Bones Learn To Listen When Silence Speaks by Ryn Miles 285

Chapter 285 Opposition 

“She doesn’t even have the guts to look into it. What do you say?” Karlie joined in the ridicule. 

At that moment, Aurelia stopped checking her phone and took out some documents from her bag to read. 

No one could tell if she was really working or just trying to look composed. 

“Stop paying so much attention to others,” Tessa reminded Karlie, then glanced at the time. 

It was almost time for her meeting with Stephen. 

Karlie noticed this too and asked Tessa, “Do you think Professor Horton called you here today because he wants to take you on as his student in person?” 

“I doubt it,” Tessa replied, still playing it safe. 

“Why not? Tessa, don’t sell yourself short! With your kind of genius, all the top professors are dying to have you. Professor Horton probably just wants to lock you in early before someone else snatches you up!” Jasper chimed in, even more dramatic than Karlie. 

Tessa couldn’t help but laugh at their antics. “You guys are way too much!” 

As they were chatting, Kyler, who had been mostly quiet, suddenly spoke up. “Dad, over here.” 

It was Elias who just showed up. 

Even though Tessa had never met the man face to face, she knew exactly who he was, the current chairman of Evergreen Group. 

Thus, she immediately straightened her back. 

Kyler brought Elias straight over to Tessa, just about to introduce the two of them. 

But Elias spotted Aurelia first, and his face lit up with a grin. “Kid, you finally wised up! Ready to learn from Ms. Corin now?” 

Kyler’s expression froze for a second. 

Before he could get a word out, Elias called over to Aurelia, “Ms. Corin, long time no see!” 

Aurelia glanced up from her documents, a hint of surprise flickering across her face before she quickly 

composed herself. “Mr. Ackerley.” 

Elias walked over and struck up a conversation with Aurelia while Kyler stood next to Tessa, feeling a wave of awkwardness. 

“I was going to introduce you to my dad,” he said. 

Tessa hesitated briefly, her fingers tightening around her bag. She forced a smile and said, “It’s fine.” 

“I’ll introduce you later,” Kyler said, sounding uncertain. 

After all, Elias was totally engrossed in conversation with Aurelia right now. 

Tessa was actually feeling a bit left out, though she did her best to look unfazed. 

For some reason, Aurelia had a way of winning over the elders; Steven, then Benjamin, and now Elias was no different. 

Tessa wondered, a little baffled and a little jealous, ‘Seriously, how does Aurelia always manage to win them over? 

‘Well, at least I’m not stressing out as much now. Once I officially become Professor Horton’s student, I’m sure I’ll get Mr. Locke’s approval too.‘ 

Women with brains and credentials were always the first choice for rich families when it came to picking a daughter–in–law. 

That was a big part of why she was so determined to become Stephen’s student. 

‘What a shame Benjamin didn’t show up today on at that no grossed her mind, Stephen arrived. 

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And to her surprise, Benjamin actually came in with Stephen. 

Karlie spotted it too, grabbing Tessa’s arm excitedly. “Tessa, it’s Mr. Locke! Do you think your fiancé invited him?” 

Tessa couldn’t be sure, but inside, she was over the moon. 

“Your fiancé really cares about you!” Karlie said, totally convinced. 

To be fair, no one else could possibly get Benjamin to make an appearance. 

Then, what surprised Tessa more was Gideon showed up with Stephen too. She totally thought he’d skip today. Benjamin walked in chatting with Stephen, who subtly slowed his steps to keep pace with him. 

Tessa kept her eyes on them as they approached, took a deep breath, and called out, “Professor Horton, Mr. Locke.” 

Stephen paused and glanced at her. Benjamin, on the other hand, was even colder. He didn’t even spare her a glance. 

Then, without a word or a nod, Stephen simply looked at her and walked away. 

Tessa’s expression froze. She watched as the three of them walked right past her. 

At that moment, they made their way over to Aurelia. 

They stopped in front of her, their faces warm and friendly as they began talking to her. 

Stephen smiled, gave Aurelia a pat on the shoulder, and nodded in approval, obviously satisfied. Benjamin added a pat on her other shoulder, his typically cold expression softening just a little. Tessa could only watch from a distance as Aurelia was surrounded by all these big shots. 

She unconsciously clenched her hand, her nails digging so deep into her palm that it hurt, but she didn’t even notice. 

She’d never been the center of attention like that before. 

Even Jasper couldn’t help but say, “Damn, how does Aurelia always get the elders on her side? Aren’t they supposed to be the wise ones? Don’t they know how to judge people?” 

Tessa’s mind was a total mess.. 

Luckily, Cassian spoke up just in time, helping her calm her mind. “Come on, let’s head to Professor Horton’s office.” 

‘That’s right!‘ Tessa quickly pulled herself together. 

This was the day Stephen would officially accept her as his student. And with Benjamin here too, he could witness the whole thing firsthand. 

Hopefully, he could finally drop his bias against her and start seeing Aurelia in a new light too. 

Just as Stephen finished chatting with Aurelia, she passed him some documents, and only then did he head toward his office. 

While Aurelia helped Benjamin inside, Tessa and the others followed behind her. 

If it were any other day, Tessa would’ve walked right past Aurelia and taken the lead, just like always. 

But today, she had to let Benjamin lead the way. 

Jasper, who’s usually the life of the party, was also unusually quiet, keeping to himself at the back of the 

group. 

Elias took a few steps, noticed Kyler wasn’t keeping up, and called out, “Kyler, why are you dragging your feet? Come up front!” 

Kyler just dragged his feet and didn’t respond. 

Stephen had his own spacious, private office. Even with the whole group piling in, it still didn’t feel crowded at 

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all. 

He just waved everyone in. “Make yourselves comfortable. I need to check some documents.” 

Then, Benjamin, Elias, Gideon, and Aurelia claimed one side of the room. Tessa and her group settled on the 

other. 

An invisible line seemed to split the room in two, the tension almost palpable. 

While they waited, Benjamin turned to Aurelia and asked, “Did you check your scores yet?” 

Aurelia replied, “I haven’t had a chance to check yet.” 

Karlie gave a silent smirk, her lips curling up in quiet amusement. ‘Is she really that busy, or is she just chicken?‘ 

Elias grinned. “Go ahead and check. I’m pretty curious myself. Plus, you can show Kyler how it’s done and give him a few pointers. He’s gonna have to take the test sooner or later.” 

Kyler looked even more uncomfortable. With everyone watching, there was no way he could argue with his dad. 

Just as Aurelia pulled out her phone, someone knocked on the door and addressed Stephen, “Professor Horton, the Finance Channel reporters are here to interview you.” 

Stephen frowned. “I didn’t say I’d do an interview.” 

“But they’re already here…” the staff member said, sounding a bit awkward. 

Stephen thought for a couple seconds before saying, “Let them in.” 

Now Tessa finally got what Alina was up to; she’d pulled some strings to make sure the Finance Channel reporters showed up. 

If it had been just any no–name outlet, there’s no way they would’ve made it into Stephen’s office today. 

Just as the two reporters walked in, Aurelia pulled up the results page. When she saw her score, she frowned slightly. 

Benjamin noticed and asked, “What’s wrong? Did you not do well?” 

Aurelia’s expression turned serious. “It’s five points lower than I expected.” 

Jasper couldn’t hold back a laugh. ‘She’s acting like she’s some kind of expert, but she still missed her own prediction by five points. 

‘Does someone who’s dead last even need to bother predicting her score?‘ 

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