Bones Learn To Listen When Silence Speaks by Ryn Miles 160

Chapter 160 

Chapter 160 

“Why do you say that?” Tessa asked, growing wary. 

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“Curlison and I have been falling out for ages, so why did everything blow up right after I drugged Aurelia? Curlison’d asked me for money before, and when I turned him away, he got pissed, but he never mentioned the video. I deleted it ages ago. If he really had that leverage, he would’ve used it as blackmail the first time he came after me,” Karlie said. 

Karlie had only started to notice a few suspicious points after she’d had some time to cool off overseas and really think things through. 

Karlie continued, “And why, after he supposedly got the video, did he never ask me for money again? Instead, he just went public with it. What’s in it for him? 

“The real problem is, I can’t get in touch with two of the guys who helped me drug Aurelia that night. No matter how 

many messages or calls I send, they just disappear. It’s like they’ve vanished off the face of the earth.” 

“Who are they? Send me their contact information and I’ll have someone check it out,” Tessa said. 

Karlie sent over the information and begged, “Tessa, you have to find out the truth for me! If Aurelia did this, make sure she pays for it!” 

“I will,” Tessa replied, her eyes turning icy cold. 

Just then, Tessa’s phone lit up with a message from Cassian. He’d sent her tons of photos and videos of gorgeous flowers. 

He told her he was wandering around a flower farm, checking out all the blooms, and wanted to know which ones she liked. 

Tessa’s mood instantly brightened. She started scrolling through the videos and pictures, picking out her favorites. 

Cassian said the flowers would be flown in the night before the engagement ceremony, so they’d be at their freshest and look absolutely stunning for the big day. 

Karlie tilted her head, watching Tessa scroll through the photos. The more she saw, the more envious she got. “Cassian really treats you like royalty. He’s helping you plan the engagement and even picking out the flowers himself. I’m so jealous!” 

All the frustration Tessa had been feeling was swept away by Cassian’s sweet gestures. Her spirits soared, and she immediately texted Cassian, asking when he’d be back, and she missed him. 

Cassian texted back, saying he still had a blue flower farm to visit and wouldn’t make it home tonight. 

Tessa felt a pang of disappointment. 

She’d come all this way hoping for some alone time with Cassian, maybe even get a little closer and push their relationship forward. 

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But everything she’d planned so carefully ended up going to waste. 

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“Cassian’s doing all this for your engagement, Tessa. Just try to be understanding,” Karlie reassured her. 

Meanwhile, after hanging up with Tessa, Jasper immediately called Liam. 

That was just how Jasper was. He couldn’t keep anything to himself. 

When Liam heard Jasper’s doubts, he snorted. “30 million dollars? That’s pocket change for Aurelia these days.” 

Jasper scratched his head. “I know all the words, but when you string them together, I have no clue what you’re talking about.” 

“Regal Investment just dropped its first–quarter financial report. Take a look when you get a minute,” Liam said. 

“You know numbers make my head spin. Just give me the gist,” Jasper replied. 

Liam let out a helpless sigh. “The report says Regal Investment pulled in over 200 million dollars this quarter, with a profit margin of 545%. Add in the billion they got from AeroMind’s settlement, and their non–operating income alone is a cool 300 million dollars. You really think she’s hurting for cash?” 

Jasper just stared at his phone, speechless. 

‘Why did I even bother calling?‘ he muttered to himself. 

And to top it off, he was one of the people helping her rake in all that cash. 

‘Turns out the clown was me all along,‘ Jasper thought, feeling like a total fool. 

That same day, Miranda got back to Aurelia with the information she’d been asked to dig up. 

Just like Aurelia had suspected, EverMass Group was in deep trouble. 

Their cash flow was about to go bust, and a bunch of projects they’d poured years into just got axed. 

Steven was still laid up in the hospital. 

The entire weight of EverMass Group fell on Jasper’s shoulders. 

Aurelia knew Jasper all too well. He was not going to last much longer. 

Gold Gauntlet wasn’t doing much better either. Their situation was pretty bleak. 

Miranda asked, “Are you interested in EverMass Group?” 

“Let’s just wait and see. Who knows, maybe Jasper will somehow pull it off and save EverMass Group,” Aurelia replied. 

Miranda just raised an eyebrow, thinking to herself, ‘Yeah, right. Like I’d ever believe that.‘ 

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“Oh, and I found out something else,” Miranda added. “Jasper sold off his prized collection to get in on Alpite Group.” 

