Bones Learn To Listen When Silence Speaks by Ryn Miles 56

Chapter 56 

85 

55 vouchers 

‘Odds are, Tessa’s here too. After all, she and Cassian were pretty much inseparable! Aurelia told herself. 

Aurelia wasn’t interested in dealing with Jasper–arguing with someone like him was pointless and a total waste of time. 

She was ready to walk past him and go inside, but Jasper wouldn’t let her go. 

He deliberately provoked her. “Aurelia, why are you so clueless? Do you know how much Cassian’s done to win Tessa back? 

“When things went south between Tessa and her ex a year ago, he dropped everything to be with her. He’s been flying to her city for a whole year, and now he’s finally got her back. Can’t you just be smart and get out of his life?” 

Aurelia turned back and said coldly, “By all means, send them to the stars. Let them hold hands in the heavens and turn to stardust together. Sounds poetic, doesn’t it?” 

Jasper had never seen this sharp–edged side of Aurelia before, so he was completely at a loss for words. 

It wasn’t until Aurelia strutted off that Jasper finally collected himself. Frustrated, he started cursing at the air, then lashed out and kicked over a vase. The crash echoed loudly through the hall. 

When he returned to the private room, his face was gloomy. 

“Such bad luck!” Jasper cursed, unable to hold things in. 

Tessa asked, “What’s wrong? Who pissed you off like that?” 

Jasper couldn’t wait to vent. “Ugh, ran into someone I can’t stand outside.” 

“How could that possibly be?” Tessa frowned, puzzled. 

They were there that night to support Jasper. 

The club was a joint venture between him and a few other rich young men. It wasn’t as big and fancy as West Legacy Club, but it was close enough. After all, these guys all came from money. 

Jasper grumbled, throwing back half a glass of whiskey to cool off. “I ran into Aurelia at the door!” 

At the mention of that name, Tessa instinctively glanced at Cassian, who was half–lying down with his eyes closed. 

Nobody could tell whether he was really sleeping or just pretending. 

Tessa turned to Jasper and asked, “What did she say to get you this worked up?” 

Jasper wasn’t about to repeat Aurelia’s exact words. It was the first time she’d ever managed to put him in his place, and his pride couldn’t take it. 

12:33 Sun, Dec 21 M 

Chapter 56 

486 

86 

55 vouchers 

“Nothing much. She’s always got a sharp tongue anyway. But trust me, she’s not getting away with it,” Jasper said, a smug look flashing in his eyes as he remembered what he’d just discovered. 

Jasper added, “I just heard that Aurelia’s here to meet with Graham Vance–you know, the one from Novalen Capital. You’ve met him before, that guy who tried to hit on you before he knew who you were.” 

“I remember him. He’s got a pretty bad reputation. Does Aurelia even know what kind of guy he is, and she’s still meeting him?” Tessa asked. 

Everyone knew Aurelia was finding investors. 

Tessa had heard about it too, so she could easily guess why Aurelia was meeting Graham. 

“Graham has always had his eye on her. In the past, he didn’t dare touch her because of Cassian. Now that she’s no longer with him, she’s bound to get burned.” Jasper looked downright gleeful. 

Tessa frowned slightly. “Aurelia used to work at Honoria Capital after all. Maybe we should at least go say hello.” 

“Tessa, you’re too kind.” Jasper nudged Cassian with his foot. “Cassian, are you going to do anything about this?” 

Cassian rolled over and said indifferently, “No.” 

Jasper flashed a grin. “See? Cassian won’t step in. Besides, if we try to stick our nose in, she’d probably think we’re just meddling and messing up her chances.” 

A faint smile flickered in Tessa’s eyes, though she sighed softly and said, “You’re right. Times are tough now. For a woman to get ahead, she either needs backing or… has to make some sacrifices.” 

Jasper chimed in, “Just goes to show how mad Cassian is about you. When he found out about your breakup with Gideon, he couldn’t sit still. He kept flying overseas to see you.” 

Tessa was shocked. “Really? I didn’t know.” 

“You didn’t know? Guess Cassian really does love you deep down,” Jasper teased. 

He was about to go on, but Cassian kicked him under the table. He immediately shut up. 

Tessa didn’t press for details, but she looked pretty pleased. 

