Chapter 492

Bowen stared at Aubree, who was clutching her wine glass and refusing to let go. He curved his lips into a smile and set his glass of red wine aside. “You’re drunk.”

When Aubree got drunk, she turned into a completely different person from her usual self. Normally, she was sharp and sensible, but once she had a few drinks, she became clingy, unreasonable, and all her intelligence just flew out the window.

“No, I’m not drunk,” Aubree mumbled, pursing her lips.

She thought, ‘Bowen is the absolute worst. He is smiling at me like that, but he is not letting me drink and still grinning. What’s so funny? He is so annoying.’

Aubree smacked Bowen right across the face, glaring at him fiercely. “Don’t laugh!”

Bowen was taken aback. The slap wasn’t hard enough to hurt, but he hadn’t expected Aubree to be so cute when she was drunk. He let out a muffled laugh, barely managing to stop himself under Aubree’s “threatening” glare.

“Bree, do you want a drink?” Bowen coaxed softly.

“Yeah,” Aubree answered right away.

“Only good girls get to drink,” Bowen said.

Aubree instantly sat up straight, chin lifted, her whole face saying, “I’m being good!”

“Whether you’re being good or not, that’s for me to decide,” Bowen said while arching an eyebrow.

The plan he’d been hiding ever since he picked up Bree was finally starting to show.

Aubree’s few remaining brain cells sparked for a moment as she wondered, ‘Why does he get to decide?’ But the thought vanished as quickly as it came. She answered sweetly, “Okay.”

“So, first question,” Bowen said while his eyes darkened with a dangerous glint, “Do you like Oliver or Bowen?”

That night at the investment meeting, his dislike for Oliver had hit its peak. Then, in the days that followed, it was like everything was against him. Oliver openly flirted with Aubree while he was stuck dealing with one thing after another. He was so angry these past few days that he could probably set someone on fire.

Aubree’s drunken mind was running slow. She had to think for a while before she could even remember what Oliver looked like. She wrinkled her nose. “Oliver…”

She mumbled something, and Bowen couldn’t quite make it out. “What?”

Aubree scrunched up her brows, thinking this guy in front of her was just as annoying as ever. “I said Oliver!”

As soon as Aubree said Oliver’s name, Bowen’s face suddenly darkened. ‘Oliver? Does she actually like Oliver more?’ he thought, jealousy flaring up inside him.

“Oliver is so annoying,” Aubree muttered, scrunching up her nose in disgust.

Bowen’s jealousy, which was about to erupt, was instantly smothered by her words.

“To put it bluntly, he’s basically my nemesis. He just won’t leave me alone. It’s driving me crazy. Next time I see him, I’m bringing extra bodyguards and telling them he’s harassing me, so they can rough him up,” Aubree grumbled.

Bowen couldn’t help but laugh.

“And what about Bowen?” Bowen asked.

Aubree sniffled. “He’s a jerk. A really good–looking jerk who’s actually pretty nice. His girlfriend’s about to get stolen, and he never shows up. Is he trying to get himself single for life or what?”

Before Aubree could even finish, Bowen couldn’t hold himself back anymore and swooped in to kiss her.

His kiss was fierce and possessive as he tried to claim her. No matter how gentle and refined Bowen looked on the outside, he couldn’t deny that deep down, he was aggressive. If he wanted something–or someone–he’d get it by hook or by crook, whether that meant tricking or outright taking it for himself.

Back then, Aubree was just someone everyone laughed at. Nobody even bothered to notice what was good about her. But now, she was on a whole different level from everyone her age. Even if those other guys had a crush on her, none of them dared to show it. But now, with Oliver suddenly in the picture, Bowen had to admit that judging by status, family background, and looks, Oliver was actually a formidable rival.

He kissed her fiercely, pouring all his pent-up desire into that kiss. He explored every inch of her lips, savoring her like he’d never get enough. Aubree was left breathless, completely swept away. He had always acted so aloof and restrained in the past, but he finally made his move and claimed the prey he’d coveted for so long.