Bones Learn To Listen When Silence Speaks by Ryn Miles 181

Chapter 181 

Tyson couldn’t stand anyone talking smack about Aurelia. Without thinking, he wanted to step in and defend 

her. 

But Aurelia held him back. 

She leaned back, smirking at Kyler. “Mr. Ackerley, care to share what your problem with me is?” 

Kyler had always looked down on Aurelia, thinking she had nothing going for her except her looks and only knew how to use her beauty to climb the ranks. 

If she’d gotten ahead through underhanded means, she ought to know her place and keep a low profile. 

But Aurelia was always so flashy, so Kyler never held back when it came to putting her down. 

“Honestly, I just think it’s hilarious when someone acts like they know it all,” Kyler said, crossing his legs with a smirk. “Ms. Corin, you only have a degree from some local university. That barely counts for anything these days. Maybe I’m being harsh, but I’m just telling the truth. 

“Someone with just a local college degree trying to challenge a finance PhD from a world–class university? Seriously, don’t you find that laughable yourself?” 

“So what, Mr. Ackerley? You think having a finance PhD means you’re always right?” Aurelia replied coldly, her eyes narrowing with obvious disdain. 

Kyler was about to fire back. 

But Tessa stepped in at just the right moment. “Ms. Corin, I think you’re overstating it. Nobody’s perfect. If I’ve made a mistake, I’m happy to admit it and make it right.” 

She nodded at Kyler in thanks. 

Kyler’s frown relaxed, once again impressed by Tessa’s character. 

Not everyone had that kind of vision. 

Tyson leaned in and whispered to Aurelia, “Mr. Ackerley’s got a real bias against you.” 

It was pretty obvious he was singling Aurelia out. 

Aurelia had felt it ages ago. 

She still had no clue why Kyler was so biased against her. 

But whatever, people were just like that. 

People’s prejudice was in their bones. No matter what she did, it was no use. 

Once it was set in, she couldn’t shake it off. 

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Aurelia wasn’t about to waste her time worrying about what random, irrelevant people thought of her 

Luckily, the rest of the meeting went off without a hitch. Tessa handled everything with real professionalism, and there were no more slip–ups. 

The only catch was that she had so much she wanted to get across that the meeting kept dragging on. 

Tyson knew Aurelia had trouble with her stomach, and he was worried she’d start feeling sick if she didn’t eat on time. So, halfway through, he suggested they take a break. 

Tessa agreed, but didn’t actually call for a break right away. 

By the time it finally wrapped up, they were already more than an hour behind schedule. 

They’d missed lunchtime completely. 

The vice president of Ascend Group invited Aurelia and the others to eat in the cafeteria, but the assistant said that at this hour, there’d only be scraps left. 

The vice president quickly told the assistant to order takeout instead. There was no way he would let the future lady boss starve. 

Tyson figured waiting for delivery would take even longer, so he said they’d sort it out themselves. 

He planned to take Aurelia out for a proper meal at a restaurant. 

The vice president didn’t try to stop them. 

They were the first to get up and head out, but as soon as they stepped out of the conference room, Miranda stormed over, her voice booming, “Why did this drag on so long? Do you even care about time? Don’t you realize other people have things to do? This is so unprofessional!” 

She was loud enough that everyone in the meeting room heard her. 

Tessa had been talking with Kyler, but when she heard Miranda’s loud complaint, her smile faltered. 

Kyler tried to comfort her. “Don’t pay any attention to it, Tessa. You’re just too good at what you do. Of course, people get jealous. Some folks are way out of their league, but they still want to go up against you. It’s honestly kind of pathetic.” 

Birds of a feather flocked together. 

If Aurelia was no good, then her people were no better. 

Tessa smiled softly. “Honestly, I didn’t let it bother me at all.” 

Kyler took the opportunity to ask if she wanted to join him for a meal. 

Before Tessa could say yes, Ascend Group’s chief secretary showed up with a small group of people. 

