جميع فصول : الفصل -الفصل 230

Aria's POVFor a split second, Nathan’s expression softened. “Thank Sophia,” he said coolly. “It was her idea to help the children.”“Nathan…” Sophia blushed, smiling shyly, clearly savoring the moment.I looked away.Beside me, Jonathan Anderson, as they called him here, exchanged a brief glance with me. Without a word, we both reached into our pockets.I tightened my grip on Nala’s hand.“I want to sponsor this child,” I said clearly.The words rang out, cutting cleanly through the murmurs.Martin froze.Sophia stiffened.Nathan turned sharply toward me. His frown was immediate.Sophia blinked in surprise, then something clicked behind her eyes as if an understanding had just bloomed.“Sister,” she said softly, stepping forward as if concerned, “you don’t have to offer sponsorship just because Nathan and I are considering adoption.” She clasped her hands, her eyes wide and earnest. “Sponsorship is different. It still requires responsibility and long-term commitment. It’s not a decis

Aria's POVI looked up, frowning. Sophia stood there, frozen in shock. My wolf snarled softly at the scent of fear and tension rolling off her in waves.Inside, the sign read: Plaintiff’s Attorney. The opposite side was empty. Stephan had already rushed over and seated himself.I understood in a heartbeat. My first formal case after being released was against Sophia. Against her. My wolf growled low, muscles tensing.Sophia's face looked grim, her confidence faltering beneath the weight of my presence. She had replaced me in the Hemsworth Group, yes, and in people’s eyes, she was skilled, but she wasn’t me. My wolf curled its claws inside me at the thought.Most of her "successful cases" relied on Ken's assistance. Her own skills, while superior to the average lawyer, were far from reaching the industry-leading level mine had achieved.“Ms. Sophia Darvin,” her client said, looking at her with satisfaction. “It’s all on you now.”The plaintiff’s eyes glimmered with excitement, clearly

Aria's POVNathan's voice dropped, thick with confusion… and resentment.“You know you’re not as good as Sophia. Even your past reputation was mostly because of her talent. Yet for him, you—”“Not as good as Sophia?”The words were so absurd I almost laughed.My eyes turned glacial, cold enough to freeze blood.What I despised most more than insults, more than betrayal, was having my professional worth questioned. Especially when compared to someone like her.My wolf snarled softly inside me.I had clawed my way up in a world that despised women, outsiders, and anyone without backing. I had survived sleepless nights, crushing pressure, whispered slander, and open suppression. Every case I won had been earned with blood and bone.And now… it was being rewritten as someone else’s charity?Sophia stared at Nathan, panic flickering across her face. It was obvious she too wondered what he meant by that.His words implied my achievements had been due to Sophia.I saw the fear dawn in her ey

Aria's POVI raised an eyebrow slightly and looked between them. “There will be no need. I still have things to do. You two go on.”I didn’t wait for a response.I left them and took a cab straight to my studio.I opened my desktop to get to work. I rubbed my temples, a dull ache forming, but my hand dropped when the computer screen lit up.A bold headline glared back at me:Luna Aria Hemsworth Accused of Illegally Representing in CourtMy eyes narrowed slightly.I scrolled through the comments..“I knew it! So what if she’s Selina? She stole trade secrets a year ago. A criminal is a criminal, new identity or not!”“My image of Selina is shattered. Why is this Aria always involved in illegal nonsense?”“Ever since her identity as Selina was exposed, public opinion has been against her. I never liked her. Glad everyone sees it now!”The comments flooded in, thousands of them…different words, same contempt.I read the most upvoted ones calmly, my expression unchanged.My wolf didn’t sna

Aria's POV“I don’t just not want your help,” I replied coldly. “I advise you to stay out of this.”Rowland stepped in front of me, blocking my path.I glared up at him.For the first time, his tall frame seemed to lose its casual ease. He grabbed my wrist.My wolf stirred within me, hackles rising.“Why won’t you accept my help,” he demanded, grip tightening, “even when things are this bad?”I tried to pull away, irritation burning hot. When I couldn’t, I looked straight into his eyes.“Rowland,” I said sharply, “remember this—I was your Uncle Nathan’s wife. Even if the marriage is over, legally there’s still a connection and our mate bond hasn't been severed yet. How do you expect me to accept help from my ex-husband’s nephew?”My words were like cold, clean, merciless blades.Rowland opened his mouth to speak but closed it. Pain flickered through his eyes, but his grip didn’t loosen.“Aria,” he asked quietly, “is it really because of Uncle Nathan?”“If Nathan weren’t my uncle…”His