Chapter 270: Audrey’s mysterious boyfriend

Words : 1695 Updated : Oct 5th, 2025

Chapter 270: Audrey’s mysterious boyfriend Audrey had recovered fully and was finally discharged from the hospital. As soon as she settled back home, she called Anne. "Hey, Anne... I’m home now," she said, bubbling with excitement. "Let’s catch up tonight over dinner. Bring Augustine along too. My boyfriend will be there. We’ll have a great time." The idea of seeing Audrey again lifted Anne’s spirits, and she was also curious to meet the man Audrey had spoken so much about. "We’ll definitely come," Anne replied with a smile. "Great! I’ll text you the location," Audrey said before hanging up. Audrey’s cheerful voice stayed with Anne even after the call ended. The sparkle of excitement lingered in her eyes as she glanced at her phone, which buzzed with the follow-up text: the dinner address. Anne’s fingers flew across the screen, forwarding the message to Augustine. Her heart fluttered slightly with curiosity about Audrey’s mysterious boyfriend. She wanted to see what kind of man had captured her friend’s heart, and that Audrey had easily forgiven him even after the heartbreak. She typed swiftly: ’Audrey invited us to dinner tonight. Let’s go shopping after work.’ Moments later, the screen lit up again with Augustine’s response: ’Alright. I’ll come back soon after the meeting. Then we’ll go shopping.’ Anne’s lips curled into a soft, satisfied smile as she read his reply. His readiness, his presence in every part of her life—it still warmed her, still felt unreal sometimes. She locked her phone and placed it beside her notebook as she returned to the task at hand, a draft of a proposal she had started earlier in the day. On the other end, Augustine’s expression changed as he set the phone aside, his eyes narrowing as Gustave’s words settled in. "What did you just say?" he asked. "The man in the footage has ties to Hugo. Oliver’s half-brother." The confirmation tightened his already rigid posture. Deep down, Augustine had anticipated this. He had long suspected that someone had been pulling the strings from the shadows, orchestrating a scheme against Oliver. It was possible this person had sown the seeds of distrust between Oliver and his wife and might have been the one responsible for Anne’s abduction and eventual abandonment. "Hugo’s location has been identified," Gustave added. "We are standing by, waiting for your command. Just say the word." But Augustine didn’t respond immediately. He was still thinking, calculating, connecting the final pieces. Gustave pressed on. "There is more. Megan has been in touch with Hugo all these years. They even met in secret. I checked the records myself. She is a spy. Hugo placed her in the Granet family to keep an eye on things, to manipulate from the inside. We should expose her now, before she can strike again." Augustine also thought the same. If Megan were truly a spy for Hugo, Anne might be in danger again. "One more thing," Gustave added. "Nathan is doing another DNA test. I think... it’s time he knows the truth." Augustine’s expression grew contemplative. He, too, believed that Nathan deserved to know the truth — but not before all the facts were in hand. "What about the investigating officer?" he asked. "I’ve got the report," Gustave replied. "His statement matched what Oliver had claimed earlier. At the time, the police did carry out a raid to rescue the trafficked children, but the gang managed to escape after setting their hideout on fire. Several children’s charred bodies were recovered, but they were burned beyond recognition. Still, Oliver identified one of them as his daughter, Raya." Augustine tilted his head, suspicion and new doubts surfacing. "The officer admitted he didn’t understand how Oliver made that identification," Gustave continued. "He wanted to investigate further, but Oliver shut him down. He was offered an enormous sum of money to drop the case, and greed got the better of him." "I see," Augustine murmured, a realization dawning. Oliver wasn’t completely blameless. He, too, had played a part in Anne’s disappearance all those years ago. "I still can’t figure out why Oliver did that," Gustave muttered. "Maybe he was just trying to protect his wife, considering how unstable she’d become." "Everything will fall into place soon," Augustine replied with calm certainty. "It’s time Anne finally reconnects with her real parents. We’ll expose Megan now. As for Hugo, we’ll hold off for a bit." A sharp glint lit up his eyes as he leaned back in his chair, his fingers rhythmically tapping the tabletop. "Once the truth is revealed to Oliver, he’ll be forced to act. I want to see how he responds. Keep a close watch on them." "Understood, sir," Gustave nodded firmly. "I’ll deliver all the proof to Nathan myself." "Good." With a short grunt of acknowledgment, Augustine stood from his chair. "I’m going shopping with Anne. Take care of everything here while I’m gone." He picked up his coat, slung it over his shoulder, and exited the office. Later