Bones Learn To Listen When Silence Speaks by Ryn Miles 139

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Jasper, standing nearby, said, “Nietzki Corp just struck a strategic partnership with InquireMind. Liam’s been 

for a while; he’s probably just talking business with Aurelia.” 

gone 

Tessa barely gave it a second thought as she looked away. 

‘I’m just overthinking it,‘ she told herself. 

Liam, just like Jasper, couldn’t stand Aurelia. 

Tessa thought, ‘Besides, Aurelia’s family didn’t even have a footing in the elite circles. No matter how stunning Aurelia was, Liam wouldn’t ever be into her. 

‘The friendliness he showed on the surface was nothing more than professional courtesy due to their cooperation. In private, he wouldn’t even bother looking her way! 

Karlie was feeling a bit jealous, but Tessa told her not to worry about it. 

It was at this moment that Liam returned. 

He actually wanted to stick around and chat a bit longer, but Aurelia was swamped by people coming up to her. 

If he lingered any longer, he would’ve felt like he was in the way, so he decided to head back. 

When Liam saw Tessa, he gave her a nod and asked, “Is Cassian feeling any better?” 

“He was almost fully recovered, but it relapsed. He’s still in the hospital on an IV drip. He couldn’t even attend the summit, so I came in his place,” Tessa replied. 

Liam frowned. “Just from getting caught in the rain? He’s been sick this long?” 

Before Tessa could say anything, someone else came over to greet her. 

“Tessa,” Kyler called out. 

Tessa looked surprised to see him. “What brings you here?” 

“I’m here for the conference too,” Kyler explained. 

“Does Evergreen Group have any business in Ashmont?” Tessa asked. 

“Yes, though not many. We’re planning to increase investment this year,” Kyler replied. 

Tessa’s interest was instantly piqued. “Let’s keep in touch and see if we can work together on some projects.” 

“Sure,” Kyler agreed without hesitation. 

Before the summit began, Tessa headed to the restroom to touch up her makeup. 

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Chapter 139 

Karlie couldn’t help but ask, “Tessa, does Kyler have a crush on you?” 

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Tessa carefully applied her lipstick, making sure it looked perfect before replying, “He was into me back in business school.” 

“Did you say yes?” Karlie asked. 

“No.” Tessa shook her head. “I was with Gideon at the time.” 

Karlie replied, “Oh, right.” 

“Once he found out I had a boyfriend, he never brought it up again, but he’s always had a soft spot for me,” Tessa said. 

Karlie had always admired Tessa, even as a kid, and she knew just how attractive Tessa was to men. 

It didn’t surprise her one bit that Kyler liked Tessa. 

Tessa stashed her lipstick and fixed her hair. “I never would’ve guessed he was the heir to Evergreen Group. Back in business school, he was just a broke student, hustling with odd jobs to make ends meet. I helped him out a couple of times, and he’s always been thankful, and maybe even a little in awe.” 

Tessa could tell he definitely had feelings for her. She knew exactly what that look in a man’s eyes meant. 

But with Cassian in her life now, Kyler wasn’t even a consideration. Still, she wasn’t about to let that connection go to waste. 

A man’s admiration and affection were the most convenient weapons,‘ Tessa thought. 

When they stepped out after fixing their makeup, they saw Aurelia in the hallway making a phone call. 

Karlie let out a cold snort and deliberately raised her voice, “Cassian really puts so much thought into helping you, Tessa. He handed you control of Honoria Capital to make sure you had a solid footing, and now he’s even letting you stand in for him at the Entrepreneurs Summit. Seriously, how is this any different from being a real married couple?” 

Aurelia found Karlie noisy and lifted her hand to cover the phone. 

But Karlie just kept going, her voice getting even louder. “So what if you’ve spent seven years sucking up to him? If he doesn’t like you, nothing you do will ever matter. Real love is when you don’t have to lift a finger— just being there is enough to get all his attention.” 

After hanging up, Aurelia strode straight over to them. 

Her aura was sharp enough to intimidate the previously arrogant Karlie into shrinking back. 

“Funny, you weren’t this loud when I told you to apologize,” Aurelia said, her voice cutting through the air. Her presence alone was oppressive. 

Karlie had only been acting tough because she was riding on Tessa’s coattails, but after Aurelia clapped back at her, she just bit her lip and didn’t dare say a word. 

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After all, Aurelia still had that video of her apology. If Aurelia got pissed and leaked that video, her reputation would be toast–she’d never live it down. 

Karlie had no choice but to look to Tessa for backup. 

Tessa grabbed her arm. “Let’s go. Don’t stir up trouble.” 

She was here standing in for Cassian, and if she made a scene, it’d just bring Cassian a whole lot of unnecessary drama. 

It would be best to stay low–profile. 

Tessa took Karlie by the arm and steered clear of Aurelia, not about to get into it with her head–on. 

On the other side of the room, Kyler noticed something happening on Tessa’s side, but he was too far away to figure out exactly what was going on. 

Assuming Tessa might be in some kind of trouble, he came right over. “Tessa, need a hand?” 

Tessa shook her head. “No, just someone hard to deal with. Ignore her.” 

Kyler glared in Aurelia’s direction, eyes flashing with a hint of menace. 

“Let’s go, the conference is about to start,” Kyler said, shooting Aurelia a warning look before turning to Tessa with a gentle smile. 

“Alright,” Tessa replied. 

The seating for the conference had been arranged ahead of time by the staff, with the leading local companies taking the front row. 

Since Tessa was representing Honoria Capital, she was seated in the very first row. 

Aurelia and Tyson were assigned seats in the second row. 

Coincidentally, Kyler was assigned a seat right next to Aurelia. 

When Aurelia sat down and saw Kyler’s nameplate beside hers, she was genuinely taken aback. 

‘Is this the Kyler that Scott was talking about?‘ she wondered to herself. 

Not long after, Kyler walked into the venue. 

When he found his seat and realized Aurelia was sitting right next to him, his brows furrowed on instinct. 

Without missing a beat, he picked up his nameplate and traded seats with someone across the aisle. 

It was clear he wanted nothing to do with Aurelia. 

Aurelia wasn’t even paying attention, so she didn’t notice a thing. It wasn’t until the conference kicked off that she realized someone else was sitting next to her. 

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Chapter 139 

She glanced over and recognised that Kyler was the same arrogant guy from the airport. 

She couldn’t help thinking Scott’s description of him had been way too mild. 

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‘He’s not just showy and standoffish,‘ Aurelia thought. ‘He’s on a whole other level of arrogant and rude!” 

She didn’t care. They weren’t familiar, and she had no reason to pay attention. 

The conference was hosted by Wade, who, on behalf of the government, recognized several outstanding enterprises–including Honoria Capital. 

Tessa looked like she was walking on air, practically glowing with pride, as if Honoria Capital’s past year of achievements were all thanks to her. 

Everyone treated her respectfully, all thanks to Cassian. 

Next, Wade gave a special shout–out to InquireMind, calling them the top performer and biggest contributor this quarter. 

Immediately, the smile on Tessa’s face slipped when she heard that. 

During the coffee break, people were practically lining up to pitch deals to Aurelia, all hoping to get a slice of her attention. 

Meanwhile, Tessa was surrounded by her own crowd, with folks vying for a chance to talk business with her. 

Among them was Breon, who grinned at Tessa and asked, “So, when are you and Mr. Locke finally going to invite us all to your wedding?” 

Tessa smiled back. “Soon. We’ll definitely invite everyone.” 

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