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Chapter 157: Reclaiming the Study
publish date:
2026-09-03 23:50:59
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The Maid's Deception Chapter 190: The Charity Event
*Two Weeks Later*The Metropolitan Museum's annual charity gala was one of the most prestigious events of the season. Five hundred guests, black-tie mandatory, tickets starting at ten thousand dollars per person.Aria had attended charity events with Damien before, but this was different. This was the first major event since Richard's public approval. The first time she'd be introduced not just as Damien's girlfriend, but as Chief Innovation Officer of Blackwood Enterprises.....a position Damien had offered her last week.She wore a custom emerald green gown that had cost more than her mother's annual salary, her hair styled in an elegant updo, jewelry borrowed from Damien's family collection....a stunning diamond necklace that had belonged to his grandmother."You look incredible," Damien said as they stepped out of the car, his hand possessive at the small of her back."I feel like I'm wearing the GDP of a small country."He laughed. "That necklace is insured for two million dollars
The Maid's Deception Chapter 189: I'm not my father
"Then talk more. Make sure she understands what she's signing up for. Because once you make this relationship public....once you integrate her fully into your world.....there's no going back. She'll be a target. And you need to make sure she's prepared for that.""I'll talk to her.""Good. Now.....the business." Richard's expression became more serious. "I've been reviewing the quarterly reports. The expansion into Asian markets is progressing well. The acquisition of Chen Technologies is complete. You've done excellent work.""Thank you.""But there are concerns. Several board members have expressed worry about your relationship with Aria affecting your judgment. About potential conflicts of interest. About the optics of the CEO dating his personal assistant."Damien's jaw clenched. "My personal life doesn't affect my professional judgment.""I know that. You know that. But perception matters, especially when we're talking about billion-dollar decisions and shareholder confidence." R
The Maid's Deception Chapter 188: Chapter 148: The Morning After
Damien woke to sunlight streaming through the floor-to-ceiling windows of his room and the warm weight of Aria curled against his chest.Last night had been different, Just them. Making love slowly, Her soft gasps as he worshipped every inch of her body. The way she'd whispered his name like a prayer.Afterward, they'd talked for hours. About the dinner. About his grandfather's approval. About what "all in" actually meant for them.And then they'd made love again, even slower this time, until they'd both been trembling and exhausted and completely sated.Now, watching her sleep in the morning light, her hair spread across his pillow, her face peaceful and vulnerable, Damien felt something shift in his chest.This was it. This was what he wanted for the rest of his life.No more holding back. No more protecting himself from potential betrayal. Just this....her beside him every morning, in his bed, in his life, permanently.His phone buzzed on the nightstand. A text from his grandfather
The Maid's Deception Chapter 187: What if she's clean? What if there's nothing to find?
"It sounds honest. Which is more than most relationships in our circles can claim." Richard refilled their glasses. "My concern isn't what happened. My concern is what happens next. Can you two build something real? Something that survives outside the intensity of punishment and forgiveness?""We're trying," Damien said."Try harder. Because Harold Ashford isn't going to give up just because I approve. He'll find other ways to undermine Aria. To suggest she's unsuitable. To pressure the board, the investors, the social circles you move in.""Let him try," Damien said coldly."Good attitude. But Aria needs to be prepared. Tonight was mild compared to what's coming. The whispers. The social exclusion. The constant judgment. It will be exhausting.""I can handle it," Aria said."I believe you can. But you shouldn't have to alone." Richard looked at his grandson. "Damien, you need to make a choice. Either you're all in with Aria....publicly, completely, with no room for doubt....or you le
The Maid's Deception Chapter 186: I said welcome to the family
Aria stared at Richard Blackwood, certain she'd misheard."I'm sorry.....what?""I said welcome to the family. Are you deaf or just shocked?" His eyes twinkled with amusement. "Though I suppose shock is warranted. You expected me to reject you.""Everyone in that dining room expected you to reject me.""Everyone in that dining room is a snob who mistakes breeding for character. I didn't build an empire by valuing the right last name over the right qualities." He stood, moving to the window. "Do you know what I see when I look at you?""Someone who used the wrong fork four times?"He laughed....a genuine, warm sound. "I see someone who reminds me of my late wife. Catherine wasn't born into this world either. Daughter of a factory worker, put herself through college, had no idea which spoon to use for soup. But she was brilliant and kind and strong. And she made my son....Damien's father....happier than I'd ever seen him."Aria felt her throat tighten."The old guard hated her at first.
The Maid's Deception Chapter 185: The Patriarch Arrives
Damien was on his feet instantly. "Grandfather."Richard Blackwood entered the dining room with the kind of presence that made everyone else seem diminished. At seventy-eight, he was still tall, still imposing, with silver hair and sharp eyes that missed nothing."Damien, my boy." Richard's voice was warm as he embraced his grandson. "I hope you don't mind the surprise. Harold mentioned he was having a small dinner party and suggested I might want to attend. Incognito, as it were."Damien's jaw clenched. Harold had set this up. Had arranged for his grandfather to observe Aria at her worst, struggling with silverware and social protocols she'd never needed before."I'm glad you're here," Damien said, though his tone suggested otherwise. "Though I wish I'd known.""If you'd known, it wouldn't have been an honest observation, would it?" Richard's eyes moved past Damien to where Aria still sat, frozen in her chair. "And you must be Aria Chen."Aria stood slowly, and Damien could see her h
The Maid's Deception Chapter 3: The Application II
Photographs of the Blackwood Estate covered nearly every inch satellite images, street-view captures, photos pulled from society pages showing glimpses of the grounds during rare charity events. Red string connected various points, mapping out security camera placements, entrance points, guard rota
The Maid's Deception Chapter 2: The Application I
Aria's apartment was a small studio in the cheaper part of town where sirens were a nightly lullaby and the neighbors' arguments bled through thin walls.But it was hers, and more importantly, it housed everything she needed for her various identities.Three computer monitors sat on a desk cobbled
The Maid's Deception Chapter 1: The Diagnosis
Three Weeks Earlier...The fluorescent lights of St. Mary's Hospital flickered overhead, casting sickly shadows across the worn linoleum floor. Aria Chen sat in the waiting room, her leg bouncing with nervous energy as she watched the second hand on the wall clock tick forward with agonizing slowne
The Maid's Deception PROLOGUE: Three Weeks In
The kitchen was supposed to be empty.Aria's hands trembled as she reached for the flour on the top shelf of the storage pantry, her mind racing through the list of tasks Mrs. Chen had assigned her that evening. The rest of the staff had retired to their quarters an hour ago. The massive Blackwood
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