Chapter 129
Aria froze for a moment, then lowered her head and spoke softly. "You said you'd take responsibility for me. Your father agreed to the marriage between our two families. The media has already reported it today. When reporters interviewed your father, he confirmed it."
In Aria's view, this was already a done deal. Michael's engagement to her would only benefit him.
Besides, Michael had no reason to refuse, especially since Nolan had already agreed and acknowledged it in front of reporters.
If Michael disagreed or denied it, that would be openly going against Nolan.
Michael's position at the Smith Group wasn't secure yet. In fact, it was shaky, and what belonged to him could easily be taken by Luna and James. Only a business marriage could solidify Michael's position and business value at the Smith Group.
So as long as Michael wasn't stupid, he absolutely wouldn't deny it.
Nora held her laptop, her fingers slowly tightening.
She had seen the news.
Nolan had indeed confirmed the marriage alliance with the Clark family.
Now the media was rushing to report it.
They were calling it the wedding of the century.
Many people were saying the Clark family had really scored big this time.
The eldest daughter, Aria, would marry Michael, and the second daughter Pearl, would marry Walter.
Even internet users could see through the Clark family's scheme.
But there was no way around it. A marriage alliance with the Clark family was extremely beneficial for Michael's current situation.
This was something Nora couldn't help him with.
She could only do her best within her duties, helping Michael manage the company's internal affairs.
"My father agreed to a marriage between the two families? Is he planning to divorce and remarry?" Michael asked.
Aria's breathing tightened as she forced a smile. "Michael, stop joking around."
Michael snorted and boarded the plane.
Nora followed behind David, voluntarily making way for Aria so she could be with Michael.
Actually, Nora understood that the benefits Aria could bring to Michael far exceeded what anyone else could offer.
"Let me take this." David took the laptop bag and gestured for Nora to sit inside.
The business class seats were spacious and quiet.
Nora sat by the window, looking outside the plane.
She hadn't been on a plane in six years.
David had just finished putting things away and was about to sit down when Michael pushed him aside. "You sit over there, so you can take care of Ms. Clark."
David looked completely confused. Who am I? Where am I? Why should I take care of Aria? Isn't that supposed to be your job?
David screamed internally, blinking hard, but Michael completely ignored him, already seated with his eyes peacefully closed.
Nora kept looking out the window, unaware that Michael and David had switched seats.
Meanwhile, Aria in the window seat beside them was barely holding back her tears.
Biting her lip in humiliation, Aria clenched her hands tightly.
What did Michael mean by this?
Was he really that resistant to her?
"Ms. Clark, if you need anything, just let me know! You see, Mr. Smith cares about you so much that he asked me to personally look after you." David had struggled for a while to come up with that line.
Aria snorted and looked away.
Anyway, with Nolan backing her, Michael would definitely marry her.
Once they were married, she and Michael could slowly develop feelings for each other.
Aria refused to believe that someone as outstanding as Michael would like a dirty woman like Nora, who was covered in scandals. Obviously, he was doing this on purpose, deliberately finding a woman to use as a shield.
She didn't mind. She could take her time.
Nora stayed by the window for a long time. Even after the plane took off, she didn't notice that Michael was sitting beside her.
"David, should I still book a room for Aria? Or will she be staying in the same room as Mr. Smith?" Nora leaned back in her seat, head down, asking in a muffled voice.
"What do you think?" Michael asked without opening his eyes, frowning.
Nora was startled by Michael's voice and tried to jump up, but the seatbelt held her back, pulling against her hips. It hurt so much she almost cried.
Michael opened his eyes and sighed. "Are you really that afraid of me?"
Nora lowered her head and shrank toward the window.
"This is a plane. Do you want to get out?" Michael suddenly realized that teasing Nora had become a kind of entertainment.
Nora timidly looked at Michael, then sneaked a glance at David and Aria.
She saw David sitting resentfully beside Aria, glaring at Nora.
Nora took a deep breath and cleared her throat. "Mr. Smith, should I still book a room for Aria?"
"Don't worry about it." Michael lowered his voice, closed his eyes, and continued resting.
Nora didn't dare say anything more. Michael's mood seemed a bit dark.
The flight from Emerald City to Shadow City took just over three hours. Nora didn't dare close her eyes the whole time, carefully staying at the edge of her seat, stealing glances at Michael.
Michael was really good-looking.
Whether it was his appearance, physique, or temperament.
He didn't even need to speak, just resting with his eyes closed, he had a naturally commanding presence.
Before, Nora thought James was very handsome, but compared to Michael, he seemed far too immature.
After landing, a driver was waiting for them.
Ripple Court International Hotel was a nationwide chain under the Smith Group. When Michael came, he naturally stayed at his own hotel.
Isaac had arrived in Shadow City on an earlier flight and had already made all the arrangements at the hotel. He brought the driver to pick them up.
"Mr. Smith, Ms. Clark." Isaac smiled and came forward, taking Aria's luggage.
Aria gave Isaac a meaningful look.
Isaac nodded.
Aria smiled and walked to Michael's side, reaching out to adjust his tie and suit.
Reporters were already waiting outside the airport. From this angle, the photos would definitely look intimate.
Michael stepped back, his expression dark.
He was too lazy to expose Aria's scheme. He naturally knew there were reporters outside the airport. "Nora, come here."
Nora was still dealing with luggage, but ran over, looking at Michael. "Mr. Smith, what is it?"
"My tie. Fix it." Michael said in a deep voice.
Aria stood there stiffly but had to maintain her smile. "Nori, I'm sorry, I've never adjusted a tie for a man before, and I don't know how to tie one. You'll have to teach me when you have time."
Nora's fingers froze while adjusting Michael's tie, catching the implication in Aria's words.
She'd had many men, which is why she was so skilled at this.
Without saying anything, Nora turned and opened the car door for Michael.
Aria smiled meaningfully at Nora and got into the back seat, sitting with Michael.
Nora voluntarily sat in the front. The atmosphere in the large business vehicle was extremely cold.
Nora inexplicably felt a chill on her back, as if some resentful gaze was staring at her.
"Michael, Lyle has already arrived at Ripple Court Hotel. Let Nora and David settle the luggage, and we can go over. We're already quite familiar with each other, and this isn't a business meeting, so there's no need to bring assistants. Otherwise, it would seem too formal." Aria smiled, not wanting Nora to follow.
"I'm used to having people around me. David stays behind, Nora comes with me." Michael looked meaningfully at Nora.
Nora opened her mouth but said nothing.
Aria's expression wasn't good, but she couldn't directly refuse.
At the hotel, Michael stood behind Nora, his voice low. "You seem to have forgotten your duties."
He had Nora stay by his side to act as a shield, to keep women away from him.
Why did Nora always like to hide?
Nora gasped. Wasn't Aria an exception?
But the Clark family and the Smith family were bound to have a marriage alliance sooner or later.
"I'm allergic to women. Keep her away from me." Michael warned Nora coldly not to abandon her post.
Nora looked confused. Allergic to women? Wasn't she a woman?
"Michael, I brought two bottles of good wine, shipped from abroad. You'll definitely love them." Aria had Isaac bring the wine over. "Let's drink them tonight."