**Blake's POV**

WNith two crisp sounds. Audrey directly removed those elegant pink heels from her feet.

Ignoring my astonished expression, she walked to the taxi and lightly tapped on the driver's window. "Could I have that stap from the back of your car?"

The driver, still holding my money, nodded. "Of course."

"Thanks," she said simply.

She opened the back door and pulled out a spare strap, then efficiently tied her heels together. When she turned, her eyes met mine with unmistakable challenge.

"Thank you for the reminder, Mr. Parker," she said coolly. "I'd hate to ruin these shoes."

She brushed past me and stepped onto the asphalt, her bare feet making light contact with the warm road as she headed toward Twilight Mansion.

Suddenly, a strange feeling washed over me.

How had I never noticed this stubborn side of her before?

She looked almost... cute in her obstinacy.

"Sir," The taxi driver rolled down his window.′′It2Safter five now. Are you really letting that lady walk barefoot all the way to Twilight Mansion?"

I kept watching Audrey's determined stride.

"By the time she gets there, it'll probably be tomorrow morning," he continued. "And those feet? They'll be covered in blisters..."

I turned sharply. "Who gave you permission to look at her feet?"

The driver heard the jealousy in my voice and smiled. "Sir, look at her walking barefoot on the road. Even if I didn't want to see, I couldn't help it. And I'm not the only one who'll notice - everyone passing by will."

He gave me a knowing look. "If you don't want people staring at her feet,maybe don't let her walk barefoot. Nothing draws attention like a barefoot woman on the road."

"Did I ask for your advice?" I said coldly.

"You're still here?" I added when he didn't move.

"Sir, think about it," he replied. "If I leave and you don't go after her... she'll be completely alone."

He glanced at the sky. "It's almost evening. This area is remote with few people around. Once it gets dark, there won't be many cars passing..."

"I get it," I cut him off.

I gave him one last cold look before getting into my car and heading after Audrey.

**Audrey's POV**

Walking barefoot on the sun-warmed road felt refreshing. The late afternoon breeze brushed against my face as I made steady progress. I realized I hadn't had time to myself like this in ages.

Blake Parker thought I couldn't walk nearly twelye miles to Twilichs

Mansion. He really underestimated me.

Before returning to New York, I'd lived in that remote small town where home was miles from school and stores. My foster parents refused to pay for the school bus, so I walked those distances daily, through every season.The winters there were brutal- I'd trudged through knee-deep snow countless times.

Even in high school, I worked three jobs to pay for tuition, often walking directly from one job to the next with barely anyrest. My daily walking distance far exceeded twelve miles.

Compared to those difficult years, walking twelve miles on smooth pavement felt almost trivial. I'd once worn thin secondhand shoes through ice and snow; walking barefoot on warm asphalt felt almost liberating.

I heard a car engine behind me, then slowing to match my pace. Without turning, I knew Blake Parker had caught up.

He lowered his window and silently followed alongside me, his luxury sedan creeping at my walking speed. I quickened my pace, refusing to acknowledge him.

For every adjustment I made, he matched it perfectly. When I walked faster, he accelerated slightly. When I slowed down, so did he. This ridiculous game continued until I finally stopped and turned to face him.

"Blake Parker, what do you want?" I demanded.

He rested his arm on the open window, dark eyes full of challenge. "I'm curious to see how long it takes you to reach Twilight Mansion."

He gestured ahead. "Please,continue."

"How am I supposed to continue with you following me like this?"

"I'm not stopping you," Blake said as he stopped the car beside me."I'm just keeping you company."

I glared at him. "Blake Parker, what exactly are you trying to prevent?With me on foot and you in your car, we both know who would win if this became a race."

He lit a cigarette with practiced ease, inhaling deeply before responding."With me here, you won't be able to cause trouble for Laurel."

I couldn't help but laugh. "When did I say I was going to cause trouble for Laurel Rose?"

"I have legitimate business with her," I added when he raised an eyebrow.

"Then tell me," he said, blowing out smoke, "what legitimate business could you possibly have with her?"

Seeing his determination, I knew he wouldn't leave until I explained.

"Blake Parker, think about it," I finally said. "If I wanted to cause problems for Laurel Rose, wouldn't I have done it at the Parker mansion with William present?"

I met his eyes directly. "You know how much he favors me and dislikes Miss Rose. If I wanted to damage her reputation, I would have spoken against her then."

Blake's expression shifted slightly, his certainty wavering.

"Besides," I continued, "Twilight Mansion belongs to her mother.Do you think I'm powerful enough to take on both of them plus their staff and

security?"

1 could see him considering my words, his conviction beginning to crumble.

"If you understand all this," he asked, "why are you so determined to see Laurel now?"

I took a deep breath. "Blake Parker, do you remember Jennífer's assault on me at the repair shop?"

"Of course."

"Before those men attacked me, Jennifer took two phones from me -my phone and my friend's phone," I explained. "They didn't just beat me;they stole our property."

Blake frowned. "And how does this involve Laurel?"

"At the police station. Jennifer admitted she gave both phones to Laurel Rose," I said, watching his reaction. "That's why I'm going to Twilight Mansion - to retrieve my property and my friend's lost phone."

"Have you considered Jennifer might be lying?" he questioned. "Why would Laurel want your old phones or Astrid's?"

I narrowed my eyes. "I don't know if Jennifer's telling the truth, but the phones aren't with her. If she says they're with Miss Rose, isn't it reasonable for me to ask?"

I knew Blake assumed the second phone belonged to Astrid since I'd never mentioned Rachel Hayes to him. Why would I? He couldn't even remember that I rescued him five years ago; he certainly wouldn't remember Rachel,

"T've explained enough," I said, turning awny. "Please don't follow me anymore."

I continued walking, my bare feet moving steadily on the warm usphalt.

"By the time you walk there, it'll be dawn," Blake called after me.

His car door opened and closed, followed by a long sigh behind me.

"Get in. I'll take you there."

I hesitated for a second before opening the car door and sliding into the seat.

I knew my bare feet wouldn't get me to Twilight Mansion in time. Plus, if I refused his offer, Blake would probably find some other way to interfere with my plans.

As the door shut, I stared ahead at the road. "Fine, you can drive me. But I need to talk to Laurel alone."

Blake glanced at me. "What are you and Laurel going to discuss that I can't hear?"

I turned to watch the trees blurring past the window. "That's not your concern."

Seeing he wasn't getting anywhere, Blake dropped the subject and focused on driving.

The car filled with silence.