Bones Learn To Listen When Silence Speaks by Ryn Miles 11

Chapter II 

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When the car pulled up at SkyPulse Company, the rain had gotten even heavier. 

The parking lot was outdoors, and there was still a short walk to the entrance, 

Cassian got out first, opened an umbrella, and waited for Tessa. When she joined him, they walked toward the building together. 

He never once thought of Aurelia. But yeah, he only ever held the umbrella for one person. 

Cassian’s favoritism had become so routine that Aurelia didn’t even bother keeping track anymore. 

She opened her car door, ready to make a run for it. The distance wasn’t far, but the late autumn rain cut like 

ice. 

“Ms. Corin, wait up!” someone called from the entrance. 

It was Dorian, hurrying, toward her with an umbrella. 

“This rain’s freezing, You’ll catch a cold if you get soaked,” Dorian said once he reached her. “It’s easy for the chill to get into your body” 

“Thank you, Mr. Cooper,” Aurelia said sincerely, 

“No problem. That doctor you recommended for my wife worked wonders. She’s already feeling, much better after just two doses. She told me to thank you properly when I saw you–and to invite you to dinner tonight,” Dorian said warmly. 

“Mrs. Cooper’s too kind. It was really no trouble,” Aurelia replied, 

They walked back together, chatting and laughing. They looked genuinely close. 

By the door, Tessa and Cassian were waiting. 

Seeing them approach, Tessa arched a brow and said to Cassian, “Ms. Corin and Mr. Cooper seem to have quite the relationship. No wonder Mr. Cooper insisted on seeing her yesterday before resuming negotiations.” 

Anyone who’d worked in business long enough could catch the meaning behind her words. 

Cassian’s reaction was colder than Tessa expected. He looked away, handed the umbrella to a nearby security guard, and walked inside without a word. 

Pleased by his indifference, Tessa smiled and followed him in. 

When Aurelia and Dorian reached the conference room, Tessa was leaning close to Cassian, whispering something to him. Their upper bodies naturally tilted toward each other. 

According to psychology, when someone liked another person, their body naturally leaned closer. 

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Aurelia had thought she wouldn’t care anymore–but seeing them together still sent a sharp sting through her 

chest. 

After loving him for so many years, she couldn’t just turn that off overnight. 

She looked away and quietly chose a seat farthest from them. 

From the start of the meeting, Tessa was aggressive, demanding that SkyPulse Company give up two percentage points of profit. 

Dorian refused without hesitation, saying the previously agreed share couldn’t be changed. 

“Ms. Corin was in charge before,” Tessa said. “She’s just a secretary–she lacks the professional judgment for business decisions. That’s why we’re asking to revise the terms.” 

Dorian glanced at Aurelia, as if hoping she’d speak up. 

Aurelia kept her eyes on her phone, her face unreadable. 

Tessa let out a faint, dismissive laugh, full of condescension. 

“Mr. Cooper, I think you should reconsider,” she said, leaning back confidently. “You know Honoria Capital isn’t short on good projects.” 

Dorian hesitated. SkyPulse Company desperately needed funds to stay afloat. They’d poured nearly everything into research and development, and that was why he was scrambling for financing now. 

Tessa had clearly seen through their situation and was taking advantage, pressing them hard at this critical 

moment. 

But agreeing would mean losing too much. If most of the profits went to investors, SkyPulse Company’s future would be bleak. 

After weighing the risks, Dorian made up his mind. 

They might face delays and hardship finding new financing, but at least they’d still have control. He would rather mortgage everything he owned than sign away the company’s future. 

Just as he was about to speak, Aurelia finally raised her head. “Excuse me, I have something to add.” 

She projected her phone screen, displaying a few news headlines. It was a newly released report on plans to accelerate agricultural development. 

Aurelia said, “SkyPulse Company has always focused on agricultural drones for crop protection and smart farming solutions. Their products are used in many countries worldwide. 

“When I drafted the project proposal, I based it on real, verifiable data, not assumptions. With government support for agriculture, SkyPulse Company’s future will be even brighter than our earlier projections.” 

Her words were brief but steady. Then she sat back down. 

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Dorian was deeply grateful. When he turned back to negotiate, his confidence had returned. “Ms. Corin may only be a secretary, but her business sense and judgment are exceptional–every bit as sharp as those with MBAS from abroad.” 

Tessa’s expression stiffened. 

Cassian, who’d been silent until now, finally spoke. “Ms. Rowe just returned to the country, She’s not yet familiar with local policies, which is why she overlooked that point.” 

He was clearly covering for Tessa. 

Aurelia had expected him to defend her, but not this blatantly. So this was what favoritism looked like. 

Tessa smiled, emboldened. “My mistake then. I apologize, Mr. Cooper.” 

Before Dorian could reply, Cassian added, “The issue wasn’t with you. You’ve just started on this project. It was Ms. Corin who failed to properly hand over the materials–that was her negligence.” 

His voice was calm, but every word cut like a blade, sharp and merciless. 

Dorian couldn’t stay silent. “How can you blame Ms. Corin for that? The policy was announced ten minutes ago. She couldn’t have predicted it or made empty promises in advance.” 

Aurelia didn’t argue. She didn’t want to. She’d seen enough–one incident after another–and each one made her heart grow a little colder. 

“I’m sorry. I’m not feeling well. I need to step out,” she said quietly. 

She hadn’t eaten all morning, and her stomach pain had flared up again. 

The bread in her bag was cold and hard, but she forced herself to eat it, bite by bite. 

Luckily, there was hot water in the breakroom. After half a cup, the ache eased slightly. She took her medicine and slowly started to feel better. 

Cassian and Tessa left the conference room together, smiling and relaxed. 

Dorian followed behind them, also in good spirits. 

It looked like they’d reached an agreement. Aurelia exhaled softly. 

“Ms. Corin, Ms. Rowe wants to tour our production line. Would you like to come with us?” asked Dorian. 

Aurelia was about to decline when Cassian cut in, “You already messed up the project handover and almost cost us the deal. Don’t you think you should come along and give Ms. Rowe a proper introduction this time?” 

So that was still how he saw it. He thought it was all her fault. 

Aurelia felt a cold weight in her chest. Seven years of working herself to exhaustion for Honoria Capital–and in the end, it all meant nothing. 

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Chapter 12