Chapter 613
From Oliver’s body language alone, it was apparent–she wasn’t going anywhere unless she gave him an answer. Just yesterday, Bowen had messaged her that he’d be out of town on business for a while, so she couldn’t exactly call him up to play the boyfriend card and shut this down.
“Oliver, you said it yourself–I’ve turned you down for days. Can’t you take a hint?” she said.
But honestly, if Oliver knew how to take a hint, he wouldn’t be standing there pestering her.
“My idea of self-awareness is never to give up,” he replied smoothly.
After a brief moment, he added, “Aubree, if my sources are right, you’re heading to Drebay City soon, aren’t you? Don’t forget–the Lawson family runs the show over there.”
Aubree’s expression darkened. He wasn’t wrong–she was indeed planning a trip to Drebay City, thanks to some connections in Rithol who had set up a project for her. She was teaming up with the local government to launch a semiconductor chip R&D company, with an investment of several million dollars planned.
Her strategy was straightforward: the Wilson family was still a major player, second only to the Turner Group, with numerous complex interests at play. Additionally, she had the support of the Lawson and Diamonde families. The Diamonde family might have fallen on hard times, but with their connections, even the sharks from Südlichen Strand wouldn’t dare make a move.
The Lawson family held the real power in Drebay City. They might not have been a big deal in Rithol City, but that didn’t mean they were easy to mess with.
The truth was, Wilson Group likely paid them a fortune every year. Up until now, Aubree had only been making small moves, so they hadn’t bothered stepping in over minor issues. A little healthy competition was acceptable.
But if she started cutting into Wilson Group’s bottom line, things wouldn’t go so smoothly.
For now, her goal was to keep climbing, to keep pushing forward until, when it came down to a choice between Wilson Group and Bree Technology, she’d be the one they backed.
The project was supposed to be under wraps, but with so many connections involved, word had naturally started to spread. If the Lawson family truly wanted to make things difficult for her in Drebay City, it could easily turn into a mess.
She understood the old saying well: even a powerful outsider can’t beat a local snake.
“What exactly do you want from me?” Aubree asked. She didn’t want to make a scene in front of everyone, so she got into the car with Oliver.
The moment she sat down, she turned to him and asked the question again.
“Simple. Grab dinner with me,” Oliver replied.
He smiled slyly and added, “Just one meal–that’s it. Have dinner with me, and I’ll make sure the Lawson family doesn’t give you any trouble in Drebay City.”
Aubree gave a reluctant nod. It was just a meal, and she could tune him out the whole time.
Oliver had already chosen the restaurant. When they arrived, he stepped forward and pulled out a chair for her like a gentleman. Aubree ignored him and chose the chair on the opposite side, pulling it out herself. She sat down without acknowledging the gesture.
She looked him in the eye and said, “If we’re eating, then let’s eat quickly.”
Oliver’s expression froze for a moment, but then he smiled and took the seat he had pulled out, acting as if nothing had happened.
He’d reserved the entire restaurant, so it was just the two of them. As soon as they sat down, the waiter approached with menus.
Before Oliver could speak, Aubree grabbed a menu and started ordering all her favorite dishes, feeling completely unapologetic. She didn’t care how Oliver felt. He was the one insisting on treating her, so why should she bother being polite?
Not that Oliver seemed upset. There was even a trace of indulgence in his eyes. He’d met more socialites, celebrities, and heiresses than he could count–but it was rare to find someone with Aubree’s attitude.
He found her bluntness to be kind of adorable.
Oliver couldn’t help but remember the first time they’d met–Aubree had looked at him with that same disdain, and her eyes completely fearless. Even back then, he’d wondered, ‘How is she not even a little bit afraid of me in a situation like that?’