《Daughter-in-law Strikes Harder》


 Romantic or melancholy

    It wasn¡¯t the usual boring and eerie vibe, the atmosphere at the Millers gave that night. It was an ambience that felt coldly different from normal, or maybe waiting to stir trouble as it may seem to be like. One could certainly hear even the slightest drop of a pin at the unlikely silence, the entire mansion seemed to be at from a distance.


    Dalton strutted tyrannically step by step like a phantom down the hallway with an imposing presence, which intensified by the step he took while wearing the regr cold expression on his face. His head butler and assistant, Alex, was holding a luxurious leather briefcase in his right hand, with his eyes drooped to the floor as he paced slowly behind him.


    The sound of their shoes pressing against the surface of the floor was so silent, but the most cautious and observant of the smallest things that went on in the mansion, and were always everywhere, could sense their presence instantly.


    Quickly, the maids came in a chaotic and disorganized manner, and arranged themselves by the right corner of the broad hallway. In a well defined order, they stood with their heads bowed to the ground like they were waiting for some specific order.


    It was an annoying practice of theirs to always wee the boss, even till thete hours that they were probably meant to be in their own quarters. One would always wonder what unending jobs they always did, around the mansion all day till thatte in the night.N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content.


    Dalton suddenly halted by the door of the only room down the long hallway, with a bewildered look that was beginning to inscribe on his face. Turning to Alex, he asked him in a curt manner with a voice that was deep and coarse, ¡°Has the owner of this room changed?¡±


    Alex, whose mind had wandered a bit from the happenings around him, was jumbled for a few seconds, and had not understood what his boss was trying to insinuate, ¡°What? Sir, do you me¡­..¡± he mumbled confusingly, which made Dalton¡¯s mood begin to shoot up in anger by the assistant, who seemed to be so disorientated by the question he needed an effective answer for.


    ¡°Is this still a room?!¡± His arrogant voice demanded, still not making any particr point out with an authoritative tone that made Alex¡¯s entirety shudder.


    He needed to decipher fast what his boss was trying to insinuate. Unusually, his brain seemed to have failed him painfully just at the moment when he needed it.


    The maids who were still standing in their positions, had felt the reverberation of the longsting effect of his voice across the whist hallway. It sent cold shivers down their tiny spines, like they had not heard such in the months or years that they have spent in the Millers mansion.


    ¡°Yes sir. Mrs. Miller had been in her room all day,¡± he instinctively replied andported himself, hoping that was what Dalton had been asking about.


    Nothing was as mind wrecking for him, as Dalton¡¯s encoding of words that always stressed him out. Everyone in the room began to guess in their minds the possible reasons, he would ask about the wife he had never once cared about before. They finally figured it out.


    Settling into the silence, there was elegant and dignified soft ssical music ying out of the room that was soulful, and the voice of the singer was like a stream full of romantic tenderness. They had never heard such in a long time of working in the mansion.


    Romantic or mncholy? The message of the song was unfathomable.


    The maids and Alex were stunned and left in a perplexed state, because they all began to doubt if it was truly Mrs. Miller that was in the room. It could never be her causing such a nuisance of supposed noise, when she knew the kind of family and husband that she was married to. There was no reason why she would put herself in trouble out of the blues, and y such loud ssical music in the mansion.


    To make the situation of their unconfirmed skepticism worse, they had not even seen her all day to know if she was inside. It was better to be sure of the answer to give, because Dalton¡¯s anger could escte if they give him vague answers, and heter finds out that they were not valid.


    Without further questions and answers to expect from them, he casted an unreadable look at everyone and stalked past them, with his left hand well tucked into his tuxedo pants. Everything about his physical appearance, hot steaming body, and even the way he walked almost looked perfect.


    Right before Dalton got to the next door, Alex had scurried hurriedly ahead of him to open therge European door, that led to therge living room that was richly cultured, idyllic and ssy with beautiful art works.


    There was a rare, three-tier diamond chandelier that hung above the ceiling of the huge room, which had a richly embellished wall that was a soft shade of mauve, perfectlyplementing the refined grey painting.


    It hadfortable luxurious chairs and beautiful Moran patterns, which brought in an air of exotic opulence. Bordering on minimalism, the subdued yet expansive living room exudes luxury, with shiny wood floors that were charming and warm. The living room led to the huge and beautiful stairs that led to Dalton¡¯s personal suite in the mansion.


    He stood in front of the ss window in his room, and was dressed in a white robe that left his bare rock hard chest, open to sight and cold air that waltzed into the room.


    His eyes gazed outside through the french window and wandered through thergepound, with his hands sped behind his back as he stood firm. He seemed to be half lost in the mediation of his clouded thoughts.


    There was a rhythmic knock on the huge door that led to the room, as Alex pushed the translucent door back and entered slowly, distracting Dalton whose thoughts were almost clear.


    He turned his head to the back and his lips almost tugged into a frown, immediately he saw who had entered the room. It was a predictable reason why Alex hade into his room to distract him.


    ¡°Your mother asks, if you would like to have dinner,¡± he informed apologetically, with his eyes watching the dark stare of his boss who had not said anything.


    Dalton was the one who told him that he would prefer the knocking of the door to his room, rather than the irritating rm bell that was ced outside the room, and was meant for the same reason.


    The billionaire boss who was pissed that his assistant hade to disrupt his peace, cocked an eyebrow at him and turned back to face the direction of the window without uttering a word. Alex, who had gotten the message, bowed and left the room gently, closing the heavy ss door behind him as he almost tiptoed away. Dalton hated the overly noise of things around him.


    Right at the hallway in the front of the only door sculpted out there, stood a maid who was dressed in a regr uniform for every maids, which was a white shirt tucked into a pleated ck skirt. She had knocked on the door for longer than two minutes, as she wondered if her knocks were too low to be heard by the person who was inside.


    ¡°Mrs. Miller, dinner is served,¡± Madison announced, increasing the intensity of her knock this time around. There was no answer or sound whatsoever, except the ssical music which still yed that made her knock even harder this time.


    ¡®Maybe she is not feeling too well,¡¯ Madison thought and tried to push the door knob which held stiff to no response.


    Surprised at her realization, she tried to twist it more forcefully, when she found out that Mrs. Miller had locked the room from inside which surprised her. The boss¡¯s wife never rarely locks her door at that time.


    She made to leave the hallway without caring if she answered anymore, when she saw the hovering figure of Mrs. Eleanor Miller the matriarch of the family from the dining room door. Her attention had been diverted by the fervent knocks that wereing from the ce, she would really hate to go to.


    ¡°What is going on there?!¡± She asked with a sharp and irritated voice, as she slowly approached the scene where the noise wasing from.


    She was a beautiful woman with blue eyes and brte hair, who was wlessly poised and elegant in walking even with her old age. Her lovely cologne permeated the air as she walked closer, her face scrunched up in irritation of being in the same breathing space with her son¡¯s wife.


    ¡°It¡­ It is Mrs. Miller. She won¡¯t open the door and it is time for dinner,¡± Madison answered anxiously. Even the mother of the family was as scary and intimidating as her son.


    Mrs. Eleanor Miller was about to say something very rash and out of it, when she heard the sound of musicing from the room. A crease began to form around her eyebrows, as she wondered what in the world was happening.


    Obviously shocked, she turned to Madison furiously, ¡°Knock till she opens and if she doesn¡¯t in a few minutes, call the guards to break down the door,¡± Shemanded, and strode away from the hallway immediately. Her mind began to wonder what hade over the uselessdy, whose wings that had been trampled upon by her.


    ¡®Seems like I have beenx on that stupid girltely,¡¯ she thought maliciously.


    The maids who still loitered around and were ready to leave to their own rooms, insignificantly whispered to one another because they knew what was going to happen next. It was going to be another dreadful night for the youngdy again.


    Not long after, two guards walked into the hallway and set out the equipment, that was going to be used to open the door forcefully. Madison didn¡¯t even bother to even try again, because she knew that knocking further on the door was useless.


    The guards hit the door the first time with therge, metallic equipment they were holding, which made the loud sound rebound across every corner of the hallway. There was more tension and bated breaths in the room, as nothing else but only the loud bang of the metal object against the door could be heard.


    They all had not noticed Alex who walked in silently into the scenery, and watched carefully the actions and movement that urred, before he ryed Dalton¡¯s concise message to them all, ¡°Mr. Miller says that he wants every where in the mansion still.¡±


    Immediately without any time wasted, every one of the servants present around shuffled away in silence to their abode, as everywhere became so peaceful and tranquil. No one was ready to lose their jobs, or peace to whomever it may be that night.


    They would all wonder in their hearts why Dalton had not ordered for his wife to be thrown out, for disobeying one of the rules that governed the mansion¡¯s affairs; Not the slightest noise should be heard for no valid reason in or around the mansion.


    Dalton, who was satisfied by the immediate peace and stillness of the mansion, sat in his ss balcony, still looking into the gleaming garden of the entire mansion where the extravagant beautiful fountain was centered.


    He could only hear the song, Pini ¨C O soave fanciu from La boh¨¨me that yed the whole night even from a far distance at where he sat. The kind of music he had not heard in such a long time,municated different feelings from ever felt.


    He knew his mother wasn¡¯t going to just sit still.

 Changed woman

    The Millers mansion was creepily quiet the next morning, with every employed servant around every corner of the huge mansion, carrying out their assigned duties for the day.


    At the plush dining room where the maids were setting the table, was an entric chandelier that hung from the round tray ceiling, illuminating the ssic room where an oval, ss table sat on marble floor tiling.


    The table was standardly set with white, delicate porcin china of different sizes, and there were also a variety of dishes served on the table. By the side of the three course meals that had been served, were serena shine gold cutleries that had been slightly head crossed on clean white papers.


    There were numerous kinds of fleshy and dry fruits that were served in ss jars, and fragrant candles that had also been arranged beautifully on the table. The table setting was so exquisite with every dish that looked enticing, like they were preparing a party feast with every top-notch chef, walking in and out of the room to make sure the servants executed the jobs to perfection.


    An expensive peach bed curtain that was half closed, cohesively matched with the in covers and pillow for the queen-sized bed, where anguid figureid on with every sign of lifelessness.


    There was a branched ornate lighting feature that hung above the bed attached to the ceiling, and an antique nightstand that held matchingmps stood by the bedside. The colours of choice used in the simply detailed room, imposed a delightful air of trendy sophistication.


    The morning sun, which was a very bright one, intently permeated its rays into the half closed window of the avable open room. The lucent rays that struck into the room bashed Aria¡¯s tight closed eyes, whose face was faced directly to the direction of the window with her head slightly under the pillow. Her long silky hair was terribly a mess in its entanglement.


    A crease formed around her brows above her tightly shut eyes, as she tried toe awake of what was heating directly on her pretty face. Her body felt too weak to stand up from the bed and adjust the window curtains, which just made her turn her face to the other side of the bed.


    Aria¡¯s eyes suddenly flickered awake again as she tried to open her both eyes, butpulsively shut them back because of her head that felt so heavy, and threatened to split open. A loud groan escaped her lips as felt her head spin further, and a lucid darkness that her eyes had suddenly sunk into.


    The memories of drinking bottles of whiskey to drop the previous night flooded her brain, but she could not recollect the moment when she had fallen asleep or climbed the bed to sleep. She still felt good nevertheless, as she listened to the music that had yed through the night till morning.


    Lazily and tiredly, she stretched her arms and yawned as she raised her body up from the bed to sit down, and then dropped her legs to the floor whichnded on a ck, intricate fury rug.


    Loving the good feeling of the rug under her feet, she inhaled and exhaled the sweet and fragrant air from the room, with her lips stretching into a beautiful smile. Notwithstanding, she wrecked so much of the alcohol she was hammered in the previous day.


    Feeling so unusually happy with a huge smug across her lips, Aria stood up like a powerful queen figure from the bed and walked slowly to the yer, from where the music yed to put it off.


    ¡°Today is going to be a great one,¡± she murmured and chuckled, with her fingers drawing some insignificant things in the air.


    Perfunctorily, the beautifuldy stepped out of her red night dress that had dropped from her fair, smooth and incredibly alluring body, as she walked into the bathroom and stepped into the jacuzzi barefooted. Her entire body felt so sore for some reason, that she couldn¡¯t even rte to anything that she had probably done the previous day.


    Aria¡¯s body rested tiredly by the side of the jacuzzi, which was covered in lovely rosy petals that floated on the temperate water that she was sittingfortably in.


    There was a half-drunk bottle of wine by the corner tub end, and around her fingers she held the stem of a wine ss and swirled it observably as if searching for something.


    Smiling with a good feeling in her again, she sipped the red liquid carefully from the ss before chugging all in one go. She then closed her eyes after dropping the ss and allowed her body to rx in the tub, with earpods attached into her ears ying a beautiful melody of music.


    Back at the dining room, the table was set and adorned perfectly with niceplimenting flowers. The main guests were already around and had all sat at the dining table, with some servants still bringing more dishes to the table. It sure was an extravagant family feast, where one third of the dishes served could not be consumed at once.Content is ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    While stretching her ck, soft and silky hair, Aria stared conceitedly at herself in the mirror with a hellion smile that crossed her lips, and then murmured the word ¡®Perfect¡¯.


    She couldn¡¯t be anymore prouder than her look and self. Her right hand grabbed a designer purse from the dresser table, as she took ast nce at the mirror before stepping out of the room. Her cologne filled the air past her hallway.


    The seriousness of the room had not made them notice, who had made a grand entry into the room space. There was a collective gasp from everyone who had now noticed, as Aria appeared in the dining room before the sight of them.


    She smiled an enchanting smile at everyone, which was so undeniably beautiful to their greatest shock. One they have never seen before, which made them so astounded by her surprising liveliness. She was wearing a ck, shining, backless sequin dress that showed a narrow part of her cleavage.


    What a prudish sight!


    Aria was looking aboundingly sheen in her wless milky skin, delicate cor bone, and rosy lips that looked effortlessly beautiful. She paused to look meaningfully around the room, before taking her seat right at the isted spot reserved for her.


    The manner at which she even sat was so stylish that they wondered if she had something tight tied to her waist. Never had she looked that vibrant.


    They were nevertheless taken aback by her new attitude, but Mrs. Eleanor Miller was more shocked than any other person in the room. She could not believe what her eyes had just withheld, at the act that her son¡¯s disgusting wife was putting on.


    First, she missed dinner yesterday and did not answer to the sting noise at her door and then the next day, she walked to the breakfast tablete in an ignoble looking dress.


    ¡®And she even shows no penitence, for her wrongdoings¡¯, Mrs. Miller¡¯s apoplectic mind thought, as her patience was already wearing thin. She had never been so emotionally stressed before, by someone she gave no damn about.


    Around the table were Dalton¡¯s three unmarried sisters, who were all sitting gracefully with their heads high up and dressed in the most luxurious designer gown.


    They all stared at Aria in awe, because she wasn¡¯t looking like her former sick self. If they could remember well, they had always known their brother¡¯s wife to be even more humble than a servant; a very submissivepdog.


    In the past she dressed so humbly and cautiously, in modest in coloured gowns, blouses and coats. She wore no makeup and had little or no essories to herself, as her hair was always neatly tied in a in hair bun over the years.


    She never had any business outside the house, and could not even hold a gaze with anyone. No one could even associate her with their family, as the news didn¡¯t even publicize their marriage.


    The woman they were all looking at that particr time, looked far different from the memories they held in their brains. She was in an extremely gorgeous gown that shone uncontrobly, and was wearing a prideful look that looked so resentful. Her new look was daunting. She didn¡¯t look as pale as bleak, like the lifeless past she had always lived.


    Ellen, who couldn¡¯t hold her words as usual, muttered in disgust, ¡°Who does this bitch think she is? Such a rude and spiteful brat!¡±


    Suddenly, a hush settled into the room and no one said anything again, which made Aria surprised of where that act was emanating from. In the past, they would have said a million hateful words to say to her, especially for the fact that she now looked different than ever. That was the moment that she had noticed Dalton, who seemed to be the reason why they were keeping cool.


    Frivolously, her eyes fell on his intimidating self as she revealed to him a charming riveting smile, which was so cliche of a sight to watch. There had never ever been such between them.


    He narrowed his dark and fierce eyes, shing at her a menacing look that clearly looked like a threat. The aura he exuded was so chilly and terrifying that still, he still looked so handsome and enthralling as ever.


    Every part of him, the beautiful dark blue eyes with a dark humor, high bridge nose, a chiseled jawline, sexy lips all screamed ¡®Perfect¡¯ like he was sculpted by gods.


    His presence was so overbearing, that even his own family could not keep up closely with it. Yet, Aria held the uneasy gaze fearlessly and intensely, as he wondered in his mind what about her had changed. Her look towards him in the past was always cowering and timorous, but now she looked sofortably unperturbed.


    The manner at which Aria looked at Dalton made the maids think that she must be crazy, to look directly into his eyes like she was telepathically challenging him. Something intense seemed to pass between them, and the great tension in the air was palpable. It was rather scary.


    ¡°Serve the food!¡± Mrs. Eleanor Miller ordered the servants, shifting the heated attention she was oblivious of.


    The maids began to serve pork tenderloin sandwiches, bourbon bread pudding, lobster rolls, tater tots and all sorts of dishes to everyone¡¯s tes. They moved to bringing from the wine cer, varieties of wines that each member of the family preferred as a choice.


    A maid moved over to the end of the long table to where Aria was sitting, and made to serve lobster to her te when she stopped her immediately, by raising her left hand mid way in the air.


    She knew they would give her the usual sick menus they often followed, while the others could choose whatever food they wanted to eat. The thought of the food that was put on the menu for that day, made her so nauseous even by the thought of it.


    ¡°I would like Kobe beef steak and Fried catfish, Please,¡± Aria requested, smiling coyly at the startled maid whose hands began to tremble in confusion.


    Never had she heard Aria make a request before, which really put her in a spot of what to do. The maids that had heard what Aria had just uttered gaped fearfully, at the new attitude she was showing even at the dining table that everyone was present.


    ¡®Since when did she get the right to choose her own food from the dishes served?¡¯


    Mrs. Eleanor Miller could not take Aria¡¯s crazy behavior anymore, as she spat out in rage and fury, ¡°Aria, have you lost your proper sense of reasoning?!¡±


    ¡°No, mummy. I am perfectly fine,¡± Aria answered, with her lips twisted to a bright and modest smirk, that the slight upturn of her red rosy lips was fascinating to even look at.


    They were even more shocked to heart drop, that she now replied to rhetorical questions!

 Divorce wishes

    Alex barged into the dinning room through therge door befuddled and out of breath, as he scampered carefully to where Dalton sat, who was watching the entire scene carefully.


    He brought his face down and whispered something close to Dalton¡¯s ears, whose eyes started to ze with darkness instantly with his eyebrows raised in contempt.


    ¡®What was it that he was hearing?¡¯


    ¡°Have you suddenly gone bonkers?!¡± Ellen, the second sister who was already worked up, questioned, as she stood up and thought to yank Aria¡¯s ears like she had always done. She spected that Aria must have lost her mind in a split second.


    ¡®Maybe that will be an eye opener for her,¡¯ she thought angrily.


    Aria, who knew what could happen next if she still remained at that point, stood up immediately and adjusted the wrinkles that crumpled around her ck dress. Things could get more ugly if she remained sitting, so she stood to her feet and moved away from the chair, as she tucked it gently back under the dining table.


    ¡°Thank you everyone for today, I really loved the breakfast,¡± sheplimented sarcastically, and made to leave their midst at once. There were so many things for her to be doing, that getting caught up in a family mutiny wasn¡¯t the best thing to happen at that moment.


    By swift sign orders, the maids around walked closer to Aria at once and held her tightly before she was even aware. It was the same way they had always treated her; Degrading below the level of the maids.


    She wondered what was going to happen next, especially for the fact that everyone was now looking in her direction and waiting for her judgment. Just at the moment when she had looked around, was she able to grasp what was about to happen next.


    Dalton stood up from where he sat and strode slowly to where she was standing, as his built physique could almost fall on hers with his huge figure.


    The look he was wearing on his face looked so threatening and intense, like that of a fierce hyena preparing to pounce on its prey. She tried struggling to free herself from the holds of the maids, but they held her down so tight that it was difficult to move.


    At the manner at which he red at her in a scrutinizing manner, Aria could not help but notice his impable beauty through his dark humor. She really cared less about how fearful his look was.Content is property of N?velDrama.Org.


    Without any warning, he grabbed Aria¡¯s jaw so harshly as her eyes raised up to him, giving her the look that was so disdainful and contemptuous as he had always done. She looked straight into his eyes with a gaze that threatened to burn through his, which made him even more raged about how defiant she was suddenly trying to get.


    ¡®Was he even pissed, or so surprised at her guts?¡¯


    ¡°I guess you have finally heard the news, about my dear wishes to divorce you,¡± she said scornfully with a smug across her lips.


    Her eyes diverted to the right and scanned across the room, which made her feel so delighted to see the shocked looks they all had on their faces.


    Everywhere had be so silent one again so suddenly, as they were surprised by what Aria had just announced. They would have never thought to hear her demand for something of such, in the years that she had suffered so disgustingly; A divorce.


    ¡°And who gave you the authority to make such decisions yourself?¡± Dalton asked her, in a very cold and ruthless manner. He was beginning to lose his temper, especially for the fact that she was being so sarcastic.


    ¡®Had she lost it?¡¯


    Aria chuckled flippantly as her eyes rolled to the floor, almost snickering at the useless question she would have never expected anyone to ask her, ¡°Even this marriage and l, disgusts you. So, I don¡¯t see any reason why you shouldn¡¯t be in support of my decision, Mr. Miller.¡±


    Her demeanor was neither deferent nor abasing, as everywhere was threatening to raze down, with the arrogance that Aria was portraying.


    She suddenly jerked free from the tight hold of the maids who had rxed on their grip, and had barely noticed the purplish-redced prints on her skin, as a result of the rough manner at which they had grabbed her arms. She smiled at Dalton and winked at him, as she walked out of the room immediately.


    Everywhere was already in mid-chaos.


    Ever since the first day for the past two years that she had been married to Dalton Miller, was when the great misery of her life had started. He treated her with great revulsion and hatred, and even his mother, Mrs. Eleanor despised her too. His sisters were not left out either.


    Her whole life as a rejected wife became a nightmare, from tortures and mistreatment she received from every member of the family.


    Life at the Millers was so dreadful for her, that she wanted to die every single time. They made her do her own chores and unnecessary ones, as she lived like an outcast in the house and she did not have the nerves to talk to any of them.


    Even the time that someone had tried to get her killed too, they mocked her and said she was trying tomit suicide. She really once did try too.


    Never would she wish for death again, as she had be a changed woman. Her distress would soon be finally over, after she nullifies her evil marriage contract.


    Aria smiled satisfactory as she rxed on her bed, ted for her soon toe victory. She had imaginations of where she would visit first, the moment she was finally free from the family. Free from their evil face, that everyone in the country had failed to see.


    Ellen Miller had picked her designer purse to call Hailey, as she stood up and walked out of the dining room. She was totally loving the new development of things in the Miller¡¯s mansion. It was going to be an opportunity for her best friend Hailey, since that was what they had all been anticipating.


    Eva left the table shortly together with Emma, knowing that there was nothing more to do. Ellen, who was the only child left on the table after she came back, nned to have the delicacies and continue her own feast all by herself.


    ¡°You should make sure you are not going live right now, considering the present situation,¡± Mrs Miller cautioned, and stood to her feet as thest person to leave the table almost immediately.


    She had gotten so enraged about what had happened earlier, but the feeling of good happiness swept her at the mention of divorce from Aria. She couldn¡¯t be more gratified. But still, she was going to crush Aria and her developing wings. Her head could not really grasp what the situation was, with Aria¡¯s change and what it was all about. The feast was ruined!


    Ellen had texted Hailey about the new news of Aria¡¯s ns to divorce her brother, since she wasn¡¯t able to get across to her on the phone. After setting out the perfect background for her picture, she posed apathetically and took a picture of her eating shrimps, and many more foods that were present on the table.


    She deleted it, took more pictures, and posted on her page with a gainsay caption of the present state.


    #The current ambience, a nice and peaceful morning for a healthy life.


    As the inte¡¯s most savvy child of the house, she had millions of followers on Instagram who were more of people, that wanted to know what went on in the Miller¡¯s mansion, how they lived their lives, what they ate, how the interior details of the mansion looked like. So many things about the great Millers, really pried their curiosity. It wasn¡¯t their fault.


    Among every high ss family, the Miller family had unprecedented power in the society, regarding the capitalistic system and government administration. They were immensely wealthy, and their lives were well pervaded with great opulence.


    Sweeping the corporate and merchandise world by constant storm, they were unbeatable. Every elite family with daughters would be much honoured, to gain favour and be an inw to the Millers.


    No one would have ever expected the sudden change in ns, of choosing a suitable arranged bride for Dalton. And that it would be Mr. Miller Mark, Dalton¡¯s grandfather that would spontaneously choose a bride for him and not his mother.


    To make matters and everything about the union a terrible idea, she was nowhere close to the high ssdies Mrs. Eleanor had ever wished for. Even her background was so tacky. It was embarrassing and disappointing.


    Back in her room still lying peacefully on her bed, was the sudden opening of the door that jerked Aria back to reality away from her fantasies. Her eyelids parted open simultaneously as she jolted up, and frowned at whosoever had entered the room to interrupt her state of peace.


    She was however surprised to find Dalton, standing right in front of her door and looking so scary. Never in the past two years they have been married, had he ever entered her room for any reason. Now, he even barged into the ce.


    ¡®What an impudent man!¡¯


    Ferociously and cold, Dalton slowly approached Aria. It was the manner at which he always walked, when something crazy was probably going to happen. Despite the fire that burned through his eyes as he moved closer, he looked so impossibly calm.


    She thought in her mind what he was going to do, since she had done a lot from putting everything in disorder by announcing her divorce, and even doing the worst of all by challenging his order. She knew he wouldn¡¯t let her go that freely. No one dared to question Dalton Miller¡¯s orders, but there she was messing with him. Messing with her death.


    ¡®He wouldn¡¯t be so stupid, not to know that she did it for their happiness. The separation he had always wished for, and was not man enough to request. She was giving him the freedom now.¡¯


    He looked so pissed beyond exnation, that she knew he was extremely provoked and was probably going to attack viciously at her. Still, she remained indifferent.


    ¡°So, you want me to sign this papers, Hunh?¡± he asked with a mischievous smile, as he raised the document she had sent to Alex up in the air with his left hand.


    His intended brutal actions were heard to a stiff spot and reced with irrational ones, as he could not reallyprehend her sudden behavior at all.


    He was so close to her that he covered with his massive huge figure, entirely her own slender body frame that wasn¡¯t a match to his. She instinctively retreated to the back slowly and towards the wall, in which he matched every of her step till her back rested on the wall. Then, she  knew that there was nowhere to run to.


    He grabbed her arm tightly as she winced painfully, especially for the fact that it was the same spot that the filthy maids had held her earlier. She wanted to push him away, but he was gripping so hard and it really frustrated her to her deep guts.


    ¡®Why would he grab someone he loathed and named dirty by the arm, without minding that the supposed bacteria she had could crawl up to him?¡¯


    Slowly, he lowered his head to her neck, as his hot breath brushed against her left ear, ¡°I don¡¯t think, I would like to divorce you anymore, Mrs. Aria Miller,¡± he whispered derisively into her ear and grinned. He was never going to give her what they both wanted that easily.


    Aria¡¯s scornful expression changed instantly and the dismissive look on her face suddenly faded, as her face instantly became a nk mark.


    ¡®Was he out of his mind?¡¯

 New wife

    ¡°What do you mean by that?¡± Aria scowled disappointingly, about Dalton¡¯s sudden hardheadedness and refusal to divorce her.


    It was so unreasonable for him to just outrightly refuse to get divorce, when that was what he had always wished for his entire life. Ever since she had be a part of their family, and married into his home as a wife. She could not contain the anger she was feeling anymore, to the point that she wanted to spit at his face and curse at him.


    ¡®Wasn¡¯t that what he had always wanted? Did he have to frustrate her efforts again? Well that was really who he was. A disgusting bastard who had never looked at his wife with warmth, or even ever treated her nicely just for once¡¯


    Aria, who was already irritated by his silly games and ying around, angrily pushed him away from her and walked to the front of her dresser. Her eyes trailed to the mirror and lowered its gaze to her arm where the bruises from earlier were imprinted, as she stared at it through the dresser mirror so intently while running her left fingers on the surface.


    It was as though seeing the affected area, even intensified the anger she was trying to conceal more.


    Dalton was so surprised by the manner at which Aria acted, and the violent way in which she had jerked free from his tight grip. His mind went to so many thoughts of what could be happening, and how she had quickly be immune to his suffocating handling of her.


    She could never have had the guts in the past, to even turn her neck at the greatest difort if he was angry at her.


    ¡®Had she always been this strong? What hade over her? Had she started taking drugs?¡¯ were the many thoughts that continued to endlessly invade his mind. He could not seem to understand why.


    The crazy and new side of her that spontaneously turned overnight, seemed to really arouse his curiosity about what she could be up to. If it was multiple personality disorder that was messing her subjective behavior up, or something that was not yet to be figured out. He would find out soon. He would just allow her to do her worst.


    The opaque ss door that was at the entryway to the room, was knocked on gently from the outside which made Aria instinctively scoff. She was pissed off at whosoever was there to knock on the door at that moment, disrupting her serious conversation with Dalton Miller who seemed to be crazy already.


    ¡°Mr. Miller?¡± Alex called Dalton from outside, when he realized that no one from inside woulde to open the door. His voice sounded anxious and impatient. ¡°Mr. Miller. There is a huge uproar about your divorce with Mrs. Miller on the inte right now. Someone anonymously posted a detailed story about it and¡­.¡±


    ¡°Has it been taken care of?¡± Dalton¡¯s rude voice cut him off. He hated it when unnecessary reports were given over petty issues.


    ¡°Yes sir. Every post and hashtags rting to it has been taken down, and every journalist write ups and press houses coverage of the news has been taken care of. Every media ess to the post has been blocked,¡± Alex reported every process to him and then paused, knowing what he was about to report next might anger Dalton.


    ¡°The front gate is already crowded with so many journalists, as they are really curious to know who the mystery wife is, and what the divorce is about,¡± Alex dropped the bombshell.


    ¡°Sounds like someone has no manners, and likes to put her personal matters out to the public attention,¡± Dalton said in a raging manner but calm tone, as his cold gaze returned from the door he had been looking at, to Aria who kept on rolling her eyes in vexation of nothing in particr.N?velDrama.Org exclusive content.


    She probably now had a reason to express her anger, for the fact that Dalton would never even believe in her innocence.


    ¡°Since, you are a very cynical person. Denying your baseless allegation would not be, of course, needed,¡± Aria replied to him in a snarky tone and huffed. ¡°And I also think that you should not keep your darling guests waiting, who are curious to know how your wife looks and if the divorce news is true.¡±


    ~??~??~


    ¡°The divorce that was just announced this morning is already in the media?!¡± Mrs. Miller questioned the maids in fury with a condescending look, whose tens of heads were bowed to the floor in confusion.


    They didn¡¯t even have ess to phones during work hours, where they could even post about anything that went on in the mansion. It was never possible.


    ¡°The maids would never have any guts to do something like that, mother. You should look at the other side of the picture,¡± Ellen said to her mother, while trying to ignore the hundreds ofments that had been rolling in under the picture she had posted earlier in bed.


    They were all annoying questions about if her brother¡¯s divorce with his wife was real and valid. Some even wanted to know what the wife looked like and her name too.


    ¡°That sneaky brute!¡± Eleanor suddenly remarked, as she turned her head to the direction of Aria¡¯s hallway like some kind of realization hit her, ¡°There is a high tendency that it is that simpleton of a wife, that has released such bizarre news to the press. I cannot believe such impertinent behavior of her, when she is so aware that the Miller family holds a highly reputable prestige in the society.¡±


    Ellen was so pissed that none of her fans focused on how the tteryments were meant to direct to her, but were so concerned with the affairs of the person she really hated so much in the house.


    As she contemted in her heart whether to delete her Instagram update that morning, she was hoping in her heart that Hailey whom she had informed about it, had told no one about the divorce and caused the present mess. She really wanted to believe it was really Aria, who had leaked the news about her own divorce.


    Majestically, Dalton strode out of Aria¡¯s room and through the isted hallway, made his way to the living room to the state of confusion in his home.


    He was so furious about the issue with the reporters and how disgustingly persistent they were, and was about to tell Alex to send them away to wherever they had barged from. His mind strategized through some malicious thoughts, as his lip stretched and twisted into a smirk.


    ¡°Let the journalist and everyone willing to capture the news about the divorce in,¡± he said to the assistant, whose mind was impulsively waiting to hear the order to send them away.


    He was however surprised that Dalton was ready to let the press in, which was never his to do in any situation, that involved the sneaky pests who were willing to write anything in their papers for survival. He soon dashed out hurriedly at the order, still thinking about what his boss could do.


    Aria, who had shut the door behind Dalton immediately he left, stood in front of the dresser in her room while checking herself out in the twinkling, strapless, silver dress that she had changed into. She was looking more gorgeous and pretty than ever, and she could not wait to see everyone in the house bulge their eyes out at the sight of her.


    More than anything that had taken ce at the Millers in just less than twenty four hours, she was so thankful to whosoever had leaked the news about her divorce and made her life more easier.


    ¡®A nice way to wee everyone and officially announce my divorce. Let¡¯s see how Dalton is going to wiggle his way out of this, with his dumb stubbornness and pettiness,¡¯ her mind snapped in spitefulness of him, as she began tough so hard like maleficent herself.


    Aria stoppedughing when she heard her phone ring, which she hesitated to pick up at first as she wondered who it was. On checking the name that disyed when the phone rang again, her eyebrows began to slowly form a crease as she folded her left arm into a ball to indicate anger in her.


    She bit her trembling lips in so much fury, as she struggled with her hand not to m the phone against the wall. Instantly, she shut the phone off as she was not ready to listen to the person¡¯s scurrilous talks, just at the moment of her goal peak that could ruin her mood.


    She took ast peek at the mirror and smiled brightly, as she walked elegantly out of her room and through the hallway. The maids that were usually around every morning to give her the new chart of clothbinations to wear, were more than shocked to see her dressed in that manner.


    Normally, every single cloth and simple flowered essories she wore each day, were already pre selected and arranged ordingly in her dressing room. The person they saw that walked through the hallway with a choking whiff of cologne, was entirely different from her normal self and from what they had ever seen before.

 Thwarted plans

    The reporters looked somewhat tired and out of breath as they were sweating profusely, even with the huge air conditioners that were properly functioning in therge room that they were gathered in.


    The walk from the Millers gate was an extremely long and tiring one, coupled with the heavy cameras and instruments they had brought with them. No one would ever do the favour of bringing them in, from the journey of a thousand miles from the gate to the main building.


    Aria had made a grandeur entry into the room confidently, and smiled modestly at the reporters who were a bit surprised as they didn¡¯t know who she was. As far as everyone knew every single member of the Miller family, they were so sure they had never seen thedy who had entered the room.


    Nevertheless, they were all astonished by her beauty, as they came closer to the door to take pictures. That was when realization hit them.


    There had only been rumours about Dalton¡¯s wedding and new wife, but not many people had seen his wife ever since their supposed marriage. She was looking so radiant and breathtaking, and as well as effortlessly impable which stood her out. As expected, they all rushed to ask numerous questions at a time.


    ¡°Are you Mrs. Miller? Since when have you really been married to your husband?¡±


    ¡°Mrs. Miller, is the divorce between you and your husband, Mr. Miller real?¡± One reporter asked her.


    ¡°Is it really a loveless marriage? Was that what prevented a public announcement after the high ss wedding? Anyments on that?¡± Another inquired, shing his huge camera at her.


    ¡°Are you the one that initiated the divorce?¡± shouted another, ¡°Any reasons for that?¡±


    ¡°Can we get a personal interview with your hus¡­..¡±


    Suddenly, the noise in the room which was almost ear deafening stopped, as Aria was not quick to notice what had disrupted the nosy reporters from their talkative nature. It was when she raised her gaze to look outside of the open hall, to see who was making an effortless ostentatious arrival to the scene.


    Dalton descended from the luxurious marbled floor stairs, with his head high like an imposing king figure in his manner of walking. They all watched him through the open door that was being guided by the bodyguards, to prevent the reporters from rushing into the main residence and talk more of getting close to him.


    He stood right in front of the door and casted a narcissistic look at Aria, who first caught his attention and sneaked a sneer back at him. He could not believe the eyesight of the dress that she was wearing. He was even amused that she did not even hide how she felt, even in front of the strangers they were standing in front of.


    ¡®Had she always been this provocative and so daring? Was this to rebel against her suffering for the past years?¡¯ Well, we will see about that.¡¯


    ¡°Mr. Miller, Is the news about your divorce with your wife a genuine one? What exactly had influenced this decision concerning your marriage?¡± A curious reporter who could not hold his wit, suddenly Dalton asked in anticipation to hear an answer.


    Dalton looked so disdainfully at the slow-witted man who seemed to be senselessly bold, which made him quickly shift the expectation he had in his eyes to the other side of the room. The kind of intimidating presence that Dalton radiated, should have made the clueless man keep his mouth shut and wait for orders.


    Within a few minutes, Alex brought the divorce papers that Aria had sent earlier in the morning. He passed the papers to Aria who was giving Dalton a killer look, as she began to wonder what could be going on in Dalton¡¯s mind.


    ¡®I thought the sick bastard said he didn¡¯t want a divorce earlier. What changed his mind? Is he by any chance doing it because of the reporters?¡¯


    Aria, who was having skeptical thoughts about what was going on, suspected foul y, as her eyes nced through the paper that she was presented. Even if it was the same one she had gotten awyer to prepare for her, she still read from line to line racing as fast as she could read in her head.


    ¡°Damn it! Why are there so many letters?¡± she muttered in frustration, as her eyes found his signature at the end of the agreement which made her sneer.


    She hated the fact that even his signature was inscribed like a work of art on the paper. The content of what was in the paper presented to Aria by Dalton¡¯s assistant, really made the reporters so much curious to their thirst.


    None of the couple were even giving them an answer to their endless questions, as there seemed to be an intense feeling that was brewing cloudy smoke in the room.


    Aria gave the divorce papers onest check as she was surprised that the papers did not indicate any penalty regarding contract breeches. That alone made her wonder if he had also been relentlessly anticipating, for her to be the one, to put an end to the marriage.


    ¡®Who would have thought getting the papers of her torment annulment, would have been so easy to get signed in less than twenty hours?¡¯


    She wished that her mother-inw and Dalton¡¯s sisters were present in the room at that moment, to see her sign her way out of their disgusting and sick wealthy lives.


    Presented with a limited edition fountain pen by Alex, she marked her signature rapidly on the papers just below where Dalton had marked his.


    The attention of the reporters quickly became centred on the billionaire¡¯s wife as the cameras clicked and took pictures of her, while she signed the papers that they had no clue about what it was.


    They spected in their minds that it could be the divorce papers that they were really signing, but couldn¡¯t dare publish lies without any confirmation from the family.


    Aria felt so ted from within as she dropped the pen on Alex¡¯s open hands, that she was finally free from their monstrous family and the nonhuman rules they had set for her.


    Her eyes traced back to her husband who was standing do poised, as she stared at him with inward pure disgust. She could not believe or fathom in her head how someone as strikingly handsome as Dalton, would be a dangerous terror alongside his heartless family.


    The reporters were in a tight spot as they mumbled and fumbled, with no idea on how to ask what the papers Aria had signed was all about. One wrong move or question from any of them, would get them thrown out of the mansion without any regard.


    Relief washed down the tension they had glued to their body and bones, when it seemed like Dalton would tell them without even having to ask.


    ¡°It is not anything close to a divorce agreement, as the media must have published hours ago. They are bonding agreement papers indicating the fact that Mrs. Aria Miller, is going to be the CEO of one of the Miller¡¯spanies on our third year anniversary,¡± Dalton announced to the shock of everyone present in the room, with a stern face that totally established the validity in his words.N?velDrama.Org exclusive content.


    The reporters who were expecting so curiously to hear the huge news that would take tabloids by storm, were definitely confused to hear a news that was totally different from what they would have expected to hear.


    It was never possible for someone who was in talks to divorce his wife soon, to make her the CEO of one of hispanies that is worth billions of dors.


    ¡®Was it by any chance her alimony?¡¯


    There wasmotion and loud murmuring in the room amongst the reporters, who wanted to know what was up with the new shocking news.


    They mored loud questions at almost the same time to no one in particr, while the ones with the fastest fingers had tried to publish the news before the others would.


    Only for them to find out that inte connection was restricted in the areas that they were standing in, as it would be difficult for them to publish any news at that particr moment.


    Even Aria, who was well rxed in her heart to listen to her final victory, was startled by what she had just heard Dalton disclose to the reporters. She hurriedly turned and snatched the papers she had just signed from Alex, who was already waiting to present it to her for her check through the document she had really just signed.


    ¡®They were not divorce papers?!¡¯


    She thought her heart would drop alongside the loud bang that hit her head, when she found out that some information in the paper had been tactically messed with.


    Everything about requesting a divorce was so exact the way she sent it, except for the fact that a reasonable amount of words had been altered to Dalton¡¯s favour against her.


    ¡°There is a mishear from your informants, and that is it. Any further news concerning issues that defames the Miller¡¯s would be counted as defamation and nder, as legal actions would be taken against anyone andpany that is involved,¡± Alex finally cleared the air to the reporters, who absolutely knew they could not get anything out of the news they were going to write.


    The couples were not divorcing. Instead, the wife was getting apany on their third year anniversary. No one even knew when they got married to one another, talk more of knowing what date the anniversary would be. To make the news even more uninteresting, he didn¡¯t tell them thepany that she was going to take over too. It was surely a waste of time and energy.


    Aria felt her mind drop evasively into a void bowl of emptiness and anger, as she watched the deriding look Dalton had on his face for her failure. She couldn¡¯t believe the monster.


    Her head tried to race against thoughts of a fast step to take, but ended up taking a stroll with dead cells of no idea on what to do. Dalton had yed a very strategic and clean game a step ahead of her, which made her realize that divorcing him would not be as easy as she had it would be.


    She should have known better that his mean and contriving personality would not have changed, that fast in just a day. Her mind med her inability to have been vehemently skeptical and keen, when he suddenly consented to their divorce just when the reporters arrived. Their presence was nothing to him. Nevertheless, she was so enraged to the point of her contorting bones to pain.


    ¡®Third year anniversary? What in the world was the spiteful jerk spewing? CEO of one of hispanies? What a joke!¡¯


    ¡°No sane person would stay that long in this hideous marriage,¡± she muttered in fumes.


    ¡®How dare he lie so confidently in front of the press? What was he going to gain from tormenting her freedom? The Miller¡¯s heir has totally lost his sanity!!!¡¯

 Dear Hailey one

    Aria had to curb the impulsive urge to jump on Dalton at that moment, and tear his face into pieces because of what he had done to wreck her ns. He had seeded in turning the tables against her and frustrating her ns, which she was never nning to give up on no matter what.


    Still, she couldn¡¯t even understand why he would do that, when he really loathed the fact that they were both married together.


    ¡®Was he trying to frustrate her even till thest moments? Or was there anything else to the evil marriage contract that no one was telling her about?¡¯


    Dalton, who was satisfied by the confused look everyone in the room had on their faces, darted his eyes back to where Aria was standing to see the expression on her face. He would have so much expected to see a frustrated and pained appearance of her, but was rather disappointed to see her looking so prideful like everything was going her way.


    He began to wonder in his mind what exactly was going on in her head, that made her possess so much confidence like she had turned the tables for her good.Content is property of N?velDrama.Org.


    She gave him a calctive smile and gazed so beautifully at him, that seemed to attract the attention of the reporters who were mentally stressed to their guts.


    Their inward thoughts began to center on the rumors they had heard, about how Dalton hated his new wife and that was why he had never allowed her to follow him at any public gatherings. Surprisingly, they didn¡¯t even seem like couples who would argue endlessly in anger.


    ¡®They were probably putting on a facade right?¡¯


    Aria shed a graceful smile at the reporters and turned to leave the room through the entryway, as she tried not to show the anger that was slowly erupting from within her.


    Had she known that Dalton would be a demon till the very end of their copsing marriage, she would have been the one to send the copy of stamped divorce papers to the media houses. Her mind began to question endlessly.


    ¡®Should she just run away from the house without bothering about even a divorce? No! Only a coward would do that without facing the problem head-on, and moreover, Dalton could find her anywhere in this world if he wanted, since his connections are really unfathomable,¡¯ her mind countered.


    The reporters who had thought they had caught a big headline of news, would not leave so easily because they probably wanted to know more and satisfy their curiosity.


    There was really nothing reasonable they would write that would incite people¡¯s inquisitiveness, except if they were going to embellish the news publication with their own ideas.


    They couldn¡¯t even dare do that. Dalton would blot as many of them thatmitted defamation, from the surface of their jobs and social ss to a reduction below what anyone could even imagine. To make things even more worse for them, they were not allowed to publish the pictures of Aria that they had excitedly spent their entire time taking.


    The trained professional bodyguards that were standing outside of the room initially, had entered into the room and began to usher the reporters politely out of the room. There were still some reporters who would not give up, and demanded for more exnations from Alex who had turned out, as thest person to leave.


    Knowing they couldn¡¯t mess further with the incredibly tall and widened shoulder men, they all began to respectfully move themselves out of the room and back to square one; The journey of endless walk from the huge and extremely beautiful mansion, back to the main gate where they had to leave through.


    No one was going to do the favour of taking them back.


    In less than thirty minutes, all the reporters were gone and far from the mansion with everything back to normal. Ellen, who was sitting in the dining room and had refused to leave since the reporters arrived, finally stood up when she saw her mother approaching the dining section.


    Dalton who was still standing around was in a really foul mood, as Alex passed to him an information that his grandfather had sent through mail. His always focused mind suddenly became diverted between listening to what Alex had to say, and watching Aria walking out of the kitchen and holding in her hand a bottle of cold water. She didn¡¯t even seem to mind anyone.


    They were all distracted by a voice that called out ¡°Ellen!¡± as they all simultaneously turned to the direction from where it came from, to see who it was. As they would have it.


    A young and beautiful brown haireddy that was smooth and fairer skinned, stood directly under the richly intricate chandelier, which reflected brightly on the luxurious gold heels she was wearing.


    Her lips had the almost perfect heart curve, that was beautifully visible through the redundant red lipstick that glossed across her them. Her aura was a total one for a femme fatale.


    ¡°Hailey, how nice to see you,¡± Mrs. Miller smiled the moment she saw who it was, ¡°Come over here, dear.¡±


    ¡°Hi mummy,¡± she replied excitedly and walked elegantly to peck Mrs. Miller by the cheeks. Mrs. Eleanor Miller was obviously d to see the beautifuldy of high ss, that she fully approved of without any doubt.


    ¡®So, the olddy can smile,¡¯ Aria said in her mind and rolled her eyes.


    The feeling in the room was so overt that Mrs. Miller preferred Hailey to Aria, as she did not bother to hide it in the slightest. She would have thrown Aria out of the house and of their lives, if it was that easy since the past two years that she had be Dalton¡¯s wife.


    To her shocking discovery, the marriage agreement stated that the couples should stay married for three years, and then if they could still not live peacefully together they could agreeably divorce without any strings.


    Three years was just too long for her to wait to get rid of Aria¡¯s bad energy, which she decided to result to violence and anger wreck upon the poordy.


    Mrs. Miller had always been so vicious towards Aria while trying every possible means, to make her breach the contract and leave on her own ord if she suffered for too long. Her expectations were constantly let down by Aria, who refused to leave the marriage no matter how hard.


    Acting rashly would probably put her in a dire situation, where she might have to pay for a breach of contract that the consequences would be unbearable. It was never a wise move.


    However, to everyone¡¯s bewilderment now, Aria seemed to be suddenly bent on divorcing right before the third year, and couldn¡¯t care less about contract breeches or whatsoever would be a problem. It was just an unexinable reason for her to give up on her marriage, after enduring all the tortures for more than two years.


    Mrs. Miller began to nurse more disturbing thoughts rather than Aria¡¯s change, about what her son was really up to right after rejecting Aria¡¯s proposal to divorce him, when it was so obvious that he had no emotion except loathe for her. It had never hers to question his authority about any decision making, as everyone just did their own ruling in the mansion without obstructing another¡¯s.


    Spontaneously, Hailey turned to Ellen who was already close to where her mother was standing and stretched her arms out to hug her. The two friends really looked so delighted to see one another.


    ¡°I thought you are now mummy¡¯s bestie, since you did not seem to notice me at first,¡± Ellen sulked unnecessary, feigning her anger.


    ¡°I would not dare to wake a sleeping cat,¡± Hailey teased back. Their friendship wasn¡¯t one that started out of grown affections for one another.


    Ellen Miller had always been the one that never liked to appear in public ces, right from when she was a child which made her mother very worried.


    How would a child of the Miller household not possess confidence?


    That was how they made both of them be friends, by visiting each other¡¯s houses, studying together and attending family parties. It was during those good family times that Hailey had sighted Dalton only once, at his own birthday, that he was forced to attend when he had just turned eighteen.


    The entire family loved her too those times, and had always considered her the perfect candidate for an inw.


    As time went by with everyone growing up into their own lives, both friends became distanced from each other because of Hailey¡¯s abroad studies. Theyter got back together again a few yearster when Hailey came back, and continued their tagged best friend rtionship.


    Ellen, who hade out of her shell, had possessed so much confidence, and had even managed to garner millions of followers for herself due to her family¡¯s affluence. She had also seeded in picking up the vicious traits of her mother too.


    The two friends shared an adorable moment in front of everyone, which made Aria irked by the absurd formality that was going on in the room. It wasn¡¯t of her concern about anything that went on in the family anyways, as she waited patiently for the perfect time to leave their stuffy midst.

 Dear Hailey two

    Hailey¡¯s eyes trailed past everyone in the huge space at every corner, searching for Dalton¡¯s presence in therge room. He had not uttered a word or made any gesture since she entered the room, which made her wonder if he was actually in there with them.


    She saw an unlikely scene which was Dalton smirking at Aria with an unreadable emotion in his face, who was rolling her eyes contemptuously back at him with a sneer. If she didn¡¯t have to check once more to be sure that it was Aria, she would have mistaken her for Emma or anotherdy.


    ¡®What was going on that the hated wife of the house would look at Dalton in such a manner without getting a punishment? What in the world was going wrong?¡¯


    It really made Hailey ufortably wonder if the news that Ellen had told her was true, because what she could watch with her own eyes was far different from what she expected.


    She knew well what went on in the mansion, that Aria¡¯s self-esteem and self value had been reduced below floor level. To the point that she could never raise eyes to meet anyone¡¯s gaze, or breathe in the same space as any of them did.


    ¡®Or were they divorced already? That was why she could now show her true colours. She was supposed to be out of the mansion by now if her spections were right,¡¯ Hailey¡¯s mind kept bothering.


    Aria, who could see the warm manner that the family always weed Hailey, wished in her heart that she and Dalton would finally get a divorce, which would now give a chance to their anticipated beloved daughter-inw to rece her as they liked.


    It wasn¡¯t even that hard anymore. They just had to seed in getting their dear brother and son to divorce her peacefully without any problems afterwards.


    ¡®Was she not Dalton¡¯s childhood sweetheart that her family doted on? Then why waste time in divorcing her? Why would he even disrupt her ns to divorce him, when she would be the one to bear the brunt? Wasn¡¯t it a win-win situation?¡¯ Those were the many questions she would like to ask her stupid husband, whom she could not understand and never wished to.


    Without further pondering in her head, Aria left the living room silently to her bedroom, in thoughts to start thinking of another way to take the family by storm. She had figured out that Dalton was still going to be so toxic to her, even with finally nning to end the marriage by herself.


    Strategizing new ns that would put the Millers in a state of unrest and dilemma, was the utmost thing to do without any reason for further dy.


    Before making her way to her own room by the hallway, she diverted her steps to the other hallway that led to therge entric and luxurious kitchen of the mansion. The kitchen further led to the underground wine cer, which was located at the farthest part of that wing that she had never been to before.


    Ever since the first day Aria stepped foot into the mansion as a wife, she had always stayed in the isted room by the down hallway reserved just for her. It overtly portrayed how much the entire family hated, for her to be called a member of Miller household. That thought actually got her thinking of exactly why the room had to be there in the first ce. It obviously wasn¡¯t built as someone¡¯s room.


    ¡®What if she wasn¡¯t a hated wife? Who would have taken the room?¡¯


    She didn¡¯t care much anyways. It would have been perfectly designed to the taste of whosoever built the mansion. No architect could dare mistakenly ruin the beautiful architectural ns, and structures of the Millers at the detriment of his own career.


    Aria picked a French bordeaux and a California chardonnay from the numerous options of wines that were arranged ordingly in rows and columns, at therge cer that looked like a huge wine store. The wines were arranged in the order of their worth, collections and alcohol percentage level, so that it would be easy for anyone to figure out their taste.


    She held both in her hand and strolled back to her room looking all feisty, like she was waiting for someone to suddenly challenge her about. None of the maids that had seen her walk pass could do or utter anything, as they were all bothered if poor Aria had finally developed mental issues due to stress. They also cogitated a split personality disorder too.


    Dalton wasing from the direction of the living room, as he made his way past the stair towards the door, when he caught a glimpse of Aria who was far ahead into the hallway that led to her room. She mmed the disfigured door hard and locked it immediately, without forgetting to pass a side taut view at the person, whose presence she had sensed from behind.


    Realizing where he was going subconsciously, he wondered what he hade to do in her hallway, as he found his way back to the stairs immediately. He had suddenly be inquisitive about what she was up to, and the wild actions that she was yet to unleash.


    She had never been the type to go against the rules and past the boundaries around the house, but it could not be guaranteed anymore now that she was acting out of control.


    Hailey had followed Mrs. Eleanor Miller back to her room in the house, while Ellen left to hers to prepare for a ¡®Swimming session with Ellen Miller at the mansion¡¯s luxurious pool.¡¯ Both friends would have enough time to probably talkter about so many things, but the present situation warranted the talk between a mother-inw and aspiring daughter-inw.


    ~???~??~?~


    Dalton was sitting behind an elegant carving and intricate designed table that added elegance and rustic vintage charm to his study room, which was well built and structured with an illuminated, opaque ss. His both hands that were rubbed together and had interlocked fingers, were resting below his chin area with his elbows which were spread to the desk.


    Having seeded in overturning Aria¡¯s decision to divorce him and had won, he could still feel some sort of anger within him. It was as though she had gotten the nerves before him, to end the marriage without caring what would happen next. It was something he had already wanted, but was enraged nevertheless.


    He briskly picked up the telephone that was lying on the ss study desk, and made a call through to Alex who would be in his own room sorting out numerous office files. The breakfast feast that they had was no reason for them not to be at thepany, but Aria¡¯s matter had turned everyone¡¯s daily routine upside down.


    ¡°Bring the surveince footage of every hallway, from 6:00am this morning till this present moment,¡± he ordered.


    Dalton looked at the tablet screen that Alex had presented to him closely, as he watched every happenings carefully like he was looking for something in particr. He fast-forwarded the video and watched the one from minutes ago, which stopped at where Aria hade out of the hallway that led to the kitchen, to the one that led to her room.


    He rewinded the video to see her walk past the kitchen to her own hallway, which stopped just right at that point with nothing more to watch. Fisting his right hand into a hard ball was a restraint from his own side, which stopped the urge in him to smash the tablet screen that showed Aria, smiling maliciously at the camera like she was brewing something evil.


    She even raised her middle finger in the air up to the camera for him, and murmured ¡®F¡¯ word like she knew he was going to watch the CCTV footageter. Not minding whom she was ying mind games and messing with, she was determined to make him aggravated to his breaking point.


    ¡°Why, is there no camera in the hallway of that room?¡± he asked Alex calmly, concealing the anger waves that were beginning to travel through his body.N?velDrama.Org exclusive content.


    ¡°You had ordered us not to include anything of hers in the affairs of the¡­¡­¡±


    ¡°And I see that the door to that room is not fixed at all. Why is that?¡± he asked again.


    ¡°We did not get the orders to¡­.¡±


    ¡°As the head butler of this mansion and my assistant, Alex!¡± His voice thundered sharply, ¡°What is your role?¡±


    ¡°I.. am so sorry sir, we¡­ I would¡­.¡± Alex quivered in confusion. He could really never get used to Dalton¡¯s fury, since the past four years that he had been working together with Dalton. They were so whimsical.


    ¡°Get the maids to switch her rooms and shut the room in the hallway. Right. now!¡± he ordered angrily.

 Sharing Dalton鈥檚 lounge

    Aria¡¯s feelings could not even decipher at the moment on whether she should be ted or not, when she was informed that Dalton had ordered for her to move from her room to another.


    She was feeling a bit fuddled and tipsy from the wine she had taken earlier, as she gulped quickly a ss of water and listened to Alex give orders to the maids.


    ¡®Why would he decide to switch her room now? Was that another way to punish and frustrate her? Or had they nned to finally throw her out of the house for the fact that she had wrecked problems?¡¯


    As her entirety seemed to be wanting to stir trouble and put everyone in the mansion at unrest, she stormed out of her room as the maids walked inside and proceeded towards the stairs. The furry white slippers which were under her feet that were supposed to be noiseless, made a loud sound on the glimmering floor with efforts that indicated much anger in her.


    She climbed up the winged-shaped stairs that parted like an intersection at the top end, in which the part to the right side led to Dalton¡¯s lounge which was the upied room there. The stairs had white angel-like statues kneeling at parted ends, to exude the luxurious and opulence the entire mansion was filled with.


    Never had she climbed the stairs or been to any room up the building, except for the first day that was a make-believe for his grandfather to acknowledge peace. Ever since that day that she was shown her own room by Alex, she only had ess to some parts of the house that was limited to her room and the dinning room.


    That was in the past anyways because the now-person was defying rules, and storming straight to the room to meet the devil himself. She would have almost missed the exact location of the room, because it was simr to other doors of the unused rooms that were there too.


    Aria was astonished by what she saw when she opened the door to his room, as it was like a huge mansion in an empire. Compared to how plush her room looked despite being outed, his own was beyond few describable words of the entire beauty it radiated.


    She could not even afford to be bothered by the great appearance of his room, because ncing through the room in a few seconds wasn¡¯t enough to fill her curiosity. Her eyes meandered through the huge room in search of the person whom she hade to find, as her gaze became fixed on his elegant self at where he sat.


    He looked like a delicately carved sculpture in the manner and position at which he sat, and immediately she saw him, her gazing demeanor changed to a re.


    Dalton was surprised to hear someone barge into his room from where he sat, without knocking to get a directive or an affirming order from him. It was definitely not Alex, or his mother and not even his sisters, that would storm into his room that way.


    He just kept his cool and waited until the person appeared before him, which got him amused to know that the person who would dare, was his supposed timid wife; Aria.


    He watched her stand in front of the sofa chair he was sitting on, bent to the right letting her weight rest on the right leg, as her arm folded firmly under her bust as she red at him. She did not even only speak back to everyone now and challenge their authority now, but was also gutsy enough to enter into his sacred room without any regard.


    ¡°What are you ying at, Mr. Miller?¡± Her calm voice asked, ¡°First you don¡¯t want a divorce again after everything you have done, and now you suddenly want to switch my rooms out of the blues? What is going on¡­..¡±


    Aria suddenly paused to think of something that her mind began to insinuate, as her fingers tapped lightly on her left side of the waist nonstop. She let out a snicker at first, which erupted into a disdainfulughter that ended with a question.Content is property of N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Are you by any chance falling in love with me? Mr. Miller,¡± she sassed, so as to provoke and make him angry.


    Dalton, who was sipping gently on the content inside the iced ss cup that was on the table by the chair, watched every of her movement and body gestures as she spoke and rolled her eyes at him.


    He had wanted to say something to cut her off, from her endless talk that had started to be noise to him, when he heard the ridiculous question she had asked him from nowhere.


    He thought the whiskey he was taking would choke over his throat, in an attempt to let out the stifledughter that his throatpulsively made. Without any doubt, he was convinced that his wife had gone bonkers, enough to make her spew out trash like a drunk.


    His eyes trailed to the Patek Philippe clock that wasid on the right side of the wall in the room, and then checked the ck letter watch wrapped around his wrist like he was not sure about something.


    He rose gently from his sitting position to the full exposure of his rock hard body, under the white shirt that he was putting on, as he began to move slowly closer to the direction of where she stood.


    Aria¡¯s arms, which were folded firmly to her body, began to lose free when she realized what was about to happen. Her mind began to wander in thoughts of what he would do next, because the expression he was wearing on his face was totally unreadable.


    ¡®He has probably had enough, and was ready to retaliate hard. Was he going to hit her? No, he had never hit her. What if he suddenly decided to start that? Then I would just hit mine back! Oh dear, Aria. You are ying with fire.¡¯


    It was when he hade close to where she was standing without flinching, that she noticed clearly in her head that he was wearing a white shirt that had three of the buttons from the top unbuttoned. It showed his bare chest and revealed his muscle toned abs.


    ¡®He definitely has a good body. Oh damn, shit it. You should be hitting this man hard across the face, and not noticing his unnecessarily redundant charms.¡¯


    He was an ethereal beauty that stood right before her, with mischievous glint dancing through his eyes for what he would do to her. She has never challenged him in that manner before, that it was as though he was clueless of what to do to her. His mind was knocked out. She was testing his patience.


    ¡°A-R-I-A!¡± he called her name in a mellifluous and melodious manner, that would have sounded like music to the ears of anyone who heard.


    If anything aside from the coldness and hate he had for her, Dalton had never called her name on a personal note before. Nothing had ever prompted him to call her name in that manner, and even share almost the same breathing space as she did.


    They had never had any close contact since their marriage, as even food schedules were a totally different one where they would never have to meet.


    Suddenly, he grabbed her by the waist and swiftly pushed her close to the wall, as space between their bodies was barely an inch. Aria, who never expected him to do such, could feel the tense atmosphere, that she thought she could hear her slowed heartbeat, even if she was holding in air and not breathing at all.


    Another crazy part was that he had never brought his body close to hers before, talk more of grabbing her in a manner that was so surprising.


    Aria felt oxygen leave every necessary part of her body, especially at the manner in which he gazed at her lips which was breathtakingly inviting. Her mind kind of cked out for a short while at the moment, that she drew in air into her lungs and stopped breathing so as not to perceive the deep scent of him.


    He lowered his head to her neck as his soft breath softly caressed on her smooth and snowy skin, as his lips torturously teased and trailed down her neck to her cor one. It was so repulsive that her body felt so stiff to his actions, that would have sent so manydies trembling on their knees and body.


    She immediately regained her senses and released her breath, as she jolted free from his tight grip and huffed in disgust at what he was doing.


    ¡°What a contemptible asshole you are, Dalton. I wonder how you have not crumpled to a faint, considering the fact that you have just touched someone you loathe very closely and inappropriately too. Or is this your new way of practicing ¡®Keep your enemy closer¡¯?¡± Aria yelled irritably at him and turned away instantly with a hiss, ¡°And I also think that your sweetheart would be so sad to see you sway,¡± she added.


    ¡°Why would it be inappropriate for a husband to touch his wife?¡± His deep voice taunted.


    ¡°Wife?¡± She let out a forced chuckle and pretended to want to puke, ¡°I don¡¯t think anydy would want to be the demon¡¯s bride,¡± she said sternly, her face shing intently with much contempt.


    ¡°Why are you so stiff? Does my touch disgust you that much?¡± He asked again, still in a mocking tone.


    Even at that, he wanted to hear her answer to his question deep down. Even if he had not been a man that was so keen to women and their anatomy, he was certainly confident that he had them wrapped around his fingers. It was an undeniable fact.


    ¡°That is because your silly touch, do not move me or my body by the slightest! And you really suck at what you do,¡± she mmed words against his face, followed by a hup that escaped her throat as she belched tiredly.


    Dalton could not believe his ears to what Aria was saying, that he could now believe that she had gone nuts overnight because. The rude words that she was speaking out to him, was an extreme contrast to her normally submissive self.


    ¡®Could tough times make one change that much?¡¯


    Aria began to feel more tipsy than she had been feeling, as she tilted her head sideways to get rid of the dizziness that whiffed across her face. She could already see her head and eye spin round the room, as it felt like she was in an inverted position.


    ¡®Why was she feeling tired and drowsy now?¡¯


    Knowing fully well that she would have not much energy to talk back anymore, she decided to leave the matter for another day rather than when Dalton would see her worse.


    ¡°Anyways, I will, probably, see you¡­..ter. In hell,¡± She murmured to nobody in particr, as she tried not to stumble at the manner in which she stood.


    Slowly, Aria turned away from Dalton¡¯s sight and dragged her feet gently on the marble floor, as she walked out of his room with him still watching. By the time she walked outside of the room, she could definitely tell where her room was as she saw a maid push in her cloth hanger.


    Alex, who was standing right by Dalton¡¯s door while waiting for her toe out, opened the door to the next room and ushered her in.


    He was about to enter after she did, so as to exin everything about the new room and interior settings to her, like he had always done. She just shut the huge ss door tiredly right at his face, which narrowly escaped crooking his nose.


    ¡°That was close!¡± He heaved a sigh of relief, as he turned to change his tracks immediately.


    Aria could barely pull off the ck gown that she was wearing, as she slouched tiredly on the huge bed she had managed to walk to. Her eyes were too tired and dim to see the magnificence and luxuriousness of her new room, as she just smiled peacefully in her sleep and mumbled some rubbish.


    Even the feeling of the new bed was much morefortable and lovely, than the former one that she was using.


    If only they would let her be.

 An unexpected call

    A  low groan escaped Aria¡¯s lips as she turned her face to the other side of the bed, while still snuggled so tightly under a nket like her life depended on it.


    She almost let out a loud yelp as a throbbing headache suddenly hit her, apanied with the cold that was circting from the huge AC in the room around the atmosphere.


    To worsen the terrible feeling that had taken over her body, her bones felt so sore and weak to the point that she could not move them.


    The bottle of alcoholic wines that she had picked from the cer, and the manner in which she had drank them the previous day were no joke. That, it was surprising to know that she would have managed to hold a conversation with Dalton, before falling so deep to the extreme shutting down of her entire system.


    It was now like a necessity every night without sneaking around, because that was the only way she could sleep without being in the full consciousness of her body.


    To escape her incessant insomnia and nightmares. She had drank earlier than the time she normally did, with no idea that she would have to still go to Dalton¡¯s room and stress the life out her voice and body nerves.


    Aria¡¯s body rolled into the softness of the white bed nket that was barely covering her anymore, which contorted irregrly in and out of her body parts that would fit around it.


    She had struggled to roll on her back with her limbs spread out exhaustingly, to the four corners of the bed getting no wherewithal whatsoever to stand up.


    Definitely, she was deeply hungover.


    She began to ponder on the idea of remaining in the house for a few months, at the thought of the supposedpany that Dalton had mentioned to the press. Thinking about it in the totality of its negative, she could never trust the Millers family to do something of such.


    Not even a blind man would believe.


    There was no reason why they would mistreat her so much for years, and just decide to make her the CEO of one of theirpanies out of the blue.


    ¡®Do not be deceived by the evil nature of the Millers. They are evil!¡¯ her mind warned.


    Just thinking of the link that would still connect her to them just by inheriting one of theirpanies, was even another nightmare to make her run from such promises that would put her in sorrow.


    It was just five months that was left for both of them, till the decision concerning their three years marriage contract would be officially made. She couldn¡¯t even wait any further, to sever their ties with Dalton.


    The thought of remaining in the house for much longer, made her cringe as it was barely considerable. The need for an agreement and dialogue wasn¡¯t even necessary, because the end result was so ring. They would have to go their separate ways.


    Thinking she still had some food particles in her mouth from the previous day, Aria¡¯s mouth chewed softly on the silky texture that was held between her lips. It felt so, so weird.


    ¡®Wait! Was she chewing on her own hair?!¡¯


    ~~~|?|~~~


    ¡°I cannot believe this is you,¡± Came Aria¡¯s cheerful voice that was much calmer than usual . She had talked rudely to everyone in the house for the past few days, ¡°Where have you been? I mean, it¡¯s been ages.¡±


    ¡°I know, right. Was disappointed when I came backst year, and I heard you left about three years ago. It was so difficult to reach you,¡± the masculine voice sounded on the phone from the other side.


    ¡°I was just tired of everything and moved. So, you are back now. Finally?¡± She asked him, followed up by a sudden gag reflex that pulled her throat. Her palm quickly covered her mouth from making any further sound, which was as a result of the aftereffects of her hangover.


    ¡°Yes, Ri. I am back to settle down here and work some things out, since everything has been he hectic since my absence. Juggling from a remote distance has made it less productive, that it has got me settling back here finally. It is really nice to hear from you again.¡±


    ¡°I would have never expected us to talk this soon, or to talk this nicely without any awkwardness. Probably I didn¡¯t expect this call, even after I had been an arsehole. It has actually been a very long time,¡± She replied and smiled again, her voice pitch intentionally increasing by the minute to prevent her from huping.


    ¡°It has really been a pretty long time. I really missed you, Ri,¡± his voice spoke out euphoniously. Expressing how much he had missed her phone could never cut it, because three years had been a really long time for him.


    She could never have imagined, they would speak together anytime soon or even ever.


    Their departure story wasn¡¯t that smooth, for a great reunion or even good talking terms. And to make matters worse, she had lost her phone almost a few days after, aiding the false stiffness between them.


    Aria smiled modestly as she walked slowly into her dressing room, with a robe and towel tied around her body and wrapped around her head. Her long slender fingers found its way to the racks of luxurious clothes in the dresser, as it ran back and forth through every gown in there while checking for the one to suit her.


    The first one that seemed to interest her was a peach coloured gown, that hung horizontally along with rows and columns of other clothes, in therge deluxe dressing room.


    It seemed too modest for the normal clothes they normally arranged for her in the past, but just worked out perfectly to fit the new evolution she was making that day.


    ¡°Are you still there? Ri,¡± He asked again with an exercised anxiousness, probably nervous that the call had disconnected at the point of her silence. It had really been difficult to know she moved too, and getting her personal phone number after a long time.


    Hearing someone call her Ri after years of not even being ustomed to her name anymore, sounded so different in her ears that Aria felt it was probably because she had not heard it in a long time. It was also probably because she just heard it from him again, but she liked the sound of it, regardless.


    ¡°This is going to be some big reunion. And I am definitely anticipating that,¡± Aria finally spoke out, after a long and paused silence of short words.


    If she would not have lied to him, she definitely missed the memories of them that began to flood into her brain. The days they had spent together in the past were memorable and nice, but she just couldn¡¯t say it at that moment.


    ¡°I¡¯ve got you, Ri. I really cannot wait,¡± Collin assured, with a great wave of happiness that swept in him at her response. He could not wait to see how she had changed in the past years, and was curious to know if she ended up achieving the big dreams she always told him.


    At the study desk in the opulent room of grandeur sophistication, was Dalton sitting in his usual position behind the desk, with his assistant reporting the schedules for the day to him.


    They had less than an hour to leave the mansion to thepany, and yet Dalton seemed to be unready even while fully dressed for work. His mind seemed to ponder on random things.N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content.


    ¡°Sir, the document concerning the new ownership rights for Skyrise empire has been sent by fax this morning. This is ¡­¡± Alex paused to look at Dalton¡¯s demeanor, before he would present the files to him without reasoning properly.


    Dalton¡¯s eyes, whose eyes were fixated intently on nothing in particr at a space, clenched his hand so hard around the stem of the wine ss he was holding that visible veins popped out of his right hand.


    He looked so abnormally furious all of a sudden, that made Alex retreat by a few steps. He tried to figure out what could have made him mad, because If anything, he might take it out on him.


    ¡°House reports?¡± Dalton¡¯s cold and unfriendly voice resounded around the room, demanding to hear something different from what Alex was reporting.


    ¡°It is¡­¡± Alex fumbled with his words, as his shaky hands struggled to slide functionally on the tablet¡¯s screen. He had thought business would be the first to be reported, in the same order that it had always been done. Most of the time, Dalton just wanted to listen to Alex list the schedules for the day that he already knew.


    ¡°Mrs. Miller has been on the phone since she woke up, for over thirty minutes now with someone,¡± he told Dalton, knowing fully well that his boss only wanted to know what Aria was up to.


    It was really hard to keep a tab on her, since it was something he had never really had to do in the past.


    ¡°Someone?!¡± Dalton¡¯s eyes glinted dangerously, at the lousy report Alex was giving to him. He had heard herughter so loudly because of the sound detectors in his room, that he used to keep track of anything that might be a source of noise to his ears.


    ¡°The conversation seemed casually friendly without any clich¨¦, so cannot be said if it was a man or a woman that was¡­..¡±


    ¡°Who has asked you?!¡± Dalton cut in rudely, even surprised himself as to why he had suddenly gotten pissed off.


    It was just a harmless phone call.


    Yet he was provoked that she had the nerves tough so noisily, after the trouble she has caused by just sending the divorce papers.


    He totally hated her new guts but was somewhat clueless of what to do, since he had never had to ever deal with her in the past. His mother and sisters were the real thorns and he just let them be.


    ¡®He should have asked them to ce a CCTV camera in her new room!¡¯


    Alex was more confused than ever by what to say next, as he was unable to specte what exactly Dalton wanted to hear. He just kept mute like he always did in such situations, as trying to get Dalton tell him reasons for his anger could make him fly into further vicious rages.

 Trouble

    Aria was fully dressed in the peach dress she had checked out earlier, as she came out of the dressing room looking so pretty and stunning. She wore the cologne of her taste from the numerous ones ced in front of the dresser, as she checked out her makeup once more to be sure she had done well.


    Picking up one of the matching luxurious bags that was hung neatly in its rack at the dressing room, she came out of her room and elegantly walked past therge room corridor to the stairs intersection.


    At that point exactly, she saw the one person who was enough to ruin her mood for that morning, trying to get ready for one of her live morning sessions.


    ¡°Probably another pest to deal with this morning,¡± Aria murmured under her breath, as she continued to walk towards the direction of the stairs with her heels nking hard against the floor.


    That distracted Ellen from what she was doing as she turned, to know who could be approaching from the opposite part with nking shoes. Just when she realized who it was, shock was visibly written all over her face with her mouth that left agape.


    First, she was impulsively stunned by Aria¡¯s gorgeous and intimidating new look, and she also would have never expected to see her brother¡¯s disgusting wife walking on the deluxe stairs.


    She tried to regain herself from the surprise that could not conceal within her face, as she frowned immediately, on the getting of Aria to exactly where she was standing.


    ¡°What in the world am I seeing? Have you gone blind? How dare you stroll on these stairs, when it is ring where your room is?!¡± Ellen spat.


    Aria watched her in amusement as she mored and ranted on top of her voice, while getting worked up over little issues that weren¡¯t worth it.


    If it was in the past, Ellen would have probably shoved her down the stairs immediately without any questions. She however seemed to be cautious of her now.


    ¡®Even wealthy people look the same as mad people when throwing tantrums,¡¯ Aria thought in her mind, whichpelled out a tauntingughter from her throat, making Ellen even more raged.


    ¡°Have you lost it, you stupid cow?!¡± She demanded, ¡°How dare you make such gest¡­..¡±


    ¡°I think you should be more concerned about your video. Ellen,¡± Aria cautioned and smirked derisively, looking at the red button flicker recording on the phone in Ellen¡¯s hand.


    She satisfactorily watched Ellen, instantly turned to check her phone and shrieked at the sight of the recording live video.


    Comments were already popping on the phone screen screen, from her fans who were about what was happening and who she was talking to. There could have been only spections that it was properly a maid she was being rude to, not until they heard ady¡¯s voice amidst the blind recording.


    There was now more doubts and uproar on her page since the live video had ended, questioning her behavior to a person they were sure wasn¡¯t a maid. It could never be a maid who would call her by her name.


    Who was she talking to?


    So, Ellen is a green snake.


    Never knew she was this rude.


    Spiteful brat!


    So much for acting ssy


    Rich bitch!


    Can it be her brother¡¯s wife?


    And many more others, werements that were left on Ellen¡¯s live video which came to an end abruptly. They all soon navigated to asking their further questions, under thestest photo on her page.


    ¡°Arhh!!!, You bitch!¡± Ellen screamed and almost spluttered in rage at Aria, which brought attention from every direction from the mansion to where the noise was emanating from.


    Almost immediately, the maids that were around that wing of the house were running forth so disorderly, in fear of what had happened that morning to cause so much ruckus and angry screams.


    They were scared to hold Ellen back to calm as soon as they got there, because she always acted irrationally anytime she got worked up.


    Whenever she was angry or something irritated her, she would throw things at them, hit them and even scatter everywhere sometimes, rendering all their cleaning efforts useless for the day.


    Even Mrs. Eleanor Miller was not left out in the noise, as she strutted out from her room across the other side of the hallway to see what had happened. She could not believe the horrible way her daughter was looking, at the manner at which she was screaming angrily on the top of her voice.


    Seeing her son¡¯s wife standing at the scene too, had made up her mind without any doubt of who could have caused a problem.


    ¡°What is going on here?!¡± Her imperious voice demanded, as her disdainful look fell on Aria who was standing poised and remained so flinty-eyed.Content is property of N?velDrama.Org.


    ~?~?~


    ¡°Thepany¡¯s control room has taken care of miss Ellen¡¯s live video,¡± Alex informed no one in particr in the room, as they all seemed to be engrossed in what was about to happen.


    He hade out to the scene and gotten a hearing of what happened, as he made sure that every video regarding the past was taken down immediately.


    It was an already known norm and practice that the IT department would have taken care of everything, but Aria still had to answer the question of what had happened.


    Ellen was still fuming in rage while trying to catch her breath of what had happened, while her mother could not help but feel so much bitterness for the person who had escted the situation.


    Mrs. Eleanor Miller, who had not tried to understand what happened or hear Aria¡¯s side of the story, moved closer to hit her hard across the face as she quickly evaded it immediately. Her hand had missed Aria¡¯s face by a few inches which almost made the aged woman stumble to the front, indicating how strongly she had wanted to p Aria.


    Everyone in the room had all expected it to happen soon, because it was nothing new for it to happen. They were however shocked that for the first time that they had ever witnessed Aria avoiding any punishment, that the woman was going to pass to her. They could finally realize that war was starting.


    Ever since Aria had gotten to the mansion as a wife, Mrs. Eleanor Miller had hit her several times for any little mistake that was most not her fault. She sometimes made her do house chores and unnecessary jobs, and had her locked up in the basement for two days without light or food and only water.


    She even had the heater in her isted room removed too, and anything luxurious that was in the room of others. It was a terrible act.


    The thought of what the woman had done made Aria¡¯s heart hurt so much, that she superciliously gazed at the woman with so much hatred. Many thoughts began to run through her head: If leaving immediately was the best, or teaching Dalton¡¯s spoiled and stupid sisters lessons of their lives. To never forget her name. Ever!


    ¡°Just.. just look at her rude demeanor. You stupid girl!¡± Mrs. Eleanor Miller stuttered in disbelief, ¡°Take her to the confession room. Right now!¡± Shemanded.


    The confession room was a veryrge and empty room on the first block of the mansion, with a luxurious chair at the center which was only for Mrs. Miller. Aria would kneel in front of the ageddy who would be in a seating position, and have her answer to every of her supposed crimes.


    It was always a very unpleasant experience for her, because punishment could never escape from such a ce. She was either hit across the face by Mrs. Miller, or taken to be locked up in the basement straight through the night. Her life was miserable and painful, and there were many of their actions that broke her soul. Traumatized her.


    The maids tried to hold Aria roughly by Mrs. Miller orders, as they had no choice but to do as instructed without any


    promise.


    Like someone possessed, she jerked harshly from the maid by her right, sending the poordy¡¯s butt bone cracking at the hardness of the floor. The second one hit her left arm against the hard floor at the manner at which she hit the floor too. It was an eye shocking sight to withhold.


    The rest of the maids were terrified to move closer to her.


    ¡®What was happening?¡¯


    ¡°Mrs. Eleanor Miller, I would count my supposed crimes, right at this spot! Missing dinner, asking to be fed what I want, ndered about releasing my divorce news, kissing my husband, denied the right to walk peacefully from my room, med for the live video scandal,¡± Aria counted chronologically, but no one wanted to hear what she had to say anymore. They were totally shocked by her before-statement.


    ¡®Kissing her husband? Mr. Miller? Has Aria lost it?¡¯


    Though they could sense the sarcasm in her words, only one of what she had said had the attention of them all.


    Just when she had uttered her statement, Dalton came out of his room dressed in a white tuxedo. His appearance exuded great power and illustriousness as came out of his room, and was just also in time to hear what Aria had imed. He thought he had heard her wrongly.

 The black card

    Mrs. Miller Eleanor was absolutely taken aback by what Aria was saying, and would not have expected her to say something of such to everyone present. It was even so unbelievable for such to ever happen, especially with someone who strongly despised her presence in his home.


    It was a disputable fact that everyone knew.


    Even so, she was in more shock about how Aria challenged her everyone¡¯s sight, and even mocked her orders by daring to go against her orders.


    Never would she have expected such to ever happen in a lifetime, or for the remaining months that she would get to spend in their home before they threw her out. The shock of Aria¡¯s new behavior and sudden boldness to mess with everyone, made her numb to action and thoughts of what to say or do.


    ¡°My dear Dalton!¡± Aria suddenly called as she saw him approach, and scurried yfully to where he stood as she grabbed his right arm and crossed her into his.


    She acted in an endearing manner towards him, as she rested her head softly on his left shoulder to his own surprise.


    Her actions made the servants gasp in wonder, and even Ellen who was already d that her mother would make Aria suffer was baffled. Alex was left in perplexity watching Aria crawl unto Dalton¡¯s nerves, with his heart leaping with secret happiness of what he could watch in his time with the Millers. His wife had made him totally dumb struck.


    Emma, who stood at the other side of the stairs, was intrigued by her brother¡¯s wife¡¯s actions, as it seemed to catch her interest while watching the dramatic scene.


    Not only was she rude and defiling, but obscene words also flowed out of her lips so easily to anyone who deserved it.


    The maids had thoughts in their mind that Aria needed to get a mental check, else she would be the end of them who would be victims of transferred aggression. Still, they could not understand why she was still being left unharmed, even by the menacing boss himself whom no one dared to mess with.


    Trying to recollect when her crazy change began, was the week they hade back from a family trip that Mr. Miller Mark had made the entire family go on. Dalton forcefully spent just a night on the vacation trip, and left the next day for a business trip in another country entirely.


    He was not so keen on that kind of setting which he believed was a waste of time, when one could be making the best of their fun time and multiplying their fortune by three folds.


    Being oblivious to the life threatening incident that urred at the vacation, he couldn¡¯t care much less for his wife whom his family treated like trash.


    Dalton could not think of what to do at that moment, that the only thing he sensed was the whiff of her mesmerizing sweet savory scent. His eyes trailed to the curled tendrils thatid by the side of her face, and was neatly connected to her ponytail tied hair.


    ¡®Had he ever noticed her hair was that thick? Or that her eyshes were that long?¡¯


    He had rarely been that close to her on a personal studying level, to even know what she smelled like or how the side view of her face looked. Her eyeshes flickered amusingly as she talked and gestured, that so many nk thoughts waded through his mind at that moment.


    He knew deep down that he was getting interested in knowing everything that she had been, was up, and unknown things that she could be nning.


    He wondered if his concern was out of precaution of what she might spontaneously do, since she seemed to have gone out of control these days without any constant direction, or if it was pure curiosity that had begun to center on her.


    ¡°Thank you mummy, for your leniency today. I will never forget this grace. Dalton, I would see youter,¡± Aria smiled so cutely to him and blew an air kiss, to everyone¡¯s further bewilderment.


    She strutted down the stairs with her loud heels matching smoothly against the floor, as she could feel everyone¡¯s eyes trailing behind her as she walked. Feeling so proud of herself, she went straight to the underground parking lot where she was about to im her possession back.


    Even if she had been presented with a Bentley by Mr. Mark Miller after her wedding with Dalton, the car had remained newly parked amongst many others for many months.


    There were just too many cars in the lot, that were mostly for disy since no one used them so often. She told the parking lot manager to fuel the car and run a test on it, while she waltzed away from the sight of the cameras in the lot, to swallow a handful of pills that were from the container inside her bag.


    Aria zoomed away from the mansion after the car was functioning perfectly, as she drove so fast like she was in a fast and furious race. She wished she could still see the stupid and dumb looks they would have on their faces, when she had acted so unexpectedly in that way. Especially to Dalton.


    She also loved the feeling of driving down the road away from the choking mansion that held so many pains and anger attached to her marriage.


    ¡®Who knew happiness coulde from leaving your own abode for peace?¡¯


    ~`??`??`~


    The olddy¡¯s face brightened up in mild surprise, when she saw who had entered the office after they knocked. She couldn¡¯t hide her smile as she stood up immediately to wee her guest, whom she would have never thought she would have seen anytime soon, as it had been a very long time.


    ¡°Wee, child,¡± she urged excitedly, pulling out the upholstery chair for her to sit, ¡°The children missed and asked about you everytime. It was hard to keep persuading them you woulde soon. How have you been?¡±


    ¡°Life has been a rollercoaster. Seeing much worse than I had ever expected to happen. It takes a crazy turn!¡±


    ¡°Is it anything you want to talk about? Are you okay?¡± The nun asked with some much concern scribbled evidently on her face, knowing fully well that she would definitely not get an answer to her questions.


    The two talked for hours and toured round the big building to see the new infrastructures, and how nicely it had developed over the years by good samaritans. There were so many children ying and running around the huge field, forgetting the pains they really could never hold on to.


    ~?~?~


    Aria had swerved her car into the underground lot of the high ss shopping mall, as she made an entrance into the huge building that screamed wealth.


    From session to session she waltzed around, checking out everything she had in mind to purchase. The first step was to change the arrangement andbination of tacky in clothes that had been ced in her dressing room.


    She bought from row to row, top notch designer clothes and essories ranging from luxurious low cut dresses, coats, shirts and pants to bags, shoes and pearled jewelries.N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content.


    She got her hair done to a perfect styling that made her look like a model from a magazine, and also got her hand and toes nails done to match.


    From another session for beauty, she bought expensive body and facial skin care, cologne that matched her taste, cosmetics products of the highest quality, and so many needs that kept urring as she moved around.


    After the end of buying everything she needed, Aria had her goods taken to her car as she began to think of the next ce to go.


    ¡®Maybe she¡¯d purchase a building with the ck card she had stolen earlier that morning, or even buy a mall and have everything she was all to herself. What about acquiring a huge gym for herself, that she would probably call RIA GYM without anyone getting to find out?¡¯


    They were all funny thoughts that kept popping in her head to make her chuckle, as the thought of acquiring everything she wanted in a few switches was so good to know. Her body soon felt sore from stressing out, as she stretched times without number in the car, after she shut the door by the driver¡¯s seat.


    ¡®Just the perfect idea,¡¯ she thought, and got her phone to make reservations for an afternoon spa treatment.


    She was going to make sure to eat her fill in at a five star restaurant before the time for her massage, where no one would condemn the way she ate, orin that her breaths were too loud. It would just be her alone in her own personal world, where no one cared enough to watch with maliciousness.


    ¡®And just wait till the time she is ready for the Millers.¡¯

 Trailing her

    Stacks of photosid on the office table where Dalton sat behind, in which he seemed not to mind as he checked out some business proposals on the tablet he was holding.


    He wanted to act like he didn¡¯t even care at all about it, but it was almost too impossible to ignore because he did really feel bothered.


    ¡°Mrs. Miller had traveled long miles to an orphanage today. She did nothing much but tour around and had a talk with the manager there, spending approximately an hour and half,¡± Alex reported. That has been his new job for like couples of days watching Aria, and he totally hated it.


    Dalton¡¯s gaze fell on the photos which had Aria in every one of them, dressed in the same outfit at different locations and time. She looked so alluring even from the pictures, that it felt like she had not always been that radiating until now.


    No one noticed the sick clothes she wore in the past and boring aura she gave, but could definitely not help but take another nce at her state of entirety.


    ¡°She proceeded to the mall with a ck card, bought a lot of goods and spent approximately¡­¡±


    ¡°Anything out of the ordinary?¡± He asked grumpily.


    It was irritating to hear Alex drag out the reports, by telling him everything that had happened in perfect order. Knowing Aria didn¡¯t have anything sneaky up to her sleeves, was a way to get rid of the unnecessary bother he suddenly developed.


    ¡°No, sir. Not at all,¡± he answered immediately.


    Alex really hoped Dalton would not ask him questions like, where Aria had seen the ck card she used at the mall to purchase the countless luxurious items that were packaged. His boss sometimes asked stupid and already known questions, just to frustrate his thinking and his efficiency as a capable assistant.


    Alex further dropped two photos that had the image of a girl in both, who sat in the park as she smiled happily in the pictures, ¡°This is one of the children that lives at the orphanage. Her name is Anna, and I think Mrs. Miller is more involved with her. She has a pulmonary disease,¡± He exined.


    ¡°You think?!¡± Dalton questioned, almost yelling with a very pissed off tone.


    Everything that centered around Aria seemed to stress him more than usual these days.


    ¡°She has a connection. Sir. We will get more information about that.


    ~-?-~ ~-?-~


    Sipping gently on her the iced coffee she had ordered from the counter, Aria watched the outside view of the cafe she was sitting in through the translucent ss walls. Her right hand instinctively dropped the cup of iced coffee, when she heard her phone ringing from the bag she put on the empty chair opposite her.


    Her mood switched abruptly immediately she brought out the phone from the bag, and saw the name of the person that was disyed as the caller. It was so infuriating for her to see him call her phone again, after she had put him on voicemail for longer than she could even remember.


    ¡®What could he want to say now? Shamelessly demean his daughter? She could make sure to serve him his piece of cake so clean cut.¡¯


    She wanted to block his number to put an end to his influence on her mood for good, but had a change of mind just at the moment to do something satisfying.


    On picking the call, she ced it inches away from her ear on the farthest part of the table, in case he yelled first before he would rant noisily. Prevention was better than cure.


    ¡°Are you out of your mind? Have you been ghosting and ignoring me for days now? What was all that news about you requesting for a divorce without informing me? Do you know who you are ying with, Aria?!¡± He went on and on in fury, ready to tear Aria into pieces with his words like he had always done. He couldn¡¯t not believe where she had the nerves to even do that.


    Ignore him?


    ¡°I guess your source would have informed you about thetter too. And why are you so worked up about my divorce? Are you the one that is married?¡± She sassed irritatedly, as she picked up her phone from the table and brought it close to her ear, so as not to distract the people that were around her too.


    Her eyes watched her beautifully polished nails in admiration as she smirked, leaving Mr. Hamilton in a state of shock. He almost gasped when he heard her manner of speaking, as he checked the phone caller again to be sure if he was really talking to Aria.


    She could feel that he wasn¡¯t even breathing normally because of his worked up situation, which made her so d that she had made him dumbstruck to words.


    ¡°Do you know who you are talking to? Have you lost your mind, you stupid brat?!¡± He yelled, making her squint slightly to the left because of the sudden loudness of his voice.


    She took the phone away from her ear again and hissed, as she returned back to the initial position and used an earpod instead.


    ¡°Save your tears for another day, Mr. Hamilton. I do not have a stinky ass father, who uses his daughter for his own greedy gains. And from now henceforth, delete my name from your mouth. I¡¯ll meet you in jail!¡± She hit hard against him, words that was most polite to use.


    ¡°You must be drunk! Bitch. You have forgotten who your father is. You would not dare speak to me like¡­..¡±


    ¡°I would appreciate it if you never called ever again, else, I am suing for child trafficking, child vition right and harm to mental health of me!¡± she cut into his words, and ended the call immediately.


    She immediately blocked his phone number in every way, from being unable to call or even text her. He had done too much already.N?velDrama.Org exclusive content.


    Mr. Hamilton had always been a possessive and controlling father in Aria¡¯s life, ever since she had grown in her teenage years as a young child.


    Knowing fully well that he could get her to do anything because of her soft heart, he isted her from meeting friends by homeschooling and taking online courses.


    Once she was of age, he always tried to set her up with wealthy men, or mafias who could pay the price well for getting married to her beautiful and pure self.


    She had never disobeyed what he wanted, because doing that would only call on trouble for her which was never the solution. He had her movements restricted and her entire life monitored, making the youngdy confined to a limited opening about the world.


    And just one day out of the blues without prior notice, he handed her over to Mr. Mark Miller who was very interested in her humbleness and dignified behavior. The old billionaire believed that a young and beautiful soul like herself, would be the perfect cate for his tyrant and arrogant grandson.


    In his own opinion, she was going to be better than the spoiled and potential elite daughters, who were mostly being pushed for their parents¡¯ desires or theirs.


    That was also when he made a contract personally for Dalton that if he could stay in the marriage for three years, he would give to him every one of his left possessions to make him acquire the greatest height ever gained.


    The old man believed that was enough time for him to get to know her true nature, and fall in love with her gentle character and good person nature.


    Despite Aria¡¯s pleas not to get into a loveless marriage, and considering the fact that she was already in love with someone else, her father had arrogantly pushed her into marriage and threatened to break her, if she ruined his ns of bing a wealthy inw.


    When the marriage became hard and dreadful for her in the first months of living in the mansion, she told him about how terrifying the experience was which even resulted into a more emotional drain from her father.


    He had cursed and med her for being an irresponsible and dull-spirited wife, when she could let go of the boring and tactless way of life.


    ¡°I would hate you too, if my daughter-inw acted that way,¡± he had taunted her painfully.


    She could not even imagine how others would treat her well and love her, if her own father never even did wholeheartedly and just treated her as an object.


    She certainly was thinking of paying him back bitterly in his own coins, but not until after she was done making Dalton, Mrs. Eleanor and her daughters, miserable.


    The first step was to shake the best reputation they have built for years, which would require so many variables put in ce to make a perfect puzzle.


    It was never going to be easy at all because the Millers could easily control the media, without having to bat an eysh.


    She needed better strategies to carry out her ns that were still in thought but before that, she nned to drive Dalton mad and crazy enough to want to divorce her so much. Then she would reject his offer to divorce finally, and drain the life out of everyone.

 Stiff as unexpected

    Aria had gotten home before dinner but skipped eating, while she took her time to arrange everything she had bought from the store.


    It was an extra job for her because she had forgotten that her room was now up the stairs, as she had to move everything from the hallway where the maids had dropped them for her.


    She shut and locked the door behind, the moment she moved in thest package bag, and immediately slumped on the huge bed as she heaved a sign of good relief.


    The ck bag she carried to the mall that was on the other side of the bed, caught her attention as she stretched her left hand to drag it over to her side. Her fingers zipped open the bag, and brought out the ck card that she had used to purchase every single thing she bought.


    Considering how the condition of her official bank ounts were like twenty four hours ago, she would have never had the opportunity to shop as much as she did, because even the credit cards that were given to her by Dalton¡¯s grandfather, alongside hers, had been frozen on orders.


    That was the first sign that determined that her life was going to be difficult, the third week she began living in the mansion.


    The little show that she had put on beside Dalton earlier that morning, had given her a good joy the moment she had caught a glimpse of the ck card in Dalton¡¯s suit pocket. Tactically, while trying to act all cute with him in front of everyone, she had slipped her hand into his pocket and picked it into her bag.


    Aria didn¡¯t care about the consequence or what would happen afterwards, as ways to aggravate and defy him to defiance was all she began to seek.


    She had even expected him to have his men bundle her back to the house, the moment he noticed something had gone wrong with the card. Definitely, she was still waiting for him toe unto her.


    Feeling she needed a natural form of soothing, Aria made her way to the indoor pool that was at the third wing of the mansion. It was somewhere in the house she had also never really been, but only seen from a fair distance in the few times she was opportune to cross her boundaries.


    Though indoor, the pool was built in such a manner that it acted like an extension from part of the main house, and was surrounded by ss and covered in a transparent shield. It was built in an atypical style that was beautifully aesthetic, and surely matched the luxurious feeling it seeped out.


    Just as she climbed down the stairs on leaving her room in her ck bathrobe, someone had made their way elegantly into the house like she was one of the members of the family.


    .. And it was definitely someone she knew she really didn¡¯t like seeing at all, for reasons she couldn¡¯t understand even if she was meant to be her relieving way to marriage peace. Hailey McCarthy.


    She had been one of the reasons, no, in fact the main reasons for Eleanor Miller¡¯s heartlessness against her existence in the house. The fact that she was finally back in the country and would be a frequent face in the house, meant war between her and everyone that would try to trample on her.


    It was going to be a fight of one against five, or maybe four because no matter what had ever happened in the house, Emma Miller had never done any bad to her before. The first two sisters all had their different ways of living, and visiting the mansion that had caused her harm in one way or the other.


    Eva Miller the eldest child and daughter of the father rarely stayed at home, that she just silently abetted and aided the torture even if she was home. She ran the ML art gallery that belonged to the family as her own, and that was a responsibility resting on her shoulders.


    Her face was always emotionless and she never really smiled like her brother, but she rarely raised her voice often for any unreasonable reason. Notwithstanding, she wasn¡¯t really the liked type because of her creepiness and icy demeanor.


    Ellen the second daughter never wasted any slightest opportunity to humiliate or degrade her, anytime there was anything that happened in the mansion. She was evidently her mother¡¯s younger version that acted all good and selfless on the inte, but was the real thorn in the flesh in the house.


    She was rude and so contemptible that even the maids really disliked her, especially that she always loitered around the mansion like a pest without anything to do. Her job as an influencer was more than enough for her, as she got paid from differentpanies and organizations for advertisements in huge bills.


    Emma, who was most graceful in her doings, never spent much time around them despite being the youngest. She was either on a friend¡¯s trip touring around, or learning any new skill that she took interest in again.


    She never really had anything in particr that she was ever passionate about, and just lived as the luckyst child of an elite family.


    The knowledge of Hailey being in the house didn¡¯t really feel good with her, and in less than half an hour Aria was already on a car race out of the house. There was no reason to be in an environment that showed nothing but hostility for her existence.


    ~`?`~`?`~ ~¡°?¡°~ ~`?`~`?`~


    ¡°Sir¡­ I think, you should see this,¡±


    Dalton¡¯s eyes almost gouged out, when he saw the video Alex had disyed on his table for him to watch.


    It was the one of Aria swimming in arge pool that was flocked around by guys in skimpy swimming shorts, all with bare open chest of rippling muscles. She wasughing so happily in the video like someone who had no one to look back to, which made Dalton almost lose his mind at what he was seeing.


    ¡°Get my phone right now!¡± He ordered Alex furiously, as he drove a balled fist into the table that he was sitting behind.


    ¡®She had totally gone crazy. So because he had refused to divorce her, she had decided to act up and y around like someone who wasn¡¯t married? She was married to a respectable home of high ss people, but yet she sought to mess around with random people of no ss!¡¯


    Aria, who was enjoying the soothed feeling of her body in therge body of water, was oblivious to the fact that her phone had rang so many times without a number where she put it. To make things even less believable, she had put her phone on voicemail since no one called her much anyways.


    She felt more alive in a while as the humorous guys that were also in the pool with her, tried to gain the attention of the beautifuldy who seemed to just be in the mood for only jokes. If they had by chance known whom they were flirting with, the thought of it alone would have made their blood freeze.


    Suddenly, the pool area that was filled with people a few minutes ago, almost emptied immediately leaving Aria and the three other guys unaware of what was happening. Some men with broad wide shoulders and extremely fit bodies with arms to the side, matched towards the pool and quickly whisked the three half naked men out of it.


    The three men were protesting strongly against the way they were being handled, and demanded to know who the guards were to be treating them in such a manner. The guards made them kneel painfully in front of Dalton, who casted a wicked and condescending look at the men that were before him.


    ¡°Do you know the status of thedy whom you are flirting with?!¡± Dalton demanded, with a calm voice that sounded so


    harmless like it wasn¡¯t imposing a threat.


    The first guy whose name was Raymond raised his eyes to meet who was talking to them, as he almost began to wet his pants at the thought of what could happen.


    How would he have expected such a gorgeous and exciting being, to be someone who was acquainted with Dalton Miller enough for him to sound so angry?


    He began to plead for his life, alongside the others who had caught on what was happening.


    They were sure he wasn¡¯t one of Miller¡¯s daughters, and she could definitely not be a cousin or something. Could she be?¡­.


    Aria was really concerned of what would happen to the guys, and began to me herself painfully for including them in her own fun. She hoped Dalton would be lenient in whatever he was nning in his heart, because the look he was wearing on his face looked ruthless and merciless. It was a dangerous one.


    She could not just understand why Dalton had been on her mattertely, while acting so dumb and irrational just because she had demanded for a divorce.


    ¡®They were not even real couples to begin with, so why was he trailing her around and minding whoever she met with?¡¯


    The body guards carried the guys away abruptly and roughly, with Micheal who followed after them leaving only Dalton and Aria in the pool area. The ce was dead silent with no one around, that one could probably hear the drop of a pin.


    It was as if the silence intensified the


    coldness of the water that she was still in.


    She could suddenly feel the breeze that swirled cold air around, as it wallowed into the tiny pores of her skin, as it also settled in anxiety in her upper body that was an eyesight for Dalton to see.


    Her mind was wondering what he was going to do to her, at the manner at which he gazed emotionlessly at her from where he stood. But, she worried more for those men.


    Dalton was heartless.


    Quickly, she leaped out of the cold pool and picked a soft and white towel from one of the chairs there, as she used it to wipe every dripping part of her body that aided the cold she was feeling. She turned and proceeded to tie the bathrobe that was next to her, while acting like she hadn¡¯t even noticed his presence at all.


    Without any expectations of what he did next, she felt his strong arms grip around her arm and turned her to him swiftly, as they faced one another on a close level that made her body cringe. She really seemed to hate his touch these days.


    Dalton Miller was a man that did not have much interest in women generally, or even engaged in sexual intimacies with just anyone in a very long time. He lived more like a principled young man and followed his moral values, without bending them for whatever advancements women threw at him for their own desires.


    He wasn¡¯t intrigued by their moves and scheming skills to get to him, nor did he bat an eye to women of high family ss of wealth.


    They all wanted him and his power for themselves and did everything in their power to please him, but there was just one who had gotten through him in whatever means, and even dared mess up with him. With his mind, thinking and schedules!


    Looking at Aria in a ck bikini that clung tightly to every corner of her body, made Dalton¡¯s blood race for a few seconds. He wondered why she had started to rouse desires in him, and spected it could be the fact that he had never seen her in that way before.


    Wet and dripping gusts of pool water that had drenched her body, and allowed the sexy state of her body visible.N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content.


    The thought of those men lusting after her hot body, made his fist tighten in anger that he could feel his head spin. He hated that she messed with him and dared to go around, putting off her marital status and acting however she liked, without considering the family she was even married to.


    Aria stared at him in a cold and unfriendly manner, as she felt so riled by everything that was happening. The fact that they would not give her peace and respect, and still monitor her life closely was disgusting. She couldn¡¯t even breathe the way she wanted.


    ¡°Why do you dare me?¡± He asked in a strangely calm tone, that almost made her barf at the question he was asking.


    ¡®Could having fun be regarded as being daring? Such a foolish question!¡¯ she rolled her eyes.


    ¡°Dare you? Are you ying the role of a husband, to someone you are so much repulsed by, now?¡± She uttered sarcastically, and rolled her eyes at him again and again. The thought of everything he was doing and even the questions he was asking her, had started to really infuriate her.


    ¡®Should she just poison everyone to death so they could all rest in peace?¡¯


    ¡°A husband, hunh,¡± he cocked an eyebrow and suddenly smirked, as he pushed her so fast against the moderately heated wall that was nearest.


    The closeness between them was so suffocating, and her body was sandwiched between the cold wall and the hot body of a man she really detested. In an attempt to push him to the back forcefully, he grabbed her both arms tightly and did the unexpected.


    His warm hand crawled across her cold and pale skin, which he would have expected to ignite a tingling sensation in her. He brushed his lips slightly against the skin of her cor bone, and then trailed on it softly on the sensitive line of her neck.


    Slowly, he pressed his lips against her earlobe, with his hot tongue teasing torturously a part of it. He couldn¡¯t really figure out why he was doing that, but he seemed to be pissed that he had no effect on her.


    His touch and move couldn¡¯t be that ineffective right?


    He was Dalton Miller and he was perfectly wless in every of his doings, however, this tough skinned witch of his wife seemed to be proving stubborn. She didn¡¯t even seem moved by what he was doing, that made him more keen to doing what he rarely did. Her body was so stiff like she had no blood flowing through her.


    ¡®Whatdy would be like that? How would he have known all these years that even the wife he was married to, seemed not to respond to sensual touches the way others should. Damn it!¡¯


    His eyes further looked temptingly at her rosy lips with his thumb hovering around it, which was so unattractive because she seemed to hold a very big frown on her face for what he was doing. Not wanting to take it to thest stage, he couldn¡¯t help but see how she would react if he did. And he did.


    He took her lips into his so abruptly without any warning, that the shock was more than just an unexpected action.


    It was beyond said words and immediate action for her, because she hated the feeling of him kissing her without permission!


    ¡®How dare he?!¡¯

 Totally gone crazy

    ¡®He is deceptive. He is maniptive,¡¯ her mind mored loudly to her, as she felt his lips take in hers. It was so sudden that she had not enough time to catch her breath, but was so distasteful at the same time that her lips just held stiff.


    ¡®What in the world was he thinking, when he just spontaneously decided to kiss her?


    Aria felt his grasp on her waste tighten so hard, as she tried to push him away from holding her the way he was.


    She could barely breathe, and almost choked with the intensity of the kiss. The manner at which he held her was so vigorous, that she imagined herself copsing from faint as her head spun.


    Her knee made its way to his crotch, as she hit with strength and jerked free from him almost immediately. His pain sank deep into him, and he wondered how her kick could weigh that much.


    ¡°What are you doing?!¡± She yelled, staring at him with so much anger. Her eyes looked so fiery and ring, that it could burn directly through him if they were beamsers.


    He watched her rant so angrily before him, and was amazed at how disgusted she looked because he had just kissed her. He could not imagine that she would be that unresponsive to his kiss, that many women would beg to share with him.


    ¡®Was kissing him that repulsive? No woman would ever treat him with such disdain. She¡¯s got some dangerous nerves.¡¯


    ¡°We are doing exactly what you told everyone,¡± he smoothly said, with a mischievous glint dancing through his eyes.


    The exact words she had mentioned to everyone about them kissing, and the manner at which she said it yed vividly in his head at that point.


