Bones Learn To Listen When Silence Speaks by Ryn Miles 9

Chapter 9 

Jasper thought Cassian would be surprised, but his reaction was unexpectedly calm. 

“Michael still hasn’t given up, huh?” Cassian asked. 

“You mean this isn’t the first time Michael’s tried to recruit Aurelia, huh?” Jasper sounded shocked, 

“Yeah,” Cassian said, unbothered. His tone was steady, even confident. “He can’t poach her. Aurelia won’t go with him.” 

Jasper agreed, sneering, “Yeah, right. Like Aurelia would ever leave Honoria Capital.” 

As long as Cassian was there, Aurelia would never leave–that was the unspoken truth between them. 

“She is always scheming,” Jasper went on. “I bet she met Michael at Lunar Table on purpose, just so I’d see them and report back to you. She wants you to think she’s planning to quit, so you’ll beg her to stay.” 

D 

He gave a mocking snort and added, “I knew it. She’s probably pulling this stunt because she’s jealous of how much attention you’ve been giving Tessa. 

“She has no class. Doesn’t she get that men hate it when women act jealous and play petty games? The more she acts out, the more you’ll just pull away. 

“She really overestimates herself. Who does she think she is? What does she have that could compare to Tessa? Anyone with half a brain knows who to choose, right?” 

Cassian didn’t have time for Jasper’s gossip. After a few curt words, he hung up. 

He opened the stack of documents waiting for his signature–and right on top was Aurelia’s resignation letter. 

His brow twitched almost imperceptibly. After a brief pause, he set the letter aside and went back to signing the rest. 

***** 

Meanwhile, Aurelia enjoyed a pleasant dinner with Michael. In high spirits afterward, she stopped by the flower shop downstairs on her way home and bought herself a bouquet. 

But when she got home, she suddenly realized she didn’t own a vase. 

As she looked at the room packed with things that weren’t hers, her good mood dimmed a little. 

She found a cardboard box and started packing all the documents inside, finally clearing off the dining table. 

After some searching, she finally found something that could serve as a vase–a trophy. 

It was the “Excellent Employee” award that Cassian had personally presented to her. She used to treasure it like something sacred. 

18:46 Thu, Dec 18 

Chapter 9 

43 

Once, when Mia had gotten drunk at Aurelia’s place, she’d woken up nauseous in the middle of the night and almost used the trophy to throw up in. 

Aurelia had snatched it away immediately, insisting she’d rather Mia puke on the bed than on that trophy. 

Now, Aurelia filled it with water and arranged the flowers inside. She stood there for a moment, staring at it before quietly murmuring, “Finally, it’s useful for something.” 

Before going to bed, she started a new habit–turning off her phone. She slept soundly through the night. 

***** 

At nine the next morning, Aurelia arrived at the office right on time. 

Her coworkers were surprised–she was usually the first one there. 

And today, she wasn’t dressed in her usual stiff, professional style. She wore a light–colored blouse and skirt instead. 

“Ms. Corin, you look a little different today,” one of them said. 

Aurelia smiled. “How so?” 

“You look really beautiful.” 

To be precise, she was stunning. With light makeup, her entire aura had changed. She looked fresh and graceful, with a natural beauty that drew everyone’s eyes. 

“Thank you,” Aurelia said, her mood lifting even more. 

She had already eaten breakfast on her way to work, so after arriving, she headed to the breakroom for some water to take her stomach medicine. 

Just as she reached the doorway, she heard voices inside. 

“Who do you think is prettier–Ms. Corin or Ms. Rowe?” someone asked. 

“They’re different types. You can’t really compare them,” another replied. 

“Before, I’d have said Ms. Rowe. The old Ms. Corin was way too stiff–her clothes, her makeup, everything. She looked ten years older. But honestly, she’s always had great features. She just never showed them. Now that she’s loosened up a little, she’s absolutely gorgeous.” 

“Yeah! She has this amazing presence. I think I’m starting to fall for her.” 

“Based on looks alone, Ms. Corin’s got a slight edge. But Ms. Rowe’s family and education are top–notch, Ms. Corin can’t compete with that.” 

“Yeah, those things you’re just born with. Some people are luckier than others.” 

“I heard Ms. Corin grew up in a single–parent family.” 

18:46 Thu, Dec 18 D 

Chapter 9 

Right then, Aurelia walked in and cut them off. 

“Good morning,” she said casually, acting as if she hadn’t heard a thing. She filled her cup with water and greeted everyone with calm politeness. 

The group quickly mumbled back a greeting and scattered. 

After taking her medicine, Aurelia returned to her desk–just as Fletcher Robinson, the manager of Strategic Division Three, rushed over. 

“Ms. Corin, where’s the evaluation report on the SkyPulse Company drone project? Mr. Locke asked for it,” he said, slightly out of breath. 

Aurelia handed him the file. Fletcher asked, “Ms. Corin, is your phone broken?” 

“No,” she said, a bit puzzled. 

“Then why couldn’t we reach you? Mr. Locke went on a business trip this morning and urgently needed this report, but no one could get in touch with you,” Fletcher said. 

Aurelia answered calmly, “The battery probably died.” 

The excuse was flimsy, and Fletcher clearly didn’t buy it. 

But he didn’t press. He just said, “Mr. Locke went with Ms. Rowe to inspect the SkyPulse Company drone project. They probably won’t be back until next week. I’ll send this report over to him now.” 

Aurelia nodded slightly and turned on her computer to start working. 

She had been the one driving that drone project from the start. She’d handled both rounds of inspections and meetings. 

Cassian had never shown interest, much less accompanied her out of town. 

It had just been another routine investment for Honoria Capital–never important enough to warrant his personal attention. 

But this time, he had gone himself. 

Everyone knew why. Cassian wasn’t there for the project. He was there for Tessa. 

With him gone, Aurelia’s workload dropped in half. And since she’d been reassigned away from Strategic Division Three, she suddenly found herself with far fewer responsibilities. The case was liberating. 

She had an appointment after work with Owen, the well–known traditional medicine practitioner in Ashmont. 

She wanted him to prescribe some medicine for her stomach problems. Her health had been poor lately, and she’d finally decided to take better care of herself. 

Owen’s appointments were notoriously hard to get. In the past, Aurelia had often lined up outside the 

18:46 Thu, Dec 18 

Chapter 9 

: 

hospital at dawn to book appointments on behalf of her clients‘ family members. 

After doing it so many times, she and Owen had become acquainted. 

He admired her drive but always reminded her to take care of her own health. “Don’t take your youth for granted, he’d told her once. “You’ll regret it later if you do.” 

43 

So when she finally called for herself, Owen was genuinely pleased. He even stayed late that evening, waiting for her. 

But halfway there, Aurelia’s phone rang. It was Dorian, the president of SkyPulse Company. “Ms. Corin, something’s come up. I need you here right away.” 

Aurelia frowned. “What happened?” 

Dorian explained that Honoria Capital’s inspection had gone smoothly until they got to the discussion stage. That was when Tessa suddenly insisted on lowering the agreed valuation by three percent. 

She claimed our drones are too industrial,” Dorian said angrily. “She said that they don’t have much commercial value and hold a smaller market share than other brands. She keeps pushing the price down.” 

He took a deep breath. “Ms. Corin, we chose Honoria Capital because you were the most sincere, and the proposal you made fit our company perfectly, 

You know plenty of other investors wanted to work with us. This isn’t how business should be done. I’m only still talking to you now. If you don’t come, this deal is off the table.” 

AD