walked in with a beautiful woman behind him.
From her aura and her clothes, she looked less like a guest and more like a woman who bought companies for breakfast and fired men for cardio.
Audrey immediately ducked into the pantry. Camila slipped in after her and gave her arm a conspiratorial bump.
“Do you think that gorgeous woman is our future boss lady?”
“Who knows?” Audrey said, expressionless.
First came the Roberts heiress. Now another elegant beauty. At this rate, who knew how many more were waiting in the wings?
Sure enough, men went bad the second they got money.
A few minutes later, Audrey carried two cups of coffee into Phoenix’s office.
Phoenix and the beautiful woman were sitting side by side on the sofa.
He lounged there casually, legs crossed, looking far too relaxed for a man who had ruined her sleep and probably her blood pressure.
“All three of your secretaries are gorgeous and apparently very popular,” Julia Butler said with a smile. “No wonder Mr. Castillo bought Zenith the second he made his move.”
They had both seen the flowers outside and the glittering bracelet.
“Did you come back just to mock me?” Phoenix said, his tone teasing. “I thought you wouldn’t return until later.”
“I was afraid you’d run,” Julia said. “So I chased you back.”
“Mr. Castillo, your coffee.” Audrey knocked and entered, bending to place one cup in front of him and one in front of the beautiful woman.
The woman suddenly asked, “You’re Audrey Mitchell?”
Audrey froze for a beat, then answered quickly. “Hello. Yes, I am.”
The woman smiled. “I’m Julia Butler. It’s nice to meet you.”
What the hell was this? The current woman and the ex-wife doing a crossover episode?
“Hello, Ms. Butler. I’ll leave you to it.” Audrey forced out a polite smile and turned to go.
“This time, are you planning to stay in Westbrook long-term?” Julia asked Phoenix. “No more leaving?”
“No more leaving.” Phoenix’s striking face softened into something almost bright.
This time, he had come back for one reason.
For her.
He lifted his coffee and took a sip.
The sweetness nearly sent him to an early grave.
Damned girl.
She did that on purpose.
“Your younger brother seems to be back in Westbrook too,” Julia reminded him. “He’s been moving around Bayshore lately. Looks like he’s preparing something big.”
“He can’t make waves.” Phoenix’s expression remained calm. “The Castillo Group will never fall into his hands.”
Who could have guessed that Phoenix Castillo was actually the heir to the Castillo Group of Valdoria, a truly top-tier old-money dynasty?
Even Audrey didn’t know.
But Phoenix had never taken over the Castillo Group. With Julia Butler’s help, he had secured his first round of financing, then relied on his own business instincts and talent to build PhiAu Capital into an international financial giant worth billions in only four years.
When he was six, his father had brought home an illegitimate son. In a rage, Phoenix’s mother had taken him to Westbrook.
He had grown up in Westbrook, where he met Audrey, knew Audrey, and loved Audrey.
He had wanted to build a future for her through his own effort. That was why he chose to start a business the moment he graduated.
Who would have thought that before his career had even succeeded, she would give up on him and drive him out of her world?
Did she regret it now?
About half an hour later, Julia left.
Phoenix personally walked her to the elevator. When he returned, he called out, “Ms. Mitchell.”
Audrey looked up and quickly followed him into the office.
First, she carefully placed the expensive necklace on his desk. “Mr. Castillo, this is your necklace. Please check it. There are no scratches.”
“Mm.” He only nodded, too lazy to even glance at it.
Audrey breathed in relief and began reporting his schedule for the day.
When she finished, Phoenix said, “Cancel the seven o’clock and nine o’clock appointments tonight. Arrange a yacht outing instead.”
“Of course. Which guest should I notify to accompany you?” Audrey asked, recording the change seriously.
“Tonight, you come with me,” Phoenix said with absolute certainty.
“…”
“Mr. Castillo, you have three secretaries.”
“Do I need to tattoo the words I Am the CEO on my forehead before you stop trying to arrange my work for me?”
He lifted his eyes and stared at her, unable to resist scolding her.
“Fine.” Audrey swallowed it down. “I have one small request.”
“Speak.”
Speak, my ass.
Drama king.
Who exactly was he trying to run ragged?
“I’d like to take one hour off this afternoon. That way I can accompany you to the yacht reception tonight.”
“Approved.” Phoenix agreed generously.
Damned girl. Another blind date.
Last time, she postponed it. This time, she was going early?
