Chapter 69

“This one’s my birthday wish for you!” Hector leaned over the railing, pointing excitedly at the fireworks in the sky.

Matilda pointed to the next one. “And that one’s mine.”

“Bree, may you always be safe and at peace.”

Seeing that nickname, Aubree instinctively turned around. Bowen was behind her, smiling softly. “That one’s from me.”

“Thank you all so much!” Aubree threw her arms around the nearest person, Matilda. “Thank you, all of you. This is the most romantic, most wonderful birthday I’ve ever had.”

“Silly girl. We’ll celebrate every year,” Matilda said, hugging her back.

Meanwhile, across the river where the wind bit like knives, Ollie stood shivering. He stuffed his hands in his pockets, dressed in a sharp suit with his hair slicked back. Autumn had arrived, and the temperature had dropped.

In front of him were the empty firework boxes.

“Damn it! That bastard!” Ollie cursed through chattering teeth. “I thought he called me out to celebrate Aubree’s birthday. Turns out I’m just here to light fireworks so he could impress her!”

He had even dressed up for the occasion, only to be left standing around freezing.

As the president of Turner Group, Bowen could ask anyone to do this job.

However, Bowen said it was too important to entrust to an outsider. Ollie scoffed. He bet Bowen was just afraid he’d steal the spotlight at the party.

Beside him stood another man. It was Mark. He was tall and imposing, with a buzz cut and a stoic face. “What’s Bowen been up to lately?” Mark asked. “Last time I came back from a mission and finally got some leave, he popped into Nightworld for five minutes and ghosted.”

And he asked them to set off fireworks. Mark thought Bowen must be bored out of his damn mind.

“Remember that girl Bowen used to sponsor at the orphanage?” Ollie asked, his voice more serious now.

At that, Mark looked up at the sky again. The fireworks had faded. “So it’s her.”

He said, “I’ve been digging into the truth behind what really happened with Bowen’s brother and sister-in-law. I’m finally starting to piece things together.”

He added, “Alvin is keeping close tabs on it too… but I don’t know whether the truth will bring peace or more pain.”

Ollie let out a long sigh. “He still can’t let it go, huh?”

Back at the Wilson family’s estate, the guests had long dispersed. Housekeepers and servants were cleaning up the aftermath. The Wilson family sat clustered in the living room.

Daxton stormed in, phone in hand and face twisted with fury. “I made some calls. Bowen ordered those fireworks before I even did. They were custom-made. The factory had already notified me about canceling my order, but I’ve been too swamped to notice.”

Carmen sat stiffly, clutching her knees. Rage was bubbling under her skin. It was her most humiliating birthday ever.

The sky had been filled with fireworks celebrating Aubree, and none of them were for her. The spotlight that should have belonged to her had been stolen in the most glamorous way.

Even though no one said anything to her face, Carmen could feel their judgment in every glance. Those gazes cut at her pride. All because of Aubree.

“This is all your fault!” Alice snapped at Daxton. “Look at the mess you’ve made!”

Daxton looked guilt-ridden. “Carmen, I’m sorry. I embarrassed you,”

Carmen forced a tight smile. “It’s not your fault, Daxton. Besides, celebrating for Aubree is a good thing too. It’s all the same.”

“Exactly. It’s all the same,” Bryan chimed in nonchalantly. “Celebrating for Aubree just lets everyone know today’s our sister’s birthday.”

Deep down, he was even a little relieved. At least Aubree had finally had a proper birthday.

His fingers brushed the gift in his pocket. He’d thought Aubree might come back tonight, but it seemed he’d have to wait to give it to her next time.

Carmen’s smile faltered. Bryan’s reaction was nothing like she had imagined. She thought he would comfort her or scold Aubree for stealing her thunder.

“Bryan’s right. It’s fine. Mom, Dad, it’s not like this is the only birthday I’ll ever have. If Aubree is happy, that’s good enough for me,” she said with a smile full of forced generosity.

Inside, though, her fury was razor-sharp. ‘Aubree, you pushed me this far. Don’t blame me for what comes next!’

Her eyes gleamed with malice.

Bryan frowned slightly. Something about Carmen’s tone didn’t sit right.

Ronald, on the other hand, was consumed with thoughts of Aubree and Bowen’s relationship. He bitterly regretted letting Aubree go so easily.

Trevor had left early to return to her filming schedule.

Only Daxton and Alice remained. Their hearts ached over Carmen’s humiliation, but were moved by her apparent magnanimity. They never once questioned that the fireworks were clearly never meant for Carmen, nor that the “surprise” belonged entirely to someone else.

The next morning, Aubree awoke to her phone buzzing nonstop.

The fireworks Bowen had set off had made quite the splash online. Since registering her company and starting her esports club, Aubree had also set up a Twitter account. Previously, she’d had only a handful of bot followers. Overnight, she gained a million. She was nearly on par with some rising celebrities.

Aubree was stunned.

She instinctively reached for her neck. Her fingers paused. Looking down, she saw a dark green pendant carved into the shape of a leaf. The memory came flooding back. It was Bowen’s birthday gift.

She clasped it in her hand. It was cool to the touch, but the chill soon warmed in her palm. Thanks to her recent rise to fame, even the comment section of her latest ad was flooded with blessings from strangers.

Aubree smiled faintly. Living again really was a gift. If only the Wilson family didn’t exist, it would be perfect. But she would reclaim every ounce of pain she had suffered in the past timeline.

For now, she jumped out of bed and packed her school bag. The midterm exams were coming up, and she couldn’t afford to slack. Her goal was top 50.

As usual, on the way to school, Zachary parked the car a short distance from the school, allowing Aubree to walk through an alley to reach the campus.

But today, Zachary frowned, scanning the surroundings. “Miss Miller, someone’s watching the area.”

“What kind of person?” She was a billionaire now. Being targeted wasn’t out of the question.

Aubree instantly grew alert.

Zachary observed closely. “A few girls… around your age?”

Aubree quickly pieced it together.

In the past timeline, the bullying gang that tormented Aubree was secretly backed by Carmen.

They had once targeted her for being smarter, prettier, and briefly admired by Alvin.

They were also the ones responsible for the death of Matilda’s friend.

Even though she had reopened the case, the lack of evidence meant those girls had only been expelled for bullying. How dare they show up again?

Aubree chuckled coldly. She already had a plan.

They were all civilized people, and there was no need for fists and knives in the shadows.

She leaned over to Zachary, “Here’s what you’ll do…”

Zachary hesitated. “But what if you get hurt?”

“Don’t worry. I’ve been training. I might not be able to beat them, but I can keep them from laying a finger on me.” Aubree opened the door and walked off, swinging her school bag over one shoulder.

The moment she stepped out, the girls watching her immediately alerted someone.

As she entered the alley, three delinquent girls with dyed hair and tattoos appeared ahead. The leader had a cigarette dangling from her lips. “Well, well. Isn’t this Miss Miller? Look at you. Such a big shot.”

Aubree took two steps back. Turning around, she saw two more girls closing in. She was trapped.

From her quick scan, at least three of them were carrying weapons.

Aubree smirked. Their weapons were enough to get them locked up for a couple of years.