Chapter 249
Aria's POV
"Mrs. Kane," I replied, forcing my voice to remain steady. "It's nice to see you again."
Her gaze dropped to the corsage on my wrist, then returned to my face with a thin smile. "Bridesmaid? How... interesting. You do know Caroline only invited you out of courtesy, don't you?"
The dismissal in her tone was unmistakable. I maintained my composure, though my hands trembled slightly around the stem of my champagne flute.
"Caroline has been very kind," I said, choosing my words carefully. "If you'll excuse me, I should check if she needs anything."
As I stepped away, I felt Eleanor's critical gaze following me. My cheeks burned, but I refused to give her the satisfaction of seeing me flustered.
In the bridal suite, Caroline stood before a full-length mirror, radiant in her custom gown. She turned as I entered, her expression softening into concern.
"There you are. Have you heard from Devon recently?" she asked, her voice casual but her eyes watchful.
"Devon?" I blinked in surprise. "Not since a few days ago. Why? Shouldn't he be here by now?"
Caroline adjusted her veil, a slight frown creasing her forehead. "He mentioned he was going to the hospital to see Evelyn. I thought he might have reached out to you."
"You mean the woman with the red ruby necklace?" I asked, remembering the quiet, wheelchair-bound woman I'd glimpsed with Devon.
Caroline's eyes widened slightly. "You've met Evelyn? And Devon actually told you about her? That's... unexpected."
I shook my head. "We bumped into each other briefly. He didn't really explain, just said he had to go."
"Well," Caroline said, patting my shoulder with a gentle smile, "don't worry. It's not what you might think. Evelyn and Devon... it's complicated, but she's not competition. If anything, he cares about you more than I've seen him care about anyone."
Before I could respond, the door burst open. Three women with press badges and cameras pushed their way in, headed by a sharp-featured blonde I recognized from Fashion Week coverage.
"Ms. Harper!" she called out, thrusting a microphone toward me as her cameraman moved into position. "Regarding the allegations that your father murdered your mother—do you have any comment? And what about your 'sugar daddy' relationship with billionaire Devon Kane? Is that how Harper Group secured the Kane Technology contract?"
The rapid-fire questions left me momentarily stunned. Caroline stepped protectively in front of me, but more reporters crowded the doorway, their flashes creating a disorienting strobe effect.
"This is a private event," Caroline stated firmly. "You need to leave immediately."
"The public has a right to know," another reporter countered, angling for a better shot of my face. "Ms. Harper, is it true you traded sexual favors for business opportunities with Kane Technologies?"
My face paled as I struggled to formulate a response that wouldn't become tomorrow's headline. Through the doorway, I glimpsed Mandy Stevens leaning against the wall, arms crossed, a satisfied smirk playing on her lips. This ambush had her fingerprints all over it.
Just as I opened my mouth to respond, a commanding voice cut through the chaos.
"That's enough."
The crowd parted as Devon strode into the room, his tall frame imposing in a perfectly tailored tuxedo. Without a word, he moved to my side, his hand settling possessively at the small of my back. The warmth of his touch steadied me.
"Mr. Kane," the blonde reporter pivoted eagerly, "are you Ms. Harper's financial benefactor?"
Devon's expression remained impassive, but his eyes hardened to steel. "Ms. Harper is my partner," he stated, his deep voice leaving no room for misinterpretation. "Not a recipient of any 'sugar daddy' arrangement, as you so crudely put it. If you continue this harassment, I'll ensure none of you receives access to Kane Tech events or exclusives again. Am I clear?"
The threat had immediate effect. The reporters exchanged glances, clearly calculating the professional cost of Devon's displeasure against the value of this story.
"Security will escort you out," Devon continued, nodding to two men who had materialized in the doorway. "Caroline, my apologies for the disruption."
As the reporters were led away, I caught a glimpse of Mandy's face, her expression morphing from smug satisfaction to barely concealed fury. She turned on her heel and stalked off, her high heels clicking aggressively against the marble floor.
Devon's hand remained at my back, his thumb moving in a small, comforting circle. "Are you alright?" he asked quietly, his eyes searching mine.
Before I could answer, a staff member approached, informing Devon his mother wished to speak with him urgently. His jaw tightened almost imperceptibly.
"Tell her I'll meet her in the conference room in five minutes," he replied, then turned back to me. "Stay with Caroline. I'll handle this."
As he walked away, I felt an odd mixture of gratitude and apprehension. Devon had defended me publicly, but Eleanor's summons suggested the battle was far from over.
Caroline squeezed my hand reassuringly. "Don't worry about Eleanor," she whispered. "Devon stopped doing her bidding years ago."
I nodded, though my stomach knotted with anxiety. Whatever was about to happen in that conference room would undoubtedly involve me—and the tenuous connection I'd formed with her son.
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Devon's POV
Five minutes later, I entered the hotel's conference room. Mother stood by the window, her posture rigid with disapproval.
"What were you thinking?" she demanded without preamble. "Publicly defending William Harper's daughter like that? The board is already nervous about media scandals!"
I closed the door behind me. "She's not responsible for her father's actions."
Mother's laugh was brittle. "You can play with her if you must, but don't get serious. I've already negotiated merger talks with the Hamilton family. Mandy would be the perfect match."
I slipped my hands into my pockets, meeting her gaze directly. "If your concern is purely business, then you should know that only Aria helps with my insomnia. If the board is worried about my health affecting my decision-making, then she is a necessity."
Mother stared at me, genuinely shocked. "You can't seriously be considering making a Harper woman part of the Kane family!"
I turned to leave, pausing at the door. "Perhaps she already is," I said coldly. "You just don't know it yet."
As I walked back toward the reception, I felt oddly lighter. For the first time in years, I'd spoken a truth to my mother that I'd barely acknowledged to myself.