The Queen They Buried

Hector gasped, his eyes wide with shock. “So Phoenix, wait, I mean Aubree, actually bought the sports team and started a club Even with a friendship discount from the captain, their market value as champions wasn’t cheap,

Hector choked out, “Phoenix, did you sink all your prize money into this?”

Moon smacked Hector on the head. “Are you dense? Didn’t Phoenix just say she bought the slot and got investors?”

Combined, their market value was probably still less than that of the league slot.

Hector let out a yelp, clutching his head as he glared resentfully at his bot lane partner. “I’m just shocked, okay? Never saw this coming” He thought to himself, “Sure, the captain’s a trust fund baby, ultra–rich and all, but nobody ever told me Aubree had this kind of cloud toot

“Don’t worry, there’s plenty of money. The contracts are being drafted and you’ll have them by tomorrow at the latest. Once you’ve reviewed and signed, the payment will hit your accounts right away.” Aubree stated everything in a businesslike manner, covering all the necessary points

They’d been through it all together, training, competing, and winning the championship, which built a solid trust among the teammates.

Hector said, “Guess we’re all set to live the high life under Boss Aubree now!”

The cheerful atmosphere was infectious as Aubree smiled genuinely. “That’s not up to me, it all depends on your performance out there,” she said.

Laughter and banter filled the table, yet Matilda remained unusually quiet

As the dinner wrapped up, Matilda was the first to decline Hector’s suggestion to continue the party. “Count me out, I’ve got something to take care of she said abruptly

With that, Matilda flagged down a passing cab at the curb and hurriedly took off without looking back.

Aubree narrowed her eyes, watching the direction Matilda had gone. “She lives in the urban, this isn’t the right way, she thought, suspicion flickering in

her gazt

“I’m not going either,” Aubree said. She quickly hailed a cab and instructed the driver, “Follow that car”

Bryan had barely stepped through the door before a glass came hartling toward his face. He dodged just in time, and the cup shattered at his feet.

Rubbing his temples, Bryan sighed helplessly. “Mom, what are you doing?”

Alice’s face was livid, her eyes blazing with fury as she glared at Bryan. “You want to know what I’m doing? I should be asking what you’re doing! How dare you pick on Carmen the moment we’re not around

Bryan choked up, his eyes full of confusion. He thought, “Me? Bully Carmen? When did I ever do that? Since when does not helping her count as bullying?

‘Did she really have to make me come back for such a trivial matter? Couldn’t this have waited?

Mom’s interference

when Dad and I stormed into Ellis Heights with our men. Lately, Turner Group’s been applying subtle pressure, and just as our new venture

you just listen

single word from Bryan, don’t care what you’re up to, clean up that mess online, right now!”

word he said, and it was driving him crazy. But

1/3

07:10 Mon, 7 JUI

Chapter 42

it all and keep it bottled

thought, ‘This

what I say anyway. Mom only wants to do things her

a sudden realization flickered in Bryan’s eyes. He thought, “Was this what Aubree went through in the Wilson family? No matter how

worse than what I’m dealing with now. At least Mom just

scom and accusations, sometimes even

as Alice’s voice kept drilling into his ears. “Did you hear what said or

imitation, snapped, “Yeah, I got it, handle the online mess.” With that, he turned on his heel and stormed out of the

fury. “One after another, are you all trying to defy me

‘Nightworld? A nightclub?” she

She knew t

infamous nightclubs. Rumor had it that a bored scion of a wealthy family opened it just

had come here once before with Trevor, when he’d had a major falling–out with his family. She

even that paled in comparison to how effortlessly Carmen could

snapped photos of her at the hospital, which caused trouble for Trevor He actually came to her hospital room and berated her, blaming her for “damaging

sent a message to Alvin and successfully gained entry using

was already packed with people. For the rich, there was

she weaved left and right through the crowd and quickly vanished from sight. Worried she might get into trouble, Aubree hurried in the direction

crowd, two more people entered, one with a devil–may–care swagger, the other exuding

aristocratic air

brow furrowed. “What is she doing here?” he muttered,

shoulder, Ollie followed his gaze and asked

“Bree,” Bowen muttered.

in disbelief, “Whoa, what’s a kid like her doing in a place like

said firmly,

surveillance. Let’s head to the VIP room first, Mark is still waiting, if we get any news, we’ll go check on your girl, alright?”

2/3