Chapter 171
Aria's POV
I helped Sophia sit up on the uncomfortable bench outside the trauma room, where doctors were still working to stabilize Carmen's condition. The red "Emergency in Progress" light above the door glared at us, a constant reminder of how precarious her condition remained.
Sophia's fingers trembled, her eyes fixed on the closed doors. For the past hour, we'd barely spoken, the beeping of machines and hurried footsteps of medical staff the only sounds breaking our silence.
"I can't believe Chloe would do this," Sophia finally whispered, her voice hollow. She stared into floors as if seeking answers there. "What am I supposed to do? She's Parker family royalty." She wiped a tear from the corner of her eye with trembling fingers. "Aria, you should go. You've already missed work for this, and I... I just need to be alone when they let me see Mom."
I hesitated, reaching for her hand. "Are you sure?"
"Please," she said, her voice breaking slightly. "I'll call you later with updates."
I squeezed her shoulder gently before standing, my heels echoing in the quiet corridor as I walked away. Just hours ago, I'd been orchestrating Victoria's downfall at the Harper estate. Now, with Carmen fighting for her life, all those family politics seemed distant and trivial.
In my car, I scrolled through Instagram, not really focusing until Owen's post caught my eye: a glass of amber liquid with the caption, "Only drinking makes me forget you." My blood began to boil. This man had the audacity to play the victim while Sophia's mother lay in a hospital bed because of his games.
I immediately called Ryan.
"Where's Owen?" I demanded when he answered.
"Well, hello to you too," Ryan replied, his voice slightly slurred against background music. "He's at Eden, has been drinking for hours. Why—"
"I'm going there now," I said, starting the engine.
"Aria, wait—"
I hung up and tossed my phone onto the passenger seat. The rain had started falling, matching my darkening mood as I navigated through Manhattan traffic toward the exclusive nightclub.
Marcus greeted me at Eden's entrance, recognizing me immediately. "Ms. Harper, this is unexpected."
"Where is Owen Wilson?" I asked, not bothering with pleasantries.
His expression shifted slightly. "VIP area, third booth. Should I—"
"Just point the way."
I followed his directions through the pulsing crowd, the bass thumping in sync with my heartbeat. When I reached the private booth, I pushed open the door without knocking. The smell of expensive bourbon and cigarettes hit me immediately.
Owen was sprawled across a leather couch, his designer shirt half-unbuttoned and stained. Empty bottles littered the table, and the floor was scattered with cigarette butts. At the sound of the door, he grabbed a bottle and hurled it in my direction.
"I said no interruptions!" he slurred, before his bloodshot eyes finally focused on me. "Aria?"
I picked up a half-full glass from the table and dumped its contents over his head. "Sophia's mother is in the hospital because of you. Why can't you leave her alone?"
Owen sputtered, wiping bourbon from his eyes. "What the hell are you talking about?"
"Your fiancée went to Carmen's apartment, showed her pictures of you and Sophia at some industry party, accused Sophia of being a homewrecker. Carmen had a heart attack!"
"Chloe did what?" Owen's face paled slightly beneath his drunken flush. "I didn't know—"
The door burst open again. Chloe Parker stood there, her blonde hair perfectly styled despite the hour, her face contorted with anger when she saw me. She stepped into the room, her heels clicking sharply against the floor as her eyes narrowed to slits.
"You again!" she spat, pointing a manicured finger at me, her nostrils flaring. "Always interfering. Tell that desperate friend of yours to stay away from my fiancé!"
I stepped toward her, feeling my jaw tighten. My voice remained deliberately calm, though my hands curled into fists at my sides. "Your behavior constitutes harassment, Chloe. If Carmen Kim dies because of your little stunt, you could face serious charges."
Chloe's laugh was brittle, her eyes gleaming with malice. She grabbed another glass from the table, her rings clinking against the crystal. "Don't threaten me. You think you're so powerful?" In one swift motion, she tossed the amber liquid directly into my face. "I heard Kane family's new bride has already arrived in New York. How long do you think you'll stay relevant?"
I wiped the alcohol from my eyes, feeling it sting as my anger surged. The liquid dripped down my neck, soaking into my blouse. I opened my mouth to respond when a deep voice cut through the tension.
"Useless things should be thrown out like garbage."
My heart skipped a beat at the sound of Devon Kane's voice. I hadn't heard him enter, but now he stood in the doorway, his broad shoulders blocking the exit. His expression was cold as ice as he surveyed the scene before him. His steel-gray eyes moved from Owen's disheveled form to my alcohol-soaked face, lingering there for a moment longer than necessary. When our eyes met, something unspoken passed between us—concern mingled with tightly controlled anger. Finally, his gaze settled on Chloe with an intensity that made the room feel suddenly colder.
A triumphant smile spread across Chloe's face as she misinterpreted his words. Her posture straightened, chin lifting as she shot me a victorious glance. "Exactly! Thank you for understanding, Mr. Kane." She took a step closer to Devon, practically preening.
Devon's eyes never left Chloe as he gave a slight nod to Marcus, who had appeared behind him. "Remove her," he said simply, his voice quiet but leaving no room for argument.
Chloe's smile froze, then crumbled. "What?" Her eyes widened in confusion, darting between Devon and Marcus.
Two security personnel immediately moved forward, each taking one of her arms.
"No!" Chloe shrieked, her perfect composure shattering completely. She twisted in their grip, her face flushing red with humiliation. "You can't do this to me! I'm Owen's fiancée! Owen, tell them!" Her voice rose to a desperate pitch as they began escorting her toward the door.
Owen remained slumped on the couch, seemingly too shocked or too drunk to intervene.
Chloe continued to struggle and scream as they dragged her out, her threats echoing down the corridor. "You'll regret this! Do you know who my father is?"