Orphan To Unbreakable Queen - Chapter 130: Chapter 130

Carmen was in the hospital, accompanied by Alice and Daxton. Bryan had returned to the Wilson Group, busy dealing with the mess, while Ronald had gone to the bidding meeting with the Lawson family members.
Trevor did call, but only to warn Carmen to behave herself. He said that if she couldn't solve problems, then she shouldn't create them. As a public figure, the repeated negative news surrounding the family had impacted his reputation. During this period, they had paid a significant amount of penalty fees.
As a public figure, the repeated negative news surrounding the family had impacted his reputation. During this period, they had paid a significant amount of penalty fees.
Bowen attended the bidding meeting for the East District development project with Aubree and Kelvin. As soon as they entered, Aubree noticed Ronald and was surprised.
'If I remember correctly, the Wilson Group isn't involved in this project,' she thought.
In her previous life, the Turner Group once got into trouble with a commercial development project. An ancient tomb was unearthed during construction near the project's completion.
The government immediately ordered a halt, and as for the money that had poured in, they could only chalk it up to bad luck.
The ancient tomb was massive. When the project eventually resumed, they had to refill the foundation and rebuild everything from scratch. The timeline dragged on, and the investment costs skyrocketed.
After the project's completion, recovering the losses became a long and grueling process. It was the most unprofitable venture the Turner Group had ever undertaken; while not fatal, the inability to recover the working capital caused significant repercussions.
In her previous life, the Wilson family seized this opportunity. Bryan made a series of strategic decisions that elevated the Wilson Group to a new level.
However, what Bryan was unaware of was that Aubree had once stumbled upon his proposal drafts and quietly corrected some flaws in them.
The revised proposal drafts she worked on brought Bryan nothing but success. By the time Bryan discovered the documents had been altered, Carmen had already taken all the credit for herself.
Aubree bit her lip. She couldn't remember which project it was, except for the ambiguous interaction between Elizabeth, the CEO of the Lawson Group and the heiress of the Lawson family, and Bowen at the project bidding conference.
That was why she agreed to come with Bowen, to see for herself whether this was the project. However, just as Aubree narrowed her eyes, she could already confirm it.
Just as they walked in, Elizabeth's eyes lit up. She walked straight toward them, completely stunned. Aubree noticed Ronald was standing by Elizabeth's side just as she entered.
Their eyes met, sparks flying. Aubree sneered silently, thinking, 'So, Ronald, you're teaming up with the Lawson family to snatch this project from Bowen? Well then, you'd better be prepared for what's coming.'
"Mr. Turner actually decided to grace us with his presence," Elizabeth said. Her hurried steps slowed down as she approached Bowen.
She was a dazzling beauty with thick red lips and wavy hair. Her suit jacket was casually draped over her shoulders, and her eyes were sharp and commanding. No wonder she could rise to the position of CEO in a prestigious, wealthy family.
Elizabeth's voice snapped Aubree out of her thoughts. Bowen said with a reserved smile, "It's a crucial project, and I'm overseeing it personally."
Elizabeth smiled, too, poised and gracious. "In that case, every one of us is on our own merits," she said.
Just then, Ronald joined them, and the three exchanged a few pleasantries. As if she had just noticed Aubree, Elizabeth turned to Bowen and asked, "Mr. Turner, this is... Care to introduce?"
Ronald was standing right beside her, yet Elizabeth pretended not to know who Aubree was. Aubree's eyelid twitched, thinking, 'Well, I get it now. She's taken me as her love rival.'
The provocation in Elizabeth's gaze was completely undisguised as if she were saying, "See? After all this time, he still hasn't introduced you, not even once."
Aubree remained silent. She was a little eager to see how Bowen would respond.
"A young friend... from home," Bowen said, the words seemed to linger on the tip of his tongue before he finally spoke, his tone and demeanor ambiguous.
Bowen smiled at Aubree, his gaze gentle and doting. Anyone with eyes could see she held a special place in his heart.
He turned to look at Aubree and said, "This is Ms. Lawson, my business partner and competitor. Who knows, you might work with her someday." The distinction between closeness and distance was crystal clear.
Elizabeth had never seen anything wrong with how Bowen introduced her in the past. She used to take pride in being acknowledged as his business partner, the woman who stood closest to him in both professional and personal circles.
Aubree's appearance made Elizabeth realize what true intimacy meant to Bowen. The business partner she used to take pride in was nothing more than a business associate.
