Orphan To Unbreakable Queen - Chapter 88: Chapter 88

It was unclear what the two people outside the window were talking about. Aubree nodded before the two of them walked away together.
Kelvin thought to himself, 'Oh snap.' Then, as if spelling it out for Bowen, he kept up his running commentary. "Looks like that guy just asked Miss Miller out—and she said yes."
Ethan offered some evidence, "Looks like they're going out to grab dinner. They're walking in the opposite direction from Miss Miller's home, and the nearest street that way is lined with restaurants."
Samson jumped to a conclusion and exclaimed, "Oh no. Miss Miller's gone on a date with him."
Kelvin immediately turned to look at Bowen and blurted out, "Mr. Turner, Miss Miller's gone on a date."
Bowen's face darkened as he frowned at Kelvin. "So what if it's a date? It's not like she's going out with you. Why the hell are you so worked up?"
Kelvin sighed in frustration. 'Excited? No—I'm worried sick for you, Mr. Turner,' he wondered. 'If you keep clinging to your pride like this, Miss Miller will slip right through your fingers.'
Kevin'd been with Bowen since graduating college. While he wouldn't claim to know Bowen inside out, he'd bet no one in the entire company understood his mind better than he did. So, he got promoted so fast.
Kelvin thought, 'Mr. Turner undoubtedly feels he's watched Miss Miller grow into her current success, and just can't overcome that mental block—he dare not consider her in any other way.
'Mr. Lane and the others might joke that Mr. Turner was raising a daughter, but honestly, at most, it was just like looking after a younger sister.'
Honestly, Kelvin couldn't fathom why Bowen insisted that Aubree address him as an elder, just like Alvin did.
Bowen glanced out the window again—Aubree was already walking side by side with that man.
The three of them waited with bated breath for Bowen's next move.
Bowen was torn. 'Perhaps it's best to just let it go. Bree is exceptional—it's only natural she has suitors. This is the life she was meant to have,' he wondered.
'As long as I'm certain she's doing well, that should be enough,' Bowen told himself.
Bowen said curtly, "Drive."
Ethan gasped, "Mr. Turner, aren't we going to follow them? What if that guy's up to no good and has ulterior motives toward Miss Miller?"
"Drive," Bowen commanded, his tone sharper now. She was perfectly capable of handling herself—he told himself he had no right to interfere anymore.
Kelvin let out a silent sigh. 'Figures—Mr. Turner is overthinking things again,' he thought. 'But the more he keeps it bottled up, the bigger the explosion will be.'
Ethan couldn't disobey Bowen's order, so he started the car. But he had his own little plan.
Since Bowen hadn't specified a destination, he figured it wouldn't hurt to head in Aubree's direction.
The car pulled away, swiftly overtaking the two pedestrians ahead.
Kelvin watched the two figures flash by outside the window, a pang of regret in his eyes. He thought to himself, 'I really thought this would finally make Mr. Turner feel some urgency—maybe even realize his true feelings.'
Bowen's brow remained furrowed as he mulled over Ethan's words. 'What if that guy's a wolf in sheep's clothing?' he thought. 'He might look decent, but actually have ulterior motives.'
Bowen thought, 'Bree is sharp, but even the smartest have their blind spots. What if that guy takes advantage of her?
'I'm just worried about her. If that guy really meant no harm, I could just stay out of sight.'
Bowen cleared his throat, trying to sound casual. "Wait—follow them."
Bowen thought to himself, 'After all, Bree is practically under my protection. I can't just let anyone take advantage of her.'
Bowen stroked his chin, mentally claiming the moral high ground for himself.
Aubree followed the man into a restaurant.
The man was Randall Galvin, a junior in computer science at a nearby prestigious university.
He was referred to her by someone at the company.
The moment Aubree heard the name, she knew exactly who it was.
Aubree thought in amazement, 'The pioneer of otome games in my previous life—I never imagined he'd actually take the initiative to seek me out.
