Bones Learn To Listen When Silence Speaks by Ryn Miles 248

Chapter 248 

Chapter 248 

Just as Kyler was about to drop an even bigger hint, Tyson’s phone rang. 

He shot Kyler an apologetic look and nodded, then stepped aside to answer the call. 

Once he realized it was about work, Tyson’s face instantly grew serious. “I’ll be right back,” he said. 

Before leaving, he shot Wade a quick nod. 

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Wade nodded in understanding. “I get it, work’s important. I’ll have Charlie put together the meeting notes and send them to Ms. Corin.” 

Tessa was the last one to show up. 

The moment she walked in, everyone who’d been chatting in the conference room went right over to say hi. 

Kyler had thought about joining them, but the crowd was just too much. He picked a seat with a clear view and settled in, sneaking glances at Tessa whenever he got the chance. 

She was flying solo today. Cassian wasn’t with her. 

So Kyler didn’t even bother hiding the fact that he was watching her now. 

Liam was sitting right next to him. 

Liam wasn’t paying any attention to Tessa; instead, he kept his eyes on the door. 

It wasn’t until Wade walked in and announced the meeting was officially starting that Liam finally frowned. 

He turned to Graham and asked, “Is Ms. Corin not coming?” 

Graham replied, “No idea. I’ve been looking for her too.” 

Tessa was just beside Graham, and she happened to overhear Liam’s question. Her face went cold for a moment. 

Then she gave a disdainful smirk. 

‘Aurelia’s probably too busy trying to dig herself out of trouble right now, Tessa thought. 

‘She’s already snatched the accounting firm, the law firm, and even managed to steal the underwriter. Looks like InquireMind’s IPO is dead in the water! 

Honestly, Tessa was actually looking forward to seeing Aurelia. 

She wanted to see how Aurelia would keep up her cool facade with her whole world crashing down around her. 

As Wade started his speech, it hit Liam that Aurelia wasn’t showing up. 

He couldn’t help feeling disappointed. 

After all, he was here for one reason: to see Aurelia. 

Once again, he’d come for Aurelia, only to strike out. 

It felt like forever since he’d last laid eyes on her. 

And the worst part was that he couldn’t even come up with a legit excuse to go see her. 

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The meeting dragged on for almost the whole day, and when it finally wrapped up, Wade, acting for the government, invited everyone out for dinner. 

Usually, Tessa wouldn’t have bothered showing up. 

But after she figured out who Wade really was, she ditched another dinner just to be there. 

Kyler had other plans too, but seeing Tessa go, he went along as well. 

Liam, though, wasn’t interested at all. He politely declined Wade’s invitation and headed out early. 

By the time dinner wrapped up, it was already past ten at night. 

Kyler was in a great mood tonight. He’d spent a long time chatting with Tessa at dinner. 

It was the first time since he’d come back that they’d really hit it off like this. 

As the night wound down, Kyler was just about to offer to drive her home. 

But before he could, Tessa said, “Cassian’s coming to pick me up in a bit. I really had a blast tonight. It’s been forever since we got to talk like this. Next time, dinner’s on me. You and Wade have to come.” 

Kyler felt a stab of disappointment, but he still went along with her invitation. “Alright, take care.” 

He waited with her for barely two minutes before Cassian’s car showed up. 

He just stood there, watching Tessa get in, then watched the car drive off. 

‘Cassian’s picking her up this late… They’re probably heading home together, huh? Kyler thought. 

‘Looks like they’re living together now! 

Moving in together after getting engaged is just what people do. 

But Kyler still felt that bitter, jealous pang in his chest. He didn’t even know how to put it. 

Tessa was in a great mood tonight, and she couldn’t wait to tell Cassian all about what she’d accomplished today. 

But when she noticed they were driving toward the Rowe family’s place, her voice faltered for a moment, a hint of hesitation slipping in. 

Just as she was about to say something, her phone buzzed. 

It was Jasper. He mentioned everyone in the WhatsApp group, reminding them about his birthday party tomorrow. 

Everyone was game, replying they’d be there. 

