Chapter 23
Josh pointed at Duncan’s white suit. “Is this just for show? So people will praise you for being so devoted, for being merciful to a woman who once betrayed you?”
Duncan remained unmoved. He was determined to investigate Audrey’s death on his own. He didn’t want Josh involved. Avenging his wife was something he needed to handle himself.
And the one who polsoned Audrey? Who else could it be but Heather?
A socialite like Heather wouldn’t suddenly take a low–level job as Audrey’s assistant for no reason. She joined Quartet Enterprises, worked under Andrey, and within two months, Audrey had left for France for medical treatment. After that, Heather cozied up to Duncan, securing the business partnership between the Millington and Leverton families.
It was all premeditated.
Audrey hadn’t lied. It was Duncan’s blind hatred that kept him from seeing the truth.
“Josh, thank you, but this has nothing to do with you. Leave,” Duncan said, his tone surprisingly polite, a first when speaking to Josh.
Josh was taken aback. He looked up at Duncan, noting the shock of white hair that had appeared in just a few short days. The words of blame that had been on Josh’s lips died there. He realized that Duncan was grieving, perhaps even more than he was.
Audrey’s death had devastated Duncan, and Josh understood that Duncan would stop at nothing to ensure her killer paid.
Josh shoved a stack of documents into Duncan’s hands. “These are Audrey’s medical records from the past year. And here are the symptoms of thallium poisoning. Can I see her again?”
Duncan nodded and stepped aside to let him in.
Standing in front of Audrey’s lifeless body, tears streamed down Josh’s face. “Audrey, I’m here to see you. It’s me, Josh, the man who pretended to be your husband for a whole year. Two months ago, you told me you wanted to return to him. I couldn’t stop you. And now, even as you leave this world, I can’t stop that either. I feel so powerless. I regret not stopping you two months ago, not keeping you from returning to the States. If you hadn’t come back, maybe you’d still be alive. Maybe you would have gotten better. It’s my fault–I didn’t try hard enough. Can you hear me, Audrey? Can you hear my voice?”
Behind him, Duncan watched silently. Each word Josh spoke felt like a dagger twisting deeper into his heart. All Audrey wanted, in her final days, was to be by his side. Yet on the very first day she returned, Duncan had cruelly told her she wasn’t even worth as much as an escort.
He had staged fake affection with Heather, hurt Audrey over and over, and now she was gone–taking not only her life but their unborn child’s as well.
Yes, Heather had poisoned her, but Duncan’s cruelty had killed her too.
personally s
After Josh left, Duncan sat beside Audrey, holding her hand until the first light of dawn. He her off to her final resting place.
Duncan buried Audrey on a hill, surrounded by peach trees heavy with ripe, sweet fruit. It was the orchard they had planted together in their youth, filled with memories of their laughter and happiness.
Audrey had been an orphan, raised by her aunt, but two years ago, her aunt’s family had moved abroad, leaving only Audrey behind. Duncan knew she had stayed for him.
7/22
Chapter 23
But when Audrey fell ill, Instead of comforting her and taking care of her, he had hurt her time and time again. She must have been terrified, crying in pain, enduring her sickness alone. And where had he been? What had he been doing?
Upon returning from the hill, Duncan locked himself in his study and threw himself into work, day and night.
Since everything was tied to Heather, he was determined to dismantle her only support.
Though Quartet Enterprises wasn’t the most powerful company in the city, it was strong enough to take the Leverton family down with it, even if it meant both companies would suffer.
Seamus had been furious when several suppliers cut off their goods, but when he saw Quartet’s stock rising while the Leverton family’s continued to plummet, he knew his son was back.
