Chapter 352
Her paid commenters were all prepped, ready for Aubree to start throwing accusations so that she could play the victim and shift public opinion. Even if people didn’t fully believe her, it would at least cast doubt on the plagiarism claims.
But Aubree said nothing.
A court summons was undeniably the most powerful counterattack. It left Carmen completely caught off guard. Even Trevor, who had initially come up with the plan so casually, was now at a loss.
After posting, Aubree didn’t check her phone again.
She started thinking about her next steps. All the tools were now in her hands. She wanted to find the most painful way to make them pay.
After a moment’s thought, she messaged Bowen: [I’m going to Rithol City. We still need people here in Südlichen Strand.]
Bowen replied almost instantly: [Go all in. I’ll always have your back.]
The screen lit up. Aubree’s eyes softened, and she smiled. Thankfully, she still had him.
Aubree had initially agreed to Bowen’s tempting line about using him because she didn’t dislike him and figured she could walk away if it didn’t work. But now, her mindset had completely changed.
And that was exactly the slow-burn plan of the cunning Bowen.
It was just as Mark and the others had described him, just as Alvin had repeatedly warned that Bowen was never a good man. He gave her everything, only to lock her tightly by his side so she’d never leave.
After arranging the follow-up matters with Birgitte, Aubree returned to Rithol City.
Ever since that post, her phone hadn’t stopped ringing, all from unfamiliar numbers registered in Rithol City.
Aubree didn’t answer a single one. She knew exactly who was calling. She unblocked a WhatsApp contact that had been on her blacklist for a long time.
She typed: [Stop calling. I won’t take a single step back. If you have something to say, see me in court.]
[The more you act like this, the more disgusted I feel. Didn’t you say you’d do anything if I forgave you? So what happened at the exhibition? Why were you all suddenly mute?]
[Or is your ‘do anything’ just about saying a few nice words? You think sweet talk can solve everything?]
[The summons will be in your hands soon. Just wait.]
After sending several messages in a row, Aubree blocked the contact again.
Holding his phone, Ronald was speechless as he read those messages. He wondered if he had done it wrongly. But in that situation, if he had helped Aubree, it would’ve dragged down the Wilson family’s reputation.
He didn’t care what happened to Carmen, but he couldn’t risk harm coming to the Wilson family or their company.
Besides, his decision was ultimately for Aubree’s sake. As long as the Wilson family stayed strong, if she ever chose to come back to the family, she’d have a good life waiting for her.
From his perspective, Ronald had only rationalized his self-interest as concern for Aubree and believed it without a doubt.
When he tried to explain himself to her, the message only had one tick. She blocked him again.
In a burst of rage, he slammed his phone to the ground, smashing it into pieces.
Breathing heavily, Ronald’s eyes burned with rare resentment toward Aubree. She kept humiliating him, over and over. He was her father. He had already compromised so much, yet she was still not satisfied.
Even with all his guilt, he still had his pride.
Ronald remembered what Daxton had said before.
“I know you want to win Aubree back, and maybe this situation still has a turning point. Didn’t you suspect Bowen of interfering? I also think Aubree won’t come home because of the Turner family. Are we really that much worse than them?”
Aubree still refused to forgive them and return home because she believed Bowen had her back, and that was enough for her to live well. But what if that support disappeared?
Ronald’s expression darkened. ‘Aubree, don’t blame your father for being ruthless. You’ve just been too disobedient.’