LOGINAria's POVRowland quickly pulled out a cushioned chair, and Grandmother sat gracefully, giving him an approving glance before focusing on Cynthia."What am I implying?"Her voice wasn't loud; it didn't need to be. Every wolf in the room listened."Aria Darvin is my granddaughter."There was absolute silence. My wolf lifted its head proudly."She is the heir I have formally designated for the Osborne family."The room exploded in gasps, whispers, and disbelief, several reporters nearly dropping their phones.Grandmother waited calmly, then delivered the final blow. "I may be old. But I am not so old that I can watch my granddaughter be bullied and do nothing."Silence followed as the full weight of her words settled over the room. Cynthia's face had gone completely pale."Aria Darvin..." She swallowed. "Is an Osborne? And your designated heir?"Beside her, Rose looked completely lost. She understood the Osb
Aria's POVNo one answered my question. Amelia stepped forward, her expression glacial."Rose Wayne. This constitutes premeditated assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. The only reason Ms. Darvin survived is because she was lucky."Then Amelia turned toward the reporters, and the fury in her eyes burned like fire. "And all of you."The room became very quiet."You came here intending to manufacture a narrative. You came here intending to twist facts into lies."Several reporters lowered their eyes."You are the rot at the heart of this industry."Rose's face had gone completely gray. Her hands trembled as she grabbed Cynthia's sleeve.Cynthia looked exhausted, the confidence she'd carried all morning visibly draining away as her carefully constructed trap collapsed around her.Then she spoke. Her voice was too calm. "Doesn't anyone find this suspicious?"The room turned toward her."If R
Aria's POVI let my gaze sweep across the room before settling on Cynthia and Nathan. "Darvin Group is mine." My voice was calm and certain."I can say with complete certainty, in front of every reporter here and both of our distinguished guests, that I don't yet know who Darvin Group's future partners will be."I paused, then smiled. "But I know exactly who they won't be. It won't be the Wayne family." My gaze shifted briefly toward Nathan. "Nor will it be Hemsworth."The silence that followed was almost painful. I saw Nathan's brows draw together immediately. He clearly didn't appreciate being grouped together with Cynthia Wayne.Cynthia's lips curved into a cold smile. There it is. The woman had finally realized I wasn't going to bow. Not for power, not for money, not for anyone.Cynthia glanced toward Nathan, a faint irritation still visible on her face."It appears Mr. Nathan's trip was wasted." Amusement dripped from her voice.
Aria's POVNathan stood there.His broad shoulders nearly filled the entrance, his presence immediately drawing every eye in the room as the scent of a powerful Alpha rolled in with him, subtle but impossible to ignore.One dark brow furrowed as he took in the scene before him. For a second, his gaze lingered on me, and something dark flashed across his eyes.Nathan didn't say another word. He didn't need to.Nathan Hemsworth was the kind of Alpha whose presence demanded space. The reporters stepped aside one after another, creating a corridor through the crowd as he walked forward.Silence followed him, heavy and oppressive, like the pressure before a storm.My wolf and I watched him approach. What are you doing here, Nathan?Without a word, he reached me. A microphone was being shoved toward my face, and before it could get any closer, Nathan casually raised one arm and redirected it elsewhere.The movement was effortl
Aria's POVRose immediately pointed. "That's her!"She grabbed Cynthia's arm dramatically. "Mom, that's the lady who attacked me!"She pointed at the fading bruises on her face. Cynthia's gaze shifted coldly toward Chloe before settling back on me."Ms. Darvin, keep your minion under control."The warning in her voice was unmistakable."The offer I've presented isn't an apology. It's an opportunity you should be grateful for."Chloe's muscles tightened instantly. She was at the edge of losing control. Thankfully, Amelia grabbed her arm and held her back."So? Think it over," Cynthia added.Rose crossed her arms and watched Chloe struggle, satisfaction practically radiating from her scent.I smiled. Then pointed toward the door. "You're all welcome to leave."The room froze. Cynthia blinked, and for the first time since entering, she looked genuinely confused. "What?"I smiled pleasantly. "You heard m
Aria's POVChloe lowered her phone after making a call to Rowland, confusion rolling off her scent."According to Rowland, Sophia met them outside and said you instructed her to take them away to get breakfast."I paused, my fingertip stilling against the desk. Why did Sophia do that? What was she up to?At that exact moment, Anita stepped back into the office. She had been downstairs trying to manage the chaos in the lobby, and her heartbeat was still elevated."Ms. Darvin, Ms. Wayne has arrived.""Show her in."Anita hesitated. "There are two others with her. Do you want them all in?"I glanced toward the half-open door. "All of them."Before Anita could move, a familiar voice drifted through the hallway."Mom, why did you have to come to this dump yourself? Calling this a company is generous. I've seen better-organized storage closets." Rose's irritating laugh followed.My expression didn't change.
Aria's POVWhen I stepped out, Nathan turned. Goddess, he looked like a ghost wearing skin. There were dark circles like bruises around his eyes and a stubble shadowing his jaw."Aria..." he breathed, his voice raw.I looked past him."What are you doing here?" I asked, my voice cold enough for fro
Aria's POVThe real warden was waiting for me in the interrogation room."Ms. Aria," he said, offering me a document with both hands. "This is the liability clause from Hemsworth Group. It states Ms. Sophia's detention will last six months."Six months.My eyebrow twitched upward. My wolf paused, t
Aria's POVMargaret's gaze was ice. The woman who used to trail meekly behind Patrick now stood tall, her shoulders squared, her eyes gleaming with a sharp, awakened clarity. My wolf flicked her tail, intrigued."Sophia," Margaret murmured, a cruel little smile tugging at her lips. "Weren't you jus
Nathan's POVIt has been two days since Aria severed our mate bond. I have not been able to operate as I used to. I haven't been able to go to work.My wolf have been sad and in pain, crying for our mate. My mind wandered, recollecting everything I had done to Aria, reminding me how undeserving I w







