Chapter 254
“Aubree, we’re not here for Carmen. We came for you. Are you done with your exam? It’s not that I didn’t want to drop you off this morning – it just took me a while to track down which exam hall you were in,” Ronald said.
He hesitated, reaching out slightly as if to pat Aubree’s shoulder, then quickly withdrew his hand, clearly afraid of upsetting her.
“Aubree, your place is pretty far from the exam hall, and you didn’t even hire a driver. So Dad and I went ahead and booked you a presidential suite at the nearest hotel, and we’ve arranged for our family driver to take you to all your exams over the next few days. Why don’t you join us for lunch first, then head back to the hotel to get some rest?” Bryan said.
Aubree was speechless. ‘Sure, I didn’t hire a private driver, but it’s not like I can’t afford a car service to get me to the exam hall for a few days. If this were my previous life, I’d be thrilled to see them caring like this. But now? Please. I’ve got my own money. I don’t need their scraps.’
Aubree rolled her eyes and snapped, “You guys are the only ones moved by what you’re doing.
“Let’s be real – I’m no longer that miserable, penniless girl anymore. You think I’d forget all the hurt just because you showed up with a kind word or two? What, do you think I can’t afford to do these things myself?”
Ronald and Bryan were left speechless by her words. They thought their attempts at reconciliation would win her over, but the truth was, Aubree did not need their kindness anymore.
Ronald wrung his hands awkwardly. “Aubree, it’s your SAT today – it’s such a big day for you. Why don’t we all have a meal together as a family?”
Aubree snapped, “No way!”
Before she could say a word, Bowen stepped between them.
He smiled at Ronald and said sharply, “Mr. Wilson, there are plenty of people watching. If you make a scene now, it’s the Wilson family that’ll end up embarrassed.
“Then again… given how much trouble your family’s caused lately, maybe a little more won’t make a difference.” Bowen chuckled mockingly.
Ronald’s expression turned ghostly, then burned red with shame.
Bryan shot Bowen a venomous glare – never had anyone grated on his nerves this badly.
By now, to the Wilson family – especially Ronald – Bowen had become absolutely loathsome.
Ronald stared daggers at Bowen. In the past, he had only been so accommodating to Bowen because he thought that as long as he could forge a connection with the Turner family, raising Aubree would not have been for nothing.
However, right now, nothing mattered more to Ronald than getting Aubree back.
Ronald absolutely refused to believe that someone like Bowen could genuinely fall for an 18-year-old girl. To Ronald, it could not have been more obvious – Bowen had set his sights on Aubree, seeing her as young, talented, and easily influenced. Bowen was probably the reason Aubree started distancing herself from the family.
Bowen was not bothered in the slightest by their glares. If anything, their irritation only made him more smug. Three years ago, he had returned Aubree to them, but they did not appreciate her. Now that they realized her worth and wanted her back, Bowen had no intention of making the same mistake twice.
Bowen pulled out the bouquet he had prepared in advance and handed it to Aubree. “I got held up picking your flowers – hope you’re not mad?
“Here’s some fresh juice. Drink it if you’re thirsty. I’ve made a reservation at a private dining place. The food should be to your liking. After lunch, get some rest. You still have the math exam later today.”
Aubree looked down at the flowers in her arms. They were beautiful – at a glance, there had to be at least 10 different kinds.
“But I’m not even done with exams yet. Isn’t it a bit early for flowers?” she asked.
Bowen gave a soft smile. “I’ve prepared a bouquet for every subject. Every test you finish deserves to be celebrated.”
Aubree pressed her lips together in a faint smile. “Let’s go eat.”
The two of them completely ignored Ronald and Bryan, treating them like they did not even exist.
“Save your breath, Ronald. What happened to Emery is exactly what I want for the rest of your family,” Aubree sneered. “You want my forgiveness? Maybe, just maybe, I’ll consider showing a shred of mercy when all of you are dead.”
Left standing alone, Carmen shot them a venomous glare. ‘Why? All of this should have been mine! Just die already, Aubree Miller!’ she seethed.