Chapter 134
Aria's POV
Devon didn't answer me. Instead, he glanced at his watch for the third time in as many minutes, his jaw tightening with obvious impatience. The private tea room's serene atmosphere did nothing to calm his restlessness.
"Sit down, Aria," he commanded, motioning to the cushion across from him.
I complied, lowering myself onto the plush seating. The tranquility of the tea ceremony he had just performed was rapidly dissipating, replaced by a familiar tension. I still wasn't sure why he had suddenly brought me to this hidden tea house.
"Is there something specific we're waiting for?" I ventured, breaking the silence.
Devon's gray eyes flicked up to meet mine, then darted to the thin wall behind me. "You could say that."
Before I could press further, voices from the adjacent room filtered through the wall. My blood froze in my veins as I recognized my father's distinctive tone.
"Mr. Miller, once these 40% of Harper Group shares are transferred, I expect to see the stock price rise," William Harper's voice came through clearly.
I went rigid, the color draining from my face. "Forty percent?" I whispered in horror. "That's not just a stake—that's practically selling the company!"
Devon's expression remained impassive as he observed my reaction.
"The transfer will be complete within the hour," my father continued from next door. "The paperwork is ready for signatures."
A sickening realization washed over me. The company my mother had helped build, her legacy that I'd been fighting so hard to preserve—my father was selling it off like a used car.
I shot to my feet. "I have to stop him!"
Devon moved with lightning speed, grabbing my wrist as I lunged toward the door. The force of his grip threw me off balance, and I tumbled backward, landing awkwardly in his lap.
"Let me go!" I hissed, tears of fury springing to my eyes as I struggled against his iron hold.
"Be still," he ordered, his arm locking around my waist. "You can't stop this."
"That's my mother's legacy!" I whispered fiercely, still fighting against his restraint. "How can you just sit here? You of all people should understand what it means to protect family assets!"
Devon's grip only tightened. "Trust me, Aria. Not everything is as it appears."
"Mr. Miller," my father's voice came through again, louder this time, "since we've agreed on terms, I look forward to seeing Harper Group stock rise in value."
"Mr. Harper," came the reply, "with this acquisition, I'm certain great things are ahead for all parties involved."
The finality in their tones crushed something inside me. It was done. My father had sold away nearly half of what my mother had worked her entire life to build. Desperation and fury burned through me like wildfire.
"You could have helped!" I turned on Devon, my voice breaking. "Is this what your assistance looks like, Mr. Kane? When I begged you to help Harper Group, you refused. Now you're just sitting here, watching it be dismantled? Is this some kind of sick game to you—some way to humiliate me?"
Devon's face remained expressionless, but something flickered in his steel-gray eyes. His arm remained firmly around me, preventing my escape.
From the next room came the sound of chairs scraping against the floor. "Well, Mr. Harper, if that's settled, I expect to see Harper Group's stock price climb significantly," Miller said.
"Ha! Thank you for your assistance, Mr. Miller," my father responded jovially. "I appreciate your discretion in this matter."
Despair overwhelmed me. In a moment of blind rage, I sank my teeth into Devon's forearm, biting down hard enough to leave a distinct mark. He didn't flinch or release me, merely watching with those unfathomable eyes.
The door to our private room swung open. Mr. Miller walked in, then froze at the threshold, his eyes widening at the sight of me in Devon's lap, teeth still clamped on his arm.
"Mr. Kane," Miller recovered quickly, extending a folder. "The contract has been signed and completed as requested."
Devon finally removed his arm from my waist, using his free hand to accept the folder. "Thank you. That will be all."
Miller's gaze darted between us, lingering on me with confusion before Devon's icy glare sent him retreating.
As the door closed, I released his arm, shame and confusion mingling with my anger. I stared at the clear impression of my teeth on his skin, a perfect half-moon of indentations turning red against his tanned forearm.
"What contract?" I asked, my voice hollow. "What have you done?"
"See for yourself," Devon said, opening the folder and placing it in my trembling hands.
I scanned the document, my eyes growing wider with each line. Devon Kane had purchased 40% of Harper Group shares at a fair market value. The contract specified that he would gain voting rights and would appoint the vice president of operations.
"You... you bought the shares?" I looked up, bewildered. "But why? Is this some kind of takeover?"
Devon studied me, his expression unreadable. "The shares are effectively a private loan from me to you, Aria. When you repay the money, we're done. Until then, I maintain oversight to ensure the company remains stable."
The realization hit me like a wave. He hadn't been watching my family legacy crumble—he'd been saving it, keeping it from falling into unknown hands, giving me time to reclaim it.
"You did this for me?" I whispered, unable to fully process his unexpected intervention.
Devon's eyes darkened. "Don't misinterpret business for sentiment."
But something in his tone didn't match his dismissive words. A lump formed in my throat as I looked down at his arm, where my bite mark stood out starkly against his skin.
"Thank you, Devon," I said softly, sincerity replacing anger in my voice.
He raised an eyebrow, nodding toward the bite mark. "Now, shall we discuss how you plan to make up for this little act of violence?"
Heat rushed to my face. In a moment of brazen impulse, I extended my wrist toward him. "Fair's fair. You can bite me back."
A rare, genuine smile flickered across his lips, transforming his severe features. Without breaking eye contact, he took my offered wrist, but instead of biting, he pressed his lips gently against my pulse point.
"I have more creative ways for you to make it up to me," he murmured, sending an involuntary shiver down my spine.
Devon's phone buzzed in his pocket. He checked the message, his expression instantly hardening into the businesslike mask I knew so well.
"I'm afraid we'll have to cut this short," he said, rising to his feet in one fluid motion. "I have some unexpected business to attend to."
I nodded, gathering my purse and the folder containing the contract. "I should get back to my home anyway."
"You can see yourself out," Devon said, already typing something on his phone. "I'll be in touch about the Harper Group arrangements."
I stood up, straightening my skirt and preparing to leave. But something made me hesitate at the door—perhaps the realization of what he'd done for me, or the lingering warmth where his lips had touched my wrist.
On impulse, I turned back, crossing the room in quick steps. Before Devon could react, I wrapped my arms around him in a quick, firm embrace.
"Thank you," I whispered against his chest, feeling his body stiffen in surprise. "Not just business, Devon. Whatever you say."
I pulled back to find his gray eyes wide with something I couldn't quite name—shock, confusion, or perhaps something deeper. For a split second, his carefully constructed facade slipped, revealing a glimpse of vulnerability that took my breath away.
Then it was gone, replaced by his usual controlled expression, though a slight flush colored his cheekbones.
"Good day, Ms. Harper," he said, his voice slightly rougher than before.