Each of them was holding a takeout bag from Lunar Table. 

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Chapter 181 

The chief secretary said, “Ms. Rowe, Mr. Locke noticed you were too busy to grab lunch, so he rode sure to order some for you.” 

Only the future Mrs. Locke would get this kind of special treatment. 

Tessa sounded a bit helpless, but she couldn’t help but brag a little. “Cassian, come on, I’m not a kid. I don’t need you handling every little thing for me. Now everyone’s going to think I’m spoiled.” 

The vice president couldn’t help but say enviously, “We’re all just jealous. Mr. Locke and Ms. Rowe are such a sweet couple.” 

Tessa was clearly in high spirits. “Cassian went overboard with the food. There’s no way I can finish all this by myself. If you guys don’t mind, let’s dig in together.” 

She even cheerfully invited Aurelia and Tyson to join them. 

Before Aurelia could respond, Miranda cut in for her, “No need! Ms. Corin’s got a lunch made with love. Money can’t buy that! She’s not interested in those soulless takeout meals.” 

With that, she grabbed Aurelia’s hand and said, “Let’s go eat in the car. I brought you lunch.” 

“Alright,” Aurelia replied. 

Once Aurelia was gone, Kyler instantly felt a whole lot better. 

Tessa asked him to have lunch with her, and he didn’t say no. 

During lunch, Kyler deliberately brought it up, “Tessa, do you know Professor Stephen Horton?” 

Tessa answered right away, “Of course! He’s super famous in academia. Honestly, unless you’re totally out of the academic loop, you’d know who he is.” 

Kyler instantly thought of Aurelia and laughed, “Yeah, that’s true.” 

It looked like he’d guessed right. Tessa was the student Stephen always had on his mind. 

Inside the car, Aurelia raised her eyebrows at the spread of food, surprised. “You made all this yourself?” 

“Of course. Pretty awesome, huh?” Miranda grinned. 

“Wow, this is really good,” Aurelia admitted. 

Even Tyson chimed in, “With skills like this, you could totally open your own restaurant.” 

“Opening a restaurant isn’t my goal. I’m hitching my ride to Aurelia. She’s my shortcut to the top.” Miranda laughed. 

Miranda urged her, “Come on, eat up. It won’t taste as good once it gets cold.” 

With that, she pulled out her phone and started scrolling through it. 

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20 vouchers 

Halfway through her meal, Miranda suddenly got all excited again. 

Aurelia gave her a resigned look. “What is it now?” 

“Is this Tessa’s game project?” Miranda asked, pointing at her phone. 

Aurelia glanced over and nodded. “That’s the one.” 

“They’re quick. Beta testing has already started,” Miranda said. 

Tyson pulled out his phone to check it, too. “Feedback from the beta test looks pretty solid.” 

“The promo video is really well done,” Miranda said after watching it. 

Aurelia just smiled, totally unfazed and looking completely at ease. 

Miranda started to panic. “Aurelia, how can you still be so chill?” 

“Should I be crying instead?” Aurelia quipped, then added, “By the way, this mushroom soup is amazing. You nailed it.” 

Miranda was speechless. 

‘Seriously, how is Aurelia so chill right now?‘ Miranda thought. 

After finishing her meal, Aurelia shot Arturo a quick text, [Where are you right now?] 

About half an hour later, Arturo finally replied, [I’m up in the mountains. The reception’s terrible. Just saw your message.] 

He also sent Aurelia a bunch of photos he’d just snapped. 

They were all of ancient ruins and old relics. 

He messaged again, [Did you need something?] 

Aurelia replied, [Just wanted to check in and make sure you’re okay. All good here, so go and do your thing.] 

Arturo texted back, [Got it.] 

Just then, the car pulled up to Regal Investment. 

As soon as Aurelia stepped out of the car, she spotted a man waiting at the entrance. 

Her eyes lit up with a bright smile as she called out, “Gideon.”