    ¡°You are so despicable and maniptive, Dalton,¡± she uttered almost immediately without much thinking. She couldn¡¯t believe how pompous he looked, especially in the way at which he grinned at her.


    ¡°Do that again, and have me crush them finally,¡± she sneered at him, and trailed her eyes to his crotch area to tell him what she was talking about. He didn¡¯t even seem to be bothered by her threat.


    As if that was not enough to make her anger subside, she impulsively darted towards and immediately took him unaware, and pushed him with a great force towards the direction of the pool. It was a back and forward reflex action just to scare him, that required so much energy from her to prevent him from really falling to the back.


    Dalton experienced an intense fear for the first time in a long while, for a push prank that no one could dare y on him. His eyes looked so calm like they did not care what was going to happen next, but his heart telepathically feared that she should hold on to his shirt so tightly and not let go of him into the pool.


    ¡°I would let you fall into the water next time, if you touch your lips with mine!¡± She warned fearlessly, ¡°And also if you keep being lenient with me without divorcing me, then I would just have to kill you and myself too,¡± she said, and dragged his body forward and back to steadiness.


    ¡®This woman has finally gone crazy. She has finally lost her mind!¡¯


    Aria had gotten dressed a few minutester and walked to the parking lot to leave in her car, when Alex politely stopped her and informed her of Dalton¡¯s message, ¡°Mr. Miller told us to escort you home.¡±


    The bright look she had on her face vanishedpletely, as she pretended not to hear what he had just told her. She just ignored what he had said to her, and entered her car immediately.


    ¡®Pretending to care after the prank that she had just pulled on him? Huff! It¡¯s like a ram being led to ughter!¡¯


    The sturdy guards that were ck suits matched in an organized manner, and quickly arranged themselves in front and at the back of her car in a horizontal line.


    They had stood as a barricade against her driving the car, that meant no resort to move anymore unless they shifted away from the drivingne. She knew it was useless trying to start the car, because they would not allow her to move no matter how hard she tried.


    Dalton strutted to the scene so proudly with his head high, as his left hand was tucked neatly into his pants pocket as usual. The look he had on his face did not please Aria at all, he looked like someone who was going to decapitate her any minute.


    She had really crossed the line gap between them so many times, for if he decided anything be done to her it was possible. Still, she didn¡¯t care. Her heart was so hardened that it would do whatever it pleased, even if it meant Dalton harming her so badly.


    She knew what he was capable of doing, and yet he was doing nothing to her. It really got her wondering.


    Not wanting to sumb to his annoying orders of following his stupid men, she picked her bag and slipper and came down from the car. If she really had a way to do however she liked, she would have had Alex flogged for his inflexibility to do whatever Dalton wanted. Especially to frustrate her.


    ¡°Bring my car home by whatever means,¡± she instructed Alex sternly and walked past Dalton, pretending not to see him standing at all.


    She would rather walk all the way home or get a cab, than take the car that had Dalton¡¯s men riding in with her. He had really put her so low than even their stupid servants.


    Unexpectedly, another thought just crossed Aria¡¯s mind as she grinned maliciously, and turned back to walk to where she packed the car. She opened the door and hopped into the car, with guards and Alex watched in uncertainty of what she was nning to do.Content is ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    She ignited the car and pressed on the brakes, as she reversed the car and headed straight and fast, towards the direction where the guards that stood at the front of her car were. They looked somewhat calm and professional like they didn¡¯t mind, if she nned to break their legs at the manner at which she drove crazily, and had halted the car right before their knees.


    ¡°Hmnnn, nice job. What loyal men you guys are,¡± she grinned, and made the same move towards the back again, and drove faster this time and back to the front.


    It continued in the same backward and forward motion for about a minute, in a really rough and crazy manner. The guards were already kind of getting insecure in their minds that Dalton¡¯s wife, could rob them of their limbs anytime soon. She was driving insanely.


    Suddenly, the car made a 180? swerve and sped out of the square barricade the guards made, knocking off thest man that was standing at the back, and headed straight and fast towards Dalton¡¯s direction.


    Anxiety and fear swept Alex as he watched the car wheels, that he totally believed in his head that Dalton¡¯s wife had really lost her mind. She pulled the car gear to stop about three inches away from Dalton¡¯s legs, and smirked at him when he seemed not to really flinch. The guards had already ran after the car so fast, when they saw the fast move that Aria¡¯s car had made towards their boss.


    ¡°I love your courage, boy. See yah home, Dalton,¡± she screamed from the car and drove the car backward with a fast motion, and away from the nightclub building immediately.


    It was just twenty three minutes past one in the morning, and the city looked so lively and bubbly like it was day time. The thought of what might happen after the stunt that she had just pulled out there crossed her mind, but it didn¡¯t matter because she was just starting the game.


    Aria had gotten to the mansion minutester after she had to horn so much at the mansion gate, before the control room controlled the opening of the gate from inside. Immediately she went up to her room to change the clothes she was wearing, and headed straight to the extremelyrge kitchen.


    She opened therge industrial refrigerator and brought out a frozen whole-chicken from it, as she nned to make grilled chicken out of it by herself. After opening so many drawers and cabs in confusion of what was in them, she finally found the right equipment she needed to make the chicken.


    Just as she could recall from the cooking sses she had once taken, Aria followed the procedures she remembered in her head for an even seasoning, andstly ced the chicken into the oven to grill.


    She sat on one of the luxurious kitchen chairs that was tucked under the beautiful table, where her hand could easily touch one of the many huge chandeliers that hung and shone brightly above the table.


    The reflected brightly on the white


    porcin that she had put on the table, as she slowly munched on the fruit pte she had made minutes ago. Her eyes grazed slowly round the beautiful interior designs of the ultra-luxurious kitchen, when she suddenly remembered something and instantly made her way out of the kitchen to her room.


    ¡°It is not toote to call now, right?¡± Aria said to the speaker on the other side of the phone, and slowly made her way into the dressing room as she talked.


    Dalton entered into the mansion at a muchter hour, which was almost the first of its kind in a very long time. It was because of someone again. He was about to make his way up the stairs, when he sensed something nauseating which made him pause on his steps.


    Alex, who could perceive the smell, ran as fast as he could to the kitchen direction, to locate what had caused unpleasantry into the atmosphere of the mansion. Therge space was covered in a thick and cloudy smoke that was suffocating, and too opaque to see through. Someone had left a chicken unattended to.


    ¡°Who amongst you wanted to kill everyone in the house?!¡± Ellen¡¯s raging voice demanded, as she had gathered the maids in charge of the kitchen by dawn, almost an hour after Alex had put off the oven.


    They all stared at the chicken which was burnt beyond recognition, on the pan thatid on the kitchen b. The maids all looked anxious and confused because they could never predict what Ellen could do next, especially for the fact that no one was admitting the allegation that had been put against them. Her anger was so capricious and spontaneous, that they knew they were definitely going to suffer for it.


    Aria, who was oblivious of the havoc she had caused, woke upter in the morning and went straight to the ss balcony to sit, while holding in her hand a cup of hot coffee. Her heart felt heavier than ever, as she thought of the call that she had made the previous night.

 Realizing her hard past

    Here are the records of phone calls and every conversation that had ensued in her text messages too, ¡°Alex said, and dropped a file of extremely light weight on Dalton¡¯s study desk.Content is ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Just three papers?¡± He asked coldly, as he flipped the sheets again and again.


    He couldn¡¯t believe that she had made that little of calls, in two years of living with them and using the phone line he had Alex monitor.


    ¡®Even if one¡¯s life was so boring and miserable, it shouldn¡¯t be as meaningless and nk as darkness. Didn¡¯t she have anyone she called?¡¯


    ¡°Yes sir. She had made little or no calls in the past, and a little more in thest weeks. The most significant ones and most urrences are ones with her father,¡± Alex exined, flipping to the second piece of printed paper to show him some highlighted sentences and lines.


    ¡°There is surely more to this. She would have contacted more people in the past without any doubt, and you are saying this is all that has been said in over 940 days that have been spent in this house? Is that even possible?!¡± Dalton half-yelled, without expressing too much anger in his voice.


    He could not understand why his assistant had beencking in information, especially when it came to finding out about Aria, which he hated.


    ¡°Did you check the calls and time ovep from when her drastic change was palpable?¡±


    ¡°Yes sir. We will find out more about every hidden conversation that has been encrypted too. We would run a voice search on every calls that had been made in the past¡­..¡±


    ¡°That would take too long,¡± Dalton¡¯s rude voice cut in. Patience to things was not his forte by the slightest, ¡°I need results before the end of today!¡± he ordered.


    ¡°Yes sir,¡± Alex responded immediately and stood there still. He was really thankful in his heart that he didn¡¯t have to go through such nerve wrecking stress, of trying to figure out Aria¡¯s past phone conversations by doing a voice search.


    ¡®How would he tell Dalton that they might still end up bringing the same results, because the tests they had ran at first were so urate? They made sure to get to the deep roots of every of her text message exchanges, and everywork ess that was connected to her phone. They literally found nothing much. It was as though a ghost owned the phone.¡¯


    ¡°Are you still standing?!¡± He snapped harshly, making Alexe back to reality from his mind that was deep lost in thoughts.


    He bowed respectfully and picked some important files from the tables, and proceeded towards the door when he heard Dalton give one of his endless orders again, ¡°Book an appointment with a well renowned psychiatrist. Someone needs a mental check.¡±


    Dalton picked the pieces of lifeless papers that were lying helplessly on his desk, as he rumpled them with so much anger that his veins popped out, and threw it in the air to any direction across the room.


    In his usual morning routine of choosing the outfit for the work day by himself, he stood up and walked into his dressing room that was at the farthest part of the room.


    He could really not still get over the prank that Aria had yed on him, and how she managed to hold him steady without faltering.


    To make his worry even more severe to disturb, he had not seen her that morning since she almost burned the house down. It was as if she was on a death mission for everyone.


    Hearing when his mother had told the maids to go bundle her out of the room when she watched the footage of who grilled the chicken, he began to remember the several orders he had heard too in the past that were meant to punish her.


    He had turned blind eye and deaf ears to everything they did to her, like it wasn¡¯t his duty to even protect her as a wife.


    However, she had disappointed them all by not opening the door to anyone no matter how many times they knocked. They wouldn¡¯t even have stressed that much, if they knew that she was not actually in the room.


    She had gone to the huge library that was located somewhere in the house, for a quench of her desire to practice art for a long time.


    Loneliness does bring out things one least expects.


    She never even knew that the mansion had one, until she had heard one of the cleaning maids speak of it and she asked her where it was located.


    ¡®How would she have known? When they never took her tour round the house. She had never even seen the depths of the gigantic house, which got her determined to know the nooks and cranny of everywhere now.¡¯


    Aria found the floor stairs that led to the library after following behind a maid that morning, and made her way into therge space without anyone¡¯s knowledge. Her eyes glinted in admiration of how the library was built, as it trailed across every corner of how magnificent the room was.


    The manner at which the books were arranged on the shelves, looked like a circr dark hole that insignificantly reduced its diameter by space from the ceiling to the floor.


    Right in front of the shelves was a revolvingdder touching from the ceiling to inches above the floor, that could move anyone to any section of book types they like easily.


    In the middle of the room was a luxuriousfy chair and table that wasced with few books, and surrounded by different art materials thatid on the floor. There were stacks of canvas and new packs of paints on the floor, which got her wondering of what purpose those things there were.


    ¡®Who in this house reads all this?¡¯ she wondered, because no one seemed to visit the library, yet it was kept extremely clean and well aerated so that the books would never rot.


    ¡°Well they are all dull bunch of nitwits, who all had a liking for torturing an unwanted family member,¡± she murmured and huffed, ¡°Never would there be a head that likes stuff like this in that family. Just a waste of national treasure for a fake exhibition,¡± she hissed.


    ~??~??~ ~??~??~


    Dalton had stood in front of his dresser to attach his cufflinks to the white shirt that he was wearing, when the crumpled paper which was condemned to the room¡¯s corner caught his eyes. The big white crumpled ball looked like a trampled rose that was begging to be picked up.


    For some reason that caught up with curiosity, he walked over to the corner where the paperid to pick it up. He unwrapped it rapidly, wanting to even see the contents on the white piece that he had not read initially.


    With his eyes reading every letter that was in the paper, he noticed that someone had done all the calling and there was always a short reply for long said words.


    Caller: ¡°Daddy, please get me out of here. They don¡¯t like me. None of the people in this family like me as the wife. Even Dalton does not like me at all,¡± her voice broke in stifled and painful sobs, with her heart in so much pain.


    ¡°No one would care if anything happened to me. Dad, please just revoke the contract and let me juste back home. I promise I will be a better and much capable wife, but not to the Millers,¡± she pleaded.


    Receiver: ¡°I have said not to call me for such issues anymore! If I had a boring daughter-inw like you too, I would hate her! I¡¯m hanging up!¡± He snapped.


    Another day¡­.


    Caller: ¡°Dad, how could you note see me when you heard that, I had tripped on the stairs and broke my ribs and right arm. You did not even call when I almost died from poisoning too. I swear they hate me so much, dad.¡± She cried.


    ¡°Someone is trying to kill me out of whatever grudges they have. I know it. Nobody believes me and even mes me for everything that has happened. They me me for being too dumb,¡± she stated bitterly.


    Receiver: ¡°Try to be a better wife. It is always like that from the first time when rich people have a new person join their fam¡­¡±


    Caller: ¡°It is not about that daddy. They just detest me so much. I was even locked in the¡­..¡±


    Receiver: ¡°Aria! All this would notst too long before it gets better. ¡°Try to make a change too! And do not ever call me about this issue anymore!¡±


    So many phone conversations of the same sort with her father, was what Dalton had read while realizing that she only spoke with her nonchnt dad on phone. She had no one to call except him.


    He began to feel within him some sought of heart constrict, that felt like something was stinging in random ces of his inner self.


    ¡°So a father can be this heartless,¡± he muttered, as he knitted his eyebrow in disgust.


    He disposed of the paper appropriately this time, by dropping it into a paper shredding machine that was positioned right at the door to his study room.


    Still, something didn¡¯t feel right. He had read thest sentence and could sense so much hatred, in the way she had caught off her father in their veryst conversation which was days ago.


    ¡®How could she develop so much hatred for everyone just like that, and be indifferent towards everything?¡¯


    Aria, who was putting her skills into action after a long hiatus, sat in front of an unfinished painting and swirled her brush gracefully on the canvas. There was a beautiful ray of sunlight that shone on her gorgeous face, from the tiny window which was close to the ceiling that had not been opened for months.


    With so much interest and delight, her eyes glimmered brightly as she painted over and over again the fifth piece that she was painting.


    It was a new practice for her to start painting again after a short while, as she dumped the ones that were not to her satisfaction. While she painted nonstop without minding any other thing, she had no idea that someone was in a search for her.

 Seeing a new side

    ¡°Mother, why are you watching that daughter of a bitch mess around, to the extent of having the maids gossiping around that you have lost your leash on her? What is happening to the great Mrs. Eleanor Miller that I know. That we know?¡± Ellen, who was sitting on the sofa that faced the one her mother was sitting on, asked her with a straight face.


    She was never the type to be with anyone in her family for over twenty minutes without any reasons, because she was always going through her social media pages and checking tabs on her new followers and fans.


    The inte life had so much absorbed much of her life and time, that she didn¡¯t know how to do more than that and to party too. If they were going to talk about the family social butterfly too, it was definitely Ellen.


    It wasn¡¯t just the typical day social butterfly that everyone knew, but she was the queen of clubs at night when no one would see her.


    She was always dressed in costume whenever she stormed the clubs, so that no one would find out that it was she, who was doing the popr pole dance in skimpy and sexy lingeries.


    No one should ever find out that she was high ss Ellen Miller, that was messing around with people at night in clubs.


    ¡°Are you listening to what I am saying? Mother!¡± She asked again, already pissed that her mother seemed to be intentionally ignoring her.


    If Eleanor¡¯s orders in the house were put down and continually defied by Aria, then it meant that she would also have no definite ground in the house.


    Her mother was like the main backbone behind her strength and ill-mannered attitude in the house, that acted as a catalyst by fueling her transferred aggression whenever it was anything rted to Aria.


    ¡®Why would she now choose to be calm all of a sudden, without even asking the maids to forcefully lock Aria up somewhere for their peace? She definitely could not understand what was going on in the house. Why was everyone calm?¡¯


    The old woman who was focused on the old telenov that she was watching from the extremely huge t screen on the wall, picked at intervals, the already cracked nuts that were in a bowl on the table beside her chair, into her mouth.


    She wasn¡¯t ready to give any answer to her daughter, who wouldn¡¯t understand the tight position that she had been put in.


    ¡°Mother!!!!!¡±


    ¡°Can you just get to your own business Ellen, and stop being an irritation right here?!¡± She scolded harshly, to the surprise of her daughter who had not expected that at all. At least, as her most favorite and the mini her.


    ¡°You will get your answers from me, when you get answers from your brother asking him reasons why he has refused to divorce her. Reasons why he has refused to let go of that witch, even when she demanded for a divorce by herself.¡±


    ¡°That is probably because he does not want to be, the one, to break the contract,¡± Ellen uttered slowly, as she looked up to the ceiling while pondering about what her mother had just asked her about. She really never did much thinking anyways, so that had never been hers to think or worry about.Content is property of N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Quit the spections and try to know the facts! Now if my dear daughter would excuse me, I would like to take a nap,¡± she stated and stood up immediately.


    Her long, blue, luxurious velvet dress was dragging behind her at the ck extension, as she made her way towards her bed which was at the other side of therge room.


    It had an ornate headboard that was further enhanced withvish draping, nked by wall panels that included generous embellishments of several kinds.


    Beside it was a gilded and ornamented auctioned nightstand, that heldmbs that looked like mini versions of chandeliers of high quality. As splendid as her room looked in the beautiful sight of it, it was nothing aspared to the luxuriousness of Dalton¡¯s room.


    ¡°And tell Hailey toe around and see me. This olddy has missed her,¡± she reminded Ellen, who was still dumbstruck by her mother¡¯s actions.


    **~?~** **~?~**


    He watched her from where he stood without being noticed by her, because he had not worn his cologne that morning before he had left to find her.


    Alex came back to tell him about thirty minutes after he left, that he had booked an appointment with a specialist who was also a psychiatrist. The psychiatrist told Alex that was ready to attend to them, at any point in time they would visit the high ss hospital.


    The Miller¡¯s family status put them beyond every dignified order of things that other normal wealthy people, and most popr celebrities would have to wait for.


    It was mostly for six star rated hotels, restaurants, hospitals and many more social institutions, who would let down their rules and principles for the Miller family even if they weren¡¯t celebrities. Their own world surpassed all of that.


    In Dalton¡¯s normal self, he would have asked Alex to look for Aria when he came back to inform him that the car was ready to leave for work.


    Instead, he decided to search for her himself when no one seemed to have seen her all day, which ended up with Alex telling him where he thinks she had gone when he checked the CCTV footage.


    If he could recollect every event that urred in the mansion well, thest time that someone has been to the mansion¡¯s library was a few months ago, which was Emma.


    She had taken some kind of online painting course with her friend who was keen to it, and ended up getting excess of the things that she needed for it to the library.


    Emma lost interest in it after a few weeks of trials and failures, and just left everything she was trying to learn in the first ce. The next week after she had scrapped every weird and ugly painting she drew, her next tour and vacation was at a new tourist attraction in Miami.


    Since then, the maids assigned to the ce just cleaned and spent hours arranging the numerous unread books in the ce.


    ¡®No one in the house had visited the library after time. So what was she doing in the library so suddenly, after she almost got everyone killed the previous day?¡¯


    All that he had in mind was to storm into the library in his usual impatient manner, and have his men whisk her into the car if she objected to a checkup that morning. The moment he climbed down the stairs he really hated and stepped his right foot into the room, it was as though the coolness of the space calmed his boiling nerves almost immediately.


    His steps were so silent and soundless as he walked to the first shelf of books that was by the door, and moved closer to the doorway where the library really took its form.


    He was absolutely surprised to see a different action being carried out, than the ones he had in mind that she would be doing. Reading a book was the first ultimate thought, or checking around for books that she wanted to read.


    ¡®How would he have known that she could do better than that?¡¯


    Her back was facing the door in the direction at which the chair was ced, and the only thing he could see was an unfinished painting of someone. From the far distance that he watched her paint, he could not see the clear picture of what she was trying tomunicate.


    He instinctively remembered the words of his father when he was still very young, and always followed him to any art exhibition that he was invited to. ¡°These paintingsmunicate what they want you to see, and it is left for you to decipher that yourself. They have feelings and many words to say.¡±


    Even if he had enjoyed going to those exhibitions with his father who told him the meaning to each and every painting they saw, he could never go to an art gallery by himself even when he had grown older, with his father gone.


    That was more like the reason why he didn¡¯t want their family¡¯s art gallery, as one of his own assets in the first ce.


    He did not even have the time to enjoy the weird stuff that wealthy people loved doing, like ying golf, attending piano or music recitals, or even attending the numerous ball parties that he was always invited to


    Everything looked as being unserious and undignified to him, especially the show that wealthy people tried to put on, to make people fear and respect them.


    Dalton Miller didn¡¯t have to do much or say much, but his presencemanded fear and respect. His wealth ordered the power that he exuded.


    His appearance made it so perfect, that one one would even dare. Yet in just a few weeks, a meremoner of a wife, had dared to humiliate and make fun of his orders.


    His touch on her that many females of high ss would beg to have, repulsed her so much to the point of her puking. She dared to steal from him and act however she liked, by ignoring his orders and challenging him at every chance she got.


    He had sworn to teach her a very terrible lesson that she would not forget in a hurry, but there he was standing by the door as silent as possible, so as not to disrupt her of what she was doing.


    It was almost past nine in the morning and he was still in the mansion, when he should be in his office by that time while putting fear in the hearts of his workers. They were those that were working at headpany due to their top-notch rated capabilities and skills, that surpassed by ten folds than any otherpany the Millers owned.


    There was a business meeting by eleven that morning, which would require him to be in another city but he was still not fully dressed to leave his house.


    He should be ordering the guards to just throw her out of his house if that was what he wanted, but he decided to watch her paint for a few minutes without uttering any rude word, that would have been a reflex because of his arrogance.


    The worst of all that he did, which he would never have expected himself to do, was to secretly shift and hide his face quickly, when she sensed that someone was behind and looked to the back.


    ¡®He had certainly lost it. He should definitely be the one to be checked in the head and not her.¡¯

 The reunion

    ¡°How is it so difficult to get this person¡¯s page down? What do I pay you for Alex?!¡± Dalton, whose day had started unlikely, demanded angrily, as his eyes kept darting to thements that didn¡¯t stop popping on the tablet screen that was on the table.


    They were all nderous words against the Millers and everyone in the family, with numerous people demanding to know the truth about the post that was written against them.


    Most of them were people that had been waiting for the Millers to be on news for negative issues, so that they would take the moment to curse at the Millers out of jealousy and maliciousness.


    They could not believe that considering how wealthy and influential the Millers were, they had no dirty secrets or dark past about something they needed to hide. However, they had no deep knowledge about whom they were messing with, and the repercussions of messing with Dalton Miller.


    ¡°We have taken every page that is rted to the posts that are rted to this person, sir. He or she keeps opening a new ount to post different derogatory statements, and it gets flooded by people from midnight till the next morning.


    They always bring down the ount after posting those things, leaving no trace of reasonable ip address that would link to them. It is like they are working as partners with a person, who is highly learned in tech and hacking knowledge. The IT department are¡­¡­..¡±


    ¡°What are you saying? What is it that I am hearing that sounds so disgusting to know?! Why am I paying those bunch of nitwits, if they cannot tackle problems like this as the best they call themselves? Just get everyone on the team fired!¡± Dalton roared.


    He could not understand how one person or persons would dare mess up with the Millers, and keep getting scot free without even having to face the consequences. Nothing could now irritate him more than what he had to hear from Alex, that some kind of person would be more skilled than the best professionals he hired.


    ¡®Who was that person that could not pay any amount to work for him, rather than choosing to work with a low leveled dancer!¡¯


    The user name MAS, was poprly used by thedy that always danced in a ck lingerie, and had so many followers who enjoyed her sexy dance moves. It was just like a sort of hobby for her to entertain others without revealing her identity, when she suddenly talked about the Millers in one of her videos.


    MAS started posting different things on her social media page about the Millers, about how terrible of people they were and how bad their private lives were.


    How bad they treated their servants for any little mistakes, and how much the entire family tried to put on a facade when they mistreated their own family.


    No one understood what that ¡®Own family meant for weeks that she on mouthing it, until she finally spilled the beans about


    whom she was always talking about.N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content.


    MAS had rarely mentioned anything about the wife and just always talked about everyone¡¯s attitude in the house, when suddenly she posted about the wicked deeds they had really done against Aria who was Dalton¡¯s wife.


    She wrote details of how badly they have maltreated her and showed her evil, which put the entire family in a dilemma of whom it could be that would know every single thing.


    Alex, who knew the gravity of what thedy¡¯s previous post which was a day before had caused, tried to find words in his heart that would make the situation look so simple with words, ¡°This time they have opened an official ount that had garnered so many followers in few days, and has posted¡­¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t want such bullshit from you Alex, unless you want to stop working this instant! Get your head straight and get anyone you can, to track the page owner right now and bring them before me. Make them see the dire consequence of messing with the Millers!¡± He paused for some minutes, with his fist trying hard not to dive straight into the desk.


    ¡®Never had he had reasons to be this angry in a long time!¡¯


    ¡°All thosements that portray defamation and nder, sue everyone that had participated in them. That would teach people lessons not to spread any shit, that they see or hear someone post about on the inte. You can use the door now,¡± Dalton ordered. His eyes were ring with darkness and so much aggravation that could never be measured.


    The post which had been taken down a few hourster, did not even seem to affect or even cause any harm to hispany.


    The ratings seemed to be so fine and even increased by 0. 3% that morning, without any directors or executives in thepany having to run around in fear to pull out their stocks.


    They could never even think of trying because thest time something of such happened and they panicked, the ones who had pulled out immediately ended up losing everything.


    To the extent that every one of the directors who owned their ownpanies, got canceled by other fellowpanies as soon as they ceased to be part of the Millers corporation. It was as though Dalton had instilled some kind of high standards, with the kind ofpanies he dealt with.


    Alex, who was so surprised at how good Dalton had kept his anger from being so evident, knew he had to get something done before the clock crosses the twenty fourth hour to the next day.


    Dalton would not sit still if the IT professionals of thepany they so called themselves, could not get the matter solved and every problem arising dealt with as soon as possible.


    It became more of a wonder and ponder, of who the masked dancer could be, with a high spection that it could be someone in someone that knew the Millers so well.


    Someone who was close enough to know everything that went on in their lives, and could see them happen at every point in time.


    The maids became the first suspects.


    ****~??~****


    Right from afar which was quite a distance from where his ssy and dignified self sat, he thought his heart would drop when he watched the figure strut towards the direction of where he was sitting.


    She was dressed in a red designer dress adorned with shiny pearls that hugged every corner of her sexy curves, with her hips swaying side to side in a natural way as she moved closer. Her physique, the long straight legs, and beautifully packed ponytail. Everything was nearly perfect


    ¡®How could he ever forget that face?¡¯


    Collin could not exin the excess amount of happiness that swept over him, the moment she recognized the table she was supposed to walk to.


    He had probably expected that she would have forgotten a bit of his face, because she had seemed to change so much more than thedy he knew in the past. It was more than he could ever imagine or believe.


    ¡°OMG, Ri! This is crazy!¡± He eximed immediately she approached the table with a modest smile as usual, unable to hide the rush of mixed emotions that was taking over his thinking at that point in time.


    ¡°It is so good to see you, Collin,¡± she said and smiled brightly this time, revealing her beautiful set of white teeth thatplemented perfectly, the red bright color that her lips were redundantly smeared in.


    She was so beautiful that he could have lost his touch of a gentleman at that time, just to pick her up and throw her in the air to express how d he was.


    He would have expected her to just sit down like her normal self after shaking hands casually, but she had pulled him closer for a warm hug that could not help but invade his senses.


    Judging from everything she was dressed in and how good she looked, he made a spection in his heart that she would be well to do by herself. Her appearance was so ethereally divine.


    Gently pulling from the hug that telepathicallymunicated many feelings, Aria sat down on the chair that was opposite the one that Collin was seating on. Her eyes looked around where they were both sitting briefly, to enjoy the perfect view of the beautiful nature of the high ss atmosphere.


    The height of the reservation spot was at the best spot, with so many things around them to feed the eyes with. The sophistication in the air of the ce was so evident, that it could instantly remind her of how wealthy the guy in front of her was too.


    If she would say it to anyone¡¯s face, he was everything different than Dalton even if he was wealthy too. They were the sharp contrast of one another.


    She had chosen the perfect day to meet with Collin, the moment she heard about what was going on with the Millers and the masked dancer.


    Without knowing the full details of what had happened and what the post was really about, she knew Alex and Dalton¡¯s other men would be so busy in disorientation, while trying to fix things in order.


    It was really good to see someone smile at her, a genuine one that was not filled with scornful expressions and hate for her.


    Shortly after Aria arrived and took her seat, one of the waiters came to take their order on what they would like to eat. While they waited for the main course meal to be served, another waiter hade to serve them with the perfect appetizer to suit the theme of the day.


    Collin, who was waiting for the perfect time to begin a conversation with her, watched carefully the expressions on her face which indicated that she was obviously ready for anything.


    ¡°So, what happened three years ago? How far has your big dream gone?¡± He started with the first question he had, which was the top one in the hierarchy of his thousand questions.


    ¡®How could he not be so curious about the woman that he hadst seen about three years ago?¡¯

 You could never tell

    It wasn¡¯t hard to tell that by the evening of that day, every ruckus concerning the masked dancer and her post had been totally resolved.


    Ellen decided to abandon her social media pages for almost eight hours without even checking the inte, so as not to react negatively against the fans who would keep stalking her page, while asking the numerous and suffocating questions that she could never answer.


    Eva wasn¡¯t even present on her seat as the CEO of the art gallery, when the reporters had flooded the ce to ask questions about the post of the dancer.


    None of them could dare step their foot close to the mansion of the Millers again, or even make a mess close to the mainpany where they knew Dalton would surely be. They just decided to choose the weak links that they could probably get answers to their curiosity from.


    The beautifulst daughter of the Millers was in some ce outside the country with random friends, who even had not clue about who she was and how influential her family were. While their mother had been on the edge all day, while receiving so many calls from her wealthy friends who wanted to invite her for a ball party.


    Hard lessons were taught to those who had posted any hatement about the Millers, as everyone of them were sued to their dismay by an inte prank gone wrong.


    All media houses already had new topics to post and talk about, while reporters were already set in their jobs of looking for other exclusive news to publish. It was as though nothing had happened a few hours ago, with everyone going on with their usual life and not wanting to face wrath.Content is ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    While Dalton was busy in a meeting at thepany branch at New Orleans, Alex whose mind was just at rest the whole day could now sigh peacefully and organize his mind.


    He had ordered from a nearby restaurant two boxes of chicken that he consumed by himself, when he suddenly remembered that one of his duties was to make sure that the boss¡¯ wife was never doing anything that could harm their reputation.


    ¡°Shit!¡± He murmured under his breath which spiked up his blood level, as his right hand fumbled by his pocket side in search of his own personal phone. He immediately dialed a number that would surely ring in the mansion, to confirm if everything was going fine with everyone in the house.


    ¡°The family has been home while trying to keep low because of those filthy reporters. His wife? Hmnn, I think Mr. Miller¡¯s wife hasn¡¯t been home all day. Yes. She left home a few hours after the boss¡¯s car drove out,¡± the person on the other side of the phone informed him, to the ditching of his peace down the pit.


    Alex could never tell Dalton about that. He obviously knew that he was supposed to inform him about his wife¡¯s absence from the mansion, but he could not go through another mental stress because he wasn¡¯t able to keep up with two duties.


    The best thing to do was to find her before Dalton was done with his meeting, and make sure she returned back to the house before he would find out.


    ¡®No. You cannot mess up with Dalton in that manner, because he seems to be so interested in everything she doestely. If the CCTV cameras would not give him the exact details of what had happened, then she could even be the one to spill it herself to see what he would do about that.¡¯


    Thinking about both of them at that moment, made Alex realize that he was not able to figure out what was going on and what went wrong.


    The fact that Aria would openly call upon trouble herself by infuriating Dalton with her words, and he would just ignore her and even bicker again which wasn¡¯t like his normal self. He could not help but wonder what was going on with the billionaire, whose new parade with his disobedient wife seemed to be the trend.


    ¡®Was his grandfather¡¯s words to him really the reason?¡¯


    ~~~?|||||?~~~


    Aria had returned home before evening after lunch with Collin, to continue painting the portrait that she was working on. As her right foot stepped on the first stair of the wing-shaped stairs, her mind wandered back to the conversation that she had with Collin hours ago. Guilt wasn¡¯t even the right word for what she was feeling.


    She had never really been a person to open up to people about her life or concerns, but considering it as an option would have probably done her better. When Dalton asked her about her life now and if she had any close rtionship such as a life partner, she couldn¡¯t utter the truth of being married to Miller Dalton because she wasn¡¯t even proud of it.


    Reminiscing everything they had talked about in her heart over and over made her feel like she had made a mistake, of not revealing the state of her marriage with Dalton and how hard it was to get a divorce.  Collin was also wealthy and powerful too even if he was no match to Dalton, but she knew there would be a way of breaking free from the Millers if he would help her.


    ¡®But still. How could she just spill something of such to someone she just met again for the first time, after three years had passed? It would probably be a wrong move to talk about something like that. It was her own personal problem, and she was willing to solve it alone.¡¯


    The huge bed that was well tucked in a white patterned cover dipped slightly, the moment Aria¡¯s weightless bodynded on it. She knew she had so many things to do and act upon regarding her life, but had decided to finish her painting before the end of the week with a procrastinating attitude.


    She knew she could be seeking legal advice fromwyers on how to be free from Dalton¡¯s grasp, but she was having a rethink of making sure to make sure they would be miserable before she would leave their lives for good.


    It wasn¡¯t even useful anyway to fight with Dalton legally, as bing aughing stock would be the least of what would happen. Getting him to divorce her himself was the best, or¡­¡­ Perhaps, getting a personal contact with his grandfather. Mr. Mark Miller would be the best.


    Aria changed into a lovely satin dress after she was done bathing and cleaning up, as she made her way down the stairs in an attempt to get something to eat. She could not trust the food the maids would serve to her anymore, so she decided to make pasta and shrimps this time since she was really good at making that.


    The moment she was about to make her way into the kitchen, two maids who were working in the kitchen walked to the entrance immediately to obstruct her.


    ¡°I am sorry madam, but Miss. Ellen has said you should never step your foot into this kitchen any longer,¡± the first maid informed her, with an apologetic tone that showed her helplessness.


    Her lips stiffened at first in response to what she had heard, as it slowly began to stretch into a derisive grin and suddenly erupted into aughter. She could not imagine in what scenario a sister-inw would give orders in the house, that the wife of the house could not even enter into her matrimonial kitchen.


    The tension of trouble that was stirring could already be felt by the maids, who were cleaning the kitchen and were not able to focus on what they were doing. They knew something crazy was going to happen very soon.


    ¡°Oops!¡± Aria popped her lips forward with a brightened eye, as she gave the other maid who had not said anything a push to the back and out of her way.


    The small-physique maid was caught unaware by what Dalton¡¯s wife had done by pushing her, as elegant self made her way inside without uttering any word of answer to anyone.


    They would have surely expected for her to retreat, immediately they told her the person that had given an order. But again, they knew that something had changed and power had switched hands.


    Just as the pots and spoons that Aria had instructed the maids to bring down for her nked of steel, she could certainly not mistake the cologne of the person who wasing closer to the kitchen direction.


    Everyone in the house had their own particr strong scent of cologne, that could never be mistaken with the scent of another. Thinking about that, gave Aria a malicious thought in mind.


    The footsteps were loud and crappy like the person who was approaching, as Aria noticed that the maids who were standing around her before, had moved to another position while pretending to work harder than before. They could not risk their jobs and peace by being seen, with the wife and everyone in the family all treated like trash by someone in the house. It was just a survival skill.


    ¡°I think it is finally time to set you bitch straight!¡± Ellen uttered in anger as she stepped into the kitchen space, and saw Aria who was busy with the pasta she was boiling in water.


    She had cut her straight hair to her shoulder level, and even changed the color from ck to pink. It was really weird looking at her in that new look, like it would change her outlook to fierceness.


    ¡°Are you gone deaf or blind just because my brother has refused to dispose of you?!¡± Ellen demanded in a fit of rage the moment she momentarily stormed towards Aria, and raised her right palm through the air to hit her hard on the face.


    Aria, who knew the predictable action that was going to take ce, decided to teach Ellen a lesson she would never forget in a hurry. She lifted the transparent pot lid of the boiling pasta and dropped it on the table, as she calcted in her head Ellen¡¯s projectile hand move by moving a few steps to the back.


    The moment Ellen¡¯s hand flew through the air to hit her on the head, led her to bend her head instead below Ellen¡¯s waist area. The hand which had lost control of its reflex moved faster before the owner¡¯s mind, certainly went straight into the pot of boiling pasta which was still on fire.

 Stirring trouble

    ¡°Oh goodness!¡± Aria screamed rowdily, in a more intense manner than the maids, when they heard how Ellen had yelled in pure oozing pain. Aria, who had her eyes watching the flickering red light of the cameras, tried to make it even more heart wrenching for Ellen, by pretending to care.


    ¡°You bitch! See. See what you. What you have caused!¡± Ellen cried out so loudly as she cursed at Aria, who almost let out a chuckle when she saw her ugly manner of crying.


    It really got her amused that even amidst the pain that Ellen was feeling, she could never still let go of her terrible attitude and meful demeanor.


    ¡®It should have been her mouth instead and not her hand,¡¯ Aria thought in her mind, as she imagined in her head how Ellen¡¯s pucker lips would look like if they were both scalded by hot water.


    It took the billionaire¡¯s wife another forced effort and consciousness, not tough out loudly at the crazy images that yed in her head.


    A maid who was fast to run towards the refrigerator brought out an ice pack out of it, as she ran back to where Ellen was still crying in pain and presented it to Aria.


    The action of the maid, which Aria would have described as an artifice, put her in a spot. She reluctantly collected the pack from thedy and pressed it against Ellen¡¯s already swollen hand, which had turned red from the pain.


    The others who couldn¡¯t care less tried to show some sign of concern, as the fastest ones had started to clear the mess in the kitchen. Ellen, who was sitting on one of the kitchen chairs still crying, got more frustrated to know that Aria was the one tending to her pain.


    She obviously knew her brother¡¯s wife was ready to sneak a gloat at her, which she didn¡¯t even bother to hide at all in her presence, with her constant stifles that showed the ugly faces Aria made at her.


    ¡°Do not touch me, you bitch! Get away from me, right now!¡± Ellen ordered in frustration while still choking on her tears, as she stood up immediately and pushed Aria away from her. Her blood which was still boiling hot in pain and anger, could not hold the taunting smirks Aria was making to her face.


    ¡°She obviously does not need my help. Call the home doctor, and just get it done the normal way you deal with this,¡± Aria instructed the maids whose attention had been diverted by Ellen¡¯s sudden behavior, as she dropped the pack of ice on the table and exited through the kitchen door. She had not stepped out of the kitchen finally when she came face to face, with the one person she would always not expect to see. Hailey.


    Hailey, who had arrived about an hour ago and had gone upstairs to see Mrs. Eleanor Miller, came down the stairs the moment she heard a loud scream which she could never mistake for another person¡¯s voice.


    She had proceeded to go and check on her best friend after she had left Mrs. Miller room, which was just the perfect time for her to hear Ellen¡¯s loud scream.


    In her high nking heels encrusted with diamond pearls at the straps, she dashed down the stairs and to the direction of where she had heard the noise from. And just then was the almost collision of two persons, who were not supposed to meet in a one on one encounter.


    Persons or rivals?


    Transfixed for a moment, Hailey stopped on running tracks and deliberated on how to act, because she had never had to meet Aria in that manner before. In the past when she and Dalton were first married, she was rarely seen around because no one wanted to even see her around them.


    She was either cleaning somewhere that the maids had cleaned before at the exterior part of the mansion, or in her room all day without anything to do or having anyone to talk to.


    Aria, who instinctively thought that she could pass some kind of warning word to Hailey, who was giving her some kind of hateful look held her mouth still from saying anything, as she strutted past her majestically.


    She knew in her heart that Hailey would follow in the steps of Ellen and mess up soon, which she was readily waiting for with her head filled up with the full punch of noxious words.


    ~~~~~????|||????~~~~~


    Dalton walked into the mansion as usual but earlier than his normalte hour with Alex following behind him, while contemting in his heart if he should tell about Aria¡¯s outing during the day or not.


    He could not even tell if the billionaire was in a good mood or bad to listen to anything, but was not even ready to say anything about it regardless; He could not even give a detailed information of where she went to exactly.


    It was just time for dinner that evening as the maids were busy setting the table to a perfect dinner, because Hailey was also going to be joining them for dinner that night.


    On orders from Alex by Dalton to the maids, they should just mind their business and do their assigned jobs whenever he arrives at the mansion, without showing off oring to wee him unnecessarily.


    Ellen had her hand wrapped in a big wrap of bandages by the home doctor, who arrived a few minutester after Aria had left the kitchen.


    The doctor had given her every necessary treatment without her telling her mother, who was sleeping at that point in time. She nned to make it a big issue during dinner that night, where she knew she would be able to y the victim so well to her brother.


    In order to make her bandaged hand a spice up surprise for everyone, she had made sure to wear a long dress with puffed and exaggerated sleeves that would conceal it, pending the time that she would be ready to reveal it.


    And as if everything was working in her favour, Dalton decided to join them for dinner that night, without having any idea that Hailey would be present at the table too.


    Ellen had taken her seat around the huge rectangr table of shimmering and luster nature, which was changed from the oval one to the new one two days before, on Alex¡¯s supervision by Dalton orders.


    It was also his job to constantly check out new styles and designs of home decor and interiors, and show them to his boss who would evaluate if it would fit into the mansion setting perfectly.


    Eva joined the family for dinner and took her seat beside the empty chair that was opposite Ellen, with Hailey who followed behind her and sat elegantly on the chair beside that of her best friend.


    Their mother made her way into the dinning room shortly afterwards, as the table was already fully set and arranged to perfection by the maids who had left. Not long after their mother took her seat, the king himself came down the stairs to join the family.


    Hailey was grinning from ear to ear while sneaking glimpses at Dalton, who was only interested in munching on the chilled fruits that were cut in dices.Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.


    There was barely a sound heard from the golden cutleries that rubbed against the surface of the ceramic tes they were using, or from the grinding of their teeth in an attempt to chew smoothly on the food. There was a show of aristocracy that filled the air, from every person that sat in therge room.


    Dalton¡¯s eyes trailed to the door that led to the dining room often, about twenty minutes after dinner had begun, since Aria was nowhere to be seen anywhere around the room. In the past even if she would be humiliated for one thing or another, she would still join them for dinner every night without eating one-third of the contents in her te.


    Even till that night, none of them cared if she was even alive somewhere around the mansion, talk less of them caring to know if she would eat. It was at that moment that he was still wondering if she was going to evere down for dinner, that Ellen raised her bandaged arm to the table in an attempt to pick the ss of water in front of her.


    ¡°Oh my goodness! What is this that I am seeing? What is wrong with your arm?!¡± Mrs. Eleanor Miller yelled in exasperation, the moment her daughter ced her hand on the table, and she saw the terrible condition that her hand was in. She could not believe her eyes, and neither could the others.


    ¡°It is Dalton¡¯s wife. Aria,¡± she answered almost immediately, halting everyone whose attention had been drawn to her, from the food they were eating. They all thought that their ears had heard wrong, when Ellen uttered an usation against Aria.


    ¡°That good for nothing ingrate did this to my daughter¡¯s arm?!¡± Mrs. Miller eyebrows furrowed in great surprise, and soon began to turn to anger and restlessness. She was definitely throwing her out of the house that night.

 Pain in his heart

    ¡°Get that bitch down here from her room! Drag her hair and make her crawl on her knees to this ce, right now!¡± Mrs. Eleanor Miller ordered furiously as she stood up and empathically pped the table with an open palm, which ended up stinging her palm painfully more than she had expected it to.


    Dalton, who had watched the dining table feast go in disarray once again because of the same person, picked up his phone and texted Alex to bring the CCTV footage from the afternoon as fast as possible.


    Immediately Alex phone beeped a message notification and saw what it was about, his nerves which seemed to be at rest initially had all started to tie up to one another in anxiety.


    ¡°How did this happen?¡± Dalton demanded to know in a calm voice, which seemed to take everyone aback that he was getting involved in their affairs, which he rarely did.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think we should be asking for what has happened first,¡± Mrs. Eleanor said in a calm tone to Dalton and then continued on her words, ¡°With what she had done, that low life bitch is leaving this mansion today!¡± Eleanor utterly dered, as she picked the translucent ss of water on the table and chugged the contents down her throat.


    She had shouted more excessively than she should have, and it seemed to have caused some heating up in her throat.


    ¡°Let us hear from you, Ellen,¡± Dalton asked his sister again, without minding what his mother had said. They could all evidently see on his stoic face, that he was serious about listening to Ellen¡¯s side of story first. Their minds were in a big stir up of what was going on.


    ¡°It was. It was. This afternoon. Aria was.¡± Ellen paused and closed her eyes tight, while trying to inhale all the air she could, to prevent her from crying any further. Hailey who was sitting by her side pulled her closer to her own self, as she patted softly on Ellen¡¯s back to console her from the pain that she was feeling.


    ¡°I went into the kitchen, and Aria was boiling water. She¡­ was boiling water on the fi.. re¡­¡± She paused again from her extremely slow narration, and broke into more uncontroble tears this time around, which was going to eventually prevent her from speaking any further.


    ¡°This is the footage sir,¡± Alex, who had entered the dining room through the main door, matched smartly to where Dalton was sitting. He presented to him with theputer tablet, where he could watch the footage y ording to their time of urrence.


    With uneasiness getting the best of him, Alex really hoped that Dalton would only be interested in what had ensued between Ellen and Aria, and not suddenly want to know what had happened before the incident happened.


    ¡°Come and interpret what I am watching in this video,¡± Dalton signaled to his assistant toe forward, as Alex moved closer to him and joined in what his boss was watching, like he had not seen the video footage minutes ago.


    ¡°Mrs. Aria is seen boiling water. Miss Ellen makes a move to hit her, and she.¡± Alex paused from what he was saying, and drew in air from the suffocating atmosphere around him, ¡°And she burns her hand.¡±


    ¡°She cursed at me! Your damn wife confidently cursed at me and called me names, without any regard for the position that I hold in this house. Aria intentionally left the boiling water open, so I would ruin my hand in it when I came closer. She is evil!¡± Ellen stated bitterly in a wellported manner, and started crying again while sniffing nonstop.


    She could never risk annoying her brother, by the slightest show she would put on. As usual, she would have expected that ming Aria for everything, was just the perfect thing to do so that she would get punished. Dalton was never the one to mind those things.


    Eva just kept mute and gently watched how the scene would keep unfolding till the end, as she used her knife to cut a piece of huge steak that was still in her te, and put it in her mouth without making any noise.


    Mrs. Eleanor just kept drinking the iced water that was in her ss cup at intervals, as she was really angry that Dalton wasn¡¯t allowing things to go the way she wanted.


    ¡°Did she pour the water on you or not?¡± He asked calmly again, with his right hand fiddling on the golden fork that was still in his left hand. He really detested the fact that he had to be solving such cases, even if it was never his to do so. He never cared.


    ¡°Why does this feel like the victim is being interrogated here? Why does it seem like you are beginning to have that bitch¡¯s back? And just why exactly, are you not divorcing her even if she has asked for a divorce?!¡± Ellen who had allowed her emotions to get the best of her demands, with her lips trembling in hurt and guilt at the same time. She had just messed up real bad.


    Ellen¡¯s actions and manner of talking made Hailey gasp so softly, which also had her mother squeeze her eyes tightly closed in disappointment.


    She could not believe that her daughter had finally acted like a fool in the presence of her brother, and ruined everything by asking such questions in the wrong way and at the wrong time. Eva just shaked her head.


    Dalton, who didn¡¯t mind what was going on the table anymore, selected the footage from before the incident and seemed to nce through them. He sure had heard how his sister had spoken, but wasn¡¯t even bothered about it enough to anger him. Alex figured out what his boss was finally doing, and he knew that there was no way he could wiggle himself out of the mess.


    They could all feel the temperature in the room drop, when Dalton raised his eyes from the tablet he was looking at seconds ago. Their throats could barely swallow a drop of saliva even with their itching throats, now that Ellen had acted like the dumb fellow that she was, and ruined everything for them.


    Little did they know that he was like that because he discovered that Aria left the house, for more than four hours without any sight of her during the day.


    Standing up from where he sat, Dalton moved away from the dining table and strolled out of the room. Alex, who already knew what was happening, hesitated for a few seconds, before following behind his boss whose steps shook fear into the hearts of the people he had left behind.


    The worst of his punishment was whenever he said nothing, and just allowed the scene to pass without an immediate judgment. Ellen could totally see doom writing before her face.


    Alex knew he didn¡¯t have to be told about the next thing to do, as he ran to Aria¡¯s doorstep and pressed the bell receptor as deep as he could. The good thing that Dalton was still not asking him about his knowledge of her short absence, was more than enough grace for him not to mess up the order of things this time around.Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.


    Lying on her bed in ck shorts and a matching sports bra was Aria, whose resting position was more than unlikely to view. There was a bottle of whiskey still left unfinished with its contents half by the side of the bed, and a ss cup that was rolled sideways to the foot of themp stand.


    The air conditioner in the room seemed to be at an extremely low temperature, but still she could not stop breathing restlessly like pure heat was oozing out of her.


    Digging into the bed were her nails with both arms clutched to her side, like her life depended on her against the bed cover grip for survival.


    Even in her unconsciously conscious mind, she could hear the doorbell ring from outside and transfer the waves into her room. There was no way she would have the strength to get up from the bed, and open the door for whoever it was that was disturbing her.


    Dalton, who was standing impatiently in front of the door as Alex pressed the bell, almost shoved him out of the way and resorted to knocking hard against the door. He hated the fact that she was deciding not to open the door, even if she probably had no idea of who was knocking on her door.


    ¡°Go and get me the master key to this room!¡± He ordered Alex arrogantly, as he sniffed furiously with every breath hot as magma, and his angry stares dark as ink.


    Aria could hear it shortly after she was relieved that the person had stopped knocking, the writhing and forceful unlocking of her door to her room without her permission from outside of the room. She knew it could not be anyone other than Dalton, who would pull that kind of stunts since he owned the house.


    ¡®She totally had limited time to act fine. What would she do?¡¯


    The door swung open immediately the key unlocked it, as Dalton proceeded inside and closed the door behind him. It was the first time he was entering the room after she upied the space, and he could figure everything out because it had simr structuring to his own room.


    The room space was so incredibly big, that it took a minute to get to the location of the bedroom itself.


    ¡°And why are you in my room?¡± Aria¡¯s voice cut his steps short before he walked to the turning corner of her bed space, as he turned sharply to see where she had suddenly popped from.


    He was really surprised to see what she was wearing, and appeared to be carried away by what never amused him. The pale swelling of her breast in the small piece of clothing that held them firm, was the first thing that had his attention the moment he turned to her.


    ¡°Why did you note down for dinner?¡± His brain changed what he wanted to say, instead of asking about where she had gone in the afternoon with an authoritative voice.


    ¡°How did you get into my room, Dalton?¡± she asked him, with a barely audible voice that was trying to keep up its usual intensity, ¡°Because you are the owner of the house, does not give you the right to barge into my room however you like. I mean we are not even married!¡±


    Like herst sentence had surged some kind of anger in him, he asked with an unfriendly tone this time, ¡°What do you mean not married?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t care what you think, Dalton. But I think you should leave now. We would talk tomorrow morning,¡± she urged him, trying hard to stand properly on her feet without bending. The pain that was twisting her stomach was really unbearable, that she was trying not to cry or groan in his presence.


    ¡°Why do you look so pale?¡± He asked her again the moment he could notice how her appearance looked, like she was back to her normal self in the past. She looked so white and lifeless with chapped lips, which were things that he would never even have observed in his usual self.


    ¡°Can you just go? Please,¡± her eyes pleaded so desperately, that he had never had to see her in that kind of position for the past weeks. She seemed different from being so hell bent on messing up with him, which had some ce in his heart touched by the sudden way she was acting.


    ¡°What is going on with you? You seem to be in a bad state,¡± he finally asked even if his ego had almost prevented him from doing so, because she seemed to be clutching to her stomach now like she would lose it soon. Her groan had be loud and evident, that she felt like she would slip out of consciousness soon.


    And there she had it. Her body fell back to the floor so unceremoniously after she let out thest painful screaming, which made Dalton sure that he heard his heart drop, when he watched her copse before him. His hands grabbed around her slender body quickly, as he lifted her up from the floor and pulled her closer to his chest. His mind was totally out of his head.


    ¡®Was she dead?¡¯

 Check-up

    ¡°Mother!¡± Something has totally gone wrong. Dalton has probably lost it. Do you not think he really has? What is going on? Is this really normal?¡± Ellen almost asked a thousand questions, as she paced restlessly around the reachable corners in her mother¡¯s room.


    She totally knew that she was done for by behaving rashly before her brother, and needed someone to transfer the aggression and me to. If only she could bring Aria out of her room now, and burn her own hand too, the same way she had lured her to burn hers.


    ¡°You might end up being thrown out of this house and return back to that condo of yours, that must have housed more than enough pests by now if you are not careful! How can you not control your tongue, you stupid girl!¡± Her mother cut her off inposure, while trying so hard not to burst out in anger like her real self.


    Hailey was sitting right in the room too with them on the chair, and giving her a bad impression about their family wasn¡¯t going to be hers to do. Regardless of whoever it was, they could never be given the opportunity to see the cracking weakness and any messed up state of the entire family. The Millers could never bepared to any other, therefore perfection to sight was a must.


    ¡°He would not hear me say that. If not, that scary son of yours might end up killing me. Regardless, mother. Dalton was never the one to act or ever react, whenever we did whatever we liked with that bitch. He never even cared one bit. So why is he now acting in this manner?!¡± Ellen stated with intense frustration, as she scattered her pink hair that was neatly packed into a matching million dor scarf initially.


    She had always acted however she liked in Hailey¡¯s presence, so there was no need to hide the fact that she was a chatterbox


    Eleanor, who watched the scarf drop to the sofa chair, almost freaked out when she saw the new and weirdly bright colour of her daughter¡¯s hair. She decided to ignore the talk about her hair at that moment, as they had unfinished discussions about every single thing possible.


    ¡°Learn to control your anger, Ellen. Can you not just be like Eva for once? Or even Emma?! Must you match up with your brother¡¯s anger, when you know he would just trample on you?!¡± Her mother chided with a frown, as she found her way around the nearest chair and took a seat.


    Getting angry and too worked up was something she should be avoiding as she got older, but her life and health had be a mess, ever since Aria became a thorn in everyone¡¯s neck.


    ¡°Do you see how sensitive he bes whenever you mention that witch¡¯s name? Do you mother? There is certainly more to that,¡± Ellen pointed again to Hailey¡¯s heart prickling pain, whose butt continually shifted side to side.


    She was notfortable with her friend, talking about Dalton having a thing for his wife. It could never be possible.


    ¡°Can you just shut up Ellen and use your brains instead of your mouth? You just had to put yourself in your brother¡¯s cklist in one dinner, by ranting like a dummy just because I passed to you a hint. Getting angry would do nothing!¡±


    ¡°We got the anger from you, mother. From you! Dalton could have been an entirely sweet person like daddy, but he just had to be so empathetic like you. Thank goodness, I got daddy¡¯s bubbly nature, else my personality would have been a mess!¡± Ellen eyed with powerful words that seemed to have hit her mother on the wrong side of understanding. Ellen realized once again that she had messed up.


    ¡°Get out of my room, Ellen. Be gone from my sight! I just want to see Hailey around me, and no one else!¡± She uttered angrily, and stood up from where she was sitting. Her daughter had decided to state the evident and annoying truth.


    Ellen totally knew that her mother wasn¡¯t joking, as she became quiet and turned to look at Hailey, who gave her an affirmative look that all would be fine.


    She felt so dejected as she turned and made her way out of her mother¡¯s room, knowing fully well that everyone seemed to have forsaken her in less than an hour. Going to see Eva for cation was not even an option. Her sister was too cold. They were all a mess.


    ¡°Mother. I am sure you know that Ellen does not mean everything she is saying. She just speaks out of the box sometimes, but she does truly care for you,¡± Hailey said so warmly, as she stood up to help the aged woman lie on her bed gently.


    Beside the bed were different kinds of expensive skin soothing oil that were arranged in front of the dresser, as her hand grabbed the one she had seen Mrs. Miller used it before.


    Her left hand opened the lid to the ss bottle and poured the content into her right palm, and immediately began to rub them gently against Mrs. Miller¡¯s foot.


    Eleanor¡¯s cheeks, which were both stuffed up in anger by her rude daughter, began to stretch gradually into a warm smile and good rxation.


    There was no way she wasn¡¯t getting rid of Aria for good this time around, for Hailey who had everything she could ever wish for in a son¡¯s wife to take over. She was going to resort to whatever means.


    Hailey was never the type to do lowly jobs that were meant for maids just anyhow, but she had to get what she wanted at all cost by being so sweet. Getting everyone in the family to like her so deeply, would start from the matriarch of the family itself.


    ~?`?~        ~?`?~


    ¡°Do not overreact by calling a doctor,¡± Aria said to Dalton immediately after opening her eyes, suddenly after a few minutes of slipping into unconsciousness, only to find herself already on the bed and covered in a warm cloth. Her eyes could not have missed the look Dalton had on his face, which switched instantly the moment he saw her eyes part open.


    ¡°I have called him, and he should be here in less than ten minutes. You have no right to object!¡± his voice came out so coldly to her, but she could definitely still sense some concern in the tone of his speaking, if she was not mistaken in any way.


    She didn¡¯t even care if he showed the utmost care to her from now till forever. The fact that he was Dalton Miller would never change.


    ¡°That was not necessary. This happened due to hunger that hasbined with some petty drinking and stress. It is nothing,¡± she muttered, and turned her face to the other side of the bed. The fact that he was seeing her in her vulnerable state, was the only thing she really hated at that particr moment.


    ¡°And who gave you the permission to¡­..¡±


    ¡°Mr. Miller. The doctor has arrived,¡± Alex announced so loudly like he was screaming, so that Dalton would hear from the distance he presumed him to be in.


    ¡®It was definitely the main room.¡¯


    The doctor who had just given Aria a shot ording to the symptoms she told him, stared at the doctor¡¯s bald head all through as he injected her arm. She wanted tough so badly to ease the tension in the room, but just decided to divert her attention to looking at the needles entering her body.


    Dalton, who really hated having a needle close to anywhere in his body, had expected her to twitch in pain, but was surprisingly amused to watch her facial expression unchanged. She just acted unperturbed as two needles came in and out of her body.


    ¡°You should refrain from drinking too much whiskey and eat more often, ma¡¯am. In extreme cases of starvation, stomach ulcer might be the end result,¡± the doctor who seemed to be in his fifties from a nce, faced Aria and told her in the most polite way he could.


    If possible, he would not want to hear Dalton say any word till he would leave the room. He had never left unscolded in the past.


    ¡°Are you sure there is no need to thoroughly examine her?¡± Dalton¡¯s voice asked the doctor grumpily, who was pulling out the stethoscope that he used to check Aria from his ears. He did not want to rely on Aria¡¯s words alone that she was already getting better. The state of her about minutes ago, terrified him if he would not lie at all.


    ¡°I am fine. Dalton. I just need to rest and not see any ugly faces around me, or having anyone scream out my name so loud,¡± she replied to him firmly.


    Dr. Fernandez, who was beginning to sense some kind of inciting trouble, packed his suitcase hurriedly, as he bowed and got ready to leave the room in an instant. He probably thought that he had finally lost his mind, on whom he was seeing on the bed that Dalton seemed to be worried about.


    He had treated her a few times in the past whenever she was too sick, and he knew how much no one liked to even associate themselves with her. No one even came to check on her or watch her, no matter how terrible her sickness was.


    He had even diagnosed her with severe depression about two years ago, and she begged him not to disclose that fact to the family. They would just mock her and taunt her more, by saying hurtful words that would ruin her mental health.


    Seeing her again and surprisingly the boss of the house with her, really put him off bnce of what was really going on with everyone in the mansion. He had sworn ultimate secrecy to the family, that no matter whatever happened he could never speak it to any other soul. Yet, he could not really figure them out, even after working with their family for so long.


    ¡®Was he mistaken those times? Because now, he even heard thedy of the house call Dalton by name.¡¯


    ¡°Are you not grateful that you have this kind of face staying around you while you recover. And you say the word ugly?¡± Dalton stated unbelievably as he raised a sneer brow at Aria, who was ready to even defy everything including his great looks. That, he was never going to allow.


    ¡°So good for you to have other women swoon for your looks, but too bad that I do not seem to be either wavered by your looks or lousy touch. Don¡¯t you think you need to put in extra effort if you want to please me?¡± Aria sassed derisively at him, without caring if she had that much strength to taut him with her words.


    Dalton could not believe that thedy who was almost dead about an hour ago without words to say, now had the strength and will to talk back at him even if she was not yet strong. And she even had the guts to talk about his effective functionality as a man.


    ¡®She must really be crazy. He had made a mistake by not telling the doctor to check her mental state of health too.¡¯


    As Aria turned to enter under her covers and sleep peacefully, Dalton suddenly grabbed her by the wrist to prevent her from turning.


    He moved sopulsively close to her in a split second, that there was barely any space between them. Her eyes looked up to meet his face almost immediately in shock, and he did the unthinkable by grazing his lips across hers.


    ¡®He was going to watch her lie and deny that she did not feel anything.¡¯Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.

 Insomnia

    Right from the elevated height where he was standing firmly, Collin could watch the night beauty of the entire city light up, through the ss made walls of the building that he was gazing through.


    Exposed to the cold air that swerved around the atmosphere in the room, was his bare chest that the buttoned ck shirt that he was putting on barely covered.


    His left fingers were wrapped around the stem of the wine ss he had in his hand, as he slowly sipped on the contents that were in the ss. The meeting he had earlier in the day had upied arge part of his heart, that he could barely concentrate on his own personal work throughout the remaining hours of the day.


    It was barely possible to even be in the right state of mind, just after meeting the person he had yearned to see for so long. He was absolutely stunned when he watched her appear before him, which was much different from anything he had ever seen on her in the past. His mind was totally blown away.


    However, the thought that something was certainly not right with her seemed to bother his mind, even if she had appeared in the most luxurious dress, matching shoes and even in a mind blowing car. It portrayed the high standard of life that she seemed to be living, even without uttering any word about her financial status to him.


    While watching with so much keen interest her pretty features throughout their discussion, Collin could notice the conscious fact of her eyes wandering around them constantly.


    It was as though she was looking around for someone she was expecting, or hoping not to meet anyone that she would not expect. He could not really understand what it was all about.


    All he could just point out was that so much had changed about her, but he couldn¡¯t understand what or why she had changed that much. She still had her usual tight-lipped personality and kept up with it during their conversation, but he could see deep scantiness in her eyes that was far different from her past self.


    She didn¡¯t go into details about her present life that told if she was married, or answered the question if she had fulfilled her dreams. The most reasonable thing she had given him an answer to, and that he could pick out from the entire conversation was, ¡°I have a different dream now, and it is quite difficult and demanding to achieve. In the worst case, it is pure endangerment.¡±


    There was tension and heaviness in her voice as she spoke, that he knew that it was more than just wanting to achieve something. It seemed more like some kind of some desperate quest, that she really had to aplish no matter what. He could not even understand orprehend properly in his head.


    ¡®Why would someone go ahead and choose a dream that would endanger their lives in any way or another? Just what was going on in her life that was bent on breaking her so much?¡¯


    He could not also exin the look she had in her eyes and her stiffughter, neither could he fathom what it was all about.


    If it was pain, dejection, desperation, loneliness that had made her look that way. His heart wasn¡¯t at rest at all. The only way was for them to meet again, and discuss more beyond what they had talked about.


    But first, he needed to call someone he knew and trusted, to help him run a research on some few things. If there were no details about her life and how she had lived for three years, then he needed to start doing more digging than he had hoped to do. In the manner that it would not be a crime, or anger her if she ever found out about it.


    ¡®Had she by any chance stained her hands with something heinous?¡¯


    ~?`?~   ~?`?~


    ¡°And how many times do I have to tell you that the mere grazing of our lips disgusts me, to the extent that it crawls up to my nerves? Do you not get it, billionaire?!¡± Aria yelled so derisively at him, and gave him a wild backward push with thest bit of strength that was left in her.


    Although it didn¡¯t do much because of his manly body frame, it passed the information that she was really pissed off by what he did. He began to wonder if something was wrong with her sexuality, that no one had ever told him about initially before they got married.


    ¡®What kind of woman was she? Never in his life had he heard that someone would be disgusted by a kiss? Had he not studied humans or women enough to know their deceitful nature?¡¯


    ¡°And do you think I am doing this out of affection? I am curious to know why I, as a man, do not affect you! Are you gay?!¡± He questioned in a deadpan voice, that had begun to show how ruined his good mood was getting.


    There was no way he was going to believe that bullshit of hers, that she was not in any way attracted to him since their marriage.Content is property of N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°I, do, not, care, Mr billionaire. I am now very much interested in men, even if I had not really been in the past before this marriage. And, I would end up dating as many as I can, after I get out of this wicked family. I will cover up every good thing that I had failed to see until now. Now if you don¡¯t mind, I can dly send the divorce papers again by tomorrow, now that you know that this marriage is not even worth anything.¡±


    Dalton had given a try to confirm if she was actually kidding and putting on a guise, but she really was totally hellbent on what she had told him before, which made him almost look stupid for thinking he would get her to respond to him.


    That would really be a failure on his side, if he failed to smite the only one person who had the opportunity to get to him so closely. No woman had treated him in that way before.


    ¡®Wait, was she gay before and now interested in men? What did she mean by she wasn¡¯t interested in men in the past? Why was getting to know her moreplicated than he could have ever imagined? He had given her a chance to have a close contact with him, and yet she was what? Disgusted by his touch? He would rather go and cover himself up under the sand.¡¯


    Alex could not understand what had gotten Dalton so mad and raged, ever since he left Aria¡¯s room even with almost thirty minutes passed.


    He had made sure to order maids to take every delicacy and treat that she would like to her room, and also instructed them ording to Dalton¡¯s orders that she must eat a handful before they would leave.


    ¡®It showed that he still cared about her well-being, but what could she have said or done to rile him that much? And why was he suddenly caring so much about her?¡¯


    The next morning at the mansion was so cold and ghost-like with barely a sound around, with only the maids working around the mansion in ces they were assigned to.


    Alex had a rather peaceful morning when he went to Dalton¡¯s room, to see him fully dressed for work without having anything toin about. It was almost like it was back to the old times, when the atmosphere was too rigid with no drama at all.


    Alex could have thought that Dalton¡¯s anger had ended with Aria¡¯s matter the previous day, as he drove the car with him sitting at the back seat straight to thepany.


    He realized that he was totally mistaken the moment Dalton raised his gaze from his phone, that he had been staring at for about twenty minutes which was very unusual.


    ¡°Summon Mrs. Miller by evening today, to the Aldertano towel today. Purchase and send to her, the limited edition of dress that came into the country today, with matching heels and jewelries,¡± Dalton instructed him, while focusing intently on what he was doing on the phone.


    He could not believe that he had texted Aria¡¯s number to know if the doctor had arrived at the mansion, but she replied to him saying she did know who he was, and that she does not receive text messages from strangers. She dared to call him a stranger while sittingfortably in his mansion.


    His eyes kept on twitching in boiling fury of his blood, as he watched the ck coloured typed letters that she had sent back to him, appear in form of text to his phone, ¡®I do not consider you a member of my family or someone I know, so I have definitely deleted your number.¡¯


    The confused assistant knew that he had never seen his boss in that manner, while typing on his phone for more than five minutes without any reason for it.


    He could not also understand why Dalton would want to invite his wife to the most expensive sight towel, and make sure she wore extremely luxurious essories that were worth millions of dors.


    ¡®He also seemed so serious with the phone he was pressing on. What was really happening? Was there something that Dalton was not telling him?¡¯


    ~??|??~


    Aria regretted that she had kept her phone near her while painting, only to listen to her phone notification ring so many times like they were musical short clips.


    Dalton would have expected her to be in her bedroom as she instructed the maids to make sure, but she ended up bypassing them back to the library where she had an unfinished portrait.


    It was a relief that she didn¡¯t find anyone in the kitchen or the passage, when she took the route down to the library without making eye contact with anyone.


    She could not allow them to see the ugly bags she had under her eyes, due tock of sleep throughout the entire night as she was just restless. To make things bad for her, they had taken away every trace of alcohol from her room.


    The wine cer had been locked too because of her, as no one in the family would be able to get something from the room without Dalton¡¯s permission.


    And he just had to make things moreplicated for her, by stressing the dim eyes that were just supposed to focus her portrait, while texting her nonstop about irrelevant things.


    ¡°That fool! He thinks he is doing me good by taking away my drink, then now my eyes will have to be open all night because of that. Even those darn pills do not work!¡± Aria muttered in aggravation, as she ignored hisst text message and switched off the phone. Her headache was going to get worse soon.

 A costly switch

    It was already minutes past five in the evening after the long day¡¯s job and meetings, when Alex realized that he was supposed to call Aria about the outing that Dalton had talked about earlier.


    He fumbled with his phone for a while as he contemted in his mind, on how he would talk to her on phone since he had never had to call her in that manner before.


    The clothes and shoes that he had ordered were on their way to the mansion by delivery, but he had not even called the owner of the dress to inform her that Dalton wanted her to be ready by six for an event.


    Before he was done with everypany issue that he was to sought out, time flew so fast without him even realizing.


    He would have thought that calling to inform her an hour before the time would be easy, but he soon realized in disappointment the moment he had called her phone and it was switched off.


    Calling the home phone would not have even been a problem, but it was certain that no one would even pick the phone up to give it to her. The head maid who was mostly the phone receiver could never climb the stairs that now led to her room, which would have been easier in the past if she was still in the room by the hallway.


    As Alex continued to try calling her phone to confirm if she would switch on the phone soon, he used his second line to call the dispatchpany if the package had been delivered to the mansion, alongside the note that was meant to be put in it.


    He was somewhat relieved that the note in the package had every detail, of the time, ce and other things to be known by the receiver.


    Never would he have thought that including Dalton¡¯s wife in his daily routine too, would be the beginning of his job jeopardy at the Millers.


    ****~?`?~****


    Ariaid longer than she could vividly remember on the cold floor, the moment she finished the second part of the piece of work she was painting.


    She was exhausted and tired beyond being able to move her limbs, with her brain trying hard to shut down to the sleep she was struggling with. Her body system was responding to the shot that the doctor had given her, early in the morning before she left the room.


    Not too long after she did not reply to Dalton¡¯s message and switched off her phone, she remembered that Collin had told her to send a picture of what she was painting, when she told him about it. He was not able to believe her immediately, when she said she had started painting again.


    He could tell that it was the only thing she enjoyed doing when he met her, in which she rarely even devoted her time to it, but she was close to perfect. She didn¡¯t have to learn so fervently or practice much, before she performed art wonders with her stroke of brushes.Content is ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    Seeing the great potential she had as an artist that she always imed she wasn¡¯t, he joined an artpetition on her behalf without telling her, because he knew she would oppose it.


    Collin created an ount for her, registered her name, and even made a portfolio using the best amongst the artworks she had painted for fun.


    It was really surprising since it was just a trial to him, but she came second ce for the first round of thepetition. The moment he told her what he had done against her wishes, she cut him off for two weeks without contacting or seeing him.


    It took so much consistency for him to convince her to take part in the second round, after he apologized for doing what she had always insisted that she wasn¡¯t interested in.


    When she finally agreed to take part in the contest, it was totally based on a confirmation that it was not going to be aired on the inte, so that no one would have to recognize her.


    The paintings came out much better than she had ever done, because she had put more effort into it than she had ever done. Coming second ce again for the second round, suddenly gave her a desire to beat the same person who always came first.


    The evening for the final evaluation of the winner by onstage painting and voting, the candidate for second ce was nowhere to be found when it started.


    Collin had searched frantically for her in frustration and craziness, with every of her contact lines switched off with nowhere to trace her to. By the time he saw her after hours had passed and everything had ended, it was raining hard that night and she waspletely sodden in water.


    It was the first time he had ever seen her show her worst side, which had her sobbing on the spot without any words to say.


    They were not loud or chaotic, but silent and painful. She never told what had caused her to cry or where she had gone to, and also quit painting after without giving a reason for it.


    No matter how hard he tried to help her to get back to it, she always told him never to bring up the topic of painting anymore to her ears. However, he was more than shocked at what had suddenly made her start painting again.


    It was when he got a message from her, which was a picture of what she was painting. He couldn¡¯t help but think more of the fun times he had with her.


    The time he had run away from home and ghosted everyone in his family, she was the only friend he made even if their good rtionship was a toxic beginning. He definitely wasn¡¯t going to lose her this time around.


    With her eyes drooping nonstop and flickering to sleep, Aria had so many skeptical thoughts going on in her mind.


    ¡®What if I sleep and these drugs don¡¯t ck me out finally? What would I do? Think!!!! Should you sleep or not? Should you give in to this sleep or not? Should you¡­¡­..¡¯ And right there in that position, she drifted into a deep sleep right on the floor in the center of the mansion library.


    The mood at the ball party that was being hosted by Dalton¡¯s grandfather at the tower top, exuded the extreme power, opulence, wealth and affluence that the people in that space possessed.


    Mr. Mark Miller was hosting the event to pass on the highest percentage of hispany shares to his grandson, which would automatically make him by far unbeatable in every economic sector in the country.


    He had promised Dalton that he would make him the wealthiest billionaire in the country by far, if he married thedy of his own choice and became a better person through the marriage.


    The fact that Aria had been hanging on well without putting any fight against the family, was a saving grace which wouldpletely fade off the moment she threw another tantrum again.


    Bringing her before his grandfather had been a very hard spection for him for days, because the moment she dropped the bombshell of how sad and loveless the marriage had been, it would be over.


    Therefore, the moment he got a mail from his grandfather after the morning she sent her divorce papers, he knew he could never do anything to aggravate her till he seeded in getting what he wanted.


    Getting her the most luxurious cloth was the least he could do, to make sure that she was in the best shape for her not to sabotage his step way to higher sess. He just had to bring her before his grandfather, looking all beautiful and radiant that no one would suspect a thing.


    ¡®Giving her apany of her own? That was the least of what he could do. They could never divorce before the three years were finally over. Never would he allow that.¡¯


    Alex had called the mansion operators at home to confirm if Aria had left the mansion, and they told him that a car had left with ady in it from the mansion. They didn¡¯t see her face, but they knew that she left in the ck limousine that was arranged to pick her up in the mansion, by exactly 6:20pm.


    He got a call a few minutester from the chauffeur who was driving the limousine, that they were just a minute away from the towel ground.


    Quickly, to avoid no ostentatious disy or anything too attractive in front of the tower, he told the chauffeur to drive the limousine to the back of the tower where there was an exclusive entryway to the top.


    Dalton, who knew his grandfather would soon give a short speech which would follow a greeting, excused himself from the party and took the elevator that would lead him to the underground parking lot. Making a grand entry with Aria would be the best, so that people would not have a reason to question their physical closeness.


    When the car parked neatly at the positioned spot, the chauffeur stepped out of the limousine immediately looking all manly and built. He walked over to open the door to the car, for the beautifuldy that upied the backseat to step out gracefully.


    Her long slender right leg strapped to her light striking stilettos stepped out of the limousine first, revealing the carat diamond heels that was fitted perfectly to her legs. Her second leg followed for her entire body bnce, before she finally stepped out of the car looking so gorgeous and intimidating to sight.


    The moment her face came to light for Alex to see clearly as she stepped into the underground lot, was when he would have begged something to snap off his neck at that instant.


    It would have been probably bearable for him if was able to scream out at the costly mistake that he had made, but Dalton was just walking into the space to hold on to his wife by the hand, and lead her back to the tower top.


    But that was going to happen. They were both staring at an entirely different person who was wearing thepletebination of the cloth that Aria was supposed to be putting on for the party. There were fourdies that were present in the mansion when the package arrived, but they just had to deliver it carelessly for the wrong person to wear it.


    ¡®He better go just stand in front of a moving truck, because there was barely any way to fix the shit that was about to happen. Screwed was an understatement.¡¯

 Crazy and more crazy

    An  hour and minutes ago¡­¡­..


    Madison walked into the house through the main door with a package in her hand, when she heard the delivery man for the mansion ring the bell, who thereafter dropped a box.


    She read carefully on the letters that were written on a brown package, as she made her way towards the direction of stairs in unrest, knowing fully well that no maid was allowed to climb it without orders.


    It was then that she remembered that thedy of the house had left her room, after they brought food to her room that morning. Quickly, she turned around to find out if one of the working maids would probably know her whereabouts, or anywhere she could probably be.


    Ellen, who was walking towards the living room just at the time, noticed the parcel that the head maid was carrying, and inquired as to what it was about and to whom it belonged to.


    ¡°Mum, can you believe this?! This is the limited edition dress, diamond stiletto and million carat ne that sold out today in less than two hours. Mother, can you see this? Dalton sent this to that bitch. He fucking sent to her, this luxurious items that I am dying to own. I am going to kill that golddigger!¡± Ellen shot up in mad rage, as she restlessly examined the gorgeous and sparkling dress that was in the package.


    How beautiful!


    The curiosity that overwhelmed her when she saw whom the package belonged to, made her collect it from the head maid and took it to her mother¡¯s room instantly.


    However, seeing the expensive dress that was announced in the week fashion show two days ago, made her lose it finally because it was not something even top celebrities and elites could get that easily.


    Mrs. Eleanor Miller, who was still thinking of what to say, got her attention diverted by the note that was attached to the package. She picked up the flowered letter from the box as she opened it, and unconsciously read the letters that were written on the paper aloud.


    ¡°He wants her to wear it to the Aldertano tower ball party?! He wants her to wear it to grandfather¡¯s grand ceremony?! Even to a ce that I have not stepped my feet into?!¡± Ellen let out a hurt expression with a suppressed yell, on hearing what her mother was reading out from the note. She could not believe it. She totally could not imagine it.


    ¡°Call Hailey right now. She has less than ten minutes to be at this mansion. The rest is going to be sought outter,¡± Eleanor instructed her daughter in a snappy tone, and turned back to walk towards her dressing room which was feet away from where they were standing.


    For the gorgeous woman who was in her mid fifties, one would not have expected her dressing room to have every new in luxurious shoes, clothes and designer bags that matched her style perfectly.


    She was the type to engage in party hosting and vacation amongst her wealthy friends, while trying her best to stand out without a close level of familiarity with anyone.


    However, she had barely attended any gathering or invited anyone over to her lonely mansion, that only had servants that maintained the ce working there, ever since Aria¡¯s suddensh out and fireback at everyone.


    The arrogant woman was trying to watch and see what her son would do after everything, but became the impatient being that she was when she realized nothing was changing soon.


    She could not understand why Dalton was doing nothing concerning his wife, but she was not going to sit and watch her years of hard work go down the drain.


    ¡®Her son¡¯s wife was gaining more stance in the house, and acting however she liked. Her son was taking any actions to curb her, and also giving no one the right to do so. And yet her beloved Hailey was losing her chance to get entry into Dalton¡¯s heart by the day. She wasn¡¯t going to waste anymore time. Now was the time to do something.¡¯


    ¡°What, mum? Are you nning on sending Hailey to the party instead of Aria?!!!!¡± Ellen asked incredulously with a big shock on her face. She knew she was crazy and a stuck-up, but her own mother¡¯s were way worse when she wasn¡¯t thinking.


    ¡°That is exactly what is going to happen.¡±


    ¡°No, mother. This is a crazy idea. Dalton would lose it, if he finds out that this was your idea. He might never talk to you again!¡± Ellen tried to dissuade. She could not understand why her mother was willing to take risks that she had never thought of taking before against Dalton.


    ¡°Just go get dressed for your own party,¡± Mrs. Eleanor Miller instructed sternly, leaving Ellen¡¯s mouth gape to what could happen soon.


    ¡®Going against what Dalton wanted was never the way. Things would boomerang. It surely will.¡¯


    ~????~     ~????~    ~????~


    ¡°I will certainly put you feet below the ground, Alex. If you mess up today¡¯s event because of your costly mistake!¡± were Dalton¡¯s words that rang coldly through Alex nerves and banged in his head, as he drove the Maybach like a crazy person back to the mansion.


    ¡®How could he have thought that someone woulde in ce of Aria, and decide to ruin everything that Dalton had nned so perfectly?¡¯Exclusive content from N?velDrama.Org.


    He had less than forty minutes to bring Aria from the house to the tower back to Dalton, with a perfect look that should be better than the first initial outlook.


    Knowing it was almost impossible to do that, he still had to try, else he was dead. As he sped through the busy highway, he hoped desperately in his mind that she would not be out of the mansion. Else, that was another death for him.


    Dalton, whose heart almost dropped in disappointment when he saw Hailey standing in the gorgeous dress, could almost smack her across the face and order for her to be thrown out immediately.


    But considering his position as a person of high prestige, he tried to restrain every anger that was surging through his veins towards his heart. And also the desire of every dangerous thing he had in mind, to do to everyone that had nned to sabotage his ns that night.


    He just casted upon the quivering figure an indifferent look and immediately fished out his phone, to get an order for an avable limited edition dress by himself.


    Extremely irked that he had to do something of such by himself, Dalton knew that he had no choice but to get the dress ready before Alex brought Aria back to the tower. The time was limited.


    ¡°These are reasons you should have many more assistants working for you!¡± Dalton murmured so angrily, as he stalked out of the tower building inrge steps leaving Hailey, who was standing frozen in a livid state.


    She had never really had to see that menacing look of Dalton, direct personally to her since she had known him from their young years.


    Dalton knew that he would probably lose his mind that night, when he walked out and realized that the car Alex drove to thepany was gone.


    Aria would soon drive him crazy in no time. Just when he thought all would end for one night, he sighted his mother and sister alighting from the next luxurious car that drove in.


    Hailey had started sobbing uncontrobly the moment she realized the shit she had gotten into, when she remembered the words that Eleanor told her as Ellen made her face up perfectly, ¡°If he by any chance rejects you as a ball date. Just act oblivious like you don¡¯t know what was going on, and join the party like you were one of the invites. I will take care of the rest.¡±


    ¡°Just how am I supposed to do that now¡­..¡± Hailey dragged thest sentence with a loud cry, as she stood in front of therge mirror in one of the female bathrooms.


    Her makeup was smudged already, making the eyeliner she had used wash down to her eye bag, giving her the panda look.


    ~??~


    Crazily and disorderly, Alex ran into the house and went up the stairs immediately, and dashed straight to Aria¡¯s room. He banged the door so frantically to make here out of the door, forgetting his usual manners and etiquettes as time was running out.


    Frustration and mind torturing anxiousness engulfed him as he knocked, knowing that Aria might decide to be on one of her episodes and refuse to open the door regardless of who it was.


    Thinking of another way to get her to open the door of her room, Alex felt a bit of relief as he turned away from her door abruptly.


    He suddenly became motionless as he remembered again that Dalton had collected the master keys to her room, from him a few days ago. His entire body quavered in pain and worry, as he panted restlessly while checking every minute of the time that passed.


    Just as he rushed down the smooth stairs while thinking of a non-destructive solution, he ran into Madison who told him that Aria had left her room and locked it since morning immediately the doctor left.


    The first fear of her actually being away from the house was eliminated, when he got a call from the gate operators that she had not really left the mansion all day.


    Again like someone under an actual fire, he hurried to the control room and asked for footage immediately, that would give him an idea of where she had gone.


    The monitor operator clicked on the monitor as he searched for the footage of the day¡¯s date, only for him to discover that everything from that day had been wiped out.


    There was no footage to confirm anything that had happened that day, or where they could trace Aria¡¯s whereabouts to. Alex felt his entire brain spin upside down like a high person on drugs, who also got hit with a spanner on the head at the same time.


    ¡®Time was fast running. Aria was nowhere to be found. The footage was missing. Dalton was waiting. The meeting with Mr. Mark Miller. He was more than screwed.¡¯

 Bit and pieces

    It was so hard for Ellen to maintain her initial body posture and mien, the moment she sighted the tall figure that was standing by the entryway. The one that could never be mistaken for another.


    She almost missed her steps which could have led to an embarrassing trip, as her mother who was toe down from the car next held her slightly to bnce.


    Her entire body began to intensify on an instant pressure, on seeing that her brother who was absolutely meant to be up the tower, was outside the building just at the time that they had arrived. His assistant was not with him, there was no car in sight and there was no Hailey too.


    The emboldened spirit that her mother had breathed confidently into her minutes ago, just dissipated into air when she realized that their ns could have flopped.


    ¡®Oh dear. If this goes wrong, I would just act oblivious to what mother has done, and pretend like I don¡¯t know anything. That is what I should do.¡¯


    Mrs. Eleanor Miller who noticed how awkward her daughter was acting on the spot, walked closer to her side elegantly, and gave a tight pinch by her hip side to ignite in her a proper reasoning on how to act.


    Her eyshes flickered up as she shed a beautiful smile at her son, and walked ahead of her daughter to take the lead about whatever was going to happen.


    ¡°We arrivedter than we should have. Ellen had a problem ordering the perfect dress for the event. Is everything okay that you are standing here?¡± Eleanor asked her son smoothly in aported manner, like she had not the slightest clue of what could have put him in a foul mood.


    She was indeed gorgeous in her emerald green dress, that her stature would give her away for ady in her mid twenties.


    ¡°Not at all.¡± He replied to her curtly, and immediately turned to Ellen who was just walking right on time to meet up with their mother, ¡°Why did your friende in the assigned car that was sent to the mansion today, Ellen?¡±


    It was as though the icing and chilly breeze of Antarctica hit Ellen, the moment her brother turned to ask her the question she knew she would fail. If she didn¡¯t know anything that had ensued in the past few hours, denial and even a wless drama to act dumb would have been perfect.


    But there was no way that Ellen was going to try and act normal, in the intimidating presence of her brother who was asking a question she could never say the truth to.


    She would end up telling the truth anyway, which would cause a huge catastrophe. Neither could she keep her mouth shut, or open it to speak out any words.


    ¡°What car? The one that picked Hailey up this evening?¡± Mrs. Eleanor came to her daughter¡¯s rescue, before she would soil her spotless ns into oil.


    Dalton¡¯s brows subconsciously arched up in irritation at the fact that his mother was returning questions with questions, as his eyes trailed back to the watch that was wrapped around his wrist.


    He almost cussed out when he saw that they had less than twenty minutes, and that the new order for dress was still on its way from miles away.


    Without any doubt, someone would have to receive a transfer of aggression from the cold billionaire.


    ¡°Why was Aria not in the car, that was sent to the mansion? Why did someone have toe in ce of her?!¡± Dalton demanded again this time, which made Ellen¡¯s heart lose oxygen and blood again for a few seconds.


    Her brother wasn¡¯t ying games with them as he needed a valid answer immediately, and questioning her was the wrong move to make.


    ¡®Was it because they were friends?¡¯


    ¡°Was it for Aria? I thought it was for darling sweetheart, Hailey. Alex should have given a heads up, called, or done something to inform, so that this kind of mess up wouldn¡¯t have to happen again. And I have not seen Aria all day since you left the mansion. No one would have thought it was meant for her. I mean, such has never happened in the past, since the package had the ¡®Millers¡¯ on it. There was no way to know,¡± Mrs. Eleanor almost rushed all her anxious words in a scrambled manner, forgetting how rxed she had been when she started the conversation with him.


    ¡°Where, did, she go to?¡± Dalton¡¯s voice was dangerously angry this time. How could they not have seen her all day?


    Ellen had begun to cry inwardly when certain thoughts began to ur to her, that she was the one who had started the entire thing by collecting the package, and taking it to her mother¡¯s room.


    She was also the one who called Hailey and also made her face up, in which her mother could easily whisk her way out of the entire situation leaving only her.


    ¡®She should have known better not to trust Mrs. Miller!¡¯


    ¡°So you go ahead and assume that, the dress, and heels, that were purchased were for Ellen¡¯s friend, right? Then a car would be sent to the mansion to bring this samedy, to the tower party and to meet Mark Miller? Really?¡± Dalton¡¯s voice was a bit solemn and slow, to express the deep level of his disappointment to guts.


    His eyes were so dark and angry and scary, with many thoughts going through his mind. He was searching for the right words to say at that time to his mother and sister, but could not even think of any other thing to utter out than malicious words.


    There was never any reason for a problem of such in the past between any of them, but yet it seemed like Aria would be a beginning for family shes.Exclusive content from N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Ellen, you should fix how you imagine things and think foolishly. Mother, you should help Ellen think better and not just dwell on her dumb assumptions. Some things really had to be fixed instantly,¡± Dalton murmured hisst sentence, and tucked his left hand into his pants as he stalked away from their sight. The notification for the dress and essory arrival had rang.


    ~~~~~?????¡°??||||??¡°?????~~~~~


    Alex could hear the erratic hammering and beating of his own chest, as he ran out of the control room unable to ask any other thing, to prevent further time waste. If Aria had not left the mansion all day, then she just had to be somewhere she could probably be for a long time.


    Dividing the major and minor segments of the buildings and infrastructure of where she could be in, would take millions of years if he was to start checking everywhere one after another. He decided to use Madison.


    The maids were running, moving in twos and threes on orders, to search everywhere around the hugepound and mini buildings for Aria, while Alex would check the most likely ces inside the mansion.


    He ran to search from the main house kitchen, to the secondary one that was for the maids, to other rooms that were not in use, and also the wine cer even if he was sure that they were all locked.


    From the gym room, to the basement, to the underground parking lot, storage room and swimming pool, were the ces they all checked round for her whereabouts.


    It was after he had ran around without organizing his thoughts and jumbled mind, that his brain could recollect the footage he had sent to Dalton days ago. The ce she had gone to for two consecutive days.


    On getting to the door of the library, Alex felt relieved when he tried to push the door backward and found out that it was locked, to indicate that she was inside the ce.


    He began to shout on top of his voice for her to open the door, with the knowledge that the helicopter that was to transport her back to the tower through faster means, had arrived.


    ¡°Mrs. Miller!! Mrs. Miller!!!!  Can you please open the door! Mrs. Miller! Are you in there?¡± He barged the door more frantically this time,  in a partial attempt to break it down if it was possible. Time was running fast.


    ¡°Who is that?¡± Aria¡¯s sluggish voice asked first, before her hand found the knob and turned it open.


    She had woken up suddenly from her slumber that was deep into scary nightmares, and made her way quickly to the door when she heard the knockings that jolted her back to life.


    She came face to face with Alex who was staring at her in disbelief, as his eyes stylishly narrowed down to her entire appearance before him.


    The long, white dress that she was wearing was aplete turnoff, and even the manner at which she leaned on the door looked like she would fall anytime soon.


    Her hair was extremely disorderly and tangled in different straight directions, as he could almost weep when he saw the state of her face. The bags she had under her eyes were sizes of ck little nuts, as her eyeballs looked so weak beyond keeping them properly open.


    ¡®Just how were they going to fix her up in minutes, enough for a presentable look for Dalton¡¯s grandfather and everyone present?!¡¯

 A deal to mute

    ¡°Do you think Dalton caught on, mother? Because he is going to make us pay for this if he finds out,¡± Ellen whispered to her mother¡¯s ear immediately as they took the elevator, like Dalton was still somewhere around and would probably hear what she was saying.


    ¡°Even if he has, there is no evidence that we did that. You know your brother believes in what he sees, and confirms as truth,¡± a smug tugged Eleanor¡¯s lips as the elevator door slid close, while Ellen pressed on the number buttons on the wall to indicate the floor they were going up to.


    ¡°What did you mean, no evidence? The cameras are still working perfectly, and even those filthy pests that call themselves maids are everywhere. Dalton would end up finding out,¡± Ellen further stated, as she leaned tiredly against the walls of the elevator. She really hated the costly game they were ying against the real game master.


    ¡°Those are the simplest, to keep away from interfering into this. I have it all under control,¡± she paused for a few seconds, ¡°Have you called Hailey? Where is she now?¡± Mrs. Eleanor Miller asked her daughter, changing the topic from impending bother that had not even taken ce.


    Knowing where Hailey whom they had sent on a crazy mission was, would be the next thing to be certain about.


    ¡°Where do you even think that witch of ady is? I have not seen her all day, and she is definitely not in her room either. Do you think she is dead somewhere in the house?¡± Ellen asked, continuing with the talk that she couldn¡¯t end just yet, because she wasn¡¯t going to allow unfinished matters to disturb her head throughout the party.


    Especially for the fact that they would soon have to share the same party space with Dalton pretty soon.Content is property of N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Can we just talk about Hailey now? There is a high chance that she is not in the party and maybe somewhere around,¡± Eleanor cut her daughter off from her talks about what she was avoiding, to also get away the tension that was buried deep within her heart.


    She was soon going to be meeting her close acquaintance and other elites of her group in the party, and she had to look effortlessly stunning without any sign of stress radiating from her.


    ¡°There is no reception in the elevator, mum. Will do that as we get off,¡± Ellen replied nonchntly.


    She sure was never going to make the mistake ofing together in the same car with her mother to a ball party again, that would require both of them being present due to any kind of event. It was better they just went separate ways, and associate with different persons that they wish to.


    Aside from Hailey, she had no other friends that she could have fun with, because of the ego and high ss that came with being a member of the Miller family.


    As much as she hated to know that it was no longer possible to befriend other wealthy youngdies of her age range, she made her best effort to stand out more than any of them, and also be trendsetter for any new luxurious thing.


    No one else amongst the three daughters of the Millers, could pull that off except her. Eva would be busy doing insignificant things by obsessing over the artpany like it was her life, while Emma just had no business at all with their extreme high ss, and was always all over countries doing something meaningless.


    She was actually meant to take a flight to attend their grandfather¡¯s event, but she missed it and had to take the next one which would arrive just after the event.


    That would certainly be another point of fight between her and her mother. Only Ellen could put on the perfect show that her mother really loved, without having to do much to aplish them to perfection.


    Being a real bitch at home to everyone alongside a nasty personality, but owning a popr social media page as a scandal-free elite where she was so humble with words.


    Being so lonely by having just one friend who was mainly chasing a goal in the family, but acting all ssy and giving the off-limits aura to whoever wanted to make friends. It was all just Ellen Miller.


    There were so many guests in the party of different ages and sses, as they exchanged pleasantries and drank from sses of champagne while moving from one association to another.


    There were more quite a number of older people than the young elites, who were mostly the ones who were obliged toe to the gathering, or had a goal to reach by attending the event.


    The old man who stood out in the gathering was Mr. Mark Miller, who was having few talks with the people he was familiar with, after his speech ended minutes ago. He had not seen any closely rted family of his only son, in which he didn¡¯t even mind as he just maintained his usual poise.


    He never seemed to give aging its way to an impact in his facial appearance, as he always looked so manly and good looking for his age. Reasons the aged wealthy females without a partner, would not stop wanting to have a close rtionship with him. They all look too perfect outwardly.


    Ellen, who had gained entry into thest floor through her recognition, walked in together with her mother and Hailey, and separated almost immediately as they made their way into the ball party in different directions.


    Her hand grabbed a ss of champagne from the nearest waiter, as she chucked it down her throat immediately to relieve tension.


    The young overzealous daughter who didn¡¯t really like talking to her grandfather on a personal note, needed some kind belonging and show off to make them know that he was indeed her grandfather, and that she was a part of a family that was totally unbeatable.


    She made her way elegantly towards where he was standing, and gave a modest smile to the expressionless old man.


    He was also never the type to joke over food or drinks like other other people did, as his look was always as impassive as ever. Even if he was so serious minded and stern about the right order to things and life, he was far better than Dalton because he knew when to bend his wills if he wished to.


    And surely, he was going to taunt his granddaughter in the same way he always did, that would always drive her away so quickly from his sight.


    He liked strong minded and focused people who could withstand bacshes and gossips, and know exactly when and how to get back at people who had dared to mess with them by real actions.


    Dalton seemed to be the only one who was far more straight minded than him, and knew more than everything he would have taught him about aspects of life.


    And that was also the person he had not seen a few minutes after he arrived at the party, nor had he seen his wife too as time was ticking. His grandson had never had a reason to derail from ns.


    ¡°Hi, grandpops. It has been a long time. Would you mind me, get you something to drink?¡± She offered politely, trying her best move to hold a reasonable conversation with her grandfather. At least once.


    ¡°And where is your partner to the ball, Ellen? You are not any younger. If you cannot get the man, then get thepany, and quit that act of ve to inte technology that you have indulged in,¡± he said to her calmly, and watched her mood change instantly to the one that was struggling, to act normal amidst an intense irritation.


    Never had he ever been in support of her being an influencer or model, and he wouldn¡¯t seize the chance to talk about it at any chance he got.


    If only she had the intellect to tell him what he actually wanted to hear her say, then there would never have been a high level of awkwardness between them everytime.


    She needed to possess confidence with words about what she loved doing, in which she really sucked at doing anytime he derided her again. Never had she struck back whenever he said such words to her, like the way Dalton would always do to support his actions even if they were wrong.


    Ellen¡¯s clumsy feet quickly found her way out of the space after she forced a smile at Mark Miller, and immediately made her way to get a bottle of whiskey that would make her feel better.


    She could vividly hear the people standing around where she was walking through talk about her, and they were mostly people that she had attended high school or college with. They were all in different sses now.


    The chauffeur to take Mark Miller back to the airport had arrived, and his secretary went into the party to inform him about that. He had announced his ns to retire from being the CEO of hispany, but did not divulge the ns to give up thepany to his grandson.


    It was only a few months left for him to fulfill his promise, and he might as well make it earlier than promised based on what he sees. He had no choice but to leave the party then.


    Everyone was so focused on whom they were meeting or talking to, and had not seen the door open or the people who made their way inside.


    The silence that suddenly fell into the room made the sound of nking  heels against the floor audible, and also of the expensive leather shoes that made an impact on the polished floor.


    The rhythmic sound of theplementing entry of them, made people turn to look at who they were.


    Strolling into the room in a new ck tuxedo outfit was no other than Dalton Miller, and beside him was someone whom most of them had not seen before.


    She was dressed in a white luxuriouscy dress that was adorned with diamond pearls, and shone so brightly mostly under the chandelier lights that were everywhere, into every part of the huge room.


    There were nudged and little talks about whom thedy that he had entered with was, as they made their way closer to the crowd who could not stop ncing and gawking.


    Aria looked so gorgeous and extremely beautiful in the dress as she walked on, with her mind only focused on getting freed from the tight grip of Dalton who had insisted that she put her arm into his own, which was arched to his side.


    Getting her to dress perfectly for the party was the hardest part, but bringing her to act normally was much harder.


    Despite knowing that she was a ticking time bomb who could explode anytime soon, he still wanted his grandfather to see her briefly since he requested to.


    He could never even bear for them to hold a conversation together for too long. She had no filter of words or actions in her anymore.


    Ellen couldn¡¯t be more than shocked as she stared at her brother¡¯s wife, who had taken the show to the party room without much effort. Everyone including Hailey, Eva, Eleanor and many others who were still conflicted about who she was, could never dispute the fact of her enthralling beauty that filled the entire room.


    ¡®How could they not have seen this other side of her?¡¯


    Aria waspletely unaware of the astonished looks people had on their face for her, because they all had never seen Dalton bring ady to any celebration, anniversary or banquet that he attended. She just wanted to be free from her suffocating dress.


    Her lips uttered words even before Dalton, who was the grandson, said anything, as soon as they approached Mark Miller¡¯s direction who was evidently ready to leave the party.


    ¡°Nice to meet you, granddaddy,¡± Aria said and smiled at the old man, who was taken aback by the person who had called him that way, and her new demeanor too.


    In the past she rarely even talked to him first or stayed around him, and was also never around anytime he visited the mansion by chance.


    But she was greeting him first in a cheerful manner, and even called him granddaddy and not sir. Not a lot of people got to see Mark Miller smile so often, but he seemed to have a good one for his granddaughter-inw. It was amazing.


    ¡°So pleased to see your radiant and beautiful self. The Millers must be the perfect ce for you,¡± he humored in the same way she had, thinking it would be a good response for her to give.


    And there was Dalton who had not even said hello to his grandfather yet, with his face twitching insignificantly to her reaction regarding his grandfather¡¯s joke.


    She could never say anything negative to him, and he had made sure of that before they came to the party. The moment she spoke of anything, it was out for their deal.

 A reason of doubt

    ¡°What¡­ What did you just say?!¡± Aria asked in livid disbelief that had overwhelmed her body immediately, when she heard what Dalton uttered out to her without any feelings or emotion.


    ¡®Was he crazy? How dare he y with someone¡¯s life for his own benefit?¡¯Content is property of N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°You heard what I said clearly, dear wife,¡± he stated with a straight face, which evidently indicated that he wasn¡¯t in the mood for jokes. He meant every one of his words.


    The fact that Alex had moved her away from the house in a jiffy, was too much for her toprehend at that point in time of her waking.


    She barely had enough time to put on her slippers when he acted so restlessly, like something serious was going on around the mansion and made her evacuate immediately.


    Due to the weakness that her body was immersed into and the partial sleep that clouded her eyes, she was not able to ask where he was taking her, when they approached the door of the whirling helicopter which was open.


    Not too longter after they were up in the air, she was already sitting in front of a mirror and getting her face done by makeup professionals.


    It took extra efforts from them to cover up the ck bags under her eyes, as Dalton waited around while monitoring the time so intently, with so many thoughts running through his mind. Everyone had left so quickly after they were done with their jobs, leaving Aria to finish dressing up on her own.


    It was after then that Dalton entered into the dressing room, while she was adjusting the sapphire ne that she had on. She definitely could not believe that she looked like what she was looking at through the mirror. Every look and detail was so beautiful.


    When she noticed his presence, she thought to jump in front of him and demand what was going on with the makeover, as he mentioned an issue that she had least expected them to ever talk about.


    ¡°So, we are going to a ball party and are going to meet your grandfather, then you threaten me not to say anything to him by bringing Anna into this?! How do you even know who Anna is and how we are connected?¡± Aria shot up in anger when she heard what he had said to her, with the thought to pick up her heels from under her feet and smash it against his head.


    ¡°I have my ways, darling. If you want her to get a surgery as nned in any hospital, then you just have to act normally without running your mouth to grandfather,¡± he dered impassively.


    ¡°Why the fuck are you bringing her into this? And who says she is getting the surgery at the family hospital?!¡± Aria cut in immediately.


    Her body had started to quake at the mentioning of a subject that she would definitely like no one to talk about. Not in the Miller¡¯s family.


    ¡°Whatever hospital it is, Aria. She will never get the surgery if I please, and there is nothing you are going to do about it.¡±


    ¡°You are evil Dalton. You are so heartless. Using me for your own selfish gain and wanting me to act like everything is fine? You think that is going to work out everytime?!¡± She cussed at him under her breath, while trying to hold the outburst of emotional pain that was trembling her heart.


    ¡®How could he?¡¯


    ¡°You have a choice to make, and you have just five minutes to meet me in the car after a decision. Do not waste any time further,¡± he warned, and immediately turned to leave the room. The decision she would make was obvious.


    ~?|?|?~


    Considering the entire drama that urred during the party and Dalton¡¯s threat to Aria, she left the party shortly after Mark Miller left, unannounced and unnoticed to anyone.


    The fact that he had used Anna¡¯s surgery to put her in a terrible spot, made her drive out of the mansion in the early hours of the morning before anyone left the house. If there was anything she wanted to do after, it was getting Anna¡¯s surgery scheduled as soon as possible at the hospital.


    ¡°So you have checked to see that all the footage from yesterday was wiped off right?¡± Dalton asked calmly than his usual self, which made Alex slightly rx from his initial self imposed tension, that was preparing to receive any harshsh back from Dalton.


    ¡°Yes sir. Rather than a systemic problem, I rather say or think someone, must have tampered with it,¡± he hesitated to say thest sentence, as it would look like he was trying to use one of the family members.


    ¡°Is there any way to recover the lost recordings?¡±


    ¡°The IT professionals are trying to do that, sir. But they say that the sess rate of recovery is less than five percent,¡± Alex said in a very apologetic manner. In a literal sense and way of things, it totally looked like his fault for not being able to manage every of the mansion affairs.


    ¡°From now on, the monitor and equipment used in the CCTV operation room should be relocated to my room. Call an interior professional to redesign and reconstruct everything that needs to be done in the room to a perfect fix,¡± Dalton instructed, with his eyes on piles of files that were to be checked on the table. He wasn¡¯t getting angry like his normal self too, and it really got Alex specting many things.


    Alex, who was still wondering if there was a need for such a formal process since Dalton¡¯s room was extrarge, tried to decipher if the mood in the room was the time to tell him what he wanted to say.


    He noticed that during and till the party of the previous night had ended, the coldness between Aria and Dalton was so palpable to maybe only him.


    They had never talked to one another in the past which made it seem normal, but seeing them without having to bicker in a day was really weird.


    ¡®It has just been a few hours to conclude such thoughts already,¡¯ he told himself.


    ¡°Sir. Mrs. Miller left the mansion with her car very early this morning,¡± he finally told him, ¡°We have the men following her to know where she is going.¡±


    ¡°Okay,¡± Dalton replied concisely, and continued to flip through the files without minding what his assistant had said.


    His nonchnt attitude towards this report got Alex really curious to know if anything had happened between them during the party, that had made him not interested to even know why she had left the mansion that early like his usual self.


    He had expected him to get all worked up about why she had left the mansion, and even order him to do the trailing job by himself.


    ¡°Why do you still allow Mrs. Miller to leave the mansion, when you can, order for the gate not to be opened to her, sir?¡± Alex finally asked the formidable question that had been eating him up so much, that he just had to know, so he could figure out what his boss was thinking in his mind.


    ¡°To know what she is up to. It would be difficult to know if she has been caged home.¡±


    Aria drove the car to the underground parking lot of a restaurant together with Anna, and ordered a cab to pick them up from the restaurant after having breakfast together with the young girl.


