Chapter 235
Aria's POV
I adjusted my cream suit dress, feeling the weight of the diamond necklace against my collarbone.
"Aria!"
A voice called out behind me. I turned to see a blonde woman in a pristine Chanel suit approaching with practiced elegance. Mandy Stevens. Her smile was polite, but her eyes held something calculating.
"Mandy," I replied evenly. "Is there something I can help you with?"
She maneuvered herself between me and the waiting car, blocking my path with subtle precision. "You barely touched your breakfast. I noticed you hardly ate anything." She held up an elegant box. "I brought Devon's favorite truffle chocolate muffins. Since he's already left, perhaps we could enjoy them together?"
Her tone was friendly enough, but her posture screamed territorial marking. I considered refusing, but curiosity won out. What exactly was she to Devon?
"That sounds lovely," I said, matching her saccharine tone.
She guided me back inside to a more secluded corner of the restaurant. A server immediately recognized her, bowing slightly before arranging coffee for us. The familiarity wasn't lost on me.
"Oh, darling," Mandy said, her voice dripping with false sympathy as she glanced at my necklace. "Did you actually think you were special? Devon gives jewelry to all his... temporary companions."
I felt a sting but kept my expression neutral. "If you're truly his fiancée, why aren't you the one wearing the ruby necklace?"
Her smile faltered. "What ruby necklace?"
"The 'Ruby Tears Collection' from last night's auction," I observed her reaction carefully. "The one Devon purchased for ten million dollars."
Shock flashed across her face before she masked it. "He would naturally save the best pieces for his future wife, not a... temporary diversion."
"Is that so?" I leaned forward. "Then why was I in his bed last night while you're here claiming ownership to a stranger?"
Mandy's face went pale, then quickly flushed with anger. She grabbed her coffee cup, clearly intending to throw it at me, when a familiar voice interrupted.
"I don't think that would be wise, Mandy."
Devon stood at our table, his eyes cold. Mandy immediately set down the cup, her expression shifting from fury to surprise.
"Devon! Darling, I was just telling Aria about our families' history—"
"There is no 'us,' Mandy," Devon cut her off. "There never was and there never will be. I don't recall any engagement arrangement, unless it's one you've fabricated in your imagination."
He extended his hand toward me. "Come, we should go."
As we walked out, I noticed one crucial detail: Mandy's neck was bare—no necklace, certainly not the ruby collection. If not Mandy, then who was the dark-haired woman in Calvin's photo?
Devon opened the car door for me, his movements precise but tense. "I apologize for Mandy's behavior. Her mother and mine share social circles, nothing more."
"She seems quite convinced otherwise," I said, studying his profile as he drove.
"People often believe what they wish to be true," he replied, his attention on the road. "Marcus can handle the technical aspects of our system issue. I had more important matters to attend to."
When we arrived at the Harper Group building, he turned to face me. "Today at three, I'll come for you. Don't let anyone else take you anywhere, especially not Calvin Reed."
I raised an eyebrow. "Are you monitoring my text messages?"
"Protecting, not monitoring," Devon corrected with a slight frown. "Calvin Reed isn't the simple business partner you believe him to be."
Before I could ask more, he leaned closer and placed a light kiss at the corner of my mouth. The gesture was unexpectedly gentle, contrasting with his usual commanding demeanor.
"Three o'clock," he repeated, his tone softer yet still resolute.
As the elevator carried me upward, I pulled out my phone again and enlarged the photo Calvin had sent. The woman's back and dark hair could belong to Mandy, but something wasn't quite right—Mandy was taller, her frame different. Who was this mystery woman, and why did Devon give her the ruby necklace while presenting me with diamonds?
When I entered the office, I immediately noticed Jeremy Pierce's empty desk.
"Where's Jeremy?" I asked Anna, who was organizing files.
"Oh, a butler-like gentleman came this morning and said Mr. Kane needed Jeremy to assist with a Kane Technology project." She handed me a document. "He left this, with Devon Kane's signature."
I scanned the paper, and indeed, Devon's signature was there along with a note: "Borrowing your assistant. As compensation, I've assigned three market analysts to help with your Westfield project."
I took a deep breath, feeling both irritated and resigned. Devon wasn't just monitoring my communications; he was rearranging my staff and schedule without consultation.
At 2:30, my phone buzzed with a message from Sophia: «Waiting at Joe & The Juice. It's been too long»
I smiled, realizing how much I'd missed my friend. With everything happening with Devon, I could use a friendly face.
Sophia looked tired but in better spirits when I arrived. "The doctors say I can return to work next week," she said, sipping her smoothie. "I've been going stir-crazy at home."
"That's great news," I replied, genuinely happy for her. "Have you thought about where you want to go after this? I was thinking we could browse that new boutique on Fifth Avenue."
"Perfect timing. I need retail therapy," Sophia laughed, the sound warming something inside me that I hadn't realized had gone cold.
I sent Devon a quick text: «Going shopping with Sophia. Not at the office.»
After browsing several stores, we decided to take the side elevator down to the parking garage. As the doors opened, a young woman in a wheelchair was attempting to enter, but one of the wheels had caught on the threshold.
"Let me help you," I said instinctively, moving forward to adjust the wheelchair's angle.
"Thank you," the girl said softly. She wore large sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat that obscured most of her face.
Just then, my gaze fell to her neck—there, glimmering against her pale skin, was the "Ruby Tears Collection" necklace. The blood-red gems captured the mall lighting with a deep, mesmerizing glow.
"Your necklace is beautiful," I commented carefully.
Her hand immediately touched the necklace, a protective gesture. "Thank you, it's... a special gift."
Sophia had already stepped into the elevator and motioned for me to hurry. "The doors are closing."
"Could you help push me in?" the girl requested, her voice carrying a hint of vulnerability.