Chapter 325
“Did Ollie give you this?” Bowen asked.
“Mm–hmm…” Aubree’s face was all red as she shrank back. She dared not watch his reaction.
Bowen gave a scornful snort. “What awful taste.”
Aubree’s face turned redder. “I had no idea Ollie would give me this.”
“That’s just like him,” Bowen said dismissively.
He tossed the outfit back into the gift box and closed the lid. “We’ll send it back to him later. Let him enjoy it on his own.”
+16
Following this, he retrieved a rectangular box from the pile of presents. The sleek charcoal gray packaging perfectly matched his sophisticated style. As Aubree watched, he said, “Happy birthday.”
Aubree took the box and opened it. “Huh?” Inside was a pair of bespoke crystal high heels, engraved with both their initials.
Aubree still remembered how, in her previous life, Carmen had received a pair of bespoke high heels from Alice on her 18th birthday. She recalled vividly how envious she had felt then.
It seemed that every girl dreamed of receiving a pair of high heels meant only for her when she grew up. It was as if owning them marked her passage into womanhood.
Even though later, Aubree bought herself countless pairs of high heels, none could ever replicate the special feeling brought by that pair of heels at that moment.
But now, everything was different. Someone had come into her life, someone who was slowly but surely making up for every regret she had ever felt.
“I had these custom–made to fit your height. Want to try them on?” Bowen smiled.
Aubree nodded in anticipation.
Bowen dropped to one knee and held up one heel in his hand. With the other, he pulled Aubree’s foot to himself and slid the high heel on gently.
From her perspective, Aubree could clearly see the top of Bowen’s head as he knelt before her. He looked like a knight pledging his loyalty to his princess. That thought made her giggle. “Bowen, you look like you’re proposing right now.”
“Too bad I didn’t bring a ring,” Bowen replied as he raised his head. His eyes were shimmering like a galaxy, overflowing with adoration.
Aubree’s heart fluttered, but she put on an air of haughtiness. “You think you can simply marry me as well with a mere birthday present? Dream on!”
Bowen simply smiled.
After putting on both shoes, they fit her perfectly.
Aubree sprang eagerly to her feet and took a few steps, her back straight as a rod. Even in her nightgown, slipping on those sparkling heels made her feel as if she were gliding through a grand ballroom, adorned in an exquisite, luxurious gown. She twirled one round, her heart bursting with indescribable happiness.
Bowen stepped forward and wrapped his arms around Aubree’s waist from behind before pulling her into his embrace. “You like the shoes I gave you?”
“Yes, I love them!” Aubree gushed.
“Then stay with me by my side always?” he whispered.
The mood was perfect last night. Though Bowen held back from going all the way, he still managed to enjoy every bit of intimacy he wanted.
1/2
Back at the office, the investment funds from Manchotech had already been received.
The next step was to start pouring money into massive marketing and advertising campaigns.
However, Aubree mulled over Tengu’s ambiguous attitude. Birgitte had grumbled countless times that Tengu was just stringing them along. Everything would seem to be settled, but as soon as it was time to sign the contract, they would suddenly raise one objection after another.
“Let’s put Tengu aside for now. Since Manchotech’s funds are already in, Tengu’s participation isn’t so critical.” From the start, she had chosen these two partners for their respective strengths: Manchotech’s social media ecosystem and Tengu’s distribution network and connections.
If Tengu was playing hard to get, they were not the only e–commerce player in the market. Besides the Turner Group and Wilson Group, there were plenty of second–tier options available. Tengu was not a must–have.
After Bowen gave her a hint, Aubree investigated and discovered that Tengu had never truly intended to partner with them. They had long since teamed up with the Wilson Group.
