Billionaire’s Regret After Losing Her (Aurelia) novel Chapter 16

Chapter 16 Blow It Up–1

The media frenzy in New York was reaching fever pitch.

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Reporters swarmed the hospital where Lauren was staying, many trying to sneak photos.

Eleanor reacted fast, sending security guards to stand watch outside the hospital room.

Lauren scrolled through the vicious online comments attacking her, frozen in shock.

Six months ago, when Adrian died, there had been a similar media circus. But back then, everyone had felt sorry for her, offering comfort and condolences.

Now? Nothing but cruel insults and disgusting accusations!

Tears filled Lauren’s eyes. “Eleanor, I need to find Adrian. I need to go to him. He’d protect me. I need him.”

Eleanor felt a splitting headache coming on.

Watching Lauren teeter on the edge of another breakdown, she feared the woman might tear her stitches open again. She

called for the doctor to sedate her.

Eyen after calming down, Lauren kept murmuring “Adrian “‍9:51

over and over

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The sound shattered Eleanor’s heart.

Before long, Marilyn called.

Her voice was sharp and demanding. “What on earth is going on with the Hawthorne family right now? Is that Aurelia actually trying to push around my daughter?”

Marilyn’s tone was loaded with accusation and bitterness.

Eleanor’s expression darkened. “This was an accident. We’re handling it.”

Marilyn shot back, “Handling it well? Let me tell you, you should’ve stopped Dominic from marrying that woman in the first place.”

When Aurelia’s name came up, Marilyn’s voice dripped with

contempt.

Eleanor’s headache flared again.

What good would her objections have done back then? She’d never been able to control Dominic.

Marilyn kept complaining. “Lauren just gave you twins, and what has Aurelia brought you? You folks really need to put her in her place.”

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An orphan raised in foster care had no business being a Hawthorne daughter–in–law alongside her precious Lauren.

With Adrian gone, Marilyn had been plotting to pair Lauren with Dominic, but that clueless Aurelia just refused to step aside quietly.

She hadn’t even figured out how to get rid of Aurelia and boot her from the Hawthorne family, and now she had the gall to go after Lauren.

Who did she think she was?

Eleanor sighed, “She’s in the middle of divorcing Dominic, so she’s acting out.”

Marilyn blurted, “She’s divorcing Dominic?”

A faint, barely hidden note of satisfaction lifted her voice.

Eleanor didn’t pick up on it, answering with a twinge of guilt.

“Yeah.”

Marilyn continued, “Even if she’s fighting with Dominic, she shouldn’t take it out on my Lauren. Lauren just had a baby; she’s at her most vulnerable right now.

“Either way, the Hawthorne family needs to fix this fast.”

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Eleanor quickly replied, “You’re absolutely right.”

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This mess did need to be cleaned up quickly.

That damned Aurelia… She’s already planning to divorce Dominic, so why stir up this kind of trouble?

Eleanor spent a few more minutes soothing Marilyn before hanging up.

Overhearing the call made Lauren even more confident. She was sure everything would blow over soon.

After all, she had not just the entire Hawthorne family behind her, but also her mother’s powerful backing.

And what did Aurelia have?

The thought that Aurelia could manipulate public opinion to ruin her was laughably naive.

Eleanor stepped to her bedside. “Lauren, I’m sorry you had to go through this.”

Lauren hid her smugness, looking up at Eleanor with a wounded expression.

Her silent suffering only made Eleanor want to shield her

more.

******

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At the lunch table, Aurelia picked up her water glass and took a sip.

Gareth approached. “Ms. Smith, Mr. Hawthorne and Ms. Drake are both working to control the media narrative.”

Dominic’s tactics were even more ruthless than Adrian’s had been, which was why people in New York feared crossing him.

He was powerful and terrifying.

But this time… even Dominic might not be able to contain the

situation.

Aurelia asked, “Have they managed to shift attention away?”

Gareth reported, “Yes, but a lot of the posts are coming from international personal accounts that they can’t shut down.”

Aurelia nodded. “Good. Keep the story trending for at least a

week!”

Right now, Lauren was probably thinking that with the Hawthorne family’s clout and her rich mother’s influence, the scandal would fade fast. So Lauren wasn’t panicking yet.

Well, this time, Aurelia would show her what powerlessness felt like. She’d let both Dominic and Marilyn taste what it was like when things spiraled beyond their control.

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Gareth nodded. “Understood.”

Aurelia went on, “Tomorrow, release the story about how she hit me with her car three years ago and caused my miscarriage.”

Today was about exposing her marriage certificate with Dominic, but tomorrow would be about Lauren—lusting after her brother–in–law while her husband was still alive, deliberately causing her sister–in–law’s miscarriage.

What would people call her then?

Wasn’t the entire Hawthorne family supposed to protect her? Didn’t she have a wealthy mother?

Lauren had hidden behind that protection to get away with anything she wanted. But Aurelia would dismantle it all, piece by piece.

She’d see how well the Hawthorne family and Marilyn could shield Lauren now.

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Chapter 16 Blow It Up–2

Gareth nodded, “Yes, Ms. Smith.”

