Public Announcement

XAVIER’S POV

“Pick up. Ian, please… pick up.”

I paced across my office, my phone pressed tightly to my ear as the call rang endlessly.

He had to know.

He had to know that child wasn’t Dean’s before he did something reckless. Before he turned this entire situation into something bloody and irreversible.

And now he wasn’t answering.

I pulled the phone away, glaring at the screen like it had personally offended me.

“What is it with people around me and not picking up their damn phones?” I muttered under my breath.

The line suddenly clicked.

“Hello, sir.”

I stilled. “Kai.”

Ian’s bodyguard.

“Why are you with his phone?” I asked sharply. “Where is my brother?”

There was a brief pause. “He’s… taking a shower, sir.”

I closed my eyes slowly, my patience thinning.

“Kai,” my voice came out dangerously low. “Take a good look at that screen and decide if lying to me is worth your job.”

He went silent for a moment.

“He has someone over, sir.”

I scoffed. “So he’s fucking again,” It wasn't a question. I knew he was.

“He has thirty minutes to call me back, Kai. If he doesn’t… whatever damage he causes next will be on you.”

I ended the call without waiting for a response.

For a moment, I just stood there, breathing slowly, forcing the irritation down.

For a second my mind drifted back to last night. To what Aria said about the result.

Dean can’t have a child?

A slow smile spread across my lips.

Pathetic.

I should have known something was off the moment he blamed her for their divorce. I had done my research before bringing Aria into my life. Unlike Dean, I never walked blindly into anything.

Marrying Aria had been a calculated move.

But what no one knew… not even her… was that our interest in Aria had started long before she married my brother. She was just so blindly in love with Dean she couldn’t see it.

And now? Now it felt like I had won in every possible way.

Finding out that my brother’s chance at inheritance, his entire future, was dependent on a lie?

That was just the bonus.

Now all I have to do is wait. Then destroy him with a single DNA test.

I adjusted my cufflinks, glancing briefly at my reflection before checking my watch.

“Sir, we’re done.”

I turned.

And for a second… I forgot how to breathe.

Holy shit.

Dean had to be the dumbest man alive to let this woman go.

Aria stood there, framed between the stylists, and for a moment, I could not reconcile this woman with the one who stuttered around me years ago, the one Dean treated like she was invisible.

Her blonde hair fell effortlessly over her shoulders. Her skin glowed under the soft light. And her eyes… those blue eyes that had drawn me in from the very beginning… looked even more striking tonight.

And the dress…

Jesus Christ.

If she told me to get on my knees right then, I probably would.

“Sir?” The stylist's voice snapped me out of thoughts.

“Yes,” I said quickly, straightening. “You can leave. Your payment will be made before you reach your destination.”

They both smiled. “Thank you, sir.”

The moment they left, Aria walked toward me slowly, her hips swaying with every step she took.

“You look…” I paused, searching for the right word.

Beautiful didn’t feel enough.

“You look stunning,” I finished quietly.

A faint blush crept up her cheeks.

“Thanks,” she said softly. “You don’t look bad yourself.”

I let out a small chuckle. “I’ll take that.”

Without overthinking it, I reached for her hand and led her out.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The moment we arrived at the venue, the cameras started flashing even before the car fully stopped.

Aria's grip tightened slightly around my arm.

“Xavier, what’s going on? That’s a lot of cameras out there.”

I sighed. “It’s the company’s anniversary. As the president of Weston Group, I have to be here.”

She frowned slightly. “Then why am I here?”

“For support?” I said lightly.

“I'm not supposed to be seen with you.”

I smirked and stepped out. “Wait for me. I’ll get your door.”

I walked around and opened it for her, offering my arm.

The noise doubled the second she stepped out. Cameras flashed endlessly in our faces.

I leaned closer to her. “Ignore them.”

“And how am I supposed to do that?” she whispered. “I'm not used to this.”

I know she's not. Dean never brought her into the spotlight. He had always been ashamed of her because he believes she has nothing to offer.

