Chapter 301

Kurtis snapped, “Yeah, we fought. So what? Everyone in Kroit City knows I can’t stand Bowen. Got a problem with that?” He bit down on his tongue, but the pain barely registered anymore. ‘Where the hell are my bodyguards? Are they all dead? How did these damn reporters even get in here?’ thought Kurtis.

Camera flashes erupted in the cramped private room. Kurtis had never been so humiliated. He froze, terrified of revealing his true predicament.

The lead reporter perfectly exemplified what it meant to be willfully oblivious, his eyes pointedly gesturing toward the bathroom to his companions. Immediately, another reporter stepped forward and pressed, “Mr. Carr, rumors are swirling that Carr Group and Turner Group are set to collaborate. The party is specifically arranged as a welcome reception for Turner Group. Care to comment?”

“Mr. Carr, by bringing Ms. Miller here, are you signaling to Turner Group that you’re switching alliances to Bree Technology?”

Questions hammered at Kurtis relentlessly, making his head swim. ‘Goddammit,’ he thought, fuming, ‘if these damn vultures don’t clear out soon, whatever happens next will be entirely their own damn fault!’

“Is someone in the restroom? How come you’re the only one here in the private room, Mr. Carr?”

The lead reporter’s voice suddenly rang out. He spun around and went straight for the restroom door.

Inside the restroom, Bowen and Aubree were struggling just as much.

Aubree’s consciousness was already slipping as she instinctively nuzzled into Bowen’s embrace. She knew it was him, and it was precisely that recognition that made her let her guard down.

Bowen clenched his jaw. The aphrodisiac barely affected him, but when it came to Aubree, all his defenses crumbled.

Like handling a burning ember, Bowen carefully placed Aubree on the cold tiles, hoping the chill would snap her back to reality. “Bree,” he urged, “don’t do anything you’ll regret.”

A faint flush spread across Bowen’s skin. Though the drug was taking its toll on him, too, he absolutely must not touch her!

Without a moment’s hesitation, Bowen soaked his suit jacket in cold water and threw it over Aubree’s head. “Snap out of it,” he urged, his voice tense.

The cold water drenched Aubree, making her shiver. “Bowen,” she urged, “Kurtis can’t handle them alone. You have to get out there.”

“I can handle myself.”

Without another word, Aubree sank her teeth into her arm. She heard the commotion outside. Precisely because of that, she couldn’t let the schemers behind this succeed.

Aubree thought, ‘If photos of me, Bowen, and Kurtis in such a compromising state get out, Bree Technology will be a huge hit. Alice, you’re absolutely ruthless! I’ll make sure to uncover whatever secrets Alice is hiding.’

She bit down hard. Blood instantly welled up from her lips. Sometimes, pain was a blessing.

Aubree showed herself absolutely no mercy.

Bowen’s heart clenched in anguish. Yet, he couldn’t stop her. ‘If letting her bite me is what it takes to keep Bree lucid, I’d rather bear the pain myself,’ he thought.

Without uttering a word, Bowen snatched up his suit jacket, draped it over his arm to conceal his lower body, and the instant the bathroom door cracked open, he reached out without hesitation and flung the nearest reporter out.

Bowen seized the equipment and smashed it without hesitation, the violent sound of shattering objects echoing through the restroom.

Bowen smashed every piece of equipment within reach, then swiftly slammed the bathroom door shut behind him.

Bowen glanced coolly at the stunned reporters. “Gentlemen, is there a problem?”

The lead reporter, still sprawled on the ground, gaped in shock at Bowen, who looked completely unfazed. ‘This isn’t what the employer promised at all!’ he thought wildly. ‘I was sure I’d find Bowen and Aubree in there… Other than his clothes being slightly damp, the guy looks completely normal.’

Another commotion erupted outside the door. Kelvin, sensing something amiss, had rushed over with his bodyguards.

Kelvin said coolly, “If Mr. Carr’s influence isn’t enough, perhaps the Turner family can tip the scales. And if you reporters choose to ignore my advice, my associates are quite skilled at… persuading people to reconsider.”

Kelvin moved like lightning, grabbing the reporter nearest the door and shoving him out. “Leave your cameras and phones, and get the hell out! If you don’t, next time it won’t just be your equipment getting smashed!”

On the cruise ship’s deck, Alice adjusted her oversized sunglasses and glanced to the side at her companion. “The money and plane tickets are ready. You’re leaving tonight. Once this night is over, they’ll have plenty of their own mess to deal with.”

The man standing beside her looked at her with concern in his eyes. “Alice…”

“I’m fine. Is that couple hidden away safely?”

“Not good. Someone with government ties has been digging around. We can’t keep them hidden much longer.”

“Move the couple to Rithol City. I have a villa in the suburbs–completely off the grid.”