    The car stopped in front of the gigantic hospital as they alighted, as they made their way into the main door of the hospital with many floors. It had been the one that she had been using after doing a good research, and she had grown to love its simplicity more than any other best ones that were rated.


    The young girl held Aria¡¯s left hand in her right as they made their way into the elevator, with a brown, ck eyed teddy held tightly in the other hand.


    While the elevator they entered moved up the floor that they were going to, she smiled painfully at Anna and rubbed gently on her back, who gave a wide and cute smile that she rarely gave to anyone.


    ¡°So, she can have her tests done now?¡± Aria asked the doctor who was sitting before her, who seemed to be in his early twenties, even if he was thirty three already. The sses he had on his face didn¡¯t make it seem so.


    She was sittingfortably on one of the two chairs before the doctor¡¯s table, with Anna who sat on the second one, while staring so keenly at the doctor.


    Her mind was the type to always wander off so many times in a few minutes, but she never seemed to lose interest whenever they were at the doctor¡¯s. It made Aria more hopeful that the young girl could finally get someone, she would befortable with.


    ¡°Yes, Miss Hamilton. We would do more tests and check the state of her respiratory organs, speech nerves, andpare if she has gotten any better since thest treatment, and also through the use of the prescribed drugs,¡± he exined carefully to her, and showed to her the scan of the previous test that they had done, on the monitor he had on his table.


    Though Aria could not understand what the ck diagram with a white background meant, she just nodded hopefully and allowed the nurse who had entered inside to take Anna away.


    After the nurse left with the young girl and shut the door behind her, Aria turned to the doctor and stood up immediately as she made her way towards the door to lock it.


    Pressing on the floor was the noiseless sound of her heels, as she made her way back to the doctor who was already on his feet too.


    ¡°I do not want this in any form of paperwork, Dr. Xavier. Just a test and a result,¡± she reminded him with a very stern face.

 A reason to doubt

    Aria came back to the mansion a few hourster after she had dropped Anna at the orphanage, with her hands holding on package bags that had wine and whiskey  inside of it.


    Ellen, whose mood was still in a foul one since the previous night of the party and also with meeting her grandfather, watched her climb the stairs without minding anyone, and saunter right to the direction of her room.


    Even if she was so worried about what Dalton would do to her if he found out what she and their mother had done, she couldn¡¯t help but bear in her face a scornful look for Aria.


    She could not believe her eyes earlier that morning when she watched a video on the inte, and remembered that she had seen the newly shipped in limited edition dress that was on disy. The one she desperately wanted to have for herself.Content is ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    As she filed her nails and stared at the picture of the luxurious million worth dress, her mind immediately shed back to the person she had seen wearing.


    It was no one other than her brother¡¯s wife that attended the party hours ago, and had blown every female in there off their minds. She definitely could not imagine it.


    ¡®How would her brother buy something of that worth for his wife? Just why would he spend so much on someone he detested and didn¡¯t care about?¡¯


    But she was in no ce to ask anyone about it because her mother also had no idea, and asking Dalton wasn¡¯t even an option. She just had to bottle up the anger by herself.


    Watching Aria climb up the stairs without any regard like no one was standing there, Ellen could feel so much frustration amidst anger boiling in her blood and system. She hated that she could not do anything to the proud wife, who acted like she now owned the mansion to herself.


    The fear that Dalton had not even said anything was too much to handle, so she stormed back into her room to grab her car keys, and a purse to match the brown dress she was putting on. Clubbing was surely a palliative to cate whatever bad feelings, and nervousness that she was feeling.


    Alex hopped into the driver¡¯s seat after Dalton had taken his seat in the back seat, and ignited it immediately for a drive straight to the mansion.


    He wasn¡¯t stopping at any six star hostel to have an appetizer as usual, and was awfully quiet than normal which made Alex really concerned.


    Never had he liked Dalton¡¯s angry and chaotic nature, but he could never enjoy the extreme hush that was  present in the car space.


    Unlike his normal self, he was not asking about Aria¡¯s whereabouts all day, nor did he take a break from his tiring schedules. He even cleared the ones for the next two days except the meetings, that he had ordered Alex to reschedule to the next day, just to fill the time that there was nothing left to do.


    ¡°Sir,¡± Alex called softly, while keeping one eye on the map navigation, and the other on Dalton through the mirror, without making it obvious.


    He couldn¡¯t just stand seeing his boss colder than normal, and decided to talk about Aria if that would remind him that he had given them a trailing task.


    It took a while for Dalton¡¯s face to light up from the phone he was looking at, with a sinister and cold look that settled intently in his eyes.


    Alex instantly realized that he could not just say something stupid or out of context, that would end up ruining everything for everyone that evening. He proceeded to say what he initially wanted to say anyways.


    ¡°It is Mrs. Miller, sir,¡± he paused for a while as he made sure not to make contact with Dalton¡¯s eyes, through the Mirror again, ¡°She took Anna to Martina hospital today, and had some tests done after they visited the doctor¡¯s office. While she followed the nurse to go take the tests, Mrs. Miller remained in the doctor¡¯s office all through,¡± he stopped again, knowing that what he was about to say next, would definitely be a catalyst to rile up Dalton.


    ¡°The nurse had to knock for a while after she came back a few minutes after, to present the doctor with an emergency report from the child¡¯s examination. The door was locked,¡± he dropped.


    ~|????||||||??|~


    The car which was about to take thest turn towards the route that led to the mansion, sped uncontrobly like the one under spell by Dalton¡¯s orders to Alex who was driving.


    As the car swerved into thepound of the mansion through the lonely flowered part of the road, it halted immediately in front of the mansion as Dalton came out of the car so quickly.


    It was then that Alex realized that he might have said something, that would be beyond reasonable understanding or repair. His heart feared greatly for what could happen next, especially with the loads of anger that Dalton was carrying with him. He concluded that following behind him was not the best thing to do at that moment.


    Aria heard the door of the library snap open with great force, as she turned around to see who it was that had decided to disrupt her peace.


    It was when she saw whom the figure that was storming closer to her direction was, that she turned to face her art work like she had not seen him and continued her business.


    He still looked so cute and handsome at the same time in his three piece burgundy suit, that even his rigid and aggravated facial expression could never turn ugly no matter how bad it contorted.


    She knew no reason why he acted like a beast and barged into the library looking so pissed, but she definitely was never talking to him again about anything.


    However, he had jerked her up with force when he saw that she was ignoring him, but she just broke free from his grip instantly with a stronger force of violence.


    Swiftly, Aria pushed the artwork that she was still painting and stood aside, and put the white veil cover over it to prevent any ident that could ur. Without saying any words to him, she turned to leave the library.


    ¡°Where did you go this morning, and what did you do?!¡± He demanded so rudely, expecting that she would scowl at him in her usual way, and say words that would definitely rile him up.


    She just ignored him and continued to proceed towards the door of the library, which was not any better way of making him feel better. It was as though she made everything worse, by the silent treatment that she was passing to him. Nevertheless, he was never going to let her be, or let her have her way.


    ¡°Answer me!¡± He yelled furiously, as she finally got to the door to open it only to discover that it was locked. This time around, she wasn¡¯t his silly game.


    ¡°You think I wouldn¡¯t take precautions, didn¡¯t you?¡± He smirked at his smartness, but soon disappointedly watched her return back to her sitting position, without still saying anything to him. It made him lose it finally.


    ¡®How could she know how to get crazy on his nerves, and drive him insane with her words and actions?¡¯


    ¡°So, you are shamelessly cheating on me with another man, under the guise of taking an orphan for tests? Isn¡¯t that so cheap for a wife of a billionaire from a prestigious home?!¡± Heshed out in one go, and that was the point that could never make her keep her mouth shut.


    ¡®How dare he use her of infidelity?¡¯


    ¡°I would not sit here and watch you sully my virtue as ady, or tarnish my image with your disgusting mouth filled with lewd words! And even if I am sleeping with another man, does that count as cheating to you? We do not even have that kind of rtionship!¡± She hissed with exasperation, with revulsion clearly seeping out of her face and body.


    ¡®What did he take her for? How so stupid of him.¡¯


    ¡°And do you want to have that kind of rtionship?¡± He suddenly asked out of the point, which almost made her face droop in bewilderment of what he was saying.


    . She was expecting him to pry more into what she really did at the hospital, since it was for a fact that the people that trailed her didn¡¯t get any vital information.


    ¡°Have you finally gone crazy and out of your mind? Did you finally lose your self control because your y things are not around?¡± She questioned with any random word that just urred to her mind. It was the least topic of what she would have expected them to talk about at that moment. Moreover, she was still so pissed at him to even talk about anything of such.


    ¡°I think we can actually take our rtionship to another level,¡± he suddenly began so flirty, forgetting the rage that was burning through him a few minutes ago, as he began to move close to where she was sitting.


    It was then that he noticed the dress she was putting on.


    The way he was looking at her too was really ufortable, that she immediately stood up from the position that she was sitting.


    Even if she was too angry to talk to him right now, she had to find the key because remaining in the room with him for too long would be suffocating. Any shit that detested her could certainly ur.


    ¡°And, we can also make babies too,¡± he uttered with a grin, as he continued to walk closer to her in a slow and rhythmic manner.


    ¡®Was he drunk?!¡¯

 Night stand

    California


    Night club


    Ellen tried to keep a steady eye gaze by forcefully keeping her eyes wide open, while she poured another ss of vodka for herself and ced it on the bar b. Her face was crimson red and burning hot already, due to the drunk effect that the alcohol was having in her system.


    Unusually, her body was starting to let its guard down, which might put her image at a detriment if anyone caught on that it was she.


    The bartender who noticed that the maskeddy who was dancing about an hour ago was getting tipsy, tapped on the table so loudly to make her recover from her present fuddled state.


    She suddenly raised her head up from its drooping position in an instant like someone possessed, and rose up immediately from the chair that she was sitting on as she requested for water.


    Gulping endlessly on the entire bottle of the crystal clear liquid, Ellen¡¯s level of intoxication seemed to have reduced a bit as she took her seat again.


    Her heart suddenly began to dwell on the fact that she was lonely without a partner, and that thest time she had a proper rtionship was years ago.


    To ascertain her longing thoughts and feelings, a cold breeze began to creep up her skin underneath her tiny ck outfit, that barely covered her thighs or her arm.


    The desire to take something hot so as to quench the cold that she was feeling, Ellen demanded another drink from the bartender who was really skeptical about giving it to her.


    ¡°I think you are too drunk to take more of this. Allow me,¡± she heard the voice from behind her, and the next thing was a hand that flew across her dizzy eyes to pick up her ss of drink.


    ¡°And, who, are, you?¡± Ellen questioned inaudibly in paused words, while trying to keep down the nausea feeling that was beginning to crawl up the walls of her throat.


    ¡®Never was she going to let out the monster in her stomach threatening to let out its sttering rain of disgusting liquid, disgrace her.¡¯


    She hated the fact that she had the urge to cry at that moment, because of the cat eye costume that was tied to her half of her face to cover her eyes.


    Her eyes struggled to open and raised up to see the person who was talking to her, and for a few seconds she was mesmerized by his facial beauty and eye-catching manliness.


    He had a standing posture and aura that was so damn sexy, as his cologne began to tug on her senses and slowly invade into them. Still, she could never not get angry at the fact that he took her drink without permission, as her eyshes twitched to an irritated one even still in her drunken state.


    ¡°Damon Brown. Nice to meet you,¡± he replied to her question in a calm and sensational manner, and Ellen began to think that his voice sounded better than her brother¡¯s.


    ¡®She didn¡¯t know who he was.¡¯


    ¡°And what the heck is that? Don¡¯t think I have heard that name before. Do you know me?¡± She asked wryly with her tired limb struggling to remain steadily on the b, and scared for a second that he might have recognized whom really was, through something that had probably given her identity out.


    ¡°Would like to share this lonely time of mine with you, if you don¡¯t mind,¡± he went straight to the point, which made Ellen stare at him at a closer angle when he took the seat beside her.


    He was just talking smoothly and saying a lot of things she didn¡¯t even know, but her mind seemed to flow and agree with everything he said to her.


    There wasn¡¯t much effort put in the way he engaged her into innocent teases, and extra care by wiping off the side of her lips that her red lipstick had smudged a bit. He ignited something in her.


    Minutester, two figures were seen walking up the stairs to a lounge in the bar, and then into one of the deluxe rooms there. And the moment they entered the room and locked the door behind them, their lips crashed hungrily against one another like ones that had been in an intense heat period.


    Their systematic pulling off of every piece of their clothes was so fast, that hands and clothes just flew in the air in the space of a few minutes to the nudity of two bodies and minds.


    The night of long pleasure and crave for another¡¯s sweet savour, made Ellen lose every of the restraints that she had put on herself for so long. He had her deep to everything that they had engaged into, and his touch lingered everywhere around her body and senses.


    **~?~**.       ***~??~***.     **~?~**.


    ¡°Get away from me Dalton. Do not y any games here,¡± Aria warned icily, as she made sure not to loose her by minutes backward step, the more he moved closer to her.


    There was definitely no way that she wasn¡¯t believing that he was not drunk, or had probably finally gone mad from sexual starvation. However, she didn¡¯t care. All she wanted from the sexy devilish husband of hers, was for him to get away from her breathing space immediately.


    Seeing that Dalton¡¯s steps would definitely outnumber hers, Aria¡¯s eyes caught the revolvingdder that was close to where was standing. She sidled to where thedder was without any dy, and climbed on it quickly to the topmost part of it.


    ¡°Touch thisdder or try to touch me, then I would rain this heaps of books right on your head. Starting from the huge ones like the encyclopedias,¡± Aria threatened, as her hand grabbed therge volume of bound book in one of the shelves, to insinuate what she actually meant.


    ¡°Is this what we are doing now?¡± There was an immediate switch in Dalton¡¯s tone of voice, and it had gotten angrier than ever in response to what she was doing. He hated it to know that someone could dare to threaten him, and not him, being the one to do that. It felt really weird.


    ¡°Yes, darling. That is what we are doing, which is why I like you being as apathetic as ever. Now go and open the door with the keys and let me get out of her,¡± she ordered in a very taunting manner, to make him feel more infuriated deep within him than he was.


    That way, she thought he would leave the room in anger too and let her be in peace, but things didn¡¯t seem to be going in the way that she had nned.


    ¡°Come down from the stairs, right now!¡± Hemanded furiously, as he watched her y with his orders and revolve the stairs round like a young child intentionally disobeying her father. Whichever one it was, it was really sucking the life out of his patience.


    He stormed towards the direction of where thedder had paused with Aria on it, as she attempted to swerve thedder back to the right. His strong arms grabbed thedder mid way and put it to a stop, which made Aria go through her own threat too by smashing a book against him.


    The book ended up whooshing above his head and leaving him unaffected, which made her hand fumble when it tried to grab another book in defense.


    Just when Aria wanted to turn her body to pick the next book of desirable size and weight in mind, her leg slipped uncontrobly in a second as she grabbed the shelf instinctively.Exclusive content from N?velDrama.Org.


    She ended up falling in the air when her arm didn¡¯t grip a fuller part of the shelf, and straight she fell into Dalton¡¯s open arm like a featherless fairy.


    He held her into his arms when shended so closely to himself like she would snap, as her eyes remained tightly closed while trying to regain herself.


    It was when she opened her eyes minutester, she realized that her face was so close to his own, with his beautiful eyes looking so intently into her own.


    She was staring closely at his face and the structure of it in that position, while wondering how he could be so handsome from up close. It was just pure curiosity of what made his face looked so soft and clean white, and not that she was drooling endlessly into his beauty


    Dalton was having it wrong, and convinced in his mind that she could never escape his charms, even if she imed not to. She made sure not to disappoint him by asking the next question.


    ¡°Just out of curiosity though, even if I am still never talking to you. Do you mind telling me what kind of body lotion you are using?¡±

 Plans and mistakes

    ¡°And why do you look so knocked out of your body and mind?¡± Mrs. Eleanor Miller asked her daughter Ellen who was lying on the couch in her room, like someone who had been bloated in a river for days before being rescued.


    There was a piece of wet cloth of her temple to keep her temperature down, and a ss of cold water on the chair stood beside her, which she kept on leaning to drink from.


    Getting so drunk beyond reasonable action when clubbing was something she never bargained for, but waking up naked under white smooth and soft bed sheets the next morning in a beautiful room was way worse.


    There was no way that she could ever tell anyone that something of such happened to her, but the feeling of guilt and hangover sickness was beating her so bad right from her stomach and throat.


    The fact that the stranger she had a night stand with had seen her face, and would definitely know that she was a daughter of the Millers family.


    ¡®What if he had taken pictures of her? What if he started to ckmail her? What if he had even kidnapped her the previous night and demanded a ransom from her family?¡¯ were the surfeit of heart trembling thoughts, that her brain continued to painfully beat her to.


    Even if she had no strength to say anything to her mother, she still had to reply to her question to prevent unnecessary tantrum.


    Ignoring her reality, her mind went back to her fantasy that came true the previous day, as her body could still slightly shudder and shiver, just by the thoughts of what the guy she met had done to her body. The ecstasy he gave her. The toughness of his body against her skin. It was fire!


    ¡®Still, how could she be so stupid? How could she be so careless and let her guards down? What if their sex video leaked in one way or another? Then she would probably just kill herself before her family did.¡¯


    ¡°Am I not talking to someone here?!¡± Mrs. Miller demanded angrily in frustration, jolting Ellen out of the imaginations that already made her body feel aroused.


    As much as Eleanor hated that she was somewhat lonely and could not join her colleagues¡¯ underrated party, the only one she could talk to was Ellen who was like a mini version of her. And the closest to her too.


    ¡°Can we just talk about another issue, mother? Like the fact that Emma is back in this house, but you can barely see her shadows anywhere around,¡± Ellen shifted the topic away from her.


    She was feeling extremely sick from the bad hangover that was still in her body, and the fact that she had lied to her mother when she asked where wasing from, the next morning looking so rough.


    It wasn¡¯t that her mother monitored her life or anything rting to that, but Eleanor found it surprising that Ellen spent the night outside the house. It was because she knew she had any serious friends aside from Hailey.


    ¡°It is so annoying to watch, but I have seen her a couple of times from yesterday till today, just staring at her phone. Not just normal giggling, but the ones you get when you are in love,¡± Eleanor pointed out.


    ¡°Are you saying Emma¡¯s got a boyfriend?!¡± Ellen eximed incredulously, and calmed her nerves after a few minutes of exaggerated reactions. It was going to actually be more shocking and weird, if it was Eva who got one.


    No one had ever seen her with anyone that she was exactly dating, and she also never looked like someone who was nning for marriage anything soon.


    It got really messed up when they all strongly believed that she was gay, to the point that Mark Miller never minded her the most amongst all his grandchildren. They didn¡¯t know exactly why, but he never really liked her as a child. She did what she wanted.


    ¡°I just hope she is not dating some disgusting gold digger, that would bring shame to our family. When you see her again, tell her that! No low-leveled guy, and definitely nothing lesser than the standard!¡± Eleanor reminded sternly.


    ¡°And, I heard the maids talk about it this morning, that Dalton is finally taking his wife for a mental check. He should just throw her out and rest on those unnecessary long processes. The craziest part is that he carried her in his . Can you imagine, mum? I really think he has finally lost his mind or she has hypnotized him,¡± Ellen hissed and rolled her eyes, while trying to picture a scene of Dalton carrying Aria so closely in his hand like the maids imed.


    It felt like maggot would crawl out of her body, if her brother had even a soft spot for her. To her, raising the dead would be easier than that ever happening.


    Ellen really wanted Aria to leave their lives as soon as possible, because she knew that things were yet to unleash itself, as the witch seemed to be taking things at a slow pace.


    Having no idea what she knew, had seen or heard, she was certainly sure that her brother¡¯s wife would leave no stone unturned toe back at them.


    Not especially for the fact that she was now a different person than they have known, that was now bent on throwing everyone out of the house even before they did that to her.


    ¡°She has probably lost her mind or gone nuts, which the doctor would finally confirm. But your brother seems to have lost his mind alongside hers too,¡± Eleanor said with confidence, as she grabbed a bottle of water from the bedside and stood to drink from it.


    She barely had a few hours left, to attend a special gathering that she was invited to by evening. Hailey¡¯s mother and every of her own friends that were close to their extremely high social standards, would also be present too with her, being the one to lead everything.


    ¡°Mother! Mother!!¡± Ellen suddenly called out in anxiousness immediately a particr memory shed before her, leaving her eyes wide open in breath seizing shock, ¡°What if she had really lost her mind, or had had a kind of brain concussion?¡±


    ¡°What do you mean? How is that any of your bother n¡­¡±


    ¡°It is, mother. Remember what happened months ago. Dalton must never find out else he would be so mad we never told him. Things could get out of hand.¡±


    ¡°It wasn¡¯t that much of an issue,¡± Eleanor forced a chuckle, now feeling tensed up a little.


    ¡°It was, mother. It definitely was. We have to stop her from getting a test,¡± Ellen chickened out.


    **********


    Aria went to the library after eating a light breakfast when she was sure that Dalton was far away from the house, making sure not to forget to lock the door behind her.


    She was kind of bothered about the test he mentioned the previous day, but was more concerned about finishing thest part of her painting. The next step was to sell it to an auction house.


    It wasn¡¯t a wise idea for someone who just woke up and started painting after years, but it was possible if she had the right connections and money.


    She would use money to pave the way to where her art was going to be sold, for the highest price ever than what the gallery could even bargain for.


    Her n was to sell the painting to the highest bidder of the auction house, with an agreement that money would be refunded by her if they do not end up making more than they paid, and they also get to keep the painting too. It was a fair deal to them.


    Literarily speaking to anyone who would have heard of what she signed for, it was a terrible idea, and she knew it too. But she definitely knew what she was doing.


    Lest she forgot, Aria picked up her phone from the wooden table beside her, took a fine picture of the art and sent it to Collin with a tag ¡®Auctioning it.¡¯  As soon as she was done with everything, she switched off her phone and left the painting to dry.


    While she was getting ready to sell a painting with crazy thoughts in her head, she got a call from the private investigator that she had paid to check out some incidents.


    They were all rted to the near-death idents she had escaped, whenever she had gone out of the mansion with or without the family by chance.


    Rather than getting divorced hastily without getting to the root of the matter, and getting the perpetrator to pay for their sins, she decided to remain in the house for just one more month, to make sure the entire Millers paid for her past misery.


    Speaking about paying. She would make sure to get a huge amount of alimony that would repay her for everything, including thepany that Dalton had talked about before the press.


    And she was not going to wait till the five months of marriage psed, but going to make sure it would also be one of herpensations for mental trauma.Content is property of N?velDrama.Org.

 A connecting line

    Miller¡¯s corporation.


    Dalton¡¯s office:


    ¡°She sold the painting that she left the house with this evening, to the Daas.. Daasgrh auction house, sir,¡± Alex struggled to pronounce the name of the ce that he had practiced a couple of times, as he made his report to Dalton from what he had cross checked with the head of guards.


    He was still unable toprehend the vivid picture that was unfolding before him, particrly of Aria having a sudden need to sell herself painted art to an auction house.


    It even seemed weirder that Dalton was so interested in what she was doing, and getting or nning to get involved with. But it was not surprising to Alex anymore because it was sought of a norm for Dalton; wanting to know everything his wife was getting intotely.


    ¡°Register, and book a space at the auction house,¡± Dalton instructed and nodded meaningfully, as he signed the final papers for his takeover of a foodpany that went under, after taking a huge investment risk, ¡°Getting some new pieces of art for the mansion wouldn¡¯t be a bad one.¡±C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org.


    In less than a year, Dalton had taken over so many uingpanies that had failed to survive, due to low level of expertise or inability to generate adequate input for thepany management.


    When it came to investment dealings and real estate managements, his calctive predictions were so insane that he quadrupled the worth of the Millers in a year. Never could he be underestimated in his dealings, and for that, his grandfather could not have loved him less.


    ¡°Then she should be at the mansion now,¡± Dalton made an affirmative statement expecting that it would definitely be the truth he had envisaged.


    ¡°No sir. She is on her way to the orphanage,¡± Alex disappointed him with the next words that could never offer any warmth of helping him to feel better. A crease began to form around Dalton¡¯s well defined eyebrows.


    There was nothing more funny and amusing to Alex than the new expressions that were not far from reach for Dalton, especially when it came to Aria¡¯s business.


    Throughout the years he had worked for him, every expression he had seen and studied from Dalton was resentment, an intimidating aura, extreme seriousness, no fun, and loathing.


    But watching him often express ones that were close to surprise, skepticism, restlessness recently, were really intriguing for him to study.


    ¡°That darn orphanage! What does she have to do with that ce anyways? Is she in any way connected to the ce?¡± Dalton muttered angrily, while trying not to squeeze the files in front of him into his palms.


    Alex was not sure if it was appropriate for him to respond to Dalton¡¯s rhetorical question; however he could not exactly understand what his boss was pissed off about.


    The fact that they had been trailing her around and had not found anything really suspicious, or the fact that her moves and doings were now unpredictable, he knew not. He suddenly recalled something at that point.


    ¡°Sir. After the wine cer has been locked, Mrs. Miller appears to be purchasing liquor from a store.¡±


    Dalton¡¯s facial expression changed immediately to the one that was shocked, as he was really surprised to realize that he didn¡¯t know so much about her after all.


    He wanted to know exactly why she was drinking so much to the detriment of her health rather than being enraged or pissed because she had gone out of her way to defile his instructions.


    ¡°Get the car ready,¡± he ordered Alex.


    ~?~ ~?~ ~?~


    Ellen sat at the balcony of her room while she was streaming a live video, since she had nothing much to do with her closest friend out of the country. None of her sisters were home and even Eleanor had gone for her own business, leaving her as the only one left in the house by herself.


    As she modestly unted her new luxurious limited edition handbag and read people¡¯s nicements and reactions, her heart almost jumped out of her chest by turning her inward happiness sour when a message popped on her phone.


    She thought she was mistaken or hallucinating when she read the message heading, while trying not to make the abrupt mood of her change obvious to her followers.


    As impatient as she was intensely feeling to end the live session, she found it hard to do so immediately, hoping in her heart that the message was just spam.


    She reluctantly did some other things and showed her greatest collection of makeup, before she finally ended the live video and heaved a sigh of fear.


    Her thumbs hesitated to click on the message icon on her phone, as she hoped it was not exactly what she was thinking in her mind.


    And to her utmost dismay and disturbing thoughts confirmation, it was something she knew would dread her if she ever saw. The message read:


    Hey senorita. Would you like to meet?


    Sincerely Damon.


    Ellen was drunk when he approached her and mentioned his name, but she could never mistake the name for another person¡¯s.


    Just anybody could not message her on her personal phone number, talk less of an unknown number texting her like they knew each other on a personal level. Of course they had been intimate, so it was a total and crazy personal thing.


    ¡®But how did he get her number? When did she give it to him? He knows who she was already. Why was he requesting an audience? It was probably to get money by ckmailing her!¡¯ Ellen¡¯s brain had questioned and convinced her of so many things, that she was not even yet to confirm its validity.


    Doing anything to damage her perfect image was the worst thing she could ever do to herself. She couldn¡¯t afford to be lonely both in real life, and also on the inte too that was swarming with her fans.


    Regardless of that, she could feel her eyes already welling out a painful drop of tears that slowly rolled down her puffy cheeks. It would have been a nice thing to finally meet someone if she was just an ordinary person, but things could not go wrong with Damon because of her family status.


    ¡°What the fuck am I going to do now that he wants to meet¡­?¡± Ellen cried subduedly and deeply under her bed covers, in fear of being ostracized by the intemunity or being hated upon if any video of her leaked.


    She could not even imagine having anti fans that would call her disgusting and drag her through debris, because she had let her personal lifee to a ce that could never wipe things finally, if her brother does not intervene in the situation. The shame alone would even kill her, even if no one found it as a big deal.


    ¡®What she would do, was just to pretend like it wasn¡¯t her own number, and prevent any further messages from being sent by that number. Yes. It was not the time to cry and sulk over spilt milk now,¡¯ she consoled herself.


    ~?~?~


    Sitting in the almost empty living of expanse space was a young man, who seemed to be so engulfed in the job he was doing, and also out of it at the same time.


    He was definitely not ready to do a final takeover of the familypany yet, so he just worked from home and did whatever had to be done with the help of his assistant.


    His heart was constantly troubled that the one person he had wanted to talk to for so long, didn¡¯t seem herself and had no tangible time to spare him for another talk. She sent messages and called whenever she was to, and switched off her phone at every slightest chance he wanted to call or text back.


    She never told where she was living or how she was doing, and still had not enough time to talk with him like in the past.


    He was thinking that it picked off like the past, that it took so long before they could be in the same space, but as the days went by, he knew that things would probably never be the same any longer. He resorted to another method.


    He told the assistant to find out the name of the auction house, that Aria sold the art that she sent him a picture of, and also register a slot for the auctioning. The first step he was going to take closer to her, was buying her beautiful piece of art at the auction.

 Sexual incites

    Aria¡¯s room.


    Miller¡¯s mansion.


    From her sleep, she could hear the sound of the ringing bell from outside rebound irritatingly in every corner of her room, as she frowned angrily and hissed so much about the noise grated on her.


    It was not enough that it took so long before she could stop being restless on her bed till midnight, but someone just had toe to interrupt her peaceful sleep in the morning.


    As her body twisted straight into bone cracking stretches, Aria¡¯s eye lids remained so heavy to open with her brain, which was still numb to her sleep.


    Like it was the alcohol that was still left unused in her body system working, she could hear something whisper to her ear, things she didn¡¯t want to hear. ¡°You are going for a mental check.¡±


    She was unsure of why that particr sentence kept recurring in her mind, which was still not awake. But she really wanted to smash the person, who wouldn¡¯t stop ringing on the doorbell against the wall.


    Like the person heard her wishes to do something brutal to them, the doorbell stopped ringing which put relief into her body immediately.


    Aria¡¯s head suddenly sprang up from the bed momentarily like a lizard, as she gasped softly when she finally remembered what the day was about.


    To be sure that her eye cloudiness was not messing up with her brain, Aria¡¯s eyes darted to the huge clock that hung on the wall in an adjacent corner to her direction, and it wrote 8:45 in big ck letters which made her gasp more again.


    It was then that she realized that Dalton was really serious, about the mental test he had talked about two days ago. She could not help but sigh angrily, knowing that it was because of her revolting behaviortely. She couldn¡¯t care less.


    ¡°The Millers cannot ept that it is the end of the game for them, and are trying to check my attitude medically. Such despicable clowns!¡± She hissed with a sneer across her lips, as she climbed down drowsily from her bed and made her way into the bathroom.


    It was certainly not possible for her to spare even the shortest hours of her time for a health check, because she had to meet the private investigator, who was going to exin some disturbing parts of some videos that he found to her.


    Knowing that Dalton had his men trail her around, she was still willing to take the risk to meet one-on-one with the busy person, who had only that morning to spare.


    Aria¡¯s body dripped of water as she made her way out of the bathroom, with only a white towel wrapped around her wet hair, as she walked back and forth past the huge dresser mirror a few feet away from her bed.


    As she looked at her white, curvy and shimmering body through the reflective object, her face suddenly twisted into a frown as her eyes traced to every corner of the room in a few seconds.


    ¡®What if that son of a witch had cameras in the room, that had been watching her since she changed rooms? He is capable and could really do it. Oh dear, you have been so unguarded!¡¯ Aria scolded herself in her head, as she moved quickly towards her bed and picked the lightingmp on the fancy stool beside it.


    She checked the insides and outside of bothmps to be sure nothing was there, and dropped it on her bed, as she dragged themp stool to where the chandelier in the room hung from.


    Climbing on the sturdy stool for support, Aria stood on her toes to extend her arms better to a better view of the chandelier light extensions.


    Her eyes looked from right to left as she checked to see if nothing was also not there, as her toes trembled and struggled to stabilize on the stool. Trying to check every inch of theplex three tier chandelier, Aria leaned in for more support as her body exceedingly flung to the front.


    Her hand instinctively grabbed the chandelier to pull her body back to position, which caused the stool to pull away from her legs and fall to the floor.


    At the scene was a beautiful nudedy with sexy curves and smooth body, dangling from the chandelier with her hands holding onto it desperately. Screaming for help wasn¡¯t even an option for her.


    And there, the danger that was about to invoke itself, made the chandelier begin to loose from its hinges, as it descended slowly with Aria trying not to shout or panic. Things got tensed up in her entirety, when the part that she grabbed was already beginning to slip out her sloppy and wet hands.


    ¡®Dear lord. I cannot die before making these idiots pay for what they did,¡¯ she prayed.


    Gbam!!!!


    Arya¡¯s body plunged against the hard floor with a loud thud, and a crack around somewhere in her body followed next. She let out a painful yell with her body sprawled on the cold floor, while her entirety shuddered at the intensity of what happened in response to her adrenaline.


    In less than five minutes while nursing her pain, there was a rapid knock on the door this time instead of the bell.C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org.


    ¡°Mrs. Miller! Is everything okay?¡± The voice which Aria recognized as that of Alex¡¯s, called out to her but she was unable to open her mouth to release words, talk more of replying to his question. It was as though the fall took every of her reasoning away.


    ¡°Mrs. Miller!¡± He called again, ¡°Please can you open the door¡­¡± Alex bowed immediately, when he sensed who was approaching the front of the door where he stood.


    ¡°Aria, open the door now!¡± Dalton ordered immediately. The hit sound was loud enough for him to hear from his room even if it was sound proofed, since the wall barricade that divided both rooms was not constructed in that manner.


    ¡®Oh my goodness. Is that not Dalton?¡¯ Aria¡¯s body almost jerked up immediately in realization of who was at the door, which brought her to the further painful twisting of her broken arm, as she gently rxed her body again without protest.


    As difficult as it was to stand up even from that spot, she knew she had just a few minutes to get up from her position and put on clothes. Else, her rude and arrogant jerky husband would not waste time to force his way in.


    ¡®Speaking of forcing ways in, she had to retrieve the extra keys to her room from him. He could not just infringe her rights and withhold her privacy however he liked.¡¯


    ¡°Open the door, Aria,¡± Dalton instructed loudly again from outside the door, which almost made Aria cuss at him in disbelief.


    ¡®Was he so concerned about getting her the tests done that he had toe get her by himself? That does not matter now. You need to get up. Get up and put something on¡­¡­..¡¯


    Slowly, there was a twisting sound around the keyhole to the door, and the twin door suddenly sprang open in the center as the king himself entered inside. He strode into the room and shut the door behind him, as he walked straight to the bed space.


    And there was Aria standing with a broken arm that was badly bruised and hurting badly, in a free ck satin dress that she wore to sleep which had ace inserted into the both sides of it.


    ¡°Was I not talking to you?!¡± Dalton thundered as he made his way closer just to pick an early morning fight, as he caught a glimpse of her right hand trying to bnce the armless sleeve of her dress on her left shoulder.


    Luckily, his hand grabbed her right arm and turned her body to face him, which also caused a strain for her twisted left arm and an immense pain to her.


    Unable to see the hurt that he had inflicted on her, his eyes could only catch an espy of the perkiness of her rock hard brown tissue, that was on a mold of round and sulent flesh which had not fitted into the dress properly.


    Dalton¡¯s mind and head immediately became blinded by what he had just seen, as Aria hissed in pain and turned away from him with her arm. His entire body seemed to respond so much to the tempting scene he had just behold, like he had not seen a number of naked females in his life.


    His heart became kind of racy and constricted to proper breathing, knowing that there was a slight movement in-between his legs. And as the image yed again and again in his head, his bulge became more prominent as he struggled to keep himself in ce.


    ¡®What the fuck was she doing to him?¡¯ He groaned inwardly. ¡®When did he suddenly be so responsive to a woman¡¯s body?¡¯


    Dalton made his way into where he had watched Aria enter in an unaware manner, and gently pushed her back against one of the huge racks in the dressing room.


    He was trying to fight the urge not to press his lips against hers as he stared at her clueless face, while her brain was trying to process the shock that had traveled through every aching part of her body. It was as though someone sprinkled raw pepper on her wound.


    ¡°What is it that you are doing to me, Aria?¡± He asked huskily, pressing his forehead against hers with her eyes which were closed tightly. He could see the bare white skin of her hips, through the transparentcy material at the sides of her cloth.


    She was trying hard to swallow every tear that pooled behind her eyelids for her pain, while he inhaled every sweet scent of berries that seeped around her beautiful self.


    It was so difficult for her to shout at him and tell him that holding her really hurt, while he was fighting the urge not to do things to her hot body that kept invading his mind.


    His hand was pressing softly against her soft lips, and it was really, really tempting even though she had warned him not to ever kiss her. But does he ever listen to instructions?

 Desires to tame her

    Aria¡¯s room.


    ¡°Do not,e near me Dalton. Doctor, can you please tell Dalton to stay away from the patient?¡± Aria turned to Doctor Fernandez, who was wiping clean the surgical scissors that he had used to cut bandages and some other things.


    He was really startled to hear Aria involve him in her and Dalton¡¯s marriage fight, as he faked a cough and struggled with the right words to tell her.


    There was no way he could ever tell Dalton that he should vacate the room, and disobeying the patient¡¯s request to see a visitor was no ethics of a doctor.


    ¡®How would someone possibly convince him that the couples hated one another, with the way she kept on hissing and growling angrily at Dalton, as many times as her hand hurt badly when he was dressing it? He was present at the mansion again to treat her for the second time, and he had to watch her treat Dalton with evident disdain in his presence. What has changed?¡¯ He continued to wonder.


    ¡°If you would not do that for the sake of the patient, then I would do that myself,¡± Aria, whose left hand had been severely banded to her shoulder, said to the doctor who seemed to be so cautious of Dalton at the expense of her own peace.


    She could never have imagined that it would be so impossible for her to leave the house by herself in a car a few hours away from being awake, bathing and getting dressed. It was even more painful for her that Dalton seemed to have made the situation worse, by grabbing her however he liked without her consent in the wrong manner.


    To make it even more infuriating, there was nothing so worse than the mortification that had covered her minutes ago.


    It was when Dalton had pushed her against the wall and made her pain worse, that tears from nowhere began to drop from her eyes when she opened it. The pain in her arm was too intense for her to handle.


    She knew she saw Dalton¡¯s terrified face when he watched her droplets of tears drop from her eyes, but had no idea that his heart wrenched so much to watch her helplessly.


    He had no idea why his cold and defiant wife was suddenly sobbing, and was moved so greatly that he withdrew his body from hers immediately. He wondered if she hated his touch that much, dripping a gust of salty liquid from her precious eyes.


    It was when his eyes darted to her elbow to see how red and bruised it was, he almost yelled out to see how bad of a state her arm was.


    Without wasting any time, he quickly ran out to get Alex to call the doctor, while he rummaged through her countless clothes to pick something that would be less exposing for her to wear.


    He could definitely not allow anyone see the perky nipples of her through the thin fabric she was wearing, or the sexiness of her curvy hips and butt cheeks through thecy part. If patience was a man, Dalton would have probably won the prize for it.


    It was because of the manner at which he put a white sweatshirt he finally picked over her head, and wore it through her messed arm so carefully. And yet, she was telling him to leave her space because it was all his fault.


    ¡°Can you just rest and stop talking?!¡± Dalton gritted his teeth together angrily, while trying his best not to shout at her in his usual ways of handling things. She was provoking him.


    ¡°Most people who fall from a height die because they fracture their spine, near the top which transects the aorta which carries blood out of the heart. But you, Mrs. Miller, are so lucky that you fell on your arm. It should heal in two weeks,¡± Doctor Fernandez said to ease the tension he was feeling and the one in the room, while trying hard to be professional all the same.


    He had exined everything that had happened during the cause of the fall to them initially, and also told Aria that he would give her pain killer shots asionally alongside changing her bandages too. She definitely was not pleased to hear that.


    ¡°And what were you doing up, Aria?¡± Dalton asked seriously, as his gaze diverted away from the doctor to her, which made the doctor realize that he might have talked wrong again. The couple were probably going to get into another heated discussion.


    ¡°Can we not talk about how I broke my arm or why I was doing something up, and just focus on the fact that you picked the wrong cloth for me. The heat is so unbearable!¡± She shot up in spontaneous anger that made the doctor¡¯s hand tremble instantly by dropping the gauze he was holding on the floor. He wondered if he should quickly put on the air conditioner.


    ¡°I think you should exin why you were standing at an elevated height in your room. Were you nning to escape through the ceiling?¡± The question just came out of Dalton¡¯s lips without control, that he realized he sounded so different and more cringy than his usual self.


    ¡®Since when did he begin to make boring humors?¡¯


    ¡°For an intelligent man, Dalton. You kind of sound du¡­¡­.¡± Aria suddenly paused on her words, to take a peek at the doctor who was still standing in the room.


    Even if she hated everything that was going on and even the man in the room, she still could not degrade him in the presence of a mere doctor. She had more etiquette and manners than him.


    ¡°This is entirely your fault, doctor! Why exactly did you see the need to talk about heights again? Can you please just leave together with this man that might be a hindrance to my quick recovery?¡± Aria diverted hershing out to the poor doctor, who was greatly amused to watch Aria say to anyone, all that was on her mind with any filter. It was another level of braveness.


    ¡°Sure Mrs. Miller. I shall take my leave now,¡± he assured and immediately picked up the backpack that he had brought along with him, and made his run out of the room before she would call him back for Dalton.


    ¡°And once again, the doctor breaks a rule because of you,¡± Aria said disappointedly, ¡°Can you just leave and allow me to breathe peacefully?¡± She sighed heavily, while trying to suck in the writhing pain that was spreading in every area of her arm.


    ¡®Damn! These pain killers do not even work.¡¯


    ¡°I¡¯m getting Alex. You should eat something before you¡­¡­.¡±


    ¡°No, Dalton. I have eaten enough,¡± she groaned in frustration. He had forced a sandwich and a fruit drink into her mouth earlier, when the doctor said she needed to eat something to take drugs and injections.


    ¡°And why are you still taking alcoholic drinks, Aria?¡± His voice sounded low and weirdly soft than his normal self, that made Aria wonder what was going on with him. Dalton was never calm.


    ¡°Why are you not shouting like your normal self, or forcefully demanding to get an answer from me using your forte?¡± She asked tiredly, while trying so hard to ignore her pain.


    Though she was sounding so annoying, he was still going to make it work by being as calm as he could, ¡°Just answer me, Aria.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. It helps me sleep better than ever,¡± she said concisely. Him finding out that she had insomnia due to nightmares, was the least she wanted. Looking weak in front of her perpetrators was terrible.


    ¡°And drop the spare keys to my room right now, Dalton. Else you want me to move to the living room and start sleeping there.¡±


    ~?~??~?~


    Dalton pped his desk with an open palm in anger the moment he got to his study room, trying hard to calm even if he was boiling in insane rage.


    In just one morning, Aria had seeded in bringing out so many emotions through him. Sexual arousal, anger, care, controlled anger and she still went so far to threaten him, if he didn¡¯t drop the spare keys to her room.


    ¡°You are beginning to lose your touch, Dalton!¡± he murmured, as he took his seat immediately. Alex had followed behind after he saw him leaving Aria¡¯s room pissed off, but had no clue of what to say or how to make Dalton feel better.Exclusive content from N?velDrama.Org.


    Since he had known his boss, he had never witnessed people getting a second chance whenever they got him angry. Once they messed up, it was a chance gone never to be seen again.


    But he had watched Dalton get angry so many times because of Aria¡¯s words and actions, but he still always surprisingly got involved with her to hear more and more again. It made his head confused that, maybe no one else but she, could now get away with it.


    ¡°Should I get her tested psychologically too?! She should definitely get a mental test, psychological test, fitness tests, and maybe even a sexual test too?!¡± Dalton groaned in frustration, ignoring that he had mentioned a word that rarely came out of his lips.


    It was really hard to decipher how she could remain normal after he had teased her, when she was the one that seductively led him to it. He was really starting to get crazily curious, of how her body would respond willingly to his touch. If she was really interested in men and was straight, then he would make sure to tame her body to respond to only him.


    ¡®But how would he even do that, when she hated the sight of him? You are getting out of control Dalton, and really going out of your way to explore things you have never been interested in before. What is wrong with you?¡¯


    Alex just watched his boss think of so many things in his head, that he didn¡¯t even need to check, to know that he was really struggling with his thoughts. He just got to discover that he was always like that too, whenever it came to a disturbing issue about his wife.


    Dalton was a man never to ponder too much. He was a huge investor, and a risk taker of many investments that would appear to fall through to many people.


    It was always crazy to watch him win his personal bets every single time, against his fellowpetitors in business leaving them far behind, with his very intelligent, smart and calctive brain. He was like a genius. And those perfect attributes of his, couldn¡¯t help bute with a great pride.


    Even when he was going to get married to Aria that the preparations were being made, Alex was wishing in his heart that the new wife would be the one to melt his ice.


    s, he was wrong when he studied her behavior for days, and knew she was too soft to bend him. His mother made things worse by making Aria¡¯s life so pathetic, instead of helping her to make her son a warmer person to them all.


    But now that she had be the bone in everyone¡¯s throat, she could now get Dalton¡¯s attention even if it was with anger. She could now make him do things he really hated, even if she didn¡¯t mean to make him do them. Her issues could now disturb Dalton so much, that he would think so hard and not find an answer.


    It then brought Alex to a crazy spection, that he seemed to have never thought before, which widened his eyes so bright in shock of his rational thought.


    ¡®Was his boss by any chance falling in love with his wife?¡¯


    ¡°Get the car, Alex,¡± Dalton jolted him out of his thoughts that made his heart tremble, with the weird imagination he was having about him, ¡°Maybe buying her painting at the auction would make her feel better.¡±


    ¡®Now he wants to help her feel better?!¡¯

 Auction and war

    The ss door that led directly to the inside of the huge building where luxurious cars stopped in front of, were a number of elites and people dressed in gorgeous outfits stepping out.


    There were people of different races and nationalities making their way inside, with mostly amon goal for the art auctioning that was taking ce.


    There was an air of aristocracy permeating the ambience around the building, as heels and leather shoes clinked their ways into the building and towards the elevator.


    The art auctioning was going to start in the next few minutes on the fifth floor, where different art from great artists were going to be disyed for sale.


    Another luxurious car that exuded all forms of modesty stopped in front of the building, as the owner stepped out of it even before his assistant could run to get the door.


    His appearance was charming to sight and absolutely captivating, that had some of the people who recognized him mumbling words to themselves or the partners they were with.


    ¡®I thought he was not the type to attend stuff like this,¡¯ they all had such thoughts in their minds, as he strutted past everyone without any form of familiarity.


    Collin made his way into the elevator and pressed the button to signify the floor he was going to, together with his assistant who was sort of frustrated that his boss did everything himself. It rendered his expected work as his assistant useless.


    ¡°Make sure to forward the mails for signing immediately to me once they are sent. We don¡¯t want the ML group acquiring this asset before us this time. Father is counting on me,¡± Collin instructed his assistant, Jeffery, with his eyes on his phone while trying to check the image that Aria had sent to him again.


    He really wanted to make sure he remembered what he was going to purchase, while trying to still figure out what the art piece was trying tomunicate.


    The huge exclusive room had systematically arranged rows and columns offortable chairs, where one could easily reach out for a cup of coffee by the arm.


    Beside each table were constructed machines for information feel in, which was going to be used for bidding instead of the regr bidding cards.


    Visitors were making their way into the ce in aported manner to the location of their seat numbers, that had been given to them during the online registration for the auction.


    There were still a number of clumsy elites that would find it hard to do anything right and miss up their seats, which would end up in forced chuckles from them while trying to cover up their ws.


    There was about ten minutes left till the auction would begin, and Alex just began driving the car which was miles away from thepany to the auction house.


    Dalton spontaneously had so many things he had to attend to within the space of a few hours, because he had ruined his schedule by staying with Aria longer than he should have that morning.


    Counting from a minute to the time that the auction would begin, 60, 59, 58, 57, 56¡­¡­. And Dalton was just alighting from his car to enter into the building, with Alex unnecessarily panicking to open every next door as fast as he could.


    Daasgrh auction house was one of the biggest and prominent in the country, that was specifically meant for people with highest ranks in the social stratification system. Therefore, order to everything over to see by all was ensued.


    ¡­ 5, 4, 3, 2, and as the doors were shutting close with much attention turned to the entryway, the door swung back open with immediate force to acknowledge who was making his way into the space.


    Thebination of his looks, wealth, appearance, poise, made him so hard to beat in every aspect. He definitely possessed all that would pass for the perfect man.


    There was a collective stare and attention of the sophisticated beings in the room, with their gazes cast upon the man who wouldn¡¯t give two fucks about who they were at the moment.


    They really found it so surprising and enigmatic that since the Millers had one of the best art galleries, the king himself wouldn¡¯t need a reason to attend an art auction. Alex quickly located their seats in the room and ushered his boss to the position.


    The sudden sound of a bell signified the starting of the auction, as it diverted the attention of the people who were still staring, back to the real reason they were present at the auction.


    The host for the auction who was a french man in his mid thirties and of a small stature, shed a humble smile at everyone present in the room and weed them to the auction by making a short speech.


    Shortly, the first painting to be auctioned was brought before the audience in veiled cloth, as the auctioneer told them whom the painting belonged to and did a preview, about the message that the artist used the piece tomunicate.


    He then went ahead to unveil it before their curious eyes, as a few mumblings were heard amongst the bidders before they announced the price.


    The piece seemed sopetitive because of the artist as the bidders continued to input their bids into the machines, as the duel continued for five minutes before someone finally took it for two times the initial announced prize. It was a wow for them that they were present.


    The second piece was unleashed the same way and after a duel amongst the bidders, a youngdy finally took it for Ny percent higher than the price they had announced for it.


    However, many of them were cautious in their pickings and interest, as it seemed like Dalton remained so calm to everything that was going on in the room.


    He could remember the vivid pictures of the image he had watched her paint, and knew exactly what he wanted to buy. Some who knew Collin had also watched him too, as he also seemed calm and disinterested in everything he had seen so far.


    There were twenty pieces of paintings to be auctioned, and Aria¡¯s own was put as the fifteenth one because of uncertainty and her experience as an artist.


    Though she had offered to them a nice deal and even received the highest price for her art amongst others, they were still skeptical if people would buy the painting at an outrageous price.


    The craziest part was the one she included in thest paper in a use, which made them think that she might have finally gone mad from overly self esteem as a debuting artist.


    ¡®If the art sold in question exceeds twenty times its original price, the artist gets another 40% from the and gross. If not, the artist pays 40% of twenty times the amount, together with returning the initial fee and letting go of the painting.¡¯


    They knew it was another crazy request and totally absurd, but it was epted anyway because money was the deal. She losing, meant she would lose her money, the worth and the painting.


    ¡°And here is a piece, from an unknown artist with the name ¡°Greatest,¡± the host paused, ¡°Greatest nightmare,¡± he continued, to the loud murmuring of people in the hall. They would have expected to see a bizarre and grotesque painting of an artist with such a name. There was total displease in their murmuring.


    ¡°This artist painting here, shows the painting of this severed imaginative person using the patches, to represent life as a mirage and irremediable damage, misery to rise, and many other deepmunications you might like to decipher yourselves,¡± the host rounded off his preview totally knocked, as he seemed to have forgotten the rest of it.


    The artist had written out what the piece was about on a paper in jumbled big words, but it was really hard to say to everyone present. They were brutal words that outrightly attacked the powerful and rich.


    ¡°Two million,¡± the host announced the price, and even cleared his throat in doubt to what he said.


    There seemed to be no immediate interest in the painting as everyone kept their hands crossed, waiting for it to pass and for the next one toe when they heard the price it was auctioned at. It was so much higher than they imagined.


    ¡°Three million,¡± someone inputted into the machine and the host gasped, as everyone turned their heads to see who it was. They were beginning to change their minds.


    ¡°Ten million,¡± Dalton inputted, and there was a great gasp.


    There were exmations in the hall, as people were struggling to understand what was going on. They couldn¡¯t fathom what was happening, as they were getting convinced that there was a need to also put their own bids into the painting, while wondering what would have made the great Dalton himself choose such painting.


    ¡°Eleven million,¡± a young guy inputted, and joined the fierypetition too. His father owned thergest men¡¯s underpantspany in the country.


    ¡°Twelve million,¡± A beautiful youngdy whose father was a wealthy politician said, as she had always had her eyes on Dalton for a very long time. Liking things of the same taste wouldn¡¯t be that bad.


    ¡°Seventeen million,¡± Collin inputted, trying to reason hard in his head why that person was trying to buy the painting too.Exclusive content from N?velDrama.Org.


    He had bid more than he had ever nned on the painting, even if his personal funds from London had still not been transferred into his dor ount. He had limited personal funds to himself, and he would soon exhaust them on a painting.


    ¡°Thirty million,¡± Dalton inputted again, as the room became very hot and suffocating. Alex was shivering in shock, and there was hubbub everywhere. It wasn¡¯t even the painting of a popr artist.


    ¡°Thirty million for the painting,¡± the host said in a different tone of voice that wasced with surprise and nkness, ¡°Anyone, do we have thirty one million? Thirty one million for the painting, anyone?¡±


    The elites in the room were all tense. It was evident that Dalton wanted it. They could never even dare. Their hearts were filled with pondering and thoughts, if the painting was going to be left in the ML gallery for an exhibition, or was to be hung somewhere in his abode.


    ¡°Do not, boss. You would be left penniless before your money finally gets processed,¡± Collin¡¯s assistant advised, when he was about to input an increase in the bidding.


    ¡°Final call here¡­. Thirty million for our lovely painting,¡± the host said again after he had regained himself, ¡°No? Final bid going at thirty million dors. And one¡­. two¡­ Three¡­. Sold to 0034 Mr Miller.¡±


    There was no way Dalton Miller wasn¡¯t going to find out who the man who had challenged him was, and why exactly he wanted that painting for himself too at all cost.


    It wasn¡¯t like he had not seen other paintings at the auction, before he suddenly was fixated on paying for that exact one he wanted. The artist of the painting was not even known.


    ¡®Wait, what if he knew the artist?¡¯

 Smitten

    Eleanor Miller was sitting on her bed ying a random game she identally installed on her phone, with her blood boiling at the highest point it could because of the other person who was leaningfortably on the couch in the room.


    She had said at least five sentences that warranted a reply or an answer, but her daughter didn¡¯t seem to hear that someone was even saying a word.


    For more than twenty minutes that she had called to see Ellen in her room, they had notmunicated reasonably for two minutes straight since she sat on her couch.


    She noticed that her daughter had be less responsive to things and everyone around her, and more to her phone andptop than ever for thest couple of days.


    She was either texting and typing nonstop, or doing facetime with someone which was unlike herself. Even her page had taken a break from constant reels and posts, which had her fans wondering if everything was fine with her. She had also been going out of the house with different cars, more than the extreme way she normally did.


    ¡°What is it that you are doing, Ellen?¡± Eleanor asked in a very low tone, while trying as much as possible not to show her impending outburst.


    She had been trying to work on the way she screamed and got angry, because it was one of the strict precautions told to her by the doctor in charge of her treatment.


    With her eyes so transfixed on herptop and her hands working so fast, Ellen who was engrossed in her chuckles, giggles and flusters could not hear her mother talk to her.


    Her brain had failed to process any external noise around her, that it was solely focused on herself and what she was doing. Eleanor was certainly not going to find it funny.


    ¡°Am I not saying something to your stupid arse?!¡± Eleanor Miller raged so furiously, breaking every loose to her restraints and curbs. It was not possible to change her spots overnight.


    ¡°What is it, mother?¡± Ellen grumbled, as she quickly typed a few more words and ced theptop a few inches away from her, to face her mother whose angry facial expression was not the best at that moment.


    ¡°Are you sure your mind is still in the right position? You do not need to get checked? I¡¯ve been talking to you for the past few minutes, and you were being a dumb and deaf moth to hear what I¡¯ve been saying.¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t hear you speak mother. And there is definitely nothing wrong with me. I¡¯m okay,¡± Ellen tried to clear the air as soon as she could without picking any fight, and was definitely not ready to spill why she had been so busy, with the only person that had taken so much of her time.


    ¡°You know that you have been acting weirdtely right? You are rarely home for breakfast or dinner, and have been leaving home more often than when you always had events to attend. You can nowpare to Emma now,¡± Eleanor clicked her tongue instead of gritting on her teeth, with an effort to keep her hurt to herself. Even if they always fought so much, she still doted on Ellen more than the other two daughters.


    ¡°Okay mum. Like Emma, I finally got myself a sweet, sexy, boyfriend¡­¡­.¡± Ellen dragged herst sentence so proudly with a smirk to her mother, who was taken aback by her daughter¡¯s sudden revtion to her. She didn¡¯t expect it.


    Despite Ellen being a more popr figure apart from being a member of the Miller¡¯s family, she rarely dated anyone seriously majorly because of her pride and prestige.


    They were either too low in the hierarchy even as a rich person, or too intimidating and annoying like her brother. Too sweet and clingy, or cheated on her with ady of a lower ss than her. There were alwaysints and problems.


    ¡°When did that happen? I mean, when did you guys meet? How?¡± Eleanor Miller inquired so inquisitively from her daughter, as she tried to reason if it was really possible  in a short space of two weeks.


    Though Ellen always had an outing, event or fan meeting to attend, Eleanor would have never expected her to meet someone who would suit her ss perfectly in a few days.


    If anything about the reason she called her, she was still about to set her up on a blind date with an acquaintance¡¯s son. The ones she had always arranged for her in the past, mostly ended up as flings and nothing more attached to it.


    For Eva, she never attended any blind date arranged by her mother, except the only one that her grandfather arranged years ago which got ruined. The guy who was a son of one of the richest men in the country tried to touch her sexually, and it ended up with him breaking his nose bone and an arm.


    Emma would certainly attend the blind date withoutining, but would ruin everything with her straight attitude and first appearance. Ellen was the only one to still act normally.


    ¡°It, just, happened,¡± Ellen shrugged nonchntly, not wanting to reveal any more details about her rtionship.


    There was no way she would tell her mother that she met some random guy in the club, they had a one night stand together, met up again, and now are dating.


    Eleanor Miller would smack her hard against the face, and use her connections to find out who the guy was, and make his life a living hell. He wasn¡¯t even close to the high level of men that her mother always wanted for her.


    ¡°Do you realize this is a rash¡­..¡±


    ¡°I really think you should emphasize this issue to Emma, mum. She is never a stickler for rules,¡± Ellen cut in immediately.


    ¡°And also, do not have anyone trailing me or running a background check on the guy I am dating, mother. I would love peace without your interference,¡± Ellen said to her mother sternly, meaning she wasn¡¯t joking at all. Her rtionship always went wrong, whenever her mother tried to know too much, ¡°Maybe you should try trailing Eva instead. Thatdy¡¯s social life is silently a mess.¡±


    ¡°You want to trail your sister?!¡± Mrs. Miller asked in agitation, in which her voice was kind of raised in rm and somewhat shaky.


    ¡°No mother. Why do you look so stressed? Just saying.¡±


    ~?~?~?~


    The drive back home was silent and kind of slow, even with the loud and busy roads of the bright and huge city. There was a parcel of painting sitting on the back seat beside Dalton, whose mind was raided with so many unsaid and unconfirmed things.


    Behind the car steering at the driver¡¯s seat was Alex driving slowly, still finding it hard to believe that his boss would attend an auction, and purchase a painting at that price because of his wife.


    He could certainly not understand anymore, what was going on between the both of them. They were at the brink of a divorce weeks ago, and now he was buying a painting to make her feel better.


    He hated her and loathed their marriage so much, and now he seemed to be so much interested in her life and health. Everything about them was really confusing.


    Aria was stuck like a constant to her room all day while nursing her pain all by herself, without the help of the maids who were assigned to care for her.


    The most painful fact of all was that she wasn¡¯t about to leave the house, let alone meeting the private investigator that she had an appointment with.


    The only person she allowed into her room was Martha, a new and young maid who was the one assigned to clean her room and do everything necessary. She told the others to leave immediately Dalton left the mansion.Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.


    Even if she had insisted that she was okay, Martha still went out of her way to bring Aria any possible thing she could need from the kitchen. She cared for Aria even if she had not known her for so long, because she had heard the other maids gossip about her past, and how terrible her matrimony with Dalton was.


    Thinking it was Martha again that brought another set of dinner after she said she didn¡¯t like the food on the menu, Aria stood up from her resting position and walked towards the door to open it, right after she heard a knock.


    She was however surprised to see Alex standing before her with a parcel, which was reced with a frown immediately the second person appeared before her door.


    ¡®What was up with them?¡¯


    ¡°I see that you are okay than before now,¡± Dalton insinuated, as he made his way in even before she would say anything further. His assistant just stood by the door with the huge parcel wrapped in brown paper, which had her thinking what it could be, and why they were in her room.


    ¡°I think the pain is starting to get worse, with your presence in the room,¡± she blurted out.


    Alex, who would have expected Dalton to react so rashly in response to how Aria had answered to his question, could not believe that his boss chose to ignore her and just proceed to state why he was in her room, ¡°If so, I bought something to make you feel better.¡±


    The assistant understood the message and stepped into the room instantly, as he stretched forward the painting to Aria who was hesitant to collect it at first. Her brain could not even have thought of what it could be at the moment.


    ¡°This was the painting you sold at the auction. I bought it,¡± Dalton exined to her with a smug across his lips, only to see that she was not impressed a bit by his actions.


    ¡°Can you just quit the act you are putting on Dalton, and let me go away from your family forever?¡± She disappointed him with her words instead of appreciating, which caused Alex to gulp so hard on his saliva, as he began to experience intense heat from nowhere in his body.


    ¡®There was certainly no way she wouldn¡¯t see his wrath now.¡¯

 Another cold pass

    Three days had passed so quickly after Aria fell from the top and broke her arm, but the tension lurking strongly around the walls of the mansion was so palpable.


    Alex was the one who felt it most as he was closer to Dalton, especially by his usual behavior that had been back to being a cold constant again.


    Dalton had ordered Alex to trash away the painting after Aria belittled his effort, but his heart couldn¡¯t allow him to and he took it to the ML art gallery instead. Since then, the couple were back to their past way of lives again without anypromise. Even the maids felt the pressure.


    The wife just remained indoors because of her arm which was stillpletely unhealed, while the husband worked more in every of hispanies, made more investments and doubled hispany stocks. They were totally not talking to one another, or interfering into each other¡¯s business at all.


    ¡®So, he finally shows his true colors. Now I can breathe well,¡¯ Aria stood in front of the 60 inch mirror to adjust the ck dress she had struggled to wear, as her eyes wandered around her body through the mirror reflection.


    She looked totally unattractive with a sexy body, and a bandaged arm that wouldn¡¯t even fit well into the dress sleeve.


    Even if it was hard for her to change her clothes by herself and take her bath, Aria was stuck alone because the maids no longer came around on orders. No one brought breakfast, lunch or dinner to her room anymore, as she had to go downstairs to get them herself.Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.


    That didn¡¯t even hurt at all or put her in a bad mood. After all, it was no big deal since the past was once like that.


    Aria hated that her arm still had to be bandaged for so long. She hated that she would have to be stuck indoors because of her, and even unable to drive out too. She hated that nothing was going her way.


    Nothing sucked than being helpless even when she was trying to stay strong, and that things seemed to be going wrong even when she had not started anything.


    Slowly, Aria pulled her dress over her head and hurled it to the floor, as she turned to the direction of her dressing room and entered inside.


    She squatted carefully beside one of the huge cupboards in the room, and brought out the bottles of whiskey and alcoholic drinks that she arranged in there. As she counted slowly on bringing them out to light, thest number stopped at nine as she sighed again and again.


    Coupled with her aching arm that she had to hang all night forfortability, raging headaches gued her head all night, and nightmares that were so hard to escape from.


    It was so hard on her that the only way to escape insomnia was taking a sip of alcohol, in the past to feel a bit better. But now, she couldn¡¯t even control how she drank, and it was ruining her health.


    Recing four of the wines back to where they were ced before, Aria gathered the remaining ones left and got a bag to pack everything into it.


    She put it in a corner in the room with the intention to discard themter, whenever she was ready to leave the room, maybeter in the evening. Either her bones healed up quickly or not, she knew she had to take Anna for her final tests before they set a surgery date.


    With the private investigator she needed to set another date to see, and with Collin, she had promised days ago to meet up in two days¡¯ time. Everything was shing, and yet she was alone by herself, hurt and broken with toxic people around her.


    It was at the moment that her mind darted to the ruckus that happened weeks ago, with the masked dancer and every truth she said about the Millers, that were termed nder by her.


    She had not enough time to go through the person¡¯s page for more details when she saw the news, before the page was finally closed down without any traces of it.


    If anything so predictable with the few minutes she was able to go through his/her page, it was sure that a particr person certainly knew about the Millers, and everything that went on in the mansion.


    To make it all so crazy, no one seemed to find out who they were even till thest moment, and surprisingly there were no more issues concerning that matter again. The person was so good and skilled.


    Aria quickly picked her phone up from where it was charging, as she typed ¡®Masked dancer girl¡¯ on the inte, to see the results that woulde out. The results she found were just mostly irrelevant things and different masked people, that wasn¡¯t even connecting to the answers she wanted to see.


    She further searched with so many keywords that urred to her as a possibility, but it was so evident that everything concerning the posts were all gone. It kind of put frustration in her to why she had not seen the page, earlier before it caused an uproar to Dalton finding out about it.


    The person would probably be able to give her information about the unknown events that she wanted to know, about the attacks that she had suffered in the past which almost led to her death. But once again, she was left in the dark night, of a cold and lonely  day.


    ¡°You cannot keep sitting around like this. Get up and start doing something,¡± Aria encouraged herself again, as she stood up from the couch she was sitting on and walked out of her room.


    Instead of being home all day while waiting for her arm to heal up by drugs, injections, and the coldpress idea by the doctor, she was going to make sure to exhaust every pack of ice from the refrigerator throughout the day.


    She would put ice over her arm for thirty hours without stopping, and watch how things would turn out in those hours. She could not just bex anymore.


    ~~?||?~~


    ¡°We just got the information about Mr Collin Carson, sir,¡± Alex stretched forth the tablet at a reasonable distance to Dalton, so that he would not get angry again for reasons the poor assistant would not even know.


    The atmosphere around the huge office space was so chilly and unamodating, with Dalton¡¯s eyes so focused on the papers he was signing both manually and electronically.


    He had been so busy in that manner for days nonstop, that Alex feared that his boss that seemed immortal might break down and fall ill for the first time, since he had started working with him.


    Seeing the good and warm side of Dalton for a few days with Aria was so embracing, that he didn¡¯t know that another storm which would be worse than before, woulde again.


    It was the second day after the auction that he remembered the assignment he was given, and he began to gather every information he could get about him which was harder than he thought.


    He was the only son and child of his father that had spent so much time away from home, and decided to see to the affairs of thepany that his father wanted him to manage in another country, when he finally yielded after running away from home for so long. Digging up on him was not so easy in a few days without Dalton¡¯s help.


    ¡°And who is that?¡± Dalton¡¯s voice asked so coldly and coarsely, that kind of put an atom of discouragement in Alex which was enough not to even stretch forth the tablet to him again.


    ¡°The man at the auction sir. Who also wanted the same painting that you bought,¡± Alex said, and immediately regretted that he had constructed his sentence in that manner.


    He would have preferred for him to use ¡®The other person that dueled with you at the auction¡¯ without mentioning the word painting.


    ¡°He is the only son of Carson motors, foods, microchips and tech. He just came back to the country months ago, and works from his home as the new CEO of Carson six star hotel, which now bears CarScol as ofst month,¡± Alex exined in rushed words when he saw that Dalton was about to dismiss him, hoping that he would instinctively get interested to know that, he was the son of one of the best businessmen in the country.


    ¡°And?¡± His rude voice further demanded.


    ¡°I think he might be connected to Mrs. Miller in some way,¡± Alex said slowly with his thighs trembling so much, for the unconfirmed truth that he has just told Dalton based on his own assumptions.


    Dalton would surely feed him to dogs if he found out that he was lying, but he also wanted to try ying a game for the first time with Dalton, Aria and Collin in a triangle.


    He would make sure not to ostracize things himself, but would probably start doing what Mark Miller had said to him, the first time they met as his grandson¡¯s assistant.


    ¡°Do not make Dalton more inflexible than he is now. Seize chances to make him a better boss and family.¡±

 Spills

    ¡°I have made a reservation at the hotel suite sir. The meeting is taking ce at the VIP floor, and the Arabian buyer too is on his way from the airport. We have about twenty minutes,¡± Alex reported to Dalton about the next schedule, whose eyes were studying intently the hologram disy of how high hispany stocks had gone in just a few days.


    It was more satisfying to watch and enjoy, than any other thing that might matter to him.


    Working so much and an increased number of traveling on flights for the past days, should have gotten him so weak and fatigued in his body. Yet to Alex¡¯s surprise, he was looking so healthy that not even his handsome face showed the wrinkles of stress or any dullness.


    But then again, he remembered that Dalton had told him thest time after talking about Collin, that he should stop reporting anything that rted to Aria to him anymore. He didn¡¯t even want to hear her name in his ears.


    It left Alex so astounded, that things between both of them had finally ended, even before it was going to fully start or end. He just concluded that once again, his boss had made sure never to leave any knot untied regardless of what it was.


    Dalton knew and felt it. The truth. He knew that he was starting to be attached to something he shouldn¡¯t, and it was bruising his ego in so many ways.


    His heart was beginning to stir by her insignificant reflex actions, and he really hated the knowledge of it. To make it more unlikeable for him, she did not even care.


    He just made the decision in his heart to ignore her strongly like they had once been, so that he would go back to how he was so indifferent about her existence in his house.C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org.


    If unknowingly going closer to her was what suddenly made him so out of control, then he would just give her breathing space since she didn¡¯t even acknowledge him anyways.


    Burying his head into his work and business that was even already soaring so high was all he could do, and inspection of every office documents and files thoroughly to make sure there was no corruption going on in his business.


    Under his watch, there was no one who could siphon slush funds and thepany money secretly, without facing a wraith they could never handle in their lifetime.


    Keeping himself busy with the thorough checking of every affairs of hispanies that involved paperwork, he was so benched that he had no time to even think about anything at all.


    He did the jobs himself instead of his assistant, and he thought that he had done well to be peaceful at heart and to be undisturbed.


    ¡®Damn! Whoever said absence makes the heart grow fonder was right!¡¯


    There was no way she wasn¡¯t invading his senses every night heid down to sleep, and was not thinking about work for a short period. He could see her frowns, her scowls, and every scornful look she always gave him y in his head.


    Memories of her sexy waist and hip lines rubbing against the see-throughce, and the lucid image of her tits that failed to wipe from his head.


    She was beginning to affect him in ways he really didn¡¯t like. It made him exposed and vulnerable. Never in his life had he felt like that for long.


    But because of thedy he was meant to punish for messing with him, he was literally numb to actions and could not act oblivious anymore, like he had always done concerning the way his family treated her in the past.


    Deep down he knew it was not because he wanted to keep her in check of his grandfather, but it was totally something different and out of the picture that was affecting him. He hated the thought of admitting it to anybody.


    ~?~`?`~?~


    ¡°You want to get a divorce?¡± Collin asked Aria with great concern, as she continued to bite on the chicken that was ced before her. She didn¡¯t mind being shameless in front of him.


    Ever since the day of the auction, Collin¡¯s mind had not been at rest because he knew who the man who also wanted the painting was. It was never possible for anyone who was in the business of industries andpanies, not to know who the legendary Dalton Miller was.


    After the auction ended and he returned to his house without his assistant, Nate, he called him after a lot of pounding to run a check on every female that was ever seen around Dalton, even if he was rumored never to have dated anydy.


    He was a twenty eight year man of great dignity, who had maximized his family¡¯s wealth in a short period of time. He was every girl¡¯s dream.


    When Nate was to report back to him about what he found, the only information was that he was married to someone and no one really knew who she was or when the wedding was. That sort of put fear in his heart on hearing that, but he ditched the thoughts of it because he could never believe that Aria would be married.


    However, the worry never left him. He knew that if by any chance Dalton was truly married, then the words that he didn¡¯t love his wife would be true.


    He desperately hoped it wouldn¡¯t be her, with the supporting stance that a husband who loved his wife not, would never pay that much to buy her painting. Then he had other thoughts again.


    ¡®What if she was just his sidedy and not the real wife? No! She was never and would never be the type to do that,¡¯ his mind opposed immediately.


    Hearing Aria talk about divorce now to him, heightened the intense fear that was moving through every part of his body to numbness. He would probably not be able to handle it, if it was what he had been thinking right from the beginning.


    ¡°Yeah. Do you think you can help me with getting a divorce, even if the second party does not want to get divorce?¡± She asked him again.


    ¡°It has to be a consensual thing, I think. But there has to be another way, right?¡± Collin let out a dry chuckle before replying to her, as pain hit him in the wrong ces that was hard to bear. She was married and it was a fact, but maybe getting a divorce was good news. At least to him.


    ¡°I would appreciate it if they are strong andmitted people that can never be swayed by the power of Dalton Miller. Else, every hard work goes down the drain,¡± she finally let out the bombshell.


    ¡®He was right. He was definitely right. She was married to Dalton Miller, the man he knew they would never get along the first time he saw him.


    The man everyone feared so much and was immensely wealthy, thatmunicated authority by every single one of his words. A role model to so many uing business prospects. His dear friend had gotten married to him.


    Just how did it happen? Where did they ever meet, to be tied up in such legal binding? Why did she want a divorce? And he had even noticed that she was finding it hard to use her other arm. Did he do that to her? Did he beat or hit her?¡¯ Collin wanted to ask thousands of questions, but he was just too out of it to utter anything. He could not just understand how and why, things would get so messed up again. Like they were in circles.


    `?`.       `?`.       `?`.      `?`.       `?`.       `?`.


    Dalton and his assistant arrived at the hotel that was picked for the business meeting at exactly noon, as the billionaire opened the door by himself alighted from the car as soon as the car halted.


    It made Alex fear a bit in his heart that something was totally wrong with his boss, and it was too nk of an effort to even know what he was thinking.


    ¡®Was he preparing to relieve him of his job soon? Where would he even get another better one if that was the case? Even if Dalton was cold, rude and harsh, it would never be easy to quit and get used to another job outside the Millers?¡¯


    As they both walked towards the beautiful entrance of the luxuriously constructed huge building with Alex ahead, his eyes went up to the extremely high towel of the hotel¡¯s rooftop, where its name, which was derived from a man¡¯s name and his only daughter, rested.


    The golden crafted figures were calligraphed in the perfect way, that slightly ascended the order of the hotel¡¯s name; VisQuib.

 Trouble again

    ¡°Emma says she is going to introduce her boyfriend to me soon. I guess he might not be as bad as I thought,¡± Eleanor mouthed mindlessly to her daughter who was sitting behind the wheels of the moving car, who really hated what she had to do because of her mother. She totally detested that she just had to butt into her destination.


    ¡°Could you not just instruct any of the chauffeurs to drive you, or better still drive yourself? You did not have to make me waste extra minutes of my time just to drop you off,¡± Ellen grumbled continuously and intentionally didn¡¯t mind her mother, as she drove the car as gently as she could while trying not to over speed.


    It was certainly not possible to drive the way she normally drove, in ces she was sure that she wouldn¡¯t get caught by the corps.


    ¡°I think he is a fine young man. I have been wondering if she is finally ready to settle down, now that she wants to introduce him to us. This might be good news,¡± Mrs. Eleanor Miller didn¡¯t answer to her daughter¡¯s incessant grumbling, as she continued to say her own piece of mind which she at the same time, expected Ellen to contribute.


    ¡°Can you not just see my pain mother, that I am runningte because of our opposing destinations?!¡± Ellen half-yelled under a muttered breath, and pressed down on the honk so loudly. Her mother really knew how to frustrate her so much.


    ¡°And can you be like your sister who is finally ready to settle down? Quit fun and get into something very serious. If you know that your rtionship with this new guy is going to be casual, end it now!¡± She snapped irritatedly at her daughter. It was so easy for her to turn tables of me just like Dalton.


    ¡°You should be on Eva¡¯s tabs mother, not mine. You should probably take her for a psychological test too, to check if she is okay. Something is wrong with her head, do you know? She doesn¡¯t even act like she is family and is so freaking annoying. Maybe getting her married off would do the trick of peace receiving!¡± Ellen fired back at her mother, shifting the heated topic from her own life and focus to her older sister. It was another perfect time to badmouth her andsh out her anger.


    If she could vividly remember how their lives had been in beautiful memories, Eva was quite a cold but sweet child from their younger years as they grew up. She and Ellen did everything together even when their age gap was quite a number, which was so adorable to watch from everyone¡¯s point of view. It didn¡¯tst though.


    Suddenly, she started bing distant from everyone ever since she left to study in the United kingdom, and came back a few monthster without exnation.


    Shepleted her education at the University of California in business, andter joined to handle whatever family business she could do. Not one knew what happened and why she suddenly came back.


    Ellen tried her best to be best buddies with her sister once again like the way they had always been, but it was like pouring arge amount of water in a porous basket that would let it all out.


    It was all wasted effort. Her sister was no longer the one who enjoyed herpany, or readily wanted to talk about so many things that had happened in each other¡¯s absence.Content is property of N?velDrama.Org.


    And she hated that. She hated it so much that even if she still loved her sister dearly, she could not bear to stand her attitude towards everyone in the family.


    After years that they drifted apart to being no other than just families, Ellen learned how to be on her own with her fans or her mother. And like Eleanor, she was a psychotic bitch.


    No one really knew why too, but maybe that was why their grandfather didn¡¯t really like Eva, and instructed her to simply run the ML art gallery. He would even have lesser warmth for her in his eyes.


    ¡°Nothing is wrong with your sister. She is just like Emma who doesn¡¯t mingle much with people. Just let her be!¡± Eleanor supported her older daughter, while trying not to aid Ellen by bringing up the matters of the past.


    It didn¡¯t just end with both siblings not being close friends any longer, but Ellen despised everything her sister did and never wanted to be with her even in the same house.


    She would again throw tantrums whenever she got tired, that someone should help her get her sister back because the one she knew, wasn¡¯t so apathetic like the present Eva herself.


    Sometimes, she would cry and tell her mother to apologize to Eva on her behalf, to forgive her if she had done anything to distance herself so much from her.


    Thenter, she just matured after a long while and that was when she became more time invested in her influencing job. And it really worked out well. But it seemed like she was  still not over it.


    ¡°I am sure you know she is a bitch who only loves herself, and not even her family. Emma is totally different. If Emma is not out on a vacation, we talk on a basis since she frequents my room to say Hi. She is a sweet and pure soul who just likes spending time with friends. They are totally different humans,¡± Eva ranted angrily in total disagreement with her mother, as she swerved the car to the right aggressively when she saw that the car was about to collide with another, because her mind was more concentrated on the argument. It got Eleanor agitated for a few minutes.


    ¡°Can you just let this matter be and not get us killed?! And moreover, Dalton too is indifferent. He is my son, but he is not warm towards me at all. Why do I have children that are all like this?¡± Eleanor questioned rhetorically with a sentimental look, while trying to die up the argument she had started in the first ce.


    Her doctor had advised her strongly to stay away from stress and screaming, yet it seemed like her daughter wouldn¡¯t let go of what she had bitten. It was too frustrating.


    ¡°Dalton is a likeable mother. Though he is a crazy hot guy. Cold, hard and really really rude. But still, I love him as my brother. He has some ce in his heart that is warm, even if he never shows it.¡±


    ¡°Just let go of this discussion. I¡¯m not ready to say anymore. Just let it go,¡± Eleanor surrendered. Arguing with Ellen was utterly useless because she wouldn¡¯t let go so easily, and her health would not permit her to argue the way they normally did in the past.


    ¡°So,ing back to Emma¡¯s issue now, mother. Did she really say she was going to marry her boyfriend?¡±


    ~?~         ~?~          ~?~            ~?~            ~?~


    The meeting together with an Arabian business man ended well, and he and Dalton signed the sellout contract of one of his threepanies in the UAE.


    He had weighed the pros and cons and figured out that the synthetic hair manufacturingpany his grandfather, Mark, had acquired years ago was not thriving well. He abhorred any failure.


    After everything had been settled with the foreigner, Alex asked Dalton if he should make reservations for him since it was past time for lunch. Since VisQuib had been rated highly especially for their quality food and good hospitality, Dalton had no reason to refuse.


    ¡°Should I reserve the entire restaurant, sir?¡± Alex asked. He contemted that Dalton would probably want the special treatment of a VIP guest.


    ¡°No,¡± was his short reply.


    Few minutester after Alex left the room to reserve the best floor, he returned back to inform him that the food was in preparation. Dalton stood up from the chair he was sitting on, as he adjusted the navy blue tie he had around his neck to afortable position and stalked past Alex.


    It made the assistant realize that his boss was not ready to wait anymore, and quickly scurried ahead of him to open the door.


    They both took the elevator to thest floor up the building, and Dalton walked out of it first when it stopped at their destination. The people around seemed to recognize him and were really honored, to see Dalton Miller in the same space as them.


    There had been so many rumors that he was merciless and a mncholist, who derived pleasure in making people¡¯s life miserable at the sight of him.


    But from what they were seeing, he didn¡¯t seem to possess any harm the more they nced at him, and as well could not help but feel the ufortable feeling his presence gave.


    Alex quickly walked ahead of him to make sure the table was getting set perfectly, and to direct him to where was reserved for him, which had the best view in therge deluxe restaurant that had beautiful sceneries around.


    The interiors and architectural design of the ce was to a decent taste, which prompted Dalton to movefortably to where he was directed to by Alex.


    The moment his eyes wavered from its forever focus state and darted sideways, he thought he had finally gone insane by seeing Aria in everydy around. However, he could not help but let his eyes roam again to thedy, whose resemnce seemed to be so uncanny with hers.


    And there she really was, eating a main course meal and having a serious talk with Collin, totally oblivious of who had made entry into the same space as she.


    The position in which their table was centered, could not allow them to see the person, whose eyes would overthrow the table of hot food if it could, as it pierced through. Dalton then realized that he had seen the exact facial view of the young and handsome guy beside her; The annoying guy at the auction.


    It was when Alex had studied his boss and watched the direction of his eyes, that his hands began to tremble immediately at what he was seeing. He had sometimes wished for Dalton to be in that kind of situation, but the reality of it ying before him was really scary to watch.


    His boss¡¯ wife really knew Collin Carson, and they were so friendly with one another enough to have a meal together. She had a tender look for him in her eyes, unlike the cold one she always gave Dalton.


    They also seemed to be so close enough that he could get her tissue wipes, to clean the red sauce smear around her rosy lips. They even smiled at one another.


    Dalton was boiling. Hot and insanely boiling above 100¡ãc. Enough to cause a volcanic eruption in the restaurant at that moment.

 Messed

    There were grand preparations going on in the mansion that evening, as every kitchen servant kept moving back and forth from the kitchen to the dining room.


    Eleanor had sent a text message to all her children hours ago, about the dinner feast she had decided to host without telling them the real reason why.


    Emma, who was bringing her boyfriend home to meet her mother, had the strong affirmation in her heart that she was in love with him, and was ready to get married to him regardless of what anyone would say.


    She had actually hidden her status as a daughter of the Miller¡¯s family from him, since his home was in Scond and it had been a very long time since he visited America.


    She knew that the chances of her mother rejecting him was higher, because he wasn¡¯t even as wealthy as she would have wanted, or had a high ss family that would match their family¡¯s ss level.


    But she was still convinced in her heart that Dalton would support her, regardless of whatever tantrums her mother would end up throwing. She only wanted her brother¡¯s affirmation.


    Since Emma had not told her boyfriend the exact family she came from except telling him that they were wealthy, she made sure to give him the most expensive new-in designer suit the previous day apart from the ones he had received, so as to put on a good impression of him before her family.


    They met when she was on a vacation to Cuba two months back, and they had a short fling together for a few weeks.


    He was sweet, cool and everything she wanted in a guy, even when she had not told him that she was from a very wealthy home, that would probably make him put on a facade. He could even see the nobleness in her.


    When he left Cuba before her because of some important business he had to do, they still contacted one another and video chatted frequently too. She was already head over heels.


    When he told her that he was going on another trip to Puerto Rico, she flew down to go see him without disclosing to her mother that it wasn¡¯t her usual vacation trip. And they started dating afterwards.


    She spent so much for him and did everything she could to make him happy, because he put so muchughter into her beautiful thirty four year old self. If her mother would have med anything, it would have to be her feeble heart. She had a soft heart just like her father.Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.


    The trip was cut short when she had to return back to attend her grandfather¡¯s celebration at the Aldertano tower, but they still did not break out even if it was a distant rtionship, because he told her that he would visit America to see her soon.


    When he really came down to the states after three weeks, they didn¡¯t really meet that much because he was busy doing so many things. Because of her deep love for him and strong attachment, she decided to just put an end to everything by engaging him. And he didn¡¯t refuse the offer either.


    Emma had lied to her mother that they had met six months ago, because she could not just cope with her mother¡¯s nagging the way her sister would. And she also told Eleanor that it was meant to be a simple gathering and nothing extravagant, but she should have known better to realize whom she was talking to.


    ~                   ~                   ~                  ~


    Dalton, who had the entire day after lunch ruined because of what he had to witness unfold before his eyes, ended the day with the meeting and took the rest of the day off at his personal suite. He didn¡¯t make a scene or do anything even after what he saw, paid for the reservations and left quietly before anyone would notice.


    It left Alex in a further confused and disturbed state, about when his boss started to withhold his anger without doing anything to feel better. He had expected him to sue the owner of the hotel, cause so many problems for the staff, whisk Aria home at that instant, and even try to cklist Collin from the business industry.


    ¡®Something was definitely wrong with his boss.¡¯


    After Aria left the restaurant together with Collin, she called the doctor on her phone to confirm if Anna coulde for another medical checkup. Collin offered to take her home but she vehemently refused, knowing how mad and violent Dalton could get if he was to see something of such. She would not dare risk Collin¡¯s beautiful face for a punch.


    The chauffeur she ordered came afterwards to pick her up, and she used the nearest payphone to a bus stop, to call the private investigator. He told her that he would drop the files he found in a public locker together with a USB, and informed her that he had made several outlines and edits that would make her understand the videos.


    She also had to drop the remaining bnce of the money that she was meant to pay him for the job. But that had to wait till she was able to drive her own car, even when no one would have the slightest idea of when her hand was fit enough to drive. That way, she would escape unnecessary trailing.


    ~?~~?


    Sitting in a corner inside the building of an evening club that was resounding with loud sting music, were two men of almost the same build sitting on afortable chair close to the wall. In front of them was a ss table that was ced with different wines and alcoholic wines of sorts, and ss cups filled with liquors that had been drunk halfway.


    They were bothughing about a certain discussion that was the topic of the subject, in which the one who had a beard by the right got serious into the main talk after a while.


    ¡°I think you should put an end to this before things get out of hand. The only way to get money is just by dating her, and you¡¯ve gotten a reasonable amount of money. Do not make it too obvious and end it,¡± Jefferson advised his friend, who was neither ying nor taking him seriously. He just gulped on more drinks.


    ¡°I would inform her when she drops bills for thisst project. It really means so much to me. And for ckmailing, I would have probably tried that. What reporter doesn¡¯t want the news, that the daughter of the prestigious Millers is a nightclub dancer,¡± his lips twisted into a smirk as he snickered, and chugged down the entire ss cup of another liquor.


    ¡°Then her brother will kill you. Dalton Miller is never to mess with and you know that. If you¡¯ve not really heard much about him, then you should know now. That guy is a psycho,¡± Jefferson warned sternly.


    ¡°If I had our sex tape, it would have been so good. It only takes bargaining,¡± Damon said again, convinced that his skills would do the perfect job. He didn¡¯t see any reason to be so terrified and scared of a man, who was just the same gender as him.


    ¡°Then it will be from striking a deal, to building a house out of the grave yard. Just end things with her. The earlier the better. You have a new life now, remember?¡± The cute bearded man kept talking to his friend without relenting, as he puffed on the roll of cigarette he had in between his fingers.


    ¡°She totally wants me to meet her family now. I mean, I¡¯m not ready for that,¡± he groaned.


    ¡°You love her, don¡¯t you?¡± Jefferson tried to inquire. He knew that his smart friend was a mess, who couldn¡¯t organize everything about him in the right manner. Things that really messed him up.


    He was a traveler who went from ces to ces for vacation, and would end up having a fling with any female who was willing. He had once had a very serious rtionship years back that failed due to unknown reasons, and he was seeming to give the one that was getting to his soft spot again, a chance.


    ¡°I don¡¯t love her. I just care for her, and she really likes me too. She is wealthy and will do anything for me. I should definitely go for it. Anyways, the meeting or whatever is two hours from now. I should go,¡± he stood up and took in thest ss of wine.


    ¡®Maybe he should just finally agree to her proposal and get married, or he should keep waiting a little longer to see what wouldter happen. Well, time would tell.¡¯

 Dangerous

    Collin¡¯s mind remained incoherent for the rest of the day since he met Aria, and he was not able to focus on everything he had nned to do for that day. Nothing was more painful to hear than the fact that she was married to Dalton Miller, rather than her being married to someone else.


    He pondered so restlessly about how of all people that she could get married to, it had to be the man who would neither love her or treat her well in the marriage.


    Though she brushed about the few hate incidents that involved the other member of the family, he knew it would be worse than all she had told him in a few words.


    Watching how she acted, talked and rarely smiled, it was almost like her usual self. But, something seemed to be greatly wrong with her even with her charming look.


    As she talked to him about divorcing her husband in any way she could, she rolled her eyes in anger so many times like he was actually standing there.


    Then again, Collin continued to wonder if she was allowed to leave the house freely, and meet whoever she wanted to meet without having to face more problems if she returned back.


    He also wanted to talk about the auctioning and Dalton¡¯s persistence to buy her painting that day, by rting it to her bad rtionship with him but he just withheld everything he had to say.


    Though she had emphasized on her pain in the marriage she was tied to, and Collin could certainly believe everything the news had said about them, there seemed to be a missing puzzle about how things should still be.


    The missing piece about how she had now taken everyone in the house by storm, and how Dalton was now treating her some way different from the past that she didn¡¯t talk about.


    Collin gritted his teeth so painfully that his tongue bled, when she also told him that Dalton was not willing to divorce her and she couldn¡¯t understand why. It so much hurt his heart to see her in such a terrible situation of her life, and that the demon she called husband was refusing to let her go, after messing up with her life for years.


    He knew that getting a divorce if the other party involved was not willing could be so tricky, but there was some positive light to the issue even if it would have to be a waste of time, money and expenses.


    But trying to mess with Dalton Miller was even out of it. If someone of such status said he wasn¡¯t going to divorce her, it was ten times harder than when it was a regr person involved.


    About her broken arm that was stiff in the way she carefully moved it, he asked to know if it was an abuse from Dalton because it would have been a good ground for divorce. The answer she gave him was rather not the expected one he needed to hear.


    When Collin further inquired from her carefully to know if Dalton had physically abused her in any way, and the answer to the question was surprisingly no, which made it seem even more difficult.


    Dalton never touched her in the past, or ever had a normal conversation with her, or even looked her in the eyes for the longest of ten seconds, after the wedding. Although he knew how his family treated her so badly, he turned blind eye to everything that was happening. And that was his sin.


    The fact that he indirectly treated her like a piece of shit and lowered her self esteem below the ground with his actions, made it all seem like he did the most to cause mental and physical trauma to her life.


    And all those would be so difficult to prove in the court ofw, because there was no signs that she was abused anywhere in her body over the weeks.


    Aria never had the chance to go to the hospital whenever anything was wrong with her in the past, and even the doctor that always treated her was the family doctor.


    He would have sworn secrecy and top service to their family, so there was no way he would keep a paperwork of her medicals over the months that turned to years.


    The more they tried to make the divorce seem justifiable by the court, the more the scenario that damaged their rtionship made it impossible to do. It caused Collin to cuss out so much as he circled around his living in a spot for many minutes, trying to think harder of things he could do to help her.


    It had be a fight that involved the business world, and the desire to free the woman he cared so much about. Dalton was leading in the business world even despite all, but he could never allow him to take lead in both ces.


    ~???~     ~???~    ~???~


    Ellen came back home so sad because Damon had canceled their date at thest minute, only to hear more irritating news that Emma was bringing her boyfriend home that very night.


    It was a very annoying phenomenon to ur at the same pace and time for her, in which her mother could not just let go if everyone was not present.


    It was a sure thing that Dalton would attend the dinner, because it was an issue concerning his younger sister, Emma. Even if he really hated meeting people in that manner, especially when it came to inviting outsiders to his home, he would still manage to show up.


    He rarely showed what he was feeling or what he had in mind to his family, but they could still see the overt fact that he doted on Emma more than any other person in the family.


    They all insinuated that maybe it was because she was more like their father, in which Dalton had been the closest to his father ever since he was young. But no one talked about him anymore though. They couldn¡¯t.


    In just a few hours of arrangements by the maids, and perfect cuisine setting by the best and certified chefs that worked in the mansion kitchen, everything was wless.


    Thepound of the mansion was shining brightly in the fullness of its superfluous opulence, and every perfect detailing that was rarely used before was included in the additional decorations.


    Eva arrived earlier than everyone and she had that same apathetic look on her beautiful face, while Ellen was taking so much time in picking the perfect dress to wear. Dalton arrived a lotter from his personal suite in casual wear, while Aria strutted past and climbed the stairs without saying any word to anyone.


    They hated her so much more than ever since they could no longer do anything to her, but she didn¡¯t even care at all so far she found peace all by herself.


    Eleanor went upstairs to her room a few minutester, to get the perfect dress for the asion as the proud mother that she was.


    The guests arrived minutes earlier because of Emma¡¯s intense anticipation, which increased by the minute when she heard that Dalton would be present too. She took her boyfriend to the best fashion fitters, to get him another set of perfect shoes at thest minute, after she had pleaded so much to him.


    It really got him kind of frustrated even if he tried not to show it, of the kind of family that she was born into, to make her so meticulous about every detail. If only he had known to pester her to divulge earlier, then he would have been able to avert the sh and disaster that wasing.


    Eva was dressed in a simple ck dress and had definitely no makeup on, which made her mother scrunch up her face so much in disapproval even if that wouldn¡¯t change her mind.


    Eleanor had waltzed down the stairs in an emerald green designer dress that was announced at the fashion week the previous day. Greatly emphasizing their family¡¯s enormous wealth was a must.


    Judging from the appearance of everything Damon had seen so far as he made his way together with Emma, made him really intimidated and blew his mind at the same time to see how luxurious and great everything about his girlfriend¡¯s family home looked like.


    He was too engrossed in the shy aura of it, to notice the detailing of the mansion that could have given out clues and ideas to him.


    They were both ushered in and weed by the servants who were always by the door,  as they made their way into the main mansion itself. He now realized that talking about her family¡¯s wealth was not enough with words, until he had toe and see it himself. And he was d that he did.


    His dashing and dexterous appearance that matched the high price tagged cloth he was wearing, perfectlyplemented Emma¡¯s wine dress that was shimmering across every corner in the house, as they made their way towards the dining.


    Damon went through everything that Emma had told him in his mind again and again, on how to act and talk if her family asked any question, which would definitely be a total pass mark for him.


    Immediately Eleanor saw the man that walked in with her daughter, she was already impressed by him even without any other questions to ask. Though, she did not show it like the ssy woman that she was, and finally allowed them to make their way inside.


    After a formal greeting the exact way they had practiced, they both took their seat


    one another around the perfectly set table. Dalton was the one to make his way into the room next after a few minutes, dressed in simple outfits that still gave out a ¡®redundant¡¯ and daunting look.


    The moment Damon saw who had made a majestic entry into the room, he began to specte one million questions and answers in his head.C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org.


    ¡®What on earth was happening? Was this not Dalton Miller that he normally saw on the news, that was sitting before him?¡¯


    Tension had begun to overwhelm his initiallyported self, as he managed the eye bnce that was neither at the straight eye level or below.


    Andstly to enter the room was her mother¡¯s daughter, who definitely was going to make an ostentatious arrival into the room space. She was dressed in an extremely gorgeous gown that clung tightly to her hot body, and had a makeover done like she was attending an anniversary. Still, she was so beautiful.


    Ellen tried as much as possible not to sneer obviously, knowing that she had to take the seat beside her dear mother which was also by Eva¡¯s left too. She groaned inwardly and modestly smiled to conceal, as she took her seat beside Eleanor without minding who was around.


    As Damon realized and saw who had just taken the seat directly before him to his utmost dismay, he heard the voice from the matriarch of the family proceed immediately, ¡°Now, to the introductions.¡±

 New problems

    No one seemed to notice the extreme hot and high tension that fell into the room, immediately Emma introduced Damon as her boyfriend right in Ellen¡¯s presence. Maybe if fainting was something Ellen could do so easily, she would havended with a great thud against the floor in shock.


    As Emma smiled to every member of her family and introduced Damon before he could even say a word, his sweaty and trembling hands fumbled to search for his phone in his suit pocket.


    Quickly, he typed in very fast letters to Ellen, before she would throw problems into everyone¡¯s life that evening. Especially his own.


    Seeing Dalton at a very close level in the same room helped him to realize better that he really wasn¡¯t any man to mess with. And he could not ruin up his rtionship with Emma even if he was at fault, knowing well that he was benefitting in every way from her. He would definitely not allow his little y game with Ellen to destroy everything.


    ¡°Talk, and I¡¯ll reveal the video.¡±


    Ellen shrieked and gasped in fear mixed with shock at the same time when she checked her new message notification, which diverted everyone¡¯s attention from Emma who was still talking about how she and Damon met.


    Her mother who would have yelled at her if it wasn¡¯t for the visitor, tried topose herself and anger as she let out a sophisticated smile.


    ¡°Anything the problem, darling?¡± Eleanor asked so softly as she turned to her daughter, who could see the fiery look her mother had in her eyes but she didn¡¯t care.


    Her fingers were trembling so much that she became so livid, to the words that she could read over and over again in her head.


    Having no idea that he was talking about her video as a night club dancer, her heart failed in trepidation that he might have had their sex tape all along. Hot tears stung her eyeballs andshes as they ached so much in the salty liquid that was threatening to spill.


    She knew she could not control the outburst of emotions that would soon release from her nds, and could never disgrace herself at a dinner feast that was meant for her sister. And definitely someone she thought was a potential boyfriend.


    ¡°I think I am having a stomach upset. Sorry I have to leave the table early,¡± Ellen told her mother and stood up immediately without waiting to hear a reply from her, as she shakily made her way out of the dining room and made to climb up the stairs.


    She entered her room and shut the door behind, and screamed as much as she could with so much pain and anguish that writhed her heart. It hurt so much in heaviness, and her throat parched of intense heat that shook through her body.


    ¡®How could that happen to her? Why would such happen to her? Why did he have to do that to her?¡¯ she questioned in her mind and brain, as she scattered everything in the room and broke everything that got in her way.


    Ellen stomped her feet on the floor and scratched her hair like a crazy person, as she sobbed so bitterly that it became hard for her to even cry. The only person that she had managed to meet and fall in love with in a few weeks, had to be the same person that her sister would bring home as her fiance.


    She would have probably taken his two timing for an option, if it was with anotherdy who would never be in her vicinity. Someone she would never get to know or meet, until she grew tired of the rtionship and left by herself.N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.


    But she just had to get stabbed in the heart and behind, in ways she did not think that she deserved at all.


    Yet, she could not tell her sister to stay away from him, or her family that he wasn¡¯t a good person because of what he threatened to do. Emma even appeared too in love with him to hear of anything he did, or was doing wrong. She could definitely do nothing.


    As she slouched hard on the cold floor, her heart hammered hard against her ribcage. Her shaky hand ran through her hair as her lips wobbled in pain, of so much pain that she couldn¡¯t even express at once. Her belly ached badly because of her tears.


    Back at the dining table was the family that seemed unperturbed by Ellen¡¯s absence, as they continued to talk in some forms of familiarity, as well as setting the table to eat already.


    Damon seemed to be at rest by the fact that Ellen already left the table, which meant that she clearly understood the message that he was trying to pass.


    Asides that, there was definitely no way he would have imagined that Emma was a Miller, because she wasn¡¯t even in most of their family pictures that were taken at events.


    The kinds of celebrations she mostly attended together with her family, were ones of top notch security that reporters could never be seen near the grounds. She was always traveling.


    And the mistake on his own part, was his disinterest to know the rest of the family of thedy he was ying to get money from.


    He was really so thankful for his luck that he had something against her, else he would go from family introduction to new home in prison. Their brother would have stopped at nothing to make his entirety miserable.


    Dalton uttered no words as he just picked the fruit cuts in the ceramic te into his mouth, with his troubling mind that was filled with thoughts floating in uncertainty.


    The humor that was stered perfectly on Aria¡¯s face yed in his head, of when she was talking with Collin at the restaurant. He could not even hear what they were talking about at the table.


    She had never had that kind of look for him before. In the past it was all fear and intimidation that could not even withstand his gaze, but now it was anger and hatred that wanted to burn down his own eyes from looking at her.


    He had never seen her smile at him before, and he didn¡¯t know she could look so beautiful and radiant as she smiled.


    It challenged him. The many elite women that he had met in his lifetime always flocked around him to curry his favor, so that they would even have the honor of being tagged with him in one way or the other.


    The numerous models, actresses, singers, business women, tycoon daughters that had approached him, he didn¡¯t even bat an eysh to any of their advances.


    When some of them could not seed in winning his attention naturally, they resorted to seduction which always went wrong every time. He was never moved by their nudity, which in fact always disgusted him that they had no self moral. But, only the partial bareness of her wouldn¡¯t let him think straight.


    He hated that she could smile sofortably with another man. He detested that she hated his touch so much and defiled him to go free.


    Never had he been bothered about their deste rtionship in the past, but if she decided not to talk to him for days, he loathed the feeling he had within him. She was doing something to him and he hated to affirm it.


    Dalton picked up the phone that he had in pocket, and texted a new task ¡°Make reservations tomorrow at the best ce you could ever think of!¡±


    It wasn¡¯t even a message that sounded as simple as it looked, as Alex read it from the position he was already taking the night rest in. It put him in another serious thought of how he would thoroughly research, and list out the best spot for hangouts before the next day.


    To make it more frustrating to his guts, the message did not talk about the asion of what the reservation was meant for. And he couldn¡¯t ask further either.


    ~`?`~??~`?`~


    Both Damon and Emma were nning to leave the mansion after the dinner feast ended, which went pretty well with the perfectly sculpted answers that Emma had scripted out for him.


    Though Eleanor didn¡¯t like that his family house was in Scond, and that he was a son to a CEO that had popr food restaurants just around Scond, which was even a lie.


    Though Damon could sense the distaste in Eleanor¡¯s demeanor which she couldn¡¯t hide, and knew that he was nowhere close to what they would ever want in a son-inw.


    Still, he remained cheerful and organized, desperately waiting for them to leave the  beautiful suffocating house of intimidating people.


    As they proceeded out through the dining room that led to the living room, someone walked down the stairs from the other side of the mansion, and sauntered past them without acting like she was even a part of the family. It was then that Damon thought he had lost his mind, from seeing too familiar people in one day.


    But then again after grabbing a handful of tray filled with things neatly covered, Aria walked past them again without any acknowledgement. Her attention diverted for a minute as her eyes trailed to meet Damon¡¯s eyes, as she strutted away finally from their sight.


    ¡®It was she and he could never mistake her for anyone else. But why was she acting like she didn¡¯t know him?¡¯

 Knowing her deeply

    The seriousness in the room was so palpable, which was heavy with the bated breath of thest daughter of the Miller. For the first time in a long while, she was in a one-on-one sitting arrangement with her mother with a ss table as the middle partition, who was sitting on the twin chair across the other side.


    To make it a more awkward and ufortable situation, they were sitting in her room of all ces.


    Emma was a hundred percent sure that her mother had called and texted her, to talk about the guy that she brought home for introduction the previous night.


    Early that morning when she woke up, she had seen so many messages and even mails from her mother requesting to see her urgently.


    If Eleanor didn¡¯t approach the matter in that hurried manner, she knew Emma would procrastinate the issue and choose to visit her at the odd hour, when the pressing issue was no longer important to talk about.


    And it definitely worked like magic because Emma was sitting in her room for more than ten minutes, which she rarely ever did because she could never handle her mother. Only Ellen could.


    Emma¡¯s eyes meandered in every corner across her mother¡¯s luxurious room, in the anxiousness of how she would efficiently retaliate with her words.


    When it came to talking to her mother about a disagreement, she preferred to avoid such situations because she knew she wasn¡¯t like Ellen. There was no way she would talk back so strongly as her sister normally did, and win against their mother.


    She noticed an expensive painting from a very popr artist hanging on the wall, and the legendary popr golden wall clock that was auctioned months ago in Australia.


    There were some really pricey sculptures that caught her attention too, as she sipped on the coffee she had brought along with her, which kept her mind busy to calmness.


    Rather than ssifying her mother as a hedonistic person who just loved enjoying luxurious life, she felt like her mother just purchased things she felt like possessing, even if many of them were never of great importance, all because the money was abundant.


    And sadly for her, she exhibited that attribute and trait that she inherited from her mother.


    It was when Eleanor dropped the cup of milk shake that she had been drinking for the past seven minutes, that Emma realized that the real time to talk about something very serious hade. And Eleanor Miller surely did not disappoint her.


    ¡°About your boyfriend Emma. I honestly do not think he is the right person for you. And he does not even live here in America. Imagine flying all the way to Scond just to see his parents. It definitely does not work for me,¡± Eleanor stated in a very stern voice, to emphasize strongly to Emma that she meant what she wanted, and that she had to ept whatever terms she was nning to give to her.


    ¡°Mother. How could you say that? I love him, and that is all that matters,¡± Emma said in a low and thwarted tone, which emboldened Eleanor so strongly that her daughter would end up conforming.


    ¡°He is not your match, and that is final. I will set up a blind date for you with a perfect guy. Their family owns every branch of LLURE five star hotels everywhere around the country, and in other countries too. He meets the standard and is really good looking. You should meet someone like that,¡± Eleanor affirmed her statement with her slight nod and took thest sip of milk shake, before she made to stand up, so as to go dress up for the event she was going to. Her decision was final.


    ¡°I cannot do that!¡± Eleanor¡¯s legs immediately paused on their tracks. Immediately she heard her daughter¡¯s statement, she turned her head back to be sure it was really Emma that was objecting so strongly.


    ¡°What do you mean by that? That is what I want as your mother, and as the most important member of the Miller family, that you do not disgrace us with those frail emotions of yours! That guy is after your money and nothing else. Now that he even knows you are one of the daughters of the Millers like you have said, he would hold on to you so tightly and desperately like he had never done.


