<b>Chapter </b><b>365 </b>
Ronald recalled the recent online scandal involving Trevor and that girl. <b>His </b>brow furrowed, and the look he cast toward Quantavius turned noticeably colder<b>. </b>
He had heard about Birgitte’s situation. If it hadn’t been her, those same tactics would likely have been used on Aubree.
Even if Trevor had a hand in it, Ronald still saw the Yurchenko family as bringing disaster upon themselves. Quarrels among siblings could be handled with a parent’s warning, but when outsiders got involved, it was an affront to the Wilson family’s dignity.
That was Ronald’s stance.
“What business do you have?” he <b>asked </b>coldly.
Beforeing. Ernesto had already mentioned some of the Wilson family’s current situation to Quantavius, hinting subtly that Ronald hadplicated feelings about his daughter. Quantavius had expected this chilly reception.
“I’m here today to apologize, Mr. Wilson,” Quantavius said, bowing his head humbly.
Trevor’s influence was immense. The Yurchenko family had already suffered a major blow from thebined force of Turner Group and Bree Technology. Now, with Trevor’s fans boycotting them<b>, </b><b>the </b>Yurchenko family was on the brink of copse.
Quantavius said, “My sister did something that upset your daughter<b>. </b>But in the end, she didn’t suffer any real loss. I hope you can offer us a helping hand.”
Ernesto stepped in. “Ronald, just consider it a favor for me. Help the Yurchenko family out.”
Quantavius quickly said. “I know you’re concerned about your daughter being influenced by Bowen and refusing toe. home. Right now, the easiest target is her ‘GrabCheap‘ project. I won’t lie, the Yurchenko family may be down, but in Südlichen Strand, we can still handle a few dirty tricks<b>.” </b>
He added, “If there are things that would be inconvenient for you to do, let us take <b>care </b>of them.”
Alice tried to suppress her racing heart <b>after </b>seeing Kyler. She understood now wasn’t the time to <b>get </b>distracted. She said, “Weren’t you worried earlier about where <b>to </b>strike? Bree Technology has Turner Group’s support in Rithol City. Their core businesses are well protected.”
She continued, “In Südlichen Strand, Wilson Group’s influence doesn’t reach <b>as </b>far. We need to <b>seize </b>this chance. Only when Aubree is put in a difficult position, when she <b>sees </b>through Bowen<b>, </b><b>will </b>she <b>realize </b>who truly has her best interests at heart.”
Ronald wasn’t just moved. He was ready to <b>act</b>. “You <b>expect </b>me to invest <b>just </b><b>based </b>on words? That might be a little unrealistic.”
He needed to confirm what value the Yurchenko family could bring. <b>There </b><b>was </b><b>a </b>big difference between an ally and a liability.
Quantavius noticed the opening and exchanged a nce with Ernesto. <b>“</b><b>It’s </b>too public here. Mr. Wilson, may I invite you to dinner tonight?”
Ronald nodded.
Watching all this unfold, Bryan was torn. He worried this would <b>just </b>make Aubree <b>hate </b>them even more.
This whole exchange was clearly seen by Aubree from upstairs. “The Wilson and Yurchenko families? They’re getting involved together?‘
No doubt their target was her “GrabCheap” project. Aubree decided it was time <b>to </b>speed things up with Sophia.
Because of this distraction, Ronald forgot about Alice’s strange reaction when <b>she </b>saw Kyler earlier,
Aubree and Ronald both looked into Carmen, but the Wilsons found nothing because Alice had the Diamonde family intervene. Ernesto had blocked the investigation from behind the scenes. Also, the Wilson family had been overwhelmed with other troublestely and had little energy to spare on Carmen.
Meanwhile, Aubree had local help. Kurtis was her key, and it was thanks to him that she managed to trace things back to Xander.
Ronald might have forgotten about Alice’s reaction, but Ernesto had not. From the moment he saw Kyler, his heart was in
<b>3 </b>
turmoil<b>. </b>
‘He’s alive<b>? </b>No, he’s <b>dead</b>. It’s just that Xander looks <b>so </b>much like him,’ Ernesto tried to convince himself.