Apparently, Graham had something other than business on his mind. 

The moment Aurelia showed up, he tried every way to get her to drink. 

Unfortunately for him, Aurelia could hold her liquor, while he, after just a few glasses, was already a bit tipsy. 

Growing impatient, he cut her off while she was pitching. “Aurelia, I’ve never once doubted your business sense or your ability to handle a project. I’m sure you can make this one a success.” 

12:33 Sun, Dec 21 M. 

Chapter 56 

: 

“Then are you willing to invest, Mr. Vance?” Aurelia asked directly, skipping the polite talk. 

Graham said, “I can put my money in, but I have one condition.” 

55 vouchers 

He placed his hand over Aurelia’s and said, “You’re a smart woman. I’m sure you know what I mean.” 

“I get it,” Aurelia replied, her voice calm, almost playfully ironic. 

Graham was overjoyed, thinking she had finally given in. He was just about to make his move when the private room door swung open from the outside. 

Annoyed, Graham was about to curse whoever dared to interrupt. 

At the same time, Aurelia stood up smoothly, pulling her hand back without drawing attention, and greeted the visitor with a bright smile. “Mrs. Vance, you’re finally here. We’ve been waiting for you.” 

Darren’s smile froze. He instantly realized Aurelia had planned this from the start. 

‘Shit, I was way too careless,‘ he thought, kicking himself. 

After working under Cassian for so many years, Aurelia certainly had learned a few tricks. She wouldn’t have come there alone unless she had everything figured out. 

Valerie ignored Graham completely and went straight to take Aurelia’s hand warmly. “Aurelia, it’s so nice to finally see you again. You really helped me out last time, and I’ve been meaning to thank you.” 

Aurelia replied with a modest smile. “Mrs. Vance, you’re too kind. It was nothing, really.” 

“No, no, I must thank you. People should always be grateful and act with integrity. If not, they aren’t even worthy of being called human,” Valerie stated. 

Graham coughed awkwardly on the side, clearly uncomfortable. 

Anyone with half a brain could tell that Valerie was ridiculing her husband. 

Graham was proof that luck trumped looks and pedigree. Despite coming from an ordinary background and looking plain, Graham somehow managed to marry a wealthy heiress like Valerie. 

And with his father–in–law’s help, his business had flourished. 

But as the saying goes, money changes people. 

Once Graham became successful, he started flirting around everywhere. 

Valerie had been heartbroken but could only turn a blind eye. 

No matter what happened, Graham wouldn’t divorce her since their interests were tightly bound. 

Valerie’s farsighted father had made sure of that before he passed away. 

In fact, Valerie and Aurelia had only met twice, and their first encounter was anything but pleasant. 

12:33 Sun, Dec 21 M 

Chapter 56 

16 

56 vouchers 

Back then, Valerie was having afternoon tea with her group of socialites when she spotted Aurelia chatting with Graham about a business deal. Assuming Aurelia was Graham’s mistress, she got her squad to surround Aurelia and started grilling her on the spot. 

Once Aurelia learned who Valerie was, she explained the misunderstanding sincerely and managed to defuse the situation. 

The second meeting was at a business gala. Mrs. Vance, attending with Graham, had been tricked into wearing fake jewelry. 

It might have seemed trivial, but in their circles, it was a serious embarrassment. Panicked, she had hidden in the restroom, too ashamed to come out. 

It was Aurelia who came to her rescue, calling in a favor to swap the fake jewelry for a real one. That was the huge favor Valerie was referring to. 

Valerie’s sudden appearance completely ruined Graham’s little scheme. Forced to behave, he finally took a serious look at Aurelia’s proposal. 

And indeed, it was excellent, so he set up a meeting with Aurelia at his office for the next day. 

When they finally wrapped things up and stepped out, they ran into Cassian and his friends, who were also leaving. 

Valerie had gone to get the car, so it was just Aurelia and Graham standing there. 

Seeing the two of them together, Jasper raised an eyebrow and sneered, his tone full of malice. “Aurelia, you’re impressive. It took you just one night to land the deal with Mr. Vance. I guess you must have offered something in return.” 

Aurelia instinctively glanced at Cassian, who stood behind Jasper. 

His face was expressionless. And somehow, Aurelia felt like he believed it too. 

AD