Chapter 535

But who would’ve thought that in the ruthless world of business, someone could actually care for real? With such a huge opportunity right in front of him, Bowen just let that massive piece of cake sit there and didn’t even make a move.

“Are you alright?” Bryan asked as he stared at Aubree, trying to see right through her, as if he could spot something wrong by looking hard enough.

“Are you disappointed?” Aubree asked, a teasing smile playing at her lips.

She added, “I bet seeing me safe and sound is a real letdown for you. After all, you were this close to getting your hands on a billion-dollar empire, only to have it slip away again.”

“Bryan, you and the entire Wilson family really have some nerve. I’m not even dead yet, and I’ve said more than once that I’ve completely cut ties with the Wilsons. So how do you have the shameless gall to say that if I die, my shares should go to your family?”

Her words were brutally blunt, especially in front of everyone like this. Whatever excitement or hope had just flashed across Bryan’s face was wiped out in an instant.

His face darkened in response, “Aubree, what nonsense are you saying? Everyone at home has been so worried about you. What’s all this talk about cutting ties? No matter what, you’ll always be part of the Wilson family.”

Bowen burst out laughing without holding back at all as he replied, “I’ve heard plenty of people whisper that I’m thick-skinned in business, that only someone as shameless and sly as me could build a company this big.

“But honestly, those folks clearly never had the pleasure of meeting you, Mr. Wilson.

“You know that saying—once you hit it big, even broke relatives from hundreds of miles away will show up at your door? Well, looks like we’re getting a live-action version of that right now.”

Aubree smirked slyly as she and Bowen exchanged barbs, shredding Bryan with no dignity.

Bryan had never been put on blast like this in front of everyone before and he was so furious, the veins on his forehead were popping out.

“Mr. Turner, isn’t it a bit much for you to meddle in the Wilson family’s private affairs?” Bryan snapped.

Bowen rested his hand on Aubree’s wheelchair and shot back with a mocking grin, “Well, you’d actually have to be family first, wouldn’t you?”

Aubree let out a cold laugh, “Family? You mean the kind of family that’s out for your life?

“That’s one thing I definitely don’t want.

“Let’s not discuss anything else. During the three years I spent with the Wilson family, do you really think you treated me well? Be honest with yourself, Bryan. Can you honestly claim, without any guilt, that my time with your family was anything other than hell?

“And as for that car accident, don’t tell me you honestly have no clue who was behind it. Of all the people in the world, the Wilsons are the absolute last ones qualified to talk about ‘family.’

“I just got lucky this time and made it out okay. Otherwise, I would’ve had to watch you all put on your crocodile tears for a few days, then gleefully snatch up everything that belonged to me.”

The folks who had thrown their lot in with Bryan were already trembling. They’d always thought, ‘Hey, Aubree and the Wilsons are still family, right? No matter how bad things get, family ties can’t just be cut off. Even if we screw up, it can’t get that serious, can it?

‘Plus, there were so many of us. There’s no way they’ll go after all of us, right?’

But now, all that confidence was gone. The fear was real, and they knew deep down that once Aubree was done with Bryan, she’d be coming for them next.

And the worst part was that even if they wanted to gang up and push back, with Bowen and Aubree holding over half the shares, they didn’t stand a chance.

The moment Aubree showed up, the outcome of the chairman’s re-election was set in stone.

Bryan was the last to leave the conference room, his face stony and expressionless.

Aubree didn’t say much. Her gaze swept over everyone who had backed Bryan. Birgitte had already compiled everything that happened during her absence into a document and sent it straight to her inbox. Now, Aubree knew exactly who had done what, and she was going to settle the score with every single one of them, one by one.