Finding an <b>excuse</b>, he pulled <b>Alice aside</b><b>. </b>
Alice <b>was </b>visibly <b>uneasy </b>under her brother’s intense gaze. “I…”
“Alice<b>, </b>you need to remember. Xander is already dead. That man isn’t him,” Ernesto said firmly. Alice felt her chest tighten.
Of course she knew. They just looked too simr.
“Right now<b>, </b>our family depends on the <b>Wilson </b>family’s investment. You need to know where you stand.” Ernesto continued pressuring her. He loved his sister, but he couldn’t give up their <b>wealth </b>either.
Ernesto said, “You’ve had five children with your husband. <b>He’s </b><b>never </b>messed around outside. Regardless of where your heart <b>was </b>in the past, now it’s time to let it <b>go</b><b>.</b><b>” </b>
<b>“</b><b>I </b>assume you wouldn’t want your husband finding out about Carmen<b>, </b><b>would </b>you?” <b>Ernesto </b>added. He was a master at mixing threats with <b>sweet </b>talk.
Alice’s eyes were filled with pain. ‘Carmen…‘
Without the Wilson family and Diamonde family backing, she couldn’t give Carmen the best life.
“I know,” Alice said softly. Xander <b>was </b>gone. <b>Her </b>top priority now <b>was </b>protecting Carmen.
Ernesto knew his sister well, and he also knew her <b>weakness</b><b>. </b>His tone softened slightly. “Your husband is already starting to lose patience. You really need to be more <b>careful </b>going forward.”
Alice fell silent, nodding. But in her heart, that man’s image still lingered. She wondered if he was Aubree’s man.
Once theworking event ended, Aubree returned to the hotel.
Kyler stood nervously before her. For him, the earlier conference had <b>been </b><b>a </b><b>test</b>. Now came judgment.
He knew this might be his only shot at turning <b>his </b>life around.
Aubree sat on the couch. Bowen sat beside her. <b>“</b>Well? What do you think? If he won’t do it, I’ll find someone else.”
If no one looked like Xander, they could <b>always </b><b>have </b>someone undergo stic surgery. There were more methods than problems.
“He’s fine,” Aubree said with a faint smile. “The lethal charm of a first love lookalike is irresistible,‘ <b>she </b>thought to herself.
Aubree smirked faintly. The event <b>wasn’t </b>even over, and Vincent had already told her <b>Alice </b><b>was </b>trying to contact him.
The motive was obvious.
“You want me to get close to that richdy, right?” Kyler asked.
“No rush. I’ll have you trained. Once you’re ready, I’ll <b>arrange </b>it.” <b>Just </b><b>a </b><b>face </b><b>wasn’t </b>enough. Carmen’s <b>case </b>had proven that Alice’s love for Xander ran deep.
Kyler’s resemnce to Xander alone wasn’t enough.
At first sight, a simr face might entrance Alice<b>. </b>But a <b>face </b>alone wouldn’t cut it in the long <b>term</b>.
Aubree had someone take Kyler <b>away</b>. Then, as <b>if </b>remembering something, she said, “<b>I </b><b>saw </b>the Yurchenko family reach out to the Wilson family. They’re probably nning to go after GrabCheap.”
She continued, “I’ve already gathered quite <b>a </b>bit on the Yurchenko family’s dirtyundry. When do you think is the best time to strike?”
Bowen brushed through her hair. “Let’s go big.”
The alliance of the Wilson, Diamonde, and Yurchenko families created too many unpredictable variables.
6
But one thing was clear. If Quantavius <b>really </b>convinced Ronald to support him, the Wilson family would definitely need to make some sort of public move. At the very least, they’d invest money.
Bowen said, “Wait until they’ve officially tied together. That’s when the profit will be the biggest. But of course, you’ll need to be ready to handle the storm thates with taking on two major families<b>.</b><b>” </b>
He added, “We’ve already paid the price<b>. </b>Naturally<b>, </b><b>we’ll </b>take the biggest reward.”
Aubree pressed her lips together. She had confidence. She could handle whatever storm followed.