Bones Learn To Listen When Silence Speaks by Ryn Miles 187

Chapter 187 

Z (73) 

35 vouchers 

When Mandy walked into the private room, everyone was buzzing with curiosity about what kind of good news Alina had to share. She’d even thrown a sizable celebration to share the news. 

Alina kept everyone guessing, refusing to spill the beans. 

Someone finally asked, “Is it your daughter’s engagement party with Mr. Locke?” 

Mandy’s brow furrowed slightly at the mention of Cassian. 

Alina smiled and said, “Isn’t that something everyone already knows?” 

Clearly, she meant it was something else entirely. 

“So what’s the big news? Spill it already! We’re dying of curiosity,” someone urged. 

Alina couldn’t keep it a secret any longer and finally announced, “My daughter Tessa is about to become the new head of Ascend Group.” 

Amidst the gasps from everyone, Alina made sure to add, “Tessa’s fiancé is so head over heels for her that he’s just giving her the Ascend Group. So now, Tessa is the boss, making her worth a whopping 60 billion dollars overnight.” 

“Congratulations!” everyone chimed in. 

“I’ve always heard Mr. Locke from Honoria Capital and your daughter are totally smitten with each other, but seeing it for myself is on another level. They’re barely engaged, and he’s already gifting her a company worth 60 billion. Talk about putting your money where your heart is,” someone exclaimed. 

“That’s an understatement! With all the big names in Ashmont, who else has ever pulled off something this jaw–dropping?” another person added. 

“Never heard of anything like this,” someone else chimed in. 

“I’m so jealous. Ms. Rowe is seriously living the dream,” someone else gushed. 

“Honestly, Ms. Rowe is a total finance whiz. No wonder she caught Mr. Locke’s eye. Bet you guys didn’t know she’s got a PhD in finance from Whitvale School of Management,” someone piped up. 

“Talk about a brainiac. No wonder Mr. Locke is so taken with her. They’re a power couple for sure. Congrats, Mrs. Rowe,” another guest chimed in. 

Alina was absolutely basking in all the congratulations, her grin glued to her face the whole time. 

Someone started gossiping, “If you do the math, Ashmont’s richest woman title is about to change hands next month. Aurelia hasn’t even warmed the seat yet. Is she about to have the shortest reign as queen of wealth 

ever?” 

Alina let out a dismissive snort at that. 

14:54 Thu, Dec 25 M. 

Chapter 187 

: 

‘What does Aurelia have that could ever measure up to my daughter?‘ Alina thought to herself. 

ผล 

73 

35 vouchers 

Mandy, who’d been quiet, finally spoke up, cutting through the noise. “They’re not even in the same league, if 

you ask me.” 

Her words instantly chilled the room, and Alina’s smile faded. 

But Mandy didn’t let up, still throwing shade. “Ms. Rowe only got to the top thanks to her man. Aurelia made it all happen, all by herself. Can you really compare them? If we’re talking real talent, Aurelia’s on another level.” 

Alina had chosen Mandy’s restaurant for the party on purpose, hoping to please her and get on her good side. If she played her cards right, maybe she could talk Mandy into keeping her distance from Aurelia. 

At the same time, she wanted Mandy to know that, no matter how hard Aurelia worked, she’d always fall short compared to Tessa. 

But she never expected Mandy to be so partial to Aurelia. 

‘Seriously, what did Aurelia do to get her so taken with her?‘ Alina thought, annoyed. 

Everyone in the ladies‘ circle was pretty savvy. They all picked up on what Mandy was really saying. 

People started looking a bit uncomfortable. 

But Alina was the one hosting, so they had to give her some face. 

So someone jumped in to smooth things over, saying, “Honestly, they’re both super impressive. The only real difference is their education. I’ve met Aurelia a couple of times. She graduated from a regular university here with a bachelor’s degree. 

“She didn’t even pursue a master’s. Still, getting this far is no small feat. As for Ms. Rowe, she’s got it all: brains, credentials, and Mr. Locke backing her up. She’s only going up from here.” 

Alina’s expression finally softened. “Here’s to all of you thanks for being here and showing your support.” 

