Chapter 423
Owen wasn’t the clingy type, not really.
But the way things were now between them. honestly, Aria found she didn’t mind it.
Thinking it over, she shot him a message: [Send me your bank account number.}
Deven replied. What for?)
She answered: [To send you money.]
At Seacrest Law Firm, Aaron was in the middle of discussing the day’s divorce case. “This one’s not that complicated, but it’ll be a nasty fight.
“The husband’s a real piece of work–borrowed money for the house, the furniture, even the dowry, and made sure there were IOUS with notes saying
‘for family use.
“No wonder so many women don’t want to get married these days, with guys like him giving the rest of us a bad name. What do you think, Owen…”
He stopped mid–sentence when he saw Owen focused on his phone.
“Is it urgent?” Aaron asked, a little awkward.
Owen didn’t look up. “It’s personal, but it won’t affect my work. Go on, I’m listening.”
Aaron knew Owen could multitask and was famously efficient.
So he finished his briefing, explaining how he planned to help the wife minimize her losses.
Owen, still checking his phone and reading reports, occasionally chimed in with a question or suggestion.
By the end, Aaron felt pretty satisfied–until he caught a glimpse of Owen frowning at his phone… and then, unexