Alina knocked on the door, bringing fruit for Tessa.
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Good thing Tessa locked the door. She hurried to silence her phone before calling out toward the door, “Mom, I’m already in bed.”
“Alright then, get some sleep,” Alina said.
Once Alina was gone, Tessa unlocked her phone again. When she saw the nasty stuff on the screen, her face twisted in disgust for a split second. But her voice was sickly sweet. “Why are you in such a hurry?”
Tessa couldn’t see William’s face on the screen, but Tessa could picture exactly how sinister and contorted his expression must be at that moment. “Hurry, hurry, baby, I need you. I need you so badly,” William panted.
“I’m here, just imagine me beneath you. Can you do that?” Tessa moaned.
After a long moment, the room finally settled into silence. Both of them were left panting on either end of the call. William was basking in the afterglow, completely satisfied. This was the best time for her to make her request.
Tessa kept her goal firmly in mind for that night. Otherwise, all her sacrifices would be for nothing.
“Professor, I’m about to take my graduate exams. Can you give me some advice? Tessa’s voice was sugary–sweet.
*****
Early the next morning, Aurelia had just arrived at the office when Jasper showed up. He didn’t bother with small talk. “I want an advance on this quarter’s dividends,” he said bluntly.
Aurelia paused in the middle of flipping through her documents. “An advance on your dividends?”
“Yeah. Do I need to repeat what I said?” Jasper pressed.
Aurelia finally glanced up at him, her tone calm. “If you can get approval from the shareholders‘ meeting and everyone agrees, then yes, you can get your dividends early.” She closed the folder and tapped her fingers lightly on it.
She closed the folder and tapped her fingers lightly on it.
“But you seem to have forgotten that EverMass Group has been losing money for the past two years. I only managed to restructure the debt after I took over, so there’s basically no post–tax profit left. Now, where exactly do you think your dividends are coming from?”
“Cut the crap! Just give me a straight answer. Can I get my dividends or not?” Jasper snapped.
Aurelia didn’t hesitate. “No.”
Hearing this, Jasper stormed out, slamming the door behind him.
Miranda came in with some documents just as Jasper stormed out, frowning. “All attitude, no fortune. Who’s paying for the door if he busts it?”
After Aurelia signed all the documents Miranda brought in, she handed them back and told her to keep tabs on Jasper’s moves. “If he tries to dump his shares, snap them up at rock–bottom market price,” Aurelia instructed.
“Duly noted!” Miranda replied.
The next day, Miranda reported to Aurelia, “That idiot Jasper is actually dumping his shares! His dad probably has no clue, or he’d have a heart attack on the spot!”
10:48 Thu, Jan 1 • MJ
Chapter 273
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When Steven handed EverMass Group over to Aurelia, he made sure to cover his bases. He left 30% of the shares with Jasper, but also kept Jasper on a tight leash through Aurelia. Perhaps he knew exactly what a piece of work his son was.
If Aurelia’s hunch were right, Jasper was planning to use that cash to invest in Helix Tech. That was his call, and Aurelia wasn’t about to meddle. But to keep EverMass Group on track, she had no choice but to repurchase those shares herself.
“Did we get them all?” Aurelia asked, her focus sharp.
Miranda grinned. “Of course. And we snagged them at rock–bottom market price!”
“Good. Whatever he sells, we buy!” Aurelia said, her tone firm.
Miranda was right on the money, calling Jasper an idiot. Anyone with half a brain knew not to put all their eggs in one
basket.
But Jasper totally missed the memo. He went and offloaded every last share he owned. That meant EverMass Group and the Quinn family were completely done with each other.
At that point, Aurelia could only wish him luck. She didn’t have time to worry about Jasper. Her master’s program application was just around the corner.
On the day of the exam, Aurelia got up early and headed to Ashmont University. She never thought she’d be back on campus after four years, and honestly, it felt totally different.
She snapped a photo at the entrance and sent it to Mia, who was off filming in the middle of nowhere, asking for some good luck vibes. Mia immediately replied: [What a coincidence! I’m playing the goddess of wisdom in this movie, so you’re totally getting in!]
Aurelia replied: [I’m counting on it!]
Mia hyped her up: [Seriously, believe in yourself. Back when you were grinding away, you still managed to ace everything. Top of the class and a full scholarship, like it was nothing!]
Aurelia shot back: [Didn’t I also get last place once?]
Mia sent a string of eye–roll emojis: [That was only because you skipped the exam!]
It was pretty funny. Aurelia snagged first place so often that nobody even batted an eye anymore. But then, out of the blue, she ended up dead last, and that time actually went viral on the campus forum.
After that, whenever anyone thought of Aurelia, the first thing that came to mind was that legendary post and her iconic “last place” label. Even Aurelia herself would constantly joke about being the queen of last place.
Mia chided her: [Aurelia, seriously, stop being too humble.]
They chatted a bit more before Aurelia finally put her phone away and headed to campus.
“Aurelia,” Someone called out to her from behind.
Aurelia turned around, genuinely surprised to see Gideon. “Weren’t you supposed to be overseas? Are you done already?”
She’d heard at a Gold Gauntlet meeting a couple of days ago that Gideon had been out of the country all week, working on a syndicated loan project with an international bank.
“Not yet. I just squeezed in some time to come back,” Gideon admitted easily. “Like I’d miss a day like this.”
He was holding a sunflower, and after answering her, he handed it over with a smile. “Hope you ace it.”
“Who could turn down such a lovely gift?” Aurelia grinned, taking the flower and sniffing it lightly. It was still damp with
Chapter 273
morning dew, still fresh and dewy
Gideon asked, “Are you nervous.”
Just a little. Aurelia admitted
Then I’ll go in with you.” Gideon offered. He’d even reserved a campus entry slot ahead of time, just in case Aurelia extent him by her side.
“Oh, there’s no need.” Aurelia said with a smile, shaking her head. Tve got this.”
“We’ll eat together after your exam. if you want Gideon said, letting her call the shots.
Aurelia was just about to say yes when several cars rolled up one after another at the school gate. Every single one was a luxury car. Leading the way was the Cullinan that Cassian had bought for Tessa.
The arrival was so high–profile that it drew plenty of attention. Everyone was curious about who was showing up in such expensive cars.
As Tessa got out, she immediately spotted Gideon and Aurelia standing not far away. Her gaze paused for a split second then she gave a dismissive smirk.
Jasper, climbing out of the car behind her, blinked in surprise when he spotted Gideon. Hey, wasn’t Gideon supposed to be out of the country?”
Just last week, he’d swung by Gold Gauntlet a bunch of times and never saw Gideon around. The assistant said Gideon was working on overseas projects, and there was no sign of him returning in the near future. As it turned out there be standing, clear as day.
“He’d really go this far just for Aurelia? Jasper wondered
Tessa’s eyes went cold in an instant. Meanwhile, Karlie, trailing behind spotted Aurelia and starked Wow she really dared to show up!”
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