<b>Chapter 535 </b>
But who would’ve thought that in the ruthless world of business, someone could actually care <b>for </b>real? With such a huge opportunity right in front of him, Bowen <b>just </b>let that massive piece <b>of </b>cake sit there and didn’t even make <b>a </b>move.
<b>“</b>Are you alright?” Bryan asked as he stared at Aubree, trying to see right through her<b>, </b>as if he could spot something wrong by looking hard enough.
“Are you disappointed<b>?</b><b>” </b>Aubree asked, a <b>teasing </b>smile ying <b>at </b>her lips.
<b>She </b>added, “I bet seeing me <b>safe </b>and sound is a real letdown for you. After all, you were this close to getting your hands on a billion–dor empire, only to have it slip <b>away </b>again.
“Bryan, you and the entire Wilson family really have some <b>nerve</b>. I’m not even <b>dead </b><b>yet</b><b>, </b>and I’ve said more than once that <b>I’ve </b><bpletely </b><b>cut </b>ties with the Wilsons. So how do you have the shameless gall to say that if I die<b>, </b>my <b>shares </b>should go to your family?”
Her words <b>were </b>brutally blunt, especially in front of everyone like this. Whatever excitement or hope had <b>just </b>shed <b>across </b>Bryan’s <b>face </b><b>was </b>wiped out in an instant.
His face darkened in response<b>, </b>“Aubree, what nonsense are you saying? Everyone at home has been <b>so </b><b>worried </b>about you. What’s all this talk about cutting ties? No matter what, you’ll always be part of the Wilson family.”
Bowen burst outughing without holding back at all as he replied, “<b>I’ve </b>heard plenty <b>of </b>people whisper that I’m thick–skinned in business, that only someone <b>as </b>shameless and sly <b>as </b>me could build apany this big.
“But honestly, those folks clearly never had the pleasure <b>of </b>meeting you, Mr. Wilson.
“You know that saying–once you hit it big, even broke rtives from hundreds of miles away will show up at your door? Well, looks like we’re getting a live–action version of that right now.”
Aubree smirked slyly as she and Bowen exchanged barbs, not shredding Bryan with no dignity.
Bryan had never been put on st like this in front of everyone before and he was <b>so </b>furious, the <b>veins </b>on his forehead <b>were </b>popping out.
“Mr. Turner<b>, </b>isn’t <b>it </b>a bit much for you to meddle in the Wilson family’s private affairs<b>?</b><b>” </b>Bryan snapped.
Bowen rested his hand on Aubree’s wheelchair and shot back with a mocking grin, “Well, you’d have actually to be family first, wouldn’t you?”
Aubree let out a coldugh, “Family? You mean the kind of family that’s out for your life<b>? </b>
“That’s one thing <b>I </b>definitely don’t want.
“Let’s not discuss anything else. During the three years <b>I </b>spent with the Wilson family, do you really think you treated me well? Be honest with yourself, Bryan. Can you honestly im, without any guilt, that my time with your family <b>was </b>anything other than hell?
“And as for that car ident, don’t tell me you honestly have no clue who was behind it. Of all the people in the world, the Wilsons are the absolute <bst </b>ones qualified to talk about ‘family‘
“I just got lucky this time and made it out okay. Otherwise<b>, </b><b>I </b>would’ve had to watch you all put on your crocodile tears for <b>a </b>few days, then gleefully snatch up everything that belonged to me.”
The folks who had thrown their lot in with Bryan <b>were </b>already trembling. They’d always thought, ‘Hey, Aubree and the Wilsons are still family, right? No matter how bad things get, family ties can’t just <b>be </b>cut off. Even if we <b>screw </b>up, <b>it </b>can’t get that serious<b>, </b>can it?
‘Plus, there were so many of us. There’s no way they’ll go after all of <b>us</b><b>, </b>right?‘
But now, all that confidence was gone. The fear <b>was </b>real, and they knew deep down that once Aubree was done with Bryan, she’d being for
them next.
And the worst part was that even if they wanted to gang up and push back<b>, </b>with Bowen and Aubree holding over half the shares, they didn’t stand a
chance.
The moment Aubree showed up, the oue of the chairman’s <b>re</b>–election was <b>set </b>in stone<b>. </b>
Bryan <b>was </b>thest to leave the conference room, his <b>face </b>stony and expressionless.
Aubree didn’t say much. Her gaze swept <b>over </b>everyone who had backed Bryan. Birgitte had alreadypiled everything that happened during her absence into a document and sent it straight to her inbox. Now, Aubree knew exactly who had done what, and she was going to settle the score with <b>every </b>single one of them<b>, </b>one by one.