Orphan To Unbreakable Queen - Chapter 96: Chapter 96

Emery wanted to leave, but of course Ronald would never allow it. Anger aside, he still had to talk him into staying.
Ronald looked at Emery and said, "Come on, wasn't all this just about getting Aubree back?
"Aubree also started her club. Her club is still quite new, and the only notable achievement they have is League of Legends. Apex Squad just hit a snag with their most profitable League of Legends division. Wouldn't merging the two be the perfect complementary solution?"
Ronald continued, "You think she'd refuse? Relax. Last time Bryan and I went to see her, she was already softening her stance. This time, we're giving her the entire Apex Squad as an apology gift—what's not to like? Her club would call the shots, with full investment from the Wilson Group backing it."
Ronald played his cards right. Emery's reluctance to keep managing the club was all about Aubree. So he'd use her as leverage to persuade Emery.
Last time, when Aubree demanded all the shares of the Wilson Group, it was clear she had her own agenda. Now that he was handing her the entire Apex Squad on a silver platter, he was sure she wouldn't be even slightly tempted.
Both clubs had their strengths and weaknesses, and since they were both under the Wilson umbrella, who managed them was irrelevant—as long as the Wilson family profited in the end.
Little did Ronald know, however, that when Aubree had made that demand last time, she was perfectly aware he would never actually agree to it.
If the Wilson family really lost their minds and handed her the shares, of course, Aubree would be thrilled. Once she got them, she'd kick the whole damn family out onto the streets, leaving them utterly destitute.
Aubree secured the connection with the Mattei family and partnered with Aidan. Whether she admitted it or not, Bowen's influence was behind it all.
And Bowen was quick to press his advantage.
Before Aubree could even say a word, Bowen couldn't wait to rush over and claim the credit.
He texted her. [Don't you think you owe me a thank you this time?]
[Yeah, I gotta thank you for the help,] Aubree replied. She acknowledged the favor.
'Admitted it? Perfect,' Bowen smirked slyly, sending shivers down the spines of those around him. No one could tell which poor soul Bowen was scheming against now.
Bowen: [So, when you have some free time, how about coming with me to Gracefield Church? Dad went there to pray last time and asked me to fulfill the vow. Coincidentally, the roses at the church are in full bloom this season—they're quite a sight.]
What Bowen didn't mention was that his father's prayer had been for him to settle down soon.
That wish really did come true.
The weather forecast said there would be snow in the coming days. Bowen slightly lowered his eyelids, veiling the dark thoughts in his eyes.
Little did Aubree know there were so many hidden agendas behind all this. Gracefield Church was famous in Rithol City—not only for its reputation, but also for its spectacular Rose Garden.
'Might as well check it out,' she thought.
[Sure,] Aubree replied.
Bowen said he was free, and true to his word, he drove straight to Aubree's place the very next day to pick her up himself. Determined to finally get the private time he'd been scheming for ages, he didn't even bring a bodyguard.
They were already on their way up the mountain. Gracefield Church sat halfway up the slope, accessible only after navigating a winding mountain road and a final stretch on foot.
Bowen said, "The meals and roses at Gracefield Church are quite renowned. After we pray, we can check them out and if we have time, maybe stay for a meal."
"Can't wait to see them," Aubree replied with a smile. Perhaps it was the string of recent good fortune—the club's championship win and the company's bright prospects—that had visibly brightened her complexion.
Even her usual reserve toward Bowen had softened.
Aubree didn't spot many people heading up the mountain along the way, but she didn't give it much thought.
With the chilly weather, a sparse crowd wasn't particularly surprising.
The higher they climbed, the colder it got.
Stepping out of the car, they were greeted by an endless flight of gray brick steps, winding upward until they disappeared from sight.
As they ascended the steps, the heavy toll of bells grew clearer. Against the ancient, stark landscape, prayer ribbons fluttered in the wind—each one a silent wish left by prayers.
The church was quite large, yet there were surprisingly few visitors around.
