Bones Learn To Listen When Silence Speaks by Ryn Miles 221

Chapter 221 

Chapter 221 

Following Alina’s tip, Tessa opened the biggest media platform in the country and iminel Alina had mentioned on the phone. 

She clicked in, and the very first thing she heard was Ryan’s public clarification. 

598 

otted the press conference 

“The news this morning was fake. I’m not partnering with Ascend Group. Of course, Ascend Group is a great company with solid technology and a strong market presence. They’re a real industry leader,” Ryan said. 

That clarification was a direct slap in Tessa’s face. 

Anyone who knew the industry could tell the morning news was just a publicity stunt. 

Tessa played this card because she was confident there was no better choice in the business than Ascend Group. 

Putting out that news was basically her way of throwing out an olive branch to Ryan. 

There was no way Ryan would turn her down. 

Tessa never expected that she’d just released the news that morning, and by afternoon, Ryan was already holding a press conference to clarify it was all fake news. 

That was a total slap in the face for Tessa. 

She didn’t even need to check the internet to know what people were saying about her. 

Tessa’s face darkened in an instant. 

Kyler noticed right away and asked with concern, “Hey, are you okay?” 

Tessa looked grim, not sure how to explain. She apologized, “Looks like we’ll have to raincheck dinner.” 

“No worries, if you need to go, just go,” Kyler said, considerate as ever. “I’ll get the check.” 

Tessa gave him a quick nod and hurried off. 

Kyler watched her go, his eyes full of worry. 

‘I wish I could just ask her what happened, Kyler thought. 

Tessa and Alina got home almost at the same time. 

Tessa’s dinner had ended early. 

Alina’s 

party had also broken up in a sour mood. 

Daniel was just about to have dinner when he saw Tessa and Alina come home early. He looked confused and asked, “Didn’t you say you weren’t coming back for dinner? Lena only made enough for me.” 

Alina tossed her designer bag aside, her tone sharp. “I’m so pissed off I can’t even eat! You’re the only one who can still have an appetite. With everything blowing up like this, you don’t even care about Tessa.” 

“What happened?” Daniel asked, frowning. 

Tessa gave a quick rundown of what happened, even mentioning that Ryan wasn’t picking up her calls anymore. 

Alina shot him a look. “Can’t you do anything to help your daughter?” 

10:32 Tue, Dec 30 @D 

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Daniel looked helpless. “I just got transferred to Ashmont. I haven’t even had a chance to settle in yet. How am I supposed to help?” 

That was true. 

But Alina was still fuming. “Then why didn’t you call out some issues with Aurelia’s pr check? Why not throw a wrench in her plans?” 

ou did the safety 

Daniel looked even more helpless. “I was already extra picky. I didn’t let anything slide. But the higher–ups changed their minds and called off the inspection.” 

Alina was getting even more worked up. “Is she connected with someone up top or what?” 

Daniel really didn’t know. 

But Tessa disagreed. “It’s probably just a coincidence. It’s got nothing to do with Aurelia. She’s not that big of a deal.” 

Tessa had already done her homework on Aurelia. 

Aurelia came from nothing, raised by a single mom. She’s got no real background to speak of. 

But now wasn’t the time to get hung up on that. 

Alina was desperate to fix Tessa’s image. “We need to do something fast to turn this mess around.” 

If things kept going like this, the rumors about Tessa being jinxed would be set in stone. 

Not to mention the Locke family, even the lesser power families would steer clear of her. 

Even the lower–tier families would want nothing to do with her. 

Besides, she and Cassian were only engaged. It wasn’t a done deal yet, and things could break off at any moment. 

Just as Tessa was stressing out, her phone buzzed with a message. 

[Sweetie, I’m flying to Ashmont next week. I’ve been invited to your university’s graduation ceremony. Hope to see you there.] 

Tessa suddenly clenched her phone. 

After a moment, she said, “Mom, I think I’ve got a way out of this.” 

*** 

Three days before the annual Ashmont Business Conference, Benjamin’s secretary brought the guest list over to Regal Investment for Aurelia to review. 

When Aurelia spotted a familiar name on the list, she didn’t pause, just kept scanning until she reached the end. 

The secretary said, “This is the main guest list. The list for plus–ones will be sent over later.” 

Cassian had already told Tessa he’d be attending the annual business conference. 

Tessa was definitely interested. 

She looked over the guest list. All the names were heavy hitters in the business world. 

It meant there were endless resources and opportunities up for grabs. 

Chapter 221 

She was still hesitating, wondering how to talk to Cassian about it. 

Cassian told her, “Head over to Vanvelle Studio this afternoon and pick out a beautiful dress for yoursel 

Tessa’s heart warmed instantly, and the way she looked at Cassian was filled with tendern 

No matter what, no matter what happened, no matter what the world said about her, 15 side. 

stood firmly by her 

All the pressure that had been weighing on her for days vanished in the warmth of his unwavering support. 

This kind of devotion was something Aurelia had chased for seven years, but no matter how hard she tried, she never got it 

It meant Aurelia had already lost, long before the game even started. 

Tessa didn’t even need to spare Aurelia a second thought. 

While Tessa was thrilled, heading off to Vanvelle Studio to pick out her dress, Aurelia received the second plus–one guest list. 

Seeing Tessa’s name on it didn’t faze her one bit. 

Once she’d confirmed everything, she FaceTimed Mia, asking for her help in choosing a dress. 

When Mia heard Aurelia was going to a big conference, she swore up and down she’d help her pick a dress that would stun the whole crowd. 

“It doesn’t need to be that dramatic. I’m just standing in for Uncle Benjamin at the event, so I shouldn’t draw too much attention,” Aurelia said. 

“Then we’ll go for something more understated,” Mia replied. 

Mia had great taste, so Aurelia wasn’t worried at all. 

But Mia was more concerned about something else. 

“At a conference like this… Are we gonna run into Cassia?” Mia asked. 

“What do you think?” Aurelia shot her a look that said, ‘You figure it out.’ 

Mia was getting annoyed. “Seriously, how is Cassian still not bankrupt? Isn’t Tessa supposed to be Miss Bad Luck hasn’t managed to take him down yet?” 

How come 

“Guess Cassian just won’t go down,” Aurelia replied with a smirk. 

Mia could hear how chill Aurelia sounded, and she was genuinely happy for her. 

“Looks like you’ve really moved on,” Mia said. 

“The only thing that could ever hold me back is being broke,” Aurelia replied. 

Mia had nothing but respect. 

After a bit more banter, they finally wrapped up the call. 

Mia was just about to start binge–watching her favorite show when her phone rang. 

When she saw who was calling, her pretty brows knitted together. 

She really didn’t want to answer, but the caller just kept spamming her. Finally, she picked up, clearly annoyed. “What is it?” 

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Chapter 221 

“I’m busy! You’ve got a whole lineup of girls, so just grab one of them to go with you,” Mia snap pec 

“Chill, I won’t say anything,” he replied, totally unfazed. 

“Whatever. I’m hanging up,” Mia said, and cut him off without another word. 

Just a couple lines and the call was done. 

That was just how they were, no extra talk, no fuss. 

It was just a business marriage, so no need to make things complicated. 

On the day of the conference, Tessa was dressed to turn heads, linking arms with Cassian as they made their entrance at the Ashmont Business Conference, looking every bit the power couple. 

Showing up side by side was their way of telling the world: nothing could shake their bond. 

She was still Cassian’s one and only, the woman he spoiled like she was his whole world. 

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