that evening... Augustine and Anne arrived at the location Audrey had sent. It was a small town, away from the city, nestled at the edge of the woods like a secret only a few knew. Narrow cobbled streets wound between old brick houses with wooden shutters and flowering balconies. A sleepy charm clung to every corner—wind chimes tinkled lazily in the breeze, and the faint aroma of baked bread and firewood hung in the air. It was the kind of place where time seemed to move slower, where nights like this felt like a gentle escape from the weight of the world. The car came to a halt at the lakeside bungalow. The street behind them faded into quiet shadows, while the moon cast a silver glow over the red-stone structure nestled beside the still lake. Augustine was the first one who step out. His movements were fluid and calm, but his eyes scanned the surroundings with habitual sharpness. Buttoning up his suit jacket, he rounded the car and opened the door for Anne. Anne smiled as she stepped out and looked around. The evening air was crisp and carried the scent of pine and water. The moment her eyes landed on the tranquil lake with the moon mirrored in its glassy surface, she gasped softly, enchanted by the serenity of the place. "Wow! It’s like something out of a dream..." She turned to look at Augustine, who was pulling out their gift bags from the backseat. "Augustine," she called, her voice light with awe, "Can we have a house here someday? It’s perfect for weekends...away from the noise." A slow smile spread on his face. "Then it’s settled. I’ll make it happen. But for now, let’s not keep our hosts waiting." He extended an arm toward her. With a heart full of excitement, Anne looped her arm through his, and together they walked toward the warmly lit bungalow. Audrey beamed as she welcomed them, her joy unmistakable. "I’m so glad you are here," she said warmly, pulling Anne into a tight, heartfelt embrace. Anne wrapped her arms around her. "It’s a relief to see you healthy and glowing again." Audrey pulled back slightly, her hands still holding Anne’s. "And I’m relieved you are okay too." She looked up at Augustine. "Thank you for taking the time to come." Augustine returned her smile and extended a couple of sleek, ribboned gift bags toward her. "It’s nothing. Just a little something for you and your boyfriend." Audrey’s eyes lit up in surprise and delight. "Oh wow, gifts too? You didn’t have to—but thank you so much." She took the bags with a grateful nod. "Come in." She stepped aside, ushering them in. As they entered, the warmth of the bungalow greeted them, subtle lighting casting a cozy glow over the modern, earth-toned decor. A soft tune played from a speaker in the corner, and the faint aroma of simmering herbs wafted in from the kitchen. "Where is your boyfriend?" Anne asked, looking around the empty hall. "He is in a phone call," Audrey replied. "Come with me. I have so much to tell you." Turning to Augustine, she said, "He is the room. You can go in." With that, she tugged at Anne’s hand. "You help me in the kitchen." Anne’s brows lifted slightly in curiosity as Audrey tugged her toward the kitchen. She couldn’t help glancing over her shoulder. Augustine had already moved toward the closed door at the end of the hallway. There was no hesitation, no trace of unfamiliarity in his steps. Her mind immediately began weaving silent questions. She turned her eyes back to Audrey, who was already pulling open a cabinet and taking out plates. "Is Augustine familiar with your boyfriend?" Anne asked casually, but her gaze was fixed and probing. Audrey looked just as intrigued as Anne felt. Lifting an eyebrow, she asked with a teasing lilt, "Wait... didn’t Augustine say anything about my boyfriend?" Anne blinked, caught off guard by the question. "No," she shook her head with confusion. "He didn’t mention a word." A knowing smile curved Audrey’s lips, as if piecing together something herself. "Hmm. Maybe he is planning to surprise you. Honestly, I didn’t even realize they were familiar with each other. But turns out, they are quite close." Anne’s thoughts spiraled with possibilities. A friend from the past? A business partner? Someone influential? Her curiosity was now sharp and buzzing. "Oh!" Audrey chirped, switching topics as she picked up a tomato and began slicing it. "By the way, I resigned from my job. I’m leaving the country with him." Anne’s eyes widened. "You are going abroad?" "Mmhmm." Audrey’s eyes sparkled. "He no longer feels safe leaving me here alone. He wants me to come with him. So... I said yes. A new place, a fresh start." Anne stared at her friend, processing the flood of new information. Audrey looked different now—lighter, happier, glowing with quiet excitement. But in the back of her mind, Anne couldn’t help but circle back to the real question: Who exactly was this man Audrey was ready to build a life with—and how deeply was Augustine involved with him?

Chapter 270: Audrey’s mysterious boyfriend

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