Chapter 297
Kurtis chuckled and ushered her into the car, running his tongue along his molars with a sly grin, appreciating her quick wit.
Kurtis had been surprisingly well-behaved during the ride, not saying or doing anything out of line. Just as they were nearing their destination, Aubree suddenly heard him say, “I heard tonight’s party will have a special guest. He’s from Rithol City. Ms. Miller, I’m sure you know him. His name is Bowen Turner.”
That name was sensitive. Aubree’s head snapped up. She thought, ‘Bowen is here, too?’
Kurtis looked at Aubree and said, “You know, you don’t need to be so on guard with me. I’m dead serious about this partnership.”
Kurtis suddenly reached out as if he wanted to touch Aubree’s face, but she swiftly dodged. “Mr. Carr,” she said coolly, “if you give me what I want, we may have more chances to work together, but as for anything more, sorry, I’m neither willing nor able to offer.”
Kurtis’s hand hung in the air for a moment before he withdrew it with a sheepish smile. “Ms. Miller, I merely wanted your company at the party. Nothing more,” he said.
The car soon pulled to a stop. Kurtis offered his hand, inviting her to alight, but Aubree made her utter disgust clear. Gathering her skirt, she stepped out on her own. ‘Maybe this entire scheme was laid out for me from the moment I first sought out Gordon,’ she thought.
Kurtis lingered two steps behind, his gaze fixed on Aubree’s retreating figure. The driver, unable to resist, turned his head and stole another glance at her.
Kurtis murmured, “She’s the spitting image, isn’t she? Even more so than her mother was in her prime.”
The driver gave an involuntary shiver, his skin prickling with unease.
The cruise ship was a world unto itself – extravagant, resplendent, and utterly intoxicating. No adjective seemed too much to capture its splendor. The place buzzed with energy and lively chatter.
Aubree trailed a few steps behind Kurtis as he guided her through the party’s social circuit.
Always adaptable, Aubree figured she might as well go with the flow since she didn’t know what Kurtis was up to. With so many high-profile guests at the party, it was an opportunity she couldn’t pass up. With practical ease, she worked the room, wineglass in hand.
Her business standing was nothing to scoff at among this crowd. Moreover, the projects she was handling had limitless potential, making many eager to network with her. After working the room, she’d completely left Kurtis in the dust.
Kurtis couldn’t help but laugh in exasperation as he watched Aubree in her element. ‘Of course,’ he thought, ‘anyone who could break free from the Wilson family’s control and build such a vast business empire was never going to be some docile little thing.’
“Mr. Turner is here.”
“Mr. Turner, what do you think about the collaboration we discussed last time?”
The entrance to the party hall suddenly buzzed with excitement. Instinctively, Aubree looked over. Across the crowd, her gaze locked precisely with Bowen’s. Trailing behind him, Kelvin was utterly flabbergasted. ‘Wait… Miss Miller? What’s she doing here?’ thought Kelvin.
Kurtis’s hand shot out, gripping Aubree’s wrist as he pulled her over to Bowen. With a smirk, he greeted, “Long time no see, Mr. Turner.”
Kurtis nudged Aubree closer to Bowen with a knowing smirk. “Mr. Turner, do you recognize Ms. Miller? Doesn’t her face strike you as familiar?”
Bowen shot Kurtis a look of utter disdain. ‘Of course, I recognize her. She’s my girlfriend,’ he thought.
Under Bowen’s intense gaze, Aubree suddenly felt a pang of self-consciousness. At the same time, she wondered, ‘What is it about my face?’
At Kurtis’s words, the people around seemed to piece things together. Their eyes locked onto Aubree’s face, and one by one, expressions of dawning recognition spread across their features.
Kurtis grinned even wider as Bowen kept staring at Aubree in silence. “Mr. Turner,” he prodded with amusement, “care for a chat?”
Bowen shot Aubree a look that said, “You’re so getting it later,” then he said, “Private room.”
Aubree’s eyes darted between the two. ‘Do these two have some history?’ she wondered.