Chapter 128
Aria's POV
The crystal chandelier cast elongated shadows across the Harper family dining room as I carefully positioned my fork on my half-eaten salmon. Victoria's voice, sweet as honey yet somehow hollow, cut through the silence.
"Richard's situation is truly unfortunate," she said, dabbing her lips with a napkin. "Since you have this opportunity, Aria, I think we should show goodwill to the Brown family and repair relations. Perhaps you could visit and apologize for your... behavior at the dinner."
My stomach tightened with irritation while I maintained a placid expression. I watched her eyes for any sign of deception, noticing how they never quite matched her smile. This was classic Victoria manipulation - using me to probe the Browns.
"You make a valid point," I replied, my voice measured and polite while my fingers tensed around my water glass. "My behavior at the Brown family gathering was indeed inappropriate. Their influence in the business world can't be overlooked."
Victoria's eyes gleamed with triumph, making my jaw clench imperceptibly. "Wonderful! We can go together tonight."
"I wish I could," I said with practiced regret, feeling a small rush of satisfaction at denying her. "But Stellar Impressions has an urgent project that requires my personal attention."
A flash of displeasure crossed Victoria's perfect features before she recovered her smile.
Later that evening, I passed by my father's study and was surprised when he called me in. My heart quickened slightly—his invitations were rare and seldom pleasant.
"Your attitude toward Victoria tonight was decent," William said, barely looking up from his papers. "Young women should display some manners and grace."
"Thank you, Father," I replied, swallowing the bitter taste his condescension left.
He shuffled through some documents. "Victoria will represent our family to visit Richard. I have a meeting tomorrow with someone crucial to the Harper Group's survival."
My interest piqued, momentarily overriding my discomfort. "Who is this person?"
William's gaze finally met mine, his eyes weary in a way I rarely saw. Something in his expression made my chest tighten with unexpected concern.
"After your mother passed, we lost several key clients. The group now needs strong partners." He returned to his documents, clearly dismissing me.
---
Just past midnight, I positioned myself in the living room, pretending to read a novel as Victoria's heels clicked on the marble floor. My heart beat faster with anticipation as she paused, clearly surprised to find me there.
"Victoria, you're back," I said, looking up with a smile I'd practiced in the mirror until it felt authentic. "Thank you for representing the Harper family to visit Richard tonight."
I walked closer, inhaling deliberately. My skin prickled with alertness as I entered her personal space. "That fragrance is captivating. Is it Chanel's new line, or something special for particular occasions?"
Alarm flickered across her face before she composed herself. The momentary panic in her eyes sent a rush of satisfaction through me that I carefully concealed.
"Just a new perfume I picked up. I'll get you a bottle tomorrow," she said, her voice slightly higher than usual.
As she hurried upstairs, I noted the slight tremble in her hands. A sense of quiet triumph filled me. She hadn't been visiting Richard Brown at all—she'd been dealing with her debt problem. Each small discovery felt like reclaiming a piece of ground in this silent war between us.
The next morning, I spent extra time on my appearance, choosing a cream silk blouse and tailored pants that projected both confidence and innocence. My hands were steady as I applied mascara, mentally rehearsing my approach. I intercepted Victoria outside her bedroom, my pulse quickening slightly as I prepared my performance.
"Good morning! Could I borrow that perfume you mentioned last night? I have an important client meeting today." I made my voice light, friendly, watching her reaction intently.
Victoria's smile tightened, her eyes darting briefly to her bedroom door. "I'm afraid I've used it all. I'll buy you one another day."
"Used it all? But you said it was new—" My phone buzzed. I felt a surge of relief at the timely interruption and pushed her bedroom door wider, pretending to look for a notepad. "Sorry, I need to take notes for this call."
My eyes quickly scanned her room for anything unusual while I pretended to search for a pen. Victoria's anxiety was palpable as she hovered at my elbow, her breathing slightly faster than normal. My skin tingled with awareness of her discomfort.
Suddenly, William appeared in the hallway. "What's going on?"
Victoria's demeanor changed instantly. "William, Aria barged into our bedroom going through my things!"
The speed of her transformation from nervous to victimized made my stomach turn with disgust. "I was just asking about her new perfume," I said innocently, already backing toward the door. "I'm leaving now."
---
As I prepared to drive to work, William cornered me in the garage. My shoulders tensed instinctively at his approach.
"That new Porsche—what's the story? Your company is clearly struggling."
I maintained my composure, though my heartbeat quickened. "It's compensation from someone who damaged my previous car. Don't worry about it, Father."
His gaze sharpened, making me feel like I was sixteen again, caught in a lie. "I hope you're not tangled in something unsavory. The Harper name can't withstand more scandals."
Once inside my car, I checked my phone again, a now-familiar ache spreading through my chest. Five days of silence from Devon. No calls, no texts, nothing. My thumb hovered over our last text exchange, tempted to send another message, but pride held me back. The abruptness of his disappearance left me with an emptiness I wasn't ready to acknowledge. One moment we'd shared something that felt almost vulnerable, his fingers gentle on my face; the next, he vanished without explanation, leaving me questioning if I'd imagined the connection between us.
At my office, my receptionist informed me that Jeremy had been waiting for half an hour. I checked my phone and saw three missed calls from him. Devon's name remained conspicuously absent from my notifications, causing a dull ache I pushed aside.
Jeremy smiled as he entered, his lip wound now fully healed. "Have you considered my design proposal?"
"I'm still reviewing it," I answered cautiously, studying his face for any hint of his true intentions.
He got straight to the point. "I need you as my plus-one for Noah and Caroline Hayes' engagement party in three days. In exchange, I'll waive my design fee."
The words hit me with unexpected force. My breath caught, and I struggled to maintain my composure. "Caroline Hayes? They're engaged? I thought she and Devon—"