Bones Learn To Listen When Silence Speaks by Ryn Miles 304

Chapter 304 

Aurelia left him alone. 

Between adults, the best way to get along was knowing when to give each other space. 

In two days. Aurelia had been buried in work. The next time Aurelia heard anything about Gideon was at a business dinner. 

“Word is, Gideon from Gold Gauntlet is about to get engaged. It’s a strategic business alliance. The woman is the granddaughter of the CEO of the biggest bank overseas. She’s biracial and pretty attractive,” someone said. 

It was Breon Youngkin from NaviTech, who’s always got his ear to the ground when it comes to gossip like this, so he’s usually the first to catch wind of these things. 

He turned to Aurelia and asked, “You and Gideon go way back. Can you confirm if it’s true?” 

“Honestly, I have no idea,” Aurelia replied truthfully. 

Breon added, “I heard Gold Gauntlet’s overseas credit business is in serious trouble. Gideon’s leveraging this marriage alliance to secure resources from the bank, just trying to save Gold Gauntlet from its overseas crisis.” 

The others chimed in, “Gideon’s really got it tough. When Gold Gauntlet landed in his lap, it was a total mess. He’s been struggling to keep the company afloat, working nonstop to break into overseas markets for a shot at survival. 

“If even that path gets blocked, there’s no saving Gold Gauntlet.” 

Breon sighed. “That’s why he’s betting his whole future on this, just to keep Gold Gauntlet alive.” 

“Gideon’s really got it rough,” someone else said. 

After the dinner, Miranda swung by to pick up Aurelia. Noticing she was a little buzzed, Miranda frowned and asked, “Wasn’t this supposed to be a business dinner? How come you ended up drinking so much?” 

Since it was just business and everyone there was familiar faces, Miranda hadn’t bothered to stick around and run interference for her. 

Miranda thought someone must’ve been trying to get her drunk. 

But, then Aurelia said, “I drank it myself.” 

Miranda paused, studying Aurelia through the rearview mirror. 

The streetlights outside flickered in and out, their glow washing over Aurelia’s face in restless waves. 

Bathed in shifting light and shadow, Aurelia’s expression was clouded and somber. 

Miranda could tell Aurelia was feeling down, but she had no idea why. 

She wanted to ask, but didn’t dare. 

The next day, Aurelia made a trip to Gold Gauntlet herself, but it was strictly business. 

It was the first time they’d seen each other in a week. 

Aurelia kept things strictly professional, giving Gideon a rundown on Regal Investment’s operations, along with reports on major developments and any potential risks. 

Once they finished discussing business, Gideon got up to see her out. 

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Not once did they bring up what had happened between them before. It was a rare moment of understanding between 

them. 

As soon as Aurelia got back to Regal Investment, Lucas messaged in the group chat, tagging Cideon: [Is that business marriage thing actually happening?] 

[Is the marriage alliance for real?] 

Gideon replied: [Yeah, it’s true.] 

[So when’s the engagement?] Lucas pressed. 

[Next week,] Gideon answered. 

Aurelia hadn’t expected things to happen so quickly. ‘Next week? That’s so soon!‘ 

Lucas just shrugged it off. [It’s a business marriage anyway. The sooner they lock it in, the sooner they can start swapping resources.] 

Aurelia turned off her phone and went back to lurking in the group chat. 

The news about Gideon getting engaged made its way to Tessa in no time. 

Karlie was right beside her, and when she heard, she literally bounced in her seat, “So, Aurelia is done for, huh?” 

Tessa was clearly pleased. 

She admired her new manicure, her voice full of mockery. “I’ve always said Aurelia’s background is nothing special. No respectable family would ever want her.” 

“Finally! I’ve been waiting for her to get knocked down a peg,” Karlie cheered, clapping her hands. 

“Eight years of crushing on her? Please. Guys always put business first. If Aurelia can’t offer him what he wants, it doesn’t matter how much he likes her, he’ll never marry her. That’s just reality,” Tessa scoffed. 

Ever since Tessa found out Gideon had been secretly carrying a torch for Aurelia, she’d felt a knot of frustration in her chest. 