After Gareth left, Aurelia answered a call from the gallery.

Once she’d listened to their update, she said, “Alright, I’ll swing by this afternoon.”

She hung up and finished most of her remaining food.

Seeing her appetite was solid, Gareth shot a message to Sebastian.

After lunch, Aurelia rested for a bit.

Then she told Gareth, “Arrange a car. I need to go out.”

Gareth hesitated. “Right now? But you should be resting…”

Aurelia shot back, “It’s not like I’m doing hard labor.”

Gareth fell silent.

That was a fair point.

He’d looked over her medical records and thought she should be home resting, but it was clear Aurelia had business to take qare of.

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Gareth arranged a car and a security detail for her.

******

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The car pulled up to the gallery.

The manager, Ivy Chandler, approached respectfully. “Ms. Sterling.”

Aurelia cut to the chase. “What’s the issue? How could there be a problem with the painting?”

Aurelia looked annoyed. Nothing from her gallery had ever had issues before.

Just as Ivy was about to explain, a voice called from nearby. “Aurelia!”

It was Lucas.

Aurelia paused and glanced over to find Lucas sitting on a sofa.

She frowned. “What are you doing here?”

Ivy explained, “This gentleman said there was a problem with the painting.”

Aurelia was speechless.

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Lucas stood up and walked toward her.

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Though Lucas was Dominic’s friend, he got along really well with Aurelia. He couldn’t stand Lauren’s mother, and by extension, Lauren herself. So Aurelia instinctively thought Lucas was a decent guy.

Aurelia crossed her arms. “What’s wrong with the painting?”

Lucas shrugged. “Nothing’s wrong with the painting.”

Aurelia’s expression soured instantly. “Then you…”

Lucas grinned apologetically. “Where have you been hiding? Dominic’s about to turn New York upside down looking for

you.

“Also, did you block my number? He asked me to call you, but I couldn’t get through.”

Aurelia had indeed blocked everyone close to Dominic.

She sneered, “Come on, all of New York? Where else could he

go besides Evergreen Residences and Chloe’s place?”

Lucas chuckled. “Right, but when he couldn’t find you there, he

lost his mind.”

Aurelia frowned. “So he sent you to track me down?”

Lucas came clean. “Exactly. But don’t worry, you don’t have to 3/7

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tell me where you’re staying.”

Aurelia’s heart skipped a beat.

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She looked around the gallery, checking for anyone suspicious.

Before she could speak, Lucas cut in, “Don’t stress, I haven’t told him a thing about your studio or gallery.”

Especially not now, with things so tense between her and Dominic.

Plus, Dominic had been siding with Lauren lately, so Lucas wasn’t about to help him out.

Aurelia raised an eyebrow. “Aren’t you scared he’ll ruin you when he finds out?”

After all, Dominic couldn’t reach her through anyone else right now. Lucas was the exception–he at least knew about some of her assets.

Lucas snorted, “He drove his own wife to this point, why would he take it out on me? He deserves this wake–up call, or these people will keep treating you like a doormat.

“But you’re really going all in this time, taking on Lauren like this. Aren’t you worried Marilyn will come after you?”

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Marilyn was infamous for being fiercely protective of her

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daughter. She was probably cooking up all sorts of retaliation right now.

Aurelia walked over and sat on the sofa. “She’ll have to have the energy to come after me first.”

Hearing Aurelia’s ominous tone, Lucas perked up immediately. “Huh? What’s that supposed to mean?”

Aurelia smirked. “You’ll find out soon enough.”

Lucas leaned in. “Hey, you’re not gonna get into trouble, are you? If you do, come to me. I’ll have your back.”

In his book, aside from being an orphan with no family connections, Aurelia was perfect in every way.

The Hawthorne family had been unreasonable these past few years. They’d let her into the family but never given her an ounce of respect.

Especially Dominic… These past six months, he’d been downright terrible.

Aurelia had always considered him her last ally in the Hawthorne family, the only person she could rely on. But now, he’d essentially stripped her of even that last shred of support.

Aurelia shook her head. “Don’t worry. I’m practical. If I’m not Backing down now, it’s because I’ve got the means to handle

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whatever comes.”

At that, Lucas laughed.

He picked up his coffee, taking a slow sip. “True, you’ve always been able to roll with the punches.”

Especially around the Hawthorne family. When she couldn’t fight back, she endured.

But now, with that endurance gone, she must’ve prepared herself to stand her ground.

Lucas added, “Hearing you talk like this, I know you don’t need my protection.”

They chatted for a while longer. Once Lucas was sure she was okay, he asked her to unblock his number and then left.

Since there was no real issue at the gallery, Aurelia headed home too.

As soon as Aurelia arrived at Brookhill Residence, a servant brought her a bowl of soup.

She took a sip, finding it delicious. “What kind of soup is this?”

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The servant bowed respectfully. “Ms. Smith, it’s chicken soup.

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Aurelia’s lips curled into a mocking smile.

Two days ago, Eleanor had told her that Lauren wanted her to make chicken soup. And now, here she was, drinking it herself.

As for Lauren? She’d probably struggle to keep anything down

for the next week.

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