***** 

Liam managed to duck out of the dinner, tossing out some random excuse to make his escape. 

Jasper caught on and quickly tagged along, calling out, “Where are you headed? Take me with you!” 

All anyone was talking about was business, and Jasper was so bored that he was about to nod off. He just couldn’t sit through it anymore. 

“Are you sure?” Liam asked lazily, not rushing at all. 

“Absolutely! This dinner is killing me. I’m dying here. I can’t sit still for another second,” Jasper replied. 

“Sure, why not? You know her anyway,” Liam shrugged. 

14:54 Thu, Dec 25 M 

Chapter 187 

Jasper, still curious, asked, “Who?” 

“Aurelia,” Liam replied. 

Jasper just went silent. 

: 

Jasper’s face soured. “Guess I’d rather sit through the snooze–fest after all.” 

35 vouchers 

“I told you, but you didn’t want to hear it. Why even ask?” Liam teased. “Is that the kind of reputation Aurelia has around here?” 

“Alright, just forget I asked, okay?” Jasper said, half–joking. 

Aurelia totally had him beat. He was low–key intimidated by her. 

When Liam showed up at Lakerin Restaurant, Tessa had just arrived. 

Tessa’s eyes lit up when she spotted him, and she called out with a big smile, “Liam, you’re here. Didn’t you say you couldn’t make it?” 

Liam froze for a moment, totally caught off guard. 

He hadn’t expected to run into Tessa there. What a wild coincidence. 

To play it cool, he just asked offhand, “Where’s Cassian? Not with you?” 

“He’s got some family stuff to handle, so he’ll be here a bit later to pick me up,” Tessa explained. “The party’s already started inside. Let’s head in.” 

“Sorry, I’m actually here to meet a friend. Tell your mom I said hi,” Liam said, still trying to dodge. 

Tessa’s smile faded, but she still said, “Just drop by for a bit later, okay? You know, I’ve always considered you a friend.” 

“I’ll see,” Liam said, not really promising anything. He gave her a slight nod and walked inside. 

Tessa watched his back as he left, her eyes losing their warmth. 

Once inside, Tessa didn’t go straight to the private room to find Alina. Instead, she headed in the same direction Liam had gone. 

Liam had just knocked and walked in, but the door was still open. 

As Tessa walked past, she easily spotted Aurelia inside. 

She frowned for a moment, but quickly hid it. At that moment, all she felt toward Liam was disappointment. 

Aurelia was caught off guard when Liam showed up, but she quickly guessed Mandy had probably given him a heads–up. 

Liam just played it cool, saying he’d happened to hear she was there for dinner and thought he’d swing by to 

14:54 Thu, Dec 25 M…. 

Chapter 187 

say hello. He even said it must be fate or something. 

Aurelia didn’t call him out and just invited him to take a seat. 

35 vouchers 

By the time Liam arrived, Aurelia and Murel had nearly finished their meal, so the dinner didn’t last much longer after that. 

Aurelia stepped out early to pay the bill and ran into Alina, who had come out to ask the waiter for more food. 

Aurelia didn’t really know Alina. She’d only seen Alina hanging around with Tessa at the bidding event, so she guessed they were close. Figuring it was none of her business, Aurelia just walked right past and went straight 

to the counter. 

The staff at the counter told her, “The boss said your meal’s on the house.” 

Aurelia nodded, but she didn’t feel right about it and really wanted to pay herself. 

The waiter hesitated, ready to call Mandy, but Aurelia stopped him. “Don’t worry. I’ll explain it to Mrs. Porter myself later,” she said. 

After settling the bill, Aurelia was just about to head back to the private room when the door opened, and someone else walked in. 

She instinctively glanced over, and to her surprise, she found herself face to face with Cassian. 

Cassian spotted her, too, and before Aurelia could look away, he walked right over. “Didn’t you say your stomach’s not great? And you’re still eating spicy food?” 

Aurelia’s brows knitted together. 

‘What’s his angle?‘ she wondered, feeling a bit suspicious. 

‘People don’t butter you up for nothing. He must be up to something,‘ she thought.