2. Anonymous texter

Why the hell was Emily wearing the necklace that was meant for her? Audrey questioned internally as she scrutinized the images.

Confusion creased her brows but she didn't have enough time to process as another message chimed in her phone. She glanced down to see that the unknown sender had just texted the name of the restaurant.

'Your husband was seen having a great evening at Louis's five-star restaurant, with his mistress.'

Mistress? Audrey's brows knitted together at the text. Why did the sender just address her own best friend, Emily, as her husband's mistress? What the hell was she trying to say?

However, she shook her head, brushing off the idea that it simply meant Theodore might be having an affair with Emily. No. She trusted Theodore with her life. He could never betray her. Not like this, and definitely not after everything they'd been through together.

Still, Audrey wanted to find out the truth. She hated what her instincts were telling her. She tried to push her conflicting thoughts aside but they refused to die down.

Observing the images once more, a sudden realization struck Audrey; whoever the sender was, he or she was trying to sabotage her marriage or save her from a... Cheater? No, Theodore wasn't a cheater. Audrey shook her head. He couldn't be.

''Then why is Emily wearing the pendant?'' her mind challenged her, but she quickly pushed aside the thought. Surely, there had to be another explanation regarding that.

Frantically, Audrey made her way out of the mall, dismissing the salesperson who had inquired what was wrong.

Audrey hopped into the Lamborghini truck that Theodore had gifted her merely three months ago after a successful business deal with a client. That's how he was; he spoiled her silly at even given any chance.

Bile rose to Audrey's throat as she plugged the key into the ignition and revved the engine to life. Before long, she navigated her way out of the mall parking lot and onto the highway, heading to 'Louise's exclusive restaurant,’ the place where her husband allegedly was with his mistress. No, she refused to label it in such a way; Where her husband was with his secretary was better.

Emily was her best friend, and Audrey believed she could never betray her, too. Even though, before now Emily often expressed her jealousy over Audrey's marriage, Audrey never took it to heart that she didn't mean well. She just assumed it was what single friends normally said to their married friends.

'You're so lucky, Audrey. Your husband is literally the most perfect man I've ever laid my eyes upon. He's not only handsome but he takes care of you so well. I'm jealous, babes.'

Audrey swallowed as she recalled some of Emily's remarks about her beloved husband sometime ago.

'You're so lucky, Audrey, literally. I wish I had a man like Theodore. He's so into you.'

'You're so lucky, Audrey. I could literally do anything to have a man like your husband. He's so hot.'