Now, at last, that weight was gone. She could finally let out a sigh of relief. 

Tessa admired herself in the mirror, feeling on top of the world. 

Karlie asked, “You’re all dressed up today. Are you going out with Cassian?” 

“No,” Tessa replied, adjusting her hair with practiced precision. “I’m meeting with an investor.” 

Before Karlie could ask anything else, Tessa asked her to help pick out some jewelry to go with her outfit. 

Karlie’s taste was pretty basic; she just went for the most expensive stuff. 

In the end, Tessa picked out a pair of magnolia earrings and put them on herself. 

Karlie asked, “You’re going with that? Isn’t that a little too plain?“/ 

But Tessa was totally satisfied. “I like it this way.” 

Then she grabbed a makeup wipe and wiped off the lipstick she’d just put on. 

Karlie was even more confused. “Didn’t you just put that on? Why are you taking it off?” 

10.49 Wed, Jan 7 

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“It’s too flashy. Doesn’t fit,” Tessa replied. 

With her knack for reading men, Tessa could spot Zane’s preferences in a heartbeat. 

He was definitely more into the delicate, innocent type, 

Anything too flashy or bold wouldn’t score points with him, and that was the last thing she needed for tonight’s business meeting. 

Tessa adjusted her makeup to the latest trend; a barely–there look that was all the rage, carefully crafted to seem effortless. Satisfied with her reflection, she got up and prepared to head out. 

Karlie quickly grabbed her bag, ready to go with her. 

But just as they reached the door, Tessa stopped her. “I’m going by myself today. You don’t need to come.” 

“Okay,” Karlie replied, sounding a bit disappointed. 

Vanessa had always told her to stick close to Tessa, hanging around her was the only way to get a shot at meeting those top- tier men. 

She was supposed to make her own moves, grab any opportunity that came her way. 

If she could pull it off like Tessa, maybe one day she’d rise to the top and become a success story too. 

Meanwhile, Tessa had picked the same private room where she’d been forced to drink by Brett last time for her meeting with Zane. 

When Zane walked in and realized where they were, he couldn’t help but think, “This woman’s really something! 

“I thought you didn’t like this place,” he said as he sat down. 

“Why would you think that?” Tessa asked. 

“Because you had a bad experience here before,” Zane replied. 

Tessa lowered her gaze, hiding the hint of thought in her eyes. “But something good happened here too.” 

Zane’s usual laid–back vibe softened a bit. 

“Mr. Lavell, let me toast you. Thanks for stepping in and saving me,” Tessa said, raising her glass. 

She was still offering him the same clear liquor. 

“Just lending a hand, no need for all this,” Zane replied, sounding casual. 

He reached out and took the glass from her. “Thanks for the gesture but you shouldn’t drink this stuff, it’s rough on the body.” 

“Then I’ll toast you with water instead,” Tessa said. 

This time, Zane didn’t refuse. As she raised her glass, he leaned in, took her glass, and sipped right from it. 

“Nice water,” he said. 

Tessa’s cheeks flushed pink. “Mr. Lavell, if you wanted water, I could’ve poured you some. Why drink from my glass?” 

“I just like drinking from yours. Is that so wrong?” Zane teased. 

Wed, Jan 

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That night, Tessa didn’t get home until late. She thought the whole house would be asleep, but Alina was still awake 

“Didn’t you say you were meeting an investor? What took you so long?” Alina asked. 

Tessa sauntered over to the couch and flopped down, a teasing smile playing on her lips. “We really clicked, so I didn’t notice how late it was.” 

“So, how did it go?” Alina asked. 

“He’s decided to invest in HelixTech, but there’s a catch. He wants me to secure a round of funding before the IPO, and if I do, he’ll put in five times as much,” Tessa replied, 

“Isn’t that a bit risky?” Alina asked, sounding worried. 

t’s just how finance works. The higher the leverage, the bigger the payoff Tessa dismissed the concern with confidence. “That’s just how finance works. The higher the leverage, the bigger the payoff. 

“Besides, HelixTech’s IPO is basically a done deal. What’s there to worry about?”