Orphan To Unbreakable Queen - Chapter 94: Chapter 94

Bowen dispatched Samson to pick up the guests at the airport.
The dinner was set at a characteristic restaurant on the outskirts of the city.
When Aubree arrived with Vincent and the others, she noticed chickens and ducks kept in fenced areas in the courtyard.
'I always thought someone like Bowen would book five-star hotels or restaurants for business meetings,' she mused. 'Never expected him to be this characteristic.'
But then again, Aubree thought, 'It makes sense since Bowen and Aidan are friends.'
"Hi, Mr. Turner," the owner greeted them with a broad smile. "Everything's all set."
When his gaze landed on Aubree standing beside Bowen, his smile grew even wider.
Aubree coughed awkwardly.
'Why is he smiling like that?' she wondered.
"Much appreciated," Bowen said.
The owner ushered them inside. "No trouble at all, please come right in."
They had barely settled into the private room when Samson ushered in Aidan and Isla, a pair of foreigners.
The man, Aidan, was dressed in a gentlemanly manner and carried a walking cane. Just a half-step behind him trailed Isla, who looked far more playful—with twin braids and blinking eyes, she looked just like a doll.
"Bowen, I miss you so much," Isla beamed, a radiant smile spreading across her face as she flung herself into Bowen's arms.
Caught completely off guard, Bowen instinctively glanced at Aubree, who merely glanced back, showing no further reaction.
Bowen's heart sank as he noticed Aubree's indifference. Applying more force, he pushed Isla away and, speaking in perfect accent, said, "Isla, that was highly improper."
"Bowen?" Isla instantly wilted, her whole demeanor deflating.
Aidan's gaze shifted from Bowen to Aubree, a thoughtful gleam deepening in his eyes as he gently pulled his sister back to his side. "Isla, what exactly did you promise me before we came?"
"My apologies, Aidan." Isla lowered her head.
Among those present, Aubree probably had the weakest Odionlandian. It was a bit of a struggle for her to follow, but she could still make out what was being said.
"You must be Miss Miller. My sister is quite vivacious—please excuse her manners," Aidan said in Lumanonish.
Aubree was surprised. 'I didn't expect Aidan's Lumanonish to be this fluent—his pronunciation is impeccable,' she wondered.
Bowen leaned in close to Aubree's ear and murmured, "Aidan has quite a few Lumanonish business partners, so his Lumanonish is excellent. Isla can understand it but can't speak it—so feel free to use Lumanonish."
Bowen's warm breath fanned Aubree's ear. She couldn't quite tell if she felt more uncomfortable or more shy. Turning her head away, she subtly shifted to the side.
Bowen caught every nuance of her reaction, a knowing smile playing on his lips before subtly fading away.
Bowen smiled at Aidan and said, "Aren't you eager to try the local dishes here? I specifically chose this characteristic restaurant for you—the food here truly captures the authentic flavors of Rithol City, and they use meticulously chosen ingredients."
As he spoke, Bowen also ushered everyone to their seats at the table.
Aidan thoroughly enjoyed the meal. Even Isla, who had harbored a hidden hostility toward Aubree since they arrived, was now so absorbed in the simple but delicious dishes that she completely forgot about her.
"This is so good. Lumanonish cuisine is absolutely amazing." Isla exclaimed, her eyes wide with delight as she savored the ordinary yet flavorful food.
"Aidan, that's so unfair. You never brought me to Lumanon before," she pouted.
Aidan looked at his sister indulgently and smiled. "Well, you can eat to your heart's content while you're here."
Isla didn't hesitate. "I want Bowen to keep me company."
"That depends on whether Bowen is willing," Aidan replied, still smiling.
Bowen never minced words when rejecting Isla. "My staff can play host in my place."
Isla scrunched up her face in disappointment, but quickly brightened at the thought that having some food was better than none.
After dinner, it was time to get down to business.
Aidan cut straight to the chase. "Miss Miller, I'm very interested in your Playzy live-streaming platform. If you need an investor, I'd be happy to come on board. But more than that, I'd like to propose a business partnership—I want to help bring Playzy to the international market."
Aubree couldn't help but smile inwardly. 'Great minds think alike,' she thought.
After Aidan showed up, Aubree was almost certain he was one of her investors. What thrilled her even more was that Aidan had actually taken the initiative to propose expanding Playzy into overseas markets.
Vincent and Birgitte could practically see dollar signs in their eyes—the company's future profits looked immense.
Aubree paused to consider. "I can agree to expanding into overseas markets. But as for your investment, Mr. Matthews, I hope you understand—I can't give a definitive answer just yet. I still need to consider other potential investors as well."
Aidan nodded in understanding.
Bowen kept a low profile throughout and hardly said a word. He knew exactly where he stood—just a go-between, nothing more.
As the dinner was winding down, Aubree excused herself and headed to the restroom.
No sooner had Aubree left than Isla, tugging at Aidan's sleeve with a mischievous glint in her eyes, piped up, "Aidan, I need to use the restroom too."
Bowen arched an eyebrow, about to follow, when Aidan blocked his way. "Bowen, hovering like that isn't a good look, you know," he teased.
Aidan winked. "You might just get a pleasant surprise. Isla's a sweet girl—she won't hurt Miss Miller."
Bowen paused in his tracks.
Aidan chuckled, amusement in his voice as he looked at Bowen. "Seems like quite a few interesting things have happened to you lately."
"I've found the one I want to spend my life with," Bowen said simply.
Nearby, Vincent and Birgitte exchanged awkward glances, wishing they could disappear. 'Is this really something we are supposed to be hearing?' they wondered.
"Congratulations," Aidan offered, though inwardly he was already mourning for his sister. He could already imagine Isla crying her eyes out once she got home.
In the restroom, Aubree was washing her hands. "What are you doing following me?"
Isla hesitated, then stepped out, looking sheepish. "How did you know it was me?" she mumbled.
Aubree smirked, "Miss, I'm not blind."
Isla's skin flushed with a rosy blush as she bit her lip. "Bowen is mine," she declared.
Isla'd loved him for so many years. And just now at dinner, she could clearly see how attentively Bowen watched the girl in front of her.
Aubree finished washing and drying her hands, and that was all she got.
She raised an eyebrow and teased, "Is that all you've got?"
"What?" Isla blinked her wide, innocent eyes in confusion. 'What else is she expecting?' she wondered.
After all the dirty tricks she'd seen from the Wilson family, this was the first time Aubree'd run into such a toothless threat.
"What are you laughing at?" Isla bristled, puffing herself up like a fluffed-up kitten, flailing her arms in a futile attempt to look fierce.
Aubree couldn't resist reaching out to ruffle Isla's hair. Isla was probably only a couple of years older than her, but with two lifetimes' worth of age and experience, Aubree couldn't help but see her as a little sister.
Aubree pointed at herself, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "From my experience, shouldn't you be pretending to trip and frame me right now? Or maybe even throw a punch to humiliate me?"
Isla's mouth fell open in shock at Aubree's words. "I am the daughter of the Matthews family. My upbringing would never allow me to stoop to something like that.
"I like Bowen, but he's free to like someone else. May the best woman win, fair and square.
"If I were to do any of those things you just mentioned, it would be an insult to me—and an even greater disgrace to the Matthews family."
The cute girl before her, beautiful as a living porcelain doll, lifted her chin, proud as a peacock.
Aubree thought to herself, 'I think I kinda like Isla.'