Bowen shot a quick nce upward.


    There was only one house in that direction, and it was Josephine’s. The man, who looked to be in his twenties, was carrying something, and it was obvious that he was visiting someone.


    ‘So who could this guy be? Bowen wondered.


    It wasn’t hard to figure out. Other than the vige chief’s son, who’d been making headlinestely with Josephine, there really wasn’t anyone else it could be


    Bowen shook his head slightly at Aubree before smiling at the Nelson family as he said, “Thank you, and sorry for the trouble.”


    After lunch at the Nelson family’s ce, they stepped out of the small courtyard. Pontus walked them part of the way. Once they were a bit farther off, Alvin finally spoke up, “Fruit merchants? Since when did thepany expand into that business<b>?</b><b>” </b>


    Bowen shot back, “It’s not like we can’t expand into new arcas<b>.</b><b>” </b>


    Alvin spat, “Well, Uncle Bowen, you are something. As the CEO, you’re out here assisting anotherpany in securing a project that we’re alsopeting for. I wonder what the shareholders would say if they found out.”


    He really hadn’t expected Bowen to throw his hat in the ring for this project.


    At the shareholders‘ meeting, Alvin argued that since Bree Technology was involved and Bowen was close to Aubree<b>, </b>there was no guarantee he wouldn’t act out of self–interest. As such, he sessfully took on the project himself.


    Bowen hadn’t put up much of a fight and just handed the project over.


    Alvin figured Bowen was probably acting out of guilt toward his parents, and also wanted to avoid any appearance of favoritism, so he gave up the fight.


    Of course, Alvin had been fully prepared. Even if Bowen had wanted topete, he was confident he could still secure the project for himself.


    But what really caught Alvin off guard was that Bowen honestly didn’t seem the least bit afraid of the shareholders turning against him. ‘Has he always been this open about it?‘ he wondered.


    “Aren’t all the shareholders rooting for you these days? I’m just someone with a title and nothing else, so isn’t it perfectly normal for me to look after my own shares?” Bowen replied with a smile<b>, </bpletely unfazed by Alvin’s threat.


    Alvin’s hand clenched slightly at his side <b>as </b>he taunted, “I gave you a chance, but you left me no choice.”


    To Alvin, it was not that he wanted to go up against Bowen, but he felt that Bowen had ended up siding with someone else.


    Alvin’s gazended on Aubree, who was standing nearby. He thought, ‘She’s nothing but trouble. She got my parents killed, and now she’s trying to drag Uncle Bowen down with her. Is she just going to keep targeting the Turner family until we’re all ruined?‘


    Alvin gave a mocking smile, “I’m not backing down, Whether it’s this project or anything else, I won’t <b>rest </b>until I get what I want.


    “You’re trying to get a foothold in Ridgehaven Town, too. You’ve got your own methods and connections, and. I’ve got my own ns. Let’s not get in each other’s way, and let’s see who’s really got what it takes<b>.” </b>


    “Of course, Aubree said, stepping forward as she locked eyes with Alvin. She never thought she’d one day end up standing on opposite sides with him like this.


    “Revealing your real identity wouldn’t do me any favors either,” she added.


    “Good,” Alvin replied, making it clear he didn’t want to talk any further.


    With a look that said he had no interest in continuing the conversation, Alvin turned and walked away.


    Watching him walk away, Aubree let out a sigh. “This is only going to get moreplicated,” she murmured.


    Now with Alvin in the picture, and Carmen from the Wilson Group already off to a rough start, this was hardly good news. And soon, Bryan, the real tough opponent, would be joining the fray, making things even trickier.


    But that still wasn’t the worst of it. Right now, the three families were rivals, but as the saying goes, “The enemy’s enemy is a friend.” With the other two likely to team up against her, Aubree realized she was about to face a two–to–one battle.


    “Why didn’t you follow that guy earlier?“Aubree asked, still feeling a bit confused about why Bowen had agreed to stay for lunch with Pontus.


    Wasn’t Bowen a bit too rxed about this?‘ Aubree wondered, recalling how he had so easily agreed to Pontus’s invitation to stay for lunch.


    That guy was probably the vige chief’s son, Samuel. He’s definitely heading to Josephine’s ce. If we’d followed him, maybe we could’ve picked up something unexpected,” Aubree added.