“If that’s the case, then Aria’s not really that talented, is she? Sounds like she just landed those deals by cozying up to the client.” Mandy sneered, clearly bitter.The woman standing beside her glanced over. She didn’t want to get on Aria’s bad side. Mandy was new and didn’t know many people yet, let alone have any real connections. Aria, on the other hand, was close friends with Christina—and if that relationship continued, there might even be opportunities to collaborate in the future. Hadn’t Christina just gotten a leg up because of Aria?Compared to Aria, Mandy didn’t even come close.So the colleague said calmly, “Whatever the case, if she’s with Mr. Duncan, she’s not just anybody.”“Whether he’s serious about her or not, it doesn’t matter. Just being involved with a man like him? She’ll come out ahead no matter what.” And with that, the woman walked off, clearly uninterested in continuing the conversation.Mandy kept her eyes fixed on the street. The Range Rover had long
Because she had kissed him first, Aria was now trembling all over. She looked absolutely mortified. The second those words left her mouth, she buried her face in his neck and refused to come out again.She thought she heard Archer let out a quiet chuckle.…Suddenly, her phone rang.“Ugh…” Aria groaned and gave him a little push. “I need to get that.”Archer didn’t budge. Instead, he tightened his arms around her and pulled her even closer.“It’s from home,” she added. “I set a special ringtone for family calls.”Only then did he release her. Aria grabbed the phone from the nightstand and answered. “Hello?”“…James? What’s up?”“Ask your husband when he’s free. Mom says she wants to cook and have him over for dinner,” James said over the line. “I’ve mostly talked her into it. She’s still a little hung up on pride, but sooner or later, we all need to sit down together. It’ll give her a chance to talk to both of you, get a feel for your relationship, and understand Archer a bit
All of a sudden, she thought about how shameless Kandice was.Even after Archer had made his feelings so obvious, Kandice still acted like she didn’t get the message. Clueless and relentless, she kept throwing herself at him—like she had any right to. He was already married. To her.Frustration bubbled up inside her.She clenched the front of his shirt, tugging him toward her. She didn’t have much strength, but the moment Archer felt her pulling, he leaned in willingly, pressing himself firmly against her.A low chuckle rumbled from his chest—deep, rich, almost musical in the way it echoed through her. No instrument in the world could mimic that sound.But right now, that chuckle only made her more annoyed. Why did he have to be so handsome? Why did he have to look like that—so effortlessly tempting?He didn’t even have to try, and yet women like Kandice were still falling all over him. It was infuriating.“She likes you way too much. I’m kind of mad,” she muttered, cheeks flush
Kandice shook her head, so Marianne assigned her to ride in Richard and Yvonne’s car instead.Kandice was fuming.Richard and Yvonne weren’t Archer’s parents—cozying up to them wouldn’t help her at all. Why would Marianne stick her in that car?And from the look on her face… was Marianne actually acknowledging Aria? Was she taking her side now?Marianne didn’t bother to guess what Kandice was thinking. She simply got into the car with Grace and didn’t say another word until they were already on the road. Then she asked, “After what you saw today, the way Archer looked at Aria—do you still think you can oppose them?”Grace stayed quiet.After what happened today, what could she even say?Even if she wanted to object… what good would it do?She had never seen Archer like that before. Not once in all these years. And even if she wanted to step in, did Archer even listen to her anymore?Marianne didn’t push for an answer. She let the silence stretch.—Meanwhile, Aaron took Melv
Marianne chuckled lightly. “Well now, since we’ve all bumped into each other, why don’t you two girls come by our place for a bit?”“Sure!” Kandice agreed so quickly, it was like she was afraid the invitation would be taken back.Marianne froze.She really did want to take it back.It had just been a polite gesture. Anyone with half a clue would’ve known not to take it seriously. Most people would’ve laughed it off or politely declined. But Kandice accepted it like she genuinely didn’t know any better.Ruby was stunned too. She had fully intended to decline, but before she could even open her mouth, Kandice had already jumped in.Anyone listening could tell Marianne hadn’t meant it. It was the kind of empty courtesy people say all the time—like, “Let’s grab lunch sometime!” with no real plan to follow through. No one actually takes it literally. No one asks, “Great, how about next Tuesday?”Now, watching Marianne awkwardly frozen in place, unsure how to respond, Ruby just wanted
“In public, behaving like this—do you want the whole world laughing at the Duncan family?” Robert snapped, glaring at them. “If Aria were just some random girl, maybe it wouldn’t matter. But once people remember who she really is, how do you expect us to hold our heads high?”Grace let out a quiet sigh of relief. Thankfully, no one had recognized Aria today. Otherwise, this would’ve been a complete disaster.“It’s not just the family they’ll be gossiping about,” she said more gently. “Aria, with your background, the rumors won’t stop. And you’re a woman—it’s already harder for you. If something goes wrong, people will blame you long before they ever blame Archer. You really need to think this through.”Off to the side, Kandice sat silently, gloating inside.Watching Archer fawn over Aria earlier—so shameless, like he’d completely forgotten where they were—had stunned her. The man who always seemed so composed and untouchable had turned into some lovestruck fool. She couldn’t help w