Audrey made another nervous swallow, her grip on the steering wheel tightening as she thought about those envious comments from Emily. Back then, she hadn't read any meaning to it; however, now, the feeling was different. What even puzzled her the most was seeing Emily wear the same necklace that she had thought Theodore intended to gift her for their third anniversary.

~~~

Audrey's car slowed down to a halt as she pulled outside the gigantic building of 'Louise Exclusive restaurant'.

She sighed wearily before she stepped out of the car.

Heading towards the building, she silently prayed she did not catch her husband red-handed on a fucking dinner date with her fucking best friend on the night of their third wedding anniversary. She simply hoped it was nothing more than a business conversation that they were having.

Pushing through the heavy door of the five-star restaurant, Audrey walked inside, her eyes roving the room that housed a few couples. Yet, after a careful eye inspection, she still couldn't find their table.

She stared at the images in her phone again and that was when she saw the message attached that Theodore and Emily were in the VIP section of the restaurant on the upper level.

A gulp walked down her throat, her insides fraught with nerves as she paused for a second. Eventually, she slipped her phone into her handbag before making her way towards the elevator.

The doors of the elevator opened after she thumbed the small wall button. Yet after she entered, she felt the temperature in the enclosed space suddenly drop when she noticed the man in the elevator with her. It felt like she had just walked right into Dome Argus itself, considering the coldness exuding from the man. The seductive yet warm scent of cedarwood, vanilla, and amber musk quickly enveloped her, only heightening her nerves.

Her throat went dry on her as she locked eyes with the smoldering hazel-green orbs of the man, who stood firmly in the power position of the elevator, his piercing gaze unwavering as he reciprocated her gaze.

In that moment of intense eye contact, Audrey couldn't help but take in his attractive features; he had all slicked hair as black as bituminous coal. His sharp and intelligent hazel eyes held no emotions that an ordinary human could decipher. His well-chiseled jaw was sharp enough to cut through glass—Hyperbolically speaking. He also had an elegant pointed nose with a tip as sharp as a diamond edge.

He was short-bearded, and a single strand of his neatly styled hair fell over his face. His sinful allure was hard to miss, and the air of authority and power that surrounded him was surreal. Audrey felt a bit intimidated, however, her neutral expression gave nothing away.

Audrey eventually managed to break away from the intense contact when she felt his piercing gaze burning through her soul. She then turned her gaze to the other side. It was only then that she noticed the imposing bodyguard standing beside the man.

Audrey didn’t need anyone to tell her who the man who had just defeated her in the eye contest was; she recognized him. He was Ian Ross, her husband’s business rival and also one of the most powerful yet enigmatic billionaires in the country.

Silence settled between them as the elevator set off, but the tranquility was shattered as the thick voice of the man Audrey was so desperately trying to avoid broke through the tension.

"Evening, beautiful, or should I say Madam CEO?" he taunted, making Audrey's heart race as his sexy yet deep and resonant voice sailed into her ears.

Since she was the only lady among them, she turned to face Ian despite her fraying nerves. Her brows arched to dangerous height. "What did you just call me?" She asked skeptically.

Ian shrugged, his broad chest stretching over the sleek black long-sleeved shirt he was clad in that somehow hinted at the power beneath.

A smirk graced his charming face as he repeated, this time bolder and firmer to her hearing. "Madam, or aren't you the CEO of T.A.J Group?"

Audrey's heart skipped a beat, her nerves unraveling as her gaze darted between Ian's. She was taken aback—Astounded Ian knew this private information.

Only a few people knew that she had once been the CEO of T.A.J Group before she passed the reins to her husband. But was it really surprising that Ian also knew this? Maybe not.

Ian was Theodore's rival, so it was likely he knew everything about her husband, just as Theodore knew everything about Ian as well. He was basically Theodore's sworn enemy, and it could be a death offense if Theodore were to catch Audrey currently engaged in a conversation with Ian.

Audrey was silenced. She was still entrapped in a daze when the elevator bell finally dinged, indicating they had arrived at their stop.

The sharp chime snapped Audrey back to reality, reminding her that she had more pressing matters to tend to, and the playful taunts from this sinfully hot billionaire she had just encountered should be the least of her concerns.

Letting out a dismissive scoff, she finally turned on her heels and walked away from the elevator. Even though she still felt his intense gaze on her as she sauntered into the room, she maintained her composure as she moved farther inside the room until she was certain she had disappeared from his sight.

Now briefly pausing in the middle of the serene and softly lit VIP room of Louise restaurant, it didn't take long before Audrey spotted her husband's table.

Her heart leaped as the first person she noticed with him was Emily—who was heartily laughing at Theodore's jokes. Even though his back was turned to Audrey, she still recognized it was him.

Audrey felt her heart squeeze, her insides spiraling with turmoil as she observed them. Annoyance radiated through her as she witnessed her best friend having fun with her husband, like he was her fucking playmate.

The scene felt all too familiar and comforting. This certainly wasn't a business date like she had thought—it was something else—also considering the lovely bouquet of roses Audrey also spotted on Emily's side of the table.

She waited for them to look in her direction, maybe just to notice she was also in the room with them. They seemed so engrossed in each other that it felt nearly impossible for them to just spare a glance at her side. It hurt. Audrey couldn't understand any of it any longer.

Impatience washing over her, Audrey stormed off to their table, startling them as they finally registered her presence.

"What the fuck is going on here?" Audrey demanded sharply upon stopping by their table, her gaze darting between them as she absorbed their surprised expressions.

"Au-Audrey," Emily spluttered, the initial amusement on her face fading as she looked at Audrey in shock.

"Audrey?" Theodore replied instinctively, looking up at Audrey who shot him a fierce glare.

"What are you doing here, Theodore? Why are you with my best friend? And what the hell is this bouquet for, even? What the fuck is going on?"

Heart skipping several beats, Theodore hesitated and glanced around, ensuring no one was watching. Satisfied that no one was really paying attention to them, he let out a relieved sigh as he reclined in his chair.

Audrey expected a remorseful response or even an explanation after that, but what she got from her rather cold-hearted husband was otherwise.

"Go home, Audrey. I'm busy. We'll talk when I get home later."

Audrey was shocked, her eyes growing with disbelief. She couldn't believe her ears or his audacity.

"W-what?"