Chapter 36
Aria’s POV
Since Delilah was still nowhere to be found, I ended up going to the mall alone with that magical black cand in my pocket.
It was my first time walking into a luxury boutique by myself. Really intimidating. it’s hard to focus on shopping when every sales is staring at you like they’d afraid you’d steal
But the moment I pulled out that black card, their attitude flipped in an instant.
After a couple hours of shopping, I was sent off like royalty, with the sales and security guards carrying my bags and escorting me all the way to a cab.
I checked the time. Still early,
So I decided to stop by the hospital and visit Grandma.
“Hey Aria girl, I missed you!”
May wrapped me in a tight hug. She sometimes worked part–time as a nurse aide at Grandma’s hospital, and today just happened to be her
“I missed you too. How’s nanny doing today?”
She sighed.
- d. “You caught her on a rough day.”
She led me to the lounge and pointed through the glass.
Grandma sat alone by the window, staring blankly outside like she was lost in another world.
I swallowed nervously and slowly walked over.
“Hey Grandma… did you miss me?”
Her clouded eyes landed on my lace. After a long pause, she suddenly grabbed my hand and squeezed it.
re back!” she panted.
“Jolene, you’re
Jolene was my mom’s name
She didn’t recognize me anymore.
“No, Grandma… it’s me. Arla, your granddaughter-”
But she suddenly started shaking my body.
“Jolene you cruel little wench, why did you leave home? Yeah you married that drunk, gambling bastard and you were all miserable and everything. I get it–you wanted to escape but what about Aria?!”
“Grandma calm down! Mom’s not here
“You left Aria with that monster. Did you care nothing about your baby girl? Oh Aria Aria’s had such a hard life. Look what you did, Jolene
Chapter 36
She yanked on my hair, screaming at the top of her lungs. May and a couple of nurses had to rush over and quickly wheeled her away.
I couldn’t even stand up. Tears streamed down my face as I curled up and cried into my knees.
“…Hey.”
May came back and handed me some tissues.
I wiped my face, sobbing. “Her condition’s getting worse, isn’t it?”
May sighed. “It’s not getting any better, that’s for sure. The doctor said if this keeps up, they might ask you to consider a higher–level care facility.”
I want grandma to be in good hands as well.
Yet it also meant more money.
But if it’s for Grandma, I’ll do anything. She was the one who took care of me when Mom left, protected me until I was old enough to stand on my own. She’s my everything.
“I’ll figure something out,” I said, biting my lip.
“So… how’s it going with Alpha Grayson?”
I let out a bitter laugh. “Same as always. When it’s good, he’s like the best lover in the world. When it’s bad… it’s really bad.”
She looked at me, worried. “Are you sure you want to stay with someone like that? I know I joke about you two all the time, but seriously… things with those rich bastards never last. And you need someone to hold your hands and understand your life. What kind of future do you have with him anyway!”
I let out a sigh
None.
There’s absolutely no future between me and Grayson.
All we have is a damn contract. I can’t let myself forget that, no matter how good he treats me sometimes.
“But I can’t leave him May. Not yet. Only he can give me the money I need.”
So I had to work harder
Then maybe someday, when I’ve saved up enough, I might have more options.
After visiting Grandma, I threw myself into work
I worked my ass off for the shareholder conference. Went over my speech again and again till it’s perfect.
Time flew by, and before I knew it, the big day had arrived.
Apex had booked the grand ballroom of the best hotel in the city. Luxury cars started lining up at the entrance in the afternoon. Security was tight. Because the richest and most powerful groups of people in the world had arrived.
I showed up wearing the new outfit I picked out a blush pink business dress. Professional but still fresh and youthful Hopefully it would
Chapter 36
give me the confidence boost I needed.
“Oh hey Arial You look amazing!”
Gray rushed over to shake my hand. He looked super hyped today. “You’re gonna kill it today. I can feel it. The whole team is rooting for you
“Thanks.” I smiled and then looked around.“…By the way, have the old Alpha and Luna arrived yet!“”
“Oh yeah, this is their family business so they were one of the first to show. Look.”
He pointed.
Seated in the most prominent spot in the room was a couple surrounded by bodyguards and servants, completely separate from the other guests.
They were the most aristocratic, arrogant, and intimidating people you could imagine.
He looked like he stepped straight out of a history book–silver cane, flawless tur, not a single hair out of place. And she was elegance turned into stone. Perfect skin, signature blood–red lips, and those icy gray eyes.
Grayson had her eyes.
But at least sometimes you could see a bit of warmth in his eyes from time to time. There was none in hers
I swallowed hard. God does she look scary.
Suddenly, as though she knew I was peeking, Mrs. Hart turned and looked straight at me.
Our eyes met across the room, Almost instantly, I felt like someone had whipped me across the face.
I looked down immediately.
“Scary, huh?”
Gary c
chuckled next to me. “DO NOT make eye contact. It’ll piss them off. They think everyone else in the world is a lowly omega.”
“Yeah sure.””
I snuck another glance. She wasn’t looking at me anymore. But the pressure was still there
“Don’t worry about them. Just do your best. If you’re lucky, maybe you’ll even impress them tonight. Good luck,” Gary said.
I took a deep breath and nodded.
I know it’s stupid… but that’s exactly what I wanted–to impress them. They’re Grayson’s parents. I wanted to them to like me.
Which meant I had to nail my presentation.
The ballroom filled up quickly. Soon the host came over and told me to get ready backstage. I’d be the first one up to pitch.
Standing in the shadows at the side of the stage, I whispered my script under my breath for the last time. I was rubbing the sapphire necklac
at my throat without even knowing, it helped calm me down. Like he was right here with me.
*.. And now, ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the load for the Gas Development Project–Miss Aria Collins!
That’s my cue.
Chapter 36
I took a deep breath and stepped onto the stage.
The spotlight was blinding..
But it’s actually great, I couldn’t see a single lace in the crowd, and that helped. My pounding heart slowly calmed down, and I started to
speak:
“Thank you, everyone. It’s an honor to stand here tonight and present this project…”
Everything after that flowed naturally.
It was my project. I knew it inside and out. The presentation went smoothly, I started to feel confident, even powerful. My voice became strong. I even won a few rounds of laughter form the audience.
I knew I was doing great.
Then I reached the closing part of my speech.
“A lot of people have asked how I landed this deal. And I can answer that now–it’s because-”
A sharp voice cut through the room at this moment:
“BECAUSE YOU’RE A BIG SKANKY WHORE?”
…What?
I turned, stunned.
A tall figure had appeared on stage. Her beautiful face was twisted with fury and disgust.
I couldn’t believe this
“Delilah? What are you-
SLAP!
She smacked me. Hard. The sound echoed through the microphone across the entire ballroom. People gasped.
My mind went blank. Then I heard her voice, shrill and furious:
“Let me tell you how she really did it. She’s a slut who’d let anyone ride her. She not only seduced my husband…she seduced my brother Grayson tool
E
