Bowen brought lunch to the office, and Aubree did him the Imour of finishing every bite.
He watched her, his gaze openly affectionate, making her cheeks flush. She averted her eyes akwardly “To done with the past. You should go now<b>? </b>
“As a shareholder, inspecting thepany isn’t unreasonable, is it Bowen sprawledzily on the sofa, making it clear he wasn’t leaving
Aubree couldn’t really kick him out. Pursing her lips in feigned annoyance, she said, “Suit yourself. I’ve got work to do
Bowen didn’t disturb her, resting his chin on his hand as he quietly observed her from across the desk. The view is interesting
After a while, when she’d nearly finished her tasks, he finally brought up what Mark had told him,
Aubree’s reaction?
Her fingers paused on the document. “I see.”
Her tone was t, as if it had nothing to do with her.
Faking an illness? It wouldn’t be surprising. Aubree could easily imagine Alice doing something like that. But she needed proot to confirm it
Ever since learning that Alice might have abandoned her, nothing about the Wilson family could shock her anymore.
If someone told her the Wilsons hadmitted arson or murder<b>, </b><b>shed </b>believe it.
In her eyes<b>, </b>Alice faking a mental disorder <b>was </b><b>just </b>another potential <b>weapon</b>.
Finishing thest file, <b>Aubree </b>looked up, “Want to go for a walk?”
“What?” Bowen was dumbfounded. Aubree had never made the first move with him before.
Bowen couldn’t believe <b>h </b>
his ears. Did I just imagine that?” he wondered.
Aubree <b>smiled</b>. “<b>You </b>told me about <b>this </b>and even found me a therapist. I’ve been feeling much bettertely. Consider this my thanks.”
Bowen felt like he was walking on air. So this <b>is </b>what it feels like when perseverance finally pays off
“Let’s go! Where to? Right now!”
Aubree’s eyes sparkled with amusement as she silently took note of everything about Alice. She’d need to investigate what really happened back then.
Time flew, and soon, Christmas was approaching. As the holiday drew near, Rithol City, the bustling industrial metropolis, was adorned with festive
decorations
At the Wilson residence, <b>Ronald </b>gathered the family after dinner <b>for </b><b>a </b>discussion,
“Emery, how did the Rosepely Group matter turnout?”
“Anthony did embezzle the equipment funds. First, had the press silenced. Then I used my connections to have a report issued, iming the equipment was fine. I reced all the substandard equipment andpensated the victims‘ families
“The online <b>bacsh </b><b>has </b>mostly died down, but Anthony <b>is </b><b>a </b>longtime employer. We haven’t decided how to deal with him yet.”
Emery’s expression darkened. The situation <b>had </b>erupted and resolved too <b>quickly</b>. It felt like someone <b>was </b>targeting Rosapoty Group. This might just be the beginning.
19:52 Mon, 14 Jul
To Ronald, it was a minor issue. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have handed it over to Emery as a tr Lopportunity “Fallow protocol,
excuse such a mess,”
“Understood,” Entery responded
Pleased with his handling of the matter, Ronald actually smiled. “Wher this, retum to thepany. Focus on your work.
Then he turned to Bryan “I assume you’ve had time to reflect on what’s eptable and what isn’t?”
Bryan nced at Emery, his grip tightening around his cup. “I have”
“Return after Christmas. I’m not getting any younger. Wilson Group will need to be passed down eventually.”
The implication hung heavy in the air, Bryan’s eyes darkened, but he said nothing. Emery <b>only </b>worked for thepany out of boredom. He never
considered himself an heit,
Daston had eyes only for Carmen and his experiments. Thepany meant nothing to him.
Trevor’s eyes flickered briefly, but he quickly slipped back into his <b>usual </b>carefree smirk.
Carmen, however, took the words to heart. With the sess of her livestreaming tform, she’d grown addicted to power and money
<b>She </b>held shares in Wilson Group, not much, but it meant <b>she </b>could inherit.
With Daxton’s support and Alice’s backing, it wasn’t impossible.
Her eyes gleamed <b>as </b>she tugged Alice’s sleeve. “Mom, can I give Dad my surprise how?”
Her expression was sweet, her tone hopeful.
Alice smiled and gently stroked Carmen’s hair, “Go ahead, sweetheart.”
“Oh? What surprise has my <b>dear </b>Carmen prepared for me?” Ronald was in a <b>good </b>mood today
Carmen feigned shyness. <b>“</b><b>Dad</b>, have you heard of MindDrift!”
“Of course. It’s the secondrgest livestreaming tform after yzy”
Daxton chuckled. “Dad<b>, </b>Carmen founded it.”
“Really?” Ronald’s surprise was genuine. He’d actually considered acquiring MindDrit if he couldn’t take over yry. It never urred to him that it was his family’s business all along!
Carmen blushed and nodded shyly. “It wasn’t just me. Daxton and Mom invested tod<b>.” </b>
Ronaldughed heartily. “Regardless, this is a wonderful surprise. I had no idea you had such <b>business </b>acument”
“A Wilson is never mediocre,” Daxton said proudly.
Alice pped her hands. <b>“</b>Since it’s almost Christmas, why don’t we visit the hot spring ind we bought two years ago?
At the mention of the ind, Emery’s expression joured. They’d purchased it for Carmen’s birthday after she developed a love for hot springs, even
naming it after her.
The whole family had celebrated there that year,
Meanwhile, on the same <b>day</b>, Aubree had spent her birthday in the hospital <b>as </b>punishment for a mistake–no gifts, no celebration
“Since it’s Christmas, why don’t e invite Aubree to join us?” Emery interjected abruptly, and the cheerful atmosphere instantly used frosty
Daxton rolled his eyes. “The ind is Carmen’s. After what Aubree did to her, you still want to bring her along? How shameless can you be?”
Emery clenched his jaw, Christmas was for family. <b>Wasn’t </b>Aubree part of theirs?
Bryan nodded in agreement. “Emery’s right. Christmas is for family reunions. We never took Aubree to the ind before, so this time, we can make it up
to her.”
With MindDrift’s sess, Ronald no longer felt desperate to acquire yzy, though he’d still prefer it.
He’d been furious when he heard about Bowen’s impulsive move against Aubree:
Dealing with Aubree? That was where his tactics came into y.
He had already made arrangements, and the timing was just right. Interrupting the argument, Ronald dered, “Enough. Aubree is a Wilson by blood. Alice, reach out to her. Tell her if shees home for Christmas, my promise stands. Wilson Group will support her fully. If she refuses, I won’t hesitate to
cut ties.
“I won’t tolerate any <b>threat </b>to the Wilson Group’s standing”
<b>Had </b>Ronald not known about MindDrift, he’d never have made such an offer. But with an alternative to yzy secured, his attitude toward Aubree reverted instantly.
Or perhaps, it had never changed at all.