Chapter 33
Aria’s POV
The next morning, I woke to beautiful chaos.
My phone exploded with notifications—panicked messages from Silver Creek, increasingly unhinged posts in their company Slack.
The entire analytics department had called in sick. All five of my former team members had submitted identical leave requests, effective immediately.
Projects were collapsing. Deadlines missed. Clients demanding explanations nobody could provide.
And Clara was losing her absolute mind.
I pressed my face into my pillow to muffle my laughter.
My phone buzzed with a text from Diana: [Just got seven missed calls from Clara threatening to fire us all. Worth it. Going to spend the week at my sister’s beach house. Thank you for setting us free p>
[You earned it,] I texted back, grinning. [Enjoy the beach p>
[Already blocked her number,] Diana responded with celebration emojis.
God, I loved my team.
I called Maxwell’s private number—the one he’d given me after I’d saved him from a seven-figure loss.
“Aria Smith. I was wondering when I’d hear from you p>
“I heard you had a disappointing meeting yesterday. Thought you might be interested in a better offer p>
His laugh was sharp and approving. “That woman insulted my intelligence. And Holt had the audacity to show up like you were some interchangeable piece he could swap out p>
“I’m not interchangeable,” I said, letting a dangerous edge creep into my tone.
“No. You’re not. What’s your pitch p>
“I’d prefer to walk you through the details in person at your office p>
Twenty minutes later, I had a two o’clock meeting scheduled. Maxwell’s office, just the two of us, to review the proposal I’d already started building in my head.
Maxwell’s office overlooked the financial district. All glass and steel and power.
I laid out my proposal with absolute confidence. The subsidiary wasn’t failing because the concept was bad—it was failing because nobody understood the market.
After forty-five minutes, Maxwell sat back and studied me.
“Exclusive partnership. Five-year contract. I pull all my business from Silver Creek effective immediately and funnel it through your Group instead—specifically through you and whatever team you build. “
“Full creative control on your end. I want your analysis, your instincts, your ability to see patterns nobody else catches p>
I stared at him. “That’s… that’s a forty-million-dollar contract you have with them p>
“Had,” Maxwell corrected. “Past tense. The termination notice goes out today regardless of whether you say yes. But I’d rather that money go to someone who actually earned it p>
This was bigger than I’d anticipated. This wasn’t just stealing one project—this was gutting Silver Creek’s entire Maxwell account. Their biggest client. The foundation of their recent expansion.
Without it, Ethan’s company would be hemorrhaging money within a month.
“Why?” I asked. “Why go this far p>
Maxwell’s expression softened slightly. “Because three years ago, you saved my ass when nobody else even noticed there was a problem. “
“You worked yourself half to death making sure my investments didn’t tank, and you never once asked for credit or special treatment. You just did the work because it was the right thing to do p>
He stood, walking to the windows.
“And then yesterday, I watched Holt parade his mistress into my office like you’d never existed. Like three years of excellent work could be erased because he decided to trade up. It pissed me off p>
I felt something warm and unexpected bloom in my chest. Validation. Respect. The recognition I’d been denied for so long.
Maxwell turned back with a satisfied smile.”I’ll have my team prepare a letter of intent by tomorrow. Welcome back, Aria. It’s good to be working with a professional again p>
“I accept,” I said.
We shook hands, and I felt the weight of what I’d just done settle over me like a cloak.
Ethan was going to lose his mind.
Clara was going to implode.
And I was going to enjoy every single second of it.
I was riding the elevator down, still buzzing with victory, when the doors opened on the lobby level.
And there, standing by the security desk like she’d been waiting, was Clara.
Her blonde hair was perfectly styled, designer dress clinging to her curves, but there was something manic in her eyes. Something desperate.
“Aria.” She stepped forward as I exited the elevator. “What are you even doing here p>
“That’s none of your business.” I moved to walk past her.
She grabbed my arm, nails digging through my blazer. “Don’t you dare walk away from me. What did you do p>
I looked down at her hand, then back up at her face. Slowly. Until she released me and stepped back.
“My entire department called in sick this morning,” Clara’s voice pitched higher. “All at once. The same girls who used to follow you around. That’s not a coincidence p>
“Sounds like a management problem,” I said coolly. “Maybe you should examine your leadership style p>
Her face flushed red. “You turned them against me p>
“They made their own choices. Maybe if you’d treated them with respect instead of bullying them the second I left, they’d still be there p>
Clara stepped closer, voice dropping to a venomous whisper. “You were just meeting with Maxwell, weren’t you? Trying to steal our clients p>
“Your clients?” I raised an eyebrow. “Maxwell made his own choice about who he wants to work with. Just like my team made their choice about who they want to work for p>
“You vindictive little p>
“Careful. We’re in public. And unlike you, I don’t make scenes p>
Her hands clenched into fists. “Ethan is going to hear about this p>
“I’m sure he will.” I adjusted my bag. “Tell him I said hi p>
I walked toward the exit, her furious gaze burning into my back.
“This isn’t over!” she called.
I didn’t turn around. Just pushed through the revolving doors into the sunshine, a smile playing at my lips.
No. It’s just getting started.