Chapter 45
Aria’s POV
I gasped under my breath.
What the hell was he doing here!
Even the guard looked more shocked than I was. “Mr. Elrod… of course, you’re very welcome. B-but this lady, she doesn’t”
“I need your approval to choose my plus one now?” Zane’s voice was icy.
“N–no, of course not.”
“Then get the hell lost, Zane snapped. “Delilah and Jace practically begged me to show up at this ridiculous event. And if you piss me off now, I’ll turn around and leave right now.”
The guard swallowed hard, then quickly stepped aside. He muttered something into his mic and rushed into the venue. I was sure he was going to alert Delilah and Jace.
“What are you doing here?” I whispered urgently.
He shrugged. “I got that email you sent me. You literally sounded like a lost kitten in distress. I had to come see what was going on.”
I cringed at the comparison. “Well… thank you. But I thought-”
“You thought me showing up at Jace’s party meant I was supporting him hijacking your project!” He raised a brow. “Aria Collins, do you really think I’m that much of an asshole?”
I gave a small smile. “Of course not. I’m seriously grateful you’re here, Mr. Elrod”
Seriously am.
If it weren’t for him, I’d be completely screwed tonight.
He gave me a ridiculously flirtatious grin, then threw an arm around my shoulder and steered me toward the exit. “Alright, time to go.”
“Go where? But the party’s in there”
“Ugh. Look at you–jeans and a t–shirt, seriously? You call that party attire?” He gave me a judgmental once–over.
1 tugged awkwardly at my shirt. After spending all day fending off vicious coworkers and battling Alpha Grayson, I had zero energy left to care about my outfit.
“So, I’m giving you a makeover before we go in. You can’t show up looking worse than Delilah, right?”
He dragged me out of the hotel. Parked out front was a cherry red sports car–50 Zane,
“But the party already started…” I said as he thut my door.
“They wouldn’t dare begin without me. And tonight, I say they wait.” He grinned as the engine roared to life.
He took me to a members only boutique. The staff clearly knew we were coming–they were already waiting outside the moment his flashy car pulled up.
16:27 Frl, 8 Aug
Chapter 45
We got full VIP treatment. Every other customer was turned away, and every staff member catered exclusively to
“I’ll pay you back.”
I muttered as he flipped through the catalog for me.
He looked up and flashed me a wicked smile. “You sure? Maybe check the price tags before you say that.”
Timmediately got suspicious. “Wait–how much are these?”
He turned the catalog toward me and pointed at the prices. My eyes nearly fell out of my head.
One barely there top for over ten grand!!
Why can’t they just reb a bank or something? That’d be easier.
“I can’t let you buy these for me, Mr. Elrod. It’s too much—”
“Oh, just stop right there.” He rolled his eyes. “One of the few joys rich people have is spending money. I’m not letting you take that away
from me.
He waved a salesperson over. “Bring her these to try on.”
Okay, I had to admit–Zane had excellent taste. The dresses he picked for me were absolutely gorgeous.
But some of them were also borderline scandalous. One silver gown had a slit plunging all the way to my navel. Just walking out of the fitting room in that thing took serious guts.
“Uhm. Mr. Elrod? I really don’t think this is… my style.”
I carefully stepped outside, blushing.
He actually paused when he saw me, his eyes lit up.
“What the fuck are you talking about? This is exactly how you should look. Hold on, I need a photo.”
He whipped out his phone. I panicked and lunged forward to stop him, but he’d already snapped the picture.
“Hey! I didn’t say you could take that. And what are you doing now???”
I dove toward him, but I was too late. He’d already sent it to someone.
“Who did you send it to?” I demanded. If he sent that topne of his evil friends so they could have a good laugh about it, I was gonna kill him.
He grinned and held up
the screen.
Fuck. It’s even worse. He sent it to Grayson.
“Unsend it!” I was officially pissed.
“Too late.” He shrugged. “What, scared? I just wanted to show off how hot you look with me. What you so nervous about?”
“I’m not nervous,” I said through gritted teeth.
“You’re literally shaking like a baby deer. Don’t tell me he’s so controlling that he even dictates
s who you hang out with?”
16:27 Fri, 8 Aug er »♬
Chapter 45
I didn’t respond.
But Grayson’s warning was burned into my brain
“If you go near Zane again, it bury both of you. Those were his exact words.
The thought alone made my blood run cold.
Zane watched my reaction closely, then let out a cold laugh. “So he really did han you from being m me? That I’m a fuckboy? A dirtbag? Like he’s any better.”
me What’d the fuck did he say about
“He’s my boss. I really don’t need to piss him off…”
“Bullshit. He clearly treats you like he owns you. And very badly at that,” Zane said gruffly. “Where was you to face those jackasses alone?”
I said nothing. I didn’t want to explain. I was already too drained to rehash it all.
Zane saw the depressed look on my face and cursed under his breath.
onight
yway? Why’d he leave
“Fuck,” he muttered, getting up. “Alright. Pull yourself together. Tonight, we’re not leaving until you get a good win.”
He insisted I wear the silver dress, scandalous slit and all. I gave up fighting him.
On the way back to the hotel, I checked the company’s social media. They just posted a new campaign add video. And guess who starred in
That fucking asshole Jace Carter.
In the video, he looked polished and powerful, dressed in a sleek suit and speaking right into the camera like he owned the world
“…I know what it feels like to be underestimated. To be betrayed. But I’m still here.
The deal that I led with Zane Elrod is not just a win–it’s a legacy. One that will bring Apex to heights we’ve only dreamed of with my wife Delilah–sharp, fearless, and just as relentless we’re ready to rebuild Apex from the inside out. This company deserves leaders who fight, who bleed, who deliver.”
“Bullshit!” I blurt out.
He was the one who’d been betrayed? Ridiculous. The real victim here wasn’t even in that damn video
And all that crap about rebuilding the company…Was he seriously plotting a coup against Alpha Grayson?
“That bastard.” I hissed, then turned to Zane. “It’s almost ten. You seriously think they’re still there?”
Zane gave me a cold grin. “Oh, don’t worry. They wouldn’t dare leave.”
We drove into the hotel soon. To my surprise, none of the luxury cars had left. All the guests were still inside.
Our car pulled up at the front door. Zane got but first and opened mine like a gentleman, just as
group of people rushed outside.
“Mr. Elrodi”
Delilah led the way in her glamorous dress and high heels, Jace right behind her, along with a crowd of guests. She looked both excited and relieved when she saw Zane.
Chapter 45
“We heard you came earlier and left! I was worried. Thought something happened
“Oh, nothing happened. I just stepped out to pick up my plus one,” Zane said smoothly, reaching into the car. “Ready, darling.
I placed my hand in his and stepped out in my silver gown.
“Good evening, Lady Delilah. Mr. Carter,” I said, smiling coolly at them.
And the looks on their faces were precious.