    ¡°Damon is not like that, mother. He loved me unconditionally even when he did not know who I was. He is¡­¡­..¡±


    ¡°That is why I hate a feeble heart like yours. Easy and vulnerable. Someone like you should date your ss, who would know how to treat you with great respect, ording to the kind of family youe from. I cannot be seen rting with pests and peasants as iws. Shall we talk about the expensive suit he wore to dinner? It was just new-in a few days ago, and there was no way he would have gotten it that fast. But you used your family connections to do that. For a man? No, Emma. You shouldn¡¯t leave your life like that,¡± Eleanor warned so angrily with an emotion mixed with disappointment and disgust.


    ¡°Dalton says I can go ahead with the marriage, and that he would support whatever decision that¡­..¡±


    ¡°Of course he will. When his grandfather ruined everything by bringing in that wench to be a daughter-inw and wife of this family. I cannot even unt her proudly amongst my acquaintances. It is such a shame that I wouldn¡¯t let it repeat itself.¡±


    ¡°Then I would involve grandfather into this,¡± Emma challenged, going against her mother in the best way she had ever done in her life.


    She was even surprised that she could say that much on the spot, considering the fact that her mother was domineering and authoritative. Though Eleanor had overpowered her with words and arguments, still she was definitely proud of herself for saying something.


    ¡°I do not care! Mark Miller does not get to determine my children¡¯s spouse anymore,¡± Mrs. Eleanor Miller promised dangerously.


    ~??~                     ~??~                        ~??~


    The drive was so peaceful and extremely silent, that Aria wondered in her mind what could be going on. She found it even weirder that she herself did not object when Alex came to fetch her that morning, that Dalton would like to talk to her if she was ready earlier that morning.


    Not considering the dangers of what could ever go wrong, she was riding alone in the same car with Dalton Miller.


    ¡®What if he finally was driving them both, with the intention of shutting her up for life? Should she text Collin to inform him of her movement in case it went wrong? No.¡¯ Her mind countered again, ¡®Even if Dalton was so cold and arrogant, he wouldn¡¯t stoop low to take care of people that were threats to him in such a manner.¡¯


    The situation was even a very weird setup she had never had to see, because Dalton was the one driving the car after Alex had dropped them at a turning and left by himself.Exclusive content from N?velDrama.Org.


    It was ufortable for her considering that she had gotten her hand bandaged over again that morning, and would have to act like her hand was still in severe pains. He was not even saying any word to her of where they were going to, he just said he wanted to take her to some ce.


    To loosen up herself from the suffocated situation in the car and feel better, Aria brought out her phone from the ck purse she had with her.


    She wasn¡¯t really someone to watch movies in such situations, but she just had to do something that would distract her from the so many thoughts that were gnawing on her. Those that were not even rted to Dalton, or being a wife of the Millers.


    She chose to watch aedy video after a while of surfing across the inte, which she found really more funny than the boring ones she had to watch some weeks back.


    Maybe it was because she wanted to use it to focus better, but the sides of her cheeks spread wider by the minute as she watched on. And it caught Dalton¡¯s attention.


    He was amused to see that even little things like that could make her face brighten up, and that she was unbelievably pretty without any makeup on.


    Pure and wildly innocent as she watched with keen interest, she didn¡¯t look hurt or angry like the usual emotions she always had whenever they were together.


    He wanted to dte his eyes as much as he could to take a glimpse of what she was watching, but kept his unbreakable ego that would never allow him to engage in such things he tagged time wasters.


    Of all days that he was supposed to be at hispany, doing something worthy even if had done weeks worth of work in a few days, he was surprisingly driving the car by himself with ady beside him while following Alex¡¯s dumb theme.


    ¡®He would definitely kill that assistant of his, if nothing worked out as expected.¡¯


    Few minutester, as Dalton¡¯s eyes were totally fixed on the beautiful but somewhat lonely road that led to their destination, he noticed that he could no longer notice the gestures and movements of the person beside him again. His eyes diverted slightly to the right without turning his head, which made him sure that she was sleeping already.


    As he slowed down on driving with his eyes now gazing at her, he studied her sleeping face for a while which was something he had never had a chance to do. The longest time they were together always ended up in fights, that even though he was looking at her intently, she was never looking at him warmly.


    His eyes watched every part of her beautiful body and smooth skin, that his breath was caught up in the moment of what he was doing.


    The navy blue body-tight gown she was wearing was long enough to cover her thighs and below her knee, but the sexy slit that was designed to it cut up to her thigh area.


    He could not fathom in his head how someone who was married, would decide to wear a gown of such without even caring any longer of reputations. Yet, he was fascinated by what he was seeing, until his eyes caught something weird that the clothing barely covered on her thigh.


    It was like some sought of incision that had dried up of its deep cutting, but had been shed across its surface again to make it eye soring. Curiosity got the best of him as his eyes trailed again to her face again, to see her sweating profusely in her sleep in a state of restlessness.


    His right hand instinctively found its way close to her right thigh, to slightly raise the dress she was wearing to see what he seemed to not believe.


    The moment his hand shifted her dress and his eyes caught a glimpse of the wound on her thigh, she woke up immediately and skillfully jerked his neck to the right like an awakening instinct.


    It was a shock for both of them to notice what had happened in split seconds, as she let go of his neck the moment she realized what was going on in the car. However, her face momentarily twisted into a frown of what he was trying to do.


    It brought Dalton to a great inward shock. It was as though she was ready from her sleep like a person, ready to strike any predator that was going to try to attack at any point in time. His mind became a mess of thoughts like it always became, anytime he was with her, or his thinking was wired to her.


    ¡®Who was she? What was she? And what was that cut mark he saw inscribed on her body?¡¯

 Repel

    Aria was sitting behind an intricate carved wooden table, on a chair that matched the antique appearance of the table. She was now wearing a simple white dress that Dalton had bought from a nearby store, and made her change to after so much arguments and hardheadedness from him.


    It was when they arrived at their destination, that she found out about the beautiful destination of where they were going. The ce was a simple but beautiful outdoor vacation closet with constructed water falls as its scenery, that was behind the secluded mountains they had passed through which was not far from the city. It was extremely beautiful.


    Having no idea about why she and he hade there together, she just sat down carefully and went with the flow of things. If something were to help her to get rid of the thoughts in her mind, she would appreciate and use the opportunity to have fun judiciously.


    Not too long she saw Daltoning back from the beautiful canyon located in the spot where the car was parked, and he was holding in his hand a bottle of champagne and two sses of ss cups. He immediately dropped it on the table and took his seat, which had Aria confused about exactly what was going on.


    ¡®They didn¡¯t drive that far from home toe and drink wine in a vacation spot right?¡¯


    Still, she watched him uncork the bottle and pour some in his ss cup, before passing the bottle and cup to her side even if Alex had politely advised him earlier, to pour it for her in any case.


    The stare she gave him after he did that wasn¡¯t so friendly at all, that she demanded to know exactly what was going on.


    ¡°Do you like the scenery?¡± he asked, instead answering the question that she had asked him. He tried to reason that maybe the beautiful sight would help her to feel better, rather than making her ask so many questions about why.


    ¡°I have not been to ces like this with anyone, because I did not get to enjoy things like this in my youth. So I do not know how to enjoy them either. And that doesn¡¯t even matter now, because I do not care about any of this. Why are we here?¡± She asked again.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you ever give me any other better look other than that disgust?¡± He asked, frustrated that even the little things that he was doing didn¡¯t make her happy.


    ¡®It sure was hard to ever please a woman.¡¯


    ¡°And why are we doing this Dalton? We are not close as couples to drive far away from home, ande to somece like this just to have a ss of champagne. The champagne might even have something in it for all I care,¡± she blurted out bluntly as she watched him take a drink from his own cup for affirmation, and immediately switched it with hers when he dropped it back on the table.


    Her sudden action surprised him as he watched her fill his own ss to the brim, and drank almost all the contents without stopping on the spot, like someone who had been thirsty her entire life.


    The look he had on his face when she dropped the cup on the table after heaving a sigh of relief, prompted her to sting him with his own words that he had said to her in the past.


    ¡°I wanted to be sure I will not be dying, by using that same cup you brought yourself. Sure, you are so clean enough not to transfer bacteria to me the way I would probably transfer one to you right? Oh, wait. You probably have one in you now, that you had forcefully put your lips on mine,¡± she sassed in a taunting tone. They had all treated her like a gue in the past so it didn¡¯t matter.


    Instead of using the ss cup any further, she just picked the bottle and gently chugged the contents into her throat. She had not been able to sleep well for a few days, and it was killing her body to exhaust.


    ¡°Why are you being like this, Aria? Hard to please and extremely difficult. Just enjoy everything since you have never had the chance to do that before!¡± he stated bitterly, already getting angry at everything she was doing.N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.


    First, she hated the fact that they were on a trip and were drinking without any told reason, and she had used him of probably spiking the drink, then she was ruining the beautiful evening with her mood swings and mocking tone. But he couldn¡¯t just do anything about everything. It was right for her to suspect everything he was doing.


    ¡°Why should I not be like this? I can never be happy whenever you are around, Dalton. It is sick to live as your wife and family. It is vain for me to be called a Miller. You are annoying as hell, and it is a fact. You are so heartless with your actions that you think are so captivating, and then you try to be nice again using your silly wealth for show. What an arsehole you are!¡± She retorted furiously, even if her face was refusing to contort into the perfect irritated face she wanted.


    ¡°And what do you think caused all of this?! You have enjoyed the privilege of being a part of the Miller family, and that is all that matters. All this was done with the power of money. Do you think if you were still so poor, you would be able to avoid the luxurious dresses and shoes you are putting on? No one would ever know you existed!¡± He shot up in pride and power that his wealthmanded, hating the fact that she was belittling the strength and capability of him.


    ¡°I do not know about that, but you should ask your selfish self. Should you not have persisted from the beginning, and not have agreed to get married to me no matter what? But yet you did, and allowed your family to trample,¡± she huped slightly, ¡°Trample mercilessly however they liked. Not every woman wants to be with you Dalton. I would rather live with another man who was dirt poor, but gave me peace and it is a fact. Not everyone wants to live in your fancy house to bear your name just because of your money, Dalton. It only brings forlorn and misery!¡± Aria yelled so angrily at him and hissed so much, trying to conceal every painful emotion that was engulfing her body.


    She had been too strong her entire life and it had finally broken her too much. Too much beyond things she could say or tell anyone. There were so many things she wanted to say to him, but how could she when it would all be a futile waste?


    Dalton¡¯s body was shaken and affected by her words, which had never happened with any other person before. He had met so many women that threw tantrums and cried bitterly just to win his affection, that he just ignored their cuss words and ordered them out of his sight. But the woman before him was different.


    He could see so much in her as she talked with fury, self disgust and hatred. How she would have stabbed him to the heart if she could.


    She stood up immediately and took thest gulp of champagne, before she turned to leave wherever it was, that she didn¡¯t even know. It was then that he realized.


    Money could never make her happy. His wealth could not bring a smile to her face. He had thought of giving her every wealth and things she wanted in life, but she would p it across his face and spit at him.


    Dalton¡¯s legs found themselves running after the pissed offdy who had left his sight, to wherever she could even if she had no idea of where they were.


    His pride was still on an active level of pulling him back, but something was restricting his proper airflow if he remained sitting. The only way to feel better was to follow her.


    ¡°So what do you want now?!¡± He demanded from her immediately his hands grabbed her and turned her body to face him, when he figured out that she was tearing up so badly which seemed to dry off at his sight. It showed how much she hated to be weak in his presence.


    ¡°I just want you to get out of my face and sight. Just leave me alone and let me be!¡± She jerked free from him, but he was holding too tightly. It gave her the greater desire of wanting to strangle him right at that point.


    ¡°Okay, Aria. If that is what you want, then I will let you be and you can do whatever you want if it makes you happy. I have decided to let you go.¡±

 Unending problems

    Things had been so quiet and down at the Millers, with everyone¡¯s head buried in their own sadness and forlorn. Emma had taken a break from the house because of her mother and lodged at a private suite, while Ellen traveled to Chicago for a random meeting she informed her mother about, on her way to the airport.


    Dalton and Aria were back on their non-talking terms because she said she wanted that, and he told her he would only let her go after the four months that was left for their marriage to end.


    That sure was more infuriating for her to hear from him, because he was ying her and she knew that it was for his own selfish gains.


    Right in her bedroom, was Aria sitting on the bed with aptop that had a USB drive inserted to the side of it. She found some pictures and edited videos on the drive that the private investigator dropped, and they were the few ones from a party the family held a year before and some few ones from two years before.


    The one where someone had deliberately pushed her into the pool at the family anniversary, and also one where something got dropped in her drink in which another person had drunk it in ce of her.


    The guy who had taken the drink that was meant for her spent almost two months in the hospital, before the doctors could discharge him from being threat free after the incident.


    They were all incidents that might have all looked like a normal happening to people who didn¡¯t care about her, but it was too coincidental for someone who had been in the dangerous position.


    None of the family took it seriously and made investigations about it, which was definitely another thing they had to suffer for.


    But the downside was that the videos in edits, were all footage from blindspots which were not discovered by the person who cleared the real footage.


    Though it wasn¡¯t easy for the private investigator to get the videos and pictures, the price worth of the investigator was able to give her a clue that something was really wrong. And that someone had been trying to endanger her life over the years.


    It was going to be a very long, tough and hard investigation for her alone, but she wanted something progressive and worth the stress she was putting into it. It would just take a little more time.Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.


    Checking the time on her phone, Aria realized it would soon be time for Anna¡¯sst checkup before the surgery, and immediately dashed into her dressing room to wear a coat. She drove out of the mansion afterwards.


    As she drove on the lonely road, Aria flipped through the pages of a huge journal that she brought out from beneath the car seat. She read the vivid words of thousand letters in the journal over and over again, which yed and shed before her eyes as she pressed hard on the brakes.


    ¡®Her life was too much of a mess. Too pathetic and painful.¡¯


    ~           ~~            ~           ~~         ~


    ¡°Can we get the tests done again?¡± Aria asked the doctor, immediately the nurse left with Anna for her own medical checkup.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know who they were, but thest time you came here they were all over the ce. Searched every necessary file and thoroughly inspected it. Crazy that the hospital director allowed that,¡± Dr Xavier sighed endlessly, as he readjusted his sses and held a file in his hands, ¡°Had to put the results in here, under another person¡¯s name.¡±


    ¡°So?¡±


    ¡°The truth is you really need to start getting prepared to receive¡­¡­..¡±


    ¡°Can we not, just talk about this over again. Just give me the drugs. And also for insomnia and others too. The ones from before are not working effectively. I want no paperwork too.¡±


    ¡°Please. You really need to stop all this right now and ¡­..¡±


    ¡°I¡¯vee too far to stop here. Just make sure that Anna is okay, and that she is getting a perfect surgery to restore her health perfectly. I¡¯d ask for nothing more.¡±


    ~`?`~     ~`?` ~       ~`?`~      ~`?`~


    Aria stood in front of the car she had packed in front of the orphanage, as she watched Anna follow one of the nuns back into the huge building.


    They had to wait an hour extra after visiting the hospital for tests, so that Anna could attend her therapy sessions at a therapist¡¯s office.


    The young girl had been suffering from depression and anxiety disorder, because of the physical abuse she had suffered from her parents since she was a toddler.


    Her father was always high on drugs and drank a lot, while her mother was always a social worker who got entangled with an addict, and had a child they both didn¡¯t want.


    The poor girl¡¯s life would have be a mess, if it wasn¡¯t for the help of people who noticed what was going on and called the cops on her behalf. Ever since, she had been trying to get over her traumatic self and past.


    The head nun came out through the side of the building to meet Aria who was still standing by car, and smiled at her as they both watched the young girl and thedy disappear into the building.


    ¡°You really like her. One would think she is your long lost child,¡± the nun joked, with a modest grin across her lip.


    ¡°I think we are very much alike. I feel like I can see my younger version,¡± Aria uttered, her fingers wrestling against her palms as her face remained so stoic. There seemed to be so many things going on in her mind, that the olddy¡¯s eyes did not miss.


    ¡°There is still so much happiness waiting in the world for you, my child. Just let go of everything,¡± the nun encouraged her, as her both hands of wrinkled skin held that of Aria¡¯s so warmly, and cupped them softly in some sought of protection.


    She could see a great look of weariness and pain behind the beautiful youngdy¡¯s smile, and she really wanted to do so much to help her in any way she could. But she would never open up herself. It was some kind of trust insecurity or mental self consciousness to words and the world that she had.


    Aria was hoping to end the day with her own personal space and peace, as she made her way into the mansion at exactly 6pm on the dot.


    And just as she made her way into the living room just to take the direction towards the grand stairs, she came face to face with her worst nightmare standing there his old grumpy way.


    More than the people she had expected to see for the state of tranquility the mansion had experienced for a few days, they were surprisingly more than the number that had been staying in before.


    There was Eva, Emma, Ellen, Eleanor and Alex standing at the door and in therge dining space, like they had all been waiting for her to arrive right at that time.


    ¡®It was not by any chance possible that Dalton was ready to divorce her, and had invited her father right?¡¯


    ¡°And there you are,¡± Mr. Hamilton said without any form of patience, immediately he set his eyes on her after so many months. He was however so shocked and displeased at the same time, to see the new aura that his daughter exuded in therge room.


    Even her manner of dressing, appearance and poise seemed to surpass the three sisters, who seemed to be there for reasons that were not yet usible to Aria herself.


    Yet, the intense feeling topress her father into an airbag and toss him outside the house, overwhelmed her immediately as she watched the look he had for her.


    ¡®It seemed like he had not realized whom he was messing with.


    ¡°We should all go and take a seat. Mr. Miller will be here in the next few minutes too,¡± Alex informed everyone, as Eleanor seemed to be evidently spiteful of the fact that the father of thedy she loathed, was standing sofortably in the mansion.


    Even on the solid grounds that he was the father of his son¡¯s wife, she would have preferred to make him wait outside the gate for her to see him. His outward look was even so annoying for her to see, as he was not as ssy as the fathers of thedies she would have wanted.


    ¡®Even his shoe seemed to be a knockoff.¡¯


    ¡°There is no need for that, Alex. I do not have any business with anyone here,¡± Aria announced, and there was shock everywhere from the sisters who had not expected that.


    It had been so obvious to them right from time that the father really disregarded his daughter, and treated her however he pleased like a marite that he could control.


    She had always been so scared and mindfully conscious of him. Never had she had the nerves to talk back at him. In spite of that, the look she was even giving him was really disgusting.


    ¡°Are you seriously talking to me in that manner and dismissing me out of your house, because you are now married to a billionaire. I now have no say over you?¡± Hamilton yelled at his daughter, not minding his manners in the fit of his anger. That Dalton was not even there, gave him more leverage.


    ¡°First of all, it is not my house. It belongs to Dalton. And secondly, I do not think we have too close of a business, to be in the same space talking like a normal family. You have never wanted to talk on the phone, so I see no reason why you shoulde and throw tantrums here. You certainly do not want my husband toe meeting you this way,¡± she told him so grimly, and taunted mockingly on the word ¡®husband¡¯ as she climbed further up the stairs.


    ¡°Is that the right way to speak to your father?!¡± They all heard a voice demand so imperiously, as they turned to see even if they knew who owned such a familiar voice of authority.


    Mr. Hamilton was already beginning to show some kind of sentiment and recovering from his shock, at the sudden support that the husband of the daughter he didn¡¯t really like was showing to him. Everyone was now confused about what was going on.


    Dalton was doing that because he preferred to talk to her in any sought of way, even if it was going to be in that manner of speech. She really was not having it softly.


    ¡°I think my dear husband Dalton, should probably inform my father that we would be getting a divorce very soon,¡± Aria said in all manner and form of politeness and humility, as she gave her husband a coy smile that put everyone in total confusion and made them gasp in a mixture of sighs. She turned to leave immediately.


    ¡®What exactly was happening between the two couples? And why was Dalton looking at her in such a soft manner even if she was walking out on him?¡¯

 Sister鈥檚 opposition

    ¡°I  am pretty sure we all didn¡¯t gather here because of Aria¡¯s father right?¡± They all heard Eva¡¯s voice ask, which was certainly very weird for her to interface in such matters.


    Naturally, they were so shocked about the show that had ured before them, and heated words that Aria had exchanged with her father.


    It made them realize that she was not in any way joking, and was ready to really thrash at anyone that would treat her like trash. Worst of all was that Dalton had her back. He watched her leave his presence and didn¡¯t do anything.


    ¡®Was there anything that they didn¡¯t know and no one was telling them?¡¯


    Quickly, the two sisters organized themselves and took their seats apart from each other, while the mother who was looking so gloomy and really angry cared less.


    She had called all of them and told them different things, which were reasons why they were all back at the mansion in a few days without any question.


    Ellen had secretly implored her mother to make sure Emma doesn¡¯t get married to Damon, and when Eleanor asked reasons why she just shunned giving her a reply.


    Emma had taken the issue to Dalton and cried so much to her brother¡¯s ears, who had to intervene and tell his mother to let her go regardless of who the guy was.


    Aria¡¯s issue had taken over his head and eaten him up, that he could not even be so focused on the so-called guy his sister wanted to marry.


    Eleanor tried to run a background check on Damon a few times, but it was not easy because he wasn¡¯t living in America and was also a traveler.


    It gave the mother so many doubts especially for the fact that he wasn¡¯t so wealthy, but she decided to use her daughters to achieve what she wanted. She was the real bad bitch.


    ¡°I heard that you have told your mother that you are not in support of my marriage to Damon. Why are you being like this to me, Ellen?¡± Emma asked her sister, who turned to their mother with a stern face that expressed her disappointment for telling her.


    ¡°It isn¡¯t like I do not want you to get married to him, but I just do not think he is the right guy for you. Weighing the pros and cons, I think you need someone better,¡± Ellen tried to be as calm as she could, so that her statement wouldn¡¯t sound too possessive like she knew something. However, her kid sister wasn¡¯t having it.


    ¡°You do not have to be like mum in every way and manner of reasoning. You could just be a supportive sister and convince mother on my behalf. I mean, isn¡¯t that what sisters do? Have their backs?¡± Emma¡¯s voice was now bing tensed up, which made them realize that she only became like that whenever it came to Damon.


    Ellen could have sworn at her sister for being a fool over a girl, right before her face to just end everything once and for all. But she had a reputation to keep, and she certainly was not doing anything rash for her sister at the expense of her image. She wasn¡¯t having it any longer.


    ¡°I¡¯m not being calm any longer, Emma. Do not get married to that guy, and just find a better person. And I also mean so not go snitching our personal family conversation to him too. Because it seems like this love has gotten your head out of its right ce,¡± Ellen said with sarcasm and frowned, so furious at everything wrong that seemed to be going on in her life.


    She was still in love with Damon too but she knew pushing for it would mean despise and disgust. There was no way she would lower herself all because of a man, who could just get to thedies in her family however he liked because of money.


    ¡°I love that guy and you need to see it. You probably don¡¯t know the feeling because you have chosen to be so apathetic like mum.¡±


    ¡°And knowing the feelings has made you be dumb and dumb by the day,¡± Ellen blew hot at her sister, when she realized that calm words would not fix the situation.


    And she could also not take any actions too. For everything to go smoothly she would need her brother¡¯s help, and there was no way she was watching her dirty linen before him.


    ¡°It is better if you know the right things to do, and the right person to love. He is not high up to our league so you cannot marry him, and there is a high probability too that he is after your money. Do you not think?!¡±


    Watching the two sisters exchange words against their choices, made Eleanor so d that Ellen was still supporting her own decision in times like that.


    It was more than enough for her because Eva would never have to say or contribute. She was just sitting there like a constant and disinterested in the whole discussion.


    ¡°I do not care, single sis. The feeling is mutual. Can you get out of my business and start getting your own life too. I just hope whoever it is that you will bring home, would be up to the highest of highest standards that our never satisfying mummy wants,¡± Emma said, not even realizing herself that she was exhibiting every form of sarcasm.


    ¡°And I¡¯m leaving the table. Like I am leaving the issues about your marriage with him. We are never doing that union,¡± Ellen persisted, and made her way out of the second living room that was up the second stairs in the huge mansion.


    She could not allow the tears that she was struggling to hide, show in any form of way to her family. It would be too pathetic to watch, even if they wouldn¡¯t know why she was like that.


    ~`?`~.      ~`?`~.


    Emma had returned back to her personal suite that day, because of her sister who was now making the situation more worse for her than her mother.


    She had also invited Damon and called him over, so that she could feel better and something different from the inexpressible rage that was consuming through her.


    They are both sitting on the king-sized bed that was on therge suite, with his right hand cuddling her little body into his own safe space.


    He knew that she loved him so much and was ready to go against her family, that even the news of Damon being unperturbed about both of them delighted him.


    He was able to ovee the sudden issue with Ellen and finally shut her up for good, and even with the new shock that Dalton was her elder brother had been solved because he was not really interested in opposition except the mother. His only bother, mind quavering issue and concern was Aria. He was really bothered.


    ¡®What was she doing in the mansion? And how was it that everyone in the Millers mansion almost made him lost in breath in one evening of visitation?¡¯


    ¡°About thatdy that we saw climbing the stairs that day at your house. The one who didn¡¯t seem to be concerned about everything we did that day?¡± Damon asked so meticulously, like he was just asking her out of pure curiosity.


    ¡°You mean Aria? She is Dalton¡¯s wife,¡± Emma replied nonchntly, which had Damon shocked about the new information.


    ¡®How could Aria be Dalton¡¯s wife? Like the billionaire¡¯s wife? Of the greatest family? Was she kidding him?¡¯


    ¡°Why does she seem to not care about anyone? Does she not like me too?¡± Damon inquired again while trying to y a victim, so it would not sound like he was asking too much about the sacred family.


    ¡°I¡¯m sure she doesn¡¯t know you. I don¡¯t know. She doesn¡¯t like anyone and just does her own business,¡± Emma shrugged, and immediately turned to him so he would not ask any further questions.


    Emma really would not like him asking questions like why Aria didn¡¯t like anyone, because that would mean she had to talk too much about how filthy her family was towards her.


    It would be an exnation she would never even want to speak with her lips to him, to avoid showing her terrible family was in their own personal space.


    As much as she loved Damon and wanted for him to be part of her wealthy family, she would keep every past thing a distance from his hearing.


    Dalton would never take it lightly, if there was any faltering from the family members regardless of what they did.


    ¡°Next week is your mother¡¯s birthday party, right? I wille,¡± Damon said and smiled, making Emma so bewildered by what she was hearing. He had told her initially that he would be busy.


    ¡°You will reallye? I thought you were avoiding my mother and everyone. Are you for real?¡± Emma sounded really excited as she gave him a quick peck on the cheeks.


    ¡°Yes, I will,¡± A grin tugged at his lips.C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org.

 A familiar enemy

    No one told Aria as usual about the uing celebration, and she did not care to even know about it or to participate in it. She only noticed the extreme preparations, changing of interior designs and the decorations of everywhere around the mansion.


    And most of the attention was focused on the banquet hall, which was just a few miles away from the mansion and was built for mainly family anniversaries.


    It was one of a kind that could not even bepared, to many of the luxurious banquet halls that were usually booked by elites for celebrations. Appearance and presence of people were strictly based on invitation.


    Regardless of how Ellen was really pissed at her mother for spilling what she told her not to tell Emma, she was still the one who helped her mother to cote  the list for invited guests. Then Alex was the one that made the final arrangements for how it would be stamped and sent to them.


    Eva on the other hand donated expensive art from the ML gallery, to create a great joint purpose for an art exhibition that day.


    Emma, whose final decision from her mother was still pending, wanted to put up a really good impression for her mother by helping her in any way she could.


    Every daughter regardless of her character and grudge, assisted their mother to put on the greatest show for her birthday.


    Luxurious cars drove into the mansion through a designated partway for the guests, and pulled into the driveway that led to the huge hall.


    There were bright shes and clicks of cameras that rivaled the red carpet event, which were from big shot mediapany media units that were to cover the footage of the entire party.


    There were numbers of high ss socialites and tycoons that were invited as a list of the guests, in which their presence lighted up and exuded the high level of people that were included.


    The party was hosted in such a manner that the banquet hall was sessfully secluded from the main mansion itself. None of the guests could exceed the ground limits of the party.


    Aria had spent her entire day going through files and rted footage the investigator further sent, to the extent that  her limbs were tired and her eyes were sore from looking into theptop for many hours.


    She had heard the party theme information from the maids who talked about it nonstop, whenever she was around the kitchen to get food or walking around the mansion.


    She was naturally not an invited guest or part of their family since that was what she had always been tagged, so she just went on with her normal daily routine without minding the extravagant party they were throwing.


    However, there are some things they could never let pass, even if they didn¡¯t like either of them. They had to be the perfect family and everyone had to see that.


    Hearing the knock on the door, Aria pretended like she was fast asleep since it was evening already, but the person knocking didn¡¯t seem to give up by simultaneously ringing the bell too at the same time.


    Reluctantly, she sauntered towards the door and opened it while acting the drowsy person part, thinking it would be one of the maids that wanted to clean the room or serve another dessert.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry I came unannounced. Can Ie in?¡± Aria was really surprised to see who was by the door and at her words, when it was ring that she was actually meant to be at the party that had likely started.


    She was probably surprised because they had never had to be in the same ce before, or even uttered many words to each other since their coexistence in the same space.


    Aria almost stuttered on the right words to reply as she swallowed on it, with the huge fancy bags that she had brought alongside with her.Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.


    ¡®What could Emma be possibly doing in her room?¡¯


    ¡°I know this is really cliche and cringing of a scenario. But I really hope you honor this invitation even if it is at thest minute, and attend the banquet party. You and mum had never been on good terms, but you should do this for the sake of the family,¡± Emma said softly in a really enticing tone, that made Aria wonder endlessly what kind of set-up was happening.


    Eleanor knew that Aria would sabotage their perfect family image by noting to her party, but she could not let down her pride to invite her either.


    Ellen, who was simr to her, would not do that also, and Aria and Eva had never had business with one another before. The only cool and enticing person who was never really at home to abet their evil actions was Emma.


    It left Eleanor with a dilemma; ept Emma¡¯s new boyfriend and she would do the trick of bringing Aria to the party, or ignore the perfect reputation setting she wanted for her party and go true to her promise of not epting Damon no matter what.


    ¡°And why should I, get dressed and attend a party no one wants me at. I mean I¡¯m not even a part of your family,¡± Aria¡¯s voice came off as offended, as her impassive look that was cold and aloof kind of made Emma really ufortable. She had never been that close to her before, but she had to do it for the sake of Damon¡¯s eptance consideration.


    ¡°I will propose a really nice deal to you,¡± Emma¡¯s voice came out more silently than ever.


    ~?.   ~?.     ~?.     ~?.


    One could have mistaken Eleanor for Ellen not because of the resemnce they shared, but at the new extraordinary appearance of the beautifuldy of the Miller.


    She was absolutely stunning and alluring in the facial makeup that was done to her face, in which its minimalism seemed to be redundant at the manner at which she shone.


    Her exquisite velvet mermaid evening dress that was with a high bridge beck, had a glitter embellished undey, floral appliques at waist, and beautifully beaded corset patterns that rested perfectly on her body.


    It was incredibly unbelievable to believe that it was she, who was looking gorgeous in the dress that made her look like a youngdy in her thirties.


    The mood at the banquet party was set already with a piano prodigy ying Nocturne Op. 9 No. 2, that matched the energy of the huge room of influential people.


    There were still few guests arriving at that time to settle down for a ss of champagne and appetizers, when a particr person who should have arrived the same time as his girlfriend was just making his way in.


    His appearance was more outstanding than the one he looked at the dinner feast with the Millers, that many people who had taken a nce at him had no idea of who the dashing young guy was.


    However, he was not ready to meet his lover at first and luckily for him, his eyes caught the person he was ready to meet just at the moment he had settled down.


    Ellen made her way into the second hallway where the main hosts came in through, as he followed her immediately when he had watched carefully to see that everyone was caught up in their own business.


    The cameras in the hall were working, in a functional and systematic way that didn¡¯t vite the rights of the invited guest.


    ¡°What are you doing here?! Are you insane?!¡± Ellen demanded, immediately she sensed the presence of the person who had grabbed her by the arm. There was no way she would not recognize him.


    He quickly covered her mouth with his palm from talking too loudly, and led her into the other room close to the entrance for the Millers. Most of the family were already at the party so there would be no disturbance, at least for a while that would be enough for them to talk.


    ¡°Who are you to tell Emma that she should not get married to me? You seem to be crossing your boundary here, even when you know what I am capable of doing,¡± Damon threatened, with his eyes gazing so intently at her. He needed to put a reasonable amount of fear in her, so that she would realize that he was not joking at all.


    ¡°Do not touch me, you bastard! I cannot believe I fell in love with a useless man like you, only for me to find out that you were nning to marry my sister even in the rtionship. How can I even allow that?! What would even happen if Dalton finds out?¡± Ellen tried to be strong and came off as menacing too, using Dalton¡¯s authority, so that she would not lose to him and release the tears that were stinging her eyes.


    ¡°I do not care, Miss little Miller. But I would advise you to act responsibly if you want to protect your beautiful, perfect image. And do not stand in my way any longer. This would be a final warning,¡± he said silently and tortuously into her ears down to her face, before giving her a quick kiss on the cheeks to disgust her the most.


    Ellen left hurriedly and walked out to prevent her heart from shattering over again, as Damon smirked in his victory against her again and turned to leave.


    His eyes caught the silhouette of someone that turned immediately and the hem of her dress, as he ran so quickly towards the direction to see who it was. And luckily for him, it was his second target.


    ¡°It is good to see you again, Aria. I cannot believe you were able to rise to this highest level of perfection for yourself. That ismendable,¡± he said in the same rough manner, as he appeared before her immediately to stop her from walking any further.


    He was taken aback by her breathtaking appearance and astounding look, that he struggled not to be sucked in the past anymore. She was now in a different ce entirely with a different man.


    Aria¡¯s eyes rested on the face of the person who was talking to her, and she could feel her anger rising because of his hand that was grazing her arm. Her left hand instinctively pushed the huge figure away from her, as he felt the intensity of the disgusting look she was giving to him.


    Damon dusted his cloth and tried to remain cool as his body darted to the back, recovering from the crazy unaware push she had given him momentarily.


    His lips curved up into a mischievous smile as his expression became a threatening one, with him moving forward back to the position she had shifted him from before.


    ¡°So, you are pretending not to know me to protect your perfect little image right? Because you are now married to the greatest Dalton Miller, then you forget everything we have shared? Is that it huhhhh?!!!¡± He tried to grab her hair in the anger that was running through his face, as his eyes became bloodshot instantly. He hated losing todies.


    ¡°If you touch me again, I swear I will break that hand that keeps trying to touch me,¡± she threatened.


    ¡°You keep ignoring me like you have never met me in your life, when we have actually shared more than talking in this manner. Have you forgotten?!¡±

 Violence

    That same evening for his mother¡¯s birthday party, Dalton had to be at another banquet that he could not avoid attending. His mother had acted up in her own way to change her son¡¯s mind, but soon gave up when she realized that it was strictly business that couldn¡¯t be missed with pleasure.


    There were so many reasons Dalton hated gatherings like that, and the major one was being in the limelight of the event and not even the pride others had always emphasized about.


    The unnecessary friendliness for mainlymensalism which he would never partake in. The strive for attention and the untoldpetition amongst low-level and high-level elites.


    And as expected, the spotlight could not be avoided. The party was the one for top young ranked socialites and top listed celebrities, as they all ambled into the hall dressed in their luxurious dresses of weird shapes and structures. The party sh was evident.


    The Millers were for the specially invited businessmen of sses and age. The other young ones who are clearly an oue of social stratification were hosting the banquet. And, it was the same gathering that Dalton was attending to meet with a foreigner whosepany was going under overseas.


    The owner of the automobilepany had passed away, and his mother had done everything in her power, to put her son in ce of power in thepany, as the new CEO.


    However, he was more invested and interested in engaging in the entertainment life his peers enjoyed, and sessfully wrecked thepany after all investors had pulled out under one year. The pressure of the media weighed on him, with the high scale of bankruptcy in thepany.


    The young heir needed a ce to forget the ordeal which he was going through that surpassed him, especially with the fact that there was a dire need to hand over the rights of thepany to another buyer.


    He found out about the banquet party through his foreign friends and crashed at the party, to relieve any kind of stress the press articles had put on him in the Philippines. And that exactly, was Dalton¡¯s aim.


    Numerous cars of exotic sizes and price tags rolled into the front of the red carpet, as the paparazzi were everywhere in corners to get out anything that could publish any news. And in that same party too was Collin, who was tipped off too by his assistant about the buyout.


    The presence of the man who had entered the hall to spike the degree in body temperature, made the people wonder what suddenly went on with the reduced side talks and chatting.


    Their eyes grew wide to see who had made a grand but subdued entrance, with his aura which was hard to miss that dissipated into the air immediately.


    There were distant chatters and talks amongst the people, when they saw who made way into the banquet ceremony too with them.


    The young and ssy elites had inferiorplexes towards Dalton who was more or less age difference with them, and felt intimidated because it seemed like he was present there, just to lower their level of social hierarchy.


    In all kinds of forms and power they could possess, he was still the one to top them all.


    The youngdies who had been trying so hard to meet or even see him from afar, had their heels frozen on the cold ground in opposition to their intended action if they ever met him.


    He just went past everyone and mingled into the crowd, with his eyes being so calctive with exactly the mission he came there for.Exclusive content from N?velDrama.Org.


    With few people who swallowed their pride to meet and talk to him, Dalton¡¯s eyes hardly missed the sight of the man whose face was now scribbled in his head.


    They had no business inmon and were never acquaintances or business partners, in a way too close enough for Dalton to never forget his appearance. But he didn¡¯t.


    And the reason was because the guy had an untold rtionship, with the only person that was invading his thoughts. Even his name that Alex had only spoken of to him only once, stuck to his brain stubbornly in ways that he could not seem to forget; Collin Carson.


    The rigidness and suffocation in the air was noticeable, especially among those who knew what happened at the auction when they saw Collin.


    They began to nurse so many bothering thoughts in their heart to what exactly was going on, to make those two same men be in the same space at unlikely ces. The sudden tension was hard to miss.


    Their egos would sh, but one was modest enough to be the gentleman he had always been. And to their tables that were just a few inches apart, Collin moved over to him to exchange pleasantries making sure not to bring out his hand for a shake. Dalton really hated his guts.


    He was dying with him to punch him in the face while asking what kind of connection he had to someone, who never had friends to talk to or anyone to visit her in years of the marriage.


    Curiosity was eating him up to know exactly why Aria could smile so easily to his annoyingly pretty face, but every smile and greeting at that point was filled with unspoken words of venomous contempt.


    ~?~.                   ~?~                     ~?~


    ¡°What was going on there?¡± Aria heard the voice immediately she came out of the nearest bathroom, and it was someone she least expected again out of the sisters.


    ¡®What was wrong with everyone that they now saw the need to talk to her? Was it because of their mother¡¯s birthday or any other thing?¡¯


    A dazzling Eva was standing in front of her in her simple dress as usual, which was the least fancy amongst every dress that the other sisters wore. Her carat diamond heels were the real disy which was worth ten of millions. Her lifestyle was hard to understand, and none of her sisters tried to see eye to eye with her.


    It was when she had tried to think of the right words to hit her with, that she realized that she had probably walked in time to see thest scene had ensued between her and Damon.


    She knew that it was never Eva¡¯s ce to care about any rtionship she might have had with Damon, for them to be found in such apromising position regardless of his connections now to Emma.


    However, for whatever reasons it was that prompted the fox to talk, she wasn¡¯t going to sound nice to her regardless.


    ¡°Shouldn¡¯t you just go your own way, and ignore things that you don¡¯t normally care about?¡± Aria retorted obnoxiously, that hit frigid Eva in the wrong way.


    ¡°You should just remain as quiet as you have always been since the past years. That would be the best.¡±


    ¡°Finally thankful that your hypocrisy has decided to let go of pretense, and be yourself which is as disgusting as how the others act. Trying to be a perfect family in front of everyone, while setting fire beneath the real structuring of the facade.¡±


    ¡°Do you realize how badly these stupid and sudden actions could cos¡­¡­¡±


    ¡°I would see youter, sister, Eva,¡± Aria cut her off immediately and walked away from her sight, because she couldn¡¯t even imagine exchanging words together with her.


    Her mind was filled with too many things to even say anymore words, but she sure loathed Eva probably more than Ellen who was just all about the noise.


    In that space of a few minutes was Damon who was too meticulous and sly, hiding behind the wallyer to pretend like he had left.


    He knew that the Millers were far from perfect, and was really interested in finding out some of their weak links. Sensing that someone wasing, he quickly turned away from Aria and took another turn from the hallway.


    Damon had listened to every of Aria¡¯s discussions with Eva, which made him realize that Aria didn¡¯t just hate them for no one reason.


    It was a clear fact to him that it wasn¡¯t just a few months that Aria had been married to Dalton, and that there was some kind of bad blood between everyone, especially at the manner that Aria was talking back to her so maliciously.


    He was confused. Judging from the rtionship they had in the past, he knew that Aria wasn¡¯t just the kind of person to talk back at anyone. Even to that, he had sometimes treated her poorly in the short run which didn¡¯t matter. Something about her had changed.


    And just in his same rude and uncultured self, he came out so briskly and mmed her shoulders against the wall. His voice was so coarse and his gaze was really overbearing, the same way he always did that would make her shiver in the past.


    Wham!


    Her hand flew through the air in a split second and hit him across the face, which put so much shock in him because he didn¡¯t expect it.


    She red at him and pushed him away immediately, but he used his man strength to hold her still by the shoulders. She would still listen to whatever he had to say.


    ¡°You have changed, you bitch! This is not the person I know. You are not Aria Hamilton, you golddigger!¡±

 Dead end

    ¡°How was the party yesterday with your


    mother-inw and Dalton¡¯s sisters? Heard it was Eleanor Miller¡¯s birthday. Did it go well?¡± Collin asked from the other side of the phone, worried that many things might have gone wrong because of the kind of family she was married into. From the few she had said, he envisaged the worst.


    ¡°Wasn¡¯t bad at all,¡± Aria replied normally, not wanting to talk about the details of the ordeal she had to face with every member of the family, and even Damon who was probably going to be part of the family soon.


    It was going to be a catastrophe to be in that kind of setting, because thebination of all of them was vile.


    ¡°What you mean wasn¡¯t bad? They are not good people, so I am sure that there would have been so much to worry about. Especially for the fact that there would be an intense need to put on a facade to the invitees. Are you sure you are okay?¡± He inquired again, extremely worried about her even more than ever, because of his encounter with Dalton the previous night.


    ¡°There is never a fine, but we can only be fine,¡± she said and smiled at the words she had not said in a long time to anyone. Her mind wandered off for a bit in the course of talking, and Collin noticed immediately that her mood had changed. It was now a lot easier for him to tell much about her than before.


    ¡°Met your husband at the banquet yesterday. It was quite an intense one. He is one of a kind.¡±


    ¡°He must have been there for some kind of business or very important reason. Never the kind to engage in such ground, forzy elites who just want to unt their generational assets,¡± Aria stated under her breath, as she tried to ignore the fact that she could feel the invading space of her, that he now left undisturbed. It was something she really loathed him doing, yet it kind of bothered her.


    ¡°You sound like you know him so well. I really cannot understand the rtionship between you two,¡± Collin said, while trying not to sound jealous of what he had noticed in both of them.


    ¡°I do not know him well, but his principles are not hard to miss. No one wants to spend time studying a narcissistic sociopath,¡± Aria hissed in exasperation, which swept tion across Collin¡¯s feet at the mention of her words.


    ¡°Yeah, and those very principles which are not hard to miss are so obnoxious and annoying. I mean even with his attitude, he still gets what he wants. Always unbeatable with a step ahead,¡± Collin sounded really pissed this time, like something had gone wrong during their meeting at the party. And it did go wrong.


    ¡°Did anything happen at the party?¡±


    ¡°Yes! We were both there for a business proposal and Dalton got the deal. I don¡¯t know how he does it. It¡¯s really crazy,¡± Collin groaned in frustration, as his fingers yed around with the button on the ck shirt he was putting on.


    Then again, his right arm traveled to his cute messy hair again, as they ran through like it would relieve him of his anger. He had tried to do something impressive even without his father¡¯s knowledge, so as to improve their ownpanies, but ended up losing it to Dalton again and he really hated it so much. So much to his guts.


    ¡°That is the effect of how losing to Dalton makes you feel. The feeling sucks so much that you hate yourself for it,¡± her voice sounded so irritated, like she could share the same exact feeling that Collin was feeling within him. And maybe she could. Dalton had messed with her too many times.


    Collin chuckled at the thought of the next thing that came to his mind, which was if the fact that he had Aria had just talked their longest after meeting again in years.


    He had been kind of bothered in his mind that she was avoiding him, but the air seemed to be cleared since she was not awkward like the first time anymore.


    ¡°Speaking of which. I need you to do something for me, Collin,¡± She entered her car immediately and drove out of the underground parking lot, on her way to the orphanage to pick Anna up for her surgery.


    The doctor had called her earlier that there was a free booking space for Anna, because the patient who was meant to take their own surgery that day developedplications the night before.


    The organ to be transnted could not be used on the individual anymore. It was the perfect time for her and she was going to make it work at all costs.


    ¡°What is that?¡± Collin¡¯s voice sounded kind of agitated and worried, because she had never asked him for any favor in that kind of tone before.


    ¡°I need you to help me run a background check on someone.¡±


    ~.      ~.     ~.      ~.      ~.      ~.       ~.         ~.


    The face of the young girl lightened up when she saw who was standing in front of the building, as she picked at her heels and ran so fast as her tiny legs could carry her with her ponytail bouncing behind her.


    It made the heart of the nun who was watching from where she stood leap in joy, to see that the young girl was responding positively to both treatment and therapy.


    Aria, who didn¡¯t expect it, squatted immediately when she felt the tiny hands wrap around her legs, and pulled Anna for her tight and warm hug that she herself needed from someone.


    The sincerity of the girl touched her heart so much that she felt like tears would drop from her eyes. The hard feeling she had in her heart initially melted instantly.


    ¡°Come Anna, let us get ice cream and cookies first,¡± Aria grabbed her arms in hers, and opened the door to the front seat of the car for her to hop in. That she was finally going to get a surgery done for Anna to recover, was one of the things that would bring joy to her heart even amidst sadness.


    The car drove along the highway on the fastestne to the hospital, after they stopped for a bowl of ice cream and walnut cookies on the way.


    Aria drove so fast so that Anna would be able to get enough time to get prepared for the surgery, with her mind  that went back to the discussion she and Emma had the previous night too.


    ¡°And why should I get dressed, and attend a party no one wants me at? I mean I¡¯m not even a part of your family.¡±


    ¡°I will propose a really nice deal to you.¡±


    ¡°And what is that about?¡± Aria asked suspiciously, wondering what kind of deal thest daughter of the Millers would be able to offer her.


    ¡°I would give you anything you want, as long as it does not negatively affect my family or me,¡± Emma¡¯s voice, which was unsure about the deal she was striking, came out much faintly which made Aria wonder if it was a fair deal to her. Every member of the Miller family was never to be trusted.


    ¡°Anything I want?¡± Aria asked again in a mischievous tone, the intensity of her voice kind of instilled fear into Emma. Even if she knew she was striking a dangerous deal, she needed her mother to approve of Damon by all means.


    ¡°I think there is a car on our trail,¡± the tiny voice snapped Aria out of her thought, as her eyes wavered to see if her ears were not ying tricks. Assuming it was Anna wasn¡¯t something she could do instantly, because she had never really heard the young girl talk that audibly before.


    ¡°Is that you, Anna?¡± Aria turned to face her and asked gently.


    ¡°I think a car is on our trail,¡± her voice said again.


    Aria¡¯s eyes looked to the front mirror to see what was going on behind, wondering what Anna had seen to make her conclude that someone was really trailing them.


    As usual she thought it was one of Dalton¡¯s men, but noticed that the suspected car was different from the usual one she had seen a few times.


    To be sure that it was probably a coincidence, Aria pressed on the brakes and took the next turn by right from the highway.


    The car followed immediately, as Aria swerved to the next turning by the right again and again, as the sake car followed her so vehemently through thenes she took. It made her realize that Anna was right.


    ¡®If it wasn¡¯t Dalton¡¯s men then who was it?¡¯Exclusive content from N?velDrama.Org.


    As she pressed so hard on the brakes and sped through the underground tunnel road, as the car fired fast after her own car in a hot chase to catch up with her. Quickly, she drove right fast through the tunnel right out immediately, and took the next road turning towards Dalton¡¯s headpany.


    ¡®Maybe the car would back off if it realized that it was the end of the journey, especially for the fact that they were going into Dalton¡¯spany.¡¯

 Clues

    Miller¡¯s corporation


    Underground parking lot


    ¡°Wait here, Anna. I would be right back. Do not open the windows, and just keep ying games like you are doing right now,¡± Aria instructed the young girl who just nodded with attentive ears, to everything that she was being told after the car rolled into the parking lot.


    Aria stepped outside of the car instantly while monitoring the car that was still watching theirs, and made her way swiftly towards the elevator that led to the first floor of thepany. If her left eye had caught well when she nced sideways, it was someone in a ck outfit all through, with a ck cap and shoes.


    Frustration hit the best of her as to why such had toe up, just when she had to drive Anna to the hospital, and also had to meet her private investigator for a piece of information she demanded from him. Her schedules were already matching up in perfection, but something she could have never imagined to happen in broad daylight was going on.


    ¡°You need to get this fast. Figure out what is the cause of all these incidents and who,¡± Aria whispered to herself to brace her mind, and she walked to the main front and first floor of the building. There were so many office workers moving in and out of the front revolving door at the same time, as it appeared that lunch hours would soon be over.


    Realizing that she would not be granted entry into the mainpany, since she didn¡¯t even have a card nor did they know who she was, her direction diverted immediately towards the restroom that caught her eyes straight ahead at the other side of the hugepany space.


    Briskly, she walked inside without wasting any time like she wanted to use the ce, and nned to ambush whoever it was that was trailing her even till the very end. Making sure she acted normally like she had not suspected anything, Aria entered one of the bathrooms and pressed the flush button on the closet. The person followed her still and entered the other bathroom space beside hers.


    Aria came out and moved to where the hand basin was and let the tap run, as she watched through her falling hair from the mirror the person that came out of the bathroom. Just as the man moved closer to drive something into her side, Aria turned swiftly and gave him a hard jab by the nose and held the attacking arm tight.


    ¡°Who the fuck sent you? Who the heck are you?!¡± Aria yelled in a stressed-out voice, as she held stiff on the arm of the man to put tension on his bones, so that he would drop the knife.


    But it was difficult to execute effectively because the man was putting on a rubber glove, and she was holding him with the same arm that she had broken weeks ago. The pain had not leftpletely, and she could feel the effect of the stress she was putting on the arm on it.


    ¡°Arhggg,¡± the man groaned and tried to push her using his strength, as she guarded hard with her left shoulder, and tried to pull the man over her head to the ground.


    The knife fell to the floor as she pulled his arm continuously and held the hand tightly, and it sled miles away from their reach to the other side of the bath space. It diverted her attention a bit.


    He broke free from her tight grip and punched her hard in the face as she attempted to pull off his cap, which pulled her to the back so painfully and gave the man more leverage to attack her. He came harder for her with an attempt to snap off the bone of her neck, but she aimed at his eyes and hit high with her elbow using the greatest of her strength.


    The predator who had not expected something of such from her almost hit the ground in extreme pain, which hit him badly in a vital spot so unexpectedly. Aria took a chance at that moment and gave him a backward high kick, toward his jaw area that almost shifted the bone on the spot instantly. And next to his stomach was another kick, which was a gateway for her victory.


    Her hand immediately went to the door at the bathroom entrance, as she switched the key of the door to ¡®locked¡¯ so as to prevent anyone froming in.C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org.


    She turned back to the person whose face she could now see rolling to the floor, and quickly pulled off the glove by his right hand to her hers immediately.


    Wham!


    The first p went to the side of the cheek that had the affected eyes, and the second to the exact spot in his eyes again. He had put her in so much imbnce and pain, so she was going to pay it back.


    ¡°Make a stupid move again, and I would use this knife to pluck out your eyes,¡± Aria threatened, as she shed before him the sharp knife he was going to attack with initially. With the fear that the knife he was holding had beenced with some kind of deadly poison, he remained still so that he would not end up taking the fall.


    ¡°Now tell me, who sent you?!¡± She demanded forcefully, still holding the knife in the right ce to keep him threatened.


    To her surprise, he chuckled hard under the pressure in reaction to her question, even if it was ring that she was not joking with her threat.


    ¡°Your life seems to be really hard. I guess the saying that goes like this; those closest are your enemies, is true,¡± heughed so hard, that had her taken aback for a few seconds. Deciphering what he was trying to say was not the easiest.


    ¡°What do you mean, you motherfu¡­..¡± Aria¡¯s ear heard the siren loud and clear, and she figured out that the cops she had instructed Anna to call after fifteen minutes had arrived at thepany premises.


    ¡°Shit!¡± Aria murmured, and gave the man a very hard hit by the side of his head to make him unconscious to avoid any further problems.


    She didn¡¯t end up getting the desired information she wanted, by going through the long process of dealing with the person herself. It was kind of a waste, especially for the fact that her face had been torn a bit by the unexpected punch he gave her.


    Quickly, she came out of the bathroom and quickly made her way to the elevator that led to the parking lot. Before there would be any restriction orders that no one was allowed to leave thepany premises, she zoomed off with her car and patted Anna on the head for a job well done. The therapies were working perfectly for her.


    ~?.     ~?.      ~?.


    The car which was ring of loud sirens drove out of thepany about twenty minutester with a cuffed man, after the division head police had apologized for causing a nuisance in thepany because they received a call.


    However, the brief search was easy because of thepany policy and restricted grounds, as they found an unconscious man with a knife on the floor of the public bathroom. At first, they thought it was the victim that was lying on the floor, until they noticed the tattoo that was on his neck which Aria made sure to leave exposed.


    It was a familiar sign of a particr gang that ran a bell, and they ended up carrying him alongside with them instead. Further investigations were going to be carried out at the police station, but Dalton¡¯s head was still in circles because of the report that was made to him by Alex.


    ¡®A suspected terrorist in hispany? How would it even look in the tabloids of those disgusting journalists, if they got a wind of it?¡¯


    Dalton¡¯s eyes studied like a bird as it watched carefully the footage from an hour ago, that the cops who had watched at the control room to confirm that the man indeed, trailed someone into the female¡¯s bathroom.


    Though they would have loved to interview the person in question for more guidelines, it was even impossible to tell by the way she walked out of the restroom, in a perfect way that did not divulge her face no matter how they zoomed in.


    Dalton watched the video by forwarding and rewinding it for minutes, because he was sure that it was someone he suspected strongly, and not because she was taking over his senses in everything he was doing. The walking, posture, and even the hair, matched her own that he was a hundred percent sure that it was her.


    His hand found the desk phone on his office table as he called Alex who was still seeing to the situation, to check Aria¡¯s alibi immediately and find out where she was. The moment he was not interested in her affairs again, a million things that revolved around her had happened in his oblivion.


    ¡®What was exactly going on in her life?¡¯ he questioned himself as he watched the footage again and again. ¡®What was she?¡¯

 Pains

    It  waste at night and Aria was standing in the kitchen to make dinner by herself, with every of the maids still cleaning the space flocking around her, to help her pick anything she wanted to make the meal.


    Since they had seen how power had changed hands in the house, they could not help but be more respectful to the wife of their boss.


    She refused their help to prepare dinner which was different from the food on the menu, that was prepared by the kitchen chefs, and had been served to every member of the family who were present at the table to eat that evening. Her mind often wandered to what the bad guy had said to her earlier.


    The tattoo he had on his neck bothered her so much that she took a break after dropping Anna at the hospital, to sketch out the detailing of the inked design in the best way she could.


    After she had paid the bnce for the job the investigator had done for her, she paid another advance for him to find everything about any gang that had that kind of group symbol.


    As she grilled fish in the pan perfectly this time, she boiled some rice in another pot, made sd, and cut fruits into small tes in the exact cooking method she had taken her time to learn on the inte.


    She surprisingly enjoyed the cooking more than she ever thought she would, while trying to keep her mind empty inorder to finish her food sessfully without choking on it.


    She served every food she had made into different tes, and carried the tray alongside with her without allowing the maids to do anything for her.


    It bothered her so much. The fact that someone wanted to kill her, but was not executing their ns anywhere in the mansion.


    Considering the odds of that particr point and observation, it meant that the person probably had no ess to do anything to her in the mansion, or that there was a higher chance that the person was not even someone that associated her with the Miller family.


    Her mind went to Damon again. She then spected that it could not be him, because she would consider the fact that it was not the first attempt made against her. It had been a frequent attempt before Damon even came into the picture. And also for the fact that the bad guy that tried to attack her said ¡°Closest people.¡±


    For a usible judgment, Damon wasn¡¯t part of the family yet and no one knew that thest daughter of the family was nning to get married to someone, talkless of ssifying him as family.


    ¡®Did Ellen know that she heard her conversation with Damon the previous day?¡¯


    With so many thoughts, spections and brain convictions, Aria climbed slowly on the stairs of many steps leading to the main rooms in the house, and there was suddenly a ckout.


    She wasn¡¯t startled by it, because she was used to things like that from the past. As she continued to climb the stairs, she could feel some kind of eerie feeling of someone following behind her.


    In a state of unrest and lingering stress that Aria¡¯s mental wellness was still engulfed in consistently, she picked at her heels even in the dark state and ran up the stairs immediately.


    Her senses alerted the impending danger not caring even if it was her hallucinations, and flew as many steps her legs could fly up to the stairs intersection.


    To the right after the intersection, her slippers lost its friction against the floor in an attempt to move quickly, and went into the open door of whatever room she saw open as the lights came on.


    And face to face she came to the presence of the man she had not talked to for days, staring directly into her face with an amused expression on his own face.


    ¡®Dammit. How would I get out of this now?¡¯


    ¡°And what has thedy of the housee to do in the room, of the man she is about to divorce?¡± Dalton taunted with his voice, ignoring every pride and ego in him that was holding his mouth tight from saying anything. He instantly changed whenever he was with her.


    ¡°Brought youst dinner as being a couple for courtesy,¡± she shrugged and made her way into his room, not minding whatever could follow after the rash decision.


    Her face tried to hide the agitation, that she had been in a few minutes ago that had influenced her decision to enter into his room so as to calm her nerves. She sat on the luxurious chair that matched the perfect design of his room, which was totally different from the setting she had seen thest time she was in there.


    ¡°Aria, what is wrong?¡± Dalton asked the shakendy that was sitting before him after watching her closely, as she munched carefully on the food that she had brought. He could notice the bandage  on the right side of her cheek, and her  mind seemed to wander off from what she was eating.


    ¡°Nothing. Since when do you even care if something was wrong?¡± She tried to dissuade him from asking anything further by being nasty, but he was not letting go of what he was so curious about.


    ¡°Denying an overt truth, huunhh? Why can you not be true to yourself?¡± He asked her rashly, so that she would be tempted to talk back and spill what was wrong with her. The issue at thepany from earlier was still bothering him, as his eyes darted to the color of her hair even if it was neatly packed.


    ¡°You are the one not being true, Dalton. You are not the kind to care or be sympathetic with others,¡± she fired back.


    He walked to where she was standing and tried to yank her dress up, as she guarded against it so sharply with her arm and flung his hand aside, ¡°What the fuck is wrong with you, Dalton?! Are you now a pervert?¡±


    ¡°Do you hurt yourself?¡± He inquired in frustration, kind of taking her aback by the sudden question he asked her.


    ¡°And why would you ask me that?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve got brutally cut marks and wounds on your thigh. Exin that.¡±


    ¡°So, does that mean it is self harming or whatever you call it? What are you trying to insinuate, Dalton?¡±


    ¡°Where were you today?¡± He asked again, the so many questions that had been roaming his brain, which needed an immediate answer. Alex had told him she was at the hospital, but Dalton demanded that he looked more into the issue.


    ¡°And why do I need to tell you where I was? We live our life separately and have rights to our privacy.¡±


    ¡°Answer me, Aria!¡±


    ¡°Was at the hospital if that is what you needed to hear. Anna needed her checkup! Why do you keep interrogating me? My life is a mess because of your family already!¡± Aria yelled at him in a livid state, trying as much as possible not to let the outburst of every of her stress and frustration release tears.


    ¡°Why are you so concerned about this Anna of a girl? I mean she is just someone you do not know and is from an orphanage.¡±


    ¡°What would you know about that? Your family¡¯s wealth does not even matter because it is going to the wrong ces,¡± she uttered, with a hurt tone that made him divert his questioning to another thing entirely. He hated to see her in distress.


    ¡°Why did youe into this room? You are not the kind to set up such cliche settings ofst dinner, as married couples that are going to divorce soon.¡±


    ¡°So, you are finally figuring out the kind of person I am. Yeah, I didn¡¯te for any dinner, and I am leaving right now,¡± Aria said in anger and made to leave the room at the end of her words, as Dalton¡¯s arm grabbed her waist so fast and pulled her closer to himself. It was now hard to watch her in that kind of messed up position.


    ¡°Get your hands off me, Dalton, before I break them!¡± She threatened.


    ~????~.      ~????~.


    Dalton, who had decided to miss family dinner the previous night, saw the food that Aria left on the table, and decided to take a bite from the tempting dish.


    Not minding his high standards of food and eating, he picked a few pieces of the fish and he totally liked it. From the sd to the rice and fish, he finished the bowl he could never eat on a normal day in minutes.Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.


    The next morning was a bright one with Aria sitting in the jacuzzi since the early hours of the morning, to get a sleep because her night was totally restless, and it was difficult to close her eyes all night.


    The water shots soothed her body and relieved her tension, even if she could not escape the incessant thoughts that kept invading her brain.


    Minutester, she stepped out of her room in a pants trouser and shirt with a matching bag. She made her way down the stairs and as she looked around, Aria noticed the confusion and disorientation in the mansion which was unlike usual. The rowdiness among the servants was evident, and the angst in the air was palpable.


    Entering into the kitchen to make a cup of coffee for herself, Aria heard something that she could grasp immediately the maid said it. She rxed her body and tried toprehend the message, to be sure she heard the forbidden word that didn¡¯t sound so believable.


    ¡°What happened yesterday?¡± Her voice found its sound as she turned to the maid, who was cleaning the side that she was standing around, in preparation for the chefs that were going to use the ce for food preparation very soon.


    ¡°A maid fell and died yesterday,¡± the terrifieddy answered.


    ¡°Where did she fall from?¡±


    ¡°We do not know. There was blood everywhere and her head seemed to split open, from the heavy impact of the hard floor.¡±


    ¡°When did that happen and who is she?¡± Aria asked again, wondering when such a bad incident could have happened.


    ¡°Her name is Martha. We saw her on the floor after the ckout.¡±

 Accusations

    The past few days were a traumatic one for Aria, when she heard the name of the maid that had died. It was the young girl who was assigned to clean her room, who cared for her when she was unable to do anything by herself because of her broken arm.


    Even after those times she was still so helpful, that it also got her wondering what the girl was thinking and why she was nice to her. She couldn¡¯t understand why the girl had to die.


    It was really quiet in the mansion and there was no one to ask about what happened after, or if there was any chance that the girl who was moved away in an ambnce could still be breathing. Alex, who could have had an idea about the entire situation, went on a business trip with Dalton that same day.


    In the midst of the painful news that was enough to cause an emotional breakdown, Aria had to go to the hospital to stand by Anna who was going to receive a surgery. She had to drive the long way to the orphanage home to pick up the nun first, who also wanted to be present after the young girl would be rolled out of the theatre room.


    ¡°Will, I, die?¡± Anna¡¯s tensed up voice asked so softly, with her back stretched to the surface of the hospital bed. She was fully dressed in the theatre clothes and a matching cap, with the assistant anesthesiologist and scrub nurse pushing the bed towards the operating room.


    ¡°You will not. Of course, you will be fine and healthy after this surgery,¡± Aria, who always tried hard not to show her emotions, let tears roll down freely from her eyes as a result of everything she had been going through. It was too much for her heart to bear any longer.


    She had never really been so interested in Martha who was the one assigned to clean her room, but she enjoyed the presence of the pretty youngdy who always showed her care, like they had known each other for ages even if she was the boss.


    Sometimes, she would say something funny to cheer Aria up and make her mood better, anytime she noticed that she was in a foul mood if she was around her. The young billionaire wife often reminded her of her own mother, who had to suffer in the hands of her father before she fled without taking her daughter.


    Hearing that Marthal had suddenly died, and that she wouldn¡¯t see her face which always had a permanent smile anymore, put Aria in a state of disorientation from the right things she was meant to do for the day.


    Coupled with Anna¡¯s surgery, the ordeal she had to face for the past few days and the untold situations that were going on in her life. There was no one to turn to.


    ¡°You will be fine, my child,¡± the nun held Aria who was just hammered to a spot and could not move, as she guarded her back to the waiting chair and held her close to her shoulders.


    The old man was so bothered because she had never had to see her in that kind of situation before, and that the strongdy never showed anything she was feeling no matter how hard it was. Her breaking point must have reached its maximum.


    For the few days that Anna had to remain in the hospital to make a full recovery from surgery, Aria hired a caregiver for a few days to watch over the young girl. She was somewhat obliged to find out the cause of Martha¡¯s fall and death, which happened after she suspected someone following her after the ckout.


    ¡®Was it Martha that followed her? Did she hallucinate things and no one was actually following her? Did Martha miss her step and fall because of the ckout? Or because of her?¡¯


    It was difficult to ess the CCTV footage because every control of it had been taken to Dalton¡¯s room, and even if it wasn¡¯t, getting any reasonable information would have been difficult. The cameras were going to be unable to record anything, because there was a sudden power shortage that had never happened in a long time.Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.


    When she tried to inquire what had happened from the power house by the technicians that handled that, they too were clueless about who had caused it. Apparently, someone cut the power box that generated the major power supply into the mansion.


    It had been a roller coaster of events and mostly unpleasant incidents, that there was no way Aria would remain in her right mind. They were too much of coincidences to be normal and fine.


    It was the third day after everything had happened with Aria looking so distressed, as she strode into the mansion towards evening after checking on Anna. She had not been able to sleep for days, was having terrible migraines which she tried to suppress with pain killers, and was really weak from shuffling so many things together.


    Her phone notification rang in her bag as her hand stretched inside to check who sent a message, only to discover that it was the same person who had been sending her dumb messages ever since the party ended. She wondered how he got her phone number, because none of the family had ever called her phone before.


    Her eyes rolled in disgust as she blocked the phone number again, which made it the third one that she had restricted from calling or texting her. He was getting on her nerves already, and she knew she couldn¡¯t take it any longer.


    Aria¡¯s outfit which was a perfect shade of red jumpsuit looked so good on her, toplement the rosy red lipstick she ran across her lip for perfection. Her facial stress was pounded and nicely molded into a blending makeup foundation, that her back eyes were hard to point out under the gorgeous makeup.


    For lunch, she had met up with Collin who offered at thest minute, in which she didn¡¯t hesitate to go because she needed it. Collin always said nice things that made her feel okay and smiled warmly to her, which she needed at that moment to feel better, even if it was temporary.


    She tried so hard to hide how exactly she was feeling within her. Her eyes were dizzy from not sleeping, and her brain was tired from not resting.


    With the thought of going back to her old ways and getting wasted over a bottle of wine that night, she came face to face with the same man she argued with days ago, standing in the main living room as she entered inside.


    He was looking even much better than ever in his ck tuxedo, that she just shook her head pitifully and made to walk past him. His authoritative voice shot her back.


    ¡°Where are youing from?!¡± Aria heard the voice irritate her from deep within her, because she was not ready to even listen to any disgusting talks from him. Not wanting to give him reasons to cause any trouble with her in a tired state, she gave him the answer she thought he well deserved.


    ¡°Had lunch with a friend. Does that please you?¡± Her voice was barely audible.


    ¡°That Collin Carson guy you keep calling a friend. Is it possible for opposite sexes to be just friends? Your answer, holds no iota of truth in it!¡± Dalton spat bitterly. There was never rest in his heart whenever it came to frustrating her, or demanding to get an answer to his never ending curiosity.


    There was a little distraction with Alex just entering into the room through the door, and Emma too who came inside with her boyfriend Damon. The agreement between her and her mother had surprisingly worked out in regards to epting Damon, and they both wanted to pay the mansion another visit based on Damon¡¯s wishes.


    His eyes caught the face of thedy who had humiliated him by pping him so hard, and had also messed up their love in the past by marrying another man without informing him. She had seeded in screwing him up big time in the past, but he would make sure she had no happy ending too in her so-called billionaire¡¯s husband¡¯s house.


    Aria, who figured out that answering Dalton¡¯s question was useless, turned to leave before any more people from the family came down to see whatever was going on. Suddenly, they all were taken aback by the next voice that spoke, to the shock of everyone that were present in the room.


    ¡°This person in this house that acts all bossy and rude, is not the real Aria Hamilton and I have proof,¡± his voice rang in everyone¡¯s ears so audibly, and they were all surprised at what his im was all about.

 Outstanding and outsmarting

    Hours earlier


    ¡°Why did you really want to meet, Aria? It is not like I am trying to sound so annoying or anything, but you really are not the type to honour invites like this immediately. Are you sure everything is okay?¡± Collin, who was looking at thedy that was sitting in front of him asked, trying to figure out if anything was going wrong with her.


    He had expected her to refuse his request and had prepared for the disappointment, but she rather surprised him by agreeing toe meet him wherever he chose.


    She was barely eating any slice from the pizza that they ordered, and even the drink he noticed that she really liked was left untouched. As much as she tried to look okay after she epted his idea to eat lunch together, he still could sense that something was wrong with everything about her.


    ¡°A very nice friend of mine died. It is so upsetting,¡± Aria told him just one of the many things that was disturbing her, as she picked a golden fork from the one of the cutlery that was on the table, and used it to pick the spicy shrimp dish on one of the tes. She moved again to the slice of strawberry cake that was served, and took a bite from it.


    ¡°You have another friend? That is really surprising to hear, and I am so sorry she died,¡± Collin said in a solemn voice, still curious to know how she had the friend, and what caused the friend to die. There was just so much to ask her.


    ¡°And I think it is really sad for you, and not just upsetting. Just say everything you really feel, without filtering anyone out. I am here to listen to every single thing,¡± he assured her.


    ¡°What about the information I asked about? Were you able to figure out anything?¡± Aria changed the topic of discussion, to the next one on her agenda. Talking about Martha was not going to improve what she was feeling within her.


    ¡°It was quite the difficult task and I could even get much on him. It was just by chance that the person who was meant to investigate knew him, and my assistant who also once lived in Scond took on checking out the rest. Guy hasmitted quite a few crimes there, but I think it is more than that,¡± he stated, ¡°The files are in the car.¡±


    ¡°I really appreciate your help,¡± Aria said to him, and gently took a sip from the coconut milk drink the waitress served afterwards.


    ¡°Is there any problem? Is anything bothering you?¡± Collin asked again the question that kept bothering him, which was about how Aria was really fairing and what she had been up to. She always bothered him whenever she was not with him, and even whenever she was with him. Everytime.


    ¡°I am doing well. Nothing much,¡± Aria smiled faintly, and shoved a piece of cake which was quite arge size in her mouth, to prevent herself from answering any further questions.


    ¡°Who is this guy that asked to run a check on?¡±


    ¡°Can you do one more thing for me? Anytime I call you from now on, it means only one thing. Call the cops, send these files to them, and direct them straight into the Millers mansion. I will tell you whyter.¡±


    |~?~||~?~||~?~|               |~?~||~?~||~?~|


    ¡°This person in this house that acts all bossy and rude, is not the real Aria Hamilton and I have proof,¡± Aria¡¯s fingers worked fast on her phone immediately as she dialed Collin¡¯s number.


    There was no way she would allow the bastard to talk about the past in front of everyone, which would ruin things and make every of her strategic ns more difficult to tackle. She had to do something before he caused more problems in her life.


    ¡°What do you mean by that? And what evidence do you have that can support your ims?¡± Dalton, who was most displeased to hear any form of negative thing about Aria, demanded that the uncultured swine that his sister wanted to marry, talk.


    He usually never gave anyone chances to mess up in his presence, and seeing Emma¡¯s boyfriend interfere into their family issues was infuriating. The fact that he wasn¡¯t even a part of their family yet before babbling and calling Aria names, was enough reason to cancel the wedding after throwing him out of their lives for good.


    Pak!   Pak!!


    They all heard the loud sound that followed the storming of someone from her initial position, as her hand flew so fast in the air to hit hard against a soft mold of flesh. It turned out to be Damon¡¯s left side of cheek which turned his face to the right immediately, to the resounding and reflex effect that the p had on him.


    Everyone was totally shocked. Emma¡¯s eyes almost gouged out with her mouth left wide open. Dalton¡¯s face remained stern but he was evidently affected, while Alex¡¯s mouth was gape in shock at what had just happened before them. Ellen, who was justing down from the stairs, almost stumbled at the sight she withheld.


    Never would they ever have imagined to see Aria resort to violence in their lives, but it was shocking to see who the subject of the aggression was. Even the receiver of the action, Damon, was shocked that she would do such in front of everyone. Her raging voice followed next.


    ¡°This simpleton that Emma has brought home as a husband, is nothing more than an animal who is never satisfied with what he has. I have kept quiet so as not to ruin any lives like you guys have done to mine, but I would not watch to suffer such injustice of sexual harassment from him!¡± Aria dered impassively, and there was more bewilderment circting through the room. They all were confused.


    ¡®What?! Sexual harassment? From who? What was she saying?¡¯ was the moring and muttering going on in the room, demanding an exnation to every coded word she was saying. They could not understand.


    ¡°Shut up! You bitch!¡± Damon was so shaken by the degradation she had put him through in front of everyone yelled, and she ended up dragging him by the hair to cause more pain to him.


    He was trying so hard within him to avoid hitting her like the man that he was, because the family he was standing before could ruin his life finally for doing anything rash. Especially Dalton.


    ¡°This man here, tried to touch me inappropriately on the day of the banquet. It was after he had probably tried to do the same thing to Ellen, and he tried to mess up with me too. Eva can testify.¡±


    Eleanor was just striding down the stairs when she heard the hubbub that was going on downstairs, and was just in time to hear what Aria had imed. Ellen was so shocked to hear Aria mention her name, as her body began to quake in fear that she saw what had transpired between her and Damon, on the night of the banquet.


    However, hearing that Aria was trying to support her by just fixing her scenario into the picture and not putting out her secret, she had to y along in the right way so as to finally get rid of Damon from her life. Eva was taken aback to hear Aria mention her name, as her cold eyes rested on the billionaire¡¯s wife¡¯s face, who rolled her eyes at her immediately both eyes met.


    ¡°Yes. Damon, assa ¡­.. ulted me. He tried, he tried to touch me too,¡± Ellen shut her eyes tight as she struggled to talk out, hoping that things would not go wrong with everything that was unfolding before everyone. She could not risk anything that would boomerang against her.


    ¡°You dared to do that in my own house?!¡± Dalton demanded in hot rage, immediately he heard everything that his family was saying. He could kill Damon immediately at the spot by being violent, but Alex was inwardly hoping that his boss would not lose his illustrious nature at that point.


    ¡°What the fuck are you saying?! Your family are liars. This pretty daughter of yours is a nightclub dancer and a¡­¡­..


    ¡°You are under arrest, Damon. For being a fraudster who goes from family to family ckmailing using their weakest link. Also for sexual harassment, cybercrimes, extortion, telemarketing fraud, and so many crimes you have been involved in, during your course of traveling from one ce to another. If you remember the daughter of a wealthy family you scammed of millions of dors, Sophie Hudson. Her family is willing to take everything you have caused them, out against you using thew. You have no way out now.¡±


    ¡°Damon is not like that! Aria, what are you saying? Why are you doing this to him?¡± Emma sobbed painfully as she screamed out, with the look of disapproval she could see on her mother¡¯s face. Eleanor had finally won against her immature daughter, but was really shocked to watch Aria count every allegation against Damon.


    ¡°You are a liar and a cheat. You are using this family, you ¡­¡­¡±


    ¡°You are under arrest, Damon Watson. Anything you say from now on, will be used against you in the court ofw. You have the right to an attorney of your own or a public defender,¡± one of the three policemen who walked into the room said, as they moved closer to Damon with handcuffs who was looking so confused and tried to run.


    ¡°Who let these people into this house?!¡± Eleanor demanded imperiously, at the sight of policemen that were standing in the mansion. She hated them and always cringed at her sight. They were like every elite¡¯s worst nightmare.Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.


    ¡°I did, and they are here to evacuate, Damon!¡± Aria dered.


    ¡°Thatdy is not Aria. She is from my past. She has a mar¡­¡­¡­.¡± The policemen  dragged him out of the room immediately in a rough manner.


    There was confusion and chaos in the room. Wailing, happiness, relief, sadness, outsmarting, shock, were the emotions and feelings that were circling around the room.


    She won again. But, what would Dalton say?

 Investigations

    ¡°How could you not tell me that that lost son of a f***er was trying to harass you? Did I train you to be that weak?!¡± Eleanor demanded from her daughter who was just slouched tiredly to her couch, days after the incident with Damon¡¯s arrest happened in the house.


    Ellen was not in the mood to even reply to what her mother was saying, with her heart still pacing restlessly with all that had happened with Damon. It was a fact that Aria had heard her discussion together with Damon, and probably found out about the rest of what had transpired between both of them. It was difficult to be in good spirits.


    ¡°Am I not talking to someone here?!¡±


    ¡°Mother, can we just stop talking about the same question you have asked me about a thousand times? I have better things to do than sit here for more than twenty minutes, listening to you take issues so seriously more than you should. And you should not use cuss words any longer. Leave it for the younger generation,¡± Ellen scolded her mother with words that came to her head at the instant, using the irritation that was still lingering in her heart to approach her mother¡¯s unnecessary persistence.


    ¡°Hugh. Hugh,¡± Eleanor cleared her throat, without arguing any further or getting worked up about what her daughter said to her. She had actually called her to her room to gloat over her victory, against her daughter who was nning to marry such a man into the family.


    ¡°Regardless of how Aria got that information about that wretched boy, I am d he is out of our lives for good. My guts really resisted their marriage idea so strongly. Dalton was surprisingly not even interested in finding out anything about his sister¡¯s to-be husband. Can you just imagine how much that fool would have tainted our image, if all this truth about him came to light after they have had like two kids. Would be so disgusting!¡± Ellen spat.


    Eleanor was so ted deep down, that Aria had even helped to avert such problems, but wasn¡¯t pleased that she was the one who did such. That wasn¡¯t even a major worry.


    About the p that Aria had pressed hard on Damon¡¯s face right in their presence, no one was even willing to talk about it. It was the most shocking thing they had seen her do so far, that it was crazy to imagine the scarier things they didn¡¯t know she could do before.


    ¡°We should be d that everything has ended now. Emma has been crying nonstop for days now and it is so heartbreaking to watch,¡± Ellen stated, trying to divert the attention of the talk that seemed to keep centering on Damon. She hated even mentioning his name.


    ¡°I cannot believe I have raised such a weak hearted child. She was dumb enough to fall for such a low-leveled guy, who was ready to rob her of her assets and peace. A very foolish attitude, if I will say,¡± Eleanor rolled her eyes disgustingly, as the maid she had rang a bell to minutes ago, came back with a tray that had a bowl of iced yoghurt.C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you think this is bad for your health? Remember what the doctor said,¡± Ellen sighed again and again as she tried to talk about another subject of matter entirely. Eleanor just never knew when to let go.


    She knew her mother would probably lose her mind or end up in the emergency room, if she found out the truth that both of her daughters fell in love with the same guy. No one could even find out.


    But, the person she had made her life a living hell in the past, was now the one who knew the truth behind her rtionship with Damon. It was so humiliating and scary at the same time.


    ¡°You seem not to be interested in Damon¡¯s issue, even if you were so against Emma getting married to him. That guy tried to mess with the daughter of a Miller. I would make sure he spends every moment of his remaining days in jail,¡± Mrs. Eleanor Miller observed and murmured spitefully again and again, as she scooped the spoonful of creamy iced yoghurt into her mouth.


    ¡°I obviously have nothing to say about the issue any longer.¡±


    ¡°And what was he even trying to insinuate at the end of his sentence? That you were what? I didn¡¯t hear that part,¡± Eleanor suddenly remembered.


    ¡°How should I know mother? Probably made up one of his usual lies,¡± Ellen replied to her mother curtly, already tired of the endless talk that was going on and on without stopping only about Damon.


    She had so many things to say to Aria, or even to ask her about. About why she was keeping quiet about everything after she had been really nasty to her, when she could just reveal it to her family and screw her over. Her mind kept specting that Aria was probably using it to torment her in fear, by not saying anything.


    ¡®Where would she start from if she wanted to even talk to her? What would she even say?¡¯


    ¡°Can I leave to my room now, mother? I have a lot of things to do,¡± Ellen stood up and made her way towards the door, so sick to her stomach about the haunting thoughts that were all over her head. Even her fans noticed something was wrong with her usual cheerfulness, when she posted herst video.


    ¡°You are being surprisingly polite and that is weird. Anyways, everyone of you is getting married by my choices and standards. To the best man that can ever be!¡± Eleanor yelled loudly enough for her daughter to hear, who had shut the huge ss door behind her without listening to her mother again.


    ¡°That brat! I should have given birth to another younger child years ago, who should still be in middle school by now. At least he would listen to me!¡± Eleanor murmured to herself.


    ~?~.     ~?~.


    Dalton sat in his study for so long in so many pondering thoughts of the events that had unfolded before his eyes, and how Aria was connected to everyone of them without any doubt.


    For Damon, he was getting a straight sentence without a court case because he was found guilty, in which Dalton left everything to the other family who was willing to deal with him, after Alex tried so hard to dissuade from blowing up the case to keep the press away.


    Aria had made sure to avoid him so diligently too for the past days, under the guise that she was taking care of Anna in the hospital. She was avoiding the thousands of questions that Dalton would be cooking up in his head, which were meant for only her to provide questions to all of them.


    About thepany issue, she didn¡¯t say the truth about the fact that she was at thepany that day. That same day, something gruesome happened in the mansion after Aria hurried into his room, when there was also a sudden ckout they had never experienced.


    Regarding Damon¡¯s entire crime history and getting the cops to arrest him, the story didn¡¯t sit well with him no matter how positively he tried to view it. The fact that he assaulted her wasn¡¯t solid grounds for her to investigate such huge information against him, in his own opinion. He was even so pissed off about only that fact that Aria kept mute about the entire thing, even more than when his sister said he tried the same thing to her.


    ¡®How was she able to get such information? She couldn¡¯t have done it alone. There were really so many he didn¡¯t know about her. And she had been staying in the hospital ever since with Anna. Who the heck was the girl exactly anyways?¡¯


    Few minutester after Dalton stood up from his study, Alex entered the room after he knocked on the hard and sturdy door. He had been expecting that ever since the incident with Aria and Damon happened, and was prepared for whatever Dalton was going to make him do. The tasks never had an ending.


    ¡°I am here sir,¡± Alex said, standing close to the dresser in Dalton¡¯s room for about ten minutes, with the billionaire still not saying anything since he had gotten to the room.


    ¡°I am not blind!¡± Dalton¡¯s coarse and rude voice chided. He was really grouchy at the most little things for days, and the main source of his irritated mood was all about one person. The same person all the time.


    Dalton¡¯s fingers tapped so rhythmically on the arm of the chair that he was sitting on, with his mind racing through so many things he wanted to know at once. Suddenly, he turned to Alex whose mind was temporarily carried away in the course of standing, as his mind awakened from wherever it had waltzed to the moment Dalton¡¯s gaze rested on him.


    ¡°Get a DNA test done for both Anna and Aria done, and I need the results as soon as possible. Her obsession with that child is not usible enough to understand.¡±

 Light at the tunnel鈥檚 end

    Aria sat on her bed all afternoon searching frantically for the social media page of the masked dancer, who was rumoured to have started dancing again after opening a new page. No one knew who thedy was or if she was the one from before, because there was a change in outfit and dancing styles too.


    It had be a topic issue amongizens and YouTubers, who were looking for all means to connect the present person to the past one. They had tried to pick out coincidences that could make the new dancer the same as the old, but they could not find anything out which eventually died up thements and spections.


    She had to be fast concerning every finding she wanted to know, because it seemed like Dalton was on her radar already trying to look into what she was up to. He was suspecting every of her moves and doings, by asking her random questions that she could never tell the truth to.


    ¡®Could he actually be the one plotting all of that and just trying to make her life a living hell?¡¯ her mind tried to consider other options, but her heart killed against the idea immediately.


    Even if she knew that Dalton was ruthless and really dangerous, he could never threaten her life in such petty manners.


    Just as she continued to map out every of her ns and suspicions on the board in her dressing room, her mind shed back to the videos that she had watched again and again and the idea that urred to her.


    In every of the videos that she was the target of someone at any Miller personal party, Dalton was always never present in the gathering whenever it would happen, and only arrived whenever something wrong had taken ce. Though that did not seem like anything serious to really worry about, it caught Aria¡¯s mind stubbornly and stuck a part of her brain.


    ¡®Why would she begin to suspect Dalton in any way? There were high chances that it could all be a coincidence¡¯


    Just as Aria moved to her bed to get theptop to watch the videos again, a knock came on her door which caught her attention. Walking to the door she pushed it open while trying not to be really grouchy about it, and her eyes caught the view of the person that was standing before the door. It was the billionaire¡¯s dear loyal assistant, in whose presence changed Aria¡¯s mood instantly.


    ¡°Mr. Miller asked me to tell you to get ready for an event. It will be by eleven,¡± Alex informed her curtly and turned to go so as to avoid transfer of aggression, but Aria who was pissed by what Dalton was trying to do halted him on his step with another word.


    ¡°Tell him I have no time for that. He should get busy instead, and send the divorce papers faster,¡± Aria answered, and turned to go back into her room.


    ¡°He said that Anna is involved,¡± Alex further pushed with the next statement and Aria freezed. She really hated that Dalton was always using Anna to threaten her. She realized at that point, that she had better got her ns moving faster.


    ~~~~?????~~~~


    ¡°I thought this was about Anna and also an event,¡± Aria¡¯s eyes lit up in irritation as it meandered around where they were, the moment she saw the waiters at the private outdoor restaurant they were sitting at.


    It was a beautiful Saturday afternoon, and she hated that she had to spend a few of her hours outside the nice weather with Dalton. All because he knew that she really cared about the young child.


    ¡°Yes, It is partially about Anna. Heard she finally got the surgery and it was sessful,¡± Dalton said, his hand grabbing the ss of water that was on the table.


    He had so many things to say to her, that he couldn¡¯t even imagine that he had to go the extra mile of reserving a ce for both of them to talk. She was too stubborn, and he didn¡¯t understand how she managed to hide it for years. It made him conclude that someone who could have disguised so much and deceived everyone with her attitude, could do things that were beyond theirprehension.


    ¡°Any problems about that?¡± Aria intentionally pushed the question to him, knowing well that she had used the funds from the ck card to pay for everything. She kept mulling about why he was still not doing anything about the card.


    ¡°I got your DNA tests done. Both of you,¡± Dalton dered, as he picked up the huge brown envelope that had beenying on the table, right from when they sat down. He passed it to her and she frowned.


    ¡°And what does that have to do with me? Your trust issues got the best of you, and you had to confirm if I was the real mother of the girl I really dote on right? And did you find anything to quench your thirst of curiosity?¡± Aria scowled at him with her eyes and words, and she refused to take the papers from him. She wondered why he was telling her, when he definitely found nothing.


    ¡°Why do you care so much about someone you do not even rte with?¡±


    ¡°Because, I am better than you in every way. Your money is of no use, if you cannot sincerely give it out to those that need it,¡± she repeated again, the same words she had spoken to him days ago. He decided to ignore it.


    ¡°You are hiding so many things. What have you been up to these days?¡± Dalton inquired, genuinely curious about her. He knew something was bothering her, but could not pinpoint what. And it was hard to find out, because his assistant was useless in that aspect.


    ¡°And when did you start getting so concerned about things that I am doing? Is this your new strategy, since you couldn¡¯t get anything on me?¡± Her voice was really irritated by his actions, and she really wished she had the ability to ignore every one of his words. He just knew how to frustrate her guts.


    ¡°What really happened between you and Damien?!¡± He increased his intensity of talking and manner of asking, because he could not keep up with being the cool and gentle guy anymore. She also knew how to really get him angry in minutes.


    ¡°And would you believe it if I told you that someone was trying to get me killed?¡± Aria loosely threw the bait at him, knowing that he would find it hard to believe her or better still shun her.


    ¡°And what do you mean by that?¡±


    ¡°I meant that you should stay out of anything that concerns me, like you have always done. It is not too much to ask.¡±


    ¡°And what if I do care, now?¡± He persisted, probably portraying his honest feelings in the way he could.


    He really detested how he kept going back and forth in his decisions especially when it came to Aria, but he confirmed something in his heart that he was sure about.


    She was being so constantly rude and annoying which was somewhat understandable from another person¡¯s point of view, because of everything she had to go through. She also wanted to divorce him at all cost even before the marriage could end, and was making it hard for everyone so that they would end up pushing her away. He knew it was a n from her end, which he wasn¡¯t going to give a chance for it to seed.


    If the day for their arranged marriage toe to an end came, and for the contract to also nullify, he would certainly want to end it because he would get everything finally from his grandfather and get rid of her. It was a perfect n.


    He knew that it was going to be a win-win so far she waited till the end. But then again, he would probably say no if they asked him about his ns to end the marriage. Something about her kept disturbing and giving him restlessness, that he needed to settle before he could let her go. And to find out, he had to be closer to her.


    He couldn¡¯t go any closer to find out too, because she was pushing him back in every way she could. And he hated that. It seemed like her hatred for him, was really deep enough to cloud the strong attractions and charms that he usually had on any otherdy. She was totally immune to it.


    ¡°Then you better start getting your head straight from wherever it is diverting to. Your beautiful fiancee whom your family loves so much, is going to be back in the country today.¡± She informed him.


    Towards evening that the two had gone their separate ways after Aria left first, she obviously didn¡¯t bring her car with her, and pride made her refuse to follow Alex and Dalton in the car that came a few minutes after to pick them up. She called a chauffeur instead toe and pick her up, which drove her to the orphanage first to see Anna.


    On her lonely walk back to the mansion after she returned in the evening, Aria brought out her phone to switch directly to the live session that would have begun at that time. It was of the masked dancer which was meant to start by 8:00pm, that Aria was always checking out really sternly to see if thedy would say anything about the Millers.


    Even if everyone concluded that she was a new person just interested in the fame and were somewhat disinterested, Aria relentlessly watched every of her live videos in hope that she was the same person.C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org.


    If she desperately needed to move fast in her investigations, then she had to contact the person who also knew about the past by any means. She wouldn¡¯t even mind who the person was.


    Just as she sauntered through the back door instead of the usual front door that led to the hallway of her former room, a message popped on her phone and it was someone that replied to the message she had sent a long time ago.


    It wrote; I know who you are, Ps: MAS.


    ¡®It was the dancer,¡¯ her brain remembered immediately.

 An emotional check

    Miller¡¯s mansion


    The next morning at the mansion was quite loud and rowdy, with every single one of the servants working at the Millers mansion standing outside. They were all taken unaware by thetest development, as to catch anyone in his/her most vulnerable state early from the bed


    IT professionals had swarmed every nook and cranny of the building, and were thoroughly checking everywhere to see if there were any tech alterations anywhere in the buildings.


    From their phone devices and every technology gadget that they owned, were submitted for thorough checks in connection to whatever links, it could have to anything that would get them kicked out or jailed. Their rooms were thoroughly searched and inspected, as they also checked for wiretapping devices.


    The issue with the masked dancer had escted overnight, after she mentioned the Millers family again at the ending minutes of her video. What broke the camel¡¯s back was the fact that she exposed a paper, where there were signatures of one person at the end of it with a nk space for the other one. And it was the copy of divorce papers that Aria had sent Dalton.


    It had changed the trending keywords overnight, of who Dalton¡¯s wife really was and what exactly was going on in their marriage. The journalists that had visited the mansion to capture the news many weeks ago, were now so confused about what to write or believe from any side.


    Though there were still doubts that the papers could be forged or that the  information thedy was giving could be wrong, it got everyone perplexed as to who the person was, and why she was determined to ruin herself by talking about the Millers every single time.


    She just kept on talking about the atrocities that the family hadmitted and the facade they were putting on, yet they had not seen the supposed wife before except those who had attended the exclusive party.


    Media houses paused their publishing to avert any kind of boomerang effects, and just allowed the inte to blow the news out of proportion themselves. They could not allow Dalton¡¯s wrath to get them out of business.


    There were also forged IP addresses with fake ounts that were created by some spoiled and nasty elites, who were at Mark Miller¡¯s anniversary and had secretly taken pictures of Aria which they posted. The pictures were not totally clear because the huge chandelier that Aria stood too close to, that ended up reflecting redundantly on the shed pictures thereby blurring her face.


    There were so many spections of Dalton¡¯s face that appeared beside her, and what the facial expression in his face could depict for his wife. They also finally figured out who was wearing, the only piece of gorgeous dress that so many elites had tried to purchase at it¡¯s announcement.


    #Billionaire wife wears a million dor dress


    #Love or facade


    #Does his face show love or hate?


    #Trendy


    #A clear picture of her?


    There were so many hashtags of different searches that circted round that night, as they all made sure not to directly tag the Millers. And in those few spaces of hours too, everything had been blocked again before everyone got to see it.


    Aria, who had fallen asleep as soon as sheid tiredly in her bed still in her outing dress, as she slept off and deep without having any idea that her news was all over the inte.C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org.


    It was a fact that she was tipsy already when she was entering into the mansion the previous night, that as soon as she saw the message that popped her phone, she replied. In the course of waiting for a reply as she sat on her bed, she slept off with immediate effect through the long night.


    Still having no idea the next morning when she woke up, Aria dressed in a designer two-piece sexy trouser and crop top of ck colour. She wore a ck matching heels from the numerous ones that were in the shoe rack, and straightened her hair with a stretcher in front of the mirror.


    She quickly made an instant coffee for herself using the coffee maker in her room, and chugged in a handful of pills after drinking the coffee to alleviate every pain that she was feeling. And with nothing more to do or check, she stepped out of her room and made her way to the exit door that led to the underground lot. It was locked.


    Aria wondered what was going on as she turned back from the door to check what was happening, when a man she noticed walking around in ck suits with other men around the mansion approached her. Turns out they were going to confiscate her phone temporarily too, and were also going to search her room for any suspicious thing.


    ¡°Do you even realize who you are talking to?¡± Aria¡¯s voice came out in exasperation, with shock of what they were going to do to her. Turned out it was only she who was subjected to such, amongst every other member of the family.


    ¡°I am sorry, ma¡¯am. Regardless of who you are, it is the orders that have been given,¡± the firm young man in suit informed her again, in the same manner he had repeated over and over. It meant, nopromise.


    Aria was led back to the stairs to open her room, as they also took theptop that she was using which was on the dresser. After they checked everywhere in the standard way they could for everything, she threw her phone at them after shutting the door to her room and left immediately. She was really pissed, but d that she had not left the USB drive in theptop for them to take too.


    It was the same thing everytime and it was ring. They never treated her with respect, and also a part of the family. It was something she would keep struggling until she left their family. She knew it, and it was undisputable.


    Aria had a light breakfast at her favorite ce on the way to the orphanage home, and also bought so many bags filled with brownies and ice cream for the children at the orphanage.


    While the other nuns shared it amongst the children who were so happy, the head nun took Aria aside to talk closely with her. Regardless of how tight-lipped she was about her personal life, she wanted to help her in any way she could. She could see that the beautiful, youngdy was struggling with many things.


    ¡°Why do you keeping to see these children so consistently? You are so well off, and we do not even see many of them so dedicated to this except for the public image. Is there a reason for that, my child ?¡± The nun who had really been so curious about the youngdy, started the easiest part of the conversation with her.


    ¡°My mother grew up in this orphanage,¡± Aria answered.


    ¡°That is really iconic. Where is she now? I am sure that she would be so proud, to know that her daughter, is dedicating her heart to a ce like her home,¡± the nun who had an impressed look on her face smiled brightly, still not letting go of Aria¡¯s right hand that was warmly wrapped in hers.


    ¡°She is dead. Died in a fire ident that happened at our old house. Dad is too,¡± Aria shrugged at her reply with a nonchnt attitude, while the real emotions that she was feeling burned her heart in pain. Having to answer questions too about Hamilton, would be the worst moment of their talk.


    She could remember that day vividly, and they kept ying in her head and appearing in her dreams. About three houses that linked with theirs that day burnt overnight, and her mother risked her life to save her so desperately.


    Most of the scars she sustained during those times were still in her body, which she always took extra care to dabbed with an expensive scar concealer everytime. She hated the looks of the marks, and the scenes that gued her dream. She was not able to get over them, even if she had forgotten how painful her mother¡¯s death was.


    ¡°I am really sorry, my child. I am so sorry that happened to you,¡± the kind nun apologized for what happened, like she was the reason why everything had urred in that manner.  Aria¡¯s lips just stretched to a smile. There was nothing more that she could do.


    ¡°Do you now have a family that you connect with well? At least to get rid of the sad memories of the past.¡±


    Surprisingly for herself that she was willing to answer the olddy¡¯s question, she continued to give her a reply, ¡°I do not have a good family. My husband¡¯s family hates me. My husband does not care. No one actually cares. I am getting a divorce soon too,¡± she shrugged again.


    ¡°Oh, dear child. Oh child. How could this happen?¡± The nun whose face was so sullen in pity wrapped her hand tighter in hers, like it would protect her from the so-called husband¡¯s family.


    ¡°Have you triedmunicating with your husband? Is there any way to fix that and prevent it from happening? The almighty wants people to solve their differences and not result in divorce,¡± the nun spoke to her in a low tone. She was really so sad that Aria had to go through so much, even after suffering from such trauma.


    Aria just smiled without saying anything, because there was no way to even exin to the innocent woman that everything she was saying was probably impossible. There was absolutely no way to make her understand that everything that went on in their contract marriage was beyond her.


    ¡°Communication is the key,¡± she heard again, and she knew that it was probably not the key, when the two people involved could not even hold a simple conversation. When they didn¡¯t love one another. When they could not see head-to-head. When they were not normal people that married out of will. It was really going to be hard to give it a try.


    And as she was still lost in the trance of imagining everything the nun was saying into real actions, a phone rang from the depths of the bag that was beside her.  Quickly, she turned to her side where the bag was sitting, and pushed up the leather beneath the bag base where there was a burner phone.


    The voice from the other side sounded, ¡°There were visible movements of the fingers this morning.¡±

 Responding to his touch

    Aria went back to the housete in the evening and sighted both Ellen and Hailey, taking a tour around the house like it wasn¡¯t a ce they were used to. Ellen just looked away without any words to say unlike the way she normally acted, while Hailey gave her the same disgusted look even in her elegance.C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org.


    The billionaire¡¯s wife could sense that the obnoxious daughter of the family had be very calm, and just grinned inwardly to what was happening without her best friend¡¯s knowledge. It made her ted that she had seeded in putting her in her ce.


    Dalton was surprisingly at home earlier than usual that day, and that was exactly why Hailey was at the mansion. She had sent emails and text messages to him, which he rarely replied to. It really made her so anxious that she could not wait till the five weeks she had nned psed, as she flew back to the country as fast as she could.


    On her way to the first and main stairs that led to the hallway that led to everyone¡¯s room , she decided to ask the question that had been troubling her so much from her friend who seemed absent minded, ¡°Aren¡¯t Dalton and thatdy divorcing anymore? What is she still doing here?¡±


    ¡°I do not know why my brother is not divorcing her, even she has asked for the divorce herself. Worst of all, she now talks back at everyone however she likes. Mother cannot even dare to touch her again, because Dalton now seemingly has her back,¡± Ellen exined in the exact way the description of every looked like to her, forgetting that she was sad about a minute ago because of everything.


    ¡°Why is that? I thought he doesn¡¯t like her. I mean it was a forced marriage,¡± Hailey asked with a somewhat shaky voice, now that she had seen what her friend had really been talking about. They talk few times on phone and also chatted, but Hailey¡¯s schedules were so busy to even engage in anything intense.


    ¡°To be honest, I don¡¯t even know anything anymore. They bicker and fight all the time, but he does not have that repulsive look in his eyes for her any longer. It is, more, or like something¡­ Hunhhh,¡± Ellen paused, and thought of the right word to say, ¡°Can I say tender?¡±


    ¡°Is that not outrageous to say?!¡± Hailey spat and fired instantly, ¡°He has not even been replying my texts more often now. What exactly is going on?¡±


    ¡°He has been so busy with thepany affairs and productivity, investments,pany purchasing and the inte uproar. He is doing more than he should as a young man, who is still suppose to be out in the streets of something. Maybe you should try speaking to him physically. He¡¯s probably love starved,¡± Ellen stated, and then bursted intoughter at her own words, letting go of her initial gloominess.


    Though she and Hailey started as situational friends, but there were still so many things they could talk about. They also had so many differences and little things inmon, but their friendship setting had been working fine even if it was wed.


    ¡°Dalton acts so tough, but I think he needs love. I mean, who doesn¡¯t need love?¡± Ellen said again, and that statement took her back into her forlorn.


    The love she had few weeks ago with a stranger was gone. Her sister too fell in love with that same stranger, and could not even have an happy ending. Eva never had someone to call her own even to begin with, while their mother¡¯spanion which was their own father had died.


    ¡°I think I should go to him now. I hope he is not too engaged with office work,¡± Hailey said hopefully with a smile, when Ellen talked about Dalton needing someone to care. She was certain that no matter how hard he tried to resist her, he would give in atst.


    And with the discuss ending in that matter, Hailey walked to the front of Dalton¡¯s room and rang the bell. First, she had ruined everything and gotten him so pissed by causing noise to the room. He knew immediately that it was not Alex. Thinking it was Aria, he feigned the anger that was refusing toe and opened the door. His expression changed immediately.


    ¡°Dalton. It is so nice to see you after a long time,¡± Hailey called out to him so happily as she tried to control her excitement, and moved closer to hug him so warmly.


    The feeling of his hard chest against her head, the nice scent of intoxicating cologne and how warm the embrace was made it hard for her to pull off quickly. Still, he hated her brazen attitude.


    Aria would never do that and greet him with a smile, rather would she like to remain in such position with him. He hated that she was like that to only him, but would have been rather delighted if she was the one that hugged him.


    Without saying any word, he made his way back into the room and Hailey perfunctorily followed him. He was neither going to tell her to leave or wee her. Though they had been family friends and had shared some childhood memories, he couldn¡¯t bring what they had ended in the past to the future. The time frame was too far.


    ¡°You did not reply my texts and emails. Heard you have been so busy. How are you fairing?¡± Hailey would started her conversation with the pressing question she was dying to hear and answer to, quickly switched the logic and out his wellbeing next.


    ¡°Very well. Have you seen mother?¡± Dalton asked her with the thought that, she was probably mistaken about who she had reallye to see. His mother doted on her, and it was an evident fact.


    ¡°I missed you, Dalton. It has been a very long time. Did you not miss me?¡± Hailey¡¯s endearing voice spoke out eloquent words, that could melt a heart that was stubbornly hardened.


    Her legs moved in slow motions and walked closer to him, while trying to be so dignified in her manner of approach. It was really hard to know how to act whenever she was with him. He hateddies that were cheap and trued to seduce him, so she remained by his side as a good friend and acquaintance yet he didn¡¯t see her.


    ¡°Is there any reason I should miss you?¡± His voice was somewhat rude and harsh, that struck painfully on a part in her heart.


    ¡°Are you still going to divorce her?¡± Hailey didn¡¯t care again, and just asked every questions she was curious about.


    ¡°And why should that be your bother?¡±


    ¡°Do you love her?¡± Hailey asked again, the question that was so disgusting to even get own heart and ears. She just wanted to be sure that things were not really going wrong.


    The door that forced open had disrupted then as both heads turned to see whom it was, as Aria who had not seen them properly entered inside. It was in the same rude manner in which she usually stormed into her own room, and she had promised him a tit for tat in everything he would do to her.


    She immediately realized who was there and paused on her tracks immediately, as she began to contemte in her mind immediately of what to do. The fact that Hailey was the one standing before Dalton, was making her pissed off in a way that she could not exin.


    She wanted to probably turn and leave, yet her legs would not move away from the floor. She could not stand the two of them being together.


    Hailey saw who had entered into the room as her eyes flickered of intense anger, as she hated the fact that the despicable woman could barge into the room however she liked. And the manner at which she was even staring at both of them, was the one to overthrow one to the ground if it could. Her emotions got the best of her.


    ¡°Do you really love that woman?!¡± Hailey¡¯s voice was louder this time enough for Aria to hear, who wondered what they had been talking about before she came inside. She hated that Hailey¡¯s finger was pointing directly to her, and had the desire to snap the bones into two.


    Still lost in her malicious fantasy of how to break Hailey¡¯s fingers, the next thing she could sense was her head that raised up, and her lips that crashed another¡¯s.

 His true feelings

    Their lips met, and the moment Dalton¡¯s tongue pressed Aria¡¯s lower lip, she parted her mouth like a freshly split¨Copen fig, weing him into the warmth of her mouth. His tongue slipped inside her insistent mouth, and lips which were moist with strawberry gloss tasted like cherry.


    Dalton¡¯s arms wrapped around her body, passionately holding her tight, and his fiery tongue sled inside and outside of her soft, luscious mouth.


    His mouth was parting her shaking lips, sending wild tremors along her nerves, and evoking from her sensations she had never known she was capable of feeling. And before a swimming giddiness spun her round and round, she knew that she was kissing him back.


    Her hands grabbed his arm to pull his hand away from holding her face which felt like warm embers, as it raised some sort of wild fire from within him which was hard to resist. She tried hard to break away from the kiss she had never prepared for, but her mind was clouded by the desires that had been too docile in her body. They were gushing abundantly.


    Dalton felt her desire to break free from the kiss as his hand crept to her waist, pulling her much closer as his chest pressed against hers. He ran his tongue along her lips teasingly, as he traced it tongue along her own hot tongue and then sucked on it. Her heart was beating so erratically she could only take little sips of breath.


