Chapter 2
"So what if you were just Miss Ashford's stand-in? Consider yourself lucky," The man sneered in the dark blue suit.
The people around us laughed loudly.
Ethan sipped champagne, watching me smugly without joining in.
Ethan's attitude made the man with gold-rimmed glasses bolder.
"Miss Royce, you shouldn't have come. Ethan's out of your league. You're embarrassing yourself," he sneered.
The man in the dark blue suit cut in, feigning concern. "Mr. Richard, that's harsh.
"Miss Royce is here; let her have a drink before she leaves. Though I doubt this wine suits her."
A few quiet chuckles rose from the crowd.
Ethan spoke softly, distant. "Come on, guys, let's not make a scene. Yeah, I did treat Miss Royce as a stand-in for a while, but that's all in the past now.
"It was just for fun, nothing serious."
He glanced at me, his eyes completely devoid of warmth.
"If you're here to congratulate me, Miss Royce, I'll accept it. But if not..." he trailed off, leaving everyone waiting.
Then he added, "We're not who we were eight years ago. It's time to wake up.
"Pretending to be a waiter won't change anything."
His words unleashed relentless mockery.
Those who once smiled at me at our wedding now surrounded Ethan, mocking and pitying my misery.
I listened quietly as they spoke. The crowd waited for me to break, but I only nodded, denying them satisfaction.
"Are you done?" I asked calmly, eyes scanning the room before resting on Ethan.
"Can I leave now, Mr. Lindcroft?"
Theodore messaged me to check on me.
I didn't explain. The Ashworth Hotel was mine.
Ethan briefly looked surprised, then frowned.
He said in disbelief, "With so many chances here, you won't try any? You're just leaving?
"All these years, and after leaving me, you really lost every bit of ambition, huh?"
"Don't be harsh. Maybe Miss Royce is here for business. If you need help, ask. You once helped Ethan—I owe you," Fiona spoke with fake kindness.
The man with gold-rimmed glasses sneered, eyeing me.
"Miss Royce, your outfit is pathetic. Maybe my maid can lend you something better," he mocked.
Everyone erupted in mocking laughter as soon as he finished.
I glanced down at my clothes.
They were simple, made by Theodore for me.
He was overwhelmed but stayed up nights learning the craft to make me a gift, exhausting himself.
I never saw it as shabby.
"No thanks." I stayed calm despite their mockery. "I won't be needing it."
Even in a burlap sack, people would still want to partner with me.
To Ethan, I just seemed proud and pretentious.
He frowned and placed a check before me.
And he added, "Fine. For old times' sake. Wouldn't want people thinking I had bad taste."
I frowned at the check in his hand.
70 thousand dollars? Is he seriously trying to buy me off like a beggar?
I pushed the check to him, my voice calm.
"No thanks. Give the money to someone who needs it," I said coolly.
"We agreed to part ways, so let's not get tangled again."
Ethan stood stunned, clearly annoyed.
"Audrey, must you keep us so distant?" he said, frustration in his voice.
I looked at him, not knowing what to say.
Funny, we both agreed to this.
After we married, I was happy, but on our first night, he said he felt unwell and wouldn't let me sleep in the same room.
Watching him seethe, I almost laughed. He'd drawn the line—now he was mad I wouldn't cross it.
I ignored the gossip, then my phone rang again as I was leaving.
This time, it was Theodore calling.
"Honey, where are you? I'm in the hotel garden with Oliver. He wants to see the fountain," he said warmly.
"I'll be there in a minute. Please wait a bit longer," I replied, my tone softened unknowingly.