The morning after the dinner, the Hale estate felt different.Usually, the house was a tomb of silence, but today it vibrated with a manic, electric energy. It was the frequency of ambition. The merger had gone well. The handshake had happened. And, as Aria learned before she had even brushed her teeth, the wedding date had been set. "Six months," Cassandra announced.She was sitting at the vanity in her bedroom, staring at her own reflection with the intensity of an artist admiring a masterpiece. Aria stood by the door, holding a basket of fresh linens she had been collecting from the hallway."Father says we can't wait longer," Cassandra continued, applying a layer of peach gloss to her lips. "The fiscal year ends in December. We need the stocks to merge before then. So, I have six months to plan the wedding of the century." She turned to look at Aria, her eyes bright with triumph. "Can you imagine it? Mrs. Cassandra Cross. It sounds expensive, doesn’t it?" Aria gripped the wicke
Last Updated : 2025-11-25 Read more