    ¡®What was happening to her? What was going wrong in her body? Why was it hard to pull back?¡¯


    His lips swerved and took her own puckered lips again, and sucked on them gently in a rough manner. His hands slipped down the smooth curve of her sides, to rest on her hips as he drew her closer to him again.


    ¡®It was to make things clear and ruin the expectation news for everyone, that he would never have anything to do with Hailey.¡¯ That was what his mind was convincing him to believe. And he wanted to. But he was rather enjoying what he was doing, that the pleasure he was deriving from finally kissing her properly was too good to let go.


    Finally, Aria seeded and pulled away from Dalton, as he groaned softly and still his eyes clenched shut for a moment afterward. He didn¡¯t want to wake up from this dream he had finally brought to life, while savoring the moment. Thest thing he wanted was for her to pull away, but she did anyway. Surprisingly, she was not angry.


    She was trying hard to catch her breath while breathing slowly, so as not to show her vulnerability at that moment. Instead, she turned to Hailey who instantly activated the maliciousness back in her, as she gave her a derisive smirk that held so many unsaid words.


    Hailey was shocked. She was transfixed. Her legs were stiffened. Her eyes felt like gouging out, at what she had to watch y before her. Dalton was passionately kissing the wife he couldn¡¯t even stand before in her presence. They were enjoying what they were doing, and allowed her to watch in humiliation.


    ¡®Had they deceived everyone till the present date? Were they really in love? Was it just a show to make her go away? Was Aria just ying her submissive role as his wife still? What the heck was happening?¡¯


    Hailey thought her head would explode, from the various questions her mind was dying to get an answer to. The action she had to watch Dalton perform before her was too much for her tiny heart to bear.


    In the moment of them breaking free of each other, she tried not to cry as she smiled painfully which put stress on her face. She did not allow herself to lose her dignity, as she walked out of the room elegantly without uttering any further words. Just as she got to the corner where no one would see her, she burst into low sobs and hastily walked to Ellen¡¯s hallway.


    Dalton was looking at Aria and waiting for her to give him the scornful look or cuss at him, which he would willingly listen to because he had done what he wanted to do. However, she was not even saying anything.


    Her eyes were just rolling randomly like she was looking for words to say, and was now stuck on the many ones she had in her head. Both of them were saying nothing.


    ¡°Why are you not getting angry and cursing like you usually do?¡± Dalton took the lead in the question, wanting to actually hear an answer to that before she would explode at him. And yes, she finally remembered why she hade into his room.


    When she came down from her room and entered the kitchen to get iced yoghurt minutes ago, she heard the maids and chefs talking about preparing thebinations of meals he seemed to enjoy, since he arrived back at the mansion earlier.


    They also whispered to one another about the surprise search that morning, and how many of them who had tried to act so smart within the mansion would end up getting thrown into the prison or out. It would mostly be those that had sold some things in the house that were not noticeable, or those who posted maliciousments against the family.


    That was when Aria realized that Dalton was probably the reason why Hailey was back at the mansion, just a few hours after she arrived. She became pissed all of a sudden.N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.


    As her mind began to think of the right issue that she could bring up to him and cause a difference between them, she remembered her phone that had been seized that morning because of whatever reasons his men called it.


    Storming into his room to get rid of Hailey and at the same time piss him off, got her into an unexpected situation that was more overwhelming. Worst of all, her body seemed to react in ways she couldn¡¯t even understand. And for that, she was even more pissed. With herself. Nevertheless, she wasn¡¯t the one to lose her touch.


    ¡°And why did you do that in front of your wife? Did you have your differences and needed me as a fight relief?¡± She tried not to roll her eyes or sound the way her heart seemed to react to her question, but it was a failed attempt. Her voice was too low and solemn.


    ¡°Do not, call her my wife,¡± Dalton gritted his teeth, angry that they were already diverting from the ecstasy they both just felt. He wanted to talk about that.


    ¡°Is that not what your family wants? You should give it to them,¡± she countered.


    ¡°That is not theirs to decide!¡±


    ¡°So why did you do that? I mean, you do not kiss someone you ordered your men to frisk mercilessly,¡± she finally said the point of her anger, as face changed into the usual and perfect expression she normally gave him. Now, that was his wife.


    ¡°I.. It was for security reasons. And why do I even have to exin that to you?!¡± He yelled frustratedly.


    ¡°You see. This is who you really are, Dalton. One minute you are all over me and trying to act like you care, and you are acting all bossy and crappy the next one. You are so indecisive and selfish, and you just try to justify your actions by things that do not matter. Have fun being alone with your narcissist self and never touch me again, else. I would rob both of us of our happiness!¡± She threatened bitterly. Every emotion she was feeling at that point was on the loose, and Dalton could sense every bit of them.


    ¡°I know I am really contemptible, to you. But I do really care,¡± he said to her. Maybe he really didn¡¯t need to hide that he sincerely cared now.


    He cared if she was not going to talk to him anymore, and he cared whenever she was angry at him because he had caused her pain. He cared whenever she was with another guy and smiling with them, when she could not even have fun with him like she always did with others.


    His heart cared that she thought so low and despicable of him, and also could not stand to see that she was not in her right body state and mind. He never did before in the past, but now he couldn¡¯t understand why he was now anxious at every thought of her.


    Kissing her when she would groan and struggle to break free, was more sensual to him than when otherdies would want to kiss him willingly.


    ¡°And why do you care?! You have never cared and you shouldn¡¯t start now. Ending things and never meeting again in this life is the best. If we are even to meet in the next life, we should be sworn enemies!¡± She yelled angrily. Now he was really getting her so infuriated by his indecisiveness and the way he was confusing her.


    ¡°I¡­ I do not know why, okay! I just care about you now and in every way. And let it keep ringing in your head every time that I, Dalton Miller cannot stop minding Aria. And for the separation, I do not think I want to do that anymore,¡± he announced, to her bewilderment.

 Material desires

    Aria sat still in front of her dresser mirror for many minutes, running a bright red lipstick over her lip over and over again with stopping. Her eyes had wandered away from the mirror and what she was doing, with only her subconsciousness only performing her before action.


    She was somewhat lost in the thoughts of what Dalton had said the day before, even if it was not meant to bother her in any way. Though she didn¡¯t read the meaning of it or take his words seriously, her mind kept on shing back to the brief action and words memory that had taken ce in Dalton¡¯s room.


    The fact she had kissed him back even when the thought of that used to disgust her before, was a thought on her own to ponder upon. She enjoyed it in a way, even if she hated to admit it. But his words at the ending sounded so sincere, even when she was trying to tell herself that Dalton was not to be trusted.


    He had done too many things to hurt her, both voluntarily and involuntarily in many ways. Even through his negligence and the way he had presented her before the family, which made their exploitation and mistreatment of her so easy.


    The manner at which he had evidently showed his hatred for both their marriage and her, was what everyone who lived in the mansion saw and could testify strongly to. Then all of a sudden he started caring and minding everything she did to him. It was beyond her to understand the reason.


    ¡®Was he suddenly enamored by a woman who was being constantly rude to him? Or did he have a fetish for women who made everything he nned to do tough? Or was it a n to make her fall for him, and achieve some kind of superiority over her?¡¯ She definitely could notprehend no matter how much she thought of it, but she would not give him a chance to get to her with his new silly schemes.


    ¡°People do not change that easily. Get a hold of yourself!¡± Aria snapped herself out with words, and stood up from the chair she was sitting on to change clothes.


    She had nned to go to the mall to buy some things for herself, but changed her mind to go for a yoga ss instead and then to the gym. Her body and mind had been too weak, and she needed something to help her feel better. At least before things would probably start to fall apart.


    In her heart was still the unsettling feeling of the dancer that had texted her, and the fact that she replied to the person with some leading questions. She really hoped that the IT professionals or whatever they called themselves, would not see a big issue to it at all.


    If things went wrong and they probably wanted to get rid of her once and for all, they could even connect her to the person she was still trying to get their identity.


    Aria knew that they seized her phone in that manner and also checked her room, probably because they were suspecting her involvement with the masked dancer and events. But even if she was, she had some kind of conviction in her heart that Dalton could not get rid of her even if he wanted to.


    She knew not the reason why he was still keeping her when she was already acting out of control, but she was strongly sure that he could not just let her go because of something that would surely benefit him. Then if he was going to use her in that way, she would also y him in his own game.


    She would remain in the mansion to finish cracking the case with how the incidents against her were connected, while he would get whatever he wanted probably after the marriage would end, because she would make sure they got divorced at the end.


    But before then, she would request him to sign the rights of thepany he told the press about, and to make her the CEO of thepany he promised. It was going to be a win-win situation, and she would get the most of it in every way. If not, she would threaten him, and just with the right thing.


    ~.. ~..      ~..~..      ~..~..       ~..~..


    ¡°Snap out it, Dalton. This is not you and it doesn¡¯t suit you either. Do not stop being selfish like you have always been. That is only what¡¯s right,¡± her loud fretful voice rang heavily in his head again, as he studied the improvement graphs of hispanies stocks for the past months.


    His eyes only seemed to be on what Alex expected his focus to be on, but his mind was deeply immersed into another thing which was totally different from office issues. It was the question he asked out of the blue, that made the firm assistant realize that his boss had his mind elsewhere.


    ¡°Do you think I am not man enough? Like Ick the real good qualities of a man?¡± Dalton asked his secretary, with an obvious agenda, to get an honest truth from him.


    ¡°I think you are a very capable man, sir. Manydies would do everything they could to get you into their lives,¡± Alex answered, omitting the most important word that Dalton would have probably wanted to hear.


    His boss was a really impressive and dignified man, but really sucked in human rtions that didn¡¯t pertain to his work or business. He didn¡¯t think he could answer honestly. Especially not to Dalton.


    Not convinced by the slightest, Dalton continued,¡± No! Not that. Like a man. Apart from his wealth, looks and power. Is Dalton Miller a good candidate?¡± He asked again.


    On hearing the billionaire¡¯s next question, Alex suddenly became stressed in his heart. He wondered how he was going to ce the words rightly, in such a way that Dalton would not end up getting angry at him. It was really difficult to sound politely honest.


    ¡°I think, sir, that you do not really have goodmunication skills as a man to a woman. Patience, understanding and love is, a necessity, in any sailing rtionship,¡± Alex said slowly in an understanding tone so that he would sound really refined, but Dalton¡¯s highbrows furrowed into a displeased one immediately.


    ¡°Did I say this was about any rtionship?!¡± He almost yelled.


    ¡°I am sorry sir,¡± he apologized immediately.


    ¡°Hmmm,¡± Dalton cleared his throat again, ¡°If women would really like someone like me. Why then do you think Aria really hates me? I can feel the great rubbing off of disdain from her on me,¡± he mouthed to himself, which was evident that Alex needed not to utter anything.


    ¡°What about the doctor? The one that was going to carry out the test,¡± Dalton suddenly remembered, after time had passed since he was determined to make Aria take a test.


    ¡°Your mother seems to be visiting the doctor again, sir. He had been really busy with her frequent request for diagnosis,¡± Alex exined.


    ¡°Mother? What is that for? I thought she had her own doctor,¡± Dalton paused for a while to think, ¡°And they are actually the major reasons why Aria had be like this,¡± he stated, like he did not y a big role in the entire issue.


    ¡°Should I look into another doctor¡­..¡±


    ¡°Wait. When did Aria¡¯s sudden change start?¡± Dalton turned to Alex, when that question he had never put much mind into urred to him.


    ¡°The week you came back from the Singapore board meeting. That was¡­. A week after the family was on a pic sir,¡± Alex tried to recollect really fast.


    ¡°Did they do anything really bad to her? Or did she see something that started giving her thoughts of retaliation?¡± The young billionaire questioned himself, as he pondered on things that had happened after that time.


    Talking about the fact that he was on a trip when his family went on a pic together with her, made him realize that something had probably gone wrong with his family or her. No one said anything to him though.N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.


    ¡°She even came back in separate vehicles many hours after they had arrived, and did note together with them,¡± Alex informed him.


    ¡°Why are you just telling me that now?!¡± Dalton demanded. He was getting suddenly furious that he was left out, in whatever situation that had gone on in her life without his knowledge.


    ¡°Because you have never been interested, in, Mrs. Miller affairs, sir,¡± the baffled assistant reminded.


    ¡°Find out if anything happened during the trip. With the family too. Especially with her,¡± Dalton instructed.

 Escaping death

    The big four-tier chandelier that hung above her own seat space began to shudder, and a cacophony of clinks erupted in the air, wriggling like the sparkle. The drop was extremely loud and happened in about a minute, as loud screams broke into the room with panic of everyone.


    ¡°Aria!!!!¡± Was probably the loudest they heard and the voice was really distinct, but no one cared, except for just their own safety alone.


    Immediately two figures swerved so quickly closely to the other side from where the lighting fixture had dropped, the tiny ssy bulbs that attached to it scattered everywhere in the room. Alex thought his eyes would bulge, with what he had to experience in the moment.


    ¡®What the heck just happened?¡¯


    It was evening already and time for dinner already, that Aria usually missed most of the time since now had her own free will. She either got her food from the kitchen as soon as the food was served, or prepared her own food herself to taste.


    Weirdly that evening, she took a piece of meat from the refrigerator and ced it on the b for seasoning. After she was done with oiling the meat and seasoning it, she ced it in the oven to heat into a fine texture. While waiting for it to be done, Aria sat alone at the dining table to eat a bowl of in yogurt.


    By the time the steak was done, she served it with some peri leaves and made her way back to the dining room. She used the knife to cut the food into pieces and ate slower than she usually did, as she chewed on the food that she had been craving for long but was unable to eat.


    By that time, the kitchen servants were already bringing the varieties of dishes on the menu for dinner to the table. They tried as much as possible to be cautious of the billionaire¡¯s wife, who didn¡¯t mind them and just continued to eat her food.


    In their confused minds as they ced a te in everyone¡¯s table spot, they wondered if it would be offensive to her if they didn¡¯t drop a te before her when she was already eating. She did not even mind them at all.


    The sisters who walked into the dining room first were a bit taken aback, to see their brother¡¯s wife whom they had not seen eat with them in a long while. She didn¡¯t mind them and just continued doing her own thing, terrified in her mind of the bug she had seen in her room about an ago.


    That was the reason why she had to run out of her room and then sauntered to the kitchen, like she had intended to really eat in the dining room before. They could not understand her reason for her sudden attitude, but they couldn¡¯t dare to ask her either. To make it a beautiful scene to witness, Hailey had joined them for dinner too.


    None of them said anything as they just focused on the servants, or whatever it was that would not make them worry, that someone was also in the same space too with them. Emma now looked better than before, like she had not even suffered from a heartbreak, while Ellen even looked worse than her sister in terms of losing sleep. Only Aria knew why.


    Eleanor, who could never let go of things easily without saying her mind, decided to start a conversation about the masked dancer as they ate. More than anyone in the house, she really suspected Aria even if she had no evidence. It was to make the conversation get to her and make her ufortable.


    ¡°It is very apparent that it is someone who knows how everything is being operated in this house or lives in, that is involved in that kind of sphemous balderdash of that masked dancer. It is so frustrating to know that things had really been crazytely, just for that piece of shit,¡± the aged woman said with so much disdain, like she knew exactly who it was and had to get to them indirectly.


    ¡°Always ying the savior games. It looks like someone paid her to do those things. There is nothing more scary than low-life skanks and gold diggers, who would do anything for dirty money. Family background really matters in everything,¡± Hailey, who knew that Eleanor was talking directly to Aria, made it more palpable that the person they were directing their mes at, was in the room too.


    Ellen was now too reserved and more of a cautious person, who could not afford to make a contribution to discussions that didn¡¯t matter. Anything that concerned getting on Aria¡¯s nerves or crossing her part, she avoided it at all cost.


    ¡°I have no doubt that you are that disgusting masked witch that has been posting stuff about the Millers!¡± Hailey suddenly used Aria as she pointed a finger at her, which made Eleanor surprised at her sudden boldness to challenge the person they were talking about in that manner. However, she loved it.


    Aria, who knew where everything was probably going to lead to, did not say anything, as she wrapped thest pieces of her cut meat into the leaves and chewed on them. The familiar scent that swept its way into the mansion diverted her mind back to the man¡¯s words, she had been trying not to think about it all day.


    ¡°You are the one bitch! Spill the truth you ugly, sadistic, monstrous, seductress,¡± Hailey stood up and screamed at Aria, as she picked the drum stick that was in the te of chickens and threw it. Why she was angry was obviously another reason, which Ellen knew about since she was the one who did the consoling.


    It missed where Aria was sitting at, but it caused her to stand up instantly at the point. If she ended up resulting to violence against Hailey¡¯s actions, it would get really bad and sad for the high ss prettydy, because she would make sure she regretted her actions bitterly. In that process, the lights in the living room suddenly became brighter to the ring of one¡¯s eyes.


    ¡°Hailey. Careful!¡± Ellen cautioned her friend, and held her hand from picking the next drum stick that filled the ss te. A peaceful dinner was the best thing in her own opinion.


    And just like he always knew when toe to Aria¡¯s aid, Dalton had entered the dining room after the loud ranting he had heard distracted him. However, he was not even facing anyone to ask what had caused madness in his house, as his gaze fell on Aria who had a derisive look on her face. His eyes got lost in her rosy lips for a few seconds.


    The lights continued to increase its brightness and intensity as they all began to take note of what was happening, that there was suddenly a surge of electricity to cause too much brightness in the living room.


    The next thing they heard next was a loud sound. Dalton, whose eyes were still on Aria, saw the iing danger and ran to grab her immediately. There was a catastrophe in the room.


    When everyone had regained themselves and ran to the farther side of the corner for safety, the scene they were witnessing with their eyes was too much to withhold.Exclusive content from N?velDrama.Org.


    Aria was carefully spooned in front of Dalton and they were on the floor, with his right hand wrapped around her body to protect her. They hadnded on the left side of their body and it was painful, but Aria seemed to be so livid and startled by what had happened. She was still.


    ¡°Dalton!!!! Mr. Miller!!¡± All of them took turns in calling out his name after the deed was done, and a very expensive chandelier had seeded in smashing against the floor which almost killed someone. He was more concerned about Aria, when they were still stiffened to their spot.


    ¡°Are you okay?¡± He asked her so softly with so much fear in his eyes for her, but she had shut down too deeply to even hear what he had asked her. She began to bleed from her nose.


    Alex quickly ran close to check the situation and help the billionaire up, who was only bothered about carrying Aria up in his hands. The maids who had heard the noise and were shocked ran into the room from different angles, as they watched in shock the bad incident that had taken ce.


    But nothing was more astounding for them, than watching Aria wrapped carefully in her husband¡¯s arms. They could not understand what had really even happened. Hailey wanted to lose her mind.


    Everyone in the room, especially his family, thought, ¡®We thought Dalton was a self-centered man who cared about himself first. Why would he put himself in danger to save Aria first?¡¯


    Dalton was still looking so manly and enthralling even after he survived a chandelier smash, as he turned with Aria safely wrapped in his hand to Alex. The assistant who received an important call amidst everything quickly, whispered another pressing issue into his ears.


    ¡°Mr. Mark Miller says he is on his way to the mansion now.¡±

 Over protective

    Dalton carried Aria hastily out of the dining and straight to her bedroom, while Alex tried to dial the doctor¡¯s phone number. He was at the same time calcting the few minutes that it would take Mark Miller to reach the house, because of the mess that was made in the dining room.


    The servants were trying their best as Alex urged them to hurry so fast, without telling them why they had to do that in a sh. They had a limited amount of time to change the chandelier, dining table and the number of porcins that broke alongside the disaster.


    Everyone was confused about what was happening that no one was telling them, but Alex was not even in the space to give anyone answers. He was directing the servants quickly into what to do, and was at the same time ordering a new luxurious table that matched that dining room. In a jiffy, it had be abined cleaning of the entire house.


    Hailey tearfully followed Eleanor into her room this time, while Ellen followed Emma without any reason prompting her to do so. She just needed someone to cozy up to at the moment, and it seemed like her own sister was even already getting over Damon. She was going to stay at Emma¡¯s for a while, before she would go to her mother¡¯s room and take part in consoling Hailey.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine, Dalton. You should drop me and leave here,¡± Aria said softly as soon as Dalton carried her up to the room, with some tissues already stuck to her nose to stop the bleeding. She hated her state at that present moment and the person that was even carrying her.


    ¡°Do not say a word. The doctor will be here any minute,¡± Dalton instructed, and tried to push the door to the room open, but it was not moving at all.


    ¡°The key is in my pocket,¡± she told him, and he looked at her face before he heard what she said clearly. His hand tried to reach for the key without diforting or poking her in any way, but he was not too patient in his ways and she groaned in frustration.


    Dalton didn¡¯t give up anyway and seeded in bringing out the keys from her pocket without dropping her, as he opened the door skillfully and carried her into the room. He carefully dropped her on her bed, grabbed the bed covers to cover her, and tried to get the huge pillows from the other side of the bed, so that she would feelfortable. It made her feel so weird.


    ¡®What was really wrong with him? Had he finally lost it? Was he near death? A terminal disease?¡¯


    ¡°I am good now. Just leave me and go,¡± she frowned this time around, and he just smiled when he saw her signature scowl.


    ¡°I think you are okay too. That scornful look never leaves no matter how terrible you feel. That is Aria Hamilton,¡± he smiled genuinely again, that almost blew Aria¡¯s eyes out of her socket.


    ¡®Was that really Dalton Miller smiling? How could she ever know he could smile that warmly and beautifully too?¡¯


    ¡°Here is your phone,¡± he said, and dropped it on themp stand that was nearest to him. She just kept mute and turned her face to the other side, so that she would not end up getting further angry. There was nothing she had to say to him, so he shouldn¡¯t say anything to her either and just leave the room.


    The tissues were still stuck to her nostrils which made her really ufortable, but he noticed immediately and removed them slowly as he walked to toss it into the waste bin that was by the door. He strode back to her dresser to get the wipes that were on the table, and came back to wipe her face which she averted immediately.


    ¡®She wasn¡¯t a child and she had hands. He shouldn¡¯t touch her.¡¯


    ¡°Keep still,¡± Dalton hissed, as he moved more closer to her and steadied her head with his left hand, and used the right to wipe her face for any traces of blood or anything. He was bncingfortably on her bed.


    Aria was even more shocked. Dalton was actually wiping some else¡¯s face which wasn¡¯t his. He was wiping the face of the wife he didn¡¯t care about clean, and trying his best to make herfortable without considering his status.


    ¡®Was that part of his schemes too or what.¡¯


    ¡°And this would also make you and I feel better,¡± Dalton said suddenly and Aria¡¯s eyes rolled to his face in an attempt to hear what he had to say, but he swooped in for a kiss instead as his lips met her.


    The kiss was really hard and he pressed further and sucked on her lips, without minding that she was trying to push him off. Her lips were really tempting to him and he could not just control himself anymore, especially whenever he was around her and she gave him those looks.


    Something about rolling her eyes at him looked so sexy.


    ¡®There really must really be something wrong with him.¡¯ Her mind screamed.


    ¡°Dalton!¡± She yelled at him, ¡°Shouldn¡¯t dignified men like you have self control or whatsoever? Is this how you kiss everydy that you hang out with?¡± she hissed, as he pulled away from her in satisfaction.


    ¡°I don¡¯t kissdies or anybody,¡± he grumbled at her spection. She just rolled her eyes and said nothing more. The shock of the chandelier falling was still in her, and she was trying her best to act strong before him.


    ¡°The next thing we will hear is that he doesn¡¯t have sex,¡± Aria sassed, followed by a huff, which made Dalton¡¯s eyes widen. They had never been so close enough to talk about things like that, and talking about it with her was exciting. He definitely wanted to see her flustered.


    ¡°I think that should also be a saying for you,¡± he intended to mock with a smirk that stretched out his lips. He enjoyed disturbing her.


    ¡°Not a saying. It is a fact,¡± she rified, and turned her face to the other side of the bed so that she could rest up. However, she left him dumbstruck, dumbfounded and extremely shocked.


    ¡®What was she trying to insinuate? That she does not have sex? Was she celibate? Was she truly gay? Was she untouched? A virgin? That would certainly be the wrong answer.¡¯ so many questions rushed to Dalton¡¯s mind, and he was really unable to say anything further.


    He wanted to know what she meant by that. She had touched the inquisitive nerve of him with her words.


    ¡°What is that that you are saying, Aria?¡± He tried to ask, but she was definitely not ready to give him any reply again. Her eyes were shut tight.


    And just at that moment, he heard a knock on the door and the person entered without hearing an answer. It was Alex, and he quickly informed Dalton before he got angry that the doctor was out of country.


    ¡°That ipetent whim!¡± Dalton cussed on hearing that the doctor was out of the country, ¡°What is the way out?!¡±


    ¡°I have called another doctor from the hospital ranking second in the list. He is on his way here,¡± Alex informed, and then paused to be sure that Dalton had nothing to say anymore.


    ¡°Mr. Mark Miller is at the mansion, sir.¡±


    .~?~.                   .~?~.                        .~?~.


    Right into the mansion, an aged man made his way inside so smartly in a nice shirt and pants. His posture was very straight and illustrious, and even his appearance was not hard to miss because of how good he looked. He was graceful and elegant even in his age, that he was still the hottest issue amongst his peers and age group.


    ¡°Grandfather!¡± Emma called in surprise when she saw who wasing into the mansion, as she made her way out of the kitchen with a tray of baked strawberry cookies. She was unable to eat with the incessant chatting at the table minutes ago, and decided to grab some for herself and Ellen.


    ¡°Now this young granddaughter of mine has grown well,¡± he grinned, and she moved over to where he was to give him a light hug. She was the one only, who was most favoured in every of his granddaughter. Maybe because she reminded him of his own son.


    ¡°Eva! Ellen! Mum! Grandpops is here,¡± she called loudly into the air, not minding her manners. They seemed toe out upon her calling because Alex had informed them, and it was Eva who hade down first.


    ¡°Hi, grandfather,¡± she said in her usual cold and hard tone that seemed forced, and the old man just hummed with a barely visible smile. He was also the kind of person that couldn¡¯t hide what he was feeling. It was so hard to dote on her amongst his grandchildren.


    ¡°Granddaddy,¡± Ellen, who was happy that she had escaped talking to her mother about Dalton and Hailey, called out so excitedly as she strutted down the stairs. Though her grandfather was always teasing her nonstop, it was hard not to like the man.


    ¡°This granddaughter of mine really knows how to let go of things really fast. Grandpops wouldn¡¯t tease you this time,¡± he said with a grin, and she just smiled and gave him a brief hug.N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.


    He wasn¡¯t the type tofort people or say cringy and nice words, but he went indirectly to assure the person of what he intended to do. Ellen knew that he was trying to make her feel better, by taunting her terribly thest they met.


    Eleanor Miller had a modest expression on her face, as she joined them where they were all standing. He clearly didn¡¯te for her, and they weren¡¯t on the perfect terms either.


    When his son married a woman like her, he didn¡¯t rte closely with him for years because he was really angry. Eleanor was too difficult of a woman, and he knew she would make his son¡¯s life hell, who had taken after his own mother.


    But seeing that his grandson Dalton was almost like a replica of him in every aspect, he embraced his grandchildren more, and Emma who was still young then, benefited the most.


    ¡°And where is my grandson and his wife? They have note down since,¡± Mark Miller turned around as he asked, waiting to see those he had reallye to visit.


    All of them who were still feeling both negative and positive at the old man¡¯s appearance initially, became indifferent immediately they heard the old man call for Aria. They became so anxious.


    ¡®She was now different. She wasn¡¯t submissive anymore. She now talked without filters. If she met Mark Miller, there would be real trouble.¡¯

 Mark Miller

    The entire family were all sitting in the dining room for the second time that day, and they were totally shocked that the dining room was looking so different, from the mess they had witnessed almost an hour ago. A new and bright shining chandelier was back to the spot, where the previous one had dropped from.


    The dining table had been changed to even a better one, and the floor was spotless and shining without any tiny ss specks. There were now artworks they had never seen before on the wall.


    It was in that same moment that Mark Miller¡¯s assistant hade inside, holding in his hand big packs of pizza, and a bag that contained huge bottles of chilled fruit drinks to apany the snack. It was always a new surprise every time. Thest time he visited, he brought a delicacy they all had never eaten from another country.


    ¡°I am sure you all never have simple snacks like this at the dining, except standardly made meals withoutpromises,¡± he chuckled, obviously referring to their mother who was too keen about such things.


    They had it kind of hard when growing up, because she was too strict about eating too much junk, chocte and snacks as kids. She wanted them to be so different when it came to standing amongst their peers, and not to just act however they liked when it came to eating etiquettes.


    Ellen grabbed the nylon and passed it to Emma, as they opened the first box to their delight. There was no way they would never love Mark Miller, because he knew how to do the perfect things at the right time.


    Eva just looked as impassive as her mother without getting excited like the rest, and Dalton made his way inside at the moment after he had changed his clothes. He was inwardly proud of his assistant¡¯s job, when he saw how perfect everything had  looked again in the dining room.


    His grandfather, who had been waiting to see him, was pleased to see him when he entered the room, but frowned when he didn¡¯t see Aria follow behind him.


    ¡°Where is your wife, Dalton?¡± Mark Miller asked without wasting any time, and the temperature in the room dropped immediately. Every one of them were all waiting and listening so attentively with bated breath, to hear what Dalton would say in reply to the old man.


    ¡°She is stressed out, grandfather. Feeling weak and dizzy,¡± he said nonchntly without even knowing the symptoms she was actually experiencing, which made everyone of them gasp more, on hearing what Dalton had said.


    Though he was a very educated and knowledgeable man who knew what he was doing, yet he had no knowledge about the most basic things about women. Now, he would make Mark Miller talk about a very sensitive topic, that he would not even be able to give an answer to.


    ¡°Oh. Does it mean what I think it is?¡± Mark Miller said with a grin, as Dalton took his seat with a confused look scribbled evidently on his face. It was quite a beautiful scene for them to watch.


    ¡°What do you think?¡± He asked cluelessly again, as his eyes waltzed away from the table to see if Alex was anywhere near. He couldn¡¯t understand why someone would be feeling weak, and his grandfather would look so delighted through his expression even more than his mother who did not like her.


    ¡°So slow-witted!¡± Mark Miller murmured in frustration, ¡°Doesn¡¯t that mean she is going to bear your child soon? Do you not know all these symptoms?¡± The old man almost gritted his teeth.


    ¡°Child?¡± Dalton¡¯s mind immediately picked the final pieces to the puzzle, and he gave his grandfather a weird look.


    ¡®Why would he suddenly be talking about a child?¡¯


    ¡°Do you both have infertility issues? How is it that you are yet to give me a great-grandchild for almost three years now?¡± The old man said with a crease that crossed his eyebrow, finally voicing out the real reason why he was at their house.


    He never liked visiting them anyhow he pleased even if he was around, because he was busy with his achievement of taking a vacation everywhere in the world and meeting new people.


    The old man had spent his youth being so stern and so guarded about his work and money, that he didn¡¯t have any time for himself and his family, especially his wife.


    Georgia was so beautiful so beautiful and pure in heart, that he didn¡¯t realize how much time he wasted not trying to connect with her. Before he realized that he had been too invested in remaining at the top in the economy sector, she was already down with a terminal disease and it was toote already. After he lost her, he fell into a great depression which finally changed his outlook about life.


    The fact that Dalton was taking that same path as he did bothered him, that he decided to get him a wife personally, that would care for his dear grandson and influence him with her kindness.


    He didn¡¯t want someone who was going to be his wife for selfish gains, and would end up chasing her own big dreams, which would result in sh of egos and divorce. He wanted someone who wasn¡¯t greedily selfish and ambitious, and found Aria during one of his trips as the humble daughter of Hamilton.


    ¡°Are you even nning on having children?!¡± Mark¡¯s voice snapped Dalton out of his thoughts, which soon became overshadowed by how Aria would be feeling, and if the doctor had arrived to treat her properly, or if she was taking proper rest.


    He was wrong.


    The change in ambience was immediately noticeable, as someone made their way into the dining room. The sisters who thought that Dalton had seeded in making his wife stay indoors were shocked, while Eleanor immediately became ufortable when she saw who appeared. Mark Miller was delighted, while Dalton was disappointed when he saw her.


    ¡®Had he not told her to just remain in her room after the treatment and rest?¡¯


    ¡°Herees my grandson¡¯s wife,¡± Mark Miller said with pride when he saw how gorgeous Aria was looking, and how vibrant she looked, which had really gotten better over the years. The spection that it was probably because they were treating her well, which was a coincidence.


    ¡°Hi, granddaddy,¡± Aria greeted him with a bright smile, and took her seat beside Dalton which was different from where she normally sat. It was all for the show.N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.


    ¡°You are right in time,¡± he started, ¡°Dalton said you were really not feeling too well, and I have asked him if you are having his baby. Are you both on child abstinence?¡± He asked Aria who managed to still keep her bright smile, with the pressure that she had to face and Dalton¡¯s stoic look that casted upon her.


    ¡®She should have just remained upstairs. But no, it was to get what she wanted and Mark Miller was the perfect card.¡¯


    ¡°We are trying our best,¡± Dalton suddenly said, and Aria almost choked on the water she was trying to sip from a ss cup. Everyone was under pressure too. They couldn¡¯t understand what the couples were again.


    ¡°For you, Ellen. I have arranged a blind date for you with a nice guy. You should meet him,¡± Mark Miller brought out a nice card from his portable bag, and passed it over to Ellen who was looking so shocked. She would have never expected her grandfather to do such a thing.


    ¡°And for you, Emma. I heard you have a new interest in tech or something. This is an entire manuscript, book, research papers on how tobine technology and running a better business together,¡± he passed the huge parcel to her, and she almost cried immediately. She stood up instantly to go give her old man a hug again.


    ¡°You have no interest in anything except running the art gallery, Eva. I bought an expensive painting that can be hung in the gallery. You can disy it for your next art exhibition,¡± he said slowly to her, and she thanked him solemnly.


    ¡°This book is for your Eleanor,¡± he stretched the huge binded paperwork to her, and she tried hard not to frown while wondering what he wanted her to do with a book. She almost shrieked in horror and boiling anger, when she read the title, ¡®Bing a good mother-inw and great grandmother.¡¯


    ¡°And finally for the couple,¡± he grinned and nodded in assurance of himself, ¡°I am inviting both of you to a banquet party and it is mainly for young people. See how they enjoy life aside from working nonstop, and start making some babies!¡± He passed thest specially-made invitation card to Dalton.


    ¡®If they would not do anything to improve, he would be the pushing factor.¡¯

 Collides

    Dalton had returned back to his room after his grandfather announced his leaving, and he was staring at a note that his wife had rolled on the door knob of his room. It was a threat note.


    He was still somewhat positive and ready to go to the banquet so far it was with her, but she had ruined the nice moments they had, with her crazy note.


    ¡®Why does she keep testing his patience?¡¯


    Alex entered into his room shortly afterwards with another note in his hand, as he presented it to his boss who seemed to be in a grumpy mood already. The assistant was already tired and exhausted for the day, and hoped deeply in his heart that Dalton would dismiss him soon.


    ¡°What is this?¡± Dalton¡¯s pissed off self asked the assistant, who was waiting for him to unseal the paper by himself and view the details.


    ¡°Your grandfather dropped it through his assistant, sir,¡± he informed.


    Dalton tore the paper with creasy golden colour immediately, and checked to see a neatly folded white paper in the middle of it. Bringing it out he read the words that were written on it, his frown got worse and his eyes darted to look at Alex instantly who was taken aback. He wondered what exactly was written in the paper to make Dalton react in that way.


    ¡°Where is Aria?¡± He asked Alex again, as the assistant thought of the right answer to the billionaire¡¯s question. Though he knew that he had seen her somewhere a few minutes ago, he tried to recollect where exactly he did.


    ¡°With your grandfather sir. She is walking him out to the car, and they are talking along the garden part,¡± he finally remembered.


    ¡°What?!¡± Dalton almost spluttered out in rage.


    The same Mark Miller¡¯s appearance had put one person in distress, and another in an ufortable position where she had to interfere in everything. Her mother was assuring Hailey that everything would be fine, while Ellen just gave her friend a shoulder hug as they sat beside one another without uttering a word.


    ¡°Dalton is in love with his wife. He is no longer the same person that we know,¡± Hailey said in a shaken voice, trying so hard not to allow the tears that were lurking behind her eyeballs. The only person she could afford to be vulnerable before, was only Ellen and no one else.


    ¡°He is probably confused because of his grandfather. That man seems to have something that is still connecting both of them. Like a game card,¡± Eleanor frowned in frustration, and hit her head with hand as she shook her head in pity. Mark Miller¡¯s visitation to the mansion was a gesture that she didn¡¯t appreciate.


    ¡®That man sure knew how to get her kids.¡¯


    ¡°He kissed her! He passionately kissed thatdy in my presence. This is more than involving grandfather Miller. This is about Dalton,¡± Hailey finally voiced out her real pain, that made Ellen squint her eyes in disappointment on hearing her friend.


    She had told her not to mention that particr point to her mother, who tended to blow things out of proportion even when it was not necessary. It was an obvious fact that Eleanor was not going to agree with the truth that, her son now had something close to affection for his wife.


    ¡°W.. hat? Kissed? He kissed whom?¡± Eleanor yelled in exasperation letting go of her elegance, as she tried toprehend what she heard Hailey say, ¡°Are you sure of what you are saying?¡±


    ¡°I went into his room and he was so unweing of me, while I was so bothered to know why he was being indifferent. Next thing was Aria barging into his room, and I asked to know if she meant anything to me. He went ahead and kissed her in my presence. She was even trying to resist, but Dalton didn¡¯t let go. He didn¡¯t,¡± Hailey wiped her face repeatedly again. She was getting more pissed and angry, as she recollected the harsh scene that yed before her eyes.


    ¡°What happened to he doesn¡¯t kissdies, and that he hates people invading his personal space? He is going back on his words now that everything is going perfectly well. Now that I am meant to take my rightful ce,¡± Haileymented further again, so deep in her deep sadness and forlorn. It was now like a lost battle to her.


    ¡°He kissed that disgusting bitch?! What is going on? What the heck is wrong with Dalton? What is wrong with him?¡± Eleanor stood on her feet immediately, as she moved around in a state of disorientation and disorganization. Every one of her perfectly mapped out n was going haywire.


    ¡°Dalton is probably confused because she defies him in ways that no one does. In one way or the other, she gets scot-free with all these things because she has probably grown on him. Being together will make the fire burn better,¡± Ellen finally spoke out after she had taken time to organize the right words in her head, that would not support any of the parties or condemn them either.


    ¡°So she is pushing him away but he is now gobsmacked? And now that old manes here and gives them a banquet invitation card?! He is the reason for so many problems in our lives and family,¡± she gritted her teeth so angrily, and wanted to cuss at the old man if Hailey was not sitting there.


    She remembered when they were all pestering Dalton to get married, by forwarding to him the names of the best candidate for his wife. He was probably already going with the setting of getting married to Hailey, as she was the perfect person that matched his inward preference, even if he wasn¡¯t attracted to her.


    From the perfect study of Dalton¡¯s likes and principles, his taste in everything, she knew them all and practiced them. And he was already thinking of going with the person who would never give him problems afterwards, even if the sexual or physical attraction was not there. Suddenly, everything switched from considering Hailey to marrying Aria.


    His grandfather proposed the perfect deal that would really benefit him, and it was the best thing for him, to go for his ambitions. Love didn¡¯t matter. Who she was too didn¡¯t matter.


    ¡°About that banquet card, I should find it in Dalton¡¯s room and burn it into ashes. I didn¡¯t raise my children to live this kind of low life, fall in love and get married to low-lifemoners. It is best no one attends the useless banquet anyways,¡± Eleanor said maliciously, with her eyes glinting brightly of terror and revenge thirst.


    ¡°You are going to sabotage the banquet? Are you kidding me, mum?¡± Ellen yelled at her mother, and stood up immediately. If that was the n, then she would just opt out of everything immediately.


    ~?¡°?~. ~?¡°?~. ~?¡°?~.


    The young reserved man who was sitting on one of the couches in his living room, scorned the paper he was holding in his hand, which had the name of randomdies and the family they were from.


    He raised his eyes to meet his assistant, who squinted his own eyes away from his boss¡¯s gaze, knowing well that he had nothing to say concerning the matter.


    ¡°My father asked you to give me this?¡± He asked incredulously, as she shuffled the papers between his hands and read the contents on it like he had not read them about three times.


    ¡°Yes sir. He said you should go for a blind date with the top threedies that match your taste. If not, choose the other events that he has organized for you,¡± the assistant managed to say, rying the message the same exact way that Mr. Carson had told it to him.


    ¡°How is that even an issue? Did I express my loneliness and pain ofck of a partner to him?¡± Collin said, confused of why his father would just set him on such ns suddenly.


    ¡°I think he is considering how you have been too alone for too long, and the fact that you have not met many women in your life tim¡­¡­¡­¡±


    ¡°Is that what you think too?¡± Collin turned to ask. He knew that his father could now trust him with running his own business personally, but he had been urging him to get married with a backup point that he needed someone to lean on.


    ¡°Not really. I think the decisions are meant for you to make sir.¡±


    ¡°No. Be honest now. Do you actually think this is right? Do you also think that I am that pathetic when ites to rting with people?¡± Collin enquired.


    ¡°Is this about her, sir?¡±Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.


    ¡°It is so crazy to say or understand, but I still love her even though years have passed now. I thought meeting her again would be an opportunity, but she is entrapped in a loveless marriage. I still don¡¯t understand how she has managed to fall into something like that. It is hard toprehend,¡± Collin said painfully.


    ¡°You are going against Dalton Miller, sir. I somewhat think the fight might not really be¡­..?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t care! I would do my best to get what I want, and stay by herself till she would be ready to ept another life. At all cost.¡±

 Banquet party 1

    Aria walked out of the mansion even before Dalton stepped out and entered into the vehicle, with assurance in her heart that Dalton would end up doing what she wanted.


    If he wanted to curry his grandfather¡¯s favor for the veryst time and achieve his goal, he had to sign the ownership of thepany that he had promised her and told the press about, right before they would even go to the banquet.


    In the letter that his grandfather sent to him through his assistant, there were phrases that wrote that Dalton had to try to win Aria¡¯s heart, to give him a child before the end of their marriage finally came.


    And for ending their marriage too which was as written in the contract, was a decision that would actually be based on Aria¡¯s opinion at the end.


    Mark Miller made it that way without telling Dalton, because he believed that if the marriage still continued after they reached the end of three years, then it meant that his grandson had actually seeded in winning his wife¡¯s heart to continue the marriage.


    However, he had some kind of uncertainty in his heart that if Aria refused to remain, then it probably meant no more hope of making Dalton a better man and family that he wanted him to be.


    Dalton, who just focused on his desires to have his grandfather shares at the end of the marriage, decided to act indifferently throughout the marriage, so that at the end when the marriage decision would be made, her desire to end their matrimony would count. Little did he know.


    ¡®But the fact that Aria was now going ahead of herself, to take over thepany he promised was surprising. And using his grandfather as bait? Was that thedy he knew?¡¯


    He stood in front of the mirror for more than ten minutes, to wear his newest collection of golden cufflinks, fix his properly waxed hair, and also wore the perfect cologne to suit his outlook.


    There was no day he didn¡¯t get better by his look to charm so many, but only his own wife spent her time thinking of how to get him pissed and lose his favour.


    ¡°Mrs. Miller is out of her room already, sir,¡± Alex informed, after he had gone to give the documents she asked Dalton to sign to her.


    His stamp was evident and prominent on the pieces of important paperwork that she excitedly collected from Alex, the moment he came downstairs to give it to her.


    Unlike the mistake she had made on the day they were meant to be divorced, she sat back in the limousine and read through each word written in the contract carefully. Bing a CEO was the perfect alimony.


    She had made sure to get dressed earlier than he could ever be ready, and had even ordered her dress, ne, earrings and slipper by herself. Her makeup and hair that she didn¡¯t know how to do before, she learnt all from watching tutorial videos and did perfectly well.


    Dalton sauntered out of the mansion elegantly like the man that he was, and Alex, whose job was just to make sure everything went well, opened the door to the car for him. On getting inside of the car that he had settled in, he was quite taken aback to see her already in the car, as the reflection of her purse and shoes caught his eyes.


    Her lips beautifully twisted into a smirk when she saw him give her an angry look, which indicated how pleased she was to get what she wanted even if it was against Dalton. She didn¡¯t mind if he chose not to talk to her, but was d that she had won against him.


    The drive was rather peaceful for Aria rather than Dalton, who expressed his displeasure in every way he could as they were in the car. He remained cold and impassive throughout the drive.


    The banquet was not the usual ones that usually demanded attention and were always shy, but more ssy and highly hosted to entertain young people that were business orientated to perfection. Most of the people present there were mostly those that deserved it, because of their achievements and worthiness.


    The limousine stopped in front of the banquet hall, and Aria opened the door to step out herself before the chauffeur even came down to do that.


    Dalton was not pleased that she exhibited such an attitude which was far different from his status, but he didn¡¯t mind because of his anger, and just allowed his own side of the door to open for him to step out.


    She came over to where he was standing to endearingly cross her arms into his, which he could not decline no matter how pissed he was at that moment because of people. His reputation had to remain wless. That was when he noticed the cloth that she was wearing, which almost bulged his eyes out as he stared at her in disbelief.


    ¡®How would a marrieddy be dressed like someone who is not even ready to marry?¡¯


    Her dress that he had not seen earlier was barely strapless, and clung to her body so tightly, revealing her curves. His eyes could catch the sight of her plump breast, that sat well in the padded cloth that revealed her cleavage. His lips could not hold still anymore.


    ¡°What kind of dress are you wearing?¡± He tried not to make it obvious that he was scolding her, even before they entered the building where people would notice them.


    ¡°And why do you care? I thought you were going to keep mute all day,¡± she mocked with the tone of her voice, and he groaned angrily.C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org.


    Without saying anymore, he allowed her to cross her arms with his and they made their way into the hall. The air was entirely different and more sophisticated, than the ones that Dalton had attended for the past few weeks. Serious-mindedness of innovative people was palpable to him.


    It was not really shocking for the people who recognized him to see them in such events anymore, as they just assumed that he now dedicated more time to rting more with people than only about business. They were really stunned to see whom he hade with, and how charming she looked to the eyesight.


    Dalton, who knew that the eyes of so many people who pretended to mind their business were on them, he seized the chance and paid her back by pulling off his jacket and putting it over her shoulders. It made Aria embarrassed by the looks that everyone had in their eyes.


    ¡®We thought he didn¡¯t really like his wife. What is the public disy of affection about? He is so sweet. She is so lucky. How can a man be perfect?¡¯ were the many thoughts they all had in their minds, as they watched the both couple who now seemed to be the star of the show.


    It was not really easy for Aria to get used to the stares and gazes of people considering that it was now focused on them, but she just acted gracefully among the women that were present there too. Outwardly, she was better than them because of her marriage and husband, but inwardly, she was breaking down.


    And just in the moment of the stardom, were some of Dalton¡¯s business acquaintances that recognized him, approached him immediately to talk about the sess of his ideas and help. Soon, Aria was left all alone by herself.


    She tried not to show how alone and lonely she was standing without having anyone to talk to, as a waitress came closer to where she was standing and offered her a drink.


    Aria, who could not trust the drink, dropped it on one of the fancy tables around her, and ambled elegantly towards the back of the hall to order for her own drinks. As she took a sip from the ss martini that she ordered, she watched carefully everything that went on in the room. It was fun to watch.


    She wanted to know if there was any suspicious person around, or anyone she would know by chance which she knew was not possible. Taking the second, third, and fourth shot, she didn¡¯t care if anyone was watching her. She was just feeling good.


    ¡°Can I have a shot of the same thing thedy here is having too?¡± She heard the voice, which could never be mistaken with that of another person. She turned to him, ¡°Nice to meet you here, mydy,¡± Collin gave her a bright smile.

 Banquet party 2

    ¡°What happened with stealing the invitation card and all. Is this how the whole thing finally goes? Ellen, who made sure to stop by her mother¡¯s room after watching Dalton leave in the limousine, jeered at her mother¡¯s failure to do what she had promised heavens and earth to do.


    ¡°Who would have known that the sneaky old man was bringing an invitation card, for a party that was to be held in two days time?¡± Eleanor clenched her teeth in anger, as she picked a sachet of supplement from the numerous ones in the packaged box and sipped one.


    ¡°When someone is all talk, Dalton wouldn¡¯t just fail to disappoint them,¡± Ellen said with a really mean look in her eyes, that had her mother wondering if that was still her daughter who was always supporting most of her ns fully. Especially the ones that came to separating Dalton and Aria.


    ¡°Are you even supporting your friend in this whole thing anymore? Do you even want her to still be officially part of this family? This isn¡¯t like you,¡± Eleanor chided with a clear look of distaste written on her face.


    She didn¡¯t like how Ellen was bing so nonchnt about many things that involved her, and now preferred to either be on a live session or on an endorsement tour.


    ¡°This is not about not caring about Hailey now, mother. Now that it seems like grandfather really cares about thisdy, that is not also the same as before, and that Dalton seems to keep wanting something from her, we should not mess anything up. Do you know how much we have done against her?¡± Ellen stated, and tried to make her stubborn mother understand that nothing really mattered anymore, because Aria was now under Dalton¡¯s umbre.


    Recollecting how badly her mother had treated Aria and how she had even been the catalyst, made her mood change to the one of guilt, immediately she said herst words. She could not say that she was being influenced by her mother¡¯s actions or anything, because her foolish self was old enough to make decisions of the right thing.


    ¡®It is toote to make anything right.¡¯


    ¡°You sound really supportive of Aria these days, and it is making me the viin here. Do you realize how deep you are in this, Ellen? It is toote for the pity or withdrawal games by trying to atone for your sins. Over thirty months is not a joke, Ellen, so snap out of it,¡± Eleanor cleared the air with her daughter sternly, with her eyes burning of sttering mes.


    ~?????????~


    ¡°Isn¡¯t it like fate that we have been meeting too often at gatherings like this?¡± Collin joked, as he collected his own ss of vodka martini and drank it immediately.


    ¡°Oh well yes, I will affirm that,¡± Aria replied, and smiled because she finally had someone to talk to, after her husband left her alone to talk to his business acquaintances or whatever they were.


    ¡°That is a coat you have there. Looks good on you,¡± Collinmented with a wink, which made Aria roll her eyes to show how unimpressed she was.


    ¡°Just Dalton and his stupid PDA acts. I would rather stay in the cold,¡± she frowned, and it made Collin kind of jealous to hear her talk about her narcissist husband. He changed the subject immediately.


    ¡°How well do you see this ce? Do you like what you see?¡± Collin tried to continue the conversation, d for himself that he had time to talk to thedy he really liked, before meeting the intended person his father had nned for him.


    ¡°Group of serious minded young industrialists,pany owners, young people of high educational level and tech skills. It is not really for someone like me. I don¡¯t fit in here,¡± Aria smiled dryly, and collected her fifth ss cup of the same drink, unknown to Collin.


    ¡°I think you are way better than they all are. It is really not easy to keep up with that kind of position and pressure, especially as a young person who might still be so interested in having fun before the end of their thirties and twenties,¡± Collin stated.


    ¡°Hmmm. Life is both hard for the poor and rich in achieving the unending thirst and desires, that they would always have as humans. I wonder what pressure would finally break their camel¡¯s back,¡± Aria said with indifference, as she turned to the bartender and asked for a bottle of water to feel better from her stomach that was beginning to feel upset.


    ¡°I hate to admit, but Dalton Miller is really an impressive man. The pressure never shows no matter how hard you try to see him in it,¡± Collinmended, and Aria nodded her head in agreement the moment she slurped on the entire bottle of chilled water.


    ¡°So what are you doing here? Sure you didn¡¯te here to meet and talk to a married woman all day, because as you can see, everyone seems to have apany or talk mate here. Where is your date?¡± Aria asked as she turned around to see if there would be anydy that was ring at her, and the next hand that grabbed her closer to his body was so familiar.C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org.


    ¡°I have been looking everywhere for you, darling,¡± Dalton said grumpily while trying to keep his anger down, as his eyes red at the man who had beenughing with his wife the entire time.


    ¡°You do not abandon me to talk to a bunch of random people, and thene back here to im some kind of dumb right, Dalton,¡± Aria said under her breath to prevent her voice from being too loud, so that it would not draw the attention of others who were in their own business.


    Collin was trying hard to hold himself too from making a scene, as he watched Dalton¡¯s hand grab firmly around Aria¡¯s arm like some kind of possessiveness. In his own opinion, Dalton was stupid and empty-headed except for his outstanding business andpany innovation. He really hated his bossy attitude.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go enjoy our time together, darling,¡± Dalton nudged Aria and repeated the same ¡®darling¡¯ word that almost almost made her puke, as she gave Collin the reassuring look and smile before leaving with Dalton.


    ¡°I think you are finally out of your mind!¡± Aria almost spat into Dalton¡¯s ears when she acted all endearingly, so that one one would understand the anger that was circting between both of them.


    She finally broke free from his grip and pretended to give him a peck by the cheeks, as she made her way into the bathroom to relieve herself of a filled dder. It was just hard for both of them to remain in even just a friendly atmosphere for too long, because he would end up ruining it with his ways of handling things.


    Dalton turned to the other side of the hall angrily, when he watched her leave just when he wanted to be with her. A waiter approached him with a tray of wine, and he grabbed it immediately at the right moment to feel better.


    After Aria was done calming both her nerves, tipsy eyes and stomach down, she came out of the bathroom with a really bright look. She walked slowly on her heels to avoid tripping from what she had drank earlier, which her body seemed not to be weing well as it usually did.


    And there he was, staring at the bathroom corner and waiting for her toe out. He took her arm and led her back to the hall, and they stood beside one another talking indistinct words. The mood at the party switched immediately and everyone in pairs began to dance in ordance, to the slow and rhythmic music.


    Though not really great dancers or maybe had never really practiced, both Aria and Dalton tried to go along with the flow. The music was really nice. The atmosphere was a great one. And everything suddenly changed.


    ~ ~ ~ ~ ~


    Her head banged insanely the moment her eyes tried to part open, with every part of her body aching so badly in ways she couldn¡¯t exin. She wondered how much she had drank to be so hammered to her bed, until her memory jolted her up that she was in an unfamiliar setting.


    Her eyes flickered alongside hershes as she tried to bnce the clearness of her vision, to understand what was happening and where exactly she was. That was the moment she realized that her body was feeling weird under the white sheets.


    Raising it immediately to see what was going on, Aria almost shrieked in mad horror when she saw that she was naked under the white clothing. The whiff of cologne that found her nose at that point again, was too familiar to rx.


    ¡®What the fuck happened? What happened?¡¯ her brain screamed into her mind, which yelled to her heart of what could have gone wrong.


    That was when her eyes darted to the right when she noticed that one was sleeping beside her, and it was her worse, worse nightmare that was sleeping beautifully under the sheets too.


    ¡®What?!¡¯

 A potent man

    Aria sat up on her bed extremely suffocated, with her lungs refusing to let easy passage of air through her nostrils or mouth. She could have never imagined. She would never have wanted something of such to ever happen, between her and Dalton till they got divorced.


    ¡®Kissing him was even more reasonable but making love to him? How did it happen? How did this happen to you? How could you let your guards down?!¡¯ Aria scolded herself so badly in her head, unable to let her tears out even if her heart was feeling so bad.


    Her body shuddered at the faint memories of how her nails dug into Dalton¡¯s back, and of how she let out amorous moans in his ears in response to the pleasure she was feeling. How his hands worked magic on her necks down to her breast, and how hot his tongue heated her body in the right ces.


    It was hard to not remember how she let herself lose control to her husband, and how she had never really put mind to whom she would allow to get that close to her first. The things she felt the previous night were revolting yet appealing, so much that as much as her heart was objecting, her body fully sumbed.


    Her body shook as sensual heat waves coursed over her body, and that she subconsciously yearned for more of him. His lips were all over hers that even in the dimness of the room, his beautiful eyes that gazed at her were not hard to miss.


    ¡®Oh dear. She was done for.¡¯


    The pleasure of his touches still lingered in her body, made her mind unsettling and disturbed her head. The more she thought about it, the more flushed and angry she was bing at the same time.


    ¡®How would she face him now? It didn¡¯t have to be him of all men. It shouldn¡¯t have been him.¡¯


    Aria buried herself deep under thest tub that was filled with water, trying to see how long she could hold breath for. It wasn¡¯t as if that was really what she was interested in, but it felt like the water that she was submerged in, would wash away her thoughts if she could endure it.Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.


    The water smelled nice because of the rose petals she had dropped in it, and she scrubbed every part of her body vigorously like they would get rid of Dalton¡¯s touch. On her neck, chest and even breast were his evidence of his love bites, which almost drove her insane from her constant brain reminder that someone¡¯s mark was still imprinted on her body.


    Escaping from the room she had woken up from was easier than she expected, because no one was even around to check anyone out to stop her. With his suit that she found lying on the floor alongside every piece of her clothes, she pulled it over her head and walked out to reduce the mortification.


    She took the next cab she found to a departmental store, when she realized that her purse only had the file that Alex had given her, her phone and make-up. No cards. Just a few dors that was less than fifty was all that was left, and that was when she realized her dilemma. Knowing that she would be so stranded, she had to think fast.


    Quickly, Aria entered the bathroom of the department store and sat on one of the toilet lids, to find a website where fairly used items were being sold. After she found one that seemed reliable, she checked the inte to see how much Dalton¡¯s suit jacket was sold for.


    ¡°Shit! That¡¯s a huge sum of money,¡± Aria muttered, as she tried to check out the suit if there was nothing important left in the pockets, ¡°I need to survive,¡± she uttered to herself, knowing that she was doing what was too low of her.


    When she uploaded a well taken picture of the suit jacket, five people who knew the worth and brand had bid for the jacket in less than fifteen minutes, when they saw that it was being sold for half the price. They demanded to know if it was authentic.


    Still trying not to think of her shame, she focused on selling her husband¡¯s precious suit, so that she would buy a new dress and order a cab home. And it worked out well.


    ¡®Her luxurious dress would certainly draw the attention of people to her.¡¯


    ¡°How could all this happen to you in one day under alcohol influence? How? How?¡± She continued to question herself repeatedly in a dazed state, and hit her head nonstop against the porcin tub, with rhythm to hermentations.


    Dalton had called Alex toe and pick him up when he finally woke up from his slumber, with no memory of what happened the previous day and a big headache too. He let the water in the bathroom that was inside the room run down his body, while trying to think about what exactly had gone wrong with him. He knew that something unusual happened.


    He was in a confused and angry state with himself, that he had been vulnerable in some way that he could not remember at the point. His only fear and insecurity was that some kind ofdy would probablye after a few months, and say that she was carrying his baby because of a drunken night.


    ¡°That can never happen!¡± Dalton frowned in a pissed off manner, and just waited patiently for Alex toe and pick him without thinking too much.


    He trusted his principles and self that he could never have made a silly mistake. That was when he remembered that he had gone to the banquet with someone.


    ¡°Where is Aria?¡± Dalton asked Alex who was driving the car in front.


    ¡°She was spotted this morning sir,ing into the mansion with a hired car from a poprpany,¡± Alex informed him, and his eyes gazed up in shock at what he was having to hear.


    ¡°So she came home this morning, without me. From where?¡± Dalton talked to himself, as he wondered what was going on with the fragments of information he knew.


    He had never had to go to a banquet where he would end up spending the night, or even too much time there. It was hard to understand the circumstances surrounding everything.


    ¡°Find out what happened at the party yesterd¡­..¡± Dalton paused suddenly, when the memories of both he and Aria kissing during the dance urred to him. He found it rather amusing than annoying, that it was some kind of emotion that flowed between them easily.


    ¡°Sir?¡± Alex said loudly to cut his boss, of the trance he seemed to be lost into for a few minutes. He had not really seen Dalton have that kind of bright smile in a while.


    ¡°Just drive home,¡± Dalton changed his mind, and silently reminisced on the good memories that he had shared with her, for the past days and weeks.


    As Dalton got home and entered into his neatly made room, he dismissed Alex immediately so that he could relieve himself from the bone contorting stress that was rubbed on his body. He felt so tired in his body, which had not happened in a long time.


    He tried to pull the right leg of the shoe that he was wearing, when some kind of memory attacked his brain instantly. His heart stiffened and he stopped breathing, when he tried to figure out what the obscene memories were about.


    His arms grabbed her body closer with her waist as they kissed into the room, and her own hands shut the door behind them immediately. And in that same manner of ferocious kissing and being lost in their desire, his hand crawled its way behind her back, to unzip the dress that she was wearing.


    The moment she felt the zip teeth separate from one another, she froze and broke the kiss immediately. Her mind became somewhat conscious.


    ¡°What is that?¡± His warm and dulcet voice rang in her ears, with his eyes staring at her with so much care of what had caused her to pause abruptly.


    ¡°I¡­ I¡­.,¡± She sucked in air again, as his hand trailed softly in the middle of her back from the top to the middle. That allowed her to be more anxious.


    ¡°Am I hurting you?¡± He asked her again, trying to be understanding even amidst his intoxicated state.


    ¡°No. It¡¯s just that, I¡¯ve never done this or had the wish to ever¡­¡­¡±


    ¡°I would make it worth your while. Calm your nerves Aria. Just, rx.¡±


    Aria rxed and her flesh shook and quivered, under the emphatic skill of Dalton¡¯s hands. His hands rubbed against her skin as her dress dropped to the ground, until her body found its own natural rosy pleasure and began to stir with self-perception.


    Her hand fumbled with the buttons of his second piece jacket, as they kissed more passionately like they had never before. His shoe came off in that instant, and his eyes caught the beautiful sight of her gorgeous body.


    And in a few minutes, every piece of clothing they had on till thest had flung into different directions of the room. Her back was resting against the huge bed with white covering, and he was in between her legs that was slightly parted.


    She had never been prepared for such an intensity, though she should have been, even if it was not for him. Everything about Dalton Miller was potent. And the moment he took over her body, she knew had the power to change her world but not their rtionship.


    It was a night never to be shared with him, if she was in her right mind of her usual extreme cautiousness. She ignored the dagger she had experienced at being relegated to his life, by her body whispering and giving outmands that acted without her affirmation.


    And he remembered everything that had happened between them. Clearly. Her words.

 Becoming CEO

    The air in the house was awkward, and everyone could feel that it began after the banquet. They all wondered what was going on with the couple, that seemed like they were on non-talking terms or more like an inarticte situation.


    It was more different than how the past had been between them, and how it usually was like if their cloudy space was as a result of a grudge or fight. More like Aria didn¡¯t want to ever be in the same space with Dalton. And he knew it.


    He noticed that she had been avoiding him so effectively ever since, and didn¡¯t even really open the door to anyone who came knocking. She was either out of the mansion once it was dawn, or in her room doing something no one knew about.


    Dalton had really been so frustrated because of her behavior, and thought it would be the best to just act normally like nothing ever happened. But she was not ready to give a chance to meet, which was aided by his constant travelling throughout the week.


    It was during one of their trips back from Singapore for a meeting, that Alex made a report of the investigation that he asked him to conduct concerning the family pic. It was rather something scripted than coincidental.


    ¡°There is no footage from that day that shows that they were there for the pic?¡± Dalton asked Alex in surprise, as they travelled back to the states in the family¡¯s private jet.


    ¡°Yes sir. Especially the ones from two days to the day that the pic ended. When I asked around from the workers that could have remembered, they said that some kind of incident happened that day but no one really knew what it was,¡± Alex further exined to Dalton¡¯s astonishment.


    He wondered what could have happened that caused the CCTV footage to get wiped off, and for Aria and his family to arrive at the mansion separately with a great time difference. Even if they hated her, the story didn¡¯t sit well with him.


    ¡®Only they would know.¡¯


    ¡°What about the nearby CCTV cameras around the ces, that would have caught a glimpse of the car they came back in,¡± Dalton asked again, really interested to know what exactly could have gone wrong.


    ¡°I checked that too. The ones in the areas seem to have been wiped too, but with just a few days that didn¡¯t exactly align with the deleted footage at the pic resort. In the few videos I was able to get, it seemed like the family reallymuted a lot during the trip in a short space of time,¡± Alex presented to him the white tablet that had some of the videos ying.


    ¡°First was Emma, who went back and forth through this route almost three times, then on that same day when the car appeared again, she was with Ellen. They took that route more than two times that same day too, and came back prettyte through that same route. Then the next morning, which had few hours of its recording time, showed Eva and Mrs. Miller in the car together with everyone,¡± Alex took his time to exin every piece of the puzzle that had not formed out a picture, in case his intelligent boss could bring in a perfect scene too.


    ¡°It sure does look like some kind of lead, but it is difficult to exin what is going on here. Asking mother and the rest would not do it. For Emma to keep quiet about it considering her nature, there is probably a perfect story to cover up what exactly went on if they are asked. Just keep investigating. Make use of whatever funds are needed for that,¡± Dalton instructed his assistant, so that he could get over theplicated suspicion that revolved around his family which also involved Aria.


    He wasn¡¯t really interested in the issue again as much as he was before, because of the new problem that had developed in their rtionship. It was harder not to think of her again and again, as the scenes of that night kept ying in his head.


    Her cluelessness. How vulnerable she looked. How innocently her eyes gazed at him like a tender child, and what she had said to him the moment he wanted to let go of her dress. That wasn¡¯t the feisty and fearless Aria that he knew.


    The one who was not scared of taking on any task. But she looked terrified and ufortable when he touched her any further, as she truthfully expressed her fear and insecurity.


    ¡®He couldn¡¯t have been her first, right? Was she by any chance traumatized by something?¡¯


    Dalton¡¯s mind tried to think of ways that he could make them talk together, without sounding too possessive and rude about it even if she refused. He knew that she might end up not opening her door if he tried to gain entry into her room, or would snub on him like she had been doing before. That was when the right and perfect idea struck his mind.


    ..~?~..          ..~?~..            ..~?~..


    ssical music yed and resonated through every corner of the high rated restaurant, where both Dalton and Aria were sitting across each other. She wore a ck long body fitted gown and white leather boots to match the outfit perfectly, with the right sses that made her look absolutely stunning.


    Her look was ethereal to sight that he could not believe that she was the person he had been married to for so long.


    ¡®How could he have been so blind not to see her? But why was she now so cold in her approach to him?¡¯


    Wanting to take much of their time to talk over a meal before moving straight to business, Dalton had the chefs serve them chinese chicken sd and spaghetti with ham, ceps and ck truffle. There were  wines served to match their taste, as Aria remained mute and silent throughout the entire show. It was obvious that the ce was reserved for them only.Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.


    ¡°Do you like the food?¡± Dalton, who was never the type to ask such questions, ran short of words, and just asked what felt like was the right question to ask her.


    ¡°Not bad,¡± Aria replied concisely, and continued to bite on the food gently without even minding the person that was before her. The ignoring attitude of hers was really clear to me.


    ¡°Why do you¡­¡±


    ¡°I think it would be nice, if we just get everything straight here. Have you finalized the paperwork?¡± She asked straight up without anypromise, for the real reason she had agreed to meet him for.


    It was about the legal transfer of his rights and shares as the owner of their biggest departmental store, which would now go to her as the new CEO and head of the ce. Alex had finalized it and everything had been done to her favour, in which the only thingst required was her final stamp and signatures electronically.


    He had made here all the way from home before he finally handed everything to her, knowing that she would have no choice but to do that to get what she wanted. Using each other¡¯s ws and what they wanted was the best strategy, for both of them to use against one another.


    ¡°I still have the papers and the rights. I can do whatever I want,¡± Dalton smirked and said in a low voice, making her understand that if he didn¡¯t wish, he wouldn¡¯t give her.


    ¡°Still back to the same old and disgusting tricks. You don¡¯t have a choice here, Dalton. It would be better to end things here now,¡± she countered back at him with her words, in the same calm and polite way.


    ¡°And why do you keep acting however you like?¡± Dalton pressed.


    ¡°I think it is better I leave this ce, and we will probably discuss things again, when we are both signing the divorce papers in Mr. Miller¡¯s presence,¡± Aria uttered, and stood up with immediate effect after talking and grabbed her bag.


    Dalton¡¯s left hand was in ce of reach to grab her by the arm the moment she turned to leave, and he ended up yanking her bag off to the floor instead.


    The luxurious designer bag dropped to the floor immediately and spilled out its content, and Dalton¡¯s eyes caught the only thing that pried both his curiosity and anger almost immediately.


    He scooted over and grabbed it in his hand immediately before she could even do that, and opened his palms to see if it was really what he thought it was. She pretended not to see him and just picked up the remaining items on the floor.


    ¡°Is it what I think it is? What is this? Birth control pills?¡± Dalton spoke silently even if he wanted to yell, considering the fact that they were in a public ce even if they were alone, ¡°You are taking control pills?¡± He asked incredulously yet again.


    ¡°And how is that a problem to you? It is so funny to see you act so surprised, and blow meaningless things out of proportion, when it is a fact that you know that everything we both have is a sham,¡± Aria replied to him immediately, remembering that it was the one she bought at a pharmacy after she sold his precious suit jacket.


    She took it multiple times than she should have in one day, and it even caused her hormonal imbnce. Never would she ever allow her mistake control to haunt her.


    ¡°So you have finally agreed to talk about what you have been avoiding, now that it seems like you do not want to attach any strings anywhere,¡± his voice jibed.


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter. It was just a drunken mistake and it should never happen again. As for the drugs, it is obviously to prevent procreating of my innocent children into a wicked family with toxic traits. I will never be the one to bear your child,¡± Aria stated to him so politely and subduely, that the anger that had been rising in him before, was at the verge of erupting.


    ¡°A drunken mistake?!¡±


    ¡°And, I will be waiting for thepletion of the paperwork andpany ownership rights. Thanks for the early alimony,¡± she said and walked out of the restaurant immediately. Boarding a bus would help her feel better, and think so many things through.


    Aria got home really tired and stressed out of her mind, as she quickly walked into her dressing room and brought out a box from beneath her shoe rack. She opened it and brought out a syringe from its stop, and inserted the needle into her body.


    She returned the box after she was done and returned back to the room already feeling so dizzy, as she struggled to pull off the dress that she was wearing.


    ¡°You can fight this. You will be fine. You are strong. You are almost there,¡± she continued to whisper to herself, as tears slipped down her eyes.

 His anger

    With the perfect n that Eleanor had in mind to execute once and for all, morning at Millers was busier than expected with numerous legs walking back and forth, with assigned tasks being put into action


    Eleanor had instructed the head servants, to get every servant extremely busy with extensive cleaning and recing of old things in the house. From kitchen equipment to sets of porcin tes, utensils, flower vases, interior designs and so many other things that would not obstruct Dalton¡¯s choice.N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.


    That same morning too, they had the measurements of the servants that retained their jobs after the search, for a change of their uniform¡¯s colour and styling. Despite the rowdiness and sounds of objects rather than people, everything was still neatly organized in the right and perfect manner.


    Aria had woken upter than she usually did in her peach night dress, which she had woken up at night to change into, and had hours of restlessness before she could sleep again. She rarely had a deep sleep anymore if she didn¡¯t take alcohol to the extreme, but it was ruining her health so she just stuck to using pills.


    She felt so tired standing up from the bed and just remained in her resting position, when her phone rang and she had toe down from the bed to pick up her phone which was lying on the dresser. On seeing that it was a scam call, her lips let out an exasperated hiss and she frowned. At that same moment too, someone knocked on the door.


    Not wanting to house any room for unnecessary talks and stress thinking it was Alex, she diverted her attention back to her phone and checked what the trending word was that morning.


    Ever since she knew that so much published information concerning the Millers usually disappeared before she saw it, she made checking the trendy keywords a task to do every morning.


    ¡°It is the cleaning maid, Mrs. Miller. I want to carry out the waste bin,¡± someone screamed with her might from outside enough for Aria to hear, which kind of assured the billionaire¡¯s wife that Dalton was never someone to use such petty schemes, if he was really the one.


    The moment Aria¡¯s hand opened the door, two arms grabbed her strongly and yanked her out of the room immediately. That was when her eyes came face to face with the matriarch of the house, who was ring at her maliciously with so much hatred.


    ¡°Throw her out beyond the mansion and never allow her into this ce again,¡± Mrs. Eleanor Miller ordered the guards that carried Aria so respectfully, and immediately carried her out of the mansion as she screamed for them to drop her, since she can walk by herself.


    They didn¡¯t listen as per Mrs. Miller¡¯s orders and made sure to move her to the mansion gate by their workshop car, and dropped her by the gate where she walked out of the gate in just the bedroom slippers that she was putting on.


    It was an unexpected situation that she had always envisaged to happen, which actually took ce at the time she least expected. They had caught her off guard and just allowed her to leave in her night dress and phone. She knew in her heart that Dalton was not home, and that that was why such actions could take ce.


    Aria walked in slow steps away from the mansion which had no other residential building in so many meters of its area, as she ambled alone on the lonely road away from the mansion.


    She checked her phone and tried calling Collin toe and pick her up if he could, but failed the first three times because she had never saved his phone number on her phone before. She never did with anyone¡¯s phone number.


    The final attempt to get the number that seemed muddled up in her head probably because of anxiety, turned out to be the right one, as she just told him a few things that would not get him all worked up. Few minutester after she had called him, a car swerved before her and parked as Collin came out of the car.


    He drove the car slowly without asking her anything and just stopped by a store, to pick a few dresses he thought were good enough to change into, while she remained in the car. After he was done buying a few more things and came back to the car, he asked if they could drive to his house and she affirmed by nodding.


    Aria liked the simplicity of his luxurious house that was a standalone in a nice neighborhood, as he drove into hispound and helped here down from the car.


    They both made their way into the house with Collin showing her the right path, through the kind ofplicated building structure of the house with so much detail.


    He served her a light breakfast that would just help her feel better, and told her where the bathroom was in case she wanted to change from the dress she was wearing. Trying to think of what other things she could want to use without making it obvious, her voice caught him unawares and he liked the sound of it.


    ¡°Thank you so much, Collin. I guess meeting you is just as perfect as you almost are,¡± she smiled and said to him.


    ¡°You are wee, Ri,¡± he paused, wondering if that was the right time to bring the issue up, ¡°I am really trying hard not to ask about what happened, but it is really hard to see you in this kind of state,¡± Collin said tly.


    ¡°I guess his mama is tired of seeing me in his house, and I waspelled out of the mansion this morning as you can see,¡± Aria said nonchntly and took a bite from her food, as Collin gritted his teeth in anger at what he was hearing.


    ¡°And where is that bastard?! If he and his family don¡¯t want you, then they should let you go! Instead of making you go through shit like this. You deserve more!¡± Collin stated with so much anger in him, while actingported so as not to lose his cool before her.


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter. This is probably for the good, because I can get rest to myself without anyone knowing my whereabouts. The alibi that I was cast away from the house is a solid backup. So sorry I had to stress you so much,¡± she apologized instead, wanting to stop the talks about her rtion with the Millers.


    Aria changed into one of the flowery dresses he bought her and sat at the balcony of the house, where she could think and stare at spaces without anyone¡¯s interruption.


    Collin had to return back to thepany to sort out his job as the CEO, leaving her alone in the house after making sure everything was in the right ce and at her reach.


    She switched off her phone so that no one would be able to track her location, if by any chance they were bothered about her. She didn¡¯t need to be told, because she knew. Even if she hated the way he acted and many things about him, she knew that he would still look for her and that he probably meant his words.


    ~|?|?~    ~|?|?|~


    Dalton was done with his business meeting and trip for the month which was held in China, as Alex drove him back to the airport since he had booked the earliest flight back home.


    The assistant already got a hearing of what had happened in the house from one of the control officers, but decided to allow them to arrive back at the country so that Dalton would not end up ruining things.


    The assistant knew that even with his boss¡¯s attitude and manner of actions, he seemed to care for his wife even if he tried not to show it. If it was all in the past that they had a business trip before, Dalton would have preferred to remain in the other country for days, working remotely. But he was even in a haste to travel back.


    He was not sure if it was a strategy from the intelligent man who didn¡¯t tell him many things, or if his giant had been enamoured by thedy he never cared about before. Either way, he would just wait till the ending of things.


    The Miller¡¯s entourage of the most trained guards were already waiting by the airport, with the car that would drive both the assistant and billionaire back to the mansion. That was when the real trouble spiked up.


    Alex had acted surprised when they were both about to enter the mansion, which now had an entirely different and aesthetic look from how they left it. He quickly informed Dalton of the supposed news that he said had just been told of, so that the cold billionaire would not end up ming him for most of it.


    On hearing of what had happened in his absence, Dalton stormed into the mansion which now had a really beautiful look than before. He walked up to the stairs immediately, that now had two new winged artifacts to each end. He made his way to Aria¡¯s room first and pushed the door open, only to discover that everything in the room had been changed.


    The walls in the room now had portraits of Hailey, with a different arrangement and background setting. Even the room now had a different scent unlike before, which made Dalton more raged as his body shuddered in intense heat. Alex ran immediately to the other side of the stairs intersection, and called out every one of the sisters and even his mother.


    Themotion was evident with the way Dalton made his way in, that the maids who saw him began to anticipate the trouble that would fall upon them.


    ¡°Where is Aria?!¡± Dalton demanded immediately he saw his mother, walking majestically out of her room like she had done something grand. She looked unfazed.


    ¡°I have finally casted her out of our lives for good. The realdy has to take the ce now,¡± Eleanor replied to her son with every ounce of strength left with her to remain unflinched, while Ellen almost froze to the spot when she heard what her mother had done.


    ¡°Everyone of you here, is given a maximum of twelve hours to find thatdy. Else, I would throw you all out of this house, family and country,¡± he threatened ferociously, and they knew that he meant it.

 Games and prawns 1

    Everyone had lost their state of rest since Dalton arrived back at the mansion, as they all moved in confusion because they didn¡¯t even know what to do. Hailey remained in Eleanor¡¯s room when Alex came to call on them, to avoid facing the direct wrath of the man she was doing everything she could to win over.


    Ellen took the advantage of the situation to chide her mother¡¯s attitude, while Emma continued to panic as she remained in her room still. They all knew in their hearts that the only person who could do the perfect job of tracking her down, was the IT personnels that worked as the heart of both the family andpany.


    Her phone numbers were not going through no matter how they tried to call her, and it was more difficult to track her because her phone was off. But it was still a fact that Dalton would end throwing everyone out of the house, if they didn¡¯t do anything to aid the situation. However, they didn¡¯t even know what to do.


    ¡°Fucking idiots! They couldn¡¯t even make a call to say that something was going wrong in the house. Bloody fools!¡± Dalton roared uncontrobly as Alex walked so fast to the control room, wondering how his boss who was always careful with his words cussed out so angrily.


    The trained tech personnels from thepany had arrived in the mansion in no time, and had started to navigate every of their radar signals everywhere using a drone.


    Since she had walked away from therge meters that revolved around the mansion, they tried to get every camera that was mounted in every route and pathway that led to the Millers mansion.


    Happy that they were getting to a reasonable level of sess in their investigation, it turned out that Mrs. Eleanor Miller had intentionally ordered the guards to shut down the power of the entire mansion, because of the quick lightning changes they were doing in the house.


    Those were also the recording hours  of when Collin came with his car to pick Aria up, which was empty when they checked every recorded data. Dalton¡¯s palm pped angrily against the table, when he saw that nothing had been moving forward and time was going. They quickly exined what the problem seemed to have been.


    ¡°Do you not know the right thing to do?!¡± Dalton snarled angrily, trying hard not to lose his temper against his mother by transferring the aggression on the poor operator.


    ¡°I am sorry sir,¡± the young skilled guy quivered in fear as he fumbled with the keyboard that was connected to the advanced systems that he was using, to trace out everything that would lead them to a clue.


    Dalton ordered Alex to pass his phone and he made a call immediately, to freeze everyone¡¯s credit cards in the house till further notice. Unaware of what had happened to their lifelines, Eleanor hoped in her heart that they would not find the miserable bitch that had caused her son many problems. She wanted to end everything once and for all.


    Aria waited patiently for Collin toe back in the evening toe and see her, and she had already packaged the things that she came with. He was surprised to see her already ready to leave his house, and he asked her in a disturbed tone of why she wanted to return back to where they forced her out from.


    ¡°No. No. I am not going back there,¡± she cleared the air, ¡°I just want you to drive me to a terminal or something where I can board a bus, to the Miller¡¯s vacation house that is quite a distance from here,¡± she exined further.


    ¡°Why can you not just stay here? At least to feel better,¡± he suggested, sad that she was already nning to leave his house again. Hearing that she wanted to go to a property that belonged to them, further broke his heart to hear.


    ¡°Thank you for everything you have done for me, Collin. But, I do not want you to get deeply involved in this mess of trying to help me. Dalton is a vicious man. If I¡¯m found out and in this ce, it would be a really huge problem,¡± Aria tried to make him understand that it was best that she left.


    Going to lodge at a suite would not even help problems, because they would get to her faster in that way. His connections would just get him free ess to her information.


    ¡°Are you sure you are going to be fine?¡± Collin¡¯s voice almost showed how broken he was to see her leave, as he moved closer to her while trying to maintain that distance even if he wanted to hug her.


    ¡°I am okay. I really am,¡± Aria said to him with a modest smile, and moved closer to him for a hug before he even did that.N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.


    She was bing more free in doing many things now, and he noticed that. Not wanting the moment to get ruined, he went with the flow of her body pulled so close to his. It was hard to let go.


    ¡°I would drive you. It is safer that way,¡± Collin said to her when they were already in the car with her seat belt fastened around her body, in which she could not even object.


    The vacation house was the one that Aria knew about and was rarely used by the family, with the passcode that Dalton had slipped to her once, sometimes back.


    It was one time in the past that he had ordered her never to be in his space, or anything that would bring both of them together after their wedding. He spoke harsh words to her, and called her shameless.


    ¡°If you are tired of everything and need a ce to escape from this ce, you can easily go to that abandoned spot that was gifted by grandfather. Most displeasing, is that the passcode is the day of a contemptible wedding!¡± He muttered in spite, ¡°At least when you find your way there, it would be afort that a ce holds meaning to your first wedding.¡±


    The memories seemed to haunt her brain as she slept off in Collin¡¯s car, as it recurred in her hearing, vision and thoughts. The voices in her head sounded like they were chanting it to her, and she felt too far from the memories that seemed like her own. Collin tapped her immediately, when he watched her struggle in her sleep.


    ¡°Are you okay? Do you want to rest for a bit?¡± He asked her.


    ¡°Yes, Collin. Don¡¯t mind me and just drive on,¡± he urged him to continue, as he continued to wonder anxiously in his heart if her nightmares were not still gone over the years.


    `?`? `?`


    The search was still for a long period of time with them trying to get the camera footage of nearby ces, which was hard to even find because every camera was controlled by their own power source.


    The CCTV cameras that were functioning well were the ones far from the mansion, ced on the major roads that led to different locations. Since they didn¡¯t see her appear in any video that were thoroughly checked, it was concluded that she would have left in one of the cars that passed during those hours.


    To make it easier, they had to get the footage and Information of every car that passed through a major andmon route, before each now took the road to its own destination within the private property. It was going to be very time consuming to check everyone¡¯s car information.


    The technicians that were doing the research job were tense and ufortable, with the way Dalton refused to leave the room that they were operating in. It increased their anxiety and speed to work, tracing every car that passed at the spected time that Aria was thrown out.


    They continued to zoom and run car licence checks of different cars, as time passed by more and more. Finally, they were about to shortlist the number of cars that she would have probably left in, to three cars of different people aligned perfectly with the estimated time.


    They ran more checks on the cars using the licenced number tes which was quite difficult because of the security, but were finally able to figure out the names of the car owners. The moment they called out their names, Dalton¡¯s eyes dted in shock as he turned to the person who was talking.


    ¡°Collin Carson?! He came here to pick Aria up?¡± Dalton concluded on his own with a loud yell, as he turned to Alex who was already tensed about what would happen next.


    The story had taken a surprising turn than he had plotted in his mind, and the lead character in the game was too violent. The battle between the two wealthy men would be fierce, over ady who probably cared about none of them.


    ¡°Get me the car keys, right now!¡± He ordered.

 Games and prawns 2

    A meeting was taking ce in a conference room of the board of directors and a CEO, and were talking about innovative ns to improve the effective output of their resort inorder to aid much productivity.


    They already had made avable golf courses for elites who loved the sport as a recreation, but needed more exclusive improvement to bring better ratings to the economic center. The executives were brainstorming and thinking as required of their CEO, who just watched everyone silently in their own mulling state.


    Quickly, an agitated butported assistant entered into the meeting room and ambled quickly over to his boss¡¯s side, to inform him of the development that was taking ce outside thepany¡¯s walls.


    Collin, who had returned back to work after his quite stressful journey, was sitting back on the luxurious chair, unfazed about what he had just been told by his assistant. He decided to end the meeting which was in favor of most of them who were unable to think of any ideas, and left the room immediately to the next room where his supposed visitor was waiting for him.


    ¡°Never thought we would have to meet in this manner, Mr. Miller. What brings you to my honourablepany?¡± Collin enquired responsibly, without minding the intensity of the gaze that Dalton had fixed on him, which failed to give away even an ounce of his beauty in any way.


    ¡°Where is thedy you took away with you from the walls of her living abode?¡± Dalton demanded rudely without even greeting formally, as he tried not to exceed the way he was speaking to the other person. Respect was reciprocal, even if Dalton was never a stickler for rules.


    ¡°My friend called for assistance because she didn¡¯t have to walk barefooted from her husband¡¯s house, and I helped drop her to her desired destination. That is not too much for a reasonable individual, who knows the importance of the rtionship they share with someone right?¡± Collin stated so politely in a sarcastic manner, that Dalton understood very evidently without having to think too much.


    He had been the jerk of a husband without the proper responsibilities of her, and he couldn¡¯t even keep his family in check till the very end. Still, he didn¡¯t care to know if Collin was helping Aria or not, because he could start by punching him hard if didn¡¯t spill what he wanted to hear.


    ¡°So where is she now?!¡± Dalton demanded furiously, as he had already given instructions earlier to find out where Collin lived and check the areas.


    For every suite, hotels and resorts that were in the nearest axis of them, he had ordered his men to find out if anyone matched her description.


    Collin knew that engaging in a fight with Dalton was useless and unnecessary, even if he was willing to give him a taste of his own medicine. But Aria had even pleaded with him not to spill her whereabouts, and just give another clue that would be hard for Dalton to miss.


    ¡°Knowing well that you would get to her in no time, she said to drop her at a bus terminal. She also knew that you would end uping to me for answers, so she wouldn¡¯t spill her whereabouts to me either. Peace and happiness was all she wanted,¡± Collin said to Dalton, and took his seat so as to indicate that he was not weing any more questions.


    ¡°If I find out that you are lying Carson, I would have you pay mercilessly for it in every manner I, Dalton Miller can,¡± he threatened, and stormed out of the room almost immediately.


    ¡°Suit yourself, Mr. Miller,¡± Collin said, and put on a smile which irritated Dalton to even hear.


    The workers and executives of thepany who had seen Dalton feared for their lives, thinking that he was probably there to strike a deal with their CEO. Dalton Miller was also well known for investing massively in so many sessfulpanies, and also acquiringpanies that were in huge debts with the assurance of high returns for their possession.


    Everyone of them had begun to whisper amongst one another in fear of what would happen, if Dalton wanted to indeed takeover thepany and refused workers buyout. It would kill their livelihood


    However, seeing the stifled air that released the moment Dalton opened the door, created the spection that there might have been some kind of heated affairs between both of them. Again, they feared that thought.


    ¡®Why would their coolheaded boss decide to get entangled with Dalton Miller?¡¯


    Alex on his own side too had gone to search and check the connections of Collin being connected to Aria¡¯s whereabouts, but it was the same result at the end of the day which led to everyone¡¯s frustration. They were all tired and stressed out even when they shouldn¡¯t be, especially for the fact that Dalton was bent on finding her that very day.


    It was evening already, and there was equally no rest in the mansion. There was suspension of duties for every servant working as they remained outside, which meant no one could prepare dinner or serve any food.


    No one was allowed to leave the mansion either, which made their tension worse the moment the mother and sisters found out that their credit cards had been freezed. Every inte and WiFi connection in the house had also been cut off to prevent anyone from having ess to anything. The passing hours that stretched to evening was hell for them.


    ??`?`?`?`?              ?`?`?`?`?


    The peaceful blowing of breeze that moved from alongside the east settled at the west, and aided the lovely absorption of silent nature where one could almost hear the grass rustling in the wind.


    The bright sun which was shining in a cloudless sky had set towards evening, as the light breeze ruffled the clear waters of an open pool in front of the vacation house. Aria, who had expected less of the vacation house, was astounded when she finally saw it.


    The beautiful ce could pass as a permanent residential abode for someone who loved an introverted country life, as warmth circled the amply furnishedmon room it bordered, mixing with the early spring breeze lilting in through the open windows.


    The ce had a keeper who maintained the ce and changed the water in the pool every time, which made her realize that anything could happen so far money was involved. Secluded among beautiful trees on an exclusive street, it had ss turrets, gables, dormers, balconies, and screened-in front porch.


    She gathered the confidence in her mind that pushed her to the idea of visiting the vacation house, hoping that the passcode would still be the same as Dalton had said. And so it was. It was bizarre for her to know that the ce was indirectly abandoned, just because it tied a meaning to their marriage.


    Without the desire to explore the other ends of the ce, Aria just walked outside the ss walls to where the pool was after dropping the few items she came with. The clear waters gave her the urge to swim as the cool breeze blew her dress to opposite directions, and she obeyed her instinct by stripping down to her bikini of matching colours instantly.


    She sat at the edge of the pool and put her leg into the chilly water, not minding how cold it was, or with the cautiousness of whenst the water had been changed. The only thing that seemed to catch her attention and bothered her, was how slim her flesh was bing against her bones.


    She stood up again to check how gaunt her body seemed to look over the past few months, and just smiled painfully as she walked around the pool to get a clearer view of the vacation house from where she was standing.


    The scent of the flowers that were nted in the surroundings lingered around her nostrils, as she breathed in deeply the natural whiff of roses. As she inhaled the beautiful scent the more, the smell became unlikely and it was something that elerated her heartbeat. She could never forget that scent.Exclusive content from N?velDrama.Org.


    Exhausts of burning wood began to trail alongside the air that blew to her direction, and it came from the side of where the house was located. Tremored, she scurried away from the pool back to the house, to be convinced that she was sure of what she had perceived.


    Immediately she entered the house through the ss door to see what had gone wrong, the house that was shining brightly of numerous bright lights went off immediately. The shock made Aria turn her neck immediately to see what was going on, and the sound of a locking door followed immediately.


    Quickly, she ran close to the door she had entered from to push it open to no avail, as she ran back in restlessness and fear of what was going on. The smoke in the room began to increase in an elerated manner, and everywhere had be stuffy immediately in the space of minutes.


    Unceremoniously, her body hit the floor in reaction to what the gas was beginning to do to her body, even if she tried hard to cover her nose. That was when she realized, that the battle she was fighting was just more than physical confrontation. Someone really wanted to kill her, and she would die that night.

 Saving her

    The fire had begun to spread rapidly to every part of the house, and the ceiling made of high quality wood had started to burn its hot ashes to the floor. Aria was not finally unconscious yet, by her eyelids had begun to slide close, to the shutting down of her body system.


    The ss door began to bang so loudly as it threatened to break from its hinges, because of the strong force that was hitting on it from outside the door. The force soon changed its direction, to the other side of the house on the ss wall which would be much easier.


    As the bangs increased and became much harder, the fire spread more to every part of the house, which unfortunately had its sprinklers malfunctioning at that point in time.


    By thest final blow that collided against the ss that had been hit so many times, it shattered to arge size and the stuffed heat that ejected out of it instantly was intense. Trying every of his best and using the most of his strength, Dalton anxiously hit the huge car jack he was carrying in his hand against the ss wall again.


    ¡°Aria! Aria!!¡± He screamed out loudly as he banged harder and harder, hoping in his heart that nothing would happen to her. He was so scared, as his entire body trembled in immense fear.


    As the ss shattered more and more onto the ground and creating arge open space, he dropped the jack on the floor and hurriedly entered through, without minding the pointy ss shape that was formed from the breakage.


    He continued to scream out Aria¡¯s name out loud, as his eyes moved around in the dark room of burning mes. His eyes darted to where someone was lying at the corner of the room.


    Not minding the nks of wood that had dropped deep from the roof to the ground level that hit him, Dalton scurried over to the unconscious figure and picked her up immediately. He held her close to his body so tenderly with so much pain in his heart, and carried her out immediately to check if she was still breathing.


    As soon as he got out of the razing vacation house, a loud sound erupted from the building as the sses began to shatter into the air. Quickly, he moved over to where the pool was andid her down beside the cold floor, as he applied pressure against  her chest in an attempt to bring her back to life.


    ¡°You cannot die, Aria. You do not have the right to,¡± Dalton uttered repeatedly while trying hard to man up, as he breathed in air to his lungs and released it into her mouth.


    He continued the same process over and over again while speaking out the same words, inwardly pleading with her not to die in their state of helplessness. The car he had brought was packed at the spot where he sighted a burning house, which turned out to be the exact ce that he was going to.


    Her body appeared so stiff and cold too at the same time, which feared him greatly and increased the anxiety that he could not hide again. Quickly, he pulled off the shirt that he was wearing and wrapped it around her body to make her warm.


    ¡®What if he had been a few minuteste?¡¯ his heart trembled, immediately the thought urred to him.


    Few hours ago¡­¡­.


    Alex had gone to ask for an approval letter, to be able to view the footage details of every car that travelled out of the city within that day, while Dalton, who was so frustrated remained in the car while trying to think so hard. He wondered where on earth Aria could be, that was so hard to find out in a few hours.


    She was not in every ces that they expected her to be, and had not lodged in any ce that they could trace her to either. Swallowing their petty prides, Dalton¡¯s men had gone to even motels and every public ces around, that leased out room for certain number of hours or at night. They found nothing.


    They had thoroughly checked every bus terminals that left the city that day, but her information was not on the list of people that travelled that day, neither did anyone see someone that looked like the image they presented. It made Dalton more worried rather than being angry.


    It was evening already and he knew that there was no way he would sleep peacefully, if Aria wasn¡¯t found before the end of the day. He forced his brain to think of predictable ces that she could be, rather than the business rted situations that he normally used it for.


    ¡°Where could she be for Christ¡¯s sake?!¡± Dalton snapped and hit hard against the steering of the car, ¡°She definitely has no property in this city, so where is she hiding?!¡± He frowned again and again.


    Immediately, his mind thought of personal properties that she would be hiding in around the close axis. He called Alex to check out the private properties that was owned under the Carson¡¯s family, and even the ones they were just overseeing since it was clear evidence that she was also not at their family resort.


    The IT professionals were also given a heads up about the information they wanted to check about, and had started to find out about properties that was owned by the Carson¡¯s family. Only a few were discovered around the city, and only one belonged to Collin himself.


    Quickly, they focused their search on checking out the cameras that were on the road that led to the supposed vacation house, which was not a far distance. Their efforts were frustrated once again, when they realized that they were back to where they started from.


    Dalton¡¯s head almost blew up in anger when he was told of the search oue, as the day darkened the more without any positive leads to their investigation. He tried hard to think again about where she could possibly be, while ignoring the anger that was established around the circumstances of looking for her.


    From somewhere deep in his memorynes, he instinctively remembered immediately what he had said to her in the past, about the vacation house that was gifted by Mark Miller. His eyes lighted up when his memory brought him back to that day, as he ignited the car immediately and sped off to its location.


    ¡°Please, let it be. Just let it be and let her be there,¡± he continued to murmur throughout the journey, as he drove uncontrobly on the lonely roads that led to the ce. And shockingly to what he never anticipated, he found her in a more dangerous situation.


    Collin knew that Aria¡¯s phone would be switched off for the main time so that no one would be able to locate her, but he worried greatly for her and how she would be fairly alone in that kind of ce. He wondered how well she would take care of herself before sleeping, and if she would not be freaked out that she would be the only one to stay in the vacation house.


    He worried if she would have nightmares again and struggle in the night, where there would be no one tofort her with nice words. She didn¡¯t tell him the number of days that she would be staying there for, yet he could not just drive to the ce because of Dalton¡¯s men that were still on his radar.


    Everything she did and went through bothered him so much, and also the actions she usually took after as a shield for herself. He knew he was meant to just let her make decisions for herself and enjoy the peace of being alone, but he had the strong urge to go back and see her that night without anyone knowing.


    It was past work hours already and he had returned home without his assistant, but he was unable to rest and wait till the next day, knowing fully well that he might not be able to talk to her again. The variables were uncertain.


    Dalton could find her before her peace period psed, and it would take a while before they would meet again. But, if he was careful enough not to get trailed, he could return back to the vacation house and help her leave for a better ce before dawn.C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org.


    And with those thoughts in his mind, he picked the keys to the car that he had just purchased to his garage. He was going to see her and it was final.

 Learning her 1

    ¡°Aria! Aria can you hear me?¡± Dalton tapped her cheeks gently several times, when he noticed that she was stirring back to life.


    Her eyes were still tightly shut as he held her closely to his body, and began to walk away from the surroundings of the burning vacation house. Immediately he walked back to where his car was parked and dropped herfortably on the front seat, he picked up his phone immediately and wondered whom he could call nearest to the ce.


    That was when he figured out that he didn¡¯t even have the contact of the doctors, since it was Alex who normally did the scheduling and search. Panicking about the fact, he quickly checked the inte to find the location of where they were on the map, and to locate the nearest hospital that could take her in as fast as possible.


    ¡°Just take me elsewhere, Dalton, and not the hospital,¡± she said to him in a very fragile voice, as he turned his face shockingly to see if it was really she talking.


    ¡°Aria! Are you really awake? Can you actually see me?¡± He asked as he dropped his phone aside and moved over to her side, to see if she was well enough to even open her mouth.


    ¡°Yes, I am,¡± she answered slowly, and coughed out weakly and frantically which feared him for a moment.


    He quickly opened the booth of the car and brought out a stic bottle of water from the ones Alex always kept in there, and brought it to her quickly so that she could drink. It was quite a situation for him to handle because he was not used to things like that, but he had to do it anyway and even more carefully.


    Tilting it to her mouth, Dalton tried to feed her gently with the water but ended up being too impatient. She collected the bottle from him instead with shaky hands, and drank it herself without saying anything.


    He quickly moved over the car¡¯s booth again and picked a shirt for himself to wear, including the sweatshirt that Alex always included in the cloth bag pack. His hand also grabbed the extra pair of socks that were always in the car too.


    ¡°Can you talk? Do you feel good? I am calling a doctor now toe and check up on you,¡± he informed her and tried to find his phone again, as her hand grabbed around his arm to prevent him from calling anybody.


    ¡°I am fine. I am really sleepy right now,¡± she told him, and dropped her head to the other side of the chair. She was too tired to argue, but she didn¡¯t want to go to the hospital.


    Dalton moved over to the seat that she was slouched onto, and carefully put the sweatshirt over her head to cover her shivering body. He didn¡¯t bother to pull her hand out of the cloth and just put it over her, and then moved to the other side in an attempt to drive.


    ¡°Why do you not want to go to the hospital? That is a better way to remain okay after inhaling a surfeit amount of smoke. It is detrimental to your health!¡± He yelled, and then paused.


    Realizing how he had reacted to her, his lips forced out something she would have never thought to hear.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t mean to shout at you. I just want you to be okay,¡± Aria could not believe her ears when she heard that. It was so surprising and shocking to her, for Dalton to politely exin himself for shouting at her.


    ¡®Maybe she was really close to her death.¡¯


    ¡°Let¡¯s just drive to wherever other than a hospital, Dalton. Please,¡± she finally said, and his heart sumbed to her genuine plea alongside the really touching look she had in her eyes.


    The billionaire could not understand why she was asking him of such a request, but he decided to grant her her wish regardless. He wondered if she had some bad memories rted to the hospital before, or was terrified of getting a shot instead of drugs. The thought of it even made him chuckle.


    Immediately, Dalton positioned her into the seat belt properly and adjusted the socks he had worn to her legs. He finally went over to the driver¡¯s seat and sat down after closing the door, igniting the car which zoomed off immediately.


    ~?¡Á?~  ~?¡Á?~   ~?¡Á?~


    Sounds of ring sirens were heard from quite a distance, as a luxurious ubeled car drove into the streets of the hubbub. The car halted in an instant, and a young man came out of it to see the shock he didn¡¯t exin before him.


    Though the night was dark and it was not clear enough to see well, the bright light that was pointed from directions of the firefighters car made it easy to see. There were numbers of men trying to quench the fire still burning in the house, while some wereing out of the ce to confirm that no one was inside.


    Collin looked around so many times to be sure he hade to the right ce, and looked at the burnt building again to be sure if that was where he was a few hours ago. His wit momentarily whispered to him, that the building he wanted to see Aria at was burning.


    Fearfully, sporadically, and crazily, he ran so fast towards the direction of the building, to ask one of the persons there about thedy that was inside. The man he had approached told him that luckily no one was inside, but he screamed and said they should check properly.


    The man who was the leader of the firefighters told him repeatedly, that no one was found inside the ce after the third search in just a few minutes. Collin thought he would lose his mind in pain, as he tried to move closer to the building to check for himself, but was stopped by the other men that were working to put out the fire too.


    ¡°I am sorry, sir, but we are professionals and it is very such that there is nobody in the building. We found a few burnt items though, like a phone, a packaged bag that collectively burnt with the items. There was a dress outside on the convertible chairs outside the pool, and a pair of slippers too were found around the pool too,¡± the man told Collin.


    ¡°That is definitely Aria¡¯s. That is hers,¡± Collin said anxiously, when he saw the supposed dress while trying to hold his tears, as he walked back to where he parked his car and slouched weakly to the car seat.


    He scratched his hair and bit his lips in frustration, as he picked his phone up to see if her number would hopefully go through.


    ¡®Have they found her already?¡¯


    Far away into the city was Dalton who was still carrying Aria in his hands from the underground parking lot, as entered into the elevator of the gigantic and beautiful building that they entered into. It was quite a different elevator from the one that was directly used by others, as he pressed on the button that made the door close.Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.


    The see-through elevator rode so fast up the many buildings to Aria¡¯s tension, till the lift halted at thest floor and the door opened. The only unit on the floor they were standing in was so beautiful, that Aria wondered where exactly they were going.


    That was when she realized that it was probably one of Dalton¡¯s properties, when he scanned the door with his fingers and iris as the door opened. It reminded her again of who her husband was, and how immensely wealthy he was.


    She would have expected the ce to smell musty because of unfrequent use, but it felt like somewhere that was cleaned regrly and well maintained. The interiors looked perfect to match the bright lights, that made the open balcony where one could catch the beautiful sight of the entire city.


    Dalton dropped her carefully on the couch that was thergest, and strode to the nearest bathroom to run a warm water for her. As he ran the water to desirable temperature, he quickly brought out his phone to check the next step of what to do.


    He had also ordered drugs and injections that were would be good for her since she didn¡¯t want to see a doctor, and then moved to the bedroom to get her a pair of clothes from the new ones that were always kept in the wardrobe.


    ¡°I guess this ce is one of yours right?¡± Aria asked, immediately the familiar scent intensified after he was gone, which was an ascertain that he wasing back from wherever he went to.


    ¡°Yeah. I mostlye here when I arrive from a trip,¡± he replied to her, as he moved to the fridge to see if anything was there. He expected to see a clean and neat fridge without anything, and quickly grabbed his phone again to order two servings of food, which he had never done before.


    ¡°Oh, I see. Being really wealthy is really nice. You can do whatever you feel like,¡± she mouthed, and closed her eyes immediately.


    ¡°It is not always nice. The pressure to keep up is suffocating,¡± he told her, and her eyes shed open immediately. That was probably the first time they were having a discussion reasonably, about sensitive topics without fighting or getting angry.


    ¡®Maybe she could get more information from him now that he looked coolheaded.¡¯

 Learning her 2

    ¡°Mum! I will not forgive you if Dalton does not restore those credit cards. I would not!¡± Ellen gnarled at her mother, as they all continued to amble around the dining room and kitchen.


    There was no one to prepare the meals they would eat that night, as they just continued to munch on the fruits that were left from breakfast. To make it worse, there was no inte connection in the house too, which was the most impactive of the deprivation they had suffered.


    ¡°You should not talk to me like that! My authority still stands in this house,¡± Eleanor snapped at her daughter, who was really angry and even frowning so hard at her.


    ¡°I would just have to return to my own condo, while Emma can travel around again. Eva can sleep in her art gallery, while you will be the only one trying to adjust to living in your huge building all over again,¡± Ellen snickered at her own words, and then bursted intoughter when the hrious imaginations of Eva sleeping at the art gallery urred to her.


    Emma, who had been ying a candy game on her phone all day, could not help but chuckle at what her elder sister said. However, Eleanor was not finding it funny at all because she thought that her daughters were making mockery of her.


    ¡°I certainly do not deserve this kind of treatment from you! Do you think I do not have a life of my own rather than.. you.. you spoiled kids?¡± Mrs. Eleanor Miller almost spluttered in rage, as her open hand emphatically hit against the ss table. But her hand ended up receiving pain, because of the kind of ss that the dining table was made of. She tried hard to hide the pain by not squeezing her face in displeasure.


    ¡°Maybe my dear friend would finally realize how scary Dalton bes, when you tamper with what is his. Now all of us have to suffer for your actions of throwing Aria out, mother,¡± Ellen gloated, ¡°It is also so funny how Eva who has not really been home for too long, and then we get locked out on the day that she visits. Quite a luck, she¡¯s got.¡±


    ¡°Do not bring your sister into this. Just let her be,¡± Eleanor warned, knowing that Ellen was just looking for the direction of people to cast her anger upon.


    ¡°I mean, see how disgusting her attitude is. She stays up alone in the room, when we are all sitting here hoping Dalton would find Aria soon. It is so puzzling to even think that she is family. She acts like a sociopath.¡±


    ¡°Ellen!!!!!!¡± Mrs. Eleanor Miller cut her daughter off with a really angry and fierce yell, that she felt the extremity in the degree of her mother¡¯s anger. The angry second daughter just turned her head to Emma, who was really engrossed in what she was doing.


    ¡°You seem too deep in this game. Is it that engaging?¡± She asked Emma, so as to distract herself from her mother¡¯s anger.


    ¡°I¡¯m reading an online novel now,¡± she replied.


    ¡°What book is that? Maybe I should try giving a novel reading a trial now,¡± she sighed. Her fans would probably be wondering why she had not had an evening life session.


    ¡°It is a fantasy book. My Luna is a witch,¡± Emma replied without looking at her sister, as she continued to stare so engrossingly at her phone¡¯s screen.