'I was planning to track him down myself—now he's come to me. That saves me the trouble.'
Before today, they'd only texted each other. Randall's ideas were strikingly similar to those that had debuted in Aubree's past life—though, perhaps because it was still early, they were still a bit rough around the edges.
His past-life trajectory was clear. He would first find a few like-minded partners to form a team, and then, after graduation, they would rent a studio and develop their game.
Today was the day they'd agreed to meet and discuss things in detail. Randall expressed his intention to start his own studio and hoped to secure investment from Bree Technology.
However, Aubree had her sights set on recruiting him into Bree Technology.
If all went as planned, she'd bring him into Bree Technology to spearhead otome game development. Not just with a salary—he would get an equity stake too.
Given that Randall was a cash-strapped college student, Aubree took the initiative to treat him to this meal.
Still waiting for their food, the two sat by the window.
"Mr. Galvin, have you considered my proposal for an equity stake in exchange for your technical expertise?" said Aubree.
Randall's face betrayed his inner conflict. Of course, his first instinct was to start his own company, but accepting this young lady's offer would be far more convenient.
'Join Bree Technology, and they will have everything ready for us,' he wondered.
But he couldn't be sure if Aubree would genuinely appreciate his creative work, Randall thought to himself.
Randall asked, "Miss Miller, if I join Bree Technology, can you guarantee I won't be kicked to the curb once I've outlived my usefulness?"
"Of course," Aubree said confidently. "We'll draw up a contract. The gaming division will set up a dedicated studio for you to lead. You pick your team—whatever you need, I'll provide. Plus, you'll get equity, and you'll have the final say in the studio."
'Really?' Randall hesitated as he wondered. 'If she can really pull this off, maybe it's a good idea after all.'
'What I fear most is these companies treating my brainchild as nothing but a cash cow.'
"Miss Miller, aren't you asking for anything in return?" said Randall.
Aubree said, "Of course, I do. I need to review and approve all candidates for the core management team, and I must retain decision-making authority over personnel appointments."
"Of course." Randall nodded. Compared to the generous terms she'd offered, this was a small price to pay.
'After all, she's the company owner—no matter how much authority she grants me, there's no way anyone would be brought on board without her approval,' he wondered.
Randall was so won over that he agreed before the appetizers even arrived.
"The contract will be ready soon," Aubree thought cheerfully. She was genuinely pleased—while her current team was competent in software development, game development would be a real stretch for them.
She knew what kinds of games could be developed, but honestly, she was not well-versed in this field.
'It's better to leave professional matters to the professionals,' Aubree thought.
Outside the restaurant, inside the black car, Ethan and Samson in the front seats were practically piled on top of each other, straining to get a better view.
Things were a bit better in the back, but Kelvin didn't dare drape himself over his boss to peek outside—he could only crane his neck as far as he could.
"Mr. Turner, Miss Miller doesn't know me. Why don't I go check things out inside?" Kelvin couldn't hold back any longer.
'We can't hear a damn thing they're saying from out here,' he thought anxiously.
Bowen rubbed his temples, his gaze fixed on the two chatting happily by the window. "Quit staring. I'm not even here because of her," he grumbled.
Kelvin rolled his eyes. 'If we're not here for Miss Miller, then what—just here for dinner?' he wondered.
Bowen then added with feigned indifference, "But since I'm such a considerate boss—Kelvin, you must be hungry? Go grab a bite at that restaurant and come back. I'll wait."
Kelvin couldn't help but roll his eyes inwardly.
Ethan and Samson wondered, 'Mr. Turner is even faster at making excuses for himself.'
Kelvin finally stepped out of the car. Feigning nonchalance, he walked into the café and, coincidentally, took the seat right behind them.
Kelvin propped the menu up high enough to fully conceal himself, deliberately sitting with his back to Aubree.
With their business concluded and the meal still far from over, Randall casually asked Aubree a couple of questions about her studies and personal life.