Chapter 171
Aidan cut straight to the chase. “Miss Miller, I’m very interested in your Playzy live streaming platform. If you need an investor, I’d be happy to come on board. But more than that, I’d like to propose a business partnership–I want to help bring Playzy to the international market.”
Aubree couldn’t help but smile inwardly. ‘Great minds think alike,’ she thought.
After Aidan showed up, Aubree was almost certain he was one of her investors. What thrilled her even more was that Aidan had actually taken the initiative to propose expanding Playzy into overseas markets.
Vincent and Birgitte could practically see dollar signs in their eyes–the company’s future profits looked immense.
Aubree paused to consider. “I can agree to expanding into overseas markets. But as for your investment, Mr. Matthews, I hope you understand–I can’t give a definitive answer just yet. I still need to consider other potential investors as well.”
Aidan nodded in understanding.
Bowen kept a low profile throughout and hardly said a word. He knew exactly where he stood–just a go-between, nothing more.
As the dinner was winding down, Aubree excused herself and headed to the restroom.
No sooner had Aubree left than Isla, tugging at Aidan’s sleeve with a mischievous glint in her eyes, piped up, “Aidan, I need to use the restroom too.”
Bowen arched an eyebrow, about to follow, when Aidan blocked his way. “Bowen, hovering like that isn’t a good look, you know,” he teased.
Aidan winked. “You might just get a pleasant surprise. Isla’s a sweet girl–she won’t hurt Miss Miller.”
Bowen paused in his tracks.
Aidan chuckled, amusement in his voice as he looked at Bowen. “Seems like quite a few interesting things have happened to you lately.”
“I’ve found the one I want to spend my life with,” Bowen said simply.
Nearby, Vincent and Birgitte exchanged awkward glances, wishing they could disappear. ‘Is this really something we are supposed to be hearing?’ they wondered.
“Congratulations,” Aidan offered, though inwardly he was already mourning for his sister. He could already imagine Isla crying her eyes out once she got home.
In the restroom, Aubree was washing her hands. “What are you doing following me?”
Isla hesitated, then stepped out, looking sheepish. “How did you know it was me?” she mumbled.
Aubree smirked, “Miss, I’m not blind.”
Isla’s skin flushed with a rosy blush as she bit her lip. “Bowen is mine,” she declared.
Isla had loved him for so many years. And just now at dinner, she could clearly see how attentively Bowen watched the girl in front of her.
Aubree finished washing and drying her hands, and that was all she got.
She raised an eyebrow and teased, “Is that all you’ve got?”
“What?” Isla blinked her wide, innocent eyes in confusion. ‘What else is she expecting?’ she wondered.
After all the dirty tricks she’d seen from the family, this was the first time Aubree had run into such a toothless threat.
“What are you laughing at?” Isla bristled, puffing herself up like a fluffed-up kitten, flailing her arms in a futile attempt to look fierce.
Aubree couldn’t resist reaching out to ruffle Isla’s hair. Isla was probably only a couple of years older than her, but with two lifetimes' worth of age and experience, Aubree couldn’t help but see her as a little sister.
Aubree pointed at herself, her eyes twinkling with amusement. “From my experience, shouldn’t you be pretending to trip and frame me right now? Or maybe even throw a punch to humiliate me?”
Isla’s mouth fell open in shock at Aubree’s words. “I am the daughter of the Matthews family. My upbringing would never allow me to stoop to something like that."
“I like Bowen, but he’s free to like someone else. May the best woman win, fair and square."
“If I were to do any of those things you just mentioned, it would be an insult to myself and an even greater disgrace to the Matthews family."
The cute girl before her, beautiful as a living porcelain doll, lifted her chin, proud as a peacock.
Aubree thought to herself, ‘I think I kinda like Isla.’