    ~???~ ~???~


    ¡°I think you should take your bath first. The water is warm enough,¡± Dalton informed Aria, who was more surprised that he ran water for her to bathe. It was stunning to see him extraordinarily caring and patient with her because of what had happened.


    As Aria struggled to raise her body up from the couch, Dalton walked over to where she was and scooped her in his hands. His action shocked her because it was so unexpected, that she told him to drop her and that she could walk by herself.


    Ignoring her, Dalton carried her into the bathroom and steadied her on the covered toilet lid, as she tried to pull her cloth over her body. She protested strongly.


    ¡°I was the one who put all this clothes over you, remember,¡± he chuckled, and she frowned. He could never just let go of his bossy attitude ever.


    Dalton carefully pulled the clothes over her aching body, till she was left in the bikini that she was wearing initially. At that point, he became stuck on what he should do for her next. He didn¡¯t want her to get angry, and he didn¡¯t want to be so forward too. However, he noticed something different.


    ¡°I think you have reduced in weight and size,¡± Dalton pointed out, as his eyes ran through every part of her body. She just sneered at him and stood up immediately.


    ¡°That is what you get for being a wife to a Miller,¡± she taunted, and moved slowly to where the jacuzzi was positioned. She needed to feel water pressure against her body and bones that ached really badly. Even her head was banging in a bad headache.


    Dalton didn¡¯t say anything and just turned to leave, knowing that his family was really guilty of everything that she was saying. He brought out his phone instead to call his assistant, who he had not informed about the situation of everything that happened, after he instructed him to check the state of the vacation house.


    ¡°Thoroughly investigate what caused the vacation house to suddenly start burning. Leave no stone unturned. Get the special investigation unit to take up the matter too,¡± Dalton instructed Alex through the phone. He heard the doorbell ring outside the door from where he was standing, and he knew that it must be either of the delivery that he paid for.


    ¡°What about your family, sir. Should I tell them that Mrs. Miller had been found?¡± Alex asked.


    ¡°Just put back every light on, and pass whatever instruction that is necessary,¡± Dalton instructed him, and put off the phone immediately after adjusting his face cap.


    Dalton opened the door to see that both the delivery men had arrived with what he paid for, as he collected the food package and the one from the hospital, and then entered back into the house.


    He dropped everything he had purchased on the table in the living room space, and quickly walked to the bathroom to check what was going on with Aria.


    He had not heard any sound from her since he had been talking to Alex, and wondered if everything was okay with her.


    She screamed at him to get out the moment he opened the door, as she was just stepping out of the jacuzzi that she had spent her time to remain in for long. His eyes became livid at what he had to see.


    ¡°You should respect my privacy. That we are legally married doesn¡¯t give the point of personal rights,¡± Aria said to Dalton, the moment she stepped out of the bathroom in his huge ck shirt. It made him chuckle at her cuteness.


    ¡°Your mouth definitely always remains fine after everything. I ordered anything and everything you might want to eat,¡± he told her, and quickly walked over to where she was when he saw how tiredly she was walking.


    He helped her to lie back on the couch and supported her back withfortable pillows, and also brought the food he contemted that she might like before her. Her body and hands were still shaky, as she tried not to show the pains in parts of her body.


    ¡°I have had enough of eating this. Can I just sleep?¡± Aria groaned, the moment Dalton tried to make her eat more chips and chicken. He noticed her difort, and went over to bring the big nylons containing the drugs he ordered from the hospital.


    ¡°From what I read, you might be having chest and body pains now. These drugs and needles would help it get better.¡±


    ¡°Can you administer the shots?¡± She asked him with a smug, and he gave her a confused look.


    ¡°There was no way he would stick needles in someone¡¯s body.¡¯


    ¡°The doctor administered this and this, and this,¡± Dalton told her, and showed her the specific drugs that the doctor administered including an injection shot, ¡°We might rest on the shot though because I cannot give it. I will go get water.¡±


    By the time Dalton had gone to the where the dining table was located to bring more water, Aria was already injecting the needle into her arm to his shock. He scurried over to where she was sitting, to see how fearlessly she was doing it. She quickly got the cotton wool over a methted disinfectant, and dabbed it over the hole spot to stop any kind of bleeding.N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.


    ¡°How are you doing that?¡± He was forced to ask her, as she stretched her hand to collect the water from her and checked the drug packs for the prescription. She swallowed the drugs too at once to his shock, and chugged the contents in the bottle that he gave to her.


    ¡°I just can,¡± she answered him, andid her head back to rest. The injection seemed to be taking effect in her body immediately, as her eyes began to slip into unconsciousness.


    ¡°You really are a puzzle. It is so hard to understand you,¡± Dalton said and sighed, as he watched her react tiredly to him.


    ¡°Yes, I am,¡± she mumbled.


    ¡°Are you going to sleep fine now?¡± He asked again without a reason. He really wanted to talk more to her.


    ¡°I hope so. These nightmares are scary.¡±

 The billionaire鈥檚 wife

    The entire night was so sleepless for Dalton because Aria was so restless, and was finding it hard to sleep because of her nightmares. She continued to mumble and sweat profusely in her sleep with shut tight eyes, with Dalton worrying endlessly about what he could do to help without waking her.


    The fire incident that she was involved in when she was young reyed in her dreams, alongside the one that she had to experience in the vacation house again. She struggled so much because it was hard to sleep, and to also wake up because of the medicine that was yet to wear off from her body.


    Dalton gently wiped the sweat from her face and forehead as she slept, but it was still ufortable for him to watch her look so much in pain. He moved over to the couch that she was sleeping on and raised the upper part of her body up, so that he couldy her head on hisp and tend to her properly.


    He tried to tie her hair that seemed to be getting in the way of her face, but it was difficult to do even if he had put in the most of his efforts. At the end, he just wove her hair into so many halves and did whatever he could do.


    It was after he was done doing his business with her hair, that he realized that she seemed to be morefortable in her sleep than before. He continued to touch her temple throughout the night even in his tiredness, hoping that he would sleep better than the hours she was unable to sleep.


    The next morning, Aria woke up feeling much better than the previous night, and eventer than the time she thought she would sleep till. The room she slept in was so bright that the sun also shone through the ss walls, because the penthouse was the highest unit in the condo, and was closest to the sun.


    Quickly, she stood up from the couch and looked around to see if Dalton was around, as the memories of the previous began to flood to her brain. From almost getting burnt at the vacation house, Dalton rescuing her, to carrying her to the bathroom, feeding her, and even patting her to sleep.


    ¡°Oh dear!¡± Aria unconsciously murmured out as the memories urred to her, she quickly ran to the door to see if she could leave before he came out from wherever he was.


    ¡°Stop there! Come and eat breakfast,¡± she heard the voice behind her as she froze on the stop, and turned back to see the arrogant husband of hers.


    ¡°And if I don¡¯t?¡± She dared him.


    ¡°Oh, I can see you are really okay now and can go back to your old self and talk manners. You should sincerely be thankful to me,¡± he rolled his eyes, and she almost snickered at the expression on his face.


    ¡°Come and eat something and use your drugs, or you can prickle yourself with those scary needles again,¡± he cringed, with his lips stretching out in his manner to show the fear of shots in him, which made her chuckle.


    ¡°You should have gotten some for yourself too. Being a workaholic to keep up with everything must be so exhausting. You can still call for some though, I¡¯ll be the nurse,¡± Aria mocked him and he just huffed.


    ¡®From belittling him with her talks to making mockery of him. She sure knew how to get to him at every upgrade.¡¯


    Staring at the twists he had done on her hair in the night, he wanted tough out loud because of how funny she looked. But he suppressed it immediately so that she would not catch on, and turned to the other side of the room to let out a snicker.


    ¡°How can you inject yourself well? Did you get sick so often that you had to use this as a coping mechanism?¡± he asked her as she picked on the food that was before her, and she just shrugged without replying to him.


    ¡°Why are you not eating the food? Is it not to your liking?¡± He asked again.


    ¡°It is not bad. My taste buds do not just like the food,¡± she replied, dropping the silver spoon in her hand on the white te.


    ¡°You want to eat another one. I ordered quite a lot,¡± he told her, and stretched his hand to drag the second nylon of food that he had also ordered that morning, before she woke up.


    ¡°I mean that I am really tired. Every part of me,¡± she exined to him truthfully and sighed.


    Though she really hated to know that he had seen almost every one of her weaknesses and vulnerabilities, it was really hard to act tough in that situation. Her head was still feeling pain as a result of the way her head banged the floor, when she fell to the ground without any warning. Her eyes soon caught his arm and the burnt spots that were on it.


    ¡°Did you see anything when you were in the vacation house, and why would you choose to go to some ce like that?¡± He wanted to ask a question, but ended up scolding her instead.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t see anyone even if someone had probably shut the door after I entered, and also set the ce on fire with malfunctioning sprinklers. And it was a nice ce to hide. Where you would not quickly find me, out after your mama bundled me out,¡± she answered his questions in a respective order, and sounded really sarcastic that he couldn¡¯t help but feel angry. He could not do anything to her though.


    ¡°Sorry my mum did that,¡± Dalton said in a barely audible voice, that almost gouged out Aria¡¯s ears at the hearing of his apology.


    ¡®Was he really dying? Why would he apologize so easily?¡¯


    ¡°I see that you have some burns there,¡± Aria uttered instead, and stood up to get the package of treatment she had used the previous day from the living room. His eyes just trailed to where she was going, to see what she was going to do.N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.


    ¡°What are you doing?¡± He demanded when she came near him, and tried to raise the sleeve of the cloth he was putting on.


    ¡°Stay still,¡± shemanded him, and pushed him back when he tried to stand up.


    Carefully, she raised the sleeve of his shirt up to the burns, and slowly applied some ointment on it, gauze and band-aid. She also remembered that some kind of wood had fallen on his shoulders, as he came over to her side before her eyes finally closed.


    Dalton watched her carefully as she tried to check the wound through the neck hole of the shirt, and tried to dress the wound from that point too but he pulled the shirt off to make it easier for her. She dressed the wound in his shoulders too without saying anything.


    ¡°I thought you hated me. Why are you doing this for me?¡± He asked her the moment she dropped everything she was holding in her hands, finally breaking the silence that was between them for a while.


    ¡°You saved me. I should be able to at least do this,¡± she answered him and turned to leave to the kitchen, as he dragged her back to turn to face him.


    He was still in a shirtless state and his rippling muscles were staring right at her, even if she had not really taken time to notice how beautiful his body was looking that morning. The look on his face was priceless as she looked at him, wondering why he had to have really good looks even than those that were nicer than he.


    However, he was staring at her fair face and how cutely she was looking at him, so gently and innocently like a flustered doll. Hershes flickered in rhythm as her eyes traced every feature of his face, which had him wondering what exactly was in her mind.


    ¡°It is so hard to resist you,¡± he muttered


    Dalton pulled Aria by the arm closer to her shoulders this time around, and brought his lips to meet hers in the moment. Though she didn¡¯t resist him or kiss back, he could not just help but suck on her lips so addictively. After a long and deep kiss, he pulled away.


    There was so much for her to say to him but she didn¡¯t, and just turned back to leave the spot immediately. They both had so many things to say to one another, but they kept it to themselves.


    It was going to be a fit rage of sad, angry, happy emotions, regrets, pain, apologizes and probably affection. And the day to bring it all out, would probably be the end of everything. Everything.


    The drive back was nice and cool without any fights, as they both said nothing to one another. Dalton stopped by at a dress shop to get her changed into a nice outfit rather than his shirt, and also purchased a pair of sneakers that her feet would befortable in.


    Alex had initially informed him of her things that got burnt alongside the building, which made him stop by at a tech mall to purchase a new phone for her. He also took her along with him to an exclusive shopping mall, and purchased anything that she liked without objecting. It was the topic for the day amongst the staff that knew who he was: THE BILLIONAIRE¡¯S WIFE.


    ¡°Do you want to go home now or somewhere better?¡± Dalton asked Aria, skeptical about his question so that she would not yell at him again for wanting to take her back to his house, after they had just had a really peaceful and fun morning.


    ¡°Anywhere better,¡± she replied.


    ¡®Being with him for a while was probably better, than going back to where she had to and facing her fears.¡¯


    She had been trying really hard not to think about the incident, which she already had a thousand spections for. It had to be someone who knew the point that she was taken out of the house, went to Collin¡¯s house, andter went to the vacation house where was left alone. That meant, she was trailed.


    ¡®But who?¡¯


    The thought of even knowing who sent shivers down her spine, because returning to the mansion meant she was going to face the person that attempted to murder her.


    ¡®Who could it be? Could it be who she was thinking?¡¯

 New CEO

    Dalton parked the car at a distance away from the beach, as he watched Aria walk towards the water and graze her feet into the sand. He walked away from the parking spot and stood miles away from where she was walking towards, as she let her fingers brush into the water as soon as the waves went the other way.


    After some minutes, she saw that Dalton just remained standing withouting closer, even when she had asked him toe with her to the beach shore where other people were. Her pride would not let her meet him and ask to join her the second time, and luckily, her eyes caught something more exciting instead at the other side.


    Aria went back to where Dalton was standing and requested a card from him, as she ran back without answering his question of where she was going. In a few minutes, she rented a surfing board, surfing clothes and also paid for a few hours to learn from a surfer.


    After she had failed to ride the surfing board so many times because of how imbnced her body kept being, the fit man that was training her decided to get a tandem surfing board instead for both of them.


    Dalton just watched the entire process of another man trying to take his wife surfing, while he just stood there standing without being able to do anything. He wished he could make the man pay for he was doing, but being the focus of the public would not be the best thing.N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.


    As Taylor began to surf on the waters alongside the amateur he was training, Aria could feel her inner spirit rise with the waves, riding so freely upon their crest. She could feel her body in synchrony with her mind, in the way that she could not think of the worries that had saddled her heart.


    There was some kind of tion in her heart as they surfed through the waters, feeling waves of serenity as steady as the beach they were cruising through. The experience was a good one for her, that she forgot everything she was feeling at the moment.


    ¡°I think you will make a good surfer,¡± Taylor told her when they swam back to the beach shore, and she smiled so brightly at him, when he removed the well strands of hair that got in the way of her eyes.


    It was after she walked to where Dalton was standing in a very angry state, that she realized that she had left him in that spot for at least an hour. However, she already knew what she would use to support her stance, if he wanted to pick an issue out of it.


    ¡°So, you had fun allowing another man to touch you while your husband was standing here, right?¡± He frowned and gave her a really scary look, which caused her to retreat by a few steps.


    ¡°I was just learning a new skill, so that you would not make my day extremely dull. And why were you even standing here alone when I suggested we take a walk? Did Ie to the beach with you toe and sight alone?¡± She rolled her eyes and turned the table on him this time, but he just had the usual stoic expression on his face for her.


    ¡°You insisted oning here. Horse riding or golfing would have been better than this. That way, you can learn a new skill professionally, and not with a fake trainer who walks around shirtless,¡± he stated angrily.


    The swim jumpsuit she was wearing clung so tightly to her body, that she still retained her sexiness even how slim she was getting. He was even more angry at that fact.


    ¡°How many people do you see standing on the same spot like you have been doing? Are you that scared of moving close to the water?¡± She jibed, and used the towel she had in her hand to dry her face and hair properly.


    ¡°Yes. I do not want to go close to the water,¡± he answered her, and she turned her head in surprise when she heard what he said. It was quite astounding to hear Dalton admit to one of his weaknesses before her.


    ¡°You are really scared of water? I cannot just believe that,¡± she chuckled and instinctively tugged his cheek like she was scolding a child that was lying, ¡°Why do we have a pool in the house then? And I think you are also good at swimming too, if I am not mistaken,¡± she asked him off.


    His hand grabbed her hands from touching his cheeks any further, as he looked at her with a serious look in his eyes, ¡°I can swim, but I am really scared of rge bodies of water,¡± he pressed truthfully.


    ¡°Are you for real? You are aquaphobic?¡± Aria asked him again in a very surprised manner, wondering how someone who hated being around arge body of water could swim, and also followed her to the beach because she insisted.


    ¡°Let us go now that you have had your fun,¡± Dalton told her, and turned to go back to where the car was packed.


    ¡°You, suck. I mean you could not even buy ice cream or cotton candy to make this a memorable day. Do you even know how to have fun? I bet you do not even take pictures!¡± Aria scowled at him, and stormed ahead of him to buy two cones of ice cream from the food truck in front of them. He was just amused at how she was acting.


    As Dalton drove the car with Aria who had already changed her clothes, he wondered how she enjoyed the cold, sweetened cream she was eating. She didn¡¯t even mind him and continued to do her own business, which made him wonder why she had been so calm and innocent, rather than her usual aggressive way to him all the time.


    ¡®Did the fire incident switch her personality or something?¡¯


    They attended a piano recital ording to Dalton¡¯s choice as the second task for the day, and Aria could not help but yawn tiredly at whatever they were doing on stage.


    She could not understand why someone would just want to press the keys of keyboards intensely, and read meaning to confusing notes of scripted music while others yed other instruments. Studying the faces of all the elites that were at the recital, they looked so fascinated by whatever was going on.


    The show ended when it was almost evening, and Aria¡¯s choice for the final task was watching a movie. She would have chosen the new Hollywood RomCom that was the most popr, but she decided to choose a horror thriller movie since Dalton was not thrilled by any of the ones she showed to him.


    Ariaughed so hard at Dalton who said he could not finish watching the movie because of how grotesque it was, and they ended up leaving earlier than the movie finished because it was runningte.


    However, they had much fun than Dalton had expected it to be, and he felt more refreshed than he had in a long time. Going to ces where they could have fun and see other people, even if he didn¡¯t really engage in the activities was good.


    ¡®It was really exhrating to be away from his nerve-wracking family, but not be buried with the affairs of hispany.¡¯


    The drive back home was nice and cool for Aria who was still eating the huge bowl of popcorn in her hand, even if her tummy was aching from just the few things she had eaten. Her fear intensified by the passing of every minute, as they moved closer to the mansion.


    She was really scared that she was probably malnourished because of her poor eating pattern, and was eating everything she could get her hands on like it would make her fat in an instant. She was more scared that she would be going back to the same house, that had the suspect living with them.


    Alex had returned everything back to normal at the mansion except the credit cards and WiFi connection, so it was still almost like torture for main family member that were at home.


    It had been difficult for him to also call Dalton throughout the day after speaking with him in the morning, and so was it for his family too who were bothered to know the progress of things. He was never going to give them attention anyways.


    The car that drove in a few minutester after dinner time, gave the hint that Dalton was back home after over thirty hours that he had left in search of Aria.


    The maids who were super excited that Aria came with him rejoiced amongst themselves, while the family members who were still at the dining did not know until they both entered inside.


    They were inwardly relieved that Dalton would return everything back to normal, when they saw Aria follow behind him the moment they both reached the living room. They could keep their scornful faces to themselves till they were out of Dalton¡¯s sight, who would have thrown them out if she was not found.


    ¡°I heard you are making Aria the CEO of the department store,¡± Eva suddenly said to the hearing of everyone who were still embracing the feeling of relief, as they all returned back to their state of anxiety mixed with surprise.


    ¡®He was?¡¯

 Leading clues

    ¡°And you have a problem with that?¡± Dalton¡¯s voice cut her off immediately, and the entire family gasped at his reply.


    They were shocked when they heard Eva talk out of line at first, but were surprised to hear that Aria was getting the huge departmental store. It was really a ring fact that their brother was really serious Aria, even if their marriage was months away from its end.


    Aria herself was inwardly ted when she found out that Dalton had finally approved it, even if she had no idea about how to run that kind of huge business. It was a pleasure to her that regardless of everything, she was going to get a huge reward at the end of their marriage.


    ¡°You are making this bitch the head of the store?!¡± Eleanor raged immediately forgetting her sins that were not yet forgiven, and Ellen turned to her mother immediately to give her a cautioning look.


    ¡°Yes. And that is my final decision,¡± he said and made to climb the stairs together with Aria, when he heard an offensive word that really sparked the rage out of him. Alex just frowned immediately, wondering why they could not just let Mrs. Eleanor Miller return back to her home.


    ¡°You are choosing her over your family?¡± Eleanor asked rhetorically with so much contempt.


    ¡°All of you here ownrge shares in the Millers corporation, even if you spend your days doing nothing and just keep spending. Mother chose to leave the Miller cosmeticspany to legal managements, and stood running the business. Ellen wrecked the affiliate pharmaceuticalpany in just a few months, because she studied some kind of rted course. Emma has interest in doing whatever, and Eva, is to run just the art gallery because grandfather does not want more than that.


    How many more should I take?! None of you arepetent to run any of thepanies well, and I am notining about it. But if you disrespect my orders one more time, then I would have no reason to spare anyone,¡± Dalton threatened so fearfully, that put everyone and even Aria in great shock.


    It was a side of Dalton they had never had to see before, even if he had gotten angry on a few asions at them. They knew that they had crossed the boundary, and that everything was probably going to be hard on them.


    The young billionaire had to carry all the burdens alone by himself withoutining, and worked out everypany simultaneously even if it was a really strenuous task. None of his family were really into the family business, and could not run it effectively the way he would.


    Aria walked ahead and climbed the stairs with everything they had bought, and made her way towards her room in cautiousness and fear. Though she had just been away from the mansion for just two days, yet everything looked too unfamiliar like she had left for so long.


    It was when she got to the front of her room to open the door, that she found out that it was switched locked already without any keys to make use of. She wondered if she was still not weed in the house, as she turned back in frustration to see Dalton standing before her.


    ¡°Your room is this way,¡± he informed her and pointed to the door of his own room, as her eyes widened in shock of what he was saying.


    ¡®What was he trying to say?¡¯


    ¡°What do you mean, Dalton? How is my room going to be your own?¡± He asked with a really serious face this time around. She didn¡¯t like that he was ying pranks against her.


    ¡°I have that room permanently locked, and we now stay in this room now as couples,¡± he informed her again.


    ¡°What?! No. I cannot share rooms with you Dalton, even if it is the size of this mansion. I would like my privacy and everything,¡± she screamed at him, which caught the attention of the troubled family that remained downstairs. They all wondered what the problem was.


    ¡°We are married. It shouldn¡¯t be a problem,¡± he insisted, and she could almost got crazy at that point at the situation she was put in.


    She could not imagine how uneasy and ufortable she would be even if he was mostly at work, if they got to share his huge room and space. It would be hard to do the things she would want to do, that Aria knew she totally hated the option he was offering to her.


    ¡®She should have known better when he was acting all cool about making her the head of the departmental store.¡¯


    ¡°I would prefer to ce my wardrobe on disy and sleep in the living room, rather than staying in the same room with you!¡± She spat at him and turned to go back to where the stairs were located, but he grabbed her by the waist immediately and carried her on his right shoulder.


    Aria screamed more loudly than ever when he carried her into the room head upside down, and shended on a soft bed that dipped as soon as her body touched it. She frowned at the way he carried her without her permission and red at him, but he just smiled at her and pulled his shirt over his body.


    It was then that she noticed the changes in the room, and it was crazier than what she had expected it to be. There were almost three portraits of her in different sizes hung on the wall, and the room seemed to have changed its color to a cooler blend.


    There were now two dressers and even a mini one again under the huge one, and a new beautiful interior that made it look like it had been a couple¡¯s room all along. Everything in the room at a second one toplement her presence in the room, except the most important of all.


    ¡°Why is there one bed, even if I would end up agreeing to your offer?¡± She asked him.N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.


    ¡°Because, we would share bed as married people,¡± he answered her with a smirk, and she really hated the look of it.


    Aria was still so pissed off as she walked round the huge room to take a look at it, and there was a much bigger dressing room by the left side of the room. Her clothes, shoes, and bags had been arranged ordingly, as she groaned so angrily when she realized that everything was nned in a way that she couldn¡¯t refuse.


    ¡°You do know that you are putting so many things at risk by putting me in your room right?¡± Aria asked him maliciously with a smirk, and he nodded in affirmation to what she said.


    ¡°I would see where how much you can try,¡± he gave her a more brutally menacing grin.


    Alex knocked the door to the room and made sure to hear an answer this time, before he stopped a few miles into the room and waited for Dalton toe and get him.


    If it was still days ago that Dalton had not decided to saddle his wife¡¯s room with his, he would have been able to evger into the room more freely.


    Dalton directed him to the main study room that was built in the house rather than the one he chose to use, as they discussed the affairs of how every investigation that concerned Aria.


    He wasing to realize that something was really wrong somewhere with every incident, that seemed to be aimed at her at every point.


    ¡°The chandelier that was broken is the kind that shatters if subjected to a light of extreme voltage, because of the kind of ss it was made of. It had been considered safe and seble because it is quality, and the most likely inability for such voltage of light to be passed through it. Seems like someone tampered with the lights knowing that,¡± Alex reported.


    ¡°In this house? Even with the cameras working?!¡± Dalton almost yelled from where he was sitting in anger.


    ¡°There are quite a few number of blind spot in the house. Must have been properly handled,¡± Alex hated to say.


    ¡°What about the vacation house? Any clues?¡±


    ¡°The sprinklers had been disconnected when the fire fighters checked. The door also appeared to be faulty, making it difficult to decipher if someone intentionally shut the door or it was shutpulsively,¡± Alex proceeded.


    ¡°She said someone locked it when she entered,¡± Dalton rified.


    ¡°The cameras seemed to be faulty too. Turns out they have stopped working for a while.¡±


    ¡°And the investigation with the pic?¡± Dalton inquired again.


    He was beginning to feel anxious about everything, as he remembered how the past had been for Aria. All the incidents that put her in grave danger that they overlooked, were all appearing real before him now that she was not even saying anything about it or making a fuss. And since he deeply cared.


    ¡°Found a lead from ady who was in the list of guests that appeared to have left just barely five hours, she had arrived with an initial intention to spend three days. She spilled that she saw something happen during the trip,¡± Alex said carefully and calmly, so that it would not appear too serious and intense.


    ¡°And what was that?¡±


    ¡°She thinks she saw someone or something drop from an elevated height.¡±

 His vulnerability

    ¡°So now that you have gotten thepany you asked for, any ns to make it even better than it is now? With what I know, you do not have so much knowledge about being the co-owner of apany, talk more of being the owner,¡± Dalton stated loudly as he walked out of the study room, that he had been for more than an hour after Alex left.


    Aria was sitting in front of the dresser mirror that was clearly for her, as she applied facial oil and treatment to her face for night purposes only. She continued to subconsciously check her cor bones to observe how sunken they are, and her eyes to see if they were not deep into their socket as well.


    She just resided in her fate and let Dalton do whatever he wanted, because she was actually cautious about returning to a room that had been tampered with in her absence.


    Though Dalton¡¯s room might not be any better for her either as she didn¡¯t know much about his life, it would help her map out the final ns to get the perpetrator for good.


    About the shopping mall she had made Dalton give to her, Aria¡¯s thoughts had never really urred to the stress she would be responsible for as the new CEO. The management of it was going to solely be in her hands, and yet she was nning to run other findings alongside it.


    Her head finally began to process the pending answers she was meant to answer for herself, the moment she heard him ask the formidable question from behind her.


    She decided to be bold about giving him a definite answer anyways, considering the part-time jobs she had engaged in for a few months in her past life at stores..


    ¡°I shouldn¡¯t reveal my backup ns to you, should I? As for the name, I would like it to be changed to RIAN,¡± She replied to him, and continued to tap some facial cleansing cream into her face too.


    The pyjamas she had changed into after bathing was a silkyfortable one that she didn¡¯t really like, unlike the pretty and sexy nighties that she liked to wear alone. She liked the appreciation of herself first, before any other person had to do that.


    ¡°Do you think you can absolutely run it well? Like by the standards of the Miller?¡± Dalton asked her again seriously this time, and she knew that he definitely needed an answer to the question he was asking her.


    ¡°I can, okay. Just let me do my own thing now that it is mine. Checked the contract uses perfectly to see if everything was perfect, and you didn¡¯t y a sneaky game this time. Sent it for rifications too,¡± she informed him.


    There was no way she would let him mess with her sanity this time, the same way he had turned the tables on her the day their marriage was supposed to end.


    ¡°I am a man of my words and also, of zero tolerance forgging behind. I do not take a second for an answer,¡± he boasted to her, as he flicked his left hand to put off the chandelier light and other bright ones in the room.


    ¡°Then I hope you go through your own words at the end of everything,¡± she uttered, which kind of invited tension into the room.


    He knew exactly what she was talking about, but decided to feign ignorance so as to prevent troubles. He had really learnt to hold back from replying to every one of her words, and it was working really perfectly.


    ¡°How do you know how to inject so well and do other things that I just had to figure out now?¡± He asked her from the blues the moment he sat on the bed, wanting to ask her initially if she had taken her drugs.


    ¡°Was trained in the streets. Not a new thing,¡± she replied nonchntly, and his hand freezed to the MacBook that was about to carry where he had dropped it earlier.


    ¡°Weren¡¯t you living with your dad?¡± He turned to ask her, wondering if he had read her bio-information wrong again, from the very beginning of their life journey.


    ¡°Don¡¯t know why I said that,¡± she shrugged and turned to face the mirror again, and grabbed a nail file in one of the boxes on the table.


    It was really hard to be normal the same way she usually acted in her own room, since she now had to share arge room space with Dalton.


    ¡°So why are you scared of water? You know, therge ones?¡± Aria suddenly asked him suddenly, after she had taken notice that the bright lights in the room had been off.


    The ones that were put on were just the perfect ones for the moment, and maybe for Dalton who seemed to be splitting his work attention with Aria. He could be in his new study room if he wanted to have no problem of disturbance, but it was kind of hard for him to focus for more than an hour in the same room with her. He wanted to talk.


    ¡°Is this some kind of personal getting to know yourselves interview?¡± Dalton¡¯s eyes squinted when he asked, and the hugemp that Aria was using on the dresser table went off immediately.


    ¡°No, Dalton. I am just genuinely curious to know why, because you do not seem like that,¡± Aria gave him a befitting reply and turned away from the dresser as soon as she stood up, and just took a seat at where the huge couch was centered in the room.


    ¡°And why are you sitting on that and not getting ready to sleep? The bed is big enough for seven people,¡± he asked.


    ¡°It is hard to fall asleep. I will when I am ready,¡± she answered in an indifferent manner unlike before that she would give no reply, and then turned her head to look away from his direction to the other side of the room. She was beginning to feel lightheaded, and she didn¡¯t want him to know that her body wasn¡¯t feeling too well.


    ¡°I almost drowned when I was younger. My father, who tried to rescue me, lost unconsciousness in the pool the moment he brought me out. Fell to the floor and had a head concussion. Things gotplicated when it was found out that he had a brain tumor. Died few monthster. All my fault.¡±


    The room became so silent immediately Dalton finished speaking, and chills filled the room instantly that crept up to Aria¡¯s body. She was rather shocked than surprised to hear Dalton talk about his past, to a person, anyone would have least expected that he would to.


    And it was really so unnned and phenomenal that such words came out of Dalton¡¯s lips, expressing the deepest part of him, and moreover his pains to her. She could sense the hurt in his voice as he spoke about it, and it was really weird to see a vulnerable side of Dalton.N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.


    It now became a clear understanding that that was probably the reason, she had never heard anything about him or seen him before. None of them liked to talk about his death or his existence either, because it was probably better to pretend that nothing happened and that no one was in that space before.


    Her legs stood of its own will and moved over to where he was sitting, and her both hands grabbed his cheeks softly without even thinking. She didn¡¯t know why she was doing that or what she would do, because she somewhat knew inside of her that she was bad at consoling people.


    ¡°It was definitely never your fault,¡± she said slowly, and moved her left hand from his cheek to pat his head gently.


    Though they didn¡¯t go beyond that emotional check to hugging, they both understood the message they were trying to pass, which was well received.


    The next morning was quite an early one for Aria, when she opened her at 3:00am in the morning. Her senses wereing to the awakening of the body, and she sensed that she seemed to have slept well through the night. Her head ache seemed to be gone too.


    But surprisingly, she was unable to turn her body the way she normally did every morning, which made her wonder if she was still in her dreams. It irritated her to know that she might have actually just slept well in the dream, and even being encased against a tight wall felt too real.


    Her eyes closed back to return to whatever was happening to her, when she felt the reality of something that wasforting and warm. The supposed wall wasn¡¯t as rigid as she thought, and even smelt familiarly nice in her head.


    That was when she realized that someone¡¯s arms were around her waist, while her own head was pressed to his rock hard chest. The feeling was too good to let go, and she loved her entire sleep and night in that position.


    ¡®Wait. Did she sleep in the same bed with Dalton? Were they cuddling? Did anything happen again?!¡¯

 Spotlight

    Aria¡¯s eyes trailed around every corner of the huge room, from the huge dangling chandeliers to the spots that were most best for a camera angle. It was kind of weird in her mind to think that Dalton would put cameras in his own room, but it wasn¡¯t entirely imusible to imagine either.


    Since he must have had the perfect ns in his mind that he would make her share his room, it was possible that there would be cameras in hidden ces to watch her every move. And it was no doubt that he had really been curious about what she was up to.


    That morning before Dalton left with his Alex for work, the assistant had passed her a small note and she wondered what it was all about. It was when she opened neatly folded paper and saw what it was all about, that tion swept her heart uncontrobly like a rumbling storm.


    She could almost feel her eyes wet in tears as she read the letters in the paper over and over again, to be sure that she had not read delusions because of her expectations. It was something she least expected, and could agree that she had been beaten too.


    Her hand straightened on the suit jacket that she was putting on over and over again, as she stared at her face in the mirror repeatedly. Her lips pulled in her thin line and stretched out to a bright smile, to reassure herself over and over again that everything would be fine.


    A few minutes after she had breathed in and out, she grabbed her purse from the dresser chair, and picked thest piece of toast for breakfast that was ced in the tray that was on her dresser.


    As she drove out of the underground parking lot to her destination, she forced the nicely baked treat into her mouth as her body trembled slightly behind the wheels throughout the entire drive. She was feeling really tired.


    ~`~~?~~`~


    Her shoes nked loudly against the surface of the tiled floor in the huge building of many floors, as she rode the elevator to the fifteenth floor of the third huge building. The route descriptions in the paper were quiteplicated to understand, because Alex had scribbled it like he was writing some kind of outdated writing calligraphy.


    It was easier with a nurse¡¯s assistance at the counter after she confirmed a visitation with what Alex gave her, and was able to point out which hallway was which, in the confusingly numbered doors.


    Aria made her way to the second hallway on the fifteenth floor, and stopped in front of the door of thest room on the row. Her eyes briefly caught the name of the patient written in bold letters, before she heaved a sigh of relief and took her first step into the room.


    The sounds of beeping machines were not hard to miss in the gloomy atmosphere, which were connected to the lifeless body of a female on the bed with an oxygen mask around the nose. Though it was easy to see the face because of the heavy bandage wrapping, she knew that it was the onlydy that she had a liking for in that house.


    ¡®So she wasn¡¯t dead yet. No wonder she was not told any information about her cremation, no matter how hard she tried to ask Alex.¡¯


    ¡°This is really a relief, to know, that you are still alive, Martha,¡± Aria¡¯s heavy voice dwelled deeply on her painful words, as she tried not to cry too hard in the state she was seeing the girl in. It was even more sad that she had no one to ask after her.


    Her body lowered to the floor as she bent to the spot on her heels, and wept uncontrobly like it was her own family that was a victim. She cried so much that her eyes ached badly and her stomach sank, that made her body shudder nonstop in weakness.


    It was hard to say exactly when the girl would wake up from heratose state, or if she would even wake up soon with the present situation. Still, she was thankful that Dalton was taking responsibility for her bills, even if to them she was a nobody who didn¡¯t deserve that kind of treatment.


    She made her way out of the hospital as she struggled to walk normally the way she had entered inside initially, because her body felt so tired and weak coupled with her head that ached so badly. Her walking steps were wobbly and her eyes were dizzy, as she tried to make it into the next elevator.


    Her hand scattered through her bag and found the pills that she had not used that morning, and swallowed it immediately before the elevator stopped at thest floor. She came out looking alreadyported and relieved, as she made her way back to where her car was parked.


    Fixing her make-up that had been smudged previously because of her tears, Aria checked her face in a small sized mirror to see if her look was perfect. She ran her hand across her pressed straight hair to give it a perfect touch, and adjusted her red lipstick with a slight touch of a peach color.Exclusive content from N?velDrama.Org.


    Her look was on point and her dress matched the vibes. No one would know that she had just bawled her eyes out minutes ago. For the departmental store that she had just acquired as her own as part alimony, she knew she had to make her first appearance as the new CEO.


    Just when Aria was about to drive away from the hospital, she saw Alex standing right in the parking lot like he had been waiting for her. He walked closer to where she was and informed her that Dalton wanted her to leave in the car, that he pointed to which was with a chauffeur.


    Aria was oblivious of the fact that the media had blown the takeover news out of proportion that morning, when the news got to the shareholders that the departmental store now had a new CEO.


    She had to at least make an appearance that day as the new CEO, but Dalton had left her with enough time to do her own thing before he instructed Alex.


    She didn¡¯t even resist or say anything to displease the assistant, and just left in the car with so many thoughts in her heart. It was she who demanded such responsibility be given to her, solely because of her resentment and not because she really had an interest inpany affairs.


    However, it was a goal that she had climbed to by herself in just a few months that her marriage was about to end, which was not even enough to make up for everything that his heartless family had done.


    ¡®And maybe it wasn¡¯t even bad to rise to fame. She should work better on her desires and aim to be even better, by using the influence of the family that she was married into. It was just the best thing.¡¯


    The car pulled in front of the huge department store that she had probably not been to more, than twice in her life since their lovely facade matrimony. The shopping mall was a very huge one of a really high worth, and she had surprisingly taken over it in just a few months.


    ¡®Oh dear. You should be proud of yourself.¡¯


    Immediately Aria stepped out of the car in a grand manner to just enter and take a better view of it, the press that were all over the corners of the buildings ran up seeing her. The news had been published early that morning, and it was totally not difficult to recognize her.


    ¡°Mrs. Miller, are you truly the owner of the department store now?¡± Reporters asked to know.


    ¡°Is it true that your husband has granted thepany as he promised months ago?¡± One of those who were present in the mansion the first time they were allowed to enter the Miller¡¯s house inquired.


    ¡°Is it true that it is your alimony?¡± A female reporter asked loudly, as she shoved her huge microphone forward.


    ¡°Do you think you got to be CEO because of your husband¡¯s affluence? What do you think the shareholders will say?¡± Another mored.


    ¡°What do you have to say as the new owner?¡±


    ¡°Where is Mr. Miller? Are you both here?¡±


    They all mored and asked irritating and annoying questions at the same time, which almost made Aria lose her manners in public that she wanted to sneer at them.


    Some of Dalton¡¯s best trained guards that were waiting around thepany premises before came forward, and prevented the press from getting any closer to her, as she sauntered through the door gracefully.


    ¡®So that is what it feels to be in the spotlight. What do we do about this? How can you make the best use of this?¡¯ her mind questioned her.

 New hopes

    ¡°This is much harder than I thought!¡± Aria groaned inwardly, as she frowned at the statistics graph that Amelia had presented to her just the third day of bing CEO.


    Amelia was the managing director of the department store, and it was her fifth year working for the MLmall. She waspetent and hardworking in her doings, extremely professional that it was hard to rece her.


    She was one of the few women that had never tried to lure advances towards Dalton, or get too cringy because of the business bond she shared with him. Her technical and educational skills were at an incredibly high level, and she did perfectly fine getting thepany better by the years with great innovative ideas.


    Ever since she had been officially informed of the MLmall¡¯s change in ownership and name, she had been giving it her best to rte with Aria well about the affairs of thepany. It was even more easier and pleasant for her than she expected, because Aria was more calm and collected than she had envisaged.


    Amelia had thought it would be like dealing with Dalton¡¯s sisters, because she had met everyone of them in the past. The most saucy and annoying was Ellen, while the most suffocating was Eva. Since then, she had always hoped endlessly that any of them would not get to head the store. Aria was a different story.


    ¡°The difference is palpable, right?¡± Aria chuckled dryly, as she continued to look at the evident analysis of what had been going on for a few days, which didn¡¯t even need an exnation.


    She hated that she had to deviate from her initial course of action when there was limited time, but she still had to assume the position that she had taken over for show and publicity. It was hard to even breath since she was now quite known, but she never forgot to wear an eye shade every single time.


    ¡°Yes, ma¡¯am. The record in sales has dropped since you became the new CEO, because some of ourrgest investors have stopped and withdrawn their shares. They say they do not trust the corporation anymore, if Mr. Miller does not keep being the one to run it,¡± Amelia exined in full details of thetest development to her new boss, to make her realize the gravity of what was up because of her new takeover.


    ¡°And there was a reduction in customer¡¯s engagement, especially the VIPs right?¡± Aria asked Amelia the question she knew an answer to already, as she tried to act unfazed by everything that was happening.


    Though it didn¡¯t really matter to her initially, it has be hers now and it didn¡¯t rte to the Millers anymore even if it crumbled. Reality had hit her in the head that runningpany affairs was not as easy as she thought. Especially if Dalton Miller was involved.


    ¡°Yes, ma,¡± Amelia dragged her next word as she subconsciously brushed her chin so many times in a few minutes, wondering if she should reveal the details of what she was about to say next.


    ¡°What about the top investors? What is their share percentage in thepany, and how much has it affected us?¡± Aria asked next, before the skeptical manager could even say what she was about to.


    ¡°The ones highlighted at the first top three spots are the ones. The third person, Fester semiconductors, has a share of 12%, the second, Gavild tech, has 17%, and the first person has the highest shares of 45%,¡± Amelia exined.


    ¡°And who is the first person with the highest shares of 45%?¡± Aria asked with great surprise wondering who it was, as she thought Amelia had forgotten to mention the name of the person. It was really a huge problem, that someone with that great amount of shares withdrew.


    ¡°It is, Mr. Miller, Ma,¡± Amelia finally broke the bombshell, hoping that she had not ruined things between the two couples.


    She had tried to wonder in her head several times, what had probably gone wrong between both of them. It was he who had given her every rights of the mall, so it was really hard to understand why he withdrew his shares after the handover.


    However, it was no longer her business to contact Dalton anymore, because she now had a new boss who was directly rted to him. She had to be urate and transparent with the new boss.


    ¡°Mr. Miller? You mean Dalton?!¡± Aria, who could not believe her ears half-yelled when she heard her assistant and managing director, talk about Dalton being the lead person to put her new job in jeopardy because of his initial position as the owner.


    ¡®So that was his n all this while.¡¯


    Amelia just remained calm andported without saying anything, so that she would neither support nobody nor condemn them. It wasn¡¯t even in her ce to answer Aria¡¯s rhetorical question.


    ¡°As my assistant, managing director and advisor, Amelia. What would you advise me to do?¡± Aria turned to the brte standing in front of her, dressed in a professional ck suit and pink stilettos to match her perfect outfit.


    The billionaire¡¯s wife knew that Amelia was a professional and could handle the situation, with every information she had studied in her few days of being the CEO of the shopping mall. If things didn¡¯t end up working as she expected, she would have to hire legal management to take over.


    ¡°I have drafted out the few options that could be put into arge consideration, to cover up for all these losses and make up for her customers that are leaving,¡± Amelia finally informed, as she brought out the files from the envelope that she had tucked to her side all those while.


    She had made up her mind that it was only a CEO who was ready to make a change, that she would be willing to work selflessly for withoutpromises. If Aria was not going to show interest in making things better as she found it, then she herself would remain idle and act oblivious to everything.


    ¡°I guess the real job starts now,¡± Aria sighed so hard.


    .                 ~?~


    ¡°Heard you are taking over thepany now. Dalton Miller is always unpredictable and unbeatable in his game. You cannot figure him out,¡± Collin¡¯s voice came from the other side of the MacBook that Aria was using for a video call with him.


    Turns out that Collin had been so restless, sad and stressed out for days, wondering what could have gone wrong with Aria and why the vacation house got burnt. His inability to get across to her made his fear worsen, that he had his assistant investigating intensely on what could have gone wrong.


    It waster that they were able to find out from one of the firefighters, that some person was able to rescue the supposeddy he had imed was inside the ce. Seeing the media uproar with a new CEO to the department store, made it easier to get across to her knowing well that she would be in an office at the shopping mall.


    He was able to get across to her through her personal email, and they connected again with her heart filled with gratitude for him. They decided not to talk about the fire incident or what had happened in the past.C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org.


    ¡°It happened that way. Best thing to do before I finally end this marriage for good,¡± Aria said with a smug, tired already from involving herself with every department in thepany and her workers. It was evening already, and she was getting ready to go home.


    Collin, who was really bothered about Aria not getting the chance to end her marriage because of thepany, could rx his nerves when he heard her still talk about a divorce.


    ¡°So, you are now the CEO of your firstpany, now. How is it going?¡± He asked her with a grin.


    ¡°Messed. Stressful. Turns out that Dalton is probably trying to screw me over. Was the highest shareholder and had withdrawn his shares. Thepany might be falling,¡± Aria replied nonchntly, as her thumbs circled around the buttons of the device she was using.


    ¡°Never leaves his old habits, does he?¡± Collin uttered calmly, not wanting to let his emotions get the best of him. He hated to know that Dalton could get whatever he wanted, even if he didn¡¯t deserve it in any way.


    Aria just smiled away his words like it didn¡¯t really matter. Everyone who recognized her knew her as Mrs. Miller, and not even her own name or identity. And she knew that it was going to continue like that, so far her life was tied to theirs.


    As her life trailed back to the screen she had lost focus from initially, an email notification popped up on the screen. She tapped on it to see what it was all about, and the message went thus; Hi. MAS


    ¡®It was the dancer. Just when she thought all hope was gone.¡¯

 Warning and butterflies

    Aria¡¯s eyes watched her videos that were sent to her through email over and over again, and they all seemed so simr to the ones that the private investigator had sent, except that it had a different background and setting.


    If she were to look at the angles andpare them with a simr outlook even if it had all changed, it was no doubt that the videos were taken in the Miller mansion. As expected, they were videos taken by spy webcams that were secretly mounted in a few locations.


    They were the videos that the dancer was finally able to send her, after a prolonged personal chat meeting between both of them. Curiosity of what was in the file and what the person had to offer overwhelmed her, more than who the person was or if it was a trap by the real perpetrator.


    Aria knew she had to be curious about everything she was venturing into, but time was counting and there were limits to what her private investigator could find out about. The house was a fairly private one with at least thirty others living with them as workers, in which none of them could be sidelined as not being a suspect.


    What seemed to bother her more was how this particr person, who was known as a female, got the videos that she had sent to her at first without demanding anything. Why the dancer had sent it too was another stress on her heart, and how she was able to keep getting away without getting caught by Dalton¡¯s best IT professionals.


    Another thing to ponder and worry about was how thedy knew who she was, how to contact her personally, and what she wanted to gain by helping her with finding her perpetrators.


    The fact that the person had kept her identity so well without getting caught was something tomend, but who she really was ate up the billionaire¡¯s wife¡¯s mind in curiosity. Every single thinking, spections and assumptions left her with so many hanging questions without answers.


    While the other workers and even Amelia had left for the day and ended work, Aria remained behind to be able to sort out everything she needed to before returning home. It had be a game of dice and hide, because she and Dalton had forcefully be roommates.


    [Do you know the person in question? Are this all you¡¯ve got? ] Aria typed an email to the person, wondering why they had sent those videos to her. If MAS knew who the person that had almost caused her to die in the past was, then there is no need to show her a few pieces to the alreadyplete puzzle.


    The maid that was spotted spiking her drink in the video was definitely not living in the mansion anymore, so it was going to be difficult to figure out why she had done that or if she was sent by someone.


    The other meaningful video caught pouring oil outside the kitchen floor, which was assigned to clean years ago by Eleanor, and sheter ended up breaking her arm. It was all done by the same maid.


    As Aria sat in the cold and lonely office waiting so long for an email reply, she checked the time to see that the time was far spent. Her stomach was rumbling badly because she had left her lunch untouched, and her eyes had begun to ache because she had stared on one device for too long.


    She picked up her cell phone that she had put on silent mode since the beginning of the day, to see so many missed calls from the phone number that stuck stubbornly to her head even if she hated it.


    It was a good thing for her to know that he was out of the country for a brief meeting, else, he would havee with his proud self to the mall and act all bossy. For the fact that he had even done his worst by pulling out his shares from thepany, she was never going to give him any more means to mess up with her.


    ¡°Jerk!¡± Aria let out an exasperated hiss, and stood up from behind the table that was initially tucked into. Her left hand grabbed the MacBook on the table and shut it down, as she arranged it into a portable bag alongside some other stuff.


    Just as she picked her hand bag and walked to the door before switching off the lights to her office, Dalton¡¯s call came in again and it made her frown. She knew he was probably so angry already because she was ignoring his calls, she decided to make him more pissed by not replying to his call.


    Instead, she texted that he whosoever he was, he should call or she would call the cops on him. With a malicious smug that tugged her bright red lips, she made her way into the elevator as her heels nked loudly on the marbled floor of the luxurious mall.


    It felt so surreal to know that she now owned the renowned shopping mall of the Millers, as one of the rewards of still being a wife in the household. The view from the top floor to the ground was so beautiful, that it gave her the urge to want to control thepany as hers and grow it.


    But she had so many things to do before that. Lots of findings and digging as well. And just as she thought of everything that had happened after her divorce with Dalton failed, she was somewhat thankful that he rejected the proposal to get divorced. Leaving in vain and mockery would have been the worst.


    A shadow whoosed past Aria as she came out of the elevator that led to the parking lot, which made her turn behindpulsively to see who it was. The lights to the underground parking lot were bright and on, which emboldened her that nothing was up, and that she was just seeing wrongly.C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org.


    As she sauntered to her car and looked for her car keys, she felt someone walking behind her as she turned immediately to see again. Slowly, her hand tried to pull open her car and enter immediately, but she pulled her heels carefully instead without turning. It was too evident that someone was behind her. Suddenly, the lights went off.


    ¡®Right or left? Right leads back to the mall, while the left leads to the mall¡¯spound and the gate. Where should you turn to?¡¯


    And instantly like someone under a hot chase, Aria picked to her heels after dropping everything in her hand on the floor, without minding where she had felt the eerie feeling from. She ran backward to where she wasing from, so fast that the figure which was hiding behind took off after in surprise.


    Calcting her moves and the time that the elevator would use to open and close if she pressed on it, it was possible for whosoever that was chasing after her to catch her without doubt. Taking the harder route, Aria took the stairs immediately and climbed hastily on it while she heard the elevator ding open.


    As she ran quickly up the stairs in agitation and restlessness, she could hear some kind of faint call of her name so loudly. Thinking that she was hallucinating with the need for someone to call, she realized that the person following her didn¡¯t take the elevator and was following after her instead.


    Randomly and disorderly, she ran fast in ordance to the danger alert that shook through her body. That was when she was sure that she was hearing her name. The legs behind her were getting nearer and nearer, and she was getting tired and tired.


    ¡°Aria!¡± The voice resonated deeply so familiarly, and that gave her energy from nowhere to run faster.


    Immediately she got to the fifth floor and increased her pace so fast, she ran outside the stairs exit into the farthest elevator on the floor. Pressing on the button, she saw the figure run across as she made her into the elevator and copsed immediately the doors closed.


    Upon getting to the first floor, which was the seventeenth floor, the door opened with her still copsed to the floor and her eyes tightly closed. She was tired as she panted so much on the spot, without realizing that the door was opened already.


    The moment she opened her eyes, it came in contact with the man she had desperately wished to see at that moment. Though she never usually thought of him on a good day except for random wicked things, but as she ran desperately, she wished he would be somewhere near.


    She knew that he had travelled that morning to wherever, but she hoped that he would be in front of her to argue with her, rather than what she had to face alone in the huge building. And if wishes usually came true, then she was lucky to have hers answered at thest minute. A smile tugged her lips.


    Her bruised feet gathered its strength and stood from where she was squatting, as he darted forward to catch her before she would fall again. He was terrified to see her in that state even if he wasing with anger initially, as she carried her in his arms in fear of what could have gone wrong with her.


    ¡°I am d you are here,¡± he heard her mumble tiredly and weakly, and his heart which was craving for her attention skipped a beat.


    ¡®You are finally knocked, Dalton.¡¯

 Hallucinations

    ¡°I sense things taking a crazy turn in this house. I have never seen Eva so concerned about the home andpany affairs that much,¡± Ellen, who was driving the car said to make the mood in the car lighten up, with her younger sister and mother who were sitting at the passenger¡¯s seat.


    The excited daughter was happily driving her mother to the airport, so that she could just be in time to catch her flight. Eleanor had paid for the trip with some of her friends a month ago, and it was postponed due to some personal reasons. Finally, it was time for her to go and Ellen couldn¡¯t be more than delighted.


    Though they were not still in a pleasant mood that Dalton didn¡¯t restore all of the credit cards, Ellen wasn¡¯t so bothered because she earned from her own personal job too. Though every money she had spent and thevish lifestyle she had kept up to date because of her brother, it was still easier to get adjusted to the new system than her mother.


    Eleanor had remained an angry woman ever since Aria returned back to the house, and her son didn¡¯t seem to care about anyone even more. Anyone who was not pleased with his rules could use the door out, and stay in their own houses as Eva often did.


    Ellen¡¯s eyes trailed to the front mirror to see what they were both doing, when she didn¡¯t hear an answer from any of them. Her younger sister was engrossed in the online novel that she was reading, while her mother was still thoroughly pissed off about everything, and her trip that was rescheduled to a very wrong time.


    There was now limit to how she could spend money with the credit card she had, which she really hated the most out of everything. She spent money more extravagantly in the house than anyone, and even engaged in online weird games where she loses money too.


    Dalton, who had known all along continued to keep her in check without making an issue out of it, finally found a good reason to make sure she realized the gravity of her irrational actions. About Aria being made the new head of apany too, she almost thought she would lose her mind when she confirmed the validity.


    ¡°Anything to say about Aria¡¯spany takeover?¡± Ellen, who was still staring at her mother through the mirror, taunted her again, so that she would be provoked to say something. And she knew it would work. Her mother was still keeping it all in.


    ¡°It is so crazy that Dalton has started with the department store. What if he ends up giving her the entirepany rights?¡± The crazy daughter continued to press while looking intently at her mother¡¯s facial expression through the mirror, which had started to be wry by what she was hearing.


    ¡°What if she and Dalton finally decides not to get a divorce?¡± Emma, who suddenly stopped what she was reading cut in, and that statement became the fuel to the glowing fire of Eleanor¡¯s heart.


    ¡°That will never happen! I will kill that bastard before it happens!!!!¡± Eleanor screamed out in a very insane way that took her daughters by surprise, and her eyes shed so intently like someone who could stab a bear if she saw one.


    Emma remained startled for a few seconds by the way their mum screamed, while Ellen bursted into a derisiveughter that was more taunting to the ears. It was a fact that Eleanor was really frustrated, beyond her limit point.


    ¡°What do you think it is then? Their marriage?¡± Emma turned to ask her sister instead.


    She had stopped traveling the way she usually did after her breakup, and just usually remained indoors or visited a library. It was just a few days away with the blind date that their grandfather had set for Ellen, and Emma was tagging along to pick a nice dress and shoe for her.


    Though both sisters were not usually that close in the past, they were trying more to rely on one another than before. The whole new process worked, and they were doing fine.


    ¡°I really¡­ don¡¯t know,¡± Ellen paused, and tried to think of a perfect answer to the question her sister was asking her. It was actually hard of a question to answer.


    ¡°It is some kind of love-hatred thing. They are about to divorce, and he gives her a shopping mall of her own. Surely, it is not alimony. They hate each other and bicker, but you can also see some kind of burning affection. I really don¡¯t know,¡± Ellen finally gave up guessing on what was really going on between them.


    ¡°Do you think they will divorce at the end of everything?¡± Emma asked again.


    ¡°They probably will, and they should. Living with our family was torture for her, and if she still eventually remains as a wife, then our good lives would be more bad than this,¡± Ellen stated truthfully and painfully.


    And they probably knew it too. Only her brief disappearance from the house, caused them quite a great difort. It was evident that Dalton was now smitten by her in ways they couldn¡¯t even understand, but if it continued that way, she would end up making their lives sorry using Dalton¡¯s influence.


    ¡°Dalton has a weird taste for women with fierce demeanor that would defy him. Maybe Aria found that out, and decided to take it to the end,¡± Emma chuckled softly, and turned her face to outside the car where a breeze whoosed past her tiny face.


    ¡°Maybe? And she indeed seeded.¡±


    ~?~.  ?   ~?~.


    ¡°Are you okay? What happened?¡± Dalton asked thedy he was carrying tenderly in his arms against his chest, when she had still not uttered any words over the five minutes that he saw her in that state. She didn¡¯t answer him.


    ¡°What happened Aria? Why did you look so startled and distressed when you saw me? Where are your shoes? And why do you look so disorientated?¡± Dalton asked Aria in rushed words, questions that he had been trying to shove down his throat for a few minutes, so that she could regain herself first.


    ¡°I think someone was chasing me,¡± she replied in a very low tone, while trying to still catch her breath which was still unstable.


    ¡°You were running? Someone was chasing you?¡± Dalton, who was surprised by what she was telling him, furrowed his eyebrow in shock mixed with fear of what could be happening.


    ¡°Are you okay? Can you move?¡± He touched her face and forehead to check if was doing well.


    ¡°Why are you still in the office by this time?¡± He queried her, as he quickly brought his phone from his pants pocket and called Alex immediately.


    ¡°Was busy with work. Found out that¡­..¡± Aria paused and remembered that he was the major reason why herpany was facing a crisis, even if the money was his right. She frowned and stopped answering whatever he asked her again.


    She was too tired and stressed out tosh out at him and get angry, but she preferred to get him angry by giving the silent treatment. He didn¡¯t notice that fact though, and just carried her away from where they were standing into the nearest elevator.C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org.


    ¡®Were every incident really a coincidence?¡¯


    They watched the videos over and over again as the camera operator rewinded and fast-forwarded, every single minute and seconds of the parking lot footage, that Aria imed that someone had chased after her. The man was distressed when he had to return back to the mall thatte, when Alex called him.


    Dalton collected theputer mouse for himself and watched it again and again, but there seemed to be no one chasing after ady, who picked off by herself like someone chased when she got to where her car was parked. It really surprised the billionaire at what he was watching.


    After they were able to ascertain everything that had happened, the man was allowed to go home while Aria looked so confused at the video that she was watching too. Dalton turned to face her.


    ¡°Are you sure someone was really chasing after you?¡± He asked her again patiently, so that it would not sound as if he had made her a liar. However, she didn¡¯t take well.


    ¡°Are you insinuating that I have lost my mind over that sillyputer?!¡± She raged.


    ¡°There was no one in the videos, Aria. You were just running on your own ord, probably because of some kind of fear trigger that prompted you to do that,¡± Dalton said calmly as stood in front of Aria who was sitting, which had Alex who was in the room so surprised that Dalton could ever be that calm while talking to someone.


    ¡°I know what I saw!¡±


    ¡°You should get a test done, Aria. Both psychologically, emotionally and mentally. I will also get you to see a therapist for your nightmares, tomorrow.¡±


    ¡°No. No! I am going to see a damned therapist!¡± Aria refused, and stood up in anger immediately, at the conversation Dalton was trying to hold with her.


    ¡°You are,¡± Dalton insisted.


    ¡°I will not, Dalton. If there is anyone who needs this test here, then it is you Dalton,¡± Aria uttered instantly to piss the billionaire off, which actually had quite an impact on him. Alex was begining to freak out. He hated to watch them like that.


    ¡°You are, Aria. Get ready for it tomorrow!¡± He ordered dangerously.


    ¡®No. She could not get any tests done. She wasn¡¯t getting any tests done.¡¯

 Doing it right

    Dressed in a dress of dull colour and weird shape from her preselected clothes in the past, Aria still couldn¡¯t help but look attractive in the cloth that was meant to make her look depressed.


    She had no make-up on and had not done her hair either after she woke up that morning, drenched and tired from her nightmares that seemed to have gotten worse.


    To make the night a really uninteresting and boring one, she stayed away from the bed without talking to Dalton, who remained in his study after they returned back home.


    He knew that she was so pissed off at him and how he was trying to make decisions for her, but thought it was about the fact that he didn¡¯t believe her when she said someone was chasing after her.


    She hated that he was trying to meddle into her own personal affairs, when they had not even talked about what her past had been like, or what triggered every mess of her life that he was just getting to notice. It didn¡¯t really matter much to her if they remained on bad terms for so long, but it was too unsettling for him that they faltered again whenever they took a step forward.


    However, he believed that he was trying to help her get better regardless of her own view about it, and had the conviction in his heart that she wouldter appreciate his hardheadedness and stubbornness.


    Alex had fixed an appointment for that morning with every medical practitioner necessary, and had also cleared up both Dalton¡¯s and Aria¡¯s schedules. It was working perfectly for the billionaire to help her get help, but his arranged wife hated everything that was going to happen without her consent.


    Early that morning while Dalton was in the shower, Aria had browsed on her phone ways to mess up a forced medical checkup. She found some messed up methods and quite a few ones that were hrious, but it didn¡¯t proffer any reasonable solutions as time kept passing by.


    The look Dalton had on his face was priceless when he saw Ariae out of the mansion, as Alex opened the door to the side of the car that she would enter through. He knew that she was dressed in that manner intentionally to ruin the mood, but he wasn¡¯t going to let her do anything to make him change his mind.


    She had dressed too ndly, unlike her usual self, and represented a sexy and pretty maid that was just getting to know her boss, without any idea about what the real fashion of the women socialites was all about.


    Dalton instructed the chauffeur that was in front of the car of where they would drive too first, before the initial ce they had nned to go before she got near. She gave him the cold gaze and treatment as she entered the car.


    ¡°You do not get to decide what I want for myself, Dalton!¡± She gritted her teeth as he pushed her back against the wall, the moment they were the only one left in the huge fitting room.


    ¡°You do not y games with me, Aria. You and I know that I am doing this for your benefit, in so many ways. Do you know that?¡± His voice tried to remain calm in a cajoling way, that would make her realize that he was being like that because she was acting so headstrong about the entire process.


    ¡°It is my health, my body and my mind! You do not get a right to decide who takes a peek in it however they like. I do not need your help,¡± she screamed right at his face and pushed him as hard as he could, but hisrge hands grabbed her back the moment she broke free from his grip and was about to storm out.


    ¡°You represent a family andpany here,¡± he hissed as he hovered his huge body against her own body, with her back pressing against the wall again, ¡°You cannot be found with faults or weaknesses! There are so many people waiting to bring you down.¡±


    ¡°Oh, so that was why you withdrew your shares to make thepany fail, and thene here to throw a pity party that is aimed to help ady, who is not in her right mind? After you tried every way you could to screw me up?¡± Aria chuckled in a bitter tone that intensified extreme sarcasm, and she was able to make him speechless by her words.


    She had intended to remain quiet about everything and just allow him to do whatever he wanted, but he was suffocating her in ways that could not make her hold her lips anymore.


    If she could escape without getting caught up in his annoying scheme of unasked therapy, then she was ready to say more than that if that would aggravate him into leaving her there. She would dly walk home.


    ¡°It is not like that! You cannot just decide what I do with my money. I get to decide,¡± he defended strongly.


    ¡°Yeah, why not? I thought as much that everything about this marriage had been shitty from the beginning, and it is still going to end in a mess. I probably was getting stupid for some seconds, swaying a bit, but it is all good now. Two months away from here, and we are done!¡± She spat right into his face.


    ¡°It was¡­ It was to build you up. Shit! I am not meant to be saying this because it was meant to be a test, to know how ready you were for being apany owner. To see measures you would take, if things are at the dire verge of crumbling. I mean I cannot just give apany to someone who would not run it well, even if it isn¡¯t mine anymore¡­.¡±


    ¡°Hunnnh,¡± she sounded with sarcasm still.


    ¡°And you seemed to handle it pretty well. You are on the verge of bing the person with thergest amount of shares, even if I really do not know how you did that,¡± hemended, recollecting the details of how Alex had exined all about it to him in the money. She had not used any money from the ck card that was with her, which was what he thought her final resort would be.


    ¡°And what do you mean by swaying, Aria?¡± Dalton¡¯s seemed a little different from the side of him that she usually saw or saw a few seconds ago, that seemed so sensual and flirty which was charming in a way.


    ¡°You seem to have not have not stopped monitoring every movement and step of my life. And you always do it wrongly, and also do it at the wrong times,¡± she hissed, not answering the question that he had asked her.N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.


    ¡°You really are an attractive woman, Aria. It is fucking hard to resist you everytime,¡± he became so flirty, as his eyes ran sexily across every part of her body. It made her almost shocked out of her mind, to see him using words that would never usuallye out of his mouth.


    ¡®So he does know the word fuck.¡¯


    His lip crashed against hers and kissed her so passionately and deeply, that it was hard for hers to reciprocate the spontaneous action of his. He kissed her till she thought that she would really faint, and she broke free as quickly as she could to catch her breath.


    Unsatisfied by the savoring taste of her that he had gotten to taste again, he pushed her further for another kiss but she struggled to break free again. Kissing him was the least of her problems.


    ¡°You are kissing me like you want to suffocate me. Are you drunk?!¡± She yelled angrily.


    ¡°I think so. Your lips make me high,¡± he winked at her, and she almost shrieked in horror.


    ¡°You must really be out of your mind!¡±


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter if I am. We have to make sure that you are not. Now get dressed, while we go for the check-up,¡± he winked at her again.


    ~?~. ¡ã¡ã. ~?~.


    ¡°The doctor said that the results of the blood test that was taken would be out by evening, but she cannot do a full CT scan,¡± Alex exined.


    ¡°Why is that?¡± Dalton, who was sitting in the VIP lounge waiting for Aria who had gone with the doctor, remained so impatient to wait for too long. He hated that she told the doctor that his presence would make her too scared to go through the entire procedure.


    ¡°He said that the patient is extremely ustrophobic to be in such enclosed space, and is too emotionally unstable to take the test as she didn¡¯t steady throughout the first tests. He suggested and advised that she should take therapy first, ande back to do the remaining tests.¡±


    ¡°Aria is ustrophobic and emotionally unstable? Really?¡± Dalton almost yelled incredulously and in great surprise at the preposterous news that he had to hear Alex tell him. From what he knew she was never like that


    ¡®What has she got up to her sleeve again?¡¯ he wondered angrily.


    ¡°Get her toe here. Right, now!¡±

 Blind date

    ¡°How do you think I look? Do I look outstanding?¡± Ellen asked her sister who was lying on the bed, and watched how her sister continuously checked her face on the huge mirror over and over again.


    ¡°I thought you said it was for the formality, and that you literally do not want to go on this date,¡± Emma countered immediately, which made Ellen snicker at her younger sister.


    She was never the kind to give sarcastic replies to questions in the past, and barely talked back even if she wanted to say things out. But it seemed like associating closely with her elder sister had made things begin to change, that she could now make jokes andugh loudly if something was funny.


    ¡°I am a Miller, Emma. I need to look perfect and extremely beautiful, without acting like I have put too much effort into looking gorgeous too. Everything just has toplement perfectly,¡± she replied to Emma, and continued to check out her simple but gorgeous dress in the mirror, ¡°I just hope he is not a messed up dude.¡±


    ¡°I am sure that grandpops cannot let you down with the wrong search. And you are absolutely pretty and gorgeous. Just go to the blind date and get yourself a man,¡± Emma assured her and then chuckled.


    ¡°You definitely know that I am not going there to get myself a husband. Even most of the socialite men that I havee across for the past weeks, are mostly looking for something that has to do with this family¡¯s wealth. Getting a real man is hard,¡± Ellen stated the bitter truth, as she finally buckled the strap of her heels firmly around her ankles.


    Ellen¡¯s statement brought Emma to the remembrance of her fling with her ex-boyfriend, but it was just the perk that came withing from an extremely wealthy family. It was even hard for normal girls with an average family to get true love, how much more they.


    ¡°Alright, darling. I¡¯ll be back to give you the details of how this grandpa¡¯s date theme goes,¡± Ellen blew a kiss to her sister, and stepped out of the room shortly after with great confidence.


    Things had probably been much better in the mansion and quiet, with less drama and unnecessary problems from every member of the house. The servants all focused squarely on their jobs, because there could be another impromptu search that would cost them their jobs and peace again.


    Their mother was out of the country on a vacation, Dalton and his wife were doing their own things that were not understandable, Eva barely visited the mansion, Hailey was too caught up in her sadness that was rted to Dalton and herpany¡¯s business, while she was mostly left with Emma in their own spare time. It was just like that.


    ~~~~C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org.


    The location for the date was really worth every money spent for everything, because of the exquisite taste and perfect look of the venue. It was perfectly made for the two people that were meant to be on the date, and the mood was perfect to set up something romantic for the two.


    Ellen made her way into the building after a chauffeur from the mansion had dropped her off, with her heart ticking some kind of nervous bomb into her. It wasn¡¯t even about whom the person that she was going to meet would be, but how the entire date was going to be without any default on her own side.


    ¡®What if the person rejected her at first sight?¡¯


    ¡°No, Ellen. You¡¯ve got this. Shit isn¡¯t for you,¡± she assured herself with barely audible words, as she approached the table where she could sight her blind date from behind.


    His manly and built physique from behind was the first thing that caught her eyes even through his shirt, and his ck hair that was waxed so perfectly which shone more beautifully by the influence of the lights. Her heels nking against the floor and her cologne whiff caught his attention, as his head turned to greet her with a smile to at least show his courtesy.


    ¡®Wait. What?¡¯


    Ellen took her seat elegantly right in front of him on the empty seat, as her face turned to look at the beautiful man in sight. She had intended to end things with him at most thirty minutes after the date began, but she had a change of mind immediately when she saw the man that was before her. He had almost the perfect look.


    His look and outfit looked fantastic, that he didn¡¯t do less or too much, which was simr to how Dalton would dress. His eyes were really pretty to look at and his nose had the perfect bridge, which kind of made Ellen almost get lost as she tried to focus on manner first. He was ahead of her.


    ¡°Collin Carson. Nice to meet you,¡± he introduced himself in a smooth voice, while trying to keep the entire date neutral and natural.


    Collin had forgotten all about the date due to everything that had happened, until his assistant had to remind him again that morning about it after his own reminder rm rang.


    He had nned to ditch the entire blind date thing and just pass with it, but there were conditions that if he went, the following and subsequent ones would be cancelled.


    ¡®And there she was. One of the people who hurt his dear friend.¡¯


    ¡°Ellen Miller. Nice to meet you too,¡± she introduced herself, and had this modest look on her face like an innocent pretty elite person. Though she was working on herself and changing, her previous sins had not been wiped away.


    There was a moment of awkward silence for both of them, especially Collin, who really didn¡¯t know how to remain calm and collected in that kind of situation. For Ellen, she was trying not toe off as being too forward with things. He finally broke the ice.


    ¡°So, what would you like to eat? I think we can select from the menu,¡± he informed her and proceeded to check what was on the menu, to divert his attention for the moment especially with her. He totally had nothing to say to her knowing what Aria had gone through with her family.


    And right in time was the waitress who came in a very dignified manner, to take their orders as perfectly arranged for the setting. While they both waited for their food to arrive, it was time for Ellen to engage in a friendly conversation.


    ¡°Did you look forward to this blind date? It was set up by my grandfather and the date was far apart to constantly mind it,¡± she almost bluffed out but in the most organized manner, to still remain the incredible Ellen Miller that she was.


    Notwithstanding, the guy that was before her had the nice gestures and the polite way of acting that she really liked. It was not easy to read his emotions of interest or disinterest, because he just remained still and at the same time responsive.


    ¡°If I would be honest, not really. Like you said, the date was too far and there were really so many busy schedules taking time,¡± his ent almost blew her off her mind, but she was disappointed to know that he really didn¡¯t put mind into the date.


    She also did not until it came near, but she had specially picked a dress and heels for it. It made it clear to her that he was not certainly interested in who she was since the meeting was anonymous, but didn¡¯t seem any eager to get along even after he finally realized who she was.


    ¡°Have we ever met on a personal note before? Like apart from now?¡± He engaged again.


    ¡°No, I do not think so because I had most of my early life outside this city, and also the socialite and elite circle of people. But I certainly do know Dalton Miller,¡± he said, trying not to ruin the mood by mentioning the name of the man he detested. Knowing well that they were connected as families, he would really like to trash her ears with venomous words.


    ¡°You know my brother?¡± Ellen asked in eagerness, even with the knowledge that there was no way no one wouldn¡¯t know her brother. It gave her hope that her affluence would probably work the beautiful man out for her.


    ¡°Yes, as many people do. We have quite a bond that is not to be handled,¡± he uttered concisely, and moved backward a bit so that the waiter could drop the serving of nice dishes before him.


    The day had been long and he had no time to eat since morning, so he might as well do himself some good with eating. Ellen was still being the cautious queen though.


    ¡°Are you his business partner?¡± She asked again.


    ¡°No. We have just met a few times and that is all,¡± he closed off the talk about he and Dalton immediately, not wanting to reveal further details to his ignorant sister. Aria would definitely have to be included in the discussion, to make the story reasonable and worth talking about.


    Collin took quite the time to enjoy the perfectly made steak, while Ellen focused more on drinking wine. Obviously, the man before her was not really interested and deep into her, which was really giving her the insecurity and rising tension of a failed charminess. It had rarely happened with any other men that she had been with or met.


    Just right as it seemed that the date wasing to an end, and that there was nothing pretty personal to talk about, Ellen decided to swallow her pride and ask the leading question. The man before her was surely giving her an effect that she didn¡¯t really enjoy.


    ¡°So what do you think of this date?¡± She proceeded.


    ¡°I honestly think that it was nice and well nned. No regrets,¡± he stated honestly, and not the words she wanted to hear exactly which frustrated her even more.


    ¡°What about us? Do you think you want to meet again?¡± Her looks were more sexy as she tilted her neck to the perfect angle.


    ¡°It was not bad meeting you, and getting to have dinner with you. But, I would honestly like to end this on a proper notice,¡± he bowed respectfully and stood up. It made Ellen lose herself as she just decided to be in and straightforward.


    ¡°Do you have any other person and that is why you are not interested in this?¡± She asked with so much ssiness.


    ¡°Yes, I do. Sorry about that,¡± he apologized again, and turned to leave immediately. There was nothing more to talk about, and he certainly would not like to be around her anymore.


    ¡°That jerk!¡± Ellen screamed after he left and threw her bag against the floor in fumes and scattered her hair, ¡°How could he be so cold and respectful at the same time?!¡±

 The thin line

    ¡°That bastard! I cannot believe that I swallowed my pride and showed my interest in him. He turned me down. He fucking turned me down,¡± Ellen panted and ranted at the same time storming to and fro every corners in the room, fuming beyond normal and unable to catch her breath.


    She had never been outrightly rejected by a man in that sort of polite manner, on any of the blind dates that she had gone to. However, it was hard to fathom what she did wrong, that made it even seem like the guy¡¯s outlook changed when he turned to see her. She remembered his freezing smile when their eyes first met.


    ¡®Had they met somewhere before? Does he know her so personally?¡¯


    ¡°I really cannot believe that this date would totally get ruined for you. You probably weren¡¯t the woman of his dreams,¡± Emma, who was just ready to leave the house, stood in front of the mirror to adjust her dress. She had replied to her sister in a frivolous tone, peppered with sauciness which made Ellen more bitter.


    ¡°Is that what you are going to say about this?¡± Taken aback in surprise about how blunt her sister was, Ellen asked in exasperation as she tried not to release her tears. She detested humiliation.


    ¡°I am sorry this happened to you, Emma. I really am. But, you gotta move on and feel good as fast as you can,¡± she answered her sister in the most honest way that she could.


    ¡°I am checking the inte right now, to know who the heck he really is!¡± Ellen grabbed her phone immediately and quickly typed his name on the search engine, as she angrily pulled off the heels that she had been standing in since she came back sad.


    ¡°And check for any rted women too. Scandals and all kinds of news. You said he has another in his heart. There might be a clue,¡± Emma reminded her, as she tried hard to curl her hair perfectly into nice waves.


    She had watched a practice video hours ago and it looked quite easy when the blondedy in the video did hers, but she had been struggling to make it as perfect as the one she saw for hours. It was like a fun break for her, after she spent weeks studying the research information her grandfather gifted her.


    ¡°He just inherited part of the Carson motors, owns his own resort and otherpanies too. Young, handsome and highly intelligent. He is ¡­¡­¡­¡­He is scandal-free?!¡± Ellen yelled at the reading of thest sentence she didn¡¯t expect to see in the article, as she scrolled quickly to other websites to see if the information was usible.


    ¡°That is really umon toe by. An elite without scandal? Not even dating news? He is the perfect man, then,¡± Emmamended with a huge grin on her face, as she grabbed her phone to check the location of where the person she was nning to meet had chosen.


    ¡°Is he gay? Is that why he is not interested in me? Maybe he hasn¡¯te out to his father yet? Do you think so? Do you? Is he by any chance ying hard to get?¡± Ellen spected so many things in her head in a few seconds, as she said them out loud to Emma¡¯s hearing. It was really hard for her to ept an instant rejection.


    ¡°Do not jump to conclusions, darling. He is probably another man like Dalton who has taste for weird people. Nothing personal.¡±


    ¡°Where are you going by the way?¡± Ellen suddenly realized after her endless crying and shouting to the smudging of her makeup, that her sister had been getting dressed since she entered her room. It was almost 8:00pm, and she rarely left the house from evening till the next morning.


    ¡°Guess what? I found a website that helps you meet other people from other countries and be friends with them. A girl and I became friends about two weeks ago, and we are meeting this evening. She is from the Philippines,¡± Emma informed her sister, who shook her head disappointedly at her really vulnerable sister.


    ¡®Well. They both were.¡¯


    ¡°Did you hide your identity on the website? And ain¡¯t you really scared of meeting people that you have never seen before?¡± Ellen asked with the little bit of strength in her. She couldn¡¯t dissuade her anymore though.


    ¡°This is America, and we are fine. I¡¯ll be back soon,¡± Emma rushed out immediately after grabbing her purse, before her sister would say something to discourage her again.


    ~?~.  ~?~.


    The house in sight was really beautiful and simply built in water, with more of everything around the view of pure and beautiful nature. There was a man and a woman sittingfortably by the aesthetically constructed chairs that were by the pool, face to face as thedy munched on the snacks they were on the table.


    ¡°Are they all rted to everything that has been going on around your lifetely?¡± Collin asked with concern, regarding what Aria had asked him to do for her.


    ¡°I honestly don¡¯t know. I just want you to help me find someone to take up the job instead of me. Trailing Ellen has been really hard, because Dalton is always in my trail. I am focusing the attention on her right now, because she is most versed with the inte,¡± Aria answered with a smug suddenly tugging across her lips, as she remembered what had happened between her and Dalton a few days ago.


    She had caused trouble in theb and threw an emotional rage, which ended up with the doctor having to write a report of her instability. Dalton was not convinced by her action and everything the doctor had confirmed, but he immediately signed papers for her to start seeing a therapist.


    In the course of seeing a therapist, she would only visit the shopping mall twice a week, while legal management would take on managing most of the shopping mall workload. After she had shown signs of progress in the therapy, then she could now proceed to whatever she was meant to do.


    She was d that she was about to get the doctor fully convinced with her fake disy, and beat Dalton to his own unwilling game. The look he gave her when she came out of the test room still ying her role was so hrious, that she wished she could take a photo of it and put it in a frame. The entire night that same day too remained a silent one too.


    ¡®It is better to remain with a therapist that you will not cooperate with, than a man who is forcing you to take a check at your mental city.¡¯


    ¡°What are you thinking about? You seem so far away from here, but you do have a smile on your face,¡± Collin pointed out as he continued to watch Aria, who had spaced out for a few minutes while he was talking to her. It was a genuine smile that he rarely saw, and he wondered what she was thinking about.C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org.


    ¡°Nothing much. Just a prank I yed. How did your date go yesterday? Was she your type?¡± Aria diverted the question from things that revolved around her, to the date that he had told her about the previous day.


    She knew that it was unfair asking him to help her without telling the full details, but she was not willing to get him fully involved in her affairs.  It would make it easy for him to pull out if things got rough. She needed to get more information from the anonymous being who was willing to help her, even though she had not confirmed why.


    ¡°You wouldn¡¯t believe who came. It was Ellen Miller, and she was definitely not my type,¡± he told her with a cringe on his face, and Aria¡¯s eyes dted in surprise to hear what Collin was telling her.


    It became a really funny scenario in her head of what could have taken ce, and how the date would have ended on a good short notice of never to proceed further.


    ¡°That is a ck card then,¡± Aria chuckled, and gently sipped from the ss of cocktail that she was drinking. She really wanted to know how Ellen would be feeling having faced second rejection, ¡°What kind ofdy is your type then? I have not seen anydy snooping around you with romance,¡± she inquired.


    The question Aria asked nonchntly kind of hit Collin in his truth sac, that he wanted to spill everything that was in his heart to her. He wanted to tell her how much he truly cared for and loved her, and how badly he wanted her to divorce her husband and live in another ce with him.


    Instead, he stood up immediately and pulled the shirt he was wearing over his head, to reveal his rippling muscles and beautiful body divine to eyesight and was left in his shorts.


    Collin jumped into the pool immediately as the water engulfed his head, and he pulled his head out of the water shortly after to catch his breath. The water had waved over his hair and made it so drenched and curly, which made him look even more cute in the pool.


    ¡°Come for a swim,¡± he called out to her, but he gave him a yful scowl that she didn¡¯t think she wanted to.


    It was fair enough to consider because she wasn¡¯t in a bikini, and it was a private home with a pool which would definitely have none. She just preferred watching the beautiful sight of him as he swam, but he seemed persistent about it though.


    ¡°I do not want to get wet. A shirt and trousers is definitely not a perfect swimsuit,¡± she said.


    He came out of the pool after a while of swimming in the pool, all dripping with water crystals and walked over to where Aria was sitting while eating. He instantly swooped her up without warning as she lost guard of herself, and threw her into the pool before she could even think of a defense.


    It was a very loud ssh that plunged her deep into the body of water, but she ended up floating back up as he jumped back in too. She screamed at him and sneered at him for drenching her cloth unnecessarily, but for him, it was the only way he could gain courage and confess to her once and for all.

 Confession and a surprise

    In the huge suite space was a man sitting on one of thefortable leather chairs, which directly faced the walls of ss that reflected his image exactly the way he sat. As if it was different having to look at himself while sitting, he conceitedly stared at the reflective ss till his assistant had to wait extra more minutes while standing.


    Realizing that Alex was present in the room already, Dalton stood up and ambled around therge space, with so many thoughts running through his head.C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org.


    He had always been so keen about tremendous sess and he was achieving it, but the feelings that he knew about and had not constantly urred to him so much in the past, were resurfacing and disturbing him greatly.


    His wealth and power kept him going so that he didn¡¯t have time to think much about those things, but it seemed like some kind of therapy was going on in his body even without seeing a doctor. Like some kind of eye opener.


    He was beginning to notice the things he usually didn¡¯t care about before, and he realized that he had been too sad for almost half his life. It was a deep and inner feeling he had never shown to anyone before, and had not tried to do anything to make it better.


    Having to think of his life suddenly again as he stared at himself through the mirror, made him realize that he had been much sadder without Aria being around. Though he had never really been intentionally happy before they got married and after, he could feel himself falling into sadness if she was not around.


    Hating the vulnerability of his reality even if no one knew, Dalton turned to Alex straight to talk about something else, before he dwelled too much on his personal life.


    ¡°The doctor said that Mrs. Miller¡¯s therapy starts next week by Tuesday,¡± Alex reported.


    ¡°Make sure that this therapy is top secured. We do not want those filthy press publishings stories based on their own ideas and spections. And make things straight with the therapist too,¡± Dalton made his orders clear, and slowly strode to the side of the windows to look at thepound view from that side.


    He knew that Aria was still so angry at him about the whole hospital situation, and had left the house so early to take a peaceful time alone with her scowling face. However, she had beaten him to his own game and left shortly after he did to meet Collin. Dalton was oblivious to that fact though.


    ¡°What about Aria? Is she looking forward to her therapy?¡± Dalton asked nonchntly like Alex would even have an idea about that, when he was rather willing to hear something more than her readiness to the therapy.


    ¡°I think Mrs. Miller left the house after we did,¡± Alex peacefully spilled the truth, and it made Dalton¡¯s mood ruined immediately.


    He believed in his head that he was giving her space, to see how she would react after their heated but truthful discussion the previous day, but she did not even give a damn and left after they did. Not a chance was he willing to talk further about them.


    ¡°What about the girl that she visits? How are her medical charts and the recovery rate?¡± He diverted his talk to another matter that still concerned her, but at least was not directly involved with them.


    ¡°The doctor said that it is advancing towards 56% and that the hopes are getting higher. The nurse who goes there to take care of the youngdy, said that Mrs. Miller cries uncontrobly every time she is in there, like it is her family that is lying there.¡±


    He had been wanting to tell Dalton that fact, because he heard thedy who takes care of the servant girl talking about it, even if she had no idea who Aria really was.


    ¡°Unhh?¡± Dalton arched an eyebrow when he heard what his assistant said, and turned to face him immediately, ¡°Aria cries badly for a maid that served her who is ina? That is really weird.¡±


    ¡°Has she always been that sympathetic?¡± Dalton pondered and asked his assistant again, who had no idea of what to say or tell him.


    It was really hard for him to understand her, and how her emotions switched so perfectly. She was always angry and apathetic whenever she was with him, but was good enough to help a sick orphaned girl with surgery, and bothered so much about a servant girl who was ina.


    ¡°Maybe she is just like that with you, sir,¡± The words that were supposed to remain in the heart escaped from Alex¡¯s mouth, and he regretted saying that immediately as he tucked his lip into his mouth.


    Dalton however disappointed him.


    He wasn¡¯t even so bothered for maybe the first time about a truthful statement that his assistant made, and didn¡¯t act like he heard something or react to it. Aria¡¯s contrasting actions had gotten him more than worked up.


    ¡°Do you think if I am the one on that bed and attached to those machines, that she woulde and cry profusely for my recovery?¡± He suddenly asked Alex after mind conversing for a while.


    ¡°Sir¡­ Yes, sir,¡± he stammered.


    ¡°I do not think she woulde,¡± Dalton smiled, ¡°And even if she doese, she woulde and smirk at my terrible state, and even spit at my cold body. Better still unplug the machines, and watch the lines go t,¡± he smirked again.


    It made Alex wonder if they were happy or d smiles.


    ¡®And does that affect you?¡¯ His mind questioned him, and he paused for a moment with a really sad look.


    ¡®Of course, it does. Badly and painfully.¡¯


    ~`?`~  ~`?`~


    ¡°You just had to get me all drenched in this water,¡± Aria frowned as her hair got drenched in the water, as she used both her hands to wipe her face from the excess water that had gotten on it.


    Though she was pissed initially that she had to enter a pool of water unprepared, it became an exhrating feeling for her instead as she moved inside the water. He knew just when to tease her.


    ¡°Do you not like it now?¡± Heughed, and she tried to feign her anger but ended up smiling instead. It was not really easy to get so angry at him.


    He swam for a bit and encircled therge pool, while Aria remained in a spot and just yed around with the water. Nervousness was getting the best of him as he swam away from her, the moment he would get the urge to say something again.


    ¡°You know you are so beautiful, Ri. Really attractive and charming,¡± he said and swam away again in fret, which made Aria roll her eyes so cutely. It was almost the same words that Dalton said to her.


    Collin came back and moved so close to where she was positioned this time, and he faced her directly with his eyes looking deeply into hers. His left hand left the water and carefully brushed the wet hair that was on her cheek, and she kind of remained still at that point without reacting to anything that he was doing.


    His hand grazed her face again like he was trying to help her with her hair, but it was really hard to maintain a normal rate of heartbeat around her. He had never been so into ady as much as he had been into, which seemed to have even gotten so deep after they met again.


    It was too hard to control what he would do next as his eyes darted to her lips, and with his insides and every inch of him dying to have a taste of them. She probably knew what was going on in his mind, and yet she didn¡¯t push him away to prevent their friendship from getting ruined. She was probably curious to know what would happen.


    He kissed on her cheeks instead of her lips to feel better, but a distraction urred and their lips ended up touching. Collin almost thought he would lose his mind at the jolt of electricity that shook through him, and he withdrew immediately when he realized what he was doing.


    ¡°I¡­ I¡­ am. I really.. like¡­.¡± Aria pinched hard on his cheek immediately to prevent him from talking further, so that he would not end up making it more awkward for both of them if he confessed.


    ¡°Just calm down, and breathe,¡± she said again so casually like nothing happened, and used her palms to dry her face like nothing had been up with both of them.


    ¡®She would never be the one to ruin their friendship and act so awkward, because of things she felt are not worth it.¡¯


    ¡°What the heck is happening here?!¡± They both heard someone¡¯s loud voice, and their heads turned simultaneously to see who it was.


    It was ady standing in a red suit dress with a matching bag, and her expression was that of shock like she knew who thedy in the pool was. That was when Aria¡¯s eyes squinted a little to see who it was.


    ¡®What the fuck is Hailey doing here?¡¯ Aria wondered in her mind, as she shot a dirty re at thedy that was standing before the pool.

 A not so beautiful reunion

    ¡°Why is Dalton¡¯s wife in your pool?!¡± Hailey demanded shockingly from the half-naked man in the pool, who was directly in front of another person¡¯s wife.


    Aria was still wondering how on earth Hailey was able to enter into a house that was locked, and how closely she knew Collin to talk to him like that. She had never heard him talk about Hailey to her ever, and it was quite a shock.


    ¡°What are you doing here, Hailey? After all this while?¡± Collin shot a cold look at thedy ranting before them, and it was quite a side of Collin that Aria had never seen before. She spected immediately that there must be some bad blood between them, because Collin was not the kind of guy to give such cold wees.


    ¡°Does Dalton know about this? That you are cheating on him?¡± She asked Aria who was stepping out of the pool in a very disregarding tone with a smirk, and turned to Collin, ¡°You are messing with Dalton¡¯s property? Are you ready to give up your life?!¡± She yelled at him.


    Aria just moved to the pool chair to sit and allow her clothes to dry, while she watched Collin grab Hailey by the arm and take her to a corner. She began to wonder how much Hailey had seen, and what would happen after their unlikely coincidental meeting.


    ¡°What are you doing here?! I cannot believe you have the guts toe back here,¡± Collin uttered calmly but painfully, even if his entirety was wanting to scream at her to get out. Hailey obviously missed his tenderness.


    ¡°Are you having an affair with thatdy? Do you even know who she is?¡± Hailey continued in her usual way of replying questions with questions, because she needed answers to her own curiosity immediately.


    She hade to the vacation house knowing that Collin was usually there on specific days, and she was d to know that he had not changed his usual routine even after so long. Dalton was not easy predictable, and she wondered how she kept wanting him regardless.


    ¡°We are just friends. From a very long time actually. So get those stupid ideas out of your head,¡± he warned. She was never that kind ofdy and he knew that.


    With what had happened in the pool minutes ago, he was probably thankful somewhere in his heart that Hailey came just in time to causemotion.


    He would not have figured out the way to break the awkwardness he would have set up, because she didn¡¯t even seem bothered that something intense had taken ce between them.N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.


    ¡°Thest time I checked, Aria was a very lonely and low-life person who was allowed to meet no one in the past. And is that how all friends get so close andpromising in the pool?¡± Hailey fired at him again, and he shook his head in pity.


    ¡°How do you know that?¡± He questioned her, wondering how she was well versed with exactly how Aria¡¯s marriage had been in the past.


    ¡°Information and media,¡± she replied concisely.


    She was still a questioning maniac who didn¡¯t always know the right way to ask questions, or the right things to suspect. He paused for a while as he thought of what to say to her, and his mind whispered some kind of realization to him instantly.


    ¡°And for you to be like this, Hailey. I am sure you have something up to your sleeves. You can never let go of your old habits. Come on spill it,¡± Collin urged Hailey with a suspicious look in his eyes, as he scratched his hair in frustration when he saw pretentious she was acting.


    ¡°What are you talking about?¡± She frowned at him and stood akimbo, with her left feet tapping on the ground nonstop.


    The urge to wack Aria across the face for always constantly humiliating her, was running through every of her veins in her blood towards her heart. She hated Aria so much ever since the day she had deeply degraded her in everyone¡¯s presence, and she was going to make sure to make her pay in a ten fold.


    ¡°Delete whatever pictures or videos you must have taken. I am sure you did not enter this house and came to the back where the pool was located, to see us together in that pool and shout immediately.¡±


    ¡°And why would you assume that? What do you take me for?!¡± She raged in her defense.


    ¡°Perhaps the cameras will tell us?¡± He countered.


    ¡°Why are you being so overprotective? Do you like her? And that is why you are being like this?¡± She instantly chickened out, as her eyes widened at the question that suddenly urred to her.


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter. Just do the right thing,¡± he pressed, already tired of talking to Hailey. She had juste back to his life and space in less than an hour after years, and he hated to know he ever met her in the first ce. She was just too much and unrepentant.


    ¡°Does she know? No, does Dalton know? Do you realize the person you are ying games with?¡±


    ¡°Just shut up, and delete them!¡± he ordered angrily, and it scared her to know that Collin¡¯s voice could yell at her in that manner. She was so shocked.


    ¡°Fine! I will delete them,¡±She answered almost fearfully, and hurriedly did what he asked her to do.


    After he had gotten her to delete the pictures she took, she left almost immediately in anger when he told her that they had nothing to talk about. It was time for Collin to face Aria.


    ¡°How did you and Hailey know one another? That seemed pretty intense,¡± Aria broke the ice and asked the first question, melting away the awkwardness that was still radiating Collin¡¯s heart. He was really d.


    ¡°She is my ex. We dated for a short while,¡± he answered truthfully. ¡°We were secretly in an engagement rtionship in the past, and her ownpany fell into crisis. She broke up when we both returned to California, after she got the financial buoyancy she needed from me, without her family¡¯s knowledge.¡±


    ¡°What?!¡± Aria yelled in disbelief. She had actually insinuated the slim possibility of it in her heart, but had never expected it to be the straight answer to the rtionship they had. It was even a disgusting act of separation at that.


    It was hard to stomach that Hailey, who acted all ssy and sophisticated, was also a person who used people for her own selfish desires.


    ¡°Yeah. And she actually broke my heart too deeply. Needed someone to lean on, and she was there at the right time. Gave her my all and she tossed it for someone else,¡± he exined.


    ¡°I thought she and Dalton had always been that long termpanion. How was she able to date you?¡± Aria looked confused.


    ¡°Dalton? Does she know him that personally and closely?¡± Collin sounded clueless. What she told him minutes ago was different.


    ¡°Your rtionship must have been a really closeted one then. She is supposed to be married to Dalton ording to what the family wants and their long history, and she is also Ellen¡¯s best friend. Treated Aria like trash for years with everyone,¡± she gritted her teeth.


    ¡°Wow, that is¡­ really hard to contain, that I didn¡¯t even know Hailey that much. Our rtionship was built on lies and deceit that it is so painful to realize this things now,¡± he said solemnly and gloomy. He had really dated the wrong person.


    ¡°Sorry, that happened. It was an experience you would learnt a lot from. We are not perfect, so we can make mistakes and be vulnerable,¡± Aria encouraged him with her kind words.


    ¡®There was no way he would not stop loving her.¡¯


    ¡°Thank you, Aria,¡± Collin smiled to her,  ¡°So she is the samedy that Eleanor always favored?¡±


    ¡°Yup. You got that right. And I am going to pay everyone back ordingly,¡± Aria promised.


    ~|???|~


    ¡°Get up, Ellen. The preparations for your birthday party has started already. It is in two days and you are here brooding over some guy, that doesn¡¯t even give a damn about you. Your dress has arrived, and mum ising back today,¡± Emma tried to drag her sister who had been sleeping all day by the arm off the bed.


    ¡°I am tired and stressed. Had to do a live session overnight. Hailey said that she ising today, and I have to be in my best state,¡± Ellen groaned.


    ¡°It is better you tell your friend to give up on Dalton, and just move on with a new person. He is so interested in his wife now, and the attention cannot be divided,¡± Emma adviced, as she picked the remote to the air conditioner and increased the temperature.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know, but she said something over the phone. Says she has some kind of cards against Aria or something,¡± Ellen suddenly remembered her friend calling in the afternoon, to tell her something that sounded like gibberish to her ears because she was sleeping.


    ¡°Cards? What kind of cards can she have to pull again? I think she should give up,¡± Emma stated again.


    ¡°She sounded really confident,¡± Ellen uttered.


    ¡°I¡¯m sure it is nothing,¡± her younger sister countered.

 Step to fallout

    ¡°I do not think anything that Hailey would say or do now, would actually have an effect on Dalton or change his perspective towards Aria. I can say that, hmnnn¡­¡­¡± Emma sucked in her breath in an attempt to mull over her next word, so as to use the right word for it, ¡°Maybe he is love?¡±


    ¡°Hunh hunh. Isn¡¯t that too much of a word to use? Especially when their marriage is ending in a few months. Love is a big word I tell you,¡± Ellen said and stood up immediately to grab her MacBook from where she put it.


    She had made an order for event nners at a well known agency for her birthday party, and she wanted to check if the progress of her ns were going smoothly. For the makeup artist and hairdresser, she had made a reservation at the best ce in the city.


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t even matter to me. I am just happy in my heart, at the fact that Dalton actually has some warm ce in his heart, and the capability to fall in love. It is so surreal that I thought I¡¯d never see it,¡± Emma smiled.


    ¡°He was always not a bad person. Life was just too cold,¡± Ellen replied.


    ¡°Maybe Eva can too. I mean we do not even know anything about her personal life, talk more of knowing if she has even gotten married secretly. She ispletely capable,¡± Emma let out a loudughter in reaction to her statement, and Ellen who could not hold hers joined in too.


    ¡°She cannot. She is just like mother. The real reflection of her,¡± Ellen uttered.


    ¡°Does that mean Mum never loved Dad? Genuinely?¡± Emma asked in surprise, as she tried to decipher what her sister was talking about, without having to sound so offensive about the matter.


    ¡°I do not know about that, but they had so many fights in the past when we were younger. Grandfather did not support their marriage right from time, and still does not like her wholeheartedly till now.¡±


    ¡°I think our family is really a mess,¡± Emma said with great sadness and a loud sigh.


    ~`?`~.      ~`?`~.


    The young billionaire sat in the private suite with a look of peace inscribed on his face, with the feeling of some kind of exhration he didn¡¯t think he had felt before. He had only thought of working through his entire twenties without rest orpromise, and had kept to his rules and personal obligations for years.


    He had never had a reason to think he would stop working or growing the Miller empire, or take a break even if he was just for the sake of his peace. Work would always be deeply engraved upon his heart.


    However, Alex told him right after the board meeting they attended at Singapore, that his schedules for the half the year were cleared up already. He also informed him that the remaining meeting that might be crucial to attend, would be done via the inte in a meeting space.


    Hearing that he would have no reason to stress much about work for a few months, made him feel good even with the reality of being  with his irksome family.


    Thepany percentage graphs would keep looking great regardless, because he was finally on his way to theplete takeover of every one of his grandfather¡¯s million dor assets.


    He suddenly wanted to spend more time with Aria instead of working, and the thought of the kind of look she would pass onto him, if he ever said that to her made him chuckle. She never failed to give him expected reactions.


    Alex had booked the suite he retired to for the day till the next morning and they had departed for a while, but the diligent head butler and assistant would stille back to give reports. Though he was stillcking in many ways, Dalton could inwardly agree that he was prettypetent.


    And as expected, a knock was heard on the door at exactly 9:00am and Alex entered inside smartly, as he approached where Dalton was sitting to report to him. His boss had been quite on the edge since they left the states, but he seemed to be in a good mood which made the tired assistant lighten up a bit.


    ¡°Sir. Mrs. Eleanor Miller has arrived back at the mansion today, in the fullest preparation for Miss Ellen¡¯s birthday that ising soon.¡±


    ¡°I trust that you have informed the ountant about unfreezing the cards right?¡± Dalton asked, his eyes deeply closed as he meditated in his sitting position.


    ¡°Yes sir. Everything is back to normal,¡± Alex answered.


    ¡°You can return back to your room now. We¡¯ll see tomorrow,¡± Dalton stood up onpleting his sentence, and strutted to the dining table to get a ss of water.


    The assistant realizing that his boss had nothing more to say thankfully left, d that he would be able to gain his own peace too even if it was minimal. He had even also nned to get married to his girlfriend, before the end of the year after Dalton¡¯s divorce.


    With his extremely demanding but well paying job that had made his life so busy, he had been able to pay his family¡¯s debt that had umted over the years.


    And with that, came the price of having many unstable rtionships, because of how loyally he had served Dalton and his family without having time for himself.


    For the first time in his life, he found ady that understood his job nature and circumstances, as she had always been a motivation to him too. Her job as a nurse was demanding too, and they enjoyed their little time with one another.


    He couldn¡¯t help but be more than sweet to her by doing everything that pleased her, which had been working so perfectly for both of them.


    But with everything being put in ce with his ns, he would probably have to stop working for Dalton after his marriage. The anxiety of that day to break the news was still lurking in his heart, on how he would separate from where he had been his entire life.


    The cold breeze from therge windows soothed Dalton¡¯s body more than the cold air in the room, as he moved to the open balcony of the suite with a bottle of wine and a ss cup.


    He took his seat gently on the fancy chairs positioned and poured himself some wine, and allowed his mind to reminisce on the recent things, people, events in his life that had made him genuinely happy. That opened his heart to more than just delight. All he could think of was thedy he left back home.


    The way he had seen so many emotions from her in different days and moments, and how much they that affected his own usual demeanor too. The unsaid feelings of different sort that they had shared, even if it was not to be easily spoken out to one another. Attachment of her that was hard to get go in his heart.


    His eyes continued to dart to his cell phone that was lying on the table as he sipped gently on his wine, with the strong urge to pick up the phone, call her and observe her response.C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org.


    ¡®Or he should video chat her instead of a phone call, and see how she would react to it while rolling her cute eyes. No. What would she think of him? What if she decided to snub him and crush his ego?¡¯ his brain countered the desire of his heart instantly.


    His hand kept on tapping on the table a few inches away from the cell phone, as he chugged down the contents in the ss cup that he was holding. It was hard to stop himself from calling her.


    ¡®He really think that he missed her. Yes. It had only been less than a day, and he probably was.¡¯


    And finally Dalton made up his mind to call her after realizing how much he wanted to hear her voice, as he picked up the phone to dial her phone number hoping that she would just decide to be humble that night.


    A mail suddenly dropped on his notification icon, and he clicked on it to check what it was about. It was an unknown sender which had a very weird email name, and it turned out that the person had sent some kind of file.


    Cautious that it could be some kind of scheme to corrupt his secured files and phone, Dalton was about to delete it but halted when he saw what the caption of the email.


    In a disorganized manner, he quickly downloaded the file that was sent to him, and it turned out to be aprising picture of Aria and someone in the pool. Hot blood surged through every part of his body immediately, when he saw what had been sent to him.


    ¡®She was messing around with other men?¡¯

 Light

    ¡°Make the invitations slots for top A-list celebrities and socialites,¡± Ellen ordered the head maid and nner, as she walked around every corner of the house in a confused manner, ¡°I do not want elites that are thirty five years and above. Minimize the numbers ordingly,¡± she continued.


    ¡°I think you might want to invite some people from your high school, and even the elite clubs that you have joined in the past,¡± Emma reminded from the dining room where she sat, to apply glitter nail polish over her newly fixed nails, ¡°Also, remind mum not to invite her clumsy club circle of friends. She has been out of the house since morning.¡±


    ¡°I certainly do not want to invite all of them, and that is why there is going to be an online entry where they know their fates,¡± Ellen stated, and stormed out of the dining room again to check how the entire food preparations with the chefs were going, ¡°Yeah. I have repeated it to her a thousand times.¡±


    ¡°Your socialism sucks. You literally have no real friends. Thought you said Hailey wasing yesterday,¡± Emma pointed out.


    ¡°Apparently something came up at herpany yesterday, but she would be here anything soon,¡± Ellen rified, with her eyes checking her phone non-stop to see how far her second dress order was going, ¡°Is Daltoning back or not? It is evening already and no sign of him. Is he really going to miss my party?¡± She suddenly became sentimental.


    ¡°And herees your beautiful friend,¡± Emma gave a heads-up and rolled her eyes in Hailey¡¯s direction, which made Ellen turn immediately to see what she was talking about.


    ¡°Goodness! Hailey,¡± Ellen smiled and went ahead to hug her friend tightly. It was still always the same usual greeting.


    Their friendship had mostly and always been a long-distance rtionship, so it was not an area of friendship w to stress or emphasize about. They just went with the flow however it happened.


    ¡°Hey, Hailey,¡± Emma called and stood up from where she was sitting, as she made her way upstairs so as to give both friends a break.


    ¡°Hi, Emma. It is so nice to see you around after so long.¡±


    Ellen arched her arm around Hailey¡¯s as soon as she confirmed thest essory order she made from her phone, as they made their way to her room to have a talk. She was also curious about what Hailey had talked about the day before.


    ¡°My dress for the party is going to arrive tomorrow. How are the preparations for the party?¡± Hailey asked, as they climbed the stairs.


    ¡°Mum said that thest party at the house was a mess because of people who got curious and tried to trespass. So this time around, we are using a luxurious hall and everything is almost ready,¡± Ellen exined to her.


    ¡°What about Eva and mother? They didn¡¯t seem around when I arrived,¡± Hailey stated her observation.


    ¡°Mother is doing some kind of untold preparations, and Eva is rarely around nowadays. In case you are curious about Dalton, he is on a business trip and has note back since then,¡± Ellen answered so expansively and chuckled a bit, when it became ring to Hailey that her friend had caught on.


    ¡°Oh. That¡¯s cool. The house is extremely silent with everyone out,¡± Hailey forced a smile and took a seat on thefortable chair in the room.


    ¡°And about what you wanted to tell me yesterday. About the cards against Aria. What was that?¡± Ellen remembered again, and she turned to her friend with a curious look.


    ¡°¡­.. dear me! Dalton might go mad if he sees this. How were you able to get this? Where exactly is this ce?¡± Ellen rushed her questions, as she stared at the picture that her friend was showing to her.


    ¡°You do not need to know, darling. Isn¡¯t this evident that she is totally undeserving of him, and is equally shameful as well?¡± Hailey spat in disgust.


    ¡°This is too vague to say that she is cheating on Dalton. She was not even making out with another man. By the way, why is the man¡¯s face blurred?¡± Ellen asked, as she gazed at the pictures again.