Elizabeth straightened up slightly and took a good look at Aubree. 'She's young, undeniably pretty, neatly dressed, still in a school uniform. She's the kind of student both parents and teachers like, ' she thought.
She remained calm, wearing a polite smile and speaking in a friendly tone, "I'm Elizabeth. Nice to meet you."
Aubree's eyes flickered. A silent battle began to brew. 'So, Elizabeth finally sees me as a real rival now?' she thought.
"Aubree," she replied politely, not even glancing at Ronald standing by the side.
Ronald was fuming. 'Are you blind? Can't you see I'm right here? You don't even say hello?' he thought.
Ronald was seething inside, itching to put Aubree in her place right then and there. But on the surface, he still wore a smile, revealing nothing.
His eyes shifted slightly, landing on Bowen. 'Aren't you just riding on Bowen's backing? Let's see how long you can act smug when Bowen stops caring about you,' he thought.
As the bidding meeting was still some time away, Aubree slipped off to the restroom.
As everyone was aware, restrooms were notorious for randomly spawning important characters. Aubree stepped out, only to find Elizabeth waiting outside, clearly having been there for a while.
Of all places, can't she pick somewhere decent to sit down and talk? Why does she insist on blocking me at the restroom door? Doesn't she mind the smell?' Aubree thought.
"Aubree Miller, the founder of Bree Technology, the so-called leading figure in the new media livestreaming industry," Elizabeth said with mockery, her meaning unclear.
Elizabeth smirked, her eyes revealed disdain as if to say, "Is that all?"
Aubree flashed an innocent grin, pretending not to catch her sarcasm, and said, "How thoughtful of you to remember all this! Honestly, I almost forgot just how impressive I am."
Elizabeth choked on her words. 'Is this girl genuinely naive or just playing dumb?' she thought.
Aubree's smile vanished, her eyes turning cold and sharp. "Ms. Lawson, is there something?" she asked.
"If you're here to make friends and do business together in the future, I'd be happy. But I'm not someone you can push around if you're looking to create trouble," she continued.
Elizabeth's lips tightened slowly as she swept her gaze over Aubree. "I never thought he'd settle for some wet-behind-the-ears little girl like you," she said.
Aubree shrugged and said, "Neither did I."
"But what can I do? Even someone like me, just a kid, can make Bowen lower himself to pursue me," she continued.
"What?" Elizabeth exclaimed. Bowen was close to Aubree lately was not a secret in their circle. Some speculated that Aubree was clinging to a powerful backer, while others believed Bowen simply recognized her potential and was making a preemptive investment.
Elizabeth had agreed to the collaboration with Ronald not long ago after his persuasion, largely because she was told that Aubree had an unusually close relationship with Bowen.
However, she had assumed that Aubree was shamelessly clinging to Bowen. 'How could Bowen possibly be the one pursuing her?' she thought.
Aubree grinned at Elizabeth's shocked expression. "Oh? You didn't know about that? Bowen is actually pursuing me."
She then, with a distressed expression, said, "But I haven't said yes yet."
"No way!" Elizabeth scoffed.
Elizabeth couldn't believe it. "What makes you worthy of his pursuit? I clawed my way up through so many people in the Lawson family to take control of the Lawson Group.
"Family background, looks, ability; I'm not inferior to you in any of them. What makes you so special? What gives you the right?" she asked.
"Just because she's Aubree," Bowen's voice cut in. He came without Kelvin by his side; he was alone.
Bowen strode over to Aubree and casually put an arm around her shoulders, pulling her close. He had overheard their conversation, and yet far from denying anything, he took an unmistakable stand by Aubree's side.
Elizabeth was heartbroken. Her eyes brimmed with unshed tears, her face a mask of bitter resentment.
"She's Aubree, and that's all that matters," Bowen said. 'As long as it's her, nothing else matters. I'll always love her,' he thought to himself.
"You!" Elizabeth was overwhelmed with grief and anger. 'He's heard our conversation, yet not only did he show no sign of being upset, he's even admitted to it outright!' she thought to herself.
Elizabeth was heartbroken, but she was used to being strong. 'Tears and tantrums are for the weak; I'll snatch him back gradually,' she thought.
Elizabeth clenched her fist, nails digging deep into her palm as she regained composure. "The bidding is about to begin," she said coldly. "See you later."