After a bit of small talk, the car rolled to a stop outside the Rowe place. 

Tessa just had to say her goodbyes to Cassian and hop out. 

The next day, Tessa and Cassian showed up at the party. 

As soon as they walked into the club, Tessa spotted two familiar figures. 

She stopped dead in her tracks. 

Cassian took a couple more steps, then turned back when he realized she wasn’t following. “What’s wrong?” he asked. 

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Chapter 248 

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“It’s nothing,” Tessa said, quickly looking away, her face darkening a little. 

She’d just spotted Aurelia and Gideon. 

Seeing those two together instantly reminded her of what Gideon had said to her at Ashmont University that day. 

He’d made it crystal clear. Aurelia was the one who’d been in his heart for seven years. 

That was something Tessa just couldn’t get out of her head. 

When they walked into the private room, Liam was already there. 

Jasper’s rowdy buddies were hanging out too. 

Tessa scanned the room, then asked, “Where’s Gideon? He’s not here yet?” 

“He said he’s got something to take care of and will be a bit late,” Jasper replied. 

Tessa scoffed inwardly. 

‘So that’s his excuse. He’s off with Aurelia, isn’t he?‘ she thought. 

Running late was an understatement for Gideon. 

An hour into the party and he was still a no–show. 

Tessa made up an excuse to step out and lingered in the VIP section for a while, hoping to catch a glimpse of him. 

Sure enough, she spotted Gideon in one of the private rooms. 

Aurelia was sitting right next to him. 

They were both all smiles, chatting happily with the people across from them. 

Gideon kept leaning in to talk to Aurelia, always picking out food for her, even peeling her shrimp. 

He was so attentive, it almost hurt to watch. 

That scene was like a needle stabbing straight into Tessa’s heart. 

She felt downright awful. 

Just then, a waiter came by with some dishes, and the door swung open a bit more. 

Tessa saw clearly who was sitting across from them. 

Turns out, it was Stephen. 

Just a couple days ago, Tessa had dinner with Stephen, and he’d been totally distant, barely saying a word. 

But now, he was grinning from ear to ear. 

Tessa couldn’t help but frown. 

‘Seriously? Gideon’s actually hooking Aurelia up with someone like Stephen?‘ she thought, annoyed. 

With Aurelia’s education and credentials, she’d never have a shot at meeting someone in Stephen’s circle. 

Last time at the golf course. Stephen was totally cold to Aurelia, but she just kept trying to cozy up to him. 

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‘What a manipulator,’ Tessa scoffed to herself. 

Face icy, Tessa turned on her heel and left. 

When she got back to the private room, Jasper called out, “Hey, what took you so long?” 

Tessa said she’d just gone out for some air, then deliberately asked, “Gideon still not here?” 

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“Yeah, he’s not answering his messages. No clue what he’s up to. Whatever, let’s just have fun without him,” Jasper replied. 

Tessa shot back with a sarcastic smirk, “Probably too busy dating to show up.” 

Jasper blurted out, “Who would he even be dating… 

But his voice faltered at the end, all his bravado gone. 

He just nervously switched the topic, looking a bit sheepish. 

Meanwhile, Gideon was taken aback when he found out Aurelia was actually thinking about going for Stephen’s grad school. 

“You really think you can juggle all that?” Gideon sounded genuinely concerned. 

She already had a ton of projects going, plus all the InquireMind IPO stuff to deal with. 

And on top of that, everyone knew Stephen’s grad program was insanely hard to get into. 

Stephen just scoffed, all smug. “If she can’t make the cut, she’s just not up to it.” 

“But it’s been years since she last did this kind of thing. You should at least give her some time to prepare,” Gideon tried to defend Aurelia. 

“Three months left. Isn’t that plenty?” Stephen shot back. 

Gideon was left speechless. 

He couldn’t come up with a comeback. 

Just like Tessa had predicted, Gideon ended up ghosting Jasper’s birthday party and never showed up at all. 

Once dinner was over, Gideon dropped Aurelia off at her place. 

Just as Aurelia was about to step out of the car, Gideon called out to her. 

AD