Chapter 229
The Morgan family was highly traditional, with exceptionally high expectations for their children. While they believed they were doing what was best for Arthur, it was always on their terms–his true desires never seemed to matter to them.
At the height of his rebellion, Arthur discovered live streaming–it felt like a dam bursting, releasing all of his pent-up emotions. He began to defy his parents' wishes and developed a strong dislike for school. Whatever his parents prohibited, he would do the exact opposite to spite them.
Arthur’s rebellion pushed his parents to the brink, yet they couldn’t abandon the son they had poured so much love into. Around that time, Lynn discovered she was pregnant. With limited resources, raising two sons felt impossible, especially when their eldest was defiant, unmotivated, and constantly went against their wishes.
Stanley and Lynn faced a painful dilemma–whether to keep trying to reform their rebellious eldest son or place all their hopes on the unborn child. With limited resources, they could only afford to raise one child at a time.
Aubree gradually opened her eyes. Just as the Morgan family reached a pivotal moment, Ronald made his entrance. Somehow, Ronald managed to persuade the Morgan family–no one knew what leverage he employed–to abandon Arthur. Their objective was clear: follow Ronald’s directions and make Aubree’s life unbearable.
Aubree rubbed her forehead, thinking that rules, not warmth, shaped the Morgans. Lynn and Stanley didn’t care who their son was—only that he conformed. Arthur slipped the leash, so now they’re eyeing the next one, hoping to get it right this time.
Now that Aubree understood everything, the following steps would be much easier. All that remained was to discover exactly what had happened to Arthur.
A series of knocks sounded on the office door. “Ms. Miller, Mr. Turner is here to see you,” Vincent announced.
Before Vincent could even finish his sentence, the office door swung open. Bowen strolled in casually, making himself right at home as if he owned the place. Aubree’s mouth twitched in exasperation. ‘Maybe it’s time to enhance the office security,’ she thought.
“You may go now,” Aubree told Vincent. As he left, Vincent thoughtfully closed the door behind him for her.
Aubree couldn’t help but roll her eyes at Bowen, both exasperated and amused. “What brings you here?”
Since returning from Shiyvania, this was the first time they met–and honestly, she’d been going out of her way to avoid him, because just because they hadn’t met in person didn’t mean Bowen would behave himself–he was still blowing up her phone with texts and calls, as persistent as ever.
Aubree couldn’t help but wonder if their trip to Shiyvania had flipped some hidden switch in Bowen. ‘How can anyone be this outrageously flirtatious?’ she thought, exasperated. ‘He’s not even pretending anymore.’
Aubree still couldn’t get over the fact that Bowen forgot their kiss after sobering up. That time at the bar didn’t even count–this was considered her first real kiss. And he had forgotten it.
The more Aubree dwelled on it, the angrier she became. She narrowed her eyes at Bowen, her gaze now laced with resentment and blame, and she had nowhere to vent it out.
Bowen was utterly baffled by Aubree’s glare. ‘What did I do this time? I haven’t even done anything yet,’ he thought.
“How about being my date for the gala? Turner Group is bidding on a development project in the East District. The bidding gala’s tomorrow night–would you do me the honor and be my date, Bree?” He gave her his most charming smile, batting his eyes in an apparent attempt to win her over.
Aubree was no longer the overlooked daughter of the Wilson family; she had become a shining star in the new media industry. Unbeknownst to her, a multitude of admiring gazes followed her everywhere–each one fueling Bowen’s growing restlessness.
Chapter 230
At a recent business gala, one of Bowen’s associates–having somehow caught wind of his close ties with Bree–referred to him as someone who’d always looked out for her. The man then subtly hinted that his younger son, just two years older than Aubree, was quite taken with her and hoped Bowen would play matchmaker.
Bowen struggled to maintain his composure. ‘Guardian? Me?’ he fumed inwardly. If he were going to stand by her side, it would be like the one who rightfully belonged there.
Bowen didn’t want to hold Aubree back–she deserved every chance to become her best self. But stripped of his status, he was nothing more than another face in the crowd, watching from the sidelines with all the rest. There was nothing he could do.
But Bowen couldn’t simply stand by and watch as those admirers inched closer to her. He needed to make it clear to everyone that he was anything but a shrewd investor–or some guardian figure.
Aubree exclaimed inwardly, “Was Bowen acting all sweet with me?”
Aubree’s expression froze for a split second before morphing into sheer horror. “Holy crap, that’s terrifying! Is he up to no good again?” she thought.
Aubree’s expression grew wary. “I’m afraid I’m quite busy,” she replied.
“The gala’s tomorrow night. You don’t have any evening classes, do you? I’ll pick you up at the school gate after your last one, and once the bidding ends, I’ll bring you straight back. I promise it won’t take long,” Bowen said.
Aubree was about to refuse when something clicked. “Wait–the East District project? Is it about developing the East District’s commercial hub?”
Rithol City, the capital, was a bustling metropolis where every inch of land was prized. Yet the East District remained untouched, occupied for years by holdout residents. After lengthy negotiations, they finally agreed to relocate. Now open for bidding, the area was set to become a modern commercial hub.
Bowen nodded. “That’s the one.”
“I’m in,” Aubree said decisively.
Bowen had no idea why Aubree had suddenly changed her mind, but he was pleased to have gotten what he wanted–and that was all that truly mattered. His spirits brightened instantly.
The online controversy surrounding MindDrift continued to escalate. Following Alice’s advice, Carmen issued a public apology statement online while also reaching out to Nick’s family.
Ronald wanted Carmen to apologize and take full responsibility for the entire incident. However, Carmen carefully chose her words—she acknowledged that the events had indeed occurred but skillfully avoided placing any blame on Playzy. What seemed like an apology on the surface was, in fact, a stubborn refusal to accept fault.
Ronald had no idea. He was too caught up plotting with the Lawsons against Bowen and juggling the Playzy situation. Neither was going anywhere, and the longer it all dragged out, the more anxious he became–afraid it might all spiral further out of control, leaving him in an even worse spot than before.
The online backlash against Carmen intensified after her apology statement, but she remained indifferent. That apology was solely for Ronald’s benefit. Her immediate priority now was to reach out to the family and persuade them to scapegoat Aubree.
Carmen thought, ‘As long as I can sort things out, Dad won’t question how I do it. And once I succeed, all I get is praise and greater authority!’ Brimming with confidence, Carmen noted that Nick’s family didn’t immediately turn down her proposition. Soon enough, Carmen’s message was forwarded straight to Aubree’s phone.
“Ms. Miller, just as you predicted, Carmen has reached out to us,” someone reported.
“Agree to meet her and send me the address,” Aubree instructed, already planning how to arrange a gift for Carmen. Aubree checked her phone between classes and smirked. “Well, I knew Carmen always had something up her sleeve,” she thought.
Aubree knew that if Ronald were in charge, he’d be quick to assume full responsibility. With Playzy under heavy scrutiny, even a slight
misstep could unravel all the traps he’d laid. A more strategic move, she figured, would be to shield MindDrift while continuing to apply pressure on Playzy–maintaining leverage on both sides without overreaching.
Aubree thought, ‘He will force Carmen to admit she was wrong. But Carmen is far too proud for that–she sees apologizing as akin to admitting defeat.’ A sly smile crept onto Aubree’s lips. If Carmen is too proud to concede, then I’ll ensure she falls even harder.