They could see godfathers and believers walking around. Enrique believed in Christ and used to come to pray with his elders when he was young. Under his father's influence, Bowen might not be extremely devout, but he still came to worship every year and made donations.
Most of the godfathers here recognized him on sight. "Mr. Turner, are you here to pray today?" a godfather said.
"I'm here to fulfill a vow for my father, and I've brought some friends to admire the roses," said Bowen.
The godfather led them to a grand hall, where there were many believers.
Bowen led Aubree into the hall to fulfill their vow. As Aubree gazed up at the statue high above, she thought, 'To be granted a second chance at life is beyond human power. Maybe this truly is God's intervention. God took pity on how wretched and powerless I was before, and gave me another chance.'
With that thought, she stood beside Bowen, seeking peace of mind.
Closing her eyes, palms pressed together, she prayed silently, 'If God truly can see, then let me settle all the scores and find justice in this life.'
Standing in the middle, Bowen quietly cracked open one eye to steal a glance at Aubree beside him. He knew exactly why he was here. First, to give thanks for her return to his side; second, to pray for their future together.
After completing their prayers, a godfather served as their guide, leading them through the church grounds.
After touring the church grounds and seeing most of what they had to offer, Bowen checked the time and bid farewell to the godfather. "I'd like to take Aubree to see the Rose Garden," he said.
The godfather smiled serenely, "An excellent choice. The roses are at their peak this season—truly a magnificent sight."
Walking along the flagstone path, Bowen moved forward almost brushing against Aubree. "After my father retired, he loved coming here to pray. He donated quite a sum to the church, and the godfather even specially arranged a private courtyard in the back just for him to stay in.
"Now he only visits occasionally, but the courtyard is still kept clean and reserved for him."
At first, Aubree had no idea why Bowen was telling her all this. Now, she couldn't help but roll her eyes—so it had all been part of his plan from the very beginning.
The mountain air was chilly, but the roses bloomed vibrantly, each one vivid against the stark, desolate landscape, making their beauty stand out all the more.
"Wow," Aubree gasped in admiration, quickly pulling out her phone to snap a few carefully angled shots.
Standing behind Aubree, Bowen acted on impulse and raised his phone to snap a photo.
The picture showed only her profile. Without thinking, his finger gently caressed her face on the screen before he set it as his wallpaper.
"It'd be even more beautiful if it snowed," Aubree murmured, reluctantly putting away her phone.
However, soon delicate snowflakes began drifting down from the sky.
"It's snowing," she exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with delight. She reached out to catch a couple of flakes in her outstretched palms, then turned back to Bowen with a radiant smile.
His breath hitched, his fingers twitching in his pocket with a restrained impulse.
Watching this scene, Bowen instantly regretted putting his phone away a moment too soon.
Snowflakes dusted Aubree's hair and clothes, her cheeks flushed pink from the cold. With half her face buried in the scarf around her neck, she looked utterly adorable.
Bowen's Adam's apple bobbed as he smiled and replied, "Yeah, it's snowing."
Bowen narrowed his eyes at the sky—the snow was coming down harder now.
Amidst the white snow and roses, Aubree's spirits soared—she couldn't stop smiling. She dashed over and thrust her phone into Bowen's hand. "Bowen, could you take some photos for me?" she grinned.
Without waiting for a reply, she scampered back beneath the roses and struck a playful pose.
Bowen didn't offer a single reminder, happily indulging Aubree as she took photos to pass the time. Meanwhile, he discreetly snapped a few pictures with his own phone.
It wasn't until Aubree, contentedly scrolling through her phone to select photos to post on social media, that Bowen finally looked down at her.
"Bree, looks like we'll have to stay at the church overnight," he said.
Aubree's smile froze instantly.
"The good news is, the courtyard I mentioned is habitable," Bowen said with a faint, apologetic smile. "The bad news? There's only one room."
He gave her an apologetic look. "Seems you'll have to make do with sharing a room with me tonight, Bree."
Aubree's expression completely shattered. 'You've got to be kidding me?' she thought.