Chapter 256

“That rascal Bowen–he’s still young, but honestly, he acts even more rigid than I do! I try to set him up on blind dates, but he refuses to go. For a while, I even started to wonder if he might be asexual!”

“That’s impossible!” Aubree instantly blurted out. “Bowen is perfectly normal!”

“Oh? Aubree, dear, how can you be so sure?” Enrique chuckled with a knowing smile.

Aubree instantly flushed with embarrassment. “Well, it’s just a feeling, you know? Someone as impressive as Bowen–there’s no way he could be…”

How could I possibly say I’ve… experienced it firsthand? Aubree thought.

A knowing twinkle danced in Enrique’s eyes, but he did not press further. “Come on, take a look at these photos and help me pick someone out.”

Aubree lowered her head and began examining the photos seriously. There were seven or eight of them–all jaw-droppingly gorgeous. Bowen certainly was not lacking in options.

Enrique picked one out. “How about this one? Comes from a family of scholars. I know her grandfather–he is a calligrapher. The girl is well-mannered and talented.”

The young woman in the photo had long, straight black hair and wore silver-rimmed glasses. Even through the picture, she radiated an air of quiet intelligence.

“She’s really pretty,” Aubree agreed with a nod.

Aubree picked out a photo of a woman who looked bright and cheerful.

Enrique peered at Aubree with a knowing look. “Oh? So you think Bowen would go for this type?”

Before Aubree could answer, the study door swung open and Bowen strode in. “What are you two talking about?” he asked, glancing between them with a raised eyebrow.

Bowen stormed over in two or three quick steps, giving them no chance to hide what they were doing. His eyes narrowed at the sight of the photos spread messily across the desk.

Enrique flashed an even wider grin. “Just picking out some potential matches for you.”

Aubree glanced back at him with a sugary smile. “They’re all gorgeous, aren’t they?”

Bowen’s eyes darkened slightly. A sneer tugged at his lips. This little minx is definitely doing it on purpose, he thought.

Aubree squirmed under Bowen’s intense gaze, her confidence wavering. Meanwhile, Enrique watched with undisguised glee, clearly relishing the spectacle.

“Oh really? And just who did you two pick?” Bowen asked.

Enrique eagerly held up two photos. “This one’s my choice. And this lovely young lady here was Aubree’s pick.”

Aubree lowered her head, not daring to meet Bowen’s eyes.

With a faint smile, Bowen let his gaze linger on the photo Aubree had picked. “This one’s not bad,” he remarked.

Enrique glanced over, a knowing twinkle in his eyes. “Well then, it’s settled. I’ll arrange a meeting for you guys to meet.” With that, Enrique stood up briskly–completely abandoning the wobbly-drunk act he had put on downstairs.

Aubree quickly got to her feet as well. “Let me walk you out.”

Before Aubree could even take a step, Bowen caught her by the collar and pulled her back. “Not so fast. Let’s have a little chat first, shall we?”

Before Aubree could so much as blink, Enrique had disappeared, leaving Aubree mid-reach, her hand dangling uselessly in the air. One would hardly believe Enrique was well into his 60s, given the swiftness with which he departed the study.

Aubree let out a nervous laugh. “Uh, Bowen… Bro…”

Bowen stared at her with a piercing gaze.

Bowen raised an eyebrow. “Bro? Now that’s an interesting way to call me.”

Bowen held up the photo Aubree had picked, waving it between them. “Spot-on choice.”

“Wait…?” Aubree blinked, her mind momentarily blanking as she failed to process his words.

“Are you trying to tell me something?” Bowen asked.

Aubree took a closer look. Oh wow! This has to be a coincidence. The woman in the photo… She really does look like me. We’ve got the same vibe, and it seems like she has a similar personality to me, she thought.

Bowen tugged Aubree down onto the sofa beside him, leaning in so close that she instinctively shrank back, crossing her arms protectively over her chest. “I–I just picked one at random,” she stammered.

“You just picked this at random?” Bowen raised an eyebrow, a teasing smile on his lips. “Well, you’ve got great taste then. I actually do like this type. Or rather, the woman I like just happens to be this type.”

Aubree swallowed hard, her fingers twisting the fabric of her shirt until they flushed red. She looked utterly defenseless.

Bowen’s gaze darkened.