Chapter 128
Aria’s POV
I was still hiding my face in my hands when Aiden promised he wouldn’t laugh. His tone turned so serious that it felt like we were suddenly in a boardroom negotiation.
Under his intense stare, I surrendered after just five seconds. I placed my phone on the table in front of him. But the moment he reached for it, I panicked and covered the phone with my hand.
“Mr. Carter, you have to promise not to laugh after reading this p>
As soon as I spoke, I felt a warmth spread across my hand. Looking down, I realized his hand was covering mine.
My ears instantly burned red, and I jerked my hand away reflexively.
Aiden gave me a sidelong glance. “I won’t laugh p>
His promise somehow made everything more embarrassing. But since he already had my phone, I couldn’t exactly snatch it back. I reluctantly reached over to unlock it with my fingerprint and scrolled up to show the conversation.
“You’ll understand once you read it,” I mumbled.
Aiden scanned through my chat with Claire in about ten seconds flat. He returned my phone, his eyes lingering on my face. “It’s just a misunderstanding. Hardly qualifies as something stupid p>
I clutched my phone, feeling slightly relieved. It’s all my friend’s fault for misleading me p>
“Mmm,” he responded, clearly not considering this situation worthy of further discussion.
Just then, Mrs. Li came over to inform us dinner was ready.
I glanced at Aiden. “Dinner’s ready, Mr. Carter p>
Thank goodness that awkward moment was over!
Later that night, I told Lillian about the whole misunderstanding, and she immediately sent a barrage of “HAHAHA” messages.
Me: Stop laughing! You’re the one who misled me!
Lillian: I was just talking nonsense. Didn’t think you’d be so innocent that you’d actually believe it!
Me: p>
I was speechless.
At least the misunderstanding with Claire was cleared up. Though I still couldn’t figure out why she suddenly seemed to like me so much, at least I knew her affection was purely friendly. The pressure was off.
Aiden’s POV:
Monday arrived with a chill that had nothing to do with the weather. The atmosphere in WorldCar’s executive boardroom was frigid as my uncle Thomas dominated the meeting.
Everyone in the room was visibly shocked. Most people schemed to push their sons into power, but here was Thomas, methodically trying to force his own son out.
Though everyone knew the meeting’s purpose before it began, Thomas’s relentless focus on my failures without acknowledging any successes stunned the other board members. He seemed determined to remove me from the Chairman position at any cost.
In the five years since I took over from Thomas, WorldCar’s growth had been undeniable. Most directors opposed replacing me. Nobody wanted to change leadership when profits were flowing.
Moreover, I owned thirty percent of WorldCar’s shares, the same amount Thomas held. With our equal holdings, removing me wouldn’t be easy.
The outcome was predictable. Thomas left the boardroom with a face like thunder.
I remained seated at the head of the table, my expression unreadable but the oppressive aura around me keeping everyone at bay. Lucas had intended to remind me about an important client meeting but ultimately retreated without speaking.
After everyone had dispersed, I finally stood up. My chair scraped against the floor with a jarring sound.
Seeing me emerge, Lucas waited by the door. “Mr. Carter p>
I went straight to the elevator and pressed the button for the basement parking level, my eyes darkened with shadows.
Lucas watched me, not daring to follow.
Aria’s POV
As soon as the car pulled out of the parking garage, thunder cracked across the sky, followed by torrential rain that hammered against the roof in a relentless drumbeat.
I stood at the floor-to-ceiling window, gazing at the storm clouds gathering in the distance, and couldn’t help but sigh softly. This downpour looked like it would last for hours.
After finishing my water, I walked to the kitchen island to refill my glass, planning to head upstairs and continue practicing piano. Just then, I heard sounds from the foyer.
Looking up, I froze. Aiden walked in with an expressionless face, his entire presence radiating an icy, forbidding aura.
“Mr. Carter,” I called out instinctively.
He merely glanced at me with cold indifference before striding past the kitchen island and heading straight for the basement.
I blinked, sensing something was definitely off about Aiden today. Usually, no matter
how busy he was, his eyes would soften at least slightly when he saw me.
Mrs. Li emerged from the kitchen and asked, “Ma’am, did Mr. Carter come home p>
I nodded. “Yes p>
“Should I prepare dinner earlier than usual p>
Good question. After a moment’s consideration, I replied, “No need. The regular time is fine p>
Mrs. Li acknowledged this and returned to her work, leaving me alone to replay Aiden’s expression when he’d walked in. He’d looked thoroughly miserable.
Sitting at the piano, I found myself completely unable to concentrate. After all, we lived under the same
roof-it seemed wrong to remain et
indifferent when he was clearly in
such a dark mood felt I should at least check on him.
After much hesitation, I went to my room, grabbed a few pieces of candy, then made my way to the basement. This was my first time going down there. The first level was an entertainment area with a mahjong table, pool table, ping-pong table, and home theater, but I didn’t see Aiden anywhere after walking around.
Since he wasn’t on the first basement level, he must be on the second.
I continued downstairs to the wine
cellar. As soon as I reached the
bottom of the stairs, I spotted Aiden sitting on the floor beside the wine rack. His long legs stretched casually, his right hand holding a wine bottle propped against his bent
Out
knee, while his left hand gripped a` wine glass. He was drinking with the same casual indifference one might show when drinking water-no ceremony, no appreciation.
After observing him for a moment, I gathered my courage and approached, calling
out tentatively, “Mr. Carter p>
Aiden looked up, his dark eyes flashing with barely contained hostility. “Care for a drink?” he asked, his voice deeper and rougher than usual.
This was the first time I’d ever seen Aiden like this. I’d been about to say I couldn’t handle alcohol well, but what came out instead was, “Sure p>
Since I’d already agreed, I didn’t want to back down, so I settled beside him.
Aiden drained his glass in one gulp, then held the empty vessel out to me. “Do you mind p>
It took me a moment to understand he meant sharing the glass. “Not at all.” Saying I minded would only make the atmosphere more uncomfortable.
He poured me half a glass of wine while keeping the bottle for himself, gently
clinked it against my glass, then tilted his head back and drank straight from the
bottle.
I took a careful sip while trying to figure out how to offer comfort. I had no experience in this area, especially with someone like Aiden—generic words of consolation probably wouldn’t mean much to him.
Just as I was debating whether to offer him candy, Aiden had already emptied his bottle. He stood up and retrieved another bottle of wine from the top shelf of the
rack.
As he reached for the corkscrew, I summoned my courage and broke the silence.
“Mr. Carter, would you like some candy p>
His movement stopped, and he turned to look at me.
I extended my right hand, palm open, revealing three golden mango candies. “Wine
doesn’t taste good. Candy is sweet p>