Bones Learn To Listen When Silence Speaks by Ryn Miles 271

Chapter 271 

Chapter 271 

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Vanessa and Preston thought the same. After all, the two were already engaged, and their relationship was so solid that tying the knot was only a matter of time. 

“Yeah.” Tessa replied confidently. “That’s what we’re planning.” 

Karlie grew even more envious when she heard that. “Cassian is way too in love with you. He’s afraid someone might steal you away, so he rushed to get engaged with you first. 

“And to make sure the Locke family accepts you so he can marry you openly and honourably, he’s poured everything he has into paving the way for your career. If I were you, I’d be dying to marry him right this second!” 

Alina, who had been keeping quiet, finally spoke up. “That’s the difference between you and Tessa. A woman needs to have her own career; you can’t just rely on a man. That’s exactly why Cassian likes Tessa.” 

Aurelia didn’t catch what they talked about subsequently, as she was already on her way out. ‘Sure enough, just as I expected, Cassian was the one who pulled strings to help Vanessa out,‘ she thought. 

As soon as she stepped out and was about to call her driver, Liam came running after her. “Aurelia,” he called out. Aurelia turned around and looked at him, her expression cool and distant. 

“Thanks for the birthday present,” Liam said, still clutching the present Aurelia had given him. 

“You’re welcome,” Aurelia replied, her voice cool and distant, keeping a clear boundary between them.. 

Liam was trying to lighten the mood. “You’re not a fan of this scene? If you’re uncomfortable, I can take you out for a meal somewhere else.” 

Worried that Aurelia might not understand him, he quickly added, “Just two of us, no one else.” As for the friends who had come for his birthday, it was clear that Aurelia now came first in his mind. 

Aurelia paused, and in that instant, she realized exactly what Liam was getting at. You don’t have to accommodate me, Mr. Porter. Birthdays are best spent with friends,” she replied, keeping her tone polite but distant. 

She knew Liam was sharp enough to pick up on her meaning. The truth was they were not even friends. 

Liam’s hopes, which had been riding high, were instantly crushed when she called him “Mr. Porter“. That icy formality hit him like a bucket of cold water. 

‘Is she really not giving me any chance at all?‘ Liam thought, a wave of disappointment washing over him. 

If it were someone else, Liam would definitely push further. But knowing Aurelia, he realized that if he pushed her, she would probably cut him off completely, except for official occasions. 

All the words he had been holding in almost spilled out, but in the end, all that came out was a polite line. “Take care on your way back.” 

“Alright.” Aurelia nodded slightly and turned to leave without another word. 

Liam just stood still there for a long time after she had gone. He was so lost in thought that he didn’t even notice Cassian and Tessa, who were just a short distance away. 

Tessa had come to pick Cassian. They witnessed the entire scene just now. Tessa’s gaze darkened, her eyes clouded with 

emotion. 

Cassian looked indifferent the whole time, as if he were just some stranger watching from the sidelines. He just hung around at Vanessa’s welcome dinner for a bit before heading off to join Liam. Only then did Tessa and Karlie realize it was Liam’s 

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birthday. 

MJ 

“Tessa, Liam didn’t invite you to his birthday celebration?” Karlie asked, sounding genuinely confused. 

Tessa’s expression grew slightly sombre. “Maybe he knew I’ve been busy lately, so he didn’t mention it to me.” 

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Karlie didn’t doubt her explanation. In her mind, Liam and Jasper were big admirers of Tessa. “Let’s go say hi, Karlie said, clearly plotting something. In the end, Tessa took her along. 

Karlie hadn’t seen Liam for a long time, and her heart started racing the moment she spotted him. “Hey Liam, happy birthday!” 

Liam carried a faint air of lifelessness, unable to muster any enthusiasm for anyone. Even when Karlie talked to him, he couldn’t be bothered to respond, but just kept drinking nonstop. 

“What’s wrong with you?” Tessa asked. Liam just kept drinking in silence, ignoring everyone. 

One of his friends nudged, “Pretty sure he just got dumped. He’s nursing a broken heart.” Tessa fell silent. 

Karlie tried to check on him, but Liam shut her out completely. One of Liam’s buddies couldn’t take it anymore. “What’s wrong with you? Never seen you act like this before. The girl’s just trying to drink with you.” 

Liam just shot him a look. The friend just shrugged and stepped in for Liam. “Sorry about Liam, he’s just not himself today. How about I drink with you instead?” 

“No worries,” Karlie replied, keeping her cool this time. 

But as soon as their glasses touched, the guy squinted at her and said, “You look kinda familiar. Have we met before?” 

Karlie figured he was merely trying to hit on her. Although she had feelings for Liam, his friends were all loaded and influential. ‘It wouldn’t hurt to network a little more,‘ she thought. 

Just as she was about to laugh at how cheesy his pickup line was, the guy suddenly smacked his forehead and blurted out, “Wait, I remember now! I saw that indecent video…” 

Karlie’s face instantly went pale; she looked mortified. The atmosphere instantly turned incredibly awkward, and Tessa had to make a quick exit with Karlie. 

“Tessa, I can’t show my face again,” Karlie sobbed as soon as she got in the car. She thought everyone had forgotten about it by now, but someone actually recognized her right there, in person. 

And to make it worse, it was in front of Liam. ‘How am I supposed to face Liam after this?‘ Karlie thought, feeling utterly mortified. 

Tessa looked grim. “Keep things low–key from now on. As for Liam, just let it go. There’s no chance anymore,” she said. 

Karlie cried even harder, completely falling apart. ‘So such a video really can wreck someone for good, Karlie thought, feeling humiliated and crushed. 

Back then, she planned to use this tactic to ruin Aurelia, but in the end, she was the one to taste the bitter consequences. 

***** 

Over the weekend, Ella asked Aurelia to send Benjamin some treats to thank him for looking after her at the hospital. As Aurelia drove by where Cassian used to live, she noticed that the lot, which had been leveled, already had the main structure of a new house. 

‘It’s pretty efficient, Aurelia thought, genuinely impressed. ‘Cassian really couldn’t wait to get this done!‘ 

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When Aurelia arrived at the Locke family residence, Benjamin had just had dinner and invited her to join him for some coffee. As usual, he asked about her career and gave her pointers. 

Aurelia always learned a lot from talking with Benjamin, whether it was about perspective, vision, or even business foresight. 

After all, he was someone who had once created a business legend. Even though he had been out of the spotlight for nearly a decade, and Locke Group now controlled only a third of its peak business empire, it somehow remained the top conglomerate in Ashmont. 

But today, after they wrapped up their business talk, Benjamin turned to Aurelia with a more personal question. “So, any plans for your love life?” Benjamin asked. 

“Not now,” Aurelia replied honestly. She was so busy with work and her master’s program application. How she wished she could split her day into two to get everything done. There was no time left for romance at all. 

Mia always said she was just an emotionless work robot, and she couldn’t deny it. Benjamin paused, then asked, “Still not over it?” 

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