NovelOnlineChapter 217
Bowen led Aubree up to his room. “Don’t let what my father said bother you,” Bowen remarked, his tone
impatient.
Aubree was momentarily taken aback, but then she offered a reassuring smile. “Mr. Turner didn’t say anything
inappropriate.”
Bowen hesitated, the words choking him. “I...”
“It's okay, | don’t mind,” Aubree said with a warm, reassuring smile.
Bowen felt a lump in his throat as emotion overwhelmed him. For the first time, Aubree’s smile pierced him like
salt in a wound. ‘Does she not care about anything... or is it that she just doesn’t care about me?’ he wondered.
His eyes briefly darkened. Bowen flashed a teasing grin and spoke playfully, “That's great to hear. But so that
you know, | don’t believe any of the things my dad said about me.” Without warning, Bowen suddenly grasped
Aubree’s wrist, pulling her toward him until their faces were only inches apart.
Aubree gasped softly and instinctively raised her hand-she nearly slapped Bowen, but fortunately, her rational
side intervened just in time. “You startled me!” she exclaimed, instinctively retracting her hand.
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‘Sorry,” Bowen quickly released his grip, but couldn't resist showing off for Aubree. “Do | look handsome?” he
asked with a playful grin.
“You're stunning,” Aubree exclaimed impulsively.
Bowen preened even more, his smile broadened. “Am | too old?”
Well, Aubree thought, ‘I guess it all depends.
Bowen was eight years older than her, a gap that once seemed significant. But she had already been through
more than most. By the teverything had cfull circle, she had reached her late twenties-nearly thirty.
Measured by experience and maturity, she might have even surpassed him.
“It's okay,” Aubree murmured.
Bowen leaned closer, lowering his voice to a playful whisper. “Just okay? So, I'm old, huh?” His deep-set eyes
held a mystery within them-something she couldn't quite grasp.
“N-no, not at all,” stammered Aubree.
Aubree gasped in surprise and instinctively tried to step back, but Bowen's arm quickly wrapped around her
waist. With a firm pull, he drew her close to his chest. The scent of his cologne enveloped her as his chin rested
on her shoulder. “No?” he murmured, his breath warm against her ear. “Then stop callingwhat Alvin calls
me, okay?”
“But didn’t you allow me, just like Alvin does?” Aubree retorted.
“I've changed my mind. Callanything but that.” Bowen flustered.
“0O-okay...” Aubree stammered, still flustered, as Alvin's voice suddenly broke the tension.
Alvin snapped, “Uncle Bowen, have you no shame? You just leftstranded at the supermarket without even a
car, and to make matters worse, you didn’t take a single shopping bag with you!”
Alvin was struggling to carry shopping bags in both hands-almost ready to hang one around his neck and clamp
another between his teeth. Meanwhile, Bowen rushed back just to put on a show for Aubree. Alvin's jaw was
clenched, with a vein
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Chapter 217
throbbing on his forehead as he glared at Bowen.
Aubree hastily pushed Bowen away, flustered. “I'll leave you two to talk.”
Bowen smirked. “Alvin, don’t be mad. I'm just trying to find you a future aunt, aren't I?”
‘He isn’t even pretending anymore!” Alvin rolled his eyes tically. “Do you even remember what you used to
say? And honestly? Even beasts would csecond to you.”
“I only made my move after she cof age,” Bowen said weakly, his voice wavering between defiance and
embarrassment.
Alvin scoffed. “Even though you're my uncle, Aubree is my friend. | stand with what's right, not just with family.”
Alvin's expression darkened slightly, and his mock-threatening glare only amused Bowen.
Bowen wondered, ‘Did my nephew threaten me? Well...
Bowen gestured for Alvin to cin and take a seat. “You don’t need to worry; what you're fearing won't
happen,” he said with conviction. “What has Mark told you about what happened back then?”
“Mark toldhe found a damaged photo and had it digitally restored. He mentioned that it won't be long before
he tracks down the individuals who murdered my parents.” Alvin's voice turned icy. “Once | find them, I'll show
them what a true living hell is.”
‘Throwing them in prison? That'd be showing mercy-they don’t even deserve that, Alvin thought. Alvin reflected
bitterly, ‘I will never forgive those responsible for their deaths. If it weren't for them, they would still be alive,
and | wouldn't have had to grow up all alone.”
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