Reborn As Mr. Coldwell's Wife
Chapter 44: New Friend

Chapter 44: New Friend

Aubrey cleared her throat, attempting to regain her composure. "What a surprise to see you here, Ellen," she said, her tone barely masking her irritation.

"Hi, Aubrey," Ellen replied sweetly. "I didn’t expect to see you here with my husband," she added, emphasizing the words "expect" and "my husband." Ellen’s eyes gleamed with a mix of challenge and triumph. "What are you doing here?"

Aubrey’s smile was tight, her eyes cold. "I’m here for a holiday," she replied, trying to act casual.

Ellen raised an eyebrow. "Fascinating that you chose Paris from anywhere else."

Because Mason is in Paris, right?

Aubrey smiled a small, strained smile and asked, "And what about you, Ellen?"

Ellen laughed lightly, a sound that felt both forced and victorious. "Why do you even need to ask, Aubrey? I’m here, of course, to accompany my husband on his business trip." She reached out and touched Mason’s arm for a second before letting go. "We’re newlyweds and can’t stand to be away from each other." She added a little laugh for effect.

This was definitely just a big talk. Mason didn’t even know she was here.

Mason’s mouth twitched at Ellen’s words. It was either because he wanted to throw in a comment or because he found it funny. Ellen could sense his amusement mixed with confusion.

Aubrey’s face tightened, her displeasure barely contained. "Really? Mason didn’t mention anything to me."

Ellen smiled sweetly. "Of course, he didn’t tell you anything. It’s a private thing, just between a couple." She stressed the last word to make her point.

Aubrey’s gaze hardened, her eyes narrowing slightly. She was clearly not pleased with Ellen’s response.

Ellen reveled in the tension she was causing. She could see Aubrey’s carefully constructed composure starting to crack. Aubrey was not used to being challenged, especially not by Ellen, who she probably saw as a pushover.

Aubrey leaned back in her chair, trying to regain her footing. "Well, it’s lovely that you could join him," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "I’m sure it will be a memorable trip for you both."

Ellen nodded, her smile never wavering. "Absolutely. Paris is the perfect place for us to make new memories."

Mason looked between the two women. He seemed to sense the undercurrent of rivalry but didn’t seem to care for it.

Ellen decided to take control of the conversation. She turned to Mason, her eyes softening. "Mason, would you like to take a walk with me after you’re free from your schedule? I’d love to explore the city with you."

As soon as the words left her mouth, Ellen mentally kicked herself. She didn’t know why she sometimes couldn’t control her mouth. It was like a reflex, especially when Aubrey was involved. Ellen just couldn’t stand her—her smug attitude, her constant attempts to undermine her. It was infuriating. But here she was, openly inviting Mason in front of Aubrey, knowing it would rile her up.

Ellen watched Mason’s face for a reaction, but before Mason could respond, Philip approached their table with an air of urgency. "Mason, are you done with your lunch yet? We need to head to our meeting with Mr. Laurent."

Mason glanced at Philip, then back at Ellen and Aubrey. "Is the preparation ready?" he asked.

Philip nodded. "Yes, everything is set."

Mason wiped his mouth with a napkin and got up from his seat. "I need to go to the meeting," he said, not really talking to anyone in particular. He shot Ellen a brief, hard-to-read glance before walking away.

Aubrey, realizing there was no reason for her to stay any longer, stood up as well. She didn’t say a word to Ellen, simply turning her face away in refusal to acknowledge her presence.

Ellen watched her go, a mischievous smile playing on her lips. She made a funny face at Aubrey’s retreating back, feeling a wave of relief wash over her. Philip had come at the right time. She couldn’t imagine the embarrassment if Mason had rejected her spontaneous request. Aubrey would have had endless material to mock her about.

Ellen also got up from her seat, smoothing down her dress. Philip, who was about to follow Mason, paused and looked at her. "I really didn’t expect Aubrey to come to Paris too," he said.

"Yeah," Ellen responded, her voice laced with sarcasm. "You can only imagine what she might do next." She then added, "Thank you again for all your help."

Philip smiled slightly. "I believe I offered my help, and I’m just fulfilling that promise. I’m glad I could help."

As Philip turned to leave, Ellen stopped him with a question that had been nagging her. "Why did you help me? Not only did you book my flight and hotel, but you also gave me Mason’s schedule and told me about his lunch with Aubrey. Why?"

Philip looked up as if searching for the right words. "Reason... reason... I didn’t really have any. I guess I just want Mason’s marriage to work," he finally said, shrugging slightly. "I just want to help."

Ellen listened to his words, but doubt lingered in her mind. She couldn’t help but wonder if Philip had other motives that could put her at a disadvantage. What if he was playing both sides, trying to gain something for himself? The thought made her uneasy.

His expression seemed sincere, but she knew better to look beyond the surface. People often had hidden agendas, and she couldn’t afford to be naive. The stakes were too high.

"So, you’re helping us be together?" Ellen asked, a hint of hope in her voice.

Philip shrugged. "I guess so. But just to make everything clear, I’m not siding with either Aubrey or you. Mason can be with whoever he wants. I can only support him."

Ellen folded her arms, a skeptical look on her face. "Even if it’s wrong?"

Philip met her gaze steadily. "It’s Mason’s life. He’s bound to make mistakes. But hey, I’ll help you whenever you need it."

Ellen’s expression softened into a smile. "I guess that makes us friends?"

Philip grinned before turning to go. "We’re friends, Ellen," he called over his shoulder as he walked away.

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