<b>Chapter </b><b>302 </b>
Pain and desire intertwined within Aubree. <b>By </b>the time Bowen carried Aubree out of the bathroom, she had passed out.
Kurtis nced over, and in that instant, his eyes widened in shock. <b>‘</b>Damn, that’s brutal, he couldn’t help but think.
Aubree’s arm hung limply at her sides, as <i>if </i>it had just been pulled from a bloodbath. Crisscrossed with bite marks and old scars, it was mottled with bruises and blunt–force injuries, still dripping with blood.
Kurtis clicked his tongue, regarding Aubree with newfound respect. ‘She’s only eighteen?‘ he thought. “To have achieved something like Bree Technology at her age. She’s no ordinary girl!
If it were him, he’d never let himself get pushed this far. In a situation like this, if he was driven to the edge, he wouldn’t care if it was a guy or a girl. He’d just take them out first, no questions asked.
Kurtis exined. “I never meant to hurt her. About two or three months ago, Alice approached me, iming to be Aubree’s mother and proposing a partnership. Aubree bears a striking resemnce to Cordelia and Alice told me you were close to her. Honestly, I just wanted to use Aubree to make you feel the pain of losing someone you love. Parading her in front of you tonight was just to confirm your feelings for her.<b>” </b>
“Alice gave me some intel on Gordon,” he added. “The deal was<b>, </b>once the job was done, I’d help her hide Gordon in Kroit City. In return, she’d bring both the Wilson and the Diamonde families to help me take you down.”
The chance to torment Bowen both mentally and in his daily life was simply irresistible. Kurtis agreed right away. Hiding someone in Kroit City was child’s y for him. It was <b>a </b>surefire win with zero downside.
Upon hearing Kurtis admit he had nned to <b>use </b><b>Aubree </b>against him, Bowen’s eyes darkened with menace. He ordered, “Those reporters must be Alice’s doing. Find Gordon immediately. And get me the ship’s <b>doctor</b>.”
Kurtis knew he was wrong and didn’t argue with Bowen’s <b>orders</b><b>. </b><b>His </b><b>face </b>contorted for a moment, but with Aubree, the only woman present, already unconscious, he brazenly shifted his <b>legs </b><b>aside</b>, not caring about <b>appearances</b><b>. </b>“Come on<b>, </b>Mr. Turner,” he pleaded, “with your iron will, that aphrodisiac barely affected you. <b>Besides</b><b>, </b>you <b>two </b>are <b>already </b>in a rtionship<b>. </b>Honestly<b>, </b>wouldn’t the doctor be more useful for me?”
‘If the aphrodisiac’s effects hadn’t faded a bit by now<b>,</b>‘ Kurtis thought wryly<b>, </b>‘<b>I </b><b>probably </b><b>would’ve </b>jumped on anyone in sight‘
Bowen shot Kurtis a re, and Kurtis immediately backed down. “Fine<b>, </b>fine<b>, </b>take the doctor<b>!</b><b>” </b>
He called for the doctor, then instructed his assistant to investigate the reporters‘ <b>backgrounds </b>and check <b>if </b>anyone had sneaked aboard the ship. Most importantly, he demanded that someone <b>be </b>sent <b>over </b>to him immediately.
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12
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V
4949
“You’re awake?” Bowen <b>asked </b>softly.
Aubree groggily opened her eyes and turned to <b>see </b>Bowen beside <b>her</b>. <b>“</b>Did you stay up all night?<b>” </b>she <b>asked</b>, her <b>voice </b>still a little hoarse.
“Just dozed off leaning here for a bit. <b>How </b><b>are </b>you <b>feeling</b>?” <b>Bowen </b><b>asked </b>gently.
Her arm was already bandaged, and she felt no major difort <b>elsewhere</b>. “I’m fine<b>,</b><b>” </b>Aubree said.
Bowen let out a sigh of relief. He still had no idea what <b>was </b>in that incense from <bst </b>night or what side effects it might have<b>. </b>The cruise ship wouldn’t dock until this afternoon, and with limited <b>medical </b><b>resources </b>on board… He was genuinely afraid.
Never before had Bowen felt such crushing helplessness, keeping vigil by Aubree’s bedside, watching her battered body, powerless to help.
“Let’s get you something to eat first,” Bowen said gently. <b>“</b>I’ll tell you everything you want to know, <b>step </b>by <b>step</b>.<b>” </b>
Bowen recounted to Aubree everything that had happened after she passed outst night.
Aubree lowered her gaze, her grip on the spoon tightening. “What <b>a </b>wonderful foster daughter she has<b>,</b><b>” </b>she said bitterly, “So eager to see me dead.”
Aubree scoffed. ‘Seriously, what kind of mother is Alice supposed to be? How could someone like her even exist?
“Why the hell did she even bother giving birth to me?
‘Wouldn’t she be better off without me?’