Chapter 114 Preparing to Leave
Aria looked at Lance's worried expression and said slowly, "I have my reasons for this. I've already made up my mind."
Seeing how determined Aria was, Lance bit his lip slightly. "What about the studio? What are you planning to do about it?"
He had finally gotten so close to Aria, barely managed to wait until her divorce, and now she was telling him she was leaving.
What about him?
Did he have to wait for her here all alone again?
"I'll temporarily put Lucy in charge of the studio, and I'll make further arrangements later."
Seeing that Aria had made up her mind, Lance could only nod in agreement. "Since you've already decided, then that's how it has to be."
Summer, watching Lance, seemed to understand something. She looked at Aria with a deeper meaning in her eyes.
When Aria met Summer's eyes, she understood and shook her head gently.
"When are you planning to leave?"
Since Aria had already decided, Summer wouldn't try to stop her. After all, given Aria's current situation, going abroad really was the best arrangement.
Only by going abroad could this child be perfectly hidden. Otherwise, if she stayed any longer and the truth about the child came out, there would likely be complications.
"In the next few days. I need to hand over the studio matters."
Aria had the same thoughts as Summer. Her pregnancy was getting more advanced, and her belly would soon be impossible to hide. She had to leave quickly.
What's more, now that Arthur had signed the divorce agreement, she had to hurry up and finalize everything. Otherwise, if Arthur found out about the child and changed his mind, that would be trouble.
Summer suggested, "Why don't you stay at my place these next few days?"
Aria nodded. Now that she was divorced, she really couldn't keep living in the villa. Plus, she needed to talk to Elizabeth about this.
"Then I'll go back with you to get your things."
Listening to their conversation, Lance couldn't help but speak up. "Do you need my help?"
Aria looked at Lance and shook her head. "No need, Lance. Given the situation, it wouldn't be appropriate for you to go."
Lance paused, immediately understanding what Aria meant, and nodded gently. "Okay, I understand. Just let me know if you need my help with anything later."
"Actually, there is something I need your help with. About this hotel incident - can you help me find out the truth? If that chandelier mount was deliberately loosened, someone must have done it. I want to get to the bottom of this, otherwise it might cause problems when I go abroad."
From what Officer Young had said at the police station, Aria knew this must have been deliberately done by someone, probably to frame her.
She had someone in mind, but she wouldn't say anything without proof.
Right now, if she tried to investigate this herself, it would be very troublesome.
Lance was the best person to investigate this matter. With his connections, there should be results soon.
A dark glint flashed in Lance's eyes as he nodded. "I've already had someone looking into this. There should be results soon."
"Good. Also, about the bail money - I'll have Lucy transfer it to your account."
Lance sighed helplessly. "Aria, are you trying to keep everything so clear-cut between us? Didn't you say we're friends? Why do you have to be like this over such a small thing?"
"It's not that, it's just that you shouldn't have had to pay for this. I was asking you for help..."
"Enough, let's not talk about this anymore. I, Lance, am not so petty that I'd make a friend pay back bail money!"
Lance cut her off directly.
Seeing this, Aria didn't insist further and just nodded. "Alright, then I'm counting on you for this."
"No problem!"
After staying at the studio a while longer, Aria and Summer headed back to the villa to pack.
When they arrived at the villa, Elizabeth was already home. She looked somewhat surprised to see Aria.
"Aria, you're back?"
Aria didn't miss the surprise and confusion in Elizabeth's eyes. A thought crossed her mind, but her expression remained unchanged. "Yes, I came back to pack some things."
Aria didn't tell Elizabeth about the divorce agreement. It would be better to let Arthur tell her about it later. She didn't want to create more trouble for herself right now.
Elizabeth was stunned for a moment, somewhat confused. "Pack things? What for?"
Hadn't she been released on bail? What was there to pack? Could there be some new development?
Victor had gone after Elizabeth had left, so they hadn't run into each other, and she didn't know about the divorce agreement yet.
"Yeah, I have a business trip in a few days. I've been in a bad mood these past couple of days, so I'm moving in with Summer."
Aria gave the most straightforward reason.
She was in a bad mood - why? Naturally because of what Arthur had done.
Hearing this, Elizabeth couldn't say much more. Any explanation at this point would seem hollow. Arthur had indeed done something to wrong Aria, and the fact that Aria wasn't tearing into her was already very respectful.
Elizabeth had no reason to stop her and nodded gently. "Alright, go ahead then."
"Okay."
Aria responded and went upstairs with Summer to pack.
While packing her things, Aria realized that the things that truly belonged to her in this house weren't many at all.
She left behind everything Arthur had given her, only taking what she had bought herself, what she had brought with her, and what she needed.
After packing everything up, Aria's belongings only filled one suitcase.
Looking at what Aria had packed, Summer frowned, somewhat confused. "What about the rest of these things? You're not taking them?"
Meeting Summer's eyes, Aria nodded gently. "Most of these things were gifts from him. There's no need to take them. I'll just take what belongs to me."
Arthur's things, like Arthur himself, would stay here forever.
She was going to a completely new place, so naturally she didn't want to bring these things that would trigger memories.
Summer was stunned for a moment, then nodded gently. What Aria said made sense - let these things stay here forever.
"Is there anything else?"
"No, that's it."
Aria shook her head gently and closed up her suitcase. Just as she was about to wheel it out, Summer reached over and took it. "Let me."
"Okay."
Aria didn't refuse. Given her current condition, she really shouldn't be carrying heavy things.
After they came out of the room, Aria took one more deep look around the interior, then closed the door. She knew she wasn't just closing a door - she was closing the door on her past with Arthur...