"You shouldn't be dressed so lightly." He turned, his cold gaze fixed on her.
Huh?
Aria Sterling could hardly believe her ears.
"Did you pull me out here just to comment on my clothes?" She didn't buy it.
"Aria Sterling, if you're not comfortable living with the Sterlings, you can go back to the Xaviers."
His words were delivered in a monotone, but Aria Sterling found them ridiculous.
'Go back to the Xaviers? What a joke. I barely managed to escape that nightmare. Why would I ever go back?'
"I'm perfectly fine with the Sterlings. And even if I weren't, I'd handle it myself. I don't need your pity."
That's right—she'd mistaken his goodwill for pity. At that, Damian Xavier's expression soured once more.
"If there's nothing else, I'm heading back." She hadn't forgotten her goal: to talk business with Victor Lawson.
Damian Xavier didn't stop her. The lines of his face grew even colder and harder.
Aria Sterling turned and walked away briskly.
Her return to the reception hall caused another stir. It was clear that many people were now gossiping about her, Damian Xavier, and Julian Grant.
Aria Sterling, however, had no mind to listen. She immediately returned to Victor Lawson's side.
When Victor Lawson saw Aria Sterling return, the smile on his face was even broader than before.
"Mr. Hayes, you're back? Then please, have something to eat." He gestured toward the nearby buffet, his tone now carrying a hint of eagerness to please.
Aria Sterling cracked a smile. "Mr. Lawson, you know I'm not here for the food."
Victor Lawson nodded. "Yes. Mr. Hayes, you wanted to discuss a partnership, correct? I think we should find a time to sign the contract tomorrow. Tonight, Mr. Hayes, you should just have a good time and relax."
'This agreeable? That's not like Victor Lawson.'
"So Mr. Lawson isn't going to press for a lower price?" she asked tentatively.
To her surprise, Victor Lawson was even more decisive this time. He waved his hand dismissively. "Ah, what's the point in haggling? Everything Mr. Hayes said makes perfect sense. If I'd actually gone with one of those smaller processing plants and something went wrong, this little bit of money wouldn't be nearly enough to cover the damages."
"Then let's find a time to sign the contract."
"Whatever works for Mr. Hayes."
Not only had Victor Lawson agreed to sign the contract, but he was also deferring to Aria Sterling's schedule. The change in his attitude was so abrupt it caught her completely off guard.
"Old fox."
Aria Sterling watched him walk away, frowning and shaking her head.
Julian Grant came over.
"Got the contract sorted?" It seemed he already knew.
Aria Sterling glanced up. "Was this your doing?"
She knew the extent of Julian Grant's influence. Even though he rarely appeared in public, his name carried enough weight for anyone hoping to build a connection with Zenith to take him seriously.
"I know you don't like other people interfering. I wouldn't help you without your consent."
'Good. It's a good thing it wasn't him, or I'd never let him hear the end of it.'
"If I'm not mistaken, it was Damian Xavier."
He had seen Victor Lawson take a call earlier. His expression had been utterly deferential as he spouted a series of "Yes, of course"s.
Aria Sterling was stunned. She didn't understand why Damian Xavier would do such a thing.
"Damian Xavier isn't trying to win you back, is he?" Julian Grant couldn't help but tease, giving her a look that she found deeply annoying.
She tipped her head back and took a sip of red wine. "He has Mya Walsh by his side. He and I are ancient history."
'Besides, he never cared about me. Why would he try to win me back after finally getting out of that disastrous marriage?'
Julian Grant didn't argue, simply raising an eyebrow.
Still, Aria Sterling couldn't figure out why Damian Xavier would help her. 'Is it pity? Or is it concern for me, his ex-wife?'
Aria Sterling shook her head, forcing herself to stop thinking about Damian Xavier.
...
Damian Xavier's car tore down the road, at one point hitting 160 mph. Overcome with agitation, he loosened his tie. With the window down, the howling wind whipped his hair into a disheveled mess, adding a wild edge to his handsome features.
Soon, his car screeched to a halt in front of his house, the sound of the tires grinding against the pavement piercingly loud.
When he stepped out of the car, he saw Mya Walsh standing before him.
"Damian, you're back? Where have you been so late?" she asked softly, reaching out to take his hand.
But Damian Xavier pulled his hand away. "I had something to do. Why are you here?"
Although his relationship with Mya Walsh was intimate, he had never brought her here.
Seeing his indifference, a flicker of displeasure crossed Mya Walsh's eyes.
"Damian, I've missed you so much..." she murmured, boldly throwing her arms around Damian Xavier's trim waist.
For some reason, though the man was so close, he felt a world away. It was as if he would slip through her fingers if she didn't hold on with all her might.
The thought sent Mya Walsh into a panic, making her wish she could see him every single day.
She hugged him tighter, pressing her face firmly against his chest.
"Mya, stop it." He took her arms and removed them, his tone laced with displeasure.
Mya Walsh blinked, looking aggrieved. "Damian, do you not like me anymore?"
He hadn't expected her to ask that. Damian Xavier was taken aback for a moment.
But he quickly recovered, reassuring her, "Don't overthink it. Of course I like you."
"Then why won't you hold me? Why haven't you been seeing me much lately?"
Damian Xavier sounded irritated. "I've been busy."
The excuse made Mya Walsh both furious and heartbroken.
But she still wanted to stay by Damian Xavier's side. She knew she couldn't cause a scene, much less lose her temper with him.
"I understand. You should get some rest. I'll be heading back now."
After a great deal of effort, she composed herself and gave him another sweet smile.
Seeing that she was willing to leave, Damian Xavier's expression softened. He nodded, reminded her to be safe, and then turned, opened the door, and went into the house.
Mya Walsh watched him turn and leave without a moment's hesitation, her fists clenching silently at her sides.
'I worked so hard to squeeze out Aria Sterling and take my rightful place by Damian Xavier's side. I won't give up.'
'Damian Xavier must be hers—Mya Walsh's.'
Back in the empty house, Damian Xavier turned on the lights. He looked around at the familiar furnishings, yet a faint sense of emptiness washed over him.
In the past, Aria Sterling would leave the living room light on while waiting for him to return. She would sit on the sofa, reading or watching TV. And though the two of them rarely spoke, seeing her there had long since become a habit.
He used to find Aria Sterling a nuisance, but now, he almost felt nostalgic.
Damian Xavier didn't know what was wrong with him. Lately, he found himself constantly thinking of that woman. He had even gone to that time-wasting reception and helped her secure the contract.
'What was that? Compensation? Yes, let's just define it as compensation for her.'