Chapter 5 - A Quiet Dinner Party Exposes Hidden Motives Quickly
The candlelit dining table at an upscale Manhattan restaurant glowed softly against the dark wood paneling. Audrey sat across from Julian, sipping mineral water while watching him nervously adjust his silver tie.
Julian had insisted on taking her out to celebrate the supposed pregnancy news, though his attention kept wandering to the entrance. "Is everything alright, Julian? You seem distracted tonight," Audrey noted innocently.
"Everything is perfect, my love," Julian forced a warm smile, reaching across the table to touch her fingers. "I was just thinking about how we can rebuild our lives together after the wedding disaster."
"Rebuild with whose money, Julian?" Audrey asked pointedly, tilting her wine glass against her lips. "Since your father cut you off, you've been living entirely on credit lines." Julian's smile tightened for a fraction of a second.
"Your father's property holdings are substantial, Audrey," Julian mentioned casually, pretending to study the dinner menu. "Once we're officially married, combining our estates will make things much simpler."
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Audrey felt a surge of cold fury rise in her chest, though her exterior remained an absolute masterpiece of calm control. He wasn't here for her; he was here for the Bellamy land grants.
"Maybe we should wait on the wedding until the doctor confirms the pregnancy," Audrey suggested smoothly. Julian’s expression darkened slightly before he quickly masked it with forced concern.
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