Chapter 48 Dispute
Aria found it hard to describe how she felt seeing this scene.
If she had to describe it, it was probably like having a bucket of ice water dumped over her head in winter, or being slapped across the face a dozen times.
So much so that even after a full ten seconds had passed, she was still frozen in the doorway, her hand still on the door.
When Arthur saw someone come in, he looked up and saw it was Aria. He froze too, and immediately pushed Sophie away.
"Aria—"
Aria pulled her hand back and took a step backward.
"Sorry to interrupt," she said. "Please, carry on."
She turned to leave.
"Wait!" Arthur rushed out and grabbed her wrist in the hallway. "It's not what you think."
Aria shook off his hand and turned to look at him.
"I'm not thinking anything. I already knew what you two were like. My mistake for showing up at a bad time."
She smiled. "I actually came to see how you planned to deal with the contract problem. After all, the fortune you're about to lose also includes my share."
"But I see you've already figured out a solution, so I can rest easy now."
Arthur's face darkened. "You know about it?"
"Hard not to."
As she spoke, she'd already reached the elevator, and Arthur simply followed her. "Let's go to the coffee shop downstairs."
Without waiting for Aria's agreement, he pulled her along.
At the coffee shop, the two sat down.
Arthur looked somewhat uncomfortable, but he still explained the whole situation to Aria from beginning to end.
Then he said, "She just wanted to help me. She didn't want things to develop to this point either."
"Now she's willing to give up such an important crown. I'm really touched..."
"You're touched?" Aria laughed coldly. "Do I need to remind you, Mr. Grant, that you paid for most of that crown? She's just giving back something you gave her."
Arthur's expression changed several times, then he suddenly said, "You came to see me—were you worried about me?"
Aria didn't answer. She silently picked up her coffee and took a small sip.
"I'm just concerned about how much money I'll get after the divorce," she said flatly. "So, what are you planning to do now?"
Arthur was silent for a few seconds. "I want to find a new investor to finish this project with me."
Aria frowned as soon as she heard this. "The funding gap is around a billion right now. With such a huge amount, who would invest with you if you just go looking around like this?"
"But this is already the best option," Arthur said.
Aria sighed softly. "If I were you, I'd cut my losses now."
"Even though you've already lost over a billion, with some careful management, you can still maintain the company's cash flow. Otherwise, if you keep pushing forward, the entire Grant Corp might go under!"
Arthur's brow furrowed. He suddenly spoke up, "I still remember how your family went bankrupt."
"It was pretty much the same situation as mine now. A partner pulled out halfway through, and your father knew he couldn't make it work, but he refused to give up. He tried to keep going by selling off company assets."
"In the end, bankruptcy was the only way out."
Aria's eyes narrowed, and her expression quickly darkened. "So? What are you trying to say?"
"This project involves a lot. If I give it up, I won't just lose the money on paper. There are stocks and other projects too. In the end, I'll just end up on the same path as your father."
Aria frowned at him, then said tentatively, "Maybe there's one person who could help you."
"Charles told me last time that he's looking to invest..."
"You don't need to say anymore." Arthur suddenly stood up, his voice turning cold. "I haven't fallen so low that I need his help."
"Now's not the time for your jealousy to act up."
Arthur was fine until Aria said this. Once she did, his expression grew even colder, and his words became cutting.
"I don't need a daughter from a bankrupt family to teach me how to do business."
Aria couldn't believe he would say something like that!
"Get it straight—I'm doing this for your own good!"
"Ha, for my own good?" A hint of mockery appeared in Arthur's eyes. "At least Sophie would give me her crown. All you do when I'm facing a crisis is say these worthless things."
Aria was so angry at his unreasonable attitude that her temples throbbed!
Without another word, she grabbed her bag and left.
When Aria got back to her studio, she practically collapsed into her chair.
Lucy came in to report on work and got a shock. "Oh my God, Aria, what happened to you? Should I call an ambulance?"
Aria shook her head. "No need. I'm just angry. I'll be fine in a bit."
Lucy stood beside her, looking indignant. "Who made you angry? Tell me and I'll curse them out for you!"
Aria smiled. "It's okay, I'm really fine. Did something come up on your end?"
Lucy slapped her forehead. "Oh, I almost forgot! Mr. White came by earlier. You know, about the news headline thing? He felt really bad about it and wanted to apologize in person. He's been here twice already, but you weren't in either time."
Aria bit her lip and hesitated with her phone in hand, about to call Charles when his call came through first.
"Ms. Hall, are you alright?"
"I'm fine. I heard you came to my studio looking for me?"
There was a slight pause on the other end. "Please forgive my presumption."
He said, "It's about the news headline from a few days ago. I imagine it's affected your life, and for that I'm very sorry."
Aria smiled, though her voice couldn't hide her exhaustion. "It's okay. After all, you were a victim in this too. In the end, it's those reporters writing nonsense who caused the trouble!"
"That's exactly the issue." Charles's tone became slightly serious. "News like that shouldn't have made it to the front page. I looked into it a bit, and sure enough, it was just as I suspected."
Aria froze, then heard Charles continue, "Are you free tonight? I think you have a right to know about this too."