    ¡°Bad quality, and as you can see her hand is kind of blocking his face. Anyways, it is something that shouldn¡¯t be hidden. Don¡¯t you think so?¡± Hailey pressed.


    ¡°Unhhh. Yeah,¡± Ellen chuckled awkwardly and dropped the phone she was holding on the bed, ¡°But I think we shouldn¡¯t tell Dalton. He should find out by himself. Besides, they have just weeks left before divorce.¡±


    ¡°Is that what you have to say? He is your brother,¡± Hailey sounded irritated now.


    ¡°No darling,¡± Ellen moved closer to hold her cheeks tenderly, ¡°My birthday is just in a day and you know how bad Dalton¡¯s anger can get. I told you right? Thest time Mum tried to throw her out, he ended up canceling every credit card and other things too. I do not want my day ruined,¡± Ellen tried to make her friend reason with her.


    ¡°Oh¡­ Okay,¡± Hailey stammered, and smiled wryly and quickly turned to pick up her phone and make a call.Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.


    ¡°We are not telling Dalton okay,¡± Ellen gave a warning smile.


    ¡°For now. Okay,¡± Hailey replied.


    ~ ~???~~


    With the knowledge that Dalton had note back home as expected, Aria acquired a new and shiny luxurious car using Dalton¡¯s ck card. Feeling good with the new polished metal that she purchased, she hit the road and visited the spa to get her body massaged.


    Afterwards, she visited her shopping mall in her new drive, and went over thepany progress ever since she stopped going on a regr basis. Amelia was doing beautifully well as she had always done, but Aria was not still impressed about the customer¡¯s feedback which had not improved.


    It had been like that ever since Dalton stopped being the legal owner of the shopping mall, and just a few cloth and shoe brands imed their spot back after their withdrawal. The pressure she felt about the issue as the CEO, was much more than she thought would impact her.


    Rather than thinking the way Dalton would think to grow thepany, she reasoned like a customer that had purchased goods by herself, and things she would like to change inparisons of all the malls she had patronized.


    A brief visit turned out to take much more time than she bargained for, and she ended up leaving thepanyter than she when she and the private investigator nned to meet. There was a need for a one on one meeting.


    MAS had sent the remaining videos and clues she had to her, and had given her some information to the best of her knowledge. Driven by the urge to get to the root of whom the person sending her messages could be, Aria had to meet with her aid to help her carry out a thorough research.


    She left her MacBook which had not much information about anything personal to her, and paid even more since there was going to be a new added feature.


    The private investigator, who was also a good hacker, was going to work over the night to figure out the exact location of the sender¡¯s IP address, which was splitted to different locations for confusion.


    Aria got back to the mansionte at night, and figured out that Dalton was still not yet back to the mansion. He didn¡¯t call either, and there was no sign of his assistant either.


    As she stood in front of her dresser to apply her facial oil, she observed herself subconsciously turning to the direction of Dalton¡¯s study room, like she was waiting for him toe out of the y. Even when she was done and decided toy on the sofa chair instead of the bed, her mind continued to dart to his usual spots like he would pop out.


    ¡®Stop getting distracted. Focus on tomorrow¡¯s results,¡¯ her brain shunned her.


    After she was done drinking her seventh cup of instant coffee, Aria moved to the bed when it was past midnight andid on it. Her body seemed to miss the touch of another skin against hers, and thefort it offered to her the times she slept sofortably without any bother.


    Denying it was something her brain could do and not her heart.


    She missed him.


    The next morning, which was Ellen¡¯s birthday, the entire mansion was vibrant with warm wishes from even servants that didn¡¯t mean it. Gifts from random people kept getting posted to the building by the mansion gate, as the birthday celebrant felt so exhrated that it was finally her day.


    Aria, who didn¡¯t care about everything that was going on, had left the mansion as early as possible to meet her private investigator. The restlessness of what the result would be made her night even worse, that she was barely able to sleep for three hours.


    She just wanted to know how well she was progressing with her ns and lead. The clock was ticking, and her days in the mansion were numbered.


    ¡°It was difficult to crack this, and extremely tedious. The hacker that did this is so skilled,¡± Fez, the twenty four year old private investigatormended. He was looking so tired and stressed from working overnight.


    ¡°So, were you able to get it?¡± Aria anxiously asked, not minding the process.


    ¡°The location is totally in another ce out of this state, but the address radar points to somewhere else in this city,¡± he exined, which put relief to Aria¡¯s crooked nerves immediately. Her hunch had been right about that.


    ¡°And see right here on the map, it points at the home of some tycoon¡¯s house. Somewhere around that living abode,¡± he showed Aria on the screen, and she tried to stretch her eyes to see exactly what he was trying to show her on the shapeless map that was on the screen.


    ¡°And who is that? Did you figure it out?¡± She asked again.


    ¡°And here on the records, it says the home of the Millers,¡± he announced.

 Not all that you see

    Few hours into the party, the gorgeously dressed celebrant was panicking inwardly, even with everything already perfectly set. The invitees were confirmed through their online entry slot and the situation of things looked perfect, with no form of disappointment from anyone.


    However, the only thing that made Ellen so sad and stressed out, was the fact that her brother was not yet back from his so-called traveling for almost three days. His phone number had been unreachable for too long, and his assistant whoter picked their mother¡¯s call after so long, said everything was okay.


    Ellen had tried to remain fine during the course of finalizing everything for the party, but she was really scared that her brother would end up not attending. If anything, Dalton¡¯s presence was the most important for her, because it would add much value and respect to her grand party.


    ¡°Has Dalton picked his calls? Is heing?¡± Emma asked as soon as she entered the dressing room to see her sister, who was getting her makeup touched in spots that were not yet perfect.


    ¡°No. No. No,¡± His number is still switched off and Alex is not picking up, ¡°What if he is not yet over what happened with Aria, and had decided to punish me for it?¡± Shemented sadly, while trying to still remain as sophisticated as ever.


    ¡°Do not worry about anything. No one would notice since everything is going smoothly. Mum is still dressing up and almost done. Eva is fully ready as always. I do not know about your friend, but I¡¯m sure she has it anyway. And 97% of the invitees are showing up. It is perfect already,¡± Emma tried to encourage her, and patted her softly on the back to make her feel better.


    ¡°How could I have noticed toote that you are this charming as a child, Emma? I should have waited for you to grow before picking a bestie,¡± Ellen made a joke in ordance with the good feeling that swept her at her sister¡¯s kind words, which made Emma chuckle at her sister¡¯s weirdly good but cringy words.


    ¡°And how could I not want to capture this beautiful sister¡¯s moment?¡± They both heard a familiar voice which caused them to turn their heads, as Hailey sauntered into the room so beautifully and extraordinarily alluring.


    Her dress almost looked better than that of Ellen who was the celebrant, and even her bare face which was without makeup looked perfect as well. She and Emma exchanged brief pleasantries before she exited the room, to make space for both friends to talk without any obstruction.


    ¡°You look so beautiful,¡± Ellenmented, as she signaled to the makeup artist that was adjusting the pearls attached to her hair to stop.


    ¡°A celestial being and you couldpare, darling. Everyone would be blown off their minds,¡± Hailey returned thepliment.


    ¡°Let the artists make your face up. You do not need anymore to look more charming than you do,¡± Ellen said again with a wide grin, which made Hailey chuckle mildly at her friend¡¯s words.


    ¡°You tter me too much,¡± Hailey smiled, as she positioned her face and allowed the artist to do their jobs, after she had chosen the makeup concept that she wanted for her face.


    ¡°Has anything happenedtely? You look quite dull,¡± Hailey noticed and asked her friend who kept looking at her phone nonstop like she was expecting someone¡¯s call.


    ¡°Only one person is happeningtely. Dalton has refused to talk to anyone or pick his calls. His assistant said that he is doing well. But I do not believe it,¡± she expressed her concern to her friend.


    ¡°Has he said anything or sent any kind of message? Do you think he is angry about something?¡± Hailey tried to inquire carefully withouting off as too inquisitive, but she was dying to know if Dalton had sent any specific message to anyone in the house.


    Looking for ways to screw Aria up concerning the pictures that she didn¡¯t delete totally when Collin caught her, she had created a fake email ount so as to disseminate the information to him unsuspectingly, through his own personal email.


    She had waited patiently for hours and even almost two days for actions to kick in, but it seemed like Dalton was doing the total opposite of what she was expecting him to be doing. It really made her anxious about what he could be up to, for the fact that he was not still back yet till the evening of his sister¡¯s birthday party.


    ¡°I do not care if he is angry about anything, or just hates seeing our faces as his family. He should at least be here so that I can feel at peace. I mean this is really infuriating!¡± Ellen groaned childishly again and almost scratched her hair in anger forgetting that she had makeup on, butported herself when she realized that there were people that were not part of the family in the room.


    ¡°We should wait and see. Things might not be as bad as you think it is,¡± Hailey said and turned her face to the other side, wondering what could have gone wrong with Dalton.


    Usually, she would have expected him to have taken the first flight back to America and back to the mansion. But his unusual silence without any action, even to his family, was putting her in great unrest.


    ¡®Or was he unperturbed even if he saw her like that?¡¯


    ~`?`~


    The drive back home for Aria towards evening was kind of rough and confusing, filled with so many thoughts and spections that kept bursting her brain nonstop. It had been confirmed that the person that was sending her messages as MAS, was living in the Miller¡¯s mansion with everyone else too.


    Her mind narrowed down to every of the servants working for them first, especially those that controlled every technology device in the house from the control room.


    She then waded the thoughts of such possibility again because most of them had no ess to the inner mansion, so there was no way they would have that much information.


    It had to be a servant and especially someone bittered by every member of the family, enough to call them out and point out their hidden nature without any problem.


    She was further left in another thought dilemma again, because the only people who had the time to do that were the cleaning maids. They were the ones that had the most freedom of moving in every corner of the mansion, while cleaning the same spot over and over again.


    It was also possible for them to avoid being spotted by the cameras, if they were to fix spy cams in hidden ces. But then again, they would not have had enough time to y around in a spot for too long, without being suspected, searched or questioned.


    On getting home, Aria stripped off all her clothes and dipped herself into the tub of water for so long that she lost count of the time while thinking too deeply. After she was done, she sat in front of the mirror for too long to oil her body and dry her wet hair.


    Without any forceful impact from anyone this time, Aria chose to wear one of the newly shipped in designer dresses that she purchased, and wore matching heels from the numerous ones she had in her ss rack.


    Someone had dropped an invitation card on her door, and she was going to surprise them by really attending this time.


    She had taken her time to do her makeup so carefully, as she watched some tutorial videos to perfect her self-made appearance. The thoughts and bother of the person who was sending her information knowing her on a personal level, couldn¡¯t stop bothering her as she went on with her usual activities for the day.


    ¡®Even when she asked thedy what she wanted, she said she was going to think of itter. So why was she sending them to her? Was it a bait? Was she the pawn?¡¯ She had so many questions to ask.


    ¡°Maybe it is time for Emma to repay my favor,¡± she murmured, as she stood in front of Dalton¡¯s dresser to check herself out again.


    Her hand grabbed Dalton¡¯s favorite cologne from the numerous ones that were on the table, and she sprayed the gaseous contents of the ss body which dissipated into air immediately. The smell of it was pleasing to her senses, and she assumed that he was there. Standing right behind her.


    The mood at the birthday party was quite bubbly and cool, with invited young elites and socialites making their way into the party ground. The speech for the celebrant and her family acknowledgment had started, and it was an honor to see their wealthy family of gorgeous people around.


    Ellen was trying hard to remain okay as she made her beautiful speech in front of everyone, and as they cheered her with a round of apuse. She was trying hard not to cry and make herself a subject of jibe on her birthday, with the knowledge that Dalton had seeded in ruining her mood for the day.


    The moment she sighted Aria making her way into the party through the entryway, her increased hope that Dalton might have arrived together with his wife were soon dashed. However, she was quite surprised to see his wife attend the party on her own, without being coerced by anybody.


    Those who were familiar with Dalton too thought it was him immediately thedy entered, with the whiff of umon fragrance that took their minds away. Jealousy caught up with some of thedies, knowing that only one person whom they felt was undeserving, finally got him for herself


    ¡®Does she also share a room with him enough to use his cologne? Such lucky bitch,¡¯ they thought to themselves.


    Aria moved the waiter of her choice and grabbed two sses of drink, while she observed every one of the children in the Miller house so closely, in every of their doings. She had messaged MAS again to ask her about some questions again, even if she had not replied to the previous message from before.


    ¡®You know the second daughter¡¯s birthday is today right? What do you think would happen?¡¯ She had texted a few minutes before she left the house.


    Aria was getting used to seeing some familiar faces from the parties she had attended in just a few months, and most of the young female elites that were around her wouldn¡¯t stop talking. They wanted to rate the cost of the shoe that was wearing, and if they had seen her dress somewhere before.


    ¡°She acts all high and mighty, when it is palpable that her husband doesn¡¯t love her. I mean she is alone today,¡± one said.


    ¡°I heard they are all sweet and lovely to one another. My husband¡¯s sister¡¯s friend who works as a reporter said so. They say he is even overprotective of her.¡±


    ¡°Sweet and lovely my foot. It is all a fake public disy of affection. They would do anything to keep their family¡¯s image.¡±


    ¡°I would bend my head in shame if it were me. Even none of the family members like her. She should just leave the marriage,¡± another one passed her own hurtfulment.


    Aria who seemed to always be in a bad mood by the slightest piss off, turned to re maliciously at thedies that were talking bad about her.


    She didn¡¯t mind what would happen and was about to give thestdy talking her own taste of medicine served with pain, since they could be so rude enough to talk right into her ears.Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.


    However, she was interrupted by a baritone voice that was pleasing to her ears, and it turned out to be the man that she probably wanted to see since he left.


    ¡°Dear wife. I apologize foringte,¡± he swooped in and grabbed her by the waist in a tender manner, which made her forget every anger that she had in her initially.


    ¡®Something was going wrong with her already. Why was her heart thumping this way?¡¯

 His protection

    ¡°So you do remember that you have some wife somewhere after so long right?¡± Aria, who was feeling ted when he took her out of the shamefuldies¡¯ midst, before she ended up smashing bottles against their heads in anger, asked him.


    He came at the perfect time just to whisk her away for himself, and she couldn¡¯t be more than proud that he knew the perfect timing to arrive. However, her capricious mood had to kick in again, so that he wouldn¡¯t just have his way that easily with her, after he had gone without calling even once.


    ¡°And why do I feel like this dear wife of mine is angry about something, that I should know,¡± he said amusingly again, staring at her beautiful face and how her expression had quickly switched from happy to pissed. He sure missed that look.


    ¡°I am not angry. All I am saying is that¡­ Why did you evene to take me away from that ce? I was about to teach thosedies some lessons that they would never forget in a hurry,¡± she diverted her anger towards him in another way.


    ¡°I see that you are wearing my cologne. Did you miss me that much?¡± He whispered softly into her ears, which churned on some ce in her body that she couldn¡¯t understand, but she was not going to admit any of the balderdash that he was spewing to her ears.


    ¡°I just wanted to know if it would smell good. And it actually smells like crap,¡± she bluffed whatever came to her mind.


    ¡°It is so nice to see you in this dress. You look so alluring and addictive,¡± Dalton flirted with his words, and she turned to look at him in shock and surprise which even made her look cuter.


    ¡®Was he drunk to be saying cringy words like that? That was not the Dalton that she knew.¡¯


    ¡°Are you sure that you are normal? Why are you saying words that give me the cringes?¡± She asked him with her back facing him, but turned to face him like she was going to kiss his cheeks, when she noticed that numerous eyes were already on them.


    ¡°And herees your sister and mother. You will have to exin to them reasons why you ghosted everyone for days,¡± Aria whispered into his ears, when she noticed those that wereing around to where they stood.


    She kissed his cheeks to the eye sore of those that were jealous, and made her way towards the other end of the party floor to be alone.


    She had not expected Dalton toe and take her by surprise in that manner, which had made her lose focus of what she was there to observe. Her hands quickly grabbed her phone from her purse as she checked her emails quickly, to see if the supposed masked person had replied to her message. Lo and behold, she replied.


    ¡®Be careful at the party. You just took over the shopping mall, so it is certain that something will happen again. You are out of the mansion too. Partying,¡¯ she read the typed message again and again.


    Aria hated to know that some person that she didn¡¯t know was trying to help her, but hiding their identity even with knowledge of every move. It was really creepy. It disturbed her greatly.


    And with her eyes fixated on the message that she was looking at, it happened so fast. The next thing was her body in the pool of water.


    There was a loud scream from thedy that saw Aria plunge into the pool, which attracted everyone¡¯s attention that were getting ready for the next show on the projector screen. Aria was not quite the good swimmer as she struggled to steady in the pool, but someone had jumped in to save her even before any one could.


    ¡®This is not water only,¡¯ Aria¡¯s mind whispered to her.


    There was a collective gasp in the air, as soon as they saw a huge man figureing out of the pool with ady in his arms. It was too much for anyone to handle and bear, that Dalton would jump into the water to save his wife. It was shocking to behold. It was the greatest disy of affection they never thought they would see.


    The people that were even more shocked by Dalton¡¯s selfless action despite his arrogance, were his family who knew that Dalton had never gotten close to the body of water ever since his father died. It sent shivers down their shine, and almost gored their eyes out. They ran closer to see the situation.


    Alex quickly ran out of the hall in split seconds to the car to get huge towels for cleanup, as he ran back again to present Dalton with the dry piece of white towel. It was officially the end of the party for both Dalton and Aria, as their outfit had been ruined because of what had happened.


    ¡°Can we check the footage, Dalton? I want to see why I fell into that pool,¡± Aria turned to ask him, ignoring her phone that had perished inside the water or the eyes that were gazing at them.


    ¡°Don¡¯t mind it. It is probably a harmless mistake. We wouldn¡¯t want to cause anymore problems here,¡± Dalton said, to Aria¡¯s greatest surprise as she wondered why he was suddenly gentle about the situation, which was not his usual self.


    ¡°There is something weird in that water. I know what I am saying. Let us¡­¡­¡±


    ¡°What the heck is this?!¡± Someone yelled out from a corner among the crowd without manners, and everyone turned to see what was going on in the room again.


    Instead of the expected pictures of Ellen¡¯s childhood pictures as she grew by each stage, it was the picture of a man and a woman in the pool that was disyed on the projector. The same picture that Hailey had taken, shown to Ellen, and had sent to Dalton through an email. It was life and direct for everyone to see.Exclusive content from N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t that Dalton¡¯s wife?¡± A voice was heard from a corner, as the majority of the crowd turned to where she was standing. Dalton was angry, Aria was livid.


    Even if she didn¡¯t care about the dumb people in the room, what she would never want was for someone to disregard her in any manner. Creating a scandal that was so detrimental to her image, was the worst that could happen at that moment.


    ¡°It is another man,¡± another person muttered.


    ¡°She is cheating? How despicable.¡±


    ¡°Why would you jump to conclusions? We cannot even see the man¡¯s face properly.¡±


    ¡°Exin yourself, cheat!¡± Someone screamed from the crowd again, and it became so awkward to stare at.


    She was however relieved that the pictures she was staring at were just when she touched Collin, and not when they were too close to one another to share a cheek kiss. It would be a fact that she could never deny, because no one would believe her.


    There was nothing that ran through her blood faster than anger and fury, because she knew exactly who had done the job. There could be only one person who could have done that.


    ¡°I thought you said you weren¡¯t going to reveal it. What is this?¡± Ellen turned to Hailey disappointedly for ruining her party.


    ¡°Dalton is back now, and he came to your party. He has the right to know now,¡± Hailey replied so unapologetically, and rolled her eyes frivolously.


    ¡°Are you serious? Did you have to do it in everyone¡¯s presence?¡± Ellen scolded angrily. She could not believe what her friend was saying.


    ¡°You were not showing any sign of being a supportive friend and still are not. These are reasons why we are not bonding well again. You have be a snitch!¡± Hailey spat at Ellen, but no one was hearing the two friends have their own brawl at the other side of the room. They were all immersed with the situation of Aria cheating or not.


    ¡°Are you really cheating on my son?!¡± Mrs. Eleanor Miller took the lead in the direct questioning, which made people ted in their minds that someone finally could ask the question they all wanted an answer to. They were still wary about Dalton though, who seemed to be boiling furiously on a spot.


    ¡°You guys have the guts to call my wife a cheat?!¡± The voice demanded imperiously, as a cold and feeling of deep, dark tension settled into the air and everyone¡¯s mind.


    They all became fearful of the fact that they had overreacted, when it was not news to them of what Dalton was capable of doing. Because of the surprising pictures, they would have expected him to condemn her too if it turned out to be true.


    ¡°And who gave the right to point using fingers? So Aria and I cannot have fun as we please again? Because of you scoundrels?¡± Dalton¡¯s mouth spat of burningrva and anger, as he looked at everyone in the room angrily. He couldn¡¯t be more than mad at that point.


    Aria¡¯s heart melted the moment she heard Dalton talk, as she turned to look at him immediately he imed that it was both of them.


    ¡®What has changed him so much? Why was he being so nice to her? Why was he stirring her heart in ways that she hated?¡¯


    ¡°If you record anything, I would make sure you rot in jail!¡± he threatened in a dark manner, when he noticed that some people were trying to do a life stream and record what was going on.


    ¡°Alex, make sure every phone is thoroughly checked before everyone leaves. I want no scandal. Watch the surveince footage too, and sue as many people that made derogatory statements,¡± he ordered and turned to Aria, ¡°Let us go,¡± he grabbed her by the arm and they left the building immediately.


    Aria¡¯s heart could not help but thump more than ever in her life, as she followed behind Dalton gently like nothing had just happened. She was still concerned about the fact that they had dropped into the pool water that wasn¡¯t purely it, but the most disturbing issue on her mind was what was wrong with Dalton and not her.


    Judging by his nature, he should have gotten angry when he saw something like that, but he protected her. He didn¡¯t ask for an exnation from her concerning the reason she was in the pool with a man, when he should be dispatching his men to make sure that the person in picture suffers endlessly.


    ¡®Why was he doing it? Why was he confusing her? Was it for the worst toe after they left where no one would see them?¡¯

 The truth you hate

    ¡°Why are you not asking about anything?¡± Aria asked immediately Dalton ignited the car and zoomed off, after he had tucked her in the seat beside him.


    ¡°We would talk about thatter,¡± he answered her question without looking into her face, and drove on a high speed into the city with the nearest ce that they could go to in mind.


    ¡°Just why are you¡­..¡±


    ¡°The air is cold, so change the cold dress that you are wearing. Take a shirt from the backpack on the car seat,¡± Dalton said to her instead without looking at her still, and focused more on his driving, pressing harder on the elerator.


    Aria just pulled off her dress gently in the car without minding him, and changed to one amongst the huge shirts that she found in there. Since he had seen her in that manner several times, she didn¡¯t mind and just did her thing with so many things in her mind. She couldn¡¯t keep her mouth even if she tried.


    ¡°I think there is something wrong with that water. If it is possible for Alex to get a sample and run a test on it, that would be perfect,¡± Aria informed him again without expecting a response, as she tried to find the presser button attached to the side of her car seat.


    Lowering it gently to desired angle, sheid her back on it and closed her eyes tightly, to stop the urge of tears that had begun to pool behind her eyes. It was so frustrating and sad that different things kept happening, even if she thought that she was close to finding the biggest clue. She just had to be careless once again.


    Even if Dalton didn¡¯t mind her at that particr time or answer her questions, she didn¡¯t care because there were so many things that were much more important than his response. But maybe it did bother her. A bit.


    The billionaire¡¯s wife had slept off before they got to the front of the building that Dalton parked in, and when he tried to lift her off the chair where she slept, she woke up instantly. He turned immediately when he noticed that she was ready to walk by herself, and just strode ahead after picking up a box in the car.


    Aria followed the person walking in front of her without saying any much, obviously shivering from getting drenched in the pool without proper drying. The lights of the ss vacation house came on as soon as Dalton pressed the door code, and Aria took her seat immediately on one of the chairs in therge space of living room.


    Dalton moved to the walls to put on the heater across the walls, as he pulled his shirt immediately and moved to the inner room. Aria justid on the sofa and remained there without saying anything, as she watched Dalton move up and down without having a direction.


    She became frustrated at some point. He surely was intentionally being mute to her.


    ¡°Why do I feel like you are shunning me? Like you don¡¯t want to talk,¡± Aria voiced out after watching Dalton walk in circles around the house for too long, without having anything to say to her or do. They obviously still had unfinished issues.


    Still, he didn¡¯t answer her and just moved to the refrigerator to check if he could get anything to drink, but it was obvious that the refrigerator would no doubt be empty. His anger had gotten the best of him that he was not able to think straight, when they passed a few grocery stores on their way.


    As usual he knew that there would be packs of water in the booth of the car, and he walked out of the house after changing his cloth in clean pieces. He brought Aria a big sweatshirt and put it on the chair that she was resting on, so that she would get the message that he wanted her to wear it.


    However, by the time he came back from the car with some bottle of water, cheese and unfinished chips that Alex somehow had in the car¡¯s booth, Aria¡¯s eyes were tightly shut already. He just dropped everything he was holding in his hand on the table in disappointment, as his face twisted into a scowl when he stared at her.


    ¡°I cannot believe she has the guts to sleep in this situation. Very annoying!¡± Dalton remarked so angrily, as moved closer to her to see if her body was cold in any way.C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org.


    He further lowered his head close to her body to hear if she was actually still breathing, so that he would not end up misunderstanding the wrong thing when she could be dying. As soon as he confirmed that she was breathing fine and was about to raise his head up, he felt a force push him close to the ground with his cloth around his neck Aria


    ¡°So, you ain¡¯t going to settle this hunhh? If you make this a carryover till the next day, then I¡¯m never talking about it anymore,¡± Aria¡¯s eyes shed open, as she put pressure around Dalton¡¯s shirt like she was going to strangle him.


    ¡°You¡¯re threatening me?¡± He challenged her, still finding it hard to believe that Aria could pull that kind of crazy stunt. It was evident to him that she had finally lost her mind.


    ¡°Take it or leave it,¡± she continued, not minding how dark his gaze upon her was. They had always been like that.


    ¡°Fine. What the heck were you doing in the pool with another man, while I was out of town? It is so annoying to see that kind of raunchy photos of my wife, hanging out for disgusting low-life elites to see. Do you know how much it sucked to say that it was us?! Do you?!¡± Dalton let out his anger finally so loudly, that Aria felt the intensity even if she was already prepared for it.


    ¡°So you think I¡¯m going to cheat because my paper husband is the worst? No, Dalton. I have my morals, and that has even be a mess with you. Even if I were to fuck with other men, I¡¯ll wait till we were broken finally by paper,¡± Aria, who was feeling sleepy initially, started to get angry by her own words too. She felt hurt because it felt like Dalton didn¡¯t trust her. It sucked.


    ¡°So you think I¡¯m the worst? That is riching from someone who spends so much time with her so-called male friend, and calls him anytime something goes wrong,¡± Dalton retorted angrily.


    ¡°When you don¡¯t have anyone to lean on, you find a better alternative. That is life, Dalton. Not you trying to act strong like everything is fine and you are all that. We are all just fucking humans!¡± Aria yelled at his face furiously, as she sat up from her sleeping position this time around, ¡°And also, I am not a bitch. I still keep to my values. And I believe that you do the same.¡±


    ¡°Does that mean, if you heard I was sleeping with another girl. You wouldn¡¯t believe it?¡± He asked, with a calm voice this time around and not ready to return the intensity of her anger. She sure knew how to match up with him most of the time.


    ¡°I probably will not. I mean I hate to say it, but you are quite principled. You know things you shouldn¡¯t and should do.¡±


    ¡°It is so hard to stop being around you, Aria. You drive me crazy in ways I cannot understand,¡± Dalton let out in barely audible words, as he moved closer to where she was sitting and grabbed her by the cheeks.


    He brought his lips to meet hers and kissed on it tenderly, trying not to make her angry or force her this time. In less than one minute, he withdrew his lips from her peachy own as she opened her eyes which had shut close momentarily.


    ¡°If you do not want to, I will stop,¡± Dalton assured her in gentle words that calmed the heart, and she wondered what was going on with him to make him act so gently.


    ¡®Why was he being so sweet? When had he ever asked for her permission before?¡¯


    Aria¡¯s senses became shut to the right thing her truth brain would have told her to do, as her head moved closer to his and she allowed her lips to touch his. He took her lower lips in immediately and sucked on it, as she reciprocated the kiss with the feelings that were creeping on her nerves.


    His right arm grabbed her by the waist from her sitting position, and brought her to a position where she crossed over hisps. With Aria¡¯s legs around his waist even in his sitting position, things got more intense as low moans erupted in the air.


    Aria¡¯s hips gyrated slowly against Dalton¡¯s crotch and put him in heat, which was so difficult to prevent from exploding at that point. He kissed from her lips, to her neck and earlobe, which made Aria¡¯s experience crazy sensations that made her heart beat so wildly, as she could only take little sips of breath.


    ¡®She was crazy over Dalton already and she knew. How could she, when she should be getting ready to file their divorce? How could she when she should be talking her revenge against everyone? How could she when things were going to get tooplicated, and he found out the truth?¡¯


    ¡°Why are you not asking about anything?¡± Aria asked immediately Dalton ignited the car and zoomed off, after he had tucked her in the seat beside him.


    ¡°We would talk about thatter,¡± he answered her question without looking into her face, and drove on a high speed into the city with the nearest ce that they could go to in mind.


    ¡°Just why are you¡­..¡±


    ¡°The air is cold, so change the cold dress that you are wearing. Take a shirt from the backpack on the car seat,¡± Dalton said to her instead without looking at her still, and focused more on his driving, pressing harder on the elerator.


    Aria just pulled off her dress gently in the car without minding him, and changed to one amongst the huge shirts that she found in there. Since he had seen her in that manner several times, she didn¡¯t mind and just did her thing with so many things in her mind. She couldn¡¯t keep her mouth even if she tried.


    ¡°I think there is something wrong with that water. If it is possible for Alex to get a sample and run a test on it, that would be perfect,¡± Aria informed him again without expecting a response, as she tried to find the presser button attached to the side of her car seat.


    Lowering it gently to desired angle, sheid her back on it and closed her eyes tightly, to stop the urge of tears that had begun to pool behind her eyes. It was so frustrating and sad that different things kept happening, even if she thought that she was close to finding the biggest clue. She just had to be careless once again.


    Even if Dalton didn¡¯t mind her at that particr time or answer her questions, she didn¡¯t care because there were so many things that were much more important than his response. But maybe it did bother her. A bit.


    The billionaire¡¯s wife had slept off before they got to the front of the building that Dalton parked in, and when he tried to lift her off the chair where she slept, she woke up instantly. He turned immediately when he noticed that she was ready to walk by herself, and just strode ahead after picking up a box in the car.


    Aria followed the person walking in front of her without saying any much, obviously shivering from getting drenched in the pool without proper drying. The lights of the ss vacation house came on as soon as Dalton pressed the door code, and Aria took her seat immediately on one of the chairs in therge space of living room.


    Dalton moved to the walls to put on the heater across the walls, as he pulled his shirt immediately and moved to the inner room. Aria justid on the sofa and remained there without saying anything, as she watched Dalton move up and down without having a direction.


    She became frustrated at some point. He surely was intentionally being mute to her.


    ¡°Why do I feel like you are shunning me? Like you don¡¯t want to talk,¡± Aria voiced out after watching Dalton walk in circles around the house for too long, without having anything to say to her or do. They obviously still had unfinished issues.


    Still, he didn¡¯t answer her and just moved to the refrigerator to check if he could get anything to drink, but it was obvious that the refrigerator would no doubt be empty. His anger had gotten the best of him that he was not able to think straight, when they passed a few grocery stores on their way.


    As usual he knew that there would be packs of water in the booth of the car, and he walked out of the house after changing his cloth in clean pieces. He brought Aria a big sweatshirt and put it on the chair that she was resting on, so that she would get the message that he wanted her to wear it.


    However, by the time he came back from the car with some bottle of water, cheese and unfinished chips that Alex somehow had in the car¡¯s booth, Aria¡¯s eyes were tightly shut already. He just dropped everything he was holding in his hand on the table in disappointment, as his face twisted into a scowl when he stared at her.


    ¡°I cannot believe she has the guts to sleep in this situation. Very annoying!¡± Dalton remarked so angrily, as moved closer to her to see if her body was cold in any way.


    He further lowered his head close to her body to hear if she was actually still breathing, so that he would not end up misunderstanding the wrong thing when she could be dying. As soon as he confirmed that she was breathing fine and was about to raise his head up, he felt a force push him close to the ground with his cloth around his neck Aria


    ¡°So, you ain¡¯t going to settle this hunhh? If you make this a carryover till the next day, then I¡¯m never talking about it anymore,¡± Aria¡¯s eyes shed open, as she put pressure around Dalton¡¯s shirt like she was going to strangle him.


    ¡°You¡¯re threatening me?¡± He challenged her, still finding it hard to believe that Aria could pull that kind of crazy stunt. It was evident to him that she had finally lost her mind.


    ¡°Take it or leave it,¡± she continued, not minding how dark his gaze upon her was. They had always been like that.


    ¡°Fine. What the heck were you doing in the pool with another man, while I was out of town? It is so annoying to see that kind of raunchy photos of my wife, hanging out for disgusting low-life elites to see. Do you know how much it sucked to say that it was us?! Do you?!¡± Dalton let out his anger finally so loudly, that Aria felt the intensity even if she was already prepared for it.


    ¡°So you think I¡¯m going to cheat because my paper husband is the worst? No, Dalton. I have my morals, and that has even be a mess with you. Even if I were to fuck with other men, I¡¯ll wait till we were broken finally by paper,¡± Aria, who was feeling sleepy initially, started to get angry by her own words too. She felt hurt because it felt like Dalton didn¡¯t trust her. It sucked.


    ¡°So you think I¡¯m the worst? That is riching from someone who spends so much time with her so-called male friend, and calls him anytime something goes wrong,¡± Dalton retorted angrily.


    ¡°When you don¡¯t have anyone to lean on, you find a better alternative. That is life, Dalton. Not you trying to act strong like everything is fine and you are all that. We are all just fucking humans!¡± Aria yelled at his face furiously, as she sat up from her sleeping position this time around, ¡°And also, I am not a bitch. I still keep to my values. And I believe that you do the same.¡±


    ¡°Does that mean, if you heard I was sleeping with another girl. You wouldn¡¯t believe it?¡± He asked, with a calm voice this time around and not ready to return the intensity of her anger. She sure knew how to match up with him most of the time.


    ¡°I probably will not. I mean I hate to say it, but you are quite principled. You know things you shouldn¡¯t and should do.¡±


    ¡°It is so hard to stop being around you, Aria. You drive me crazy in ways I cannot understand,¡± Dalton let out in barely audible words, as he moved closer to where she was sitting and grabbed her by the cheeks.


    He brought his lips to meet hers and kissed on it tenderly, trying not to make her angry or force her this time. In less than one minute, he withdrew his lips from her peachy own as she opened her eyes which had shut close momentarily.


    ¡°If you do not want to, I will stop,¡± Dalton assured her in gentle words that calmed the heart, and she wondered what was going on with him to make him act so gently.


    ¡®Why was he being so sweet? When had he ever asked for her permission before?¡¯


    Aria¡¯s senses became shut to the right thing her truth brain would have told her to do, as her head moved closer to his and she allowed her lips to touch his. He took her lower lips in immediately and sucked on it, as she reciprocated the kiss with the feelings that were creeping on her nerves.


    His right arm grabbed her by the waist from her sitting position, and brought her to a position where she crossed over hisps. With Aria¡¯s legs around his waist even in his sitting position, things got more intense as low moans erupted in the air.


    Aria¡¯s hips gyrated slowly against Dalton¡¯s crotch and put him in heat, which was so difficult to prevent from exploding at that point. He kissed from her lips, to her neck and earlobe, which made Aria¡¯s experience crazy sensations that made her heart beat so wildly, as she could only take little sips of breath.


    ¡®She was crazy over Dalton already and she knew. How could she, when she should be getting ready to file their divorce? How could she when she should be talking her revenge against everyone? How could she when things were going to get tooplicated, and he found out the truth?

 The line

    ¡°The cameras were faulty at the moment?!¡± Dalton half-yelled in exasperation, and quickly minded the way he reacted when he turned to his back and realized that Aria was still sleeping.


    He immediately walked away from the bedroom where they slept through the night, to the living room where he could hear what Alex had to say.


    ¡°Yes sir. The cameras were surprisingly faulty again at that hour, and we were not able to sue anyone because the cameras could not capture them. No news was published and everything here is fine.


    They ran a test on the water, and apparently it was mixing with some kind of gas already. There was some kind of gas release beneath the pool, and it had not totally disseminated into the water before you were able to bring Mrs. Miller out. We are investigating everything,¡± Alex reported consistently in words to Dalton on the phone, taking no space like he was reading it from somewhere. He had done a good job and it wasmendable.


    ¡°That is a good one. You can take a rest this morning and I will see youter,¡± Dalton said and made to cut off the phone call, when Alex interrupted him again with another thing that was really important.


    ¡°About the incident that urred during the family trip. I finally found the owner of a building that was around the area at that particr time, which was also going to be demolished at that period. He still has the CCTV records from different cameras that were working perfectly before the demolition began, and I am meeting with him today,¡± Alex informed Dalton.


    ¡°You should get double pay for this month. You have done well,¡± Dalton repeated again to Alex about how well he had done his job, which made Alex touched by his new behavior.


    He had neverplimented him in the past even when he did the best, and was always rude, harsh and angry at every point in time. It made him wonder what could have made the billionaire sound so pleasant after a terrible day, and everything was connected to the time that he had spent with his wife again after his acting up.


    The past few days had been really tiring for the assistant who had no idea why his boss was sulking, and refused to return back to the states or talk to any of his family which had him worried.


    Dalton also remained indoors the entire day in the suite that Alex had to renew their time there, when he announced that they were not going back home immediately. It sure was a relief to see him back to normal.


    ¡°You are awake,¡± Dalton uttered when he saw Aria walking out of the room so tired, and he wondered why she had to be looking that stressed out.


    ¡°Yeah. And it is the best sleep I¡¯ve had in a while. I¡¯m feeling better than usual,¡± Aria told him truthfully, and he turned to observe the expression on her face.


    ¡°Do you care to tell me how you got these nightmares?¡± He suddenly became curious and she gave him a bewildered look, ¡°I should be your first therapist, before you see your actual therapist today,¡± he smiled and she just rolled her eyes.


    ~?~.      ~?~.


    ¡°Did you get the face of the person that pushed her? Zoom it closely, stop. Zoom again, stop. Yes, right there.¡±


    ¡°Face totally not so visible, sir. The distance is quite far,¡± the operator reported.


    ¡°Run the identity check,¡± Collin instructed the guy behind the monitor, as he paced restlessly round the monitor room. The n all started a day before.


    He had asked Aria to confirm the venue that they would be using for the party a day before, and had used his father¡¯s influence to get into the hall, as if he was going to look at it as a simr preference.


    In a few minutes of being alone without a tour guide that excused him, when he lied about a call that he wanted to make, and was able to fix spy cams into some good spots in the hall without getting caught.


    After he was sure that the party had ended on Ellen¡¯s birthday night, his assistant returned back to the spot to retrieve the cameras before the ce became closed that night.


    It was when he saw Alex that he was able to decode the situation, that the cameras in the hall were faulty and that everything that happened in the party was not essible.


    Collin got fast into action the next day and was able to check some reasonable of the videos, even though it mostly had footage of people blocking its view at intervals. The most useful of all was the one he found the perfect angle for among the designs, which captured the pool scene of Aria being pushed and Dalton rescuing her.


    It made him mull deeply on what exactly could be going on with Dalton, for him to jump into the water without minding the crowd or his reputation for Aria¡¯s sake. If it were him, he would dly present himself and do it for her, because he was not as egoistic as Dalton.


    ¡®Was there something else going on that he didn¡¯t know? Or was Dalton already falling in love with Aria for real?¡¯ The crazy thoughts that invaded his mind too constantly in the course of the identity search, made him insecure and jealous at the same time.


    Half an hour had passed already, before they were able to get the perfect identity of the supposed waiter, who shoved Aria and sidled immediately. Without wasting any much time, Collin gathered every information to a top security national agent to help him find out the location of the identified guy, Jackson through his phone.


    Towards afternoon, they were able to get all the call logs of Jackson and had it printed on paper, but nothing seemed off about all the conversation that he had on his phone. It made Collin anxious and angry, that they are heading towards a dead end without further clues.


    ¡°He might be using a burner phone,¡± the one of the agents gave a better suggestion, ¡°It might take too much time to know the phone number of burner phone that he is using, and it is over if he does not turn on the phone too,¡± the man¡¯sst sentence didn¡¯t please Collin at all. There had to be a solution.


    ¡°Alright. Thank you all for your help, but please do not stop trying. I will also find a solution to this myself,¡± Collin appreciated and turned to leave their control room.


    ¡°Don¡¯t do anything illegal, or I will be the one to interrogate you,¡± one of them joked as Collin made his way outside, and a loudughter erupted from most of them in the room.


    Collin knew that waiting for the burner phone to be tracked was going to be a waste of time, which was supposed to be put in as effort as the perpetrator would be busy trying to clean up.


    His next line of action was to stake around the waiter¡¯s ce of work, which was an information he got from his database, since he also worked as a part-timer at one store during half of the day.


    As Collin watched the young man from afar to get off from work after the day ended, he knew that it would be someone¡¯s orders that the guy was following. It made him conclude that there was no way he and the supposed would not meet, within five days if he stalked him so intensely to his oblivion.


    And just as expected, the young guy got off work around six in the evening, which was almost seven hourster. He followed him carefully with his car when he boarded the bus, and waited to see him drop after a few bus stops, which was quite unreasonable to him.


    After a few minutes of waiting for Jackson toe out of the underground parking lot of a cafe that he entered for minutes, he suddenly noticed a car pull out of the lot in a very fast manner which made him hiss at whoever it was that drove recklessly. Realization soon hit. It was the same guy that entered inside minutes ago.


    ¡®He had a car? How interesting it gets.¡¯


    Quickly, Collin pressed on his brakes too and went after the car, in a gentle manner that was so organized to not make the person in front notice that he was trailing after him. The car drove for a while on the highway, and then diverted its wheels towards an underground tunnel after a few minutes.


    Collin increased his speed on the highway so that he would be in the same pace as the driver, whom he didn¡¯t want to suspect that someone had been following him for too long. After they drove on differentnes for minutes, they ended up on the samene again after he drove out of the tunnel. It was a rough one.


    After many minutes of journeying far apart from each other into different routes, the car finally halted after driving into a temple in the outskirts of the town. The guy alighted from the car and lit a cigarette from the car, before he walked away from where the car was located towards a temple.


    Someone walked out of the temple and the only thing Collin could see was a shadow, as Jackson followed the person he went to meet back inside. Collin came down from where he packed his car at quite a distance after reversing backwards, and entered into the temple pretending like he had gone there to pray too.


    And almost into their trap he almost walked, when he discovered that it was an old temple, and that his disguise would be caught in no time if they sensed that someone was there. He turned back quietly only to see someone standing miles away from where he was hiding.


    ¡®Had he not seen that face before?¡¯


    ¡°You are so useless! Why did you release the gas a few minuteste?!¡± The stressed voice asked in a really angry but low voice.


    ¡°I am sorry. I shouldn¡¯t have¡­..


    ¡°I should discard you soon. You¡¯ll join the others where they all are, for messing with my orders,¡± a fire lit on a cigarette stick, and a hand pulled out a gun to shoot.


    ¡°Please,¡­..¡± That was the guy¡¯sst sentence.


    The loud sound took Collin off grid as he shuddered in so much fear. He had never seen someone shot directly to his face before.Exclusive content from N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡®If he got out of there alive, then he would do everything his father asked of him,¡¯ he promised in his mind, as he glued to where he stood fearfully. A noise erupted from where his foot stood upon.


    ¡°Who are you?!¡± He heard the killer¡¯s voice.

 Loving is hard 1

    Dalton¡¯s expression became stiff to shock when he watched the video that was yed before him, when he and Alex metter that afternoon at thepany. He had dropped Aria off for her therapy which was at the second floor to thest of the hospital, while he rushed back immediately when he heard that Alex was able to get his hands on the footage.


    However, the video that he was watching before him was so terrifying, that never in his life would he have thought something of such happened. It was quite too much for him to handle when he saw the evil that had happened against her, that it broke his heart so much to stir tears out of already stinging eyes.


    The camera captured the moment that Aria dropped to the ground from the elevated spot, after someone pushed her from behind which the camera also captured.


    Though the view of the person dressed in all ck was too dark to witness and see, it was evident that she had fallen to the ground after she was unknowingly pushed.


    ¡°What happened after?¡± Why is there no video anymore? What happened after the fall?¡± Dalton demanded with a shaky breath, as he tried to wind and rewind to see if anything was captured after the ending of the video.


    ¡°Not at all sir. I have tried to get other footage from the cameras around too, but they were all unable to capture what happened next because the building has a low height,¡± Alex exined with an apologetic voice, wondering how Dalton would be feeling in him to know that Aria was pushed from that height.


    ¡°Maybe¡­.. Maybe that was what messed up with her brain. Maybe that changed her behavior. Do you think she had a concussion? Do you think she¡­. she probably has an internal bleeding somewhere?¡± Dalton stuttered as he stood up in confusion to get his phone, so as to call the doctor by himself.


    ¡°Calm down sir. After all that happened, the family came back home after three days. Do you think a spontaneous recovery would have been possible if anything happened? I think everything must be fine, sir,¡± Alex tried to calm Dalton down so that he would not do anything rash.


    ¡°Why do you think my family didn¡¯t tell me anything? Why?! Why are they acting like nothing happened? Get everyone to leave whatever they must be doing now, ore back from wherever they may be and gather at the dining room, right, now!¡± Dalton ordered angrily, as he grabbed his coat from where he hung it, ¡°I will go and check up on Aria and see if she is done too.¡±N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.


    ¡°Please sir. Calm down,¡± Alex tried to persuade.


    ¡°How can you tell me to calm down?! Who are you to tell me such bullcrap?!¡± Dalton yelled furiously as he tried to storm out, but Alex knew that he had to be strong-headed for the first time, and that he had to go against what his boss wanted.


    ¡°They already have a fixed story sir and nothing would make them change it if Mrs. Eleanor Miller is leading everything. One thing is we have to know if they knew about what happened, or if it was a n from one of them to get rid of her initially. We have to take things slowly as we have always done to arrive at an answer, sir,¡± Alex increased the intensity of his voice as he held the knob of the door, to prevent Dalton from going out.


    ¡°And for Mrs. Miller too. There must be some reason why she is saying nothing, even if she by chance remembers everything. No one would want to say the truth that easily because this is a serious case, sir,¡± Alex continued without a filter. He could not allow Dalton to ruin the very case that he had been taking his time to crack slowly, just because of his irrational anger.


    ¡°And who gives the orders?! I would have everyone locked in the prison and tortured till they confess!¡± Dalton threatened fiercely. His anger sure knew no bounds.


    ¡°You have been practicing how to be a calm person, sir. Mrs. Miller might open up with time if she sees your sincerity. I will find more information and update you with anything I find,¡± Alex assured and at the same time seeded in soothing his boss, who turned his back and vented his anger by crashing anything he could around him.


    Dalton hated to know that he had acted like that once again, even if he had been trying to practice being calm for days. The knowledge that Alex was absolutely right and correct about how he should act in the situation, didn¡¯t sit right with Dalton knowing that he should have thought for himself and controlled his anger.


    However, there was no way that he could be okay after knowing the truth. He felt so sorry and deeply guilty in his heart that he had allowed Aria to suffer so much in the past, even when he had the idea of a few things that his mother did.


    ¡®You should have stopped them. You should have stopped them, Dalton. You are a monster. You are a monster just like everyone, and you do not have the right to love her. You don¡¯t!¡¯ Dalton cried in his heart as he grinded his teeth against one another in pain. He had started regretting every single thing that he had ignored.


    ~?|?~.       ~?|?~.


    Aria entered into the hospital grounds and climbed the elevator in Dalton¡¯s presence, and went to knock on the doctor¡¯s door as expected after she was given a pass to his office. As soon as she knocked on his door, she turned to the other side of the hallway and left immediately to the nearest elevator.


    As soon as she entered the elevator, her vision became blurry and head hit bang so hard. She tried to steady herself in the elevator with the terrible pain that she was going through, as she sweated profusely and groaned silently in tears. The pain was too much to handle.


    The elevator stopped on thest floor after minutes ofing down, and she had scooped a handful of drugs into her throat. Though it was not helping as much as she needed it, it suppressed the pain a bit and she was able to make it out of the hospital to the streets.


    She hired a taxi immediately that took her straight to the shopping mall which was a twenty minutes drive away, as she wept silently in the car so as not to distract the person that was driving. The doctor¡¯s words continued to ring in her head.


    The night before that she and Dalton kissed, it was so phenomenal for her than any other kiss they both shared. It was an action that was strictly anchored by how she was feeling at that particr moment, and it was hard to tell why she was feeling that way even if she hated it.


    Things stopped abruptly when she had the feeling that she might end up going too deep into their kiss, and also end up having sex with him as that was thest thing she would wish for. Dalton obeyed what she wanted even if he was hard in his pants already, and just allowed her to take her bath peacefully.


    They slept in each other¡¯s arms too after he struck a bargain with her, and she slept well through the night with his arms around her. They were feelings she had never gotten to really experience, which were difficult to ce in her heart. For her, what she was feeling was too sad. Hopeless. She couldn¡¯t throw everything away now.


    Aria cried till the car stopped in front of the shopping mall, and even when she made her way inside without getting noticed. Amelia was right in her office changing some wall designs that were all Dalton¡¯s taste, even if no one really used the ce.


    ¡°What is wrong, Mrs. Miller? Why are you sobbing?¡± Amelia¡¯s eyes were sharp enough to see, as she came down from where she was hanging to hold Aria. It was hard to see her vibrant boss in that state.


    ¡°I can¡¯t do this,¡± Aria cried much louder this time than she had thought she would, as the unending painful tears dropped more and more to the vicious aching of her head.


    ¡°I am really sorry for whatever happened. Pleasee take a seat here and calm down,¡± Amelia offered to her and tried to calm her down, but figured out that it could be more than that, when Aria ended up with a terrible headache on the spot.


    The terrified assistant tried to call Dalton but Aria stopped her immediately, which made her result into self medication from the pharmacy. Aria told her to get some specific injections instead of drugs, with a syringe, gauze and some other things.


    Even with her fear of what could be happening, Amelia bought everything Aria wrote down for her and returned back to the mall almost an hourter to find Aria sleeping already. She just dropped everything near the sofa chair on the table, and adjusted the temperature of the room to a desirable one.


    It was evening already and Aria had not gotten a new phone, which made it so difficult for Dalton to get across to her. The doctor told him that she was only seen in the hospital premises through the CCTV camera outside, and that she didn¡¯t enter his office when Dalton called. It almost drove the billionaire crazy.


    Aria woke up hourster to see Amelia resting on the other couch opposite hers, and she was really thankful to know that someone cared about her enough to wait even if it was evening. She woke thedy up and apologized for stressing her so much, and even gave the next day off since she had been working too well.


    With Aria left alone in the office again, she walked to the door to shut it tight and walked back to take her seat. She brought out everything that Amelia had brought from the nylon. She began to inject herself after she had prepared the syringe.


    She also tried to find her pulse at where the flow of her blood was most restricted, and she found the point at her arm region. Carefully, she cut the flesh open and also the blood in that spot to gush out for a while, releasing all the deoxygenated blood that was found there. With a gauze and ster, she covered the wound afterwards.


    ¡°You can do this. You are not weak. You can finish it all,¡± she said to herself again and again.


    ¡®Time is running out,¡¯ her mind whispered mercilessly to her.

 Loving is hard 2

    Aria didn¡¯t go home that night and just slept on the couch throughout the night, after she turned off all the lights in her office at the shopping mall. It was a lonely and sad night alone for her as she was unable to sleep, coupled with the hunger that was biting on her tummy.


    There was no coffee maker in her office to even prepare coffee that could suppress her hunger, and the waffles that always apanied the packs of coffee were at departmental offices.


    It was hard to keep the hunger that she was feeling in her till around 2:00 am at night, as Aria¡¯s eyes shed open away from forcing herself to sleep futilely.


    She opened the door to her office and came out to the hallway with barely visible lights, as she crept towards the stairs down to the next floor so as not to cause too many problems by using the elevator.


    Having memorized every floor and room directions in the mall, Aria was able to locate the doors even without bright lights and also found their inner room. From the floor she started from to about five more below, Aria picked every pack of waffle from every worker¡¯s office and made coffee too for herself.


    By the time she was done with everything and was to return back to her own floor, it was almost 5:00 am in the morning and she was too tired to even climb the stairs back.


    By six in the morning, Aria had taken a brief bath in the bathroom that was in her office, and just wore the clothes from the previous day. Sitting in front of herptop to type a message back to MAS, she fell asleep till it was time for everyone to resume for their day¡¯s job.


    When Amelia arrived as usual without taking the day off to see if the CEO¡¯s office was in good shape, she was shocked to find someone sleeping with her hair all over the table.


    She wondered if her boss had gone home the previous night and resumed the following morning, or slept off in the office only to wake up the next day. Repetition of her clothes from the previous day confirmed the answer.


    Hourster, Aria woke up to find ordered chicken and some other food on the table, and she was so thankful in her heart knowing who would have done that. She was also more thankful that the sedatives that she injected into her body worked well, enough to allow her body to take some rest.


    As she bit on all the food that Amelia had ordered for her to eat, she also drank from the bottle of juice that apanied the food package. She couldn¡¯t understand why she was eating that badly and feeling so tired, but she needed something to make herself feel better from every anxiety that almost choked on her.


    She knew Dalton would have been worried sick that she didn¡¯te home, and would have probably started looking for her by then. She called for Amelia and begged her not to tell Dalton that she was in the shopping mall, if he or his assistant ever called to ask about her.


    After she was done eating and packing her work table, she injected the remaining injections from the previous day and trashed the rest.


    Quickly, she navigated back to herptop and checked to see if the masked dancer had replied to her message, and there was something rather shocking about the message that she read from her screen that had been dropped by dawn.


    ¡®If you can stop investigating this, then stop as fast as you can. If you can try further, go to the ML gallery to find clues. Please be safe,¡¯ she read the letters over and over again like she had done days ago, when the same person sent her a message that something could happen at the party whichter did.


    [How do you know all these things? Who are you? Why are you helping me? You know the perpetrator right?] Aria typed so fast in anxiety and sent it to the unknown dancer, hoping that she would at least tell her something. It was frustrating to be in the dark.


    After waiting for a while without any reply, Aria picked up her bag and told Amelia that she would be back in a jiffy, as she ordered for a chauffeur toe and pick her. The car that she had driven to the party had been towed back to the mansion by Alex, and she could not go back home because she didn¡¯t want Dalton to get through to her.


    He was bing her distraction and she hated to know that. She was beginning to want more from their rtionship instead of focusing on what mattered, and it really sucked so much to know inwardly.


    It was better they stayed apart so that she would focus. And be able to separate peacefully from him after finishing everything once and for all.


    ~?~?~¡°¡°`~?~?~


    ¡°Shit! Have you searched everywhere that she can be in? Have you?!¡± Dalton raged angrily as the mansion shuddered severely that early morning, when he found out that she didn¡¯te home even till the next morning.N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.


    Everyone had started to panic again as they asked one another suspiciously, if they had done anything to her and that they should confess. They were scared that what Dalton would do this time, would be worse than the one that he had done before. He would probably throw them all out.


    They had not seen her since the time Dalton left with her at the party, and it was unfair of Dalton to use them for her disappearance.


    However, they couldn¡¯t say that as they all tried their best even if they knew it would do nothing, calling ces that they knew someone to confirm if anydy that matched her appearance came by.


    ¡°This is so unfair. Dalton would end up freezing our personal credit cards at this rate,¡± Ellen cried out, when nothing was working after calling quite a number of people that she knew.


    ¡°I wonder where she could be. Eva is so lucky to not be at home now. If I were not taking a rest from now, it would be you and mummy,¡± Emma muttered in clear frustration, as she packed some drinks from the refrigerator, and picked some of the snacks that were on the dining table, ¡°He coulde back and order that no one eats,¡± she reminded them.


    And with that reminder, Ellen rushed to carry the basket of fruits and chicken from the refrigerator, as she ran up the stairs with it to her room. Their mother, who was trying to act all sophisticated when her daughters were talking, picked some for herself too when they ran off to their rooms.


    It had be really stressful for everyone ever since it was evident that Dalton was crazy over Aria, and that there was nothing they could do about it.


    It was no news to everyone in the house, and the new gossip secretly among the servants was that she bewitched him. However, they really hoped that he would find her this time.


    Alex was in confusion as he worked different search methods that he could to try to find some clues, which included calling the shopping mall to see if she had visited that morning. Having no idea that she was in fact upstairs, they all denied seeing her in thepany that morning.


    Amelia, who was scared that things could fall back on her because of the kind of person that she was dealing with, had to confess the second time Alex called to ask again.


    She however twisted the story that she found Aria in her office when she went to her office for file sorting, and that she left immediately when she realized that she had been discovered. It was really frustrating for her to be caught up between the web of the couples.


    On her way to the art gallery, Aria stopped at a phone shop to purchase a new cell phone, and alighted the first cab she took. She entered another cab a few minutester and branched at another shop where purchased a sim card, so that she was going to be able to ess the inte immediately. She boarded another cab again after the second one had dropped her halfway.


    ¡°Do you think she is trying to run away for good? Why did she alight from the first cab?¡± Dalton questioned frustratedly, as he stared at the CCTV footage of the road that they barely got.


    ¡°To remain untraced, sir,¡± Alex responded.


    ¡°She might be nning to escape. Check all borders right now,¡± he ordered.

 The enemy

    The car pulled in front of the huge art gallery that was Aria¡¯s destination, as she stepped out immediately and made her way to the gate.


    When she was about to be thoroughly questioned at the gate the normal way they usually did to visitors, Aria used her affluence as Dalton¡¯s wife and even asked the people there to confirm it.


    They apologized for making her wait, and informed her that the head of the gallery was out of seat. Aria just told them that she wanted to take a look at some art, especially the ones from thest exhibition that she was unable to attend.


    As she made her way into the building, her mind remained so restless and she wondered what she was really going to do inside the gallery.


    There was nothing that she was most thankful for, than the fact that she would not have to see Eva whom she usually never spoke to.


    She was the most aloof of all of them, cold and impassive, which usually made Aria pissed anytime she saw her. Even if Dalton was always the same way with people, it was morefortable with him.


    They had never spoken to one another on a personal note, except the day that they met at the stairs. And for the masked dancer suddenly asking her toe to Eva¡¯s ownpany, was really something she should have questioned even if she didn¡¯t know the person.


    Yet, in search of answers and clues to the incidents that had been surrounding her, she had no choice but to obey instructions even if she hated the idea of it.


    There were quite a number of staff that were moving around since it was just time after lunch, into their offices or directing people that hade to watch the arts there. However, the number of people that were present around that hour were really low,pared to what Aria would have expected to see.


    After she had moved around for a while in confusion of what to do next, she pulled out the new phone that she had just purchased on her way and logged into her email ount immediately.


    Aria messaged the dancer again, inquiring about what she was trying to make her know, as she sauntered to the second stairs to see the arts that were disyed there.


    It was quite a show of different sculptured art works that were mounted in different positions, as the pieces fascinated Aria, who had never had chances to enjoy shows like that before. There were so many things that she had never gotten to do in her life, and it probably had not bothered her until her present moment.


    Forgetting what she really was there for, Aria moved to the third floor of the ML gallery which had its walls covered with art. There were beautiful paintings and murals, which made her feel so much better by looking at them.


    Into another space on the same floor, were different mosaic pieces, pottery and other forms of art found in another room. It really made Aria feel d.


    It was when her phone dinged aloud from a notification alert, that she realized that she had spent quality time getting lost in the pieces of arts without realizing. It was MAS and she had replied to her.N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.


    ¡®Try to think and look for every clue.¡¯ she texted, which made Aria¡¯s eyes lit up in irritation of what the reply turned out to be.


    ¡°Can you imagine this brat just telling me to look for clues? Something like searching for a needle in the ocean,¡± Aria hissed exasperatedly, and went downstairs again to check every part of the gallery.


    She watched around the surroundings and moved to see if there was anything conspicuous, but everything seemed all normal and fine except that the ce seemed awfully quiet.


    Back into the building again, she tried to read the meaning to every art piece that she could, wondering how it would provide answers to finding out the person that had been making her life miserable. After a while, she tried to reason again.


    ¡®What if someone was just intentionally ying pranks on her to make her look insane and hallucinogenic? At least that was what Dalton thought of her already.¡¯


    Aria just decided to take a look at some of the arts before she left, because the only thing that had been fun for her since she had been looking for cluelessness. She understood the messages that the work of arts weremunicating, and could rte with some of them. They brought back memories of when she was an artist.


    She had painted only one painting in her life that had the chance to be auctioned, which was ced on high value because of Dalton even if he ended up pissing him off anyway. And right there, she remembered that Alex had brought her painting to the ML gallery instead of throwing it out.


    Quickly, she picked up her pace and went back to the third floor where there were art paintings, and checked to see if her own was there. When she found out that she couldn¡¯t find it, she moved to the fourth floor which was thest to check for anything positive, but most of the doors in there were locked.


    The only one that was opened had art paintings in them too, and they were tagged the most expensive arts in the gallery. She checked to see if it was there too, but there was nothing that resembled her own painting.


    With the assumption that someone must have bought it or something, Aria rushed down the stairs in happiness to check with the manager of the art gallery.


    After she had spent her time describing the art piece extensively, one of the workers there finally recognized the painting and said that she was really amazed that such a piece was bought at that price.


    But then she said that she didn¡¯t remember anyone buying it, because most expensive artworks were not usually sold except on a few asions. And that they had not not sold any art piece of such recently.


    It made Aria wonder what could be happening, as she wondered if there were any possible ces that the piece could be. Thedy informed her that she must have seen most of their art pieces up there, and that there was no more except it was in the boss¡¯s office.


    ¡°And it cannot be there either, because Eva never hangs any painting in her office. Nothing attractive,¡± the manager said and rolled her eyes as she focused on what she was doing initially, like she was talking out of spite and hatred for her boss.


    Aria went back to the stairs to search for the painting, and sent another email to the masked dancer to confirm if that was what she meant. From the exhibition rooms, Aria suddenly had a clue and ran down the stairs to get out of the building.


    She had seen some things packed to the side of the building when she had gone out before, and they looked like pieces of condemned artwork packed up in a spot for recycling. There was no reason for her artwork to be there anyway, but she suspected it could be there probably because of Eva¡¯s resentment for her.


    ¡®None of them had really liked her that much anyway.¡¯


    Without minding her pretty dress, Aria pulled off the heels she was wearing as her feet were hurting already, as she walked over to see if her suspicions were right. She rummaged carefully through the broken pieces, and fading arts to check if hers was there as the sky got darker.


    After minutes of checking and checking as it was already evening, something familiar finally caught her eyes under the second luggage. It was definitely her piece, and she recognized the luxurious brand of canvas she had used.


    Her heart shattered to see the painting damaged already, as she turned it from the back that was facing her to see how much had been done to the surface. She was shocked beyond her bones by what she saw, and she had to flutter her eyes severally to be sure that she was really not hallucinating.


    On the painting itself were words written in red paint, and it read DIE! DIE!! DIE!!!. It made her really shocked about what could be happening, and why someone would damage her painting in that manner. It wasn¡¯t only damaged, but evil words were written in it.


    She was still trying to fathom the situation of what was going on, as she slowly turned away from the ce and walked back with the painting in her hand into the building with a shuddering body. That was when she realized that the workers had all closed from work, when she checked to see that time really flew so fast.


    As she turned around the first floor in confusion and weakness of the body with the painting still with her, something suddenly rolled inside to the ce she was standing and a shadow flew by after locking the door.


    She made to run towards the stairs for safety, when she realized that something had been disseminated beside her. But it was toote already, as the gas had started to work immediately in her system and rendered her weak on the spot.


    It was choking her, and contaminating the blood in her body through breathing.


    ¡®Maybe death would be real this one time, and she would finally rest in peace. But who would take care of Ariana?¡¯

 Realizing pain

    It was a hot chase for Collin the previous night that he witnessed a murder, and was startled by the loud voice that demanded to know who he was immediately. He knew that if he was caught, then it was straight death without plea.


    Immediately he heard the voice, his intestines and every part of him froze immediately. He stopped breathing and remained in a spot as he made sure not to make any sound. He was hiding behind a broken door that was in the temple with trembling body, as the hand darted directly to where his face through the order side and pointed a gun.


    Through his eyes and right before him, the hand pressed on the gun and shot a bullet which flew out of the cold metal, and pierced through the window it aimed at.


    More than he had ever been scared to death in his entirely life, Collin remained on the spot without moving or making a noise. He was scared out of his mind, but he couldn¡¯t afford to die.


    After a while, the person turned to the other side of the building and shot again, which resonated its sound across every corners in the room. And, the figure made their way out of the space immediately, as Collin still remained unshaken without shaking so thankful that he had escaped his death.


    And again another shot came from outside into the building again as it shot through where Collin was, and grazed his arm during its projectile from outside into the building. That was when the pain became too unbearable, as his second hand held around the affected arn firmly.


    The young billionaire struggled to hold his throat without screaming in pain and sumbing to his senses, that would finally ended up killing him without any doubt if he was caught. Few tears dropped from his eyes since he had to hold the pain in, and swallow his guts instincts to yell.


    Twenty minutes away from that time he was still standing in pain as hisps were trembling already, knowing well that he had to remained there because the aimer was too cautious. Too meticulous too.


    An hour in the spot, he finally gave up and crumbled to the ground in pain, as he held his arm that had been cut deep by just the grazing bullet. He was weak, tired and numb.


    Even how he drove out of the ce and got home by himself, was something that he could not understand. The only thing he was thankful for, was that he didn¡¯t pack his car in where it could be seen. Else, he would probably die before the next morning.


    His assistant took him to the hospital to get his wound dressed the next day, and he also informed the cops about the corpse of the man that had been killed. He didn¡¯t tell them whom he saw though, that assassinated the young guy and tried to kill him too.


    ¡®How could he? First, he needed to find Ria As soon as possible.¡¯


    Collin didn¡¯t answer his assistant when he advised him to calm down and take it easy, after he found out that Alex had called that morning to confirm if she was with their boss. It really became an hassle for his heart that she could really be missing, as she changed into fresh clothes and started the search too with them.


    Her phone number was not going through because of the pool ident, and no one was able to figure out where she was. It made him so anxious and scared. There was no way forward to locate her whereabouts, and he had to really think fast on how he would locate her.Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.


    Time was running fast.


    He had no choice but to get help immediately from some special agents, and they decided to try other methods of tracking her. They tried to think of other ways out that would also be effective, and soon there was an option when Collin said that he knew her email address. It was almost inconsiderable because even her phone signal was not trackable.


    Luckily, they found out that they could track her with her email since she had sent an email message that day, and they began hacking into it immediately.


    After so many minutes of trial and determination, they were able to figure out where her location was beeping the red dot in the city. Quickly, Collin entered into his car and set on the the road, while driving the car like a lunatic with an insane speed.


    Unfortunately, he got caught by the road cops, and had to pay some fines and settle some other things before they allowed him to leave. It almost became his first record and scandal. The headlines for the tabloids would be nasty.


    ¡®Billionaire heir drunk and driving in high speed. Is he tired of life?


    He had to remain calm and collected throughout the remaining journey, even if he was so anxious and unsettled in his heart. Even his bandaged hand that was still in pain, he struggled to drive real fast.


    The struggle was real and scary, and there was nothing more than witnessing a loved one¡¯s death. Collin found the gate of the gallery locked when he arrived there, which made him confused about what exactly was happening. It was said that Aria was in there, and yet there was no sign of people inside.


    He thought long and hard about what to do and he called the hacker again to confirm if the location was right, and the guy told him that the location of the logged in email address was still inside the building.


    Without any more time to waste, Collin banged on the gate to see if someone would answer, but there was not sign of anyone which was weird. The gates was a see-through built metallic bar gate, that he knew that he would be have to trespass. but Carefully he climbed over the bar, and ended up scaling over the fence.


    Haphazardly, Collin ran towards the building and tried to open the door, as he began to inhale some kind of odour they were escaping outside. He wondered what could be going on with the door that was locked if someone was still inside, and trued to force his way into the door which was almost impossible.


    ¡°Aria! Aria!!¡± He called frantically, and rushed to the side of the building to see what was going on. He peeped through the window and he was shocked.


    Breaking through the ss window, and scaling in, Collin didn¡¯t mind the gas. He only wanted to save thedy that he could never allow to die. She was lying helplessly and lifelessly on the floor, and he was holding his breath in so as not to inhale the harmful smoke.


    With his bleeding arm, he picked her up the floor and carried her quickly towards the window, and was able her out quickly. The struggle was too much to handle as he ran with her in his arms towards the car, and put her out over the fence carefully since the door was not open for them to enter freely.


    Into his car he dropped her, and entered into the driver¡¯s seat as he ignited the car immediately. He didn¡¯t want to think, and he didn¡¯t want to know why. He just wanted her to be safe at first, before he would try to understand the situation of what he had just had to witness.


    The only things that was clearly branded in his mind that he was desperately hoping for, was that she would not be dead already regardless of whatever gas they had made her inhale. As he died roughly through the road and phones a doctor immediately, he prayed desperately in his heart that she would be okay and fine.


    And after everything, he had so many questions to ask her. Things that had not looked normal after he met her, and was wondering why they were that way. Things that he noticed several times she he wondered what was happening.


    Some findings and research that he had done confirmed some confusing theories. But he wasn¡¯t even all about that. She had to wake up first from the slumber that she had fallen into. Else, there was no way that he would ever remain sane.


    There was so much that she had not told him. Even if they had met three yearster and were not totally best buddies since she was even tight-lipped, there were still basic things that she was not telling him which was not making him feel good. And even if he didn¡¯t have the right to pry, he was really curious to know what exactly was going on.


    With a bandaged arm that its stitches had unloosen over again, he carried her to his vi that was nearest and called the doctor toe immediately.


    ¡®Please stay with me, ria,¡¯ he pleaded in his mind.

 Pining 1

    ¡°Why the fuck were the cameras in yourpany not working?! And on the day that Aria visited?!¡± Dalton spat angrily at his elder sister, who was forced to visit the mansion with every ruckus that had been happening, ever since Aria¡¯s whereabouts was unknown.


    After an entire day of checking bus points to another and Aria¡¯s random manner of boarding cabs, they were able to trace the fact that herst stop was at the ML gallery. It was evening already, but Dalton and Alex rushed to the gallery themselves to confirm.


    The billionaire didn¡¯t understand why Aria would go there because she was not exactly friends with Eva, but just kept good hope as Alex drove as fast as he could to the gallery. The first turnoff was the already locked gate that Dalton shook so violently, to see if it would open. That, insinuated that there was no way anyone would be inside the ce.


    ¡°Shit! She left here already. How on earth do we know where she is now?!¡± Dalton kicked at the gate angrily, and stormed into the car immediately. He didn¡¯t wait for Alex, who was trying to snoop around for clues, and drove the car away from the ce immediately.


    The most annoying part was that since they had gotten the information that Aria went to the art gallery, they had been trying to call the CEO of the gallery but her phone number was unreachable throughout that day.


    It would have been easier if she picked up, met with them at the gallery, and then made it easy for them to ess its information. Regardless of that fact, Dalton was not ready to wait for anything to happen as he drove off immediately who only he knows where.


    ¡®Love can make one crazy,¡¯ Alex chuckled at his thoughts rather than being pissed, and just turned back to check for any leading info.


    He was able to turn back and just call a chauffeur to pick him up when he had a change of mind, as he looked straight to the huge building that was before him through the gate. For some reason he continually wondered why Aria was there in the first ce, and why there was no evening guard that should be watching thepany at night in his post.


    Suddenly, a shadow flew across his face around the building, which made Alex think that he was hallucinating already. But deep down he knew what he had seen, and felt like someone was really still inside the art gallery building.


    Without any more self-decline, he tried to check if the gate that was locked was by any chance open in any way. s, it was securely locked. It made him wonder why someone was inside a closely secured building.


    Without any hesitation, Alex got ready and scaled through the fence to the other side into thepound, more clumsily than he expected because he had thought it off as easy. Hended on his butt with an attempt to steady on his feet, which was quite painful for him.


    The front view of the building looked quite organized with no sign of anyone, which made Alex move closer to check if the main door was open. It was locked too as expected at that time, which made Alex wonder if he really saw something wrong, but soon he could perceive the smell of some kind of gas emitting from tiny spaces of the door.


    He walked towards the left side of the huge building to see if there was something causing such a smell, and he was quite surprised to see something that caught his attention. The broken ss window was the first to encounter at the left wing of the huge building, and it was difficult not to notice it when observing everywhere. He wondered what could have happened.This content is ? N?velDrama.Org.


    He peeped into the ground floor to see if anything was worth the information, but it was just an empty space which seemed to emit a more unpleasant gaseous odor than the main door. Knowing that the window space was enough to fit him in, he couldn¡¯t risk anything more by breaking into the building to check.


    ¡®Did Eva and Aria fight dirty and ended up breaking the window?¡¯ his thoughts suddenly got wild alongside his imagination, which made him grin inwardly if something of such had happened.


    But he immediately ditched the thought of something of such happening, because he assumed that Eva might not be someone to engage in such fights. Amongst every other child of the Miller household, he knew about her the least, so he couldn¡¯t jump into conclusions.


    Regardless of what had happened, Alex knew that something huge must have taken ce in the building that day. He wanted to bring out his phone to take pictures of the broken ss window, but realized that it was still in the car and Dalton had driven it away.


    He moved around the building to check if there were anything that could give clues that Aria had visited the library that day, but there was none. There was no one around thepound too like he thought he had seen, and he ended up leaving after he called a chauffeur when it got morete.


    The next morning that they had managed to scale through without seeing Aria, or experiencing too much of Dalton¡¯s wrath, Eva visited the mansion. Dalton immediately matched her to the art gallery as the CEO, and requested to see the footage from herpany the previous day.


    While the employees were running helter skelter and trying to act all perfect after seeing their boss¡¯s great brother, Alex went back to inspect the window from the previous day so that he could inform Dalton about it, but found the surprise of his life. The window had no scratch, no dent, and was clear and neat.


    Even the state of mess that he would have expected them to meet at the mansion was the opposite, and there was no foul odor that he perceived from the previous day at all. He was shocked, and it was hard to process what he had to see.


    By the time they had checked the footage and tried to watch it, it only recorded events from the two days before, and a few hours from the day before. Nothing was recorded from the estimated time of Aria¡¯s visit till the very next morning. The manager spected a malfunction.


    That statement alone made Dalton go bonkers immediately, that he threatened to fire everyone and close down the gallery if they didn¡¯t provide him with reasonable information.


    The ones who saw her confirmed that they did see ady dressed luxuriously and reported the time she came, which did not also leave out the report of Eva not being around the time she visited. It became more difficult to understand why Aria had gone there.


    His sister didn¡¯t even mind his anger and just called their CCTV managementpany to check what was up, but herckadaisical attitude soon changed when she realized that Dalton would really go through with his dare.


    Of anything and everything, she could never allow him to close down the art gallery. Never.


    Everything escted till evening that they were unable to still get any footage, and things got more tough and suffocating for everyone. The cameras that were not functioning at that period in time, made it difficult to trace the fact that Collin had gone to pick her.


    Instead of the usual main road that led to the gallery, he took a shortcut and crossednes when he was returning. By the time he came out of another road that was a one-way route, it would have been too difficult to connect him back to the gallery. And with that, everything became a disaster.


    Dalton and his sister remained in the worst malice fight that had not happened before, and every worker at the gallery had suspended working too. And just like that, war was brewing already.


    ~?~ ~?~  ~?~


    The sounds were so audible to not mistake it for hallucinations, but the extreme weakness of her mind made it seem so. It was difficult to keep her eyes closed for too long as it ached real bad, but opening it was harder because they felt really heavy.


    Her body felt empty and lifeless like it had been thrown into a pit of nothingness, and she saw being more close to death thaning back to life. Nevertheless, something seemed to be pulling her back to the reality she was not yet done with.


    Collin sat in the same spot for over thirty minutes looking at her face and fingers spontaneously, to see if she would even stir and give him hope of being alive. It had been the third day already since he brought her from the gallery already.


    Her treatment was top secret that was not to be disclosed to anyone, even if the doctor recognized her in any way. And he was really d that everything had been going fine, because even if he was expecting someone to storm to the door of his house they had not done that.


    It was a confirmation that Dalton was yet to know that he had carried her away from their art gallery, and his alibi was perfect because he was always the type to never leave his house once in a while for so long. However, a problem almost erupted the previous day.


    Dalton¡¯s men made it tough that they wanted to see him at all cost, because the timing of him iming to be at home and not visiting hispany, was too off and coincidental.


    The billionaire could not believe that Collin had nothing to do with Aria¡¯s disappearance and demanded an audience. He was already losing his mind fromck of sleep, fear and restlessness.


    However, Collin¡¯s assistant was able toe to his aid and showed them the hospital reports that read the exact things that served as a perfect alibi, which Dalton was really displeased to see.


    Confirming it with the hospital was a piece of cake, and it made him even more worried than ever. He had his men and agents working nonstop at finding her. He had almost be a shadow of himself in two days of her disappearance.


    ¡®If she had really left him finally, then he would lose his mind for good.¡¯

 Pining 2

    Collin¡¯s eye remained so fixated on thedy thatid lifelessly on the bed for minutes, as he continuously wondered in his mind what could have caused her to go to the gallery.


    He didn¡¯t need to be told that meeting her being exposed to a harmful gas was an attempt to murder her, in the most gentle and brutal way that would slowly bore a hole into her lungs and kidney if she was left there overnight.


    The doctor had exined that fact to him, and was really thankful that she was able to escape that fast.


    However, when the doctor did some further tests for her he noticed some things that were not normal in her health. He advised Collin to bring her to the standard hospital where they could test her further, but transporting her without getting caught was the major problem.


    Instead, he just did some years of experience test for her, and he figured out that she was having an Illness that only she could say for herself. More than ever, it scared Collin so much in his heart.


    Getting too close to her even in her state of slumber made him find out quite a few things that she was hiding, which made his heart ache about what she had been having to face without telling anyone.


    The doctor¡¯s words continually rang in his head, ¡°If what I suspect is what she is suffering from, then there is a need to take action immediately. Pain will get worse, and the gas she had inhaled would have probably made it worse.¡±


    ¡°How could you hide this, Ria? Just how much have you been hiding?¡± Hemented greatly with a crying heart for her, like she could hear him speak. Her life had been too tough.


    Towards evening after the long day of having to deal with office jobs to take things off his mind, he went back to check on her again to see if she was doing fine and it was still the same. He knew he had to be responsible sooner orter.


    That was when he made up his mind that if her state didn¡¯t improve in the next two days, then he would have no choice but to inform Dalton in the most usible way. A lie that needed to be perfect so as not to destroy every unlikeable bond between them, was all he needed to think of for the next two days.


    Just as he checked to see if the IV connected to her arm needed a change, hershes flickered to his shock as he resisted the urge to hold her in the rush of moment. Her eyes flickered again with a force of trying to be alive, even if her mind had not been totally shut down for the past few days.


    Finally, she opened her eyes after so long and they really ached, but it didn¡¯t matter because she felt so happy that she didn¡¯t pass on.


    Tears began to trickle down her eyes almost immediately after she had regained herself, and she could see the person before her beaming so happily that she was awake.


    ¡°Aria. Can you see me? Are you okay? Do you know who is talking?¡± He asked so many questions at the same time, hoping that she was not just going to fall into a deep sleep again leaving him in a dilemma.


    ¡°Collin,¡± she struggled to call, because it seemed like every part of her was aching badly too. However, even her little attempt to identify who was before her without any problem, put so much dness in his heart.


    ¡°You are fine. You are okay now. You are,¡± he assured her and held her hands carefully in his, to tell her that he was there with her.


    The doctor arrived minutester and helped her stabilize with more injections, new IV fluid and a little personal patient talk too. He left shortly afterwards and promised toe the next day, leaving both of them to feel the happiness of her waking at the moment.


    She requested only things that would help her gain strength at that particr point, and she ended up drinking three packs of orange juice in minutes. It was enough to keep her strength going.


    ¡°Do you feel totally okay now?¡± Collin asked again in concern for her, scared that there might still be something wrong with her body. The doctor had advised referring to the major hospital, since she was okay enough to move her body.


    ¡°I¡¯m good. I am actually surprised to find out that I slept for days. Was it that bad?¡± Aria said nonchntly, trying to act so strong like nothing was really wrong.


    ¡°I was really scared. It is really nice to see you back to your usual self again,¡± he smiled and she chuckled.


    ¡°I could possibly go back home tonight because everything is now okay. Wait, does anyone know that I am here?¡± She suddenly remembered, as she gulped another ss of juice again.


    ¡°Aria,¡± Collin called so painfully and solemnly, which made her wonder why he was being so sentimental, ¡°The doctor told me.¡±


    For a moment, she paused on breathing and looked to the other side of the room in sadness. Tears struggled not to drop from her eyes as it twitched uncontrobly, which ended up with a sniff so as not to ruin the beautiful moment.Exclusive content from N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Can we not talk about that Collin? I¡¯ve woken up now, and that is all that matters,¡± she tried to persuade him, but he was not having it at all. Wriggling her way out of it would not work again.


    ¡°Come on, Aria. The doctor said you can still get treatment. We can get your properly diagnosed in the hospital and begin treatment. Can you please stop being stubborn?¡± He pleaded with her in a stern voice, that took her aback that Collin could be serious with her in that manner.


    ¡°Please, just drop it for now¡­¡­..¡±


    ¡°I cannot drop this Aria. Please. This family does not care about you, or know if something is wrong with you. Please take care of yourself, and do not blind yourself by revenge and rage. Look, you almost got killed many times. In the past, those that happened previously were all just warnings to make you miserable, but the recent ones are aimed at killing you now. You should leave their family forever and for good. I¡¯ll help you do everything.¡±


    ¡°I cannot, leave everything now. I have so many things to do and I am almost done. In less than two months, I will be out of there after I¡¯ve made them pay for everything they have done in the past. I cannot back down now. It is toote,¡± Aria turned to the table beside the bed she was sitting on, and grabbed a bottle of water so that she could get her focus away from him.


    She didn¡¯t want to tell him about the painting she found just yet, and everything that the masked dancer had told her for the past few days. She wanted concrete evidence and she was close to it.


    He already knew the person that nned her attack and had been responsible for everything. The face of the person with the hand that shot the gun was deeply inscribed in his head, that he feared so much for that. That she had been living in that same mansion for years.


    But he couldn¡¯t tell her just yet. He couldn¡¯t risk her acting rashly if she knew, but the truth was eating him up to know too. And somehow he feared for himself also. Handling everything perfectly with problems was going to be much harder.


    ¡®How was it that she had not gotten killed? Something must be up.¡¯


    ¡°So, what do you n to do? Do you have any ns? And for all these incidents that keep happening, do you have a lead?¡± He asked her.


    ¡°I¡¯ll tell you how far I¡¯ve gone, if I have confirmed everything I want to do. I just need a little more time, then I will be able to leave in peace. Can we talk about another thing? It is depressing to talk about how sad my life is,¡± she sighed tiredly, and turned to drink from the bottle again.


    ¡°Does Dalton even know about all this? Does he even care?¡± Collin asked under his breath, trying not to sound angry at the mention of Dalton¡¯s name.


    ¡°Wait. Have you called Dalton? You said it has been three days already. He must be worried sick,¡± Aria bothered as she turned left and right to see if she could see her phone anywhere, but it seemed like nothing close to a tech gadget was around.


    ¡°Are you that bothered about him now? This is about you,¡± Collin stressed out. He hated seeing her act that way.


    ¡°I know things will be tough if I¡¯m not found for three days, Collin. Dalton might act out,¡± Aria tried to exin.


    ¡°Why are you talking like you care for him or how he might feel? You speak like you are in love with him,¡± Collin chuckled dryly, as he turned to stand up. He didn¡¯t think he was ready to hear things that would break his heart more.


    Aria paused on her thoughts immediately after Collin finished off hisst sentence, and she stared at an empty space for so long as she became sad. It was simply a self denial that she was so sure about, and that her feelings could speak loudly in her ears and fight their way into her body.


    It was an undeniable fact that was well known to her, that she felt something strong for Dalton. She couldn¡¯t define exactly what it was, because she had never had to feel something that intense before. He was in her heart more than normal. She thought about him more randomly than any other, and he made her feel different things in different ways.


    She hated to admit it, but it was too far from the truth. It was too risky to handle, and she knew that it was forbidden. They had less than two months to spend together, and everything was to end for good. But¡­¡­


    ¡°Maybe I do love him,¡± she finally admitted.

 Missing puzzles

    ¡®Where are you? Where exactly are you? Are you okay? Have you given up already? Pleasee back home.¡¯


    ¡®Why aren¡¯t you checking your text? Email when you see this? Are you intentionally ignoring? Are you still alive?¡¯


    ¡®Can you just call someone and tell them that you are fine? At least give a hint. Don¡¯t you care about anything anymore? The fight isn¡¯t over yet. Can you reply?¡¯


    ¡®Dalton would hang everyone dry if you don¡¯te back.¡¯


    Aria¡¯s email address had been flooded with emails from the same person immediately she turned on her phone, and there was quite a number from Amelia too who continually asked about her whereabouts. It was her private email that even Dalton would have no idea about. Thinking about him, she missed him.


    But facing the realization that was on ground, had spoken the vivid truth without even having to dig further into it. The person who had been sending her emails and information, who had dared to go against the family by washing out their dirty linen in the public, and was also MAS would be no one other than one of the Miller sisters.


    It was no secret informant, maid or anything, but one of Dalton¡¯s sisters. It made her wonder who among them. It made her wonder why one of them would be nice enough to help her, when no one had helped in the past.


    But to her and for her peace, all those things didn¡¯t matter anymore. She just needed to find out whom it was and challenge her. There needed to be no secret anymore.


    ¡®I wille back home, if you agree to meet one on one. At least to know that I¡¯m talking to a real person.¡¯ Aria responded to the message.


    Collin decided to suspend every question that he wanted an answer to from Aria, and just allowed her to be till the rest of the night. It was heartbreaking for him to handle her revtion knowing that he really loved her, even if it was not her fault that things had to end up that way.


    He would make further investigations by himself without including her in it, because that was the best way that he could help her without being too possessive. Wishing her good luck with Dalton was something he could not do, but he would help her to shake the family till their backs bent.


    The next morning was quite a silent one for both of them, as Collin helped her to get ready to leave without objecting. The doctor came the veryst time to administer thest dose of shots for her, and prescribed more drugs that she would use to feel better than ever.


    MAS had not replied to her email till that morning, and it left Aria with no choice. Even if she had no choice she knew that she needed to meet Dalton to help her with some investigations. She was not going to tell him the details of things that had happened, but he was probably the only one who could do it best.C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org.


    She knew what she had said the previous night had hurt Collin, but she couldn¡¯t reach any further into their rtionship, and it was better to end things on a good note. And with that final conclusion, she contacted Dalton.


    On her way to Dalton¡¯s nearest private suite that she had asked him to meet, Aria¡¯s mind continually pondered on what Collin had strictly told her before they left together.


    ¡°There are so many things I want to tell you, Ria. That I want to say. That I want to ask you too. But the most important of all now is that you know that returning back home now, is the most dangerous move. The enemies are the closest ones. The ones you can see, but can¡¯t see.


    I hope you can be cautious enough to see through everything. But just know that I won¡¯t let you get harmed or bitten. Not anymore.¡±


    The words were quite a lot, jumbled, and didn¡¯t make any sense to her, but she soon realized what he was trying to say the more she pondered on it. It made her wonder if he knew anything but was not willing to say.


    However, amidst her confusing and self-wallowing thoughts, she still knew what she was doing.


    ¡®Wait. Does she?¡¯


    ~?¡°?~~?¡°?~


    The moment Dalton saw the message pop up his phone, he wanted to lose his mind thinking someone was probably ying a prank. Alex had told him about what he saw the evening before at the gallery, and it was definitely too suspicious to believe that nothing serious happened.


    ¡®If someone had cleared the whole ce out before the next morning and made it good and perfect. Who? And why would they do that?¡¯ Those were the numerous thoughts of the mind that had remained unsolved, especially with the fact that the gallery footage was missing.


    He had been too sad for days that it was hard to concentrate on office work, but he didn¡¯t show it in any way. It was more difficult for him to even be fine, but he acted like he no longer cared if she wasn¡¯t found. He just let Alex report whatever result they found from the next research.


    In secret, he even took pills to make himself feel okay when it became too suffocating, which he had never had to do in years. Not seeing her for days even had hallucinations effects on him, because he could hear herughter in his head or picture her on the couch in his room.


    Soon, he didn¡¯t return back to the mansion to sleep in his room, and just decided to work overnight while checking the same page of files over and over again. He had fallen too much for her, that not seeing her was a big blow to him.


    After the first text popped up on his phone on the fourth day of her disappearance, he didn¡¯t even have the strength to get angry at whosoever did it and just deleted the message. He was really tired and stressed out.


    ¡®Are you just in doubt or are dumb? Do you want to meet or not?¡¯ were the texts that were next sent to his cell phone again.


    As much as it was so annoying and pissing off to read, he knew that there was only one person who could do that so easily. And without any denial, he picked the keys to his car and hit the road immediately like a crazy man. He was panting in fear. He was breathing so fast.


    Even if he knew that it could be a lie and it could be a prank, that she could be messing with him just to agitate him and rile him the more. But he missed her too much to bet on it. Too much to hesitate.


    Sitting in front of the private suite¡¯s gate was Aria, who couldn¡¯t ess the ce since she wasn¡¯t the owner. She was wearing a floral dress and sitting on the sculptured chair, with her mind and head far in space filled with so many things.


    Dalton¡¯s car halted just a few miles from the gate where she had sighted ady, as he came down from the car and tried not to lose his elegance as he moved over to her side. He didn¡¯t even wait for her to reckon that he arrived already, and just pulled her into a tight hug before anything else.


    Asking where she had been, why she had ghosted everyone, and why she was calling him now after messing up, were questions that he nned to put before her immediately he met her. But seeing her was more than the answers he needed.


    Gently, he pulled her closer to him for a kiss. The one he had missed. So much.


    Aria didn¡¯t even object and just allowed him to do whatever he wanted. He was changing from his old grumpy and cold self to the patient kind, and it was worth everything.


    ¡°Where have you been, Aria? Why did you leave so abruptly? I mean, just why ¡­¡­.


    ¡°I know you¡¯ve got a lot of questions to ask, Dalton,¡± she cut short his words. The look he had in his eyes was so beautiful, and they held emotions that she couldn¡¯t evenpletely interpret.


    ¡°Of course, I do. It has been four days already. Messing with Dalton Miller wouldn¡¯t just cut it, but you put everyone in¡­¡­.¡±


    ¡°I was out, chilling and resting. Wanted to be free from you guys and it worked. I am doing much better,¡± she lied with a smile that stretched across her lips.


    ¡°Aria?¡± Dalton called in a warning tone that indicated that he didn¡¯t like what she was doing. He wanted something more usible.


    ¡°What do you want to hear from me, Dalton?¡± she groaned like he was putting pressure on her, as she took her seat back on where she was sitting before.


    ¡°Everything Aria. The truth. Reasons you went to the art gallery. Where you suddenly disappeared to. Your alibi that would prove everything you just said,¡± he tried hard to be calm and collected, because he didn¡¯t also want her to get mad and break the connection.


    ¡®He sure was bing a different person and it was unbelievable. So crazy that he could be like this because of a woman.¡¯


    ¡°And what does your research say?¡± She pushed further.


    ¡°There was nothing there that that. No CCTV footage. Nothing at all to give us clues. So now you tell me, what happened? Especially between you and Eva,¡± he gritted his teeth.


    Aria looked deep into Aria¡¯s eyes to see if she could actually tell Dalton the truth, and that he would not treat the information as lies or uncertainty. She actually knew and saw the desire of his to know what happened. That he deeply cared.


    ¡°Fine. There was an ident. Just like the same thing that happened, at the vacation house. It was gas this time. Someone locked the door. I cked out, and I¡¯m alive again,¡± she confessed, biting on her lips slowly like she had made a mistake confessing.


    She could at least withhold the remaining information about her painting. Till she was done with investigating herself.


    ¡°Wait, wait, wait. I cannotprehend all this. What really happened?¡± Dalton rested his hands slowly on her shoulders to make her calm down. He needed to understand what she was saying.


    ¡°Someone is trying to kill me. Okay!¡±

 Truth shocks

    ¡°Do you want to stay here? I think my family pressure might be too much for you to handle,¡± Dalton turned to Aria and spoke to her in low words, trying to consider her in the best way that he could.


    He wanted to ask her so many things too about what really happened at the pic. The curiosity of what happened was eating him up, and he hated to admit that he was listening to Alex¡¯s advice.


    ¡®It was really weird that he was bing calmer and nicer than he usually was.¡¯


    ¡°No. It is okay. I have a lot to still do anyways,¡± she chuckled dryly, and turned to the front of the car mirror to check out something insignificant. She needed a distraction.


    ¡°Alex is on the move and we are going to get to the bottom of all these incidents. I will not allow anything to happen to you, Ari,¡± Dalton said to her, with a hundred percent assurance in his eyes.


    ¡®Just how did both of them be like that? Their final goodbye would be more painful than the grand n ass-kicking parade she nned.¡¯ Her mind whispered to her


    ¡°And one more thing. No fights before you and Collin. No sh. Nothing. He saved my life, else I¡¯ll be dead by now,¡± she reminded for the tenth time, the promise he made to her. He had forced her to reveal who helped her heal, and she had to mention Collin.


    ¡°That bastard sure does know how to be perfect.¡±


    ¡°No foulnguages too. I could have gone with him, and left the country for all I care,¡± she threatened.


    *Unh. Unhh. Not under my watch. I¡¯ve had every airport and border monitored thoroughly. That is the power of Miller Dalton,¡± he boasted.


    ¡°I can go sea diving, you know. Some sought of illegal escape is the easiest,¡± a smug tugged her lips with her response, as she gave him a mischievous smile that she knew exactly how to tackle him.


    ¡°It is sure hard to beat you in having thest word. I give up,¡± Dalton sighed, as he tried to navigate the car and drive it away from the suite premises.


    ¡°I am sorry for everything that has happened Aria. It is my fault for not being too cautious,¡± Dalton apologized again, and it made her almost cringe the third time. It was really weird for her to see him apologizing profusely. It had been the sixth time already if she counted well.


    ¡°This ain¡¯t like you, Dalton. Getting used to it wants to make me cry,¡± Ariaughed.


    ¡°I mean, I don¡¯t understand either. It feels much better to apologize for something I did wrong than be intentionally oblivious. Guess you made me know that,¡± he confessed again, and Aria was about to lose her ears and mind to Dalton¡¯s cringeness. He was saying too much of his truth.


    ¡°You¡¯ve got a lot of sides to you. It is crazy to see a new one everyday,¡± She uttered.


    ¡°So, I assume that you epted my apology,¡± he nodded his head affirmatively for her, ¡°Anywhere you want to go? Make up for thesest days?¡± He drove on.


    ¡°A horse ranch? The movies? Museum? No, no. Let¡¯s go y golf. I want to see you golf,¡± she told him.


    ¡°I cannot golf,¡± he responded truthfully.


    ¡°OMG. You suck. You are probably the only high-ss elite that doesn¡¯t know how to golf.¡±


    ¡°Is it that bad?¡± He asked.


    ¡°Yeah. You are totally boring. You do not know how to have fun too. Your looks are the only thing you¡¯ve got.¡±


    ¡°Hunhhh. Then where does my money go? They are like the major,¡± he reminded her.


    ¡°No. It is just your looks. Nothing more,¡± she persisted.


    ¡°Tsk Tsk Tsk. The money makes the man. The good looks perfects it,¡± he argued further.


    ¡°I do not think so, Dalton. Just give up okay,¡± she frustrated him more.


    The couple¡¯s chat continued for so long before they realized it, and he ended up listening to her request to golf. He missed the ball so many times and flung the golf stick along the ball too, as she made fun of him which made him frown so much.


    ¡®Getting gobsmacked by someone like Aria was really a crazy thing,¡¯ he shook his head.


    ~`¡¯?¡¯`~¡¯?¡¯~  ~¡¯?¡¯~`¡¯?¡¯`~


    The shocked reaction everyone had on their faces when Dalton returned with Aria the same way he had done before was evident, and it happened to be the perfect time for dinner where they were all present. Eva was the only absent one.


    In their hearts they would have wanted to curse her and resent her so much so causing them so much trouble, but they were just thankful that Dalton was able to bring her back again. However, she wasn¡¯t happy to see them.


    It was now a known fact to her that someone amongst them was the masked dancer, and one of them was also after her life. It was now obvious and evident to her. The timing was always so urate.


    ¡®They could even be the same person trying to make a fool of her.¡¯


    Her eyes locked with the eyes of each of them one by one, like she was daring them toe and challenge her if they could. The thought of living in the same house with a psychopath that was trying to kill her, sent shivers down her spine and made her heart shriek in horror.


    Aria took her seat exactly on the special seat that was always reserved for Dalton, as the chefs dished out the food on the menu and the maids brought them to her.


    Dalton took the seat beside her without saying anything just to observe, as she ate pickingly from every food like she wasn¡¯t even interested in eating them.C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org.


    Even if the family had just started eating not quite long, they all got the hunch that they needed to leave the dining table immediately. Power had changed hands, and it was going to fall on them.


    The only one who remained on the table was Mrs. Eleanor Miller. She was an extremely stubborn woman, and it was going to be hard to get rid of her. Even the derisive look she was passing to Aria was evident.


    Minutester, Alex rushed back to the mansion after calling Dalton to inform him that they had finally figured out the vehicle, which had passed a different route that had no cameras during her estimated time of visit from the gallery worker¡¯s report.


    He was however shocked to see that thedy they had gone far lengths searching for, had called her husband to pick her up and was back to the mansion. It almost made him fume in anger, because he could definitely not understand why Aria was messing with everyone like that.


    It was when he and Dalton had the chance to meet, and discuss in the multipurpose study room which was Aria¡¯s previous room, that he realized that his theory about the whole thing that happened was perfect.


    ¡°So that means someone actually came to clear the ce and repaired everything overnight?¡± Dalton spected.


    ¡°Yes sir. Just like some cover-up that something happened.¡±


    ¡°I want you to find out everything that happened and investigate thoroughly. Things are starting to get intense and toiling with me means death,¡± Dalton threatened angrily.


    Alex¡¯s phone rang at the moment as he took permission to receive the call, while Dalton was left in a deep thought of what exactly was going on. He could now see that nothing was a joke anymore, and that so many things had gone wrong under his watch.


    The assistant carefully opened the door and came back inside, as he matched back to meet Dalton with a displease on his face. It made the billionaire wonder about what had gone wrong.


    ¡°I just received a call now, sir. They said that the assant who nned the whole thing has confessed, and has been arrested minutes ago. They said that it was one of the workers working at the art gallery that recognized Aria that nned the whole thing; The manager.


    She confessed that she recognized Aria as your wife, became overshadowed with jealousy, and tried to endanger her life. She apologized and begged for leniency,¡± Alex reported everything in the same exact details, that the cop who called exined to him.


    ¡°What?!¡± Dalton eximed incredulously. How could he believe that?


    ~`?`~


    Aria had spent so much time in the bathroom taking her bath, because of the extreme pain that she was feeling. She groaned silently and bit hard on her lip so as not to let out a painful scream, as she just breathed in and out with profuse sweating over her body.


    Tears were struggling to drop from her eyes as she began to slip into sourness, what brought her back to her mind again was her phone that rang loudly from the room. It rang three more times before she was able to get out of the tub, and drape a bathrobe over her body to get it.


    Her hand shakily grabbed the phone when she realized who the caller was, as she picked it up to hear what he had to say. Regardless of how they had ended things between them, she could never let go of a wonderful friend like him.


    ¡°If I don¡¯t tell you this, then I am going to be guilty. There might be no chance again, and things could get worse. The person who has been trying to eliminate you, lives in that same mansion with you and is intensely after you.¡±


    ¡°What?!¡± Aria gasped, as she turned in shock immediately the door opened and Dalton entered.

 A good or bad sign

    ¡°Why do you look startled?¡± Dalton asked Aria immediately he entered the room and closed the door, as she dropped the call and put the phone on the table beside her.


    ¡°Nothing¡­ Nothing,¡± Aria chuckled dryly and turned her face immediately from Dalton¡¯s sight, but he moved closer to her and held her cheeks with his palms.


    ¡°Why do you look so pale? Who was that?¡± He asked with concern for her in his eyes, trying to steady her face which keep looking towards the floor to face him.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine. Just under the weather and maybe PTSD. So many doors have been shut behind me and it is giving my some kind of creep and fear,¡± she told him, and he kissed her forehead gently to console her.


    She was really stressed. Her mind was distressed, and it was really difficult to focus her mind. Her body was numb and weak by the news she received, and it was kind of hard to digest because her head had been in the wrong direction all along. She needed a distraction.


    ¡°We should go see the doctor, and the therapist too. You won¡¯t say no this time around,¡± he kissed her cheeks slowly, as his lips tortuously trailed down the nape of her neck. It ignited a pleasant feeling all over her.


    Her breath hitched when he lifted her chin up gently, and his burning eyes stared at her lips like he was dying to have a taste of them. The hairs on her body stood at the sound of his voice.


    His hot breath was caressing her body gently stirring up what she had never felt before, as she could feel her head spin at the intense feeling that was burning through her and nning to explode. A slow moan escaped her slightly parted lips as she tilted her face slowly into his palm.


    ¡°You are going to have to see the doctor, right?¡± He teased her earlobe this time and his hands trailed along the line of her chest, as his mellifluous voice asked her yet again the question he wanted an answer to.


    ¡°Fine. We¡¯ll go,¡± she responded with a tightly closed eyes that was lost in a sensual feeling, and with his right fingers working its way around her  suddenly stopped what he was doing almost immediately.


    ¡°You seem to be enjoying this. You want to do more?¡± His maic voice asked her so seductively, and she wouldn¡¯t just let him have his way in that manner.


    ¡°Get off me, Dalton. You crazy man,¡± Aria¡¯s mood lightened up a bit enough to push Dalton off her, as she turned away from where he was standing. She was tired and stressed out of her mind.


    ¡°It is funny how obscene words from your mouth sounds so good to hear,¡± Dalton said in silent words, and watched her take her seat on the bed. He knew there was so many things wrong with her that she was not telling.


    There was so much going on in her life that she really couldn¡¯t handle, but she was not breathing out a word to him about it even if they had gotten more close. Maybe he could just seize the moment that she seemed collected and not pissed, to ask her about what happened exactly during the family pic.


    ¡®Could he? Should he? Should he tell her about the supposed manager that tried to kill her?¡¯


    ¡°Aria,¡± he called out in a very pleasant way, and her eyes trailed to where he was standing to show him that she was listening attentively. She had no strength to say anything out loud.


    ¡°Is there anything you want to tell me?¡± He asked her, as he began to walk closer to where she was sitting at.


    The sudden question from him suddenly took her off guard, and she felt that the best thing she could do at that moment was to get up. Immediately she tried to stand up, he lowered himself directly in front of her. She wasn¡¯t fast enough to sit up, and his strong arms immediately had her trapped.


    ¡°I am going to dress, Dalton. We do not need anymore games right now, do we?¡± She tried to change his mind into letting her go, and rolled her eyes to a random space in the room so as not to look at him.


    Her brain was too tired. Her mind was disturbed. She wasn¡¯t sane anymore, and yet she was just fine. It was crazy how her body would calm down because of Dalton¡¯s touch, when it felt like her entire body had been thrown into fire.


    ¡°They said they caught the person that nned the attack. Apparently she confessed herself,¡± Dalton said instead, of the questions he was nning to ask her.


    It was taking him quite an effort to be so patient over an issue, he needed to hear an answer to immediately. It was never something he would do as the usual Dalton Miller.


    ¡°And who is she?¡± Aria¡¯s voice sounded so terrified and scared, as her entire body felt like it froze at her question. Her right hand was carefully wrapped in his, and get noticed the change. She had be pale too.


    ¡°Calm down Aria. You are fine now,¡± he tried to calm her down and assure her, but she was totally not in for that. She just wanted to hear who it was.


    ¡°Who was it Dalton?¡± She asked again.


    ¡°The manager of the art game. She confessed that she was obsessed with me, and hated to find out that you were my wife. Then she nned the entire thing to get rid of you. Alex just briefed the details, but he would get a full statement soon.¡±


    ¡°No. No,¡± Aria uttered in a mid-disorientated state, as she shook her head in disapproval of what he was saying. She stood up instantly since Dalton¡¯s grip had bex, and moved around like someone out of her mind.


    ¡°Why are you saying that? What is wrong?¡± Dalton asked in deep concern and worry seeing Aria in that livid state, as he tried to go after her to calm her down from what she was feeling. Thinking it was probably her numerous traumas that was kicking in, he feared in his heart that it might be too much for her to hear.


    ¡°You are getting it wrong. The cops are getting it wrong. She is not the one. She is giving a false statement!¡± Aria screamed out and stormed to dresser in a befuddled manner, like she was hallucinating and seeing things.


    ¡°What do you mean by she is not the one? She confessed and the cops are going to carry out an investigation. Do you know anything?¡± He asked her again.


    ¡°She is not the one. She is probably beenpelled or forced to do this. She is not the one! Get her out right now.¡±


    ¡°Aria, calm down! Why are you trying to be difficult about this matter?¡± Dalton yelled in frustration, wondering what was going wrong with his wife in the manner that she was acting. It was really mind wrenching for him to watch.


    ¡°See? I said you wouldn¡¯t believe me. You do trust me! You do not trust my words, Dalton!¡± She screamed at him in anger, and stormed towards the direction of the huge dressing room.


    ¡°Where are you going? Don¡¯t you think we should settle this?!¡± Dalton demanded.


    ¡°Don¡¯t follow me! Do not!¡± Aria warned him as she gasped and panted heavily. She entered into the dressing room immediately,  mmed the ss door behind her and put a lock on it.