We moved through the crowd, greeting people along the way. No one questioned her presence. They all assumed she was still my sister-in-law.

My assistant, Reid, approached quickly. “Sir, you’re on in five minutes.”

I turned to Aria. “Go with him. He’ll bring you to me when it’s time.”

She didn’t move. She just cling to my side more.

“I’m not going with him,” she said quietly.

I reached out, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “Just for ten minutes,” I murmured. “I promise.”

Her eyes searched mine. “You promise?”

I smiled. “I promise.”

Reluctantly, she followed Reid.

I watched her walk out of sight before turning…

“Xavier.”

I looked behind me.

Victor, Dean, Allison, and Isabella. All in one place, looking closely at me.

Perfect. They needed to be here anyway.

“Dad,” I said casually. “You’re late.”

“That’s because I trust you have everything handled,” he replied.

Dean scoffed. “You talk like he’s some genius.”

I smirked. “Compared to you? Genius is an understatement.”

I didn’t wait for a response.

“Excuse me,” I said. “I have a speech to give.”

I stepped onto the stage, adjusting the microphone slightly as the room quieted.

“Good evening, everyone,” I began smoothly. “Thank you for being here tonight as we celebrate another milestone for Weston Group.”

I glanced around the room.

“Over the years, this company has grown beyond expectations. Not just because of leadership, but because of every single person who has contributed to its success.”

A few nods. Some applause here and there.

“We’ve faced challenges, we’ve made progress, and we’ve built something that will continue to stand strong for years to come.”

I paused briefly.

“So tonight, we celebrate not just our achievements… but our future.”

I lifted my glass. “To growth, success, and to everything ahead.”

Applause filled the room.

I smiled slightly. “Before I step down, I’d like to invite my wife to join me and say a few words.”

Murmurs erupted instantly.

Everyone started exchanging glances, whispering among themselves with a shock expression on their faces.

“Please welcome… Aria Weston.”

I looked to my side and saw her mouth wide open, standing closely beside my assistant.

I walked down, took her hand gently, and guided her up the stage.

The look on my family’s faces when they saw her? Priceless. I almost laughed looking at Dean’s expression.

Aria held the microphone, her hands slightly unsteady.

“Hi… everyone,” she began softly. “I’m Aria Weston.”

The room went silent.

“Thank you for being here tonight… to celebrate something truly remarkable with us. I’m honored to be part of it.”

She glanced at me briefly, forcing a smile.

“And to my loving husband, thank you for seeing me as worthy enough to stand here beside you.”

I couldn’t help the huge smile that spread across my face despite knowing she didn't mean a word she said.

I leaned in and kissed her forehead. “You’re welcome, my love.”

I took her hand and led her off the stage.

Straight toward my family.

“Wife?” Dean barked. “Have you lost your mind?”

I smiled faintly. “Not as much as you have. Getting your ex-wife’s cousin pregnant two weeks after your divorce? That’s a new low.”

He grinned. “At least she can give me a child.”

That was it.

My fist connected with his face before I could stop myself.

“Xavier!” Aria grabbed me from behind.

“Say one more thing about my wife,” I said coldly, stepping closer, “and I will make sure you regret the day you came out of your mother.”

My father stepped in. “Your sister-in-law, Xavier? Really?”

“Ex sister-in-law,” I corrected. “And now she's my wife.”

“Xavier!” He warned.

“You had no issues with Dean and Isabella having a child together. So don’t make a big deal out of mine, father.”

Silence fell between us.

“Wait… where’s Isabella?” Allison asked suddenly.

We all looked around in search of her.

She was gone.

“Sir!”

Dean’s assistant rushed in.

“What?” Dean snapped.

“You need to come outside.”

We all moved at once.

I heard people yelling even before we got outside.

But nothing could've prepared me for the sight in front of us.

Isabella,

Lying in the pool of her own blood.

And in that moment… the realization slowly hits me.

Ian. He did this.