<b>Chapter </b><b>316 </b>
They had to keep the news about Manchotech’s investment under wraps for now. If the news were to leak out prematurely, it would inevitably attract unwanted attention at a stage when GrabCheap needed more time to develop.
Afternding Manchotech’s investment, Birgitte and her team werepletely fired up. Aubree couldn’t help but marvel at how motivated her team was. Then a thought popped into her head. “Maybe 1 should give them a chance <i>to </i>shine?”
Thus, Aubree decided to take a well–deserved break.
Coincidentally, Bowen Turner had also just wrapped up his work in Rithol City and was nning to visit her. He gave her a video call.
“Not at home?” Aubree asked, taking advantage of the free time now to revise her undergrad coursework. Her phone was propped up beside her. On the screen, Bowen <b>was </b>leaning against what looked like a <b>balcony </b>railing in casual clothes.
“Mm–hmm. Mark’s brother is getting engaged today<b>, </b>so I’m here for the engagement party.*
Mark King hailed from the prominent King family in Rithol City with powerful connections to the political elite and the military. Mark himself served in the military. His eldest brother and youngest brother both entered politics<b>, </b>while his youngest sister joined a theater group affiliated with the ruling political party.
One could say the whole family was practically on the government payroll.
“Tomorrow I’ming to Südlichen Strand. I miss you.” Bowen’s <b>unexpected </b><b>confession </b>made Aubree’s <b>ears </b>flush pink. In reality, she was starting to miss him too.
“Oh, I almost forgot to tell you. I’ve <b>secured </b>investment from Manchotech for the GrabCheap <b>project</b><b>. </b>My n is <b>to </b>partner with both Manchotech and Tengu, though Tengu still seems undecided.” Aubree sounded <b>frustrated</b>.
In truth, things had always been smooth sailing for her. This <b>was </b>the first time she had run into such a thorny situation with <b>a </b>potential business partner like the Tengu Gruppe.
“Bree, if Manchotech was able to ink the deal with <b>you </b><b>so </b>quickly<b>, </b>maybe you should approach Tengu Gruppe’s matter from a different angle.”
Having spent years in the business world, Bowen could <b>easily </b><b>discern </b>what <b>was </b>really going on from Aubree’s <b>casual </b>grumbles. <b>There </b>were only two possibilities. Either Tengu Gruppe wanted to <b>gauge </b>Aubree’s sincerity more thoroughly, <b>or </b>something <b>else </b>was going on….
For the first possibility, it was perfectly normal to be cautious in business. But if it <b>were </b>the second possibility…
Bowen kept his suspicions to himself. He knew that depending on others <b>was </b>no substitute for depending on oneself. Being strong on one’s own terms was the best strategy.
If Aubree couldn’t see through the subtle game here<b>, </b>maybe a minor setback <b>was </b>just the lesson she needed.
Bowen’s eyes glinted. “Not everything will be smooth sailing in every endeavor.”
Aubree mulled over Bowen’s words, her eyes narrowing slightly. ‘Maybe <b>it’s </b>time <b>to </b>push Tengu Gruppe a little and see what they’re really up to,’ she thought.
“Alright, let’s not dwell on this now, I know you can handle it. But, I hope you’ll save the next few days just for me, Bree.”
Aubree’s expression softened into a smile, “You bet.”
They exchanged a few more words before ending the call.
Before Bowen had time to put his phone away, Ollie Lane sidled up with a sly grin and mimicked sarcastically, “I miss you…”
Bowen only looked back at Ollie calmly. “What<b>? </b>Are you jealous I’ve got a girlfriend?”
“Pfft! Don’t tter yourself. She’s just your girlfriend for now, got it? The kind who can up and leave you anytime,” Ollie scoffed.
Bowen shot him a smug look that implied, “You’re just jealous.” Ollie simply rolled his eyes dramatically in response.
“You have been working your ass off these few days. You must have <b>made </b>ns for the next few days, haven’t you?” Ollie asked usingly.
Bowen raised an eyebrow without confirming or denying.
Mark King <b>was </b>puzzled. “<i>So </i>what if he has made ns?<b>” </b>
6
e
“Didn’t you learn anything fromst <b>year’s </b>cold shoulder? Or have you forgotten what special day ising up in just a few days?” Ollic red ominously.
The realization hit Mark <b>at </b>once. Aubree’s birthday <b>was </bing up.
12:57 PM