hapter 271
After declining several photo requests, Aubree and Bowen finally managed to break free and locate their dormitory. They retrieved their meal cards and keys from the dorm supervisor, scanned QR codes to fill out forms and join a few group chats, and only then wrapped up the entire registration process.
“College registration’s quite an experience,” Bowen remarked as he tagged along the whole time. “Never expected there’d be so much hassle just for signing up.”
Aubree grinned, “You studied abroad, didn’t you? Consider this me giving you the full college experience.”
Since leaving the Wilson family and building her own business, Aubree had transformed, not just in appearance, but in her entire being.
Fresh out of the Wilson family, she had been shrouded in gloom, taciturn and cautious with everyone and everything, like a wary wolf cub. Now, she was radiant, her eyes sparkling with confidence.
Bowen looked at her and smiled. ‘How wonderful, he thought. ‘May Bree always shine this brightly!
“Well, thanks for showing me the ropes, Aubree,” Bowen said with a grin. Today, dressed in a crisp white shirt and pants with his hair casually down, he blended right in on campus. One would never guess he wasn’t just another upperclassman.
As Ethan and Samson joked this morning when Bowen stepped out, Bowen was trying to pass off an old dog as a fresh pup today
Honestly, he was probably worried that accompanying Aubree to college registration would make him look old next to all those young, handsome students on campus.
Bowen’s words carried an inexplicable flirtatious undertone that made Aubree feel her ears burn. She shot back, “Still calling me that? You’ve got some nerve!”
Bowen grinned and shot back, “How else am I supposed to pursue a girlfriend if I’m not the bold type?”
They chatted and laughed as they reached the dorm entrance. It was a quad with loft–style beds and desks underneath. The beds were first–come, first- served. Aubree didn’t care which one she got. After all, just because she was staying in the dorm now didn’t mean she’d be living there forever.
In her previous life, Aubree and Carmen attended the same university and shared a dorm, but Aubree had completely lost herself. She was nothing more than Carmen’s maid and lackey, always trailing behind her. Now, with the second chance at life, she was determined to live for herself and finally experience genuine college dorm life.
Otherwise, she could have easily applied to live off campus.
The moment she pushed open the door, lively chatter greeted her from inside.
“Karlie, you read the group chat? Aubree Miller’s in our department?” a girl asked, and her words were tinged with a regional accent,
“No kidding! The volunteer upperclassmen have been spamming the group chat about it! It turns out the rumors online were true. That man from the Turner Group and Aubree are more than just friends.
“We’re still missing one roommate… Could it be… Aubree Miller?”
Just as she finished her words, the door burst open. They looked over. There stood none other than the very person they’d just been gossiping about!
A slender girl with dyed red hair gasped in shock, her eyes wide with disbelief. She could hardly believe the campus’s most talked–about young entrepreneur was actually going to be her roommate.
The other was a round–faced girl dressed plainly, who stood there transfixed, staring at Bowen. He was ridiculously handsome, even more so than any celebrity she’d ever seen on TV.
Aubree introduced herself with a friendly smile, “Hi, everyone. I’m Aubree Miller, your new roommate from now on.”
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The red–haired girl snapped out of her daze and blurted, “Hi! I’m Karlie Bader from Nadio.
“Your other roommate, Natalie Stefanik, is also a local like you. She checked in and left.”
“My name’s Sally Fowler. I’m just from a small town…”
Aubree greeted both of them in turn.
As Aubree greeted them, Bowen, so proactive, borrowed a cloth from Sally, the round–faced girl, and started wiping down Aubree’s bunk. “You should pack your things tonight,” he said. “Tomorrow morning, I’ll have Carol help you get everything sorted.”!
“Wouldn’t that be too much trouble for Carol?” said Aubree.
“Not at all,” Bowen chuckled. “Carol said she hadn’t seen you in ages. No one’s been around to compliment her cooking lately.”
Aubree and Bowen bantered back and forth, completely ignoring the other two. Karlie, the social butterfly, slung an arm around Sally’s shoulders with a knowing smirk and whispered gleefully, “The rumors don’t lie!”
Sally kept her head down, staying silent.
While Bowen was cleaning and letting Aubree sit, the moment he stepped out to rinse the cloth, Karlie immediately leaned in. “Aubree, the internet’s buzzing that you and that big shot, Bowen Turner, are a pair. Is it true?”
“No, we’re not,” Aubree replied.
“Maybe not now, but it’s only a matter of time,” Karlie said with a knowing chuckle. “I’m a great judge of character. Bowen is totally after you.”
Aubree just smiled and said nothing, her eyes twinkling with amusement.
They didn’t get to chat long before Bowen returned. With the dorm tidied up, Aubree and Bowen decided to head out. After all, the semester hadn’t officially started yet, so there was no need to stay overnight.
Just before leaving, Aubree swapped contact details with her two new roommates.
They picked up Alvin, and the trio headed straight for the Turner family residence.
Ever since that dinner at the Turner residence after her SATS, Aubree had been receiving regular invitations from Enrique to come over. And, as expected, eight times out of ten Bowen was there, and the other two times, he was just on his way.
When they met, Enrique took a jab at Bowen. “Do you think just because you dress like a greenhorn, you actually are one?”
Enrique said it loud and clear for everyone to hear.
Alvin shot his grandfather an approving look, while the family butler stood by, struggling to keep a straight face.
Aubree also couldn’t help but giggle.
Bowen cocked an eyebrow with a smirk. “I am young, okay?”
When it came to sheer audacity, Enrique had to admit defeat to his son. He couldn’t be bothered to acknowledge the shameless fellow, whose nerve seemed to have outlived even himself, as his son.
So, Enrique simply turned to Aubree and asked how her college registration had gone that day.
“Pretty good. I met my two roommates, and they both seem easy to get along with.”
“If you can’t get used to dorm life, don’t force yourself,” said Enrique. “Money’s not an issue for us. Just have Bowen arrange an apartment for you near campus. And if he can’t even handle that, you might as well stop wasting your time on him.”
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Chapter 271
Even if Enrique genuinely felt that way, Aubree wouldn’t agree outright. She replied pragmatically, “If I can’t get along with them, I’ll move out Ho pent making life difficult for myself.”
“My son? All he’s got going for him is a bit of money.”
Aubree thought, ‘A bit of money? That’s the understatement of the century.’
Aubree readily agreed to everything.
Bowen quipped, “Come on, Dad, not even letting me take a sip of water? What is this, an interrogation?”
After dinner, Enrique kept finding excuses to make Aubree stay and chat with him. Even though he was clearly tired and kept yawning, he stubbornly refused to let her go. It wasn’t until around nine or ten o’clock that he finally insisted, “Why don’t you just spend the night here, Aubree?”
Well, Aubree had to stay the night when Enrique put his foot down.
Alvin had figured out what his grandpa was up to. Not wanting to play along with his schemes, he slipped away to his room right after dinner.
In the guest bedroom on the second floor.
Aubree was glued to her computer screen, completely oblivious as Bowen slipped into the room.
Bowen quietly placed a glass of milk by Aubree’s hand.
“Well, the business circles in Südlichen Strand are pretty cliquey,” muttered Aubree
“Thinking of expanding to Südlichen Strand?” Bowen’s voice startled her as he suddenly appeared behind her, having overheard her muttering to herself “Why didn’t you tell me?”
Aubree had her back to the door. The moment she turned, Bowen was already leaning in, so close their breaths nearly mingled. He braced one hand on the desk, while his other gently closed over her hand still holding the mouse, effectively trapping her between his arms.
His posture enveloped her in an embrace.
AD
