**Audrey's POV*

I sat at the dining table, eating quietly while the voices from the living room drifted toward me. Though I tried to focus on my meal, I couldn't help but listen to the ongoing conversation between Blake, Rachel, and Adrian.

I hadn't expected their collaboration discussion would involve the Q·elegant jewelry brand. This jewelry brand... was created entirely by my sister.

Blake had just met us yesterday at the airport, and today he was already pushing for a collaboration?

If Parker Group partners with Q·elegant, I'd have to work directly with Blake. The thought made my stomach twist. Was he pursuing this deal because he genuinely valued the brand, or because of my face?

I glanced toward the living room where Blake sat leaning forward,hands clasped together, completely focused.

"Mr.Knox," Rachel said, her voice carrying clearly into the dining area."Blake and I noticed Q·elegant about three months ago. Something about the design philosophy reminded me of a friend I once knew."

"We wouldn't have personally picked you up yesterday if we weren't serious," she continued. "Q·elegant has done well in Australia, but Parker Group can help you break into international markets."

Rachel turned and spotted me. "Mrs. Knox, would you like to join us? As the creator of Q'elegant, your input would be valuable."

It hurt hearing her speak to me so formally. Five years of friendship,and now she looked at me like a stranger. I swallowed the lump in my throat and forced a smile.

"I'll be right there," I sad,taking a final bite of bread.

I started eating faster, suddenly aware of all three of them watching me.The bread seemed.to expand in my mouth as I tried to swallow too quickly.

"Hic!" The hiccup caught me by surprise, making me cough as I tried to clear my throat.

Adrian came over with a glass of water, frowning slightly. "Slow down.Nobody's rushing you."

I took the water with an apologetic smile, feeling my face heat up with embarrassment.

"Sorry about that," I managed after a few sips.

I glanced at Blake and Rachel, instantly recognizing their surprised expressions. The daughter of Australia's financial elite should have impeccable table manners. I'd just blown that image to pieces.

"My mother spoiled me," I said quickly, looking away. "Bad habits die hard."

It was a weak excuse, but better than nothing.

Adrian placed his hand on my shoulder. "She was pampered by her parents, and I haven't helped matters." He shook his head with a fond smile."We need to work on your company manners."

The fake affection in his voice made my skin crawl,but I understood what he was doing. I played along, giving him my best adoring-wife smile.

"Blake and Rachel aren't outsiders anymore," I said. "They're going to be our partners. They won't mind my little quirks, right?”"

Rachel's smile didn't reach her eyes. "Of course not! We're here for your designs, not your dining etiquette."

She handed me a folder. "These are our proposed terms. Take your time reviewing them."

Just as I reached for the documents, Rachel's phone rang. She stood close enough that I could clearly see the caller ID: Astrid Wilson.

My heart skipped. The last time I'd seen that name was in those hospital newspapers...

"Astrid, what's up?" Rachel answered.

Through the receiver came Astrid's unmistakable voice, loud enough that I could hear every word despite Rachel's attempt to muffle it.

"Are you seriously at Clarke's party trying to work with that Knox woman's jewelry brand?" Astrid demanded. "What the hell, Rachel? Audrey's designs belong to James now. He's the one developing her portfolio."

Rachel turned away, but Astrid's voice only got louder.

"That woman's work is a total ripoff of Audrey's designs! Are you blind?"

Despite everything, hearing Astrid's fierce, protective voice made me smile inside. The scandaIs hadn't broken her spirit. She was still my fierce, loyal friend.

"Mrs.Knox."

I jumped, not realizing Blake had approached. He stood a few feet away.hands in his pockets, studying me with that penetrating gaze I knew too well.

"You heard what was said on that call," he stated rather than asked.

"Pretty hard not to," I replied, raising an eyebrow.

With Astrid's volume, pretending otherwise would've been ridiculous.

Blake narrowed his eyes. "The similarities between your designs and my late wife's work are striking. Care to explain?"

"Explain what, exactly?" I countered.

The similarities had shocked me too when I first saw Evelyn's designs.What she created mirrored my own style in so many ways,yet with distinct differences in the details. It was as though we'd shared the same creative instincts despite never meeting.

Twin connection, perhaps? We'd both independently fallen in love with jewelry design, both developed similar aesthetic principles. To an outsider,it might look like plagiarism, but I knew better. Neither of us had copied the other.

Adrian stepped between us before I could say more. "You show up here talking collaboration, then accuse my wife of plagiarism? Is this how Parker Group conducts business?"

The hostility between the men was palpable.′′Tfyou question my wife's integrity, perhaps we should end this discussion now."

Blake looked past Adrian to me.′′I′r interested in your work, Mrs. Knox.But you can't deny the resemblance to Audrey Sinclair's designs. All I'm asking for is your design philosophy. If your work is original, you should have no problem explaining it."

I met his stare head-on. "I can absolutely explain my process. But here's my question for you, Mr. Parker - your ex-wife is dead. Even if I explain everything, how would you know if I've plagiarized her work or not?"

"How well did you understand your wife's design process? Do you know what inspired her? Her techniques? Her creative philosophy? Because if you don't, you have no basis for comparison."

The color drained from Blake's face. His arrogance shattered in an instant.

His mouth opened, closed, then opened again. No words came out.

I'd struck a nerve.

As my husband for three years, he never once noticed how much I loved designing jewelry. Never asked about my process or what inspired me. He'd lived with me but hadn't seen me at all.

"Wow,"I said, the word sharp with disbelief. "You supposedly loved your ex-wife enough to try killing yourself after she died."

I shook my head, not bothering to hide my disgust. "But you can't even tell me what she was passionate about. You don't know the first thing about her designs."

"You're accusing me of stealing from someone you never bothered to understand. That's rich, Mr.Parker,"

**Blake's POV*

I closed my eyes.

Normally, any woman who spoke to me this way would be out of my life before she finished her sentence.

But with Evelyn Knox - this woman with Audrey's face - I just stood there taking it. Like a scolded kid with nothing to say back.

Because she was right.

I hadn't known Audrey at all.

For three years, I lived with her while chasing Laurel's shadow. If Audrey hadn't filed for divorce, I wouldn't have even realized she cared about jewelry design.

Her creative process? Her inspiration? Her passion?

I knew none of it.

What right did I have to stand here talking about her work?

"Mrs. Knox." Rachel was back. She stepped in front of me with a tight smile.

"So if we don't understand Audrey's design concepts, we can't question your work?"