    She fell to the ground and cried so much in pain, without letting out the sounds of her sobs. Dalton was knocking hard on the door and telling her to open it, but she didn¡¯t listen and justid still.


    ~?~~?~


    Things were cool around the mansion towards noon and everyone were carrying their own business, until they heard the fire rm ring so loudly which out everyone in the state of agitation. From where they all were on each floors and corners, they all ran out so haphazardly like they were under hot pursuit.


    The person who had done such and causedmotion amongst everyone, made her way to the other side of the stairs from her own room. She stood in front of the first room and pushed it open, which was no doubt Ellen¡¯s room with the ring portraits and arrangement.


    She entered into the room and rummaged through every possible ces that could be a hiding spot for things, from the room to dressing room and other parts in the room. The estimated amount of time she had to use in each person¡¯s room was seven minutes, before they would get things sorted outside and let everyone enter inside.Exclusive content from N?velDrama.Org.


    All Aria could find were dumb informations about Ellen that were not useful, which made her frustrated as she moved into Emma¡¯s room immediately. She went straight to the dressing room and searched the same way that she had done in Ellen¡¯s room. From ces she usually hid things in her whole room, she used the same search tactics too.


    Suddenly, she heard the door open before she coulde out, she came face to face with Emma who was shocked to find Aria in her room. The youngest daughter discovered that her brother¡¯s wife was no yet out even with the ruckus, and ran back inside to get her before the others even realized.


    However, she noticed when Aria came out of Ellen¡¯s room from where she stood before trying to divert to Dalton¡¯s lounge. She followed her and watched her enter her own room too, before she followed her inside to know what she could be up to.


    ¡°What are you doing?¡± Emma asked in bewilderment, watching Aria gaze at her with no ounce of guilt or fear that she was caught.


    ¡°You are MAS!¡± Aria used with a devilish smile, and Emma was shocked.

 Secrets

    Miller¡¯s mansion


    Emma¡¯s room


    ¡°What¡­ do.. you mean? Who is that? What are you even saying?¡± Emma asked Aria with a puzzled look on her face, and the billionaire¡¯s wife was ring really hard at her. She had so many things to say and ask, but she was being calm to watch what would happen.


    ¡°You know very well what I am saying. You are MAS and you know what I am trying to say. The clothes, lingeries, facial masks, are all hidden in your dressing room,¡± Aria persisted with a scornful look on her face, as she posed the violent aura like she was going to beat Emma if she denied any further.


    ¡°And I cannot own anything I wish because I might be sharing the same fun clothing with a dancer?¡±


    ¡°Oh girl. Don¡¯t try to y dumb with me. It sounds really stupid for you to say that you do not know who MAS is. I mean how wouldn¡¯t you know the good masked bitch, who had been calling out your family on social media for their wrong doings. How do you think Dalton would feel if he knows that you are the mastermind behind one of his stress?¡± Aria, who wasn¡¯t willing to give up until Emma admitted it continued to be rude.


    ¡°You caused the fire rm didn¡¯t you? What are you trying to do here?¡± Emma finally switched her good girl tone to sassy, and arched an eyebrow at Aria.


    ¡®Now that was it.¡¯


    ¡°Yeah, yeah, yeah. I did everything you used me of, so you should start talking too. Why are you helping me against your family?¡± Aria asked after taking a seat on the couch that was next to her, and crossed her legs sofortably.


    ¡°I do not know what you are saying, so get out of my room!¡± Emma yelled.


    ¡°I have made my findings, so you better start dropping  what I want to hear. Every single thing,¡± Aria pulled her jaw upwards and her gaze to meet hers, and Emma got intimidated by her action.


    ¡°And why should I tell you that? If you are going to screw me over, then tell Dalton already. Stop trying to make a fool here!¡± Emma gritted her teeth as she turned to the direction where Aria was now sitting. She wasn¡¯t enjoying the change of games anymore.


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter, darling. Are you the one who has been trying to kill me under the pretense of helping me?¡± Aria continued her questioning without a filter, as she was determined to get answers to every question that had been suffocating her mind for too long.


    ¡°No! I am not the one. I would never do that!¡± Emma denied the allegations immediately in fear and anxiousness, because she hated to be associated with something that criminal, ¡°I have been helping you because I have conscience, okay! It was hard to watch you suffer, and I¡¯ve been trying to help you the best I can.¡±


    ¡°So, I assume you know who has been doing all these things right?¡± Aria cut in immediately Emma finished her sentence, and it made the youngest daughter of the family gasp silently. She became scared.


    ¡°No.. no. I don¡¯t,¡± she stuttered, ¡°I was thinking you could figure out the person, since you are the one at the center.¡±


    ¡°Then you must have an idea then,¡± Aria continued to interrogate, and Emma was tough on the spot.


    ¡®There was no way that she was selling her family again to an unthankful bitch, if it was her brother¡¯s wife again.¡¯


    ¡°No, I don¡¯t. It has really been hard, and the person has been meticulous. That was why those dashcams I sent you had nothing much.¡±


    ¡°I think you¡¯ve edited some important parts out though. Why did you send me to Eva¡¯s art gallery? Was that just a random thought on your own part too?¡± Aria stood up immediately and questioned aggressively, as she moved closer to Emma, who began to retreat immediately. The pressure Aria was putting on her was too unbearable.


    ¡°I work with someone too, and I got most of the information I¡¯m giving you from them. Can you please leave me alone? You are making me regret that I¡¯ve helped you,¡± Emma almost began to cry after answering every of Aria¡¯s unending questions, but the billionaire¡¯s wife¡¯s questioning session seemed to not havee to an end.


    Aria paused for a while to listen to what could be going on around the mansion, and ambled away to the main door that led to Emma¡¯s room. She shut it tight immediately, and turned back to where Emma was standing in fear.


    ¡°Then you have to help me. Work with me to catch the perpetrator and put them in jail. Help me with every bit of information you have,¡± Aria tried to negotiate, knowing well that there was no way that she could do it alone.N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.


    ¡°No. I cannot. I have to remain anonymous till the very end, and that is why I have every one of my ounts deleted. I just want to stay low. I cannot help you,¡± Emma refused Aria¡¯s offer immediately.


    ¡°I think you will. If you do not want the videos of where you use as your dancing room in your secret hotel lounge, to get exposed to your family first. My agent is working on it already. And for our conversation, I¡¯ve been recording it,¡± Aria threatened with a malicious smirk, as she gazed heavily upon the youngdy who was now terrified.


    She couldn¡¯t believe that Aria would threaten her like that.


    ¡°Why are you doing this to me?¡± Emma cried out as tears trickled down her cheeks. She was really scared that Aria¡¯s threat would end up messing her up.


    ¡°I am sorry I have to do this to you, but you have to help me. I need you to finish this. And do not forget, you owe me one from your mother¡¯s birthday,¡± Aria¡¯s tone was a little nicer this time, just to assure Emma that she was not trying to mess her up with the ns.


    ¡°Fine! I¡¯ll help. But you face to keep me anonymous till the very end. Please, I am begging you. No one can find out. Definitely no one,¡± Emma finally sumbed to Aria¡¯s wishes with pleas, because she knew that she was already in a pickle. Aria was not going to let go of her until she got what she wanted.


    ¡°Now, that is the spirit. We will continue to email, through a new email. Seems like my own one is busted,¡± Aria informed her with a bright smile and walked over to where she was standing, ¡°No one would find out,¡± she assured her, and began to stride slowly towards the door.


    ¡°And one more thing, you should be very careful. Eva wouldn¡¯t hesitate to kill you with her own hands, if she finds out that you are working with me,¡± Aria warned with a smile.


    ¡°What¡­ What exactly are you saying?¡± Emma stuttered, with her eyes wide open in shock. She was totally out of her mind already.


    ¡°You know what I¡¯m saying, sweetheart. Your dear psychotic sister that you have been trying to hide from ever since you found out about her, that you have tried to expose in your own best way, will murder you in cold blood if she gets to know about even the slightest glimpse of your involvement,¡± Aria repeated again slowly and mercilessly this time.


    ¡®The battle line had been drawn, and she would see everyone involved in their graves.¡¯


    ¡­..?~?¡­..


    Aria walked out of the room immediately and called her private investigator to book a flight for her, as she stormed past Ellen who was wondering why her brother¡¯s wife had juste out of Eva¡¯s room. She ran in quickly to see what had happened.


    She entered back into the room with some kind of tension, and immediately went to pick up the bottle of tequ that she had put among her clothes in the dressing room. It had been a while since she took liquor, and she needed it badly at that point.


    ¡®The secrets that she had found out about the Miller sisters in just a few days were all suffocating.¡¯


    As she sipped gently and sat on the couch to think of what was next, she began to feel lightheaded and dizzy. Her eyes spun upside down in the room, as she looked at the bottle again in confusion to know if she was drinking the right thing. She was already too weak and unable to stable.


    ¡®Shit. What was in her drink?¡¯ she thought, as she cked out instantly.


    She entered back into the room with some kind of tension, and picked the bottle of tequ that she had put among her clothes in the dressing room. It had been a while since she took liquor, and she needed it badly.


    As she sipped gently and sat on the couch to think of what was next, she began to feel lightheaded and dizzy. Her eyes spun upside down in the room, as she looked at the bottle again in confusion to know if she was drinking the right thing. She was already too weak and unable to stable.


    ¡®Shit. What was in her drink?¡¯ she cked out.

 Truth! Truth!! Truth!!!

    The next morning


    Miller¡¯s mansionExclusive content from N?velDrama.Org.


    Aria¡¯s bedroom


    Aria woke up tired and stressed on the bed that she was sprawled upon, with so much that seemed so strange to her. Thest thing she remembered from the previous day was drinking from her tequ, and feeling so drowsy till the point that she could stand up again.


    ¡®I could have just died like that ifst night was a plot to kill me.¡¯ Aria shook her head in her carelessness, as she tried to stand up even if her entire body was aching badly.


    Suddenly, her brain awakened and she realized that her drink being drugged, was a bit of an issue she should not take with levity. She quickly stood up and casted her dress to the floor in front of the dresser, as she checked every part of her body to see that nothing had gone wrong at all.


    ¡°Shit. What happened when I fell asleep?¡± Aria mumbled over and over again, as she moved in circles because of the restlessness that hit her heart.


    ¡®Only she and Dalton shared the room, so there was no way that any other person had ess to them including Alex. So what could have gone wrong with a properly sealed drink? Did she by chancee in contact with something before the drink that made everything a coincidence?¡¯


    Aria continued to wonder endlessly in her heart, with a surfeit amount of disturbing questions. It was the morning of the next day already, which meant she slept for so long which was quite abnormal. She couldn¡¯t sleep so deep without the aid of something.


    ¡®Could it be Dalton? He wasn¡¯t home the previous day, and he was nowhere to be seen on a beautiful morning. What was she missing?¡¯


    Just as Aria¡¯s eyes darted to the huge golden clock that rested on the wall in the room, reality hit her immediately, ¡°Goodness gracious. My flight leaves in an hour!¡±


    Quickly, she peeled the remaining piece of the clothing that was left on her body, and rushed into the bathroom for a quick shower. She still had to see her private investigator before she left for the airport, so that things would go perfectly without any problem.


    Few minutes out, she was oiling her body hurriedly, and finding the perfect disguise dress to wear. She picked out the biggest handbag she had from the dressing room, and put a few things that she would need in there instead of a traveling bag. She could not afford to be suspected and followed.


    As soon as she took the trip to the gate and out of the mansion, the chauffeur that was to pick her up was already waiting outside.


    ¡°Bye, Damien,¡± she mouthed immediately as she turned away from the mansion.


    She brought out her phone immediately, to confirm every payment that she had made to the right ces. She sent Collin a timed email too. One he would receive a few dayster.


    ¡®She would get everything done once and for all.¡¯


    ~?~?~


    ¡°It seems like every conversation through this email has been cut off, sir. It has been dormant for days,¡± the operator in charge of the monitors informed Collin who was standing outside to know if there was any new leading information that he could get.


    It was after he had told Aria about Eva and everything that he knew, that Greg, the operator, called him that he had forwarded the recovered mails to his fax.


    He had taken his time to read every of the sent and received mails over and over again, and he could soon understand what Aria¡¯s weird behavior had been all about. He had been busy trying to get evidence against Eva himself.


    And for the questions Collin had for her, he had decided to crack the case by himself without asking her. There were so many things that she had not told him, which were definitely the most important of all. He was going to find out the truth by himself.


    Nate entered almost immediately and dropped the documents that he was able to get before Collin, who grabbed it quickly and opened the paper to read what was written on it. It was Dalton¡¯s and Aria¡¯s marriage certificate, and the names on it were Aria Hamilton.


    ¡°Did you check if she made an official change of name document?¡± Collin asked his assistant again, who had taken the seat before him.


    ¡°No sir. She had not changed her name before, and it is the one she has been bearing since birth ording to the birth certificate that I was able to get,¡± he exined again.


    There was a puzzled look on Collin¡¯s face, as hepared the files in his hands to what he had before confusingly. He checked again and again to be sure he was not losing his mind already.


    ¡®The person he had always known was Ariana. Howe her name had been Aria all along in her marriage?¡¯


    ~?~


    ¡°Nice to see you again, mate,¡± Mr. Hamilton greeted the man that walked over the counter in front of the outdoor food stand to where he was sitting, as he took the seat before him.


    ¡°Same here man. Now keg us get down to business. It was hard getting the information you wanted. There were barely no traces and no one knew anything. Every penny you sent was spent on finding clues,¡± the man spoke in gentle words, which got Hamilton more impatient than ever.


    ¡°I would pay, if you want more. As much as you want. You¡¯ve got anything?¡± Hamilton asked immediately. He was too tensed up and suffocated to be clueless about what was going on.


    ¡°Someone said that the night of the fire, that woman¡¯s body was the only one that was found. They didn¡¯t see her daughter¡¯s body,¡± Reynold disseminated the information in the same way he heard it, and took a sip from the ss of beer that he had brought alongside with him.


    ¡°The daughter did not die? Her body wasn¡¯t found?¡± Hamilton asked in exasperation, shocked that he was just having to hear that information for the first time in ten years.


    ¡°ording to an eye witness that was hard to even find, there were no two bodies,¡± the man repeated again and paused to look at the livid man before him, ¡°You look pale. What is wrong?¡±


    ¡°No.. not.. hing nothing. Thank you for your help. I will pay you even more than thepletion money,¡± he mumbled confusingly, as he tried to stand up from where he was sitting. He was weak and his feet were numb.


    ¡®It couldn¡¯t be, could it?¡¯


    ~?~?~


    Dalton was sittingfortably in the VIP office of the hospital director, who had gone to get the reports of the tests that Dalton came to do personally in person. The billionaire crossed his legs with a poise-signature of entitlement, waiting for the fate of what he hade to do the previous day.


    He knew that there was no way Aria would not take the liquor that was well positioned in her corner, and had put sleeping pills in it after cing it in where it would catch her attention. He also put it in the jug of water in the room, so that one of the two would end up making her sleep.


    When he figured out that his ns had worked perfectly, he returned back to the room to carry her up in his arms. He called Alex to bring the car to the front door from the underground parking lot, and ced her inside immediately, as they drove fast to the hospital.


    The doctor performed every necessary brain and full body CT scan on her, before Dalton returned her back to the house undetected by her. He allowed her to sleep the entire night herself and didn¡¯te home, which led to her sudden tiredness and weakness the next day.


    When Dalton made his way into the doctor¡¯s office, he came out minutester with a mncholic expression on his face. The confused doctor who had revealed the results of the test to the billionaire ran after him, so as to be able to calm him down about everything because of how he could be feeling.


    Dalton drove out of the hospitalpound like a crazy man in his car, as hot tears dropped from his eyes to the severe aching of his heart. He had never been that heartbroken and sad in his entire life, because of a news about someone that was dear to me. He felt even worse and miserable than ever, than when his father died.


    ¡°The patient in question must be in severe pain, vast sadness, depression and mental imbnce. The formal test results showed slight anorexia, and high level of  respiratory problem due to high alcohol intake.


    The results of the test also showed a major tumor in the brain of this individual, which needs immediate attention and surgery before it bes irremediable. And also during the patient¡¯s sleep, we noticed some kind of disorder like dissociative identity disorder. You need to bring the patient when she is conscious sir, to begin every necessary treatment.¡± The exact way the doctor said it to him, rang over and over again in his ears like a lunatic.


    ¡®Aria had been suffering too much and yet he had no idea. She had been in too much pain, and yet he couldn¡¯t see. He had hurt her too much and yet she didn¡¯t break. How could he have been so cruel to someone who was dying silently?¡¯


    Dalton let out painful sobs as he drove really fast, unable to handle how bad and broken he was feeling. It was too much for him to handle, knowing well that he had caused her pain. He called Alex too with that heavy voice and heart, to find out where she could be.


    Immediately he drove into thepound, he didn¡¯t mind who was looking as he ran inside the house to ask about her.


    ¡°She has left the house this morning sir, and has note back since.¡±


    ¡®He was doomed.¡¯

 Flashback

    shback


    Years ago, sometime in winter.


    From the upleted old house that was covered in dust and surrounded by dirt, a man rushed out of the building with some scrunched-up clothes in his hand. He threw it angrily into the dust at the swing of both hands, as a woman rushed out after him to rescue the luggage from him.


    ¡°You should not do this. You shouldn¡¯t split the family like this!¡± The weak woman tried to make her intentions known so loudly with all her strength, as she held the man tight by the waist in an attempt to beg him.


    In anger, he flung her away from his body with disgust, and she fell to the other side immediately. Her body, which would have hit the ground in the rage of his force, was held to pause the arms of her daughter who was in time to hold her tight.


    That was how he usually hit her every time she did something displeasing, and had been so violent throughout the years of their marriage. He had never seen anything good about her or the kids, and had made their lives even more miserable in poverty, by gambling with every money they managed to make from working at bars.


    The second daughter Ariana couldn¡¯t take his bad attitude of beating their mother and exhausting their money anymore, and she talked back to her father in a very obnoxious manner that drove him crazy. All his attempts to beat get up too failed, because she skillfully dodged every one of the hits.


    She had been learning martial arts ever since she turned thirteen, intending to defend her meek sister and mother from their father. But he ended up doing the unthinkable that evening, by throwing both of them out of the house.


    ¡°Now, leave with this useless daughter of yours, and do note back here. I will take mine, you will take yours. I will not raise a bitch and vagabond under my roof!¡± He raged angrily and threw thest bag he felt was theirs, out of the tiny room they were managing.


    ¡°Is she not your daughter? We both gave birth to these girls. Stop trying to separate them,¡± their mother begged so badly with tears streaming down her cheeks.


    ¡°Father, please do not do this. We promise to be obedient from now on,¡± Aria cried so much as she pleaded with her father, who was not ready to hear anything.


    ¡°Do not beg this heartless scoundrel! He wouldn¡¯t listen. His drunk mind is made up. Let us go!¡± Ariana yelled at her father¡¯s face and red at him.


    ¡°See the bastard you call mine. Just see how crazy she is acting. The only sensible one here is Aria, and she is staying with me,¡± he dered again with an impassive look, ¡°Enter into the house. Right, now,¡± hemanded his timid daughter, who had been wailing so profusely.


    ¡°Mum, let¡¯s go. We can find a better life, ande back for Aria,¡± Ariana tried to make their mother leave as fast as they could, knowing that Hamilton could do something crazy if they stayed any longer.


    ¡°How would I leave this ce without your sister? How?¡± Catherine cried so profusely again and again while rolling her body to the floor.


    ¡°If Ie back here to find both of you, I¡¯m setting you aze!¡± Hamilton threatened from where he stood as he came out with a keg of gasoline. Ariana dragged her Mum alongside with her as fast as she could.


    The scene of the family¡¯s painful separation yed again and again before Aria¡¯s eyes, who was broken to see her father cast her sister and mother away.


    She was traumatized by it and became a shadow of herself, while he tried to fit her life into what he called a perfect daughter. He made them move away to finally cut contact with his wife, and changed all their contact information.


    Years passed, and the young, vibrant girl who was loved that way by her only family, became the worst version of herself as a result of extreme confinement. Her father wasn¡¯t doing any better to make her life better, and one day she met Damon.


    She fell in love with his personality, and kept it a secret from her father. He was a traveler who was always all over the towns, but he stayed around because he seemed to feel something for Aria who was so innocent.


    But her father made things even more difficult for her by trying to get married, and her life was falling apart due to depression, fear, and panic disorder. One day, she received a call.


    ~?~


    Aria stared at her sister for a long time when they first met after years had passed, and it was not the one she knew years back. The one she was looking at looked so merciless and brutal, that her eyes were so dark and cold. She couldn¡¯t believe that they would ever meet again, because their father tried his best to make sure they would never connect any longer.


    Nevertheless, Ariana pulled her into a hug when she saw how hesitant her sister was, and Aria ended up crying so much. It broke her heart so much more, when Ariana informed her that their mother was dead already.


    Her world crashed once more.


    ¡°How did you find me? Dad made it so hard to do, and we have moved like four times now. We have settled in this town the longest, and this time around has been the¡­.¡±


    ¡°I have my ways, darling. It wasn¡¯t easy finding this ce too, because he kept his house rentals and everything confidential. The only mistake he made was not changing your face, and changing names,¡± Ariana smirked maliciously, as she gulped a drink from the tequ that she had ordered for herself, ¡°How have things been for you?¡±


    ¡°My life has been a mess. Dad has been trying to get me married to whoever would pay the highest bride price. I had to sneak out toe here. Things are so hard,¡± Ariamented badly, as she continued to cry nonstop.


    ¡°Why are you still the same meek girl, Aria? It does not work for anyone! The world is cold and tough. The moment you let anyone mess up with you, it is over. I wished I fought back at that bastard!¡± Ariana cussed in anger, as she hit the table in so much anger.


    It made Aria shudder in fear to see her sister even more fierce and crazy than she had been.


    ¡°I have been seeing some guy though. He is the reason why I have been doing better,¡± Aria told her sister.


    ¡°Guys?¡± Ariana huffed, ¡°Stop being weak darling. Guys would make your world more terrible,¡± Ariana frowned deeply with a sneer, seeing how her sister was so vulnerable and so open. She could not believe her ears.


    ¡°I might run away from Dad, if he works out things for both of us. But I am really scared.¡±


    ¡°Come with me, then. We can leave this town together right now,¡± Ariana suggested immediately.


    ¡°I can¡¯t,¡± Aria cried, ¡°He is friends with every drug lord in this ce, and knows every broker that takes care of border routes. They would find me out even before I can escape,¡± Aria exined how dire the situation was, and how far their heartless father was willing to go to make sure she never leaves.


    ¡°How much is the highest bidder offering?¡± Ariana asked.N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.


    ¡°A million dors. It is a crazy amount, and he is so confident that someone would pay that amount of money to take me away. I am so scared that one of those drug lords would change their mind ande for me. I will be as good as dead¡­¡­¡± Aria cried again, as she talked so much in fewer minutes than she had ever done with any other person in one year. Her sister was the only person she had spent her best fun life with and shared every one of her secrets with in the past.


    ¡°I will get it, and get help from a male friend who wille and pick you up as a bride.  We would set you free,¡± Ariana dered impassively, which made Aria widen her eyes in shock mixed with fear.


    ¡°Where would you see such an amount from? And no. You shouldn¡¯t do that. You can never lose that kind of money to that kind of man. He is a beast.¡±


    ¡°I have my ways, darling. He would get the money, but wouldn¡¯t be able to spend it. It would be a failure,¡± Ariana smirked, assuring her sister.


    A few weekster¡­¡­.


    ¡°I have been trying to get across to you, Aria. What has happened?¡± Ariana tried not to sound so angry on the phone, as she called her sister who picked up after so many days.


    ¡°Ria. Things have gone wrong. Dad wants me to get married to a man that his family is offering even higher. I am doomed. They are setting up an arranged marriage, and I will be married in weeks. What do I do? He has seized everything that I can use to contact anyone, saying I should be getting ready for my new husb¡­..¡±


    ¡°Wait. What?! Calm down. What are you saying? You are getting married? Calm down, and talk slowly,¡± Ariana¡¯s voice softened, as she tried to get her sister to talk audibly to her.


    ¡°Their family is so powerful and scary. They live in California, and I will be going there. I would be a ve my entire life. Dad is going to¡­¡­..¡±


    ¡°Who the fuck are you talking to?!¡± Ariana heard the grumpy and heartless voice from the other side of the phone, and quickly put it off immediately and removed the sim card. She knew that it was their demonic father, and that he would try to call the number back.


    And when he did try, the number was said to not be avable no matter the number of times he called it. He asked Aria whom she was trying to call, and she lied that she was curious about the family she was getting married to. And that she wanted to form a good connection first by calling the number on the invitation papers in his room.


    He dragged her by the hair, and cursed her that she wanted to say wrong things to the family that was willing to take her useless self. He locked her up in the house for days, booked a reservation at an inn in the next town, and locked her there so that no one would be able to get across to her till.


    The next event in her life was the painful marriage that severed themunication between her and her sister. And that was also the point that her life took her miserable change with the family that didn¡¯t love her. Before Ariana left town after she found out that her sister had been taken away a few monthster, she caused Hamilton a loss that was hard to get over.


    The funds that were transferred to him as a bride price for the marriage of his daughter, had all been put in a personal card for him to enjoy endlessly. The night that he returned home in happiness after a big flex in the city, it went missing before the next morning.


    On his way back to California in agitation the moment he realized what had happened, he was kidnapped and locked for days to reveal the details of the ount.


    Before he was released, all of the money had vanished into thin air. When he was asked about the bride¡¯s whereabouts, all he could mention were a few things, because even on the day of the wedding, the groom came in the night. He had not even cared to know much about the family.


    Aria became the receiving end of his pain anytime she called him, because he believed that she had sent people to threaten him. He always cursed her for being a useless child till the very end.


    She thought her life was going to end in pieces at the Miller¡¯s mansion, until her sister who would stop at nothing to get her sister out of bondage found her again.

 The wrong father

    The entire state of Dalton had be restless and so sad, ever since Aria¡¯s disappearance from the house and her confirmed traveling. There was no way that he could be himself knowing that his wife was suffering that much, when he had ignored her so badly all those years. He could never forgive himself.


    He had told every of his family members to return to their house immediately, which included his mother, sisters, and even most of their maids. Every room that was initially upied in the house was locked, and only a few maids, gardeners, butlers, and control room operators were left.


    Many things about Dalton became empty after the second day of finding out about Aria¡¯s condition, with his connections with people across different parts of the country helping him to make underground searches and investigations.


    Alex had been working tirelessly too from airport to airport, to confirm the airways that Aria took to wherever she went to. He checked seaports and every means he felt that she could have used for transportation out of the country.


    Eleanor Miller was really affected by her son¡¯s sudden deration for all of them to leave his house, especially for the fact that they were preparing to host the most luxurious party for the Miller empire¡¯s 60th anniversary.


    Emma found it hard to stay alone in fear after they all left Dalton¡¯s house, and had spent every of her time indoors in Ellen¡¯s condo. Her panic attacks hade back to her again, ever since Aria confirmed her sister¡¯s identity to her over again. They started when she was eight.


    After Eva came back home after going to the States to study, she was home for nearly a year before starting another course of study. That time, Emma, who was the youngest, also stayed around at home because she had been homeschooled.


    Once, she had witnessed Eva murder Ellen¡¯s favorite cat brutally, by hitting the animal severally in the head. Another time, she had witnessed Eva drop something in the water that they were supposed to feed to their dog which diedter. The animal had scratched Eva on the cheek earlier that day, because he wasn¡¯t used to her yet.


    A few things had happened too right before Emma¡¯s eyes without their maids, that she had tried to doubt as she grew up without telling anyone. It made her so closeted to herself than ever, and made her detest the idea of staying at home which made her develop a traveling hobby.


    She had once followed Eva¡¯s movement after moving back into the mansion when she was done with school, to be sure that her elder sister was not the person she used to think she was. That day, something happened at an orchard garden far from the city that Eva visited and she entered up smashing a baton on someone¡¯s head.


    Through their conversations, Emma found out that Eva sent the guy to change the meds of someone at a particr hospital, with something she tagged helpful after offering huge bills. The patient died dayster, and the guy fearfully came to challenge her.


    She didn¡¯t stop at just smashing his head, and continued to hit the guy till his face was bashed. Afterward, she set the guy on fire with her lighter and pulled off the ck gloves she was wearing.


    Emma, who watched your entire scene y before her, ran for her life, and almost got caught by her sharp and witty sister. She traveled out of the country that day, and returned after three months without any definite reasons to get parents. She was treating the disorder she developed after that day.


    However, with Aria in the picture, she knew that there was no one other than her sister who did things like that. Her eyes had always been watching Eva, who didn¡¯t suspect because of Emma¡¯s innocent look and her nonchnt attitude to the affairs of the family.


    She decided to use Aria as a driving force, to expose Eva before she would end up killing everyone right under their noses. By exposing clues and hints to her about whom her attempted murderer could be, she didn¡¯t expect things to go so bad, and Aria getting her life being put into danger. Most times, she always sent a hint to Collin, if she knew Aria¡¯s whereabouts.


    But Aria, whom she underestimated due to her clumsy moves in the past, was able to outsmart and figure out that she was the masked dancer. Asking her for help right to her face when she already knew Eva¡¯s real identity, scared her so much that she cried uncontrobly when they announced Aria¡¯s sudden disappearance. She had been trying to message and sent emails too, but she wasn¡¯t replying either


    If things ever went wrong, she knew that Eva would kill her first. There was no way she could be okay if Eva knew all the underground research, that she had been doing for the past years against her. Eva would murder her in cold blood if she ever found out that she had given Aria every evidence, she had against her as a psychotic killer.


    ¡®She could die very soon if Aria got caught.¡¯


    ~`?`~


    Eleanor sat on the balcony of her house, listening to ssical music and eating baked turkey wings. She was pretending to be fine, and had not given her daughters a call since they left her house three days ago after an argument.


    She was trying hard to make them see how important the anniversarying up was, but they seemed not to be interested and enthusiastic about it as she was. Especially with the fact that everything has gone awry, since Aria¡¯s sudden disappearance and their ousting out of the mansion.


    ¡®She hated it so much in her own house.¡¯C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org.


    When Eleanor read the message that popped on her phone as a notification, she scoffed so badly when she realized who the sender was. She could not imagine that he would have the guts to message her, especially when so much damage had urred because of his daughter.


    ¡°What does this leech want?¡± She murmured as she opened the message.


    In her normal self, she would have deleted and blocked the message immediately because he asked to meet, but the details of what followed the first sentence were enticing enough not to say no to. It pried her curiosity.


    Without any further time to waste, she picked up her phone to call Ellen that she needed her to pick her up somewhere. When Ellen asked what it was about, she told her that Aria¡¯s father was wanting to meet with a huge secret that would mess her life up.


    Ellen scolded her mother to get off anything that would make Dalton disown her finally, and told her that she and Emma were miles away from town on a personal vacation.


    Once again, the rebellious Mum became angry and cut off the phone again because they were not including her in anything they did.


    In less than thirty minutes, she had gotten to the VIP restaurant that she had chosen to meet, and had reserved the entire evening so that no one would see her with that kind of inw.


    Hamilton arrived a few minutes after she did and took his seat before her, ready to spill everything he had in his mind before they could even serve them any food.


    ¡°So?¡± Eleanor started rudely, her bodynguage portraying every displeasure that their meeting was putting upon her.


    ¡°Did you know my daughter was a twin?¡± He asked the mother-inw who was still trying to act all sophisticated and high-ss, which made her lose all acts of calmness as she widened her eyes in shock.


    ¡°What?!¡± She eximed.

 Game changer

    After the departure with Collin in the past who left sadly after he could not win Ariana¡¯s heart after everything, she cut ties with the group that she had joined and left for California with one sole purpose; Finding her sister.


    It was very hard at first. There was no wedding announcement. No news from the press, and no uproar with a scandal or secret footage. It feared Ariana.


    ¡®What if her sister had misheard? What if their father lied about a marriage? What if he sold her?¡¯N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.


    Hamilton ran to Dalton¡¯s grandfather for help after he lost the entire money, but it was so hard to even speak with him until months had passed. When he finally did, tracking the money was hard because a lot of illegal transactions had been done while withdrawing the funds daily in different parts of the state and even the country.


    After Ariana was dealing with her father in the most painful way possible, she started investigations on shortlisting the names of billionaires in the city. She ran background checks which were quite difficult, and attended ceremonies for elites using a fake identity.


    Getting everything together was harder than she thought, because she was in a different ce entirely from where she came from. The first meeting with Aria and knowing the family she was really married to, was after many months had passed, when a scandal broke out, that Dalton was secretly married to ady that no one knew.


    It took Ariana a few extra months to be able to confirm that, because there were no public appearances with her sister in any event. Most times she posed as a waiter at every party the Millers were usually found, but it was getting even hard for her to believe until one day.


    There was an important family event at a family private funding conference, and Aria was allowed to go with them, because it required theplete family since Mark Miller was attending. The securities were extremely tight and thorough, and Ariana knew her resemnce with Aria would get busted if she wasn¡¯t careful.


    She had to hang around the building until the conference was over, to be sure that she saw her sister in the car that had entered the building for real. When she saw that Aria could leave in the car again without getting a hold of her, she ran across and slumped, pretending as if she got hit by the first car which was meant to return Aria home.


    Thepassionatedy who was so miserable in her marriage came down from her car in fear to check if everything was fine, and Ariana quickly passed a letter to her hand even if her sister had not recognized her at that point because of her disguise.


    She stood up and dusted her clothes iming that she was okay before leaving, which got Aria severely scolded that she was still of a lowborn family who didn¡¯t know how to act. When she finally read the letter secretly at night, uncontroble tears streamed down her face because it was hard for her to believe.


    ¡®How could her cold-hearted sister love her so much to risk her ownfort while trying tomunicate with her?¡¯


    Her sister dropped a phone number that she could call her to, an email address, and a private social media handle that she could text her to, in case hermunications were being monitored in the house.


    They met almost two weekster at a perfect time when Aria could leave the house for her clothes fitting, without getting caught or suspected to be doing something funny. While she was getting the clothes that were already preselected for her, Aria borrowed one of the helper¡¯s phones to send Ariana a text and deleted it immediately.


    To avoid getting caught that there could be foul y, she had to use thedy¡¯s research engine to input totally innocent keywords; Does blue and red match perfectly?


    How well does pinkplement green?


    Her sister came to the cloth mall minutester, and threw a tantrum with a loud voice that alerted Aria. While they were trying to attend to the strange woman who was causing unnecessary problems, Aria entered the female¡¯s toilet and her sister went to meet her.


    Aria had quite the emotional moment as she cried uncontrobly on her sister¡¯s shoulders, who patted her softly with her heart so heavy for her sister. With limited time to talk while thedies meant to help her look around for her, Ariana gave her a phone under a phone number registered under another person¡¯s name.


    And that was the first turning point.


    Without any suspicion from the people that apanied her, Aria sent messages to her sister at night with the phone with extreme caution from the people around her. Since she was made to do unnecessary jobs, the most efficient time to text Ariana was whenever she had a sickness breakdown again.


    Their second meeting was at a family event where Aria disappeared from the family¡¯s presence for minutes, who didn¡¯t bother to know because they didn¡¯t love her one bit.


    When Aria gave her sister a rough narration of what was going on in her marriage, Ariana wanted to ruin the mood at the party which was stopped by intense begging from her sister.


    Ariana med her sister for being too dumb and allowing everyone to take advantage of her, when she could stand for herself even if she was in a loveless marriage. Aria told Ariana about a detailed journal that she kept of everyone¡¯s records in the house, which was in a ce no one could ever find it no matter how they tried to search her room.


    During their chats too, she never told Ariana about the nned attacks against her life since she got to the house. She knew it would make things worse for both of them, given the fact that Ariana would act rashly which would make Dalton take action.


    The third physical meeting was until months again, when Mark Miller wanted his granddaughter-inw to apany him to the airport. Aria had begged her sister so much not to do anything till they would meet again, and Ariana had been making money through different illegal means, especially from wealthy youngsters.


    She had found out about her sickness too, and was determined to make herself useful for her sister before the worst would happen. When she got the chance to meet her sister at the airport again, she realized that the pain was too much for Aria and told her that she would take her ce in the house.


    ¡°We would be dead if they caught on, Ana. We would. Dalton is a ruthless man, and he might kill me if he finds out. We can¡¯t,¡± Aria begged her sister, who was bent on exposing everything to the media if her sister didn¡¯t do her bidding.


    ¡°And how exactly would they find out? You have been given an opportunity for divorce, and the bad way they are treating you is grounds for it. If you cannot do it, then I would do it for you. Besides, how would people who loathe you know there is foul y? We look exactly the same.¡±


    ¡°We have contrasting characters, Ria. They would find out that something has changed, if you retaliate if one of them hits you. You cannot even bear it. What if Dades around and finds out that the daughter he had lived with for a long time has changed?¡± Aria questioned her sister again and again in fear, while trying to convince her that waiting till the marriage would be dissolved at the end of three years was the best.


    ¡°That bastard believes I am dead, and I will always be dead to him. I have nothing to lose. It is better to die while trying than not having to try at all. Can you see that nothing will change with his cool attitude?!¡± Ariana yelled at her sister angrily, who was just sobbing silently knowing that she was still keeping quiet because of her.


    ¡°Please, Ria, I can bear it till the end. And we can leave together after that to stay together. Please, I¡¯m begging you,¡± Aria cried so much, to convince her sister that all will be fine if she didn¡¯t do anything. She could not let her sister take her ce in the house, and get killed if she acted too rashly.


    ¡°I¡¯m giving you two months to make up your mind. After that, I¡¯m ruining everything for those bastards. I¡¯m still holding my peace because of our resemnce, and I don¡¯t want to ruin things before my n is executed.  I¡¯m giving you a waist chain now, and it has a tracker inside. Always keep it on,¡± Ariana warned sternly as she handed the gold to her sister, who just kept nodding at everything that she was saying. They departed again after Aria¡¯s faked piles in order to get more toilet time. The next time they would meet, it was a few days before the vacation.


    It was a perfect time for them to meet and talk about so many things because Aria would be able to have her freedom, which made Ariana n for the trip too with her sister. When the family was by themselves, Aria met with Ariana early that morning, who told her that she had contacted her group back in Italy and that they were to help them hide.


    It was the same day that she was pushed by someone from the railings of the tall building by an unknown person, and the family was having fun by themselves and didn¡¯t care to know her whereabouts.


    Emma, who had been suspecting her sister right from the beginning had no evidence because she was rarely at home, followed her sister after she didn¡¯t see her for a short while only to see her amid the family by the time she returned.


    Ariana had witnessed her sister fall, and it put her in dyed shock which couldn¡¯t allow her to mourn properly. By the time she single-handedly carried Aria to the hospital and got her treated, something had caused a switch in her body and she kept calling her sister her own name.


    That same day, Aria entered into aa, while Ariana had called her crew who wanted to help them escape from Italy toe over. They transferred her sister back with them before the afternoon of the next day, while she gave all the money that she had been saving from illegal businesses to her favorite person, Ri, to make sure her sister came back to life. It was a painful departure, but Ariana could only watch her sister leave in the helicopter without any emotion.


    ¡°Good bye, Ariana,¡± she muttered silently without proper grief.


    It would have been a perfect time for her to leave and end the fight, but she vowed to make everyone¡¯s life miserable bying into their life as Aria. She found her sister¡¯s journal too which was a perfect outline to a perfect story cover.


    Her dissociative personality made it usible, and her brain had already identified her as Aria.


    Asking for a divorce, was the first thing she thought of by collecting half of his assets as her own, but things took a turn with Dalton¡¯s sudden refusal which was a challenge she never expected.


    Since she had nothing to lose, she might as well include all of them in her game of chess and be the winner at the very end.

 Counterattack

    Ariana, who is still identifying as Aria, had returned to check on her sister in Italy, whose vitals were improving to stability already, and could move her body parts too ording to signals.


    She also met with the foreign investigator to whom she had paid lots of money days before, and presented evidence that she had against Eva to speed up investigations against her. He teamed up with some of his group back in California, who did most of the remaining research covertly.


    Her health condition seemed to be deteriorating too with an increase in pain by the day, which put her in fear that her sister might not wake up soon enough to see her. And with all those burdens in her heart, she missed Dalton too even if she wouldn¡¯t ept it.


    The fear that she might never see him again also clung to her heart, and caused an ache that refused to go even if she tried to wade the thoughts away. It brought near tears to her face too because it was too sad for her to handle the turmoil her life was going through. She just had to be strong.


    Back at the Millers mansion were extravagant and opulent preparations for the anniversary which was being supervised by Eleanor Miller, who was now officially working with Hamilton to get evidence against Ariana.


    There was nothing more that pleased her heart so much than the thought that, she would end up humiliating and jailing the one person who had a thorn in their neck. Even if she was appalled and disgusted to know that Aria¡¯s twin had seeded in fooling everyone in the family, she had to work on it to make sure that Ariana never recovers from her truth to everyone.


    She didn¡¯t bother to tell her daughters because she knew that they were probably going to oppose, but carried Hailey along with the information, whom she was so sure would work with her.


    And the perfect ce that Eleanor thought would be the best way was at the Miller¡¯s 60th anniversary where everyone would be present, where she would be able to paint the story perfectly as she liked and make sure to get Aria a long prison sentence.


    Impersonation, physical and mental assault, theft, slush funds, and everything possible were all that Eleanor was nning to sue her for.


    ~¡ã?¡ã~


    Collin was so surprised to see Dalton appear before him to ask about his wife¡¯s whereabouts, without the usual forceful act or domineering demeanor that he usually puts on.


    It was a normal man-to-man meeting that went smoothly, and Dalton understood when Collin told him genuinely that there was no way Aria would have told him, knowing well that he could stille to ask him. Dalton left shortly afterward together with Alex with a broken heart.


    It pped Collin hard in the face that he could never tell anyone his findings, even if he wanted to tell Dalton the real truth about who Aria really was. It was now clear and ring to him that whom the family knew as Aria, was different from the person he had known as Ariana. They just shared the same face.


    And the realization of that truth that Collin had learned, pained his heart so much. He was so sad to know that thedy he loved was suffering, because she was pretending to be the person that she wasn¡¯t for reasons he had not yet found out.


    The burden increased greatly and weighed on him, the more he thought of the fact that she was now in love with her fake husband. That Dalton seemed to now care about her too much. That she was suffering and was refusing to acknowledge and tell anyone about it. And the fact she was carrying too much burden on her own and there was nothing he could do to help her.


    Even with the news that Dalton had just told him, he was still helpless because there was probably nothing he could do if Dalton couldn¡¯t find her so easily. He had never imagined that there would ever be a person in his life that would constantly put him in a spot, and shift him from hisfort zone.


    The one person he would worry endlessly about and try to help but would still end up doing nothing to save the situation. The very one person that he couldn¡¯t have even if he longed for her.


    It was too sad for him. Too sad.


    And before the night ended, he received an email from someone who was no one other than her. It was a Thank you and a Sorry message to him from her. Reading the message over and over again broke Collin even more and welled tears down his eyes.


    ¡®How could her life be so sad?¡¯


    ..?~?¡­.?~?..


    Ariana, who was shuffling between the intensive care home where her sister was recovering and the foreign investigators while trying not to get caught by anyone, hadpiled a list of mediapanies that she was willing to air the exclusive news about Eva too. And she nned it for the big 60th event that was about celebrating Miller¡¯s corporation.


    She was sorry that she nned something like that against their family to bring them down, because of the only person that had worked so hard to build their empire to what it was.


    The only person she most cared about in the family regardless of how part of their past had been. The one person she was madly in love with was driving her crazy.


    ¡®Could she end their love story in such an abrupt manner?¡¯


    And she felt so much guilt for loving someone like that, when she just wanted to take revenge on her sister¡¯s behalf. She felt so sad that the story seemed to finally be ending, with a different picture rather than the ones she had painted. She never knew that she could fall in love for the first time in her life, and that it would end up being the man she had always loathed.


    That he would be her first everything, and that it was going to be so sad to get over him. That it was going to be so hard to stay away and not see him in her life again, and that she for the first time wanted to live for someone. That she now had the will to live and love. The will to hold on to something.


    ¡®What would she ever do to redeem everything?¡¯


    Extremely confused and numbed by intense pain and toxic self-me, Dalton sat in his office all day without leaving or doing anything. He didn¡¯t reply to anyone, take care of any office affairs or even see Alex. He just remained in his office for two days straight lying on his couch without going home.


    ¡®How could he?¡¯


    Every inch of his heart was filled with the thoughts of her, and every corner in his room and house lingered of her touch and appearance. Being home felt haunted to him because she wasn¡¯t anywhere around him, and it made it worse for him to know that she was probably nevering back to him.


    Never would he have thought that he could fall in love with her so much, that everything about her affected him physically, emotionally and mentally. So much so that he was greatly troubled about her and couldn¡¯t do anything to help his situation.


    She was dying and yet he couldn¡¯t find her anywhere.


    He could never forgive himself. He would bear the guilt-cross with him forever if anything happened to her.


    Wallowing in his sadness and state of turbulence for days while Alex did the finding, Dalton tried to call Ariana¡¯s phone number so many times in a day hoping that she would just switch it on once. So that he would know that she was alive.


    It was the only way that he could keep himself together, rather than having to deal with the imaginations that had run wild in his head. He could bear them. The thought of living without her and not seeing her anymore in his life. He could not handle the thoughts because they were too saddening.


    It was already a pity that it took long for him to realize that he loved her, and much more forlorn to him to just realize that their time together might be limited together. Especially for the fact that she hid almost everything about her from him. He had seen the signs but he couldn¡¯t read them.


    ¡®How selfish of you, Dalton. How stupid and foolish of you. So much for iming to be an intelligent man. Youck wits. Youck human feelings. You are cruel,¡¯ Dalton¡¯s mind whispered to him continuously.


    Alex couldn¡¯t handle seeing his boss in that manner and tried to work twice as hard to find Ariana, and also with him handling every expense that needed to be sent to Eleanor for the anniversary which was days away. Everything was a mess. But of all things, he wanted his boss to be fine again.


    And it happened. She called to meet him after the fourth day had passed.This content is ? N?velDrama.Org.

 Love

    The anxiousness that overwhelmed Dalton as he drove to the airport was intense, that it took him much willpower to remain sane till he got to the one she had texted to meet. He didn¡¯t even consider the possibility of it being a lie and just pressed on the brakes of his car, and drove far away from hispany.


    When they finally met and he stared at her figure amongst the crowd, it took him effort not to break down and just walk slowly to where she was. He was d she came back.


    Her face was so pale and she was looking so dull, as well as there was a visible decrease in her body shape and size that made her look close to skinny. He couldn¡¯t believe he was staring at thedy he loved.


    ¡®How had she be like that?¡¯ he thought painfully.


    He moved closer to where she was standing and gave her a tight and warm embrace without saying anything, because he had so much to say to her and as well as nothing. Her body wrapped entirely into his huge body frame, and he tried hard not to cry hard on her shoulders.


    He didn¡¯tsh out orin. He didn¡¯t yell at her and ask her angrily where she had been all these days, while making everyone so worried about her. Nor did he scold her for not telling anyone about the state of her health. He just held her so tightly in his arms like his life depended on it.


    She remained in the spot and allowed him to hold her tenderly, because she had missed him so terribly that she was trying hard to pull back the tears that had pooled behind her eyes. But it was really hard. She burst into tears before she realized it.


    It was heart-wrenching for Dalton to see her in that manner, and quickly took her away from the spot before attention would be drawn to them which might cause a scandal. He decided to go on the best tour with her in his private jet to do everything she had been wanting to do her entire life. To anywhere she wanted to go in her life.


    They visited thergest mall in the world, went skydiving with her, scuba diving, movie night, a museum, an aquarium, a private dinner date, galleries, tours and so many fun things that one could think of. They also visited so many trips in a few days to her dream countries and tourist attractions, with her loving every moment of it while Dalton¡¯s heart was buried in pain.


    Every smile he shed at her whenever they were together having fun, were painful ones because he was so held by trepidation of what was going on in her body and in her head.


    ¡®What she wanted to do. What her ns were, and what she was thinking.¡¯


    He knew that the chance she wasing back to remain with him was a very slim one, but she wasn¡¯t mentioning anything to him and he couldn¡¯t ask either. She just enjoyed every ce that he took her to, and ate every new dish from the countries they went to withoutpromising the taste or appearance.


    Ariana didn¡¯t want to say anything and just loved the moments that she was having with just Dalton, even if she could feel her symptoms get worse and her pain increase even more. She pretended to be fine and smiled brightly whenever he was with her, while she cried painfully in the bathtub every night whenever he was out of the suite they were staying at.


    On the seventh day of being away from their world and just being by themselves, they were having wine by themselves in an underwater suite as theirst day touring around because the anniversary was in a few days and Ariana insisted on attending with him.


    She was crouched between his arms on the bed and all his eyes could watch was the hair tie she had around her head for days.


    ¡°Anything you wanna talk about?¡± She started up a conversation, when she realized that they have not had private time to themselves talking, rather than talking about the fun ces they went. She probably wanted to hear him ask those questions she had been dreading to hear.


    ¡°Nothing much. I just like being here with you,¡± he concealed, continuing the conversation because it wasn¡¯t something that he was ready for. He could not handle the pressure of talking about them at that point in time. ¡°What would you like your anniversary dress to be made of?¡± He asked instead.


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you going to ask me where I had been for so many days without telling anyone, and thene back to act like everything is fine?¡± She pressed on her interest in the topic again even if she was scared of the oue, but he didn¡¯t seem like he was ready for a conversation at all.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine as long as you are back,¡± he smiled and hugged her tightly so that she wouldn¡¯t put too much pressure on herself, if she was bothered about why he was different from his usual self.


    She slowly unwrapped his hands that were around her body, and lifted her body from the bed as she turned to face him. Her eyes interlocked with his own beautiful eyes, and it was not so difficult for her to know that there was so much sadness around his eyes.


    ¡®He probably knew everything already, she guessed.


    Her warm hands cupped both his cheeks softly as a stiff smile crept her lips, while they stared at one another with no words to say at the moment. It was probably then that she realized that it would have been so hard not to fall for Dalton.


    ¡°Dalton,¡± she called his name softly with the words escaping her lips as a whisper.


    ¡°Yeah,¡± he replied in the same manner, like they were in some kind of ce where their voices could never be heard.


    ¡°I am dyin¡­..¡±


    His lips pressed on hers as soon as she let out her words, giving her no chance to say anything more. He wanted her to say no more. He probably would not be able to bear the words that came out of her mouth.


    Her fumbling hands wrapped around his back as she pushed her head closer to him to allow him more ess, because she had craved so badly for him and yearned desperately for his touch.All content is ? N0velDrama.Org.


    He devoured her mouth instantly, and found her as hungry for him as he was for her. Unreserved fire and passion met him incredibly, as his tongue plunged between her lips, tasted her, and found her tongue twined around his.


    His hands drove into her voluminous dark hair grabbing handfuls of it and crushed her mouth to his as her strong fingers slid into his hair to pull his mouth down against hers. Her body seemed to melt against his, and he could feel her. The fullness of her. The supple length of her against him.


    Her hand worked magic on the flowered dress that she was wearing as they broke from the kiss to take a breath, pulling it over her head and hurling it to the floor immediately. She was left in just her tiny redcy lingerie that barely covered her body efficiently.


    Blindly, he grabbed her body tenderly close to his as he needed her pliant body hard against his, and to feel the press of her firm, full breasts against his chest as he wedged a thigh between hers. The need to touch, be touched, to take and give, nearly overwhelmed him.


    Hunger surged inside him.


    Ariana ached. It had been so long since she¡¯d been touched. So long since she¡¯d wanted to be. It felt as if she couldn¡¯t get close enough to him, that she strained against his body and the press of his broad chest as they kissed even more.


    The touch of his hands so warm on her bare skin sent another burst of heat straight to Ariana¡¯s core, and made it ache as a moan escaped her lips. Tortuously on her corbone and neck his lips trailed and kissed as it worked its way down to her cleavage.


    His hands further rubbed on her back gently and slowly as it unhooked the redcy bra that she was wearing, and it released her soft bouncy flesh before the eyesight of him as his eyes watered in awe of its beauty. It made his breath hitch and made him gasp softly.


    ¡°Oh Dalton,¡± Ariana whimpered. She had never felt such a tingling sensation before, and the feeling was driving her crazy with pleasure.


    Their eyes locked so much in love staring at one another as his hands cupped her aching breast and grazed gently on her nipples, which made her lips moan his name out loud as he kissed her to prevent her from screaming any further. His hands, still working their way skillfully on her body.


    Ariana felt the soft warmth of the fluid that lurked between her legs.


    ¡°Mmmm. Oh damn! Dalt¡­..¡± Ariana moaned,  ¡°Fuck! Dalton. Oh my¡­..¡± She cried, feeling yet another climax build inside of her.


    He closed his hands around her waist, her skin soft and silky to the touch, and sought out the curve of her waist and the arch of her ribs. He tightened his hands, and pulled her closer as her mouth moved beneath his, nibbled, sucked. He groaned as her skin heated at his touch.


    ¡®Shit! How much she missed that.¡¯


    Her hands worked his shirt out of the way down to his trousers, while his fingers teased between her legs that made her grit her teeth so tightly. She was struggling to focus on what she was doing with her face burning crimson, of what he was doing and how he was circling her womanhood. She jolted like she had been struck by a lightning of electricity.


    ¡°Just get started darling,¡± he uttered with a grin on his face, as he swirled his tongue around her belly button, forming a trail to her moistened core as he licked her there and flicked his tongue backward and forth making her quiver even more.


    ¡°Shit! Oh good¡­¡± Ariana grit her teeth again and tried to contain the intense pleasure her body was releasing. At every stroke of his tongue, she lost breath.


    Oxygen was deprived from every necessary part of her body, the moment one of his fingers slipped into her tight core which made her moan. He slipped in another, and increased the speed of the fingers which made her scream in intense pleasure.


    Soon, both of them crouched against the bed intertwined with their naked body rubbing on one another, as he poked her down below introducing his full length into her warmth slowly.


    ¡°Fuck shiiii¡­.¡± Ariana wailed, pinching her eyes close and allowing herself to adjust to him.


    Dalton locked his lips with hers again as they kissed passionately, while he rocked back and forth below her making her moans increase pace.


    He quickened the pace of his strokes, still with her pleasure in mind, as her hips gyrated slowly and skillfully around him, maximizing pleasure. Her lips didn¡¯t cease letting out words that she didn¡¯t even know that she was capable of saying.


    Her body spasmed again for the nth time as she dug her nails into his back as he continued his strokes.


    ¡°Aria!¡± Dalton hollered as his body bucked, sending him into a tailspin as he filled her up with his release. He groaned and remained on the spot still buried in her, while Ariana was still ovee by the beautiful feeling of the unadulterated pleasure her body had just felt.


    ¡°I love you so much, Aria,¡± Dalton blurted out suddenly as he slowly separated from her, and she smiled bitterly and cried in her heart pained that she ended up falling for the man that she should have made sure to be the end of. ¡°I love you so much more than I can exin with words,¡± he conceded again and again.


    Their bodies rested in the dim room as theyy in the bed with Ariana cuddled into Dalton¡¯s warm embrace, as he kissed her forehead gently as she seemed to be sleeping already. He was more scared than ever.


    ¡®What was next?¡¯ he wondered endlessly.

 All over

    Ariana was sprawledfortably early in the morning of the next day on the bed, drowning in a mess of white sheets that had intertwined her body. She closed her eyes after she had opened it for a while, and pulled in a long rxing breath before she opened it again.


    Her eyes traced slowly from the transparent ss walls of the underwater bedroom that they had slept in, and then to Dalton who was still sleeping on the bed by her side. She watched the underground ocean sight that was before her, and the sea animals that swam above their heads like it was going to peek through any minute.


    She turned to stare at Dalton inplete awe again, as she breathed slowly in and out trying to contain the feeling that was beginning to overwhelm her. Her eyes were almost brimming with tears as her throat parched in pain at what would soon be their reality. The thought of it was too sad for her to bear.


    Pulling herself together, Ariana stood up from the bed and walked to the floor of the nearest mirror to look at her body. It was hard for her to believe that she was the same curvydy from months, as her eyes rested on the parts of her body which were now with lean flesh. Even her face was not left out.


    ¡®It is over for you, Ari,¡¯ she said in her mind as she touched the parts of her face gently.


    The hair tie she had on her head since the day before was still intact, and she couldn¡¯t even bring herself to unloose it to see what was happening there.


    ¡°You are so beautiful,¡± she heard the voice behind herpliment, and she turned to see that Dalton was awake already.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± she responded with a smile. A forceful cough erupted in her throat as she tried to walk back to the bed, and a red liquid sttered on the floor as Dalton watched in horror the reality of what she had been going through.


    ¡°Aria!¡± He screamed in shock when he realized what had happened, and ran to grab her by the body before she fell to the floor.


    Dalton carried her limp body up from the ground in his arms and wept bitterly, as he got his phone immediately to call Alex to send a private jet as soon as possible with well-trained doctors.


    He flew her back to California in no time back to the specialist he had made before, and they began every necessary treatment to help here back while Dalton looked like a lost puppy as he watched them connect to her body, life machines. He cried bitterly as he watched her in a helpless state. It reminded him of his father too before he died.


    ¡®Please she cannot die. Please, she cannot,¡¯ Dalton repeated in his mind over and over again with so much fear. He could never lose someone he so much cared about any longer.


    With the life machines beeping through the entire day till night, Dalton didn¡¯t leave her side and continued to look at her face hoping that she would wake up. Alex¡¯s efforts to convince him that they could leave ande back to see her went futile, and left alone by himself to get the necessary things that both of them would need.


    She asked to see Collin when she woke up the third day, after she and Dalton had wept together, and she promised that it was something that was going to be very brief.


    Dalton allowed her to do whatever she wanted and stepped outside when Collin finally arrived, as he got his phone to make calls to different top-ranking hospitals in and out of the city for a consultant.


    ¡°Ari. Is this really you?¡± Collin asked with barely a whisper as he made his way into the VIP room, still transfixed by the sight of her on the bed.


    He had been informed that she wanted to see him by Dalton¡¯s men, which surprised him to know that Dalton would have permitted such. However, seeing her in a hospital probably made him understand why. She had finally given in.


    ¡°Good to see you,¡± Ariana replied softly, as he took the seat beside her, still shocked by how he was looking at her.


    He had so many questions to ask, so many things to say, with so much burden in his heart. Nevertheless, he was happy that he was still able to see her and even touch her.


    ¡°I think I know everything now,¡± he assured her so that she would not talk too much, concerning the fact that she was not the person whom everyone thought she was.


    However, he noticed that she still addressed herself as Aria, and talked about how she had been able to get every piece of evidence against her wicked sister-inw.


    She also gave him every important information about the steps she had taken till the present, and told him to get the rest information from Emma who would be willing to help. And she also informed him of her sister¡¯s whereabouts in Italy, and the people he could contact if anything happened to her.


    She also informed him about her personal assistant who still worked at the department store on her behalf, hand-in-hand with the legal management board that had been put in charge. The many things that she felt were also necessary, she told him everything.


    Collin couldn¡¯t understand why she seemed to still mix up herself with her sister including names, which had him confused about what could be going on with her. He was willing to help her regardless even till the very end, if that was the only way that he could remain within the boundary.


    It was extremely hard for Dalton to watch Aria in her terribleness, as he tried every best he could to make sure she was happy at all costs. Bearing the sight of the shaving off her hair for the surgery was worse, and the chemotherapy treatment that she was made to go through. It broke him. Scarred him.C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org.


    ~?~


    The day for the Millers anniversary came and it was a loud issue among the elites and socialites of the city, and there were quite a number of them trying to get a free pass or invitation to the party.


    Eleanor was feeling the best because of the big news that she had nned to reveal that morning, so as to be able to gain the favor of her son that she was trying to do everything for his sake.


    She had returned back to the mansion two days before the anniversary to finalize the party arrangements with Dalton, so that no one would know that the family was having a glitch somewhere.


    The party was being hosted at one of the most luxurious banquet halls, and it was going to be so extravagant with everything that the matriarch of the family had out in ce.


    The anniversary party was also going to continue overnight at the huge yacht owned by the family, and it was going to be strictly based on invitations. Eleanor wanted everything to be perfect.


    She assumed that Dalton was still pissed with her because he never came back home since she had been there, but was positive that everything would return to normal by the time she revealed who the real imposter in the family was.


    The Miller daughters were oblivious to what had been going on in their brother¡¯s life, because he always told Alex to send them back anytime they came to curry his favor. The only person no one knew her whereabouts was Eva, except her mother whom she visited once after the family splitted from the Millers mansion.


    And a night before the party, the sisters had returned back to the mansion except for Eva, and they were all together the next morning fully dressed in their beautiful morous dresses and shiny heels.


    ¡°Do you think Dalton is going toe? I have not seen either him or his wife anywhere at all. It is like they are off the surface of the earth,¡± Emma asked her sister who was eating the bread she made herself the next morning, because there were barely any cooking maids or chefs to do that for them.


    She had gotten a call from Collin the previous day about what Ariana told him, and it really surprised her to know that her brother¡¯s supposed wife was not off her neck yet. It was now worse that she had not even seen her anywhere.


    ¡°I hope he does. If he doesn¡¯t attend the banquet, he should attend the one at the yacht, so that it would not give those filthy reporters spections and news to write about us. Mum said that he is going to make an appearance today no matter what,¡± Ellen assured her sister.


    ¡°What about Eva?¡± Emma¡¯s voice portrayed fear when she asked, hoping that their elder sister would note anything soon and just appear for the party. She was still so scared of her and what she was capable of doing.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know, and I don¡¯t care. Someone who doesn¡¯t care about us or bothered to call shouldn¡¯t be cared about too,¡± Ellen muttered in spite as she continued eating the pale bread she had in her hand.


    Later on before noon, Dalton made his appearance in the house without saying anything to anyone to get some important files in his safe. He couldn¡¯t tell his family that his wife was dying on the sick bed, and he knew that she couldn¡¯t make it to the party either.


    Eleanor Miller was informed already about her son¡¯s presence in the house, and decided to divulge the news about Aria¡¯s truth in the most natural way like she was just finding out through a text message.


    She was a step ahead to reveal the truth about Ariana to everyone before the real party started, but soon realized that her son had left the premises when she thought that he was still in his room.


    Her mission to tell Dalton the truth failed, but it didn¡¯t stop her daughters from asking her in great shock if what she said was true. Ellen even promised never to see her again, if she discovered that she was telling a lie.


    On his way back to the hospital shortly after making an appearance at the banquet, Dalton received a call from Alex which was so abrupt, about the information he just got from the hospital. ¡°Sir. They say that your wife is missing.¡±

 Trouble upon trouble

    The yacht party was the most morous and luxurious, which was the main event of the anniversary itself. It was also the one that Mark Miller promised to attend and make a speech, after his grandson had officiallyunched the banquet hosting.


    Eleanor had searched around the entire evening during the banquet to see if Dalton came with his wife, but was rather surprised to see that she was nowhere to be found. It made her wonder if something had gone wrong between them, or if he had found out about the truth before her but had not told anyone.


    After the guests were getting ready to leave the banquet and make their way to the yacht party, the news about Eva broke out immediately and it was everywhere on the news headlines alongside gore sights of her carrying out some of the acts.


    Only the family who were too engrossed in their celebration didn¡¯t understand what was going on quickly, until the corps arrived at the party almost immediately. The beautiful shooting of the fireworks which were meant to put the name and logo of the family on disy, had just gone off outside which left the guests even more scared.


    There was confusion, chaos, fright, and disbelief permeating amongst everyone when they realized what was going on. The party feast had turned into a bloody feast.


    Emma, who was the first to see the news, began to sob softly because she had aided in revealing her sister¡¯s secret to the world and wreaked their family.


    Their mother who knew all along the true identity of her daughter slumped immediately, because she could not handle the sight and shame that had shone against her. Hailey who purposely camete to steal the show ran quickly to where she was, and grabbed the nearest thing to her which was a ss of wine. She sttered it against the old woman¡¯s face to revive her.


    The top elites that were invited to the party had all begun to leave hastily, while stumbling and fumbling against one another, struggling to get outside at once through the door and screaming too.


    Mark Miller, who had just arrived at the banquet party grounds was informed immediately by his secretary of what had happened, and he ordered to be taken back instantly to avoid the ridicule and embarrassment they almost put him through.


    He couldn¡¯t believe that Eva finally put them to disgrace, after everything he had done to help her get treatments when he found out a few years ago. Eleanor had cried at his feet and promised him that everything was now fine, which was the reason why he told his son to make her the head of the art gallery even if she wanted something.


    ¡°Perhaps, it would be a way ofmunicating positivity to her,¡± he remarked. However, it seemed as if she got worse through the years and had finally gotten exposed before the entire city.


    The corps had walked over to Eva and asked her to follow them for questioning, as she tried to protest that it was all an act and cover-up. Ellen began to implore profusely that her sister was not capable of such an act, and asked them to bring a warrant before asking her to go with them.


    Emma got her phone immediately and began to ring both Alex¡¯s and Dalton¡¯s phones alternatively, while Hailey tactically left their midst because she couldn¡¯t be seen associating with them.


    ¡°Get the fuck off me! Do not touch me!¡± Eva yelled and spat at the officer that was standing by her right side, who was trying to hold her rudely because of the inherent hatred he already had for the billionaire family out of cyber jealousy.


    ¡°Behave,dy,¡± He warned icily, and the next thing they all held was a hard p thatnded on the officer¡¯s face, and impulsively shifted his head to the right.


    ¡°Next time, it would be your heart shifting,¡± she grinned maliciously.


    ¡°Miss. Miller. You need to respect yourself now or we will be forced to take action against you,¡± the second officer cautioned angrily, when he realized what she had done to one of his men.


    ¡°And if I don¡¯t, what the fuck you gonna do, hunh?¡± Eva switched time and talked back at him so rudely, which shocked her mother and Ellen who could not believe that it was her sister talking.


    ¡®How was she able to hide so much in years of living with her?¡¯


    ¡°Calm, down¡­¡±


    ¡°Shut the bloody hell up and do not tell me to calm down, when you have these bloody chains tied around my arm. Who the fuck is your boss? And what gave you the fucking right to arrest me over some inte scandal and attention-seeking maniptions?¡± Eva raged angrily at the man who was staring at her in shock. ¡°Where the fuck is my brother? I¡¯d make sure both of you rot in jail by the time I get out, and would feed your remains to maggots. Do you hear me?!¡± She continued to rant endlessly, and it put on an unleashing show of madness for her family to watch. They were in total disbelief.


    ¡°Please transport Miss. Miller to the station safely,¡± another police officer that was just making his way into the huge banquet room told the others.


    Eleanor was still in a livid state as she watched the corps take away her daughter, which made her lose it finally as she began to scream that someone should call Dalton immediately.


    ¡°My daughter cannot end up like this,¡± she cried and yelled over and over again, as she made her way outside together with Ellen, who was trying to help her steady.


    ¡°The reporters are here already, Mum. We have to run!¡± Ellen screamed the moment she saw the group of people that were running towards where they were standing, with their shing cameras that were ready to air any rtable story.


    ¡°Into the car. Now!¡± Emma ordered as she drove the car before them, and drove off so fast the moment they entered the car and shut the door. The car sped out of the building immediately.


    They had tried to call thepany¡¯s IT professionals who were trying to deal with the situation, and they said neither Alex nor Dalton was picking up anyone¡¯s call. Everywhere was in confusion.All rights ? N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡®How could they?¡¯


    Dalton drove like a madman to the hospital when he was informed of the news just shortly after he left the banquet, and the medical building was in chaos because of the missing billionaire wife. They were frightened and scared of what Dalton would do, if he found out about their carelessness concerning his wife.


    ording to them, his wife had requested to be alone without her bodyguards after her husband left, and they watched her walk to the hospital field and take a seat there. Ten minutes away from being assured that she was okay, they found out that she was missing from where she sat all along.


    By the time they checked the CCTV cameras, it was confirmed that she left on an unlicensed motorbike which she walked to meet. It was definitely a strategic n for her to leave by herself, but they could never exin their carelessness to Dalton.


    He would never hear of it. They feared that he would strip them of their jobs and close down the huge hospital.


    Alex had mobilized the bodyguards to make sure to find her everywhere they could or else they were dead, as he also tried to talk to thepany¡¯s IT professionals about the recent problem and scandal that had been circling the city, and how hard it was to bring the videos and posts down. Everything was going haywire.


    The pain was too unbearable for Dalton when he picked up her letter from her to him, the time he stormed into her room to check if she was truly gone. It broke him so much as he sat on the floor of the room in his three-piece tuxedo, wailing like a troubled child as he held the piece of paper in his hand which he had read almost three times.


    Dear fake hubby.


    I know this mighte as a shock to you, but I want you to know that I never nned for things to happen this way even if it could have happened the worse way. Like, falling in love with you.


    It was forbidden, and I loathed myself for that even if I couldn¡¯t stop craving for you.


    Talking about fake, we are, because I took a twin sister¡¯s ce after a brain hemorrhage that led to hera after Eva tried to kill her. I was raged, and I came to destroy and kill everyone who made her suffer. Even Hamilton.


    But the unexpected happened, and I am not able toplete my revenge.


    So crazy that you could not recognize the switch between thedy from years ago, and thedy from months ago.


    Eva suffered the most for it though, and I am d to know she wouldn¡¯t kill anyone anymore. Watching you carry the burden of your family so strongly, could not make me hate you anymore even if I wanted to.


    I was just told I am suffering from a dissociative personality disorder, insomnia, panic disorder, PTSD, self-harming, and some kind of brain tumor. It is so funny that I am still living till now, when I gave up on my life king ago.


    But I probably want to live because of someone. Someone I never thought could be special to me.


    It is pain to watch you, watch me suffer. My heart bleeds. My soul cries bitterly. My pain persists and it is filled with your sad faces.


    I have left already, and I am going to continue my treatment elsewhere. If I die, it shouldn¡¯t have to be before you.


    I do not want that to be yourst memory of me.


    You can forget the bad memories of us, and just think of the passionate moments that we have both shared.


    I am really scared. I don¡¯t want to die. This pain is too much and it is even harder to sleep without pills, while dreaming of my bad past. It is also hard to not have thoughts of grabbing the surgical scissors the nurse brings along, with the hope of not stabbing myself with it afterward. My overthinking has gotten worse too, and I have panic attacks more often than I have ever done.


    It is so countless that I hide them every day wherever you are around. I wouldn¡¯t want you to see such a bizarre sight of me. But I¡¯ll be fine.


    I know I shouldn¡¯t say this because of guilt, but I love you so much, Dalton. So much, that it clenches upon my throat not to breathe anymore when you are not near. That I always falter because it became hard to pretend. I love you.


    Damn! I never knew I could write this many words on paper. I was not really the brilliant type. But I am really smart, and can use my fists too. Just know that I had to tear and rewrite this a thousand times. I wrote it every day, and read it over and over to be sure that I included everything necessary. I think I know every single line by heart now, if I were to read without this paper.


    Haah!


    My dear, first love, first kiss, and first everything. I hope we can meet sometime in this lifetime, or maybe as fated couples in the next one.


    Dear Ariana.


    The name you never got the chance to call me.

 Catastrophe

    Dalton was so heartbroken than ever that it was extremely hard to believe that he had fallen too much for thedy, who was never ready to stay with him because of their ill fate. It didn¡¯t matter how much he cried, grieved, or searched, he could not be okay knowing the reality of everything that had happened.


    Collin did not leave with the helicopter that transferred Ariana out of the city, because he would feel guilty if he had to lie to Dalton¡¯s face that he didn¡¯t know where she was, if they ever met. He just contacted her group from Italy that picked her up to know if they arrived safely.


    The Millerpany stocks fell even more and almost hit rock bottom, while a lot of people withdrew their shares from thepanies in the space of a week. A lot of investigations were going on about Eva¡¯s case which included going in and out of the mansion, and the sisters too were called for questioning because Dalton refused to go.


    The news on the headlines both day and night was always about them, and it gave people who always hated them and envied their lives leverage to attack them. They mocked how the great family fell on their 60th anniversary, and mocked the fact that the yacht party went in vain with no one to attend.


    News had it that most of the local people that lived around the sea, went there to eat their fill and still took home from the dishes which almoststed for three days.


    Ellen cried for days nonstop telling Emma that they should do something to save their sister, but the younger sister couldn¡¯t even utter a word and just became isted in her mind. She knew everything already after all, and even helped in exposing her.


    Their mother had been running around miserably to hire expensivewyers to defend Eva, as she wrote huge checks for those managing the cell to take care of her daughter very well, till she would get her out.


    While all these happened, Dalton remained in his headpany trying to gain closure by himself, by working hard and nonstop to make sure that their corporation would not fall apart.All rights ? N?velDrama.Org.


    It suddenly became so hard for a man like him to multitask when that was what he had been doing his whole life, because thoughts of thedy who left him broken filled his heart and brain so much.


    Alex worked more than ever in his life to bnce the situation of a missing wife and a falling empire, and it became even more exhausting to watch his boss lose himself as the day passed by. Nothing was going really well like the great Dalton Miller would have handled every situation. He had no strength for that. No willpower.


    A few monthster.


    ¡°We have currently merged fourpanies, sir, and withdrawn more money to fund them. The exportation seems to be going quite well, more proportionately than it is here in the city and country,¡± Alex ended his words with a gloomy tone.


    It had not been easy toe back to their feet, because only one man was running all the businesses together non-stop. He had to call himself back to mind after he had faded for too long in months. A shadow of himself.


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter,¡± he replied curtly. ¡°Any news about her trials?¡± He continued.


    ¡°Pieces of evidence of people she murdered were found in her house, and she also threw a tantrum by beating up so many of her cellmates and even cell guards. The art gallery has been investigated too, and it turns out that there were either some of her workers that went missing or died mysteriously. She also confessed when she was made to go through a truth test that she hated and tried to kill Aria, ever since the day that she knew that her grandfather had nned to give Mrs. Miller thepany she had always wanted for herself. She denied everything again, when she was asked about the rest of the people she murdered.¡±


    Alex watched Dalton¡¯s facial expression change at the mention of his wife, and quickly found something positive to say before he ruined his mood for the entire day.


    ¡°I have checked every emigration record on bothnd and seas sir. We have found nothing but we will keep checking. The surveince footage we were about to get this time around, showed a helic¡­..¡±


    ¡°If she left, she probably had a proper n. I¡¯ve told you not to worry about it anymore. I do not want to hear of it ever again,¡± he ordered frivolously with a cold tone and gloomy face.


    ¡°We can still keep on trying, sir,¡± Alex tried to persist, knowing that his boss was just trying to act strong and forget the bitter truth. The one he could hardly get away from. The one that haunted his sleep and marred him daily.


    ¡°I shall hear no report of this again. Else you are fired!¡± He repeated, and the assistant closed his mouth immediately.


    He got a call almost immediately and moved to the side to go and receive it, as he came back immediately to report the situation. ¡°Sir, I just got a call now that your mother has been¡­


    ¡°Dalton! Are you doing the right thing for me and your family?¡± Eleanor yelled the moment she forced her way into her son¡¯s office for the fourth time in one week. She came every single time to cry and scream in his face as she liked. He told them to always open the door whenever she came.


    ¡°Why aren¡¯t you helping your sister? Why aren¡¯t you helping her get out of that hell hole?!¡± She cried, as she walked to the front of his table and pped hard on the table with an open hand.


    Alex quickly moved to Dalton¡¯s table to move the heavy title board away from her sight quickly, before she broke it again and made a mess everywhere. She had broken almost three in the past weeks, anytime she hade to yell and wail.


    ¡°It is beyond me. She should face trial and get her sentence,¡± Dalton replied coldly to his mother, and continued to ess the files that he was reading through, ¡°Thepanies are a mess if I have to remind you again.¡±


    ¡°So are you going to let my precious baby die in that ce? Are you going to let my child suffer like that because you are busy running apany? Do you know it is life imprisonment if she is found guilty?!¡± Eleanor yelled at her son¡¯s face again and again, while Alex ran helter-skelter to find ways to cate her. Nothing was working the more he tried. He had never been able to calm her down before, ever since he started working with them.


    ¡°Can youe back some other time? I am busy,¡± Dalton finally raised his eyes as he spoke directly to her, and tossed the ck coat that was hanging by his chair over his shoulder immediately.


    ¡°You are leaving again?!¡± She wailed even louder this time, ¡°What have I done to deserve heartless kids like you and your sisters?¡± Her loud chokes echoed around the walls of the rooms and bounced back to settle in the middle as he opened the door to leave. He couldn¡¯t stand her tantrums.


    ¡°Sir. I have just been informed that Miss. Emma has traveled out of the country to the Philippines,¡± Alex, who walked slowly behind his boss as he tread, reported thetest news he got from their men that were on the lookout for everything going on.


    ¡°Let her be. It would probably be a new start for her,¡± Dalton muttered. ¡°And Ellen?¡±


    ¡°She has deleted her ount on every social media page, and went on a trip to Korea. It seems as if she has gotten a new hobby of watching series these days,¡± Alex reported.


    ¡°Then, it is done.¡±


    ~?~


    ¡°This is the best I can do for you, Mother,¡± Dalton said on the phone the moment he received a call from his mother, as soon as Eleanor¡¯s final trial and sentencing ended for good.


    ¡°Your sister is going to be locked up at an asylum forever because she is diagnosed with lunacy, Dalton,¡± Eleanor wept over the phone again, ¡°That is a terrible thing¡­.¡± She dragged thest word and cried over and over again.


    ¡°At least she gets care for the rest of her life without working, and she can be by herself too like she has always wanted. And she cannot murder anyone again. Isn¡¯t that great?¡± Dalton¡¯s words pierced his mother¡¯s heart as he spoke calmly when she called.


    ¡°What?!¡±


    ¡°Adios, Mother. Call if you ever need anything.¡±

 Pains and gains

    Even in her unconscious state, she probably could hear the silent and calcted beeps from every corner of the room. She could still hear inaudible sounds of mumbling and murmuring around her, but her head could not turn to look at what was going on.


    Of course, she was certain that she was still alive, but every part of her body felt so heavy that she couldn¡¯t move them. The feeling of people constantly hovering above her body was something she always felt, even if she always slipped back into tiredness and unconsciousness.


    Her eyelids were so heavy that she could feel them, and she didn¡¯t seem to remember why she was like that or what had happened. All she could feel was her heart hurting so bad, like someone was stitching it with a needle and thread.


    She felt suffocated even while still unconscious, until someone grabbed her arm softly in theirs.


    ¡°Ariana. You have to wake up soon, okay? The guilt is killing me. Knowing that you went through so much for me is killing me. I need you to please wake up as you have always done, and look at me again,¡± Aria began to cry as soon as she ended her sentence.


    She had woken up a few weeks after Ariana got transferred to the intensive care unit, and was able to get herself right in even more weeks. The happy news of everything was the fact that she developed a temporary amnesia, that made her forget the bad memories she had with her father and even being a wife at the Miller¡¯s. The only thing she knew was the fact that her sister brought her half-dead.


    The doctor that treated her advised that it was probably a good thing that her brain did that, because she could probably both handle and face the truth if she woke up. When she was finally able to grasp everything that had happened to her for months, she was informed that her sister too was receiving treatments.


    It has been a battle of sadness, misery, and pain for both sisters to see again, with Ariana¡¯s disorders getting the best of her and her miserably of leaving Dalton. No one could exin what was wrong with her and why she would suddenly cry so many times, and the only person who could tell them was Collin.


    He remembered that Ariana called him every time to ask if everything was okay with Dalton, and if the media were not criticizing their family too much. She wanted to know if he looked okay without her, and if he was still trying so hard to find her.


    He only video-called once in a week and made one phone call every day, because it broke his heart to see Ariana in her terrible condition. He mostly spoke to Aria about how things have been for her twin sister, without going into full details about the Miller family and how they have messed things up.


    Knowing that Aria had even forgotten about them was sort of a happiness for him, because he could not stand having to exin how things had been after she went into aa. The only vital information he felt she needed to know was the fact that her sister was in love with a man.


    Someone she probably could not be with.


    It had always been a sort of shock for Aria that her sister, who had nothing but zero tolerance for people, could get close enough to someone and fall so deeply in love with them.


    However, stabilizing her condition had been so hard because of the disorders that were coupled with treating her illness. The previous months they had spent for therapy were the worst, it was as if she got even harder to handle andmune with. Her self-hurt got worse.


    Just a few days ago when she was getting a dressing after her first surgery, she fainted when she excused herself to use the bathroom and had been unconscious for days again. The surgery was a 65% sess with a low-risk rate, but it seemed as if her body couldn¡¯t take stress as the day went by.


    ¡°Her vitals are improving, ma¡¯am. You do not need to worry. Her therapies over the months too, seem to be working well. She should be out in a few months,¡± the nurse, who had been around since the very first day they brought Ariana, assured Aria with a smile.


    ¡°When will she stop fainting?¡± She turned to ask the nurse, hoping for a positive and sure reply. Nothing less than that.


    ¡°The doctor ising to tell you, ma¡¯am,¡± the nurse bowed and worked away immediately with the medical tools she had in the stainless bowl in her hands.


    ¡°She has gotten the first surgery and the turnout was quite smooth, but we need to watch her first on how she recovers and the side effects it is having on her. We are yet to figure out the reason for her fainting,¡± The second doctor, who had been the oneing around for a few days after the surgery informed me, which made Aria sigh so hard because even the people she put her hope on, had no idea either.


    ~?`?`~


    ¡°She has been fainting too often and the doctors are unsure of what is wrong with her. Can you note at all?¡± Aria¡¯s voice sounded desperate as she spoke to Collin on the phone, when he called to ask how Ariana was doing.


    ¡°I am so sorry, Aria. I have quite a lot of things to do around here,¡± Collin responded apologetically. He was so sad and frustrated that he could note, but it was more suffocating for him to handle knowing that Dalton¡¯s men might still be watching his movement.


    He couldn¡¯t risk getting entangled with a scandal that he helped a billionaire¡¯s wife to run away when she was sick, and also hid her from her husband and family for himself. They could even insinuate that he abducted her.


    The media was scary.


    ¡°You are her good friend. Perhaps she needs a familiar touch or something,¡± Aria persisted again to see if he might change his mind, ¡°Please. Can¡¯t you juste around?¡±This content is ? N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Okay, then. I¡¯ll find time toe around,¡± he tried to convince with a calm voice across the phone.


    He had been working harder than ever at hispany and even in the other ones too, and he had been working secretly with Ariana¡¯s assistant to maintain thepany¡¯s stability since it was already hers. ording to her, Dalton never came around after her departure or after the storm that hit their family.


    It frustrated Aria to the guts to hear that he wasn¡¯t giving a particr date, but she couldn¡¯t do anything or even ask him why because she wasn¡¯t like her sister. She couldn¡¯t force words out of people, or skillfully manipte them to do her bidding. It was all Ariana¡¯s forte.


    Aria felt sat through the night as she sat beside her sister thinking so sadly about what she could do to help her sister¡¯s situation. She was trying not to think of the worst scenario of her twin nearing her death, but her heart was beating fast because she didn¡¯t think that she could stand reality. They were all by themselves now.


    She could recollect well when she had woken up, the faces her eyes recognized at first, and the people they introduced themselves as. Apparently, they were part of the mafia group that her sister had spent herte teens working for and her early twenties.


    They told her that Ariana was well-loved and received by most of them, because she was impressive and one of a kind. It was their time to return the favor.


    But now, she was the one there for her.


    ¡°You have to be fine, Ria. You have to,¡± she sobbed gently, still holding her hands in hers.


    ¡®?~`?`~?¡¯


    ¡°Her pulse is kind of different from thest weeks, and she is constantly weak and unable tost long beforeplete exhaustion. I have done a full body CT scan for the fifth time to find out if anything is wrong, that we do not still know about,¡± the doctor, who was done examining Ariana, told Aria. She had woken up a few days ago, and seemed to be in better condition than before.


    The only disturbance she made was for them to cut her hair which has been trying to grow back, lower than they had ever cut the hair. It made Aria concerned if anything was wrong with her sister, and if she wasn¡¯t losing her mind already.


    ¡°Do you think it is because of the surgery? She has been acting weird too these days. Sulking over things and getting so angry. Please, are they side effects or something?¡±


    ¡°I do not think so, in my honest medical opinion. She is fine from the first surgery, and the drugs are working well too. I should have¡­..¡±


    ¡°The reports are here, doctor,¡± a beautiful and elegant nurse who just made her way into the room cut into the discussion, as her heels nked hard against the smooth marble. ¡°Good morning, Miss. Hamilton,¡± she turned to Aria, who bowed to greet her.


    ¡°Is that what I see here?¡± The surprised doctor adjusted their eyesses which had slipped to the bridge of his nose, as he turned to the nurse who had a pretty smile on her face.


    ¡°Yes, doctor. Miss. Ariana is twenty-three weeks gone. The baby has been cryptic for a while now which is why we haven¡¯t been able to discover it until now. Thus, resulting in her weakness and tiredness because she is too weak to carry the¡­.¡±


    ¡°My sister is pregnant?!¡± Aria yelled in exasperation, the moment she got the message context of what the nurse was trying to tell the doctor.

 Another one

    Dalton¡¯spany


    ¡°The percentage rise is astounding both internally and externally. People are trying to invest their shares again,¡± Alex reported to his boss, as he presented the report to Dalton who was signing some important files.


    ¡°We are not taking shares of anyone less than 9% to cut down the number of people that are desired for the investments. And for everyone that qualifies for the quota, cklist the ones that have been part of the corporation before and pull them out after thorough findings. For anyone who would be remaining, make sure to find out about them before bringing their proposal. We won¡¯t give a chance to disloyal people anymore.¡±


    ¡°Yes sir. What about the art pieces that were moved from the gallery, sir?¡±


    ¡°Put them up for sale in another country entirely. Italy, Japan, and the like. I want it done far from here,¡± Dalton instructed with a calm and silent tone. He had been like that for months. Less talking, shouting, anger, and showoff.N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.


    He talked mostly to Alex alone and rted less to people. He no longer resided in the mansion, and just retired to the nearest house that was miles away at night. He sometimes talked to himself too. His methods for finding closure were the hardest, because he didn¡¯t know how to deal with his pains so well.


    He had never had to do something like that except when his father died. But now, it was a different scenario. It was a different person with the same miserable feeling of guilt.


    ¡°How is she doing at the nursing home? Any improvements?¡± He asked his assistant, Alex, who was sittingfortably on the cushioned chair in the middle of therge office, while evaluating some important files that needed to be checked.


    Ever since Eva was ostracized from the world into an asylum, Eleanor was not herself again and she became so depressed. She got angry so easily, picked fights, slumped so often, and intentionally attended her friends¡¯ parties only to destroy everything. She became forgetful too and cried a lot.


    A nursing home became the best option.


    ¡°She keeps picking fights with everyone in the ce, saying that she is better than all of them(peasants) and that she is of high ss that cannot be seen associating with her. We are running searches on nursing homes that have older people of high caliber families,¡± Alex exined to him.


    Dalton seemed to show more care by saying and doing, than he had done in the past, when he never said his true feelings out and just carried out actions. He asked Alex often now if his mother was doing okay, and if Ellen appeared to have interest in handling social media pages again. He also asked about Emma sometimes, wanting to know if she was still interested in her traveling hobby.


    He never asked about Eva.


    He was too pained and sad to ask about her. She was a stain to their family, and had been a terror to thedy he loved all along. And even if she was a very terrible being, he was so sad because he still loved her as a sister.


    The memories of her being his knight in shiny armor against Ellen¡¯s bully when they were young, to him were still vivid as clear waters of spring. They never had the closest rtionship, but they still qualified as siblings that shared a bond.


    He was also sorry that he couldn¡¯t help her in any way. That he had no idea.


    His sisters called once every week to greet him and tell him about their adventures, which were things they never did in the past. They did most of the talking while he just replied quietly, especially with Ellen, who wanted to talk about the fun she was having in the country she traveled to.


    She even told him that she was thinking of getting married there and having a biracial kid, while Emma only talked about her newfound love for cooking.


    ¡°I think I might be a certified chef at this rate,¡± she once told him.


    They never talked about their mother or Eva. They never asked about his wife, or where she had gone too. They only talked about the good things that were happening in the present and their ns for the future. Sometimes theyughed if it was necessary.


    Everything was not really the same anymore.


    ¡­~`?`~¡­.


    From right across the room filled with bliss and mor, both men could see and sense one another from opposite directions, even if the room was not with bright and clear lights. For so many months, they had not crossed each other¡¯s part even in conferences, and it was the best for both of them because of the kind of rtionship they had already.


    However, it didn¡¯tst.


    It wasn¡¯t really a surprise that they met one another at a party, but it was more of a surprise that they instinctively went to meet one another for a friendly greeting. But it was more like a shock to Collin, because he never expected Dalton to approach him with more respect than he had ever done.


    He noticed that everything about him had changed, and that his demeanor was different even if he still had the intimidating aura. He was now like a lion waiting for the prey to cross boundaries before hunting, rather than a lion that was ready to hunt everything on its way.


    He almost bit his lip in intense guilt though, because he couldn¡¯t afford to ask about how Dalton had been, or ask about his dear wife. There was no way he could even reveal the truth that he knew where she was all along, and that he finally went to visit them when he heard that she was pregnant.


    It was a shock for him too.


    Trying to get Aria, who was so happy to see to stop crying was the hard part, because she felt sorry for her sister who was carrying a child in her condition. They had gone ces together in a short period, looking for a surrogate mother that would carry the baby for the remaining months. And it was also Dalton¡¯s baby.


    It was a tension that was hard for him to hold down in him, because it was so pitiful to watch Dalton without the knowledge that he was going to be a father soon. He couldn¡¯t do anything other than leave the party earlier than he nned, and made the second trip back to Italy a weekter.


    Ariana¡¯s condition improved with time as she began to hold longer conversations with her sister, and enjoyed thepany of other people with Dalton still lingering in her heart. The excitement of having her own child was so much for her to handle, that she could not wait till her baby was ready for its first visitation after.


    She was still getting her therapies as they prepared her for the second surgery, that would prevent the tumor from growing back again. Happiness filled their hearts in anticipation of what was toe.


    The transferring of her baby to an incubator at an efficient hospital was a great sess, and her second brain surgery went well too,


    but it left Ariana in an unconscious state more than the days that were expected for her to wake up.


    ¡°I am sorry to inform you. I think Miss. Ariana has fallen into aa due to extreme shock.¡±

 A leap of hope

    Italy


    Mn


    Leased vacation house


    It had been harder for Collin to leave, as he watched Aria wallow in sadness and degrade in her health by the day because of her sister¡¯s condition. She could not eat or sleep properly, because of her sister whose eyes had been shut in a deep sleep for weeks after her surgery.


    Going to see the growing baby at the hospital almost everyday was like a strand of hope she could cling unto, as she watched the cute baby girl take after the features of her mother.


    She cried every time she was with Ariana, and she also cried every time she went to see the baby with Collin. He had been shuffling between New Orleans, California and Italy, because of the fact that he had to manage the office head in California and the branch in New Orleans.


    Things had been so stressful and hectic for him, considering the fact that his father always picked fights with him that he was barely around. And for blind dates with elitedies, his father would not stop setting up.


    However, Aria always bothered him so much. He could not watch her get so devastated every time he was around, and helped her engage in better things to help her clear her mind. He made her register for culinary sses, art and crafts, pottery and even piano sses.All rights ? N?velDrama.Org.


    He said it was better to upy her mind with something positive, than having too much to bother about without doing anything. Before she was done with the first half of the sses she registered for, she discovered what she loved doing the most.


    Her old passion for writing.


    It was the only thing she had loved doing since she was young, and it still continued even after she moved around with her father. That was the only thing that brought sce to her, and made her feel like she was actuallymunicating with someone.


    Day by day, she wrote every single thing that came to her mind. She wrote about her thoughts, her sadness, and her feelings. And everytime, she would give Collin to read if he came around to see if she was doing well. Seeing her great skill and potential, he suggested being an author to her the same way he did to her sister in the past.


    Weeks passed by, and all Aria could do was watch her sister in her still state while the doctors attended to her during the day, and write nonstop at night when she couldn¡¯t sleep because of her clouded thoughts.


    Her mind filled up with new book ideas every time, and she wrote endlessly till she couldn¡¯t pick up a pen again. And that was the first time she started to have dreams for her future, to be more than she had ever wished to be. More than she had ever thought to be.


    Collin suggested that she did research about a lot of things she wanted to know, and also encouraged her to take writing sses so that her head would be away from her sister. And everytime she went to see the little baby which was growing so finely, she read beautiful rhymes to the baby hoping that she would hear in her beautiful sleep.


    And gradually the days passed by even more with the baby growing day by day, with Aria finding something new to learn every time and improve upon daily. And at the beginning of summer, Aria published her first book as an author, and weed Adriana too.


    ~`?`~


    ¡°When I say raising a baby is not easy. This is what I mean. I am a mess already,¡± Aria almost cried as she watched the baby she held in her hands soil her cloth, in less than ten minutes of trying to change her diaper after she had been fed.


    ¡°Maybe she is hungry?¡± Collin suggested with a shrug, as he pressed the baby¡¯s tiny clothes gently on a board. He had been doing that for so many minutes after packing them from the baby hanger in the balcony.


    ¡°Oh. It is funny how you are so good at raising babies. I mean, you have been ironing only her clothes for hours. Don¡¯t make all her clothes lose its sticity when she is barely a month old,¡± Aria cautioned, as she picked up the baby gently in her hands, and picked some baby wipes from the table to clean the baby up.


    ¡°Having a CEO to clean a baby¡¯s mess isn¡¯t as easy. I do not even know if the baby wants to eat or sleep,¡± Collin sighed hard, as he packed the neatly folded clothes in his hands to the cloth cab. ¡°It is funny how the baby¡¯s cloth cab is in the living room though. Aren¡¯t you a great Mum?¡± Collin teased, which made Aria frown.


    ¡°Is this how you will do when you have your tiny daughter too? Just ironing her clothes? Andughing at her Mum for forgetting the cloth cab in the living room?¡± She grinned.


    ¡°Then you should be the one to take care of her,¡± Collin blurted out.


    ¡°What?¡± Aria replied sharply.


    ¡°What?¡±


    Collin shook his head the moment he realized what he said, and made his way into one of the rooms like he had something busy to do.


    Aria faced the baby in her arms so seriously, and patted the baby¡¯s back slowly since she still looked so full. Her eyes meandered around the room and watched the cloth tick by the minute, and turned to look at the baby who was still staring at her face.


    ¡°Gosh! Little baby, please sleep,¡± Aria pleased with the clueless child that kept looking at her, until the baby bursted into sudden tears with a loud crying voice that startled her.


    ¡°Oh dear. Another day for restlessness,¡± she groaned tiredly.


    After the baby had finally slept minutester in Aria¡¯s hands with so much dancing and singing, she moved towards the room where the baby¡¯s cot was located, to ce her in it when she suddenly remembered her sister. She redirected her steps immediately.


    ¡°Ariana. Please, it is time to wake up. You have been sleeping for too long,¡± she paused, as she stared at the unchanging features of her sister¡¯s pretty face. ¡°Your baby is here. Don¡¯t you want to touch her?¡±


    She gently lowered the baby in her arm, and allowed her soft cheek to graze Ariana¡¯s face while struggling to keep her tears in check. It was too sad of a thought for her to bear to know that her sister had suffered so much in her life.


    ¡°Can you please just wake up?¡±

 Long long end

    New Orleans


    Grand Isle


    ¡°Getting so upied with Adriana has made me so busy. I will meet you at the event,¡± Ariana apologized to her sister on the phone, as she turned to face her tiny little child who had spilled the jug of milk again for the third time.


    ¡°Come back here, naughty,¡± she called and tried to catch the little child who ran off so fast, the moment she realized that her mother was about to get to her.


    ¡°She is so fast. Thest time she came over, the rack that holds numerous stacked books in the dining room came tumbling. I didn¡¯t see her afterward, and feared so greatly that she was probably under the huge rack,¡± Aria sighed so hard over the phone. ¡°I started crying while calling her name, because she is just so tiny. Guess what? I found her when I heard a loud sound in the kitchen. She had climbed the kitchen stool and gotten her little fingers on my bowl. It was so hectic.¡±


    ¡°Oh, dear. I am sorry she made you go through all that,¡± Ariana groaned with a chuckle, as she walked away from where she was standing real quick to go and see what mischief her child could be up to again, ¡°She must probably take after me. I have not been so easy to deal with,¡± Ariana bit her lips.


    ¡°Yeah, yeah. So I thought from the beginning. She is even more cute and pretty than you. I see some great genes working effectively on the child,¡± Aria paused the moment she said that, realizing that she had just reminded her sister about someone she rarely talked about.


    The very few times Ariana talked about him was when she woke up froma, after her baby turned two months and saw the cute little child. She cried so much and talked about how she missed her child¡¯s father, Dalton.


    Aria once asked her sister if they could not call her lover over, and she told her that their love was too sad andplicated to continue. She also talked about how they hated one another from the beginning, without mentioning too much about the fact that she actually lived as his wife.


    More than anything, she was d Aria¡¯s memories wouldn¡¯t let her recollect anything.


    She also remembered how the doctors wanted to ensure that she was now stable enough to take care of her child, and tried so hard to rehabilitate her, so that the little girl would not suffer from a Mum that wasn¡¯t healed yet. They wanted to be sure she didn¡¯t self hurt anymore.


    The days had passed too fast into weeks and months, with years that had passed, and yet she was still missing one person somewhere in her heart. Even after they moved from Italy to New Orleans, it had not gotten any easier. She still checked to see if there were any new pictures of him from the paparazzi.


    ¡®He looks better and great. That is all that matters,¡¯ she muttered every time she checked his pictures.


    ¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­


    ¡°How is Collin? Is he doing well?¡± Ariana asked her sister as she made her way into the bedroom.


    ¡°It is barely three months after the wedding, and I think he wants a baby already. I am so scared!¡± Aria shrieked.


    ¡°Babies are more adorable than you think. Are you scared of getting a troublesome one?¡± She chuckled, as she opened the door to the bathroom to check for her child who was not there.


    ¡°Not, at, all. I told him that I was still doing a great job of raising my niece, and he said that he was okay with whatever I wanted.¡±


    ¡°Haah!¡± Arianaughed, ¡°That is hrious. I am sure Ana would be much weed to have an adorable aunt like yourself.¡±


    ¡°Are you still hearing from Anna? She called Collin a thousand times after you fell into aa. She said it was hard reaching you, and it wasn¡¯t easy getting Collin¡¯s phone number either,¡± Ariana reminded.


    ¡°Yes. We video-chattedst week, and it was fun. She said her new family is the best.


    ¡°You are so warm-hearted. I am proud of you. And the maid girl you talked about?¡± She asked further.All rights ? N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°She is doing fine in Singapore. Well and good¡­..¡±


    ¡°Got you!¡± Ariana caught her baby by the arm, who was in her room while rummaging among every one of her clothes in the closet, ¡°I am grounding you. No cartoons. No ball dresses,¡± the mother threatened.


    ¡°Mom¡­ I. I am. Sowiii,¡± the little girl whose head was raised up while looking at her mother so apologetically, with her cute eyes bulging out because of the tears that seemed to want to stream from her eyes.


    ¡°Mummy is not angry anymore. Nowe here and give Mummy a kiss,¡± Ariana, who couldn¡¯t handle the vulnerability of her child, picked her up from the floor and pulled her closer to herself.


    ¡°Now let¡¯s go get you dressed up. Mummy has an important meeting.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll take to youter, dear. Don¡¯t forget to get Mum¡¯s favourite flowers for the memorial,¡± she reminded.


    ~`?¡ã?`~


    ¡°It is funny how she can differentiate us, even when others cannot,¡± Ariana chuckled as she drove behind the wheels, while Riana sat on her aunt¡¯sp and put her chest on her chest while watching her favorite cartoon. Aria had cut her hair short a few months ago to look exactly like her sister, which were now growing back to its original length while Ariana kept hers.


    ¡°Of course, she would. You are the mean one, and I am the nice aunty,¡± Aria smirked at her sister through the front mirror, and turned to give a little child a kiss on her forehead. She reciprocated the action immediately.


    ¡°Hunh. Says someone who is scared of her own little version,¡± Ariana mocked.


    The two sisters continued to chit-chat as Ariana drove the car to the airport, while Aria scribbled some ideas down on her notepad for the new book she was writing. She had be a rookie best-selling author in over two years, and was nning to write her next book as an anonymous author she preferred to remain as.


    ¡°Are you sure it is going to be fine? Taking you along with her this time around?¡± Aria asked her sister as they stood in the airport together.


    ¡°I should be,¡± she smiled, ¡°I just have to oversee the affairs of the store again ande back. It shouldn¡¯t be so hard to take care of her by myself.¡±


    ¡°Okay, dear. Have a nice time,¡± Aria smiled and hugged her sister tightly for a few seconds.


    ¡°I¡¯ll call you when I arrive.¡±


    ~?`?`?~.      ~?`?`?~.


    The department store was still the same even after months since shest visited, with a difference of more new spaces for new designer brands that wanted a space in the store. It sure was satisfying to know that her ownership over apany was a stronghold, but was heart-wrenching to know that she had never run into Dalton even once since she started visiting.


    She didn¡¯t visit the old ces that she frequented in the past, and neither did she visit anywhere near hispanies, vacation houses, or the mansion. Collin had told her what happenedter after she woke up froma, and she didn¡¯t want anything that would bring her pain again.


    ¡°We are shopping at the mall now. I am picking clothes and shoes for her. I should pick one for my nephew too,¡± Ariana teased on the phone.


    ¡°What? What nephew?¡± Aria asked in surprise, because she wondered if her sister was making a mistake somewhere.


    ¡°The one that is curling up to your belly,¡± she taunted with a mischievous smirk, which made Aria chuckle so loudly over the phone.


    ¡°Gosh,¡± Aria hit her head in disappointment. ¡°You should be aedian.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll surely try putting it into con¡­¡­ ¡°Oh, dear. That tiny girl has run off again,¡± Ariana announced in anxiety, the moment she realized that her daughter who was admiring a toy a few seconds ago was gone.


    ¡°Oh, dear. Check the nearest ces immediately before she runs to another section in that huge ce,¡± Aria cautioned, as the scared mum ran off without the shopping trolley to look for her daughter.


    ¡°Adriana! Adriana!!¡± She called loudly, not minding the people that were looking at her weirdly.


    She scowled at anyone who red at her with so much anxiety that she didn¡¯t show, as she kept looking around like someone that was about to lose her mind calling her daughter¡¯s name frantically.


    She didn¡¯t cut Aria off the phone, who kept telling her to check the likely ces that kids could hide in such a huge ce. Frustrated, Ariana called the attention of the mall security that was around that she was looking for a little girl after she exined her features, and one of them offered to help her go check through the CCTV room.


    The young girl that ran off happily waiting for her mum to chase her, soon realized that she was lost after running for a while as she stood in a spot. She looked left and right to see if she would see her Mum, and soon realized that she was left alone with really tall people walking around her.


    ¡°Mom¡­¡± Her tiny voice called with a frown, thinking her mum was ying hide and seek with her by noting to get her. ¡°Mommy¡­¡­..¡± She called and, and huped a soft sob as she walked around to see if she could find anyone that looked like her Mum.


    And sitting on the floor was the frustrated kid that had walked for many minutes, without seeing anyone who had the cute smile and really short hair her Mum had. Not until someone came closer to where she was sitting and smiled at her.


    ¡°What are you doing here, little girl?¡±


    A few minutester, he carried the girl in his arms whom he noticed was probably lost away from her guardian, and asked his assistant to check around and contact the security if there was anyone looking for their child.


    To calm the agitated girl down, he purchased a big bar of chocte in one of the shops and handed it over to her.


    ¡°Thaink you¡­..¡± She dragged with a smile.


    ¡°Adriana,¡± she answered, when he asked her for her name.


    ~?''¡±¡ã¡±¡¯?~


    ¡°Adriana¡­.¡± The scared mother called again and again while trying to hold herself from crying already, because she could imagine losing her child just because she looked away for a moment.


    ¡°Riana¡­¡± She walked around still calling upon the child, who had held her name from afar, and told the stranger who carried her that it was her Mum calling.


    ¡°Riana¡­¡­.¡±


    ¡°Mommy¡­¡± She answered as loudly as she could and waved happily, when she sighted her Muming from afar.


    ¡°Can you hear me,¡± Aria called from the other side of the phone, when she noticed that her sister wasn¡¯t saying anything again. ¡°Can you hear me? Hello. Ariana¡­.¡±


    Shock overwhelmed Ariana¡¯s body with her mouth left dumbfounded, as she walked closer, and stared at her daughter in the arms of the man she least expected. She would have thought that she was hallucinating when she saw the pretty figure stand before her, looking so manly in his suit and fatherly with the child in his arms


    Reality hit her brutally. The resemnce was too striking between the man standing, and the child that he was carrying in his arm.


    She was trying hard to contain her tears as her feet stuck stubbornly to the ground, refusing to move from the spot as she continued to stare at him. The tension from looking for her child was banished from her body, and all she could feel was intense heartache.


    He saw her too. His body trembled.


    ¡°Mummy¡­.¡± The happy child called at her Mum again and again, as sheughed so happily while pping her tiny hands together.


    Her lips trembled nonstop on the spot as she turned away from his sight, so that he would not see the tears that slipped down her face as rest followed suit. She couldn¡¯t stop herself even if she tried. Her heart was hurting too badly.


    ¡®How could she meet him at the time she least expected?¡¯


    ¡°Are you by any chance, Ariana? Your daughter here says she is Adriana and wants to go to her Mum,¡± she heard the baritone voice call unto her, which made her body weaker at the hearing of his voice.


    She had to close her eyes so tightly and suck in breath, before she turned to face the man that was looking at her. He was too close. His presence was evading her senses that she couldn¡¯t stand it anymore.


    He was looking at her face too and he was smiling. Their eyes locked for a moment, and he looked so calm and natural while her own eyes trembled. She could see pain in his eyes. Emotions that held intense pining.


    ¡°Dalton,¡± she called his name slowly under her shaky breath, and he pulled her into a tight hug before she could even do anything as we went weak into his arms. It was too much for her to handle.


    She still loved him so greatly and seeing him after so long confirmed.


    ¡°Hi, Adriana. Say hello to Daddy,¡± he smiled at the mini version of him. He didn¡¯t need to be told.


    It was a happy and great reunion for them, filled with pain and bitterness at how things had seemed. They tried to heal through the sad past, and built on the new love and future they had.


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