Aurelia was speechless. 

‘How does someone manage to trip over the same pitfall again and again? Steven’s luck must be off the charts. He’s still alive after all this drama‘ Aurelia thought, shaking her head. 

***** 

On Wednesday, Aurelia cleared her whole schedule. She had only one thing she wanted to do: see her mentor, Stephen Horton. 

Seven years had passed since their last meeting, and as she stood at his door, her heart was pounding. 

Aurelia hesitated, unable to press the doorbell. 

Her hand kept going up and down, up and down, but she just couldn’t do it. 

Her palm was sweaty, but she still couldn’t bring herself to ring the bell. 

Inside, Stephen was getting anxious, watching Aurelia hesitate at the door. 

Finally, unable to wait any longer, he nudged the housekeeper to go out and take out the trash, hoping she’d “accidentally” bump into Aurelia and help break the awkwardness. 

The housekeeper did as instructed, and Aurelia, nerves jangling, forced herself to introduce herself. “Hi, I’m Aurelia Corin. I’m here to visit Professor Horton.” 

“Oh, Professor Horton is home. Come on in,” the housekeeper said, inviting her inside. 

With no way out, Aurelia had no choice but to steel herself and step inside. 

Before Aurelia entered, Stephen was already settled in his chair, sipping coffee with a newspaper in hand. 

He looked completely absorbed in it. 

Aurelia stood awkwardly at the doorway, too nervous to take another step. 

The housekeeper turned to Stephen and announced, “Professor Horton, you have a visitor.” 

Stephen raised his eyebrow and shot a look at the doorway. 

When he saw it was Aurelia, he barely acknowledged her, his attitude frosty, and went right back to his 

newspaper. 

Aurelia couldn’t help wishing she’d waited for Gideon to show up. If he were here, at least he’d have helped 

break the ice. 

She just stood there, feeling like a kid sent to stand in the hallway, too nervous to budge or say a word. 

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After Stephen flipped to the next page, he finally spoke, his tone chilly. “What are you doing here?” 

The housekeeper, pretending to tidy up nearby, could barely keep a straight face. 

The housekeeper thought, ‘Funny how someone was so excited last night after getting Gideon’s call about Aurelia coming over that he couldn’t sleep a wink…. 

‘Now he’s putting on this frosty act, not even worried he’ll scare her off. 

‘If he really does scare her away, he’ll be beating himself up for sure. 

“I came to see you,” Aurelia said, not beating around the bush. 

“Well, you’ve seen me. Off you go,” Stephen said, barely glancing her way. 

Aurelia fell silent for a moment. “I haven’t eaten yet.” 

“Oh? Planning to mooch a meal off me now?” Stephen snarked. 

“It’s not mooching. I brought a gift,” Aurelia blurted out, quickly handing it over. 

“Don’t even think about bribing me,” Stephen said. 

“It’s not a bribe, it’s a token of respect,” Aurelia insisted. 

Stephen looked like he couldn’t care less. 

“It’s a painting by Mr. Felix Spielberg. I remember you liked his work,” Aurelia said, quickly unfurling the scroll to show him. 

She was clearly trying to butter him up. 

Stephen tried to keep up his tough guy act, but the second their eyes met, he totally lost his edge. 

“Just tell the housekeeper what you want to eat. She makes killer spicy food,” he said. 

“Wow, you actually remember I love spicy food?” Aurelia said, surprised. 

“Who said I remembered? I just said she’s good at it,” Stephen shot back, trying to play it cool. 

Stephen was always tough on the outside but soft on the inside. If he’s talking, he’s already cooled off. 

Aurelia knew she’d been in the wrong back then, so she apologized sincerely and sweet–talked him a little to win him over. It didn’t take long before Stephen’s tough act started to crumble. 

In the end, Aurelia stuck around and had a meal at his place. 

She’d planned to spend the whole afternoon with him, but Nietzki Corp had an emergency pop–up, so Aurelia had no choice but to say goodbye to Stephen. 

“Work comes first,” Stephen said, trying to sound casual. 

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Aurelia rushed out of Stephen’s house, and as her car pulled away, it narrowly passed by a Rolls–Royce coming from the other direction. 

Kyler instinctively furrowed his brow when he saw Aurelia. 

‘Why is she everywhere I go?‘ he thought, annoyed. 

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