Chapter 23
Aria’s POV
I snorted. "Let me guess—he's hoping I'll see it and come running back?"
"Bingo," Ryan said, pointing a finger at me. "Want to bet he'll be calling you within the week, drunk and begging for another chance?"
"No bet," I said, shaking my head. "He's predictable that way."
Ryan's eyes gleamed with mischief. "How about this—I'll put a hundred grand on you not taking him back, no matter what he says or does."
I almost choked on my coffee. "A hundred thousand dollars? Are you insane?"
Ryan grinned. "I'm bored and rich. Plus, I have absolute faith in your standards having finally risen above Ethan Blake's level."
I laughed, feeling lighter than I had in days. "Your money's safe, Ryan. I wouldn't take Ethan back if he were the last man on Earth."
"That's my girl," Ryan said approvingly. "Now, tell me more about what you need this PI for. And don't say 'it's personal' again—we've known each other too long for that."
I hesitated, then decided to give him at least part of the truth. "I think Victoria might have had something to do with my mother's death."
Ryan's playful demeanor vanished instantly. "That's... that's a serious accusation, Aria."
"I know," I said quietly. "That's why I need a professional to look into it."
Ryan nodded, his expression solemn. "I'll call Garrett myself. He'll be discreet, I promise."
We talked a while longer, Ryan giving me details about the investigator and offering his support. As I prepared to leave, he caught my hand.
"Be careful, Aria," he said, his usual carefree manner replaced with genuine concern. "If there's any truth to this... Victoria won't take kindly to someone digging into her past."
I squeezed his hand. "I will. Thank you, Ryan."
---
In the back of an Uber heading toward my office in Brooklyn, I finally had a moment to breathe. The past twenty-four hours had been emotionally exhausting, from the mysterious man's revelations about Victoria to my confrontation with her this morning.
My phone rang, pulling me from my thoughts. Sophia's name flashed on the screen.
"Hey, Soph," I answered, trying to sound normal. "How's your mom doing?"
"She's good," Sophia replied, her voice tight with stress. "But we have a problem, Aria. A big one."
I sat up straighter, instantly alert. "What's going on?"
"Kane Technologies just called. They're terminating our contract," Sophia said, the words coming out in a rush. "Effective immediately. They said they're willing to pay the cancellation fee, but they want the advance payment returned by the end of the week."
I felt like I'd been punched in the stomach. "What? Why?"
"They wouldn't say," Sophia replied. "The call came from their legal department, not from Kane himself. But Aria... this is bad. We were counting on that contract to keep us afloat for the next quarter."
My mind raced, trying to understand what had happened. Had Devon canceled the contract because I'd fallen asleep last night instead of fulfilling my part of our personal arrangement? It seemed petty and unprofessional, even for him.
"Aria? Are you still there?"
I swallowed hard. "Yes, I'm here. Don't worry, Sophia. I'll fix this."
"How?" she asked, desperation clear in her voice.
"I don't know yet," I admitted. "But I will. I promise."
I stared at my phone in disbelief, the message from Sophia flashing on the screen. Kane Technology had terminated our contract without explanation. My hands trembled with rage as I dialed Devon's number for the fifth time, only to be sent straight to voicemail again.
"Damn it!" I hurled my phone across the backseat of the taxi. "You arrogant, entitled bastard!"
The driver glanced nervously at me through the rearview mirror. "Everything okay, miss?"
"Fine," I snapped, then immediately regretted my tone. "Sorry. Just business problems."
I retrieved my phone, checking for cracks. The screen was intact, unlike my company's future if I couldn't salvage this contract. Devon Kane was punishing me for falling asleep in his suite instead of fulfilling our arrangement. A petty, vindictive move that could destroy everything I'd built.
"Kane Technology headquarters, please," I instructed the driver, changing our destination. I wouldn't let Devon dismiss me without a fight.
Thirty minutes later, I stood in the gleaming lobby of Kane Technology's Manhattan headquarters. The building was a monument to modern architecture—all steel, glass, and calculated intimidation. Much like its owner.
"I need to see Mr. Kane," I told the receptionist, a poised woman with perfect makeup and a practiced smile.
"Do you have an appointment?"
"No, but it's urgent. Tell him Aria Harper is here."
Her fingers tapped at her keyboard. "I'm sorry, Ms. Harper, but Mr. Kane is unavailable today. Would you like to schedule something for next week?"
"I'll wait," I said firmly, settling into one of the minimalist chairs in the reception area. "Please let him know I'm here."
Hours passed. I watched executives and assistants stream in and out of elevators. I answered emails, made calls to clients, and tried to project an image of calm determination despite the growing knot of anxiety in my stomach. Lunch came and went, but I remained stationed in that chair, refusing to leave without seeing Devon.
Around four in the afternoon, a woman in a tailored suit approached me.
"Ms. Harper? I'm Claire Donovan, Mr. Kane's executive assistant."
I stood immediately. "Thank you for coming down. I need to see Devon—Mr. Kane—immediately regarding our contract."
Claire's expression was professionally sympathetic but firm. "I understand your frustration, Ms. Harper, but Mr. Kane is hosting our quarterly investment meeting. It's running all day with representatives from across the globe. He simply cannot step away."
"Then I'll continue waiting," I replied, sitting back down. "I have plenty of time."
Claire hesitated. "The building closes to visitors at six."
I smiled thinly. "Then Mr. Kane has until six to see me."