Chapter 56
Ethan’s POV
Clara and I had arranged to meet a major client for dinner on the top floor of the Celestine Grand Hotel. But the moment we stepped into the elevator, a staff member blocked our path.
“I’m sorry, sir. The entire hotel has been reserved for a private event tonight. No one is permitted entry without an invitation card p>
“The whole building?” Clara’s voice pitched with disbelief. “Who has the kind of money to book out the most expensive commercial property in the city p>
I felt my jaw tighten. What kind of person could afford such an extravagant display?
The concierge looked at us with barely concealed pity.
“You don’t know? Tonight is the engagement ceremony of the Vincent’s heir. Everyone who matters in this city will be in attendance p>
His tone was polite, but something in it felt like mockery.
Clara’s expression soured immediately. I wasn’t pleased either, but hearing “Smith”—my pulse quickened despite myself.
The Smiths. The Crescent Moon Pack. The kind of power that people like us could only dream of getting close to.
Just then, an extended Rolls-Royce pulled up to the hotel entrance. Every concierge and security guard in the lobby immediately converged on the vehicle.
A slender, graceful figure emerged from the car, surrounded by an entourage that escorted her directly into the grand hall.
“Aria p>
Her name left my mouth before I could stop it.
It was just a glimpse—the woman disappeared into the crowd within seconds. But that silhouette, that way of moving p>
“Aria?” Clara’s voice went sharp, her nerves obviously fraying. “You’re still thinking about *her* at a time like this p>
I pointed toward the entrance, my voice uncertain. “I think… I think I just saw Aria p>
“That’s impossible,” Clara scoffed. “The entire hotel is on lockdown for the event p>
She let out a derisive laugh. “What, you think the woman who just stepped out of that car was Aria? Don’t be ridiculous p>
Tonight’s guests were the absolute elite of our world—top-tier Alphas, Council members, Crescent Moon Pack associates.
Even the Holt Pack hadn’t received an invitation. There was no way Aria could be here.
“Excuse me, you both need to leave now,” the concierge said firmly. “We’re clearing the area p>
Another team of security guards arrived, cordoning off every entrance and exit, including the elevators.
By the time we made it back outside, the entire block surrounding the hotel had been secured. Everyone entering after that point had to present an exclusive invitation card.
“Such an elaborate setup,” Clara muttered as we got back in the car. “The Crescent Moon Pack really knows how to make a statement p>
But when I glanced over at her, I caught her looking at me suspiciously.
“You’re not messaging Aria, are you p>
“I’m texting the client to reschedule,” I said flatly, darkening my phone screen immediately.
My voice gave nothing away, but Clara wasn’t wrong. I had been checking Aria’s social media.
I’d found what I was looking for—a status update from a few hours ago. Just a simple emoji of someone working hard, the one she always used when she was buried in a project.
Relief flooded through me.
Aria had a habit of updating that status whenever she was swamped with work.
It meant she was bus—probably with other company business, or maybe she’d started taking on freelance projects.
And then there was that man who’d answered her phone p>
All the signs pointed to one conclusion: someone had made Aria an offer. Some other company was trying to poach her.
That’s why she’d suddenly demanded shares in Silver Creek Pack. She was leveraging outside interest to negotiate better terms.
Brothers settled accounts clearly—of course a woman would be even more focused on securing her financial future.
And she was still angry with me. Playing hard to get.
I was certain of it. Aria would come back. She always did.
She’d realize that what we had—what I could offer her—was worth more than whatever temporary offer she’d received elsewhere.
Clara was still watching me, but I kept my expression neutral, my thoughts carefully hidden.
Aria would return to my side. It was only a matter of time.