The Proposal of Spite.

Aria’s POV

I didn’t sleep well after that disastrous party from two nights ago. The sting of humiliation from Ethan’s cruelty and Daniel’s mocking arrogance kept me up all night until a devious plan formed in my mind.

It was perfect, and deliciously scandalous—I would seduce Daniel Kane.

Yes, the entire idea was crazy and unethical. But my mind was already fixated on the idea. If Ethan thought he could publicly humiliate me and I would lie there and take it, then he had another thing coming.

Seducing Daniel was the perfect blend of pettiness revenge I knew would hurt Ethan to the core of his soul.

Hopping out of bed, I began my morning and within few minutes I sat by the kitchen island with a steaming cup of coffee and a plate of breakfast. My mind was still going through necessary approach to begin my revenge plan when my phone buzzed, drawing my attention away from my thoughts.

It was my supervisor from work.

“Hey, Miranda.” I greeted, spooning pancakes into my mouth. “I’m off work today so why the call? Is there something wrong?”

“It’s always brisk with you.” Miranda snorted dryly. “Yes and no.”

I scowled, pausing mid-bite. “Well, which is it?”

Miranda sighed. “I’m sorry to ask this of you on such short notice, but could you act as a representative for a corporate charity event tonight? I was supposed to attend but other personal stuff came up. I’ve checked around and you’re the only one capable enough that I trust.”

I nodded offhandedly at her comment. “And who is hosting the charity event?”

“Kane industries.” Miranda replied promptly.

My head snapped back in shock. “Wow, the Universe truly is on my side.” I muttered, grinning from ear to ear.

“What’s that?” Miranda asked, confused at my words.

I perked up. “Oh, it’s nothing. Sure. I’ll represent you. Just forward the invite and necessary details to me.”

“Fuck, I owe you a lot. Thank you.”

I grinned, then concluded the call, feeling ten shades lighter. “I just love when things fall in place.” My phone chimed and I immediately went through the invite and details Miranda sent through, ignoring her warning of being late.

The smile on my lips faltered and slipped away as headlines of Ethan and Annette officially dating surfaced and bombarded my phone. It took everything in me not to have another meltdown. If anything, this official announcement hardened my resolve for revenge.

‎I walked into Kane Industry’s charity gala dressed to kill. The silk gown clung to my curves like a second skin, a dangerous shade of crimson that made every head turn. Diamonds glittered at my throat, each sparkle daring anyone to challenge me.

‎

‎ I felt the power in every step, heels clicking against marble, my chin raised high. Let them whisper. Let them stare. I wasn’t here to blend in—I was here to remind Daniel, Ethan, and everyone else, that I wasn’t a woman to be overlooked.

“Champagne, Miss?” a waiter asked, offering a tray in front of me.

“Yes, thank you.” I smiled with a seductive sweep of my lashes, taking a flute of the chilled drink then took a sip.

I felt him before he spoke, the rich warm scent of leather and sandalwood unique to Daniel, caressed my senses and I found myself taking a greedy sniff. I felt him stand behind me yet pretended not to notice.

“Do you flirt with everyone you meet?” His rough dark voice whispered softly against my ear. I fought the intense urge to react to his presence.

“Jealous, Mr. Kane? That’s unheard of.” I asked with a bored tone, still not giving him any attention.

His dark chuckle set off butterflies and warmth in my belly and left me lightheaded. Or maybe it was the champagne. “You look ravishing as always, Aria.”

I shrugged lightly, finally meeting his gaze over my shoulder. “I know I do.” I swept my gaze over his frame then looked away. “You don’t look too bad yourself.”

A mysterious, heated expression passed Daniel’s features before it disappeared as his attention was called away. He was probably used to people fawning over him and rightly so. But I couldn’t let him know that. I had to play my cards right for all this to work.

“You’re Aria, aren’t you? Ethan’s ex?” a voice asked behind me.

I turned to the older woman assuming a bored stance next to me. Her dark hair was woven into an elegant looped bun embedded with diamond hairpieces that complemented her simple yet expensive flowing emerald gown and her eyes. “Yes, ma’am.”

“Oh, please. I’m not that old. I’m Elizabeth.” The older woman said with a pleasant smile. Are you enjoying yourself?” Elizabeth asked curiously.

“No, not really. Events like this are awfully dull.” I replied, smiling over the rim of my glass as the older woman laughed heartily.

“I see you’ve captured Daniel’s attention.” Elizabeth remarked lightly.

“There it was, the heart of the matter.” I thought inwardly with a smile. Glancing at Elizabeth watching me with cunning eyes veiled under concern, I offered her a measured smile of my own. “It appears so.”

Elizabeth hummed thoughtfully, watching Daniel as he gave his speech before locking mysterious blue eyes at me, so intense they looked violet. “You should be careful, darling. A man like Daniel didn’t earn his reputation by mere words.”

For some reason, my mind brought back the memory of the mysterious masked figure who issued the same warning. What the hell was going on? “Thank you for your concern, Elizabeth, but I’m perfectly capable of handling myself.”

Elizabeth watched me silently, a wolfish smile gradually stretched her thin lips. “Are you? And how will you protect yourself when the wolves come sniffing?”

My heart stilled at her cryptic words. I was about to ask what she meant when a warm arm snaked around my waist and the scent of leather and sandalwood reached my nose, instantly calming me despite Elizabeth’s warning.

I watched as Daniel exchanged pleasantries with Elizabeth with thin smiles that didn’t reach their eyes.

“Would allow me to steal, Aria for a moment?” Daniel said, not at all trying to mask his impatience as he pulled me against him.

I glanced over my shoulder to see Elizabeth glaring at Daniel angrily before meeting my gaze with pity in her eyes. My stomach lurched at the sight as Daniel led me to a private area, ignoring the gazes he attracted.

Regaining myself and my reason for attending this event, I pulled myself free from Daniel’s grasp and faced him squarely. “What could you possibly tell me that you had say in private?”

Daniel straightened to his full 6”5 height, looking imposing and intense even with the charming smile on his lips. “What if I wanted to have all to myself?”

“And what makes you so sure I want to waste my precious time with you?” I retorted calmly.

Daniel grinned, stepping close, forcing me to inhale nothing except his heady scent. His dark eyes had a heated quality to them. His hand slid upwards from my arm to wrap around my neck in causal dominance. “What is your endgame, Aria?”

My breath hitched. “W—what do you mean?”

His thumb slid up my chin and crept to my lower lip, dragging it over and over in a slow caress. His gaze followed the movement as if trapped in a trance before snapping heated, slightly amused dark eyes to meet mine.

The air between us was thick and heavy, filled with tension, forbidden lust. Like we both knew how sinfully scandalous it would be to caught here by others — and for some reason, I knew Daniel wanted it too.

“Let me kiss you.” He breathed against my lips.

“N—No.” I stuttered, clinging harder to him.

“Just this once.”

And God, I wanted to give in. But, “No.” I whispered, pushing away from Daniel and his intoxicating scent that threatened to draw me in. Fuck, I can’t get sucked in. “Let me go.” My breath trembled out, peeking a glance to see the myriad of emotions playing on Daniel’s face. L

Daniel pulled away with great effort, his face impassive as he stepped out of the way. “If you’re brave enough to step into my world, don’t expect to leave untouched. Because I won’t let you go.”

With that he turned and walked away.

I released the shuddered breaths I held back, shivering as the cold air touched my heated face, my legs felt like noodles under me. “Fuck,” I muttered half irritated at myself.

I left the event in a hurry and returned home. There was no way I was going to hang around and risk running into Daniel again. Fuck, no. Just thinking about that brief encounter made my face go up in flames and my body hot.

And somewhere after a light dinner, I got a cryptic message from an unknown number that froze my heart:

“He’ll destroy you if you’re not careful.”