Chapter 418

Chapter 418

The atmosphere instantly turned icy.

Everyone couldn't help but rub their arms, moving away from Lewis, the human air conditioner.

But they didn't go too far, eager to watch the drama unfold.

Aria could clearly sense the eyes on them, feeling a slight headache.

"The Griffith family really lives up to its wild reputation," Lewis said with a smile that didn't reach his eyes.

Marcus raised his glass slightly. "Not as much as Mr. Windsor's cunning mind," he shot back, implying that every word from Lewis required careful consideration.

From the moment they entered, only four sentences had been exchanged, each one laced with provocation.

Aria could sense that if she didn't handle this quickly, the party would soon turn into a bloodbath—a social bloodbath on an international scale.

Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted someone and swiftly pulled Simon over.

His expensive suit wrinkled from Aria's tug, instantly losing its pristine look.

Simon widened his eyes, confused but standing next to his uncle as Aria directed.

What the heck!

He didn't want to be here!

Ignoring his silent protest, Aria interrupted the tense atmosphere with a bright smile. "I was just about to introduce you to a friend. Here he is! Simon Windsor, who recently started an international security company. If you have any cargo, maybe you can trust him with it."

Marcus's smile stiffened.

He knew about the international security company.

A rising star, a new player.

In just six months, it had taken business from Marcus's family, breaking the market monopoly and forcing old families to reshuffle.

So it was the Windsor family behind it?

Marcus gave Lewis a deep look.

If Lewis's name wasn't absent from the company, Marcus would have thought he was targeting their family on purpose because of Derek.

Lewis raised an eyebrow, pretending not to notice Marcus's expression.

Aria didn't know the intricacies but could guess something unusual from their faces.

"Nice to finally meet you, Mr. Griffith. Your reputation precedes you," Simon said, smoothing his suit and putting on a smile identical to Lewis's. "I hope we can have more business interactions in the future. Please be kind."

Marcus remained silent.

Who needed to be kind to whom?

He was furious but couldn't say anything at the party, so he just smiled and raised his glass.

A faint, ambiguous laugh came from nearby. Marcus looked up but saw nothing.

Lewis remained cold and unchanged.

Marcus turned back to Aria with a gentle smile. "Thanks for the introduction. I'll have a good talk with Mr. Simon Windsor."

Aria smiled and raised her glass, tilting her head slightly and nodding towards a group not far away. "There are some familiar faces over there. Shall we go say hi?"

How could he refuse an invitation from his crush?

Marcus gladly accepted, following Aria's direction while casting a challenging glance at Lewis.

Simon cursed under his breath and was about to follow when Lewis stopped him. "Where do you think you're going?"

"Why shouldn't I go? If I don't, Aria will be taken away!"

"Not likely. Look where she's headed."

Simon looked up belatedly, meeting the smiling faces of Garrett and his group.

He opened his mouth, but his movements stopped.

Those weren't just friends; they were their close allies.

For the next half hour, Aria, under the guise of introducing guests, led Marcus around to meet Garrett and the others.

Marcus was silent.

He couldn't tell if Aria was genuinely introducing him to friends or subtly warning him with their identities.

"A," a short sound, stopped Aria from moving forward.

She turned to Marcus with concern. "Are you feeling unwell?"

Under the lights, her eyes were clear and bright, making his heart flutter.

Marcus couldn't help but soften. How could he doubt Aria?

She wouldn't do it on purpose.

Marcus smiled warmly. "You said you'd introduce me to friends, but they're all Mr. Windsor's friends. What about yours?"

"They're my friends too. We've been married for years, and our circles have merged."

Aria tucked her hair behind her ear, revealing a sparkling wedding ring.

The ring's reflection made Marcus squint, unable to speak.

He was too late. If he had come earlier, maybe she would have been his.

His thoughts were obvious, easily guessed by Lewis, who scoffed and walked over.

Naturally placing his hand on Aria's waist, Lewis's tone was gentle. "So, did you enjoy meeting new friends?"

Though it was a question, Lewis's tone was provocative.

Marcus forced a smile, not responding.

Lewis decided for him. "That means it went well."

Marcus remained silent.

He wanted to pry open Lewis's head to see where he got the idea that it went well.

The welcome party almost turned into a rival showdown, quite thrilling.

Finally, as the party ended, both Aria and Lewis sighed in relief.

If it had gone on any longer, Lewis might have thrown Marcus out.

Maintaining the guest-host decorum, Lewis extended his hand to Marcus. "I hope you weren't too displeased with our hospitality."

"Not at all. Mr. Windsor did an excellent job."

Marcus smiled slightly and left in his car.

With fewer people around, Lewis leaned down to kiss Aria's eyes. "Why are you so charming?"

It was one thing for random admirers to fawn over Aria, but now even the Griffith family's eldest son was smitten. It was worrisome.

Lewis sighed, thinking that no one else could have her. Aria was his alone.

Aria pushed his head away. "It's not that exaggerated."

"How is it not?" Lewis paused, then casually asked, "How did you and Marcus meet?"

"How did we meet?"

The question made Aria pause.

Her memory hadn't fully recovered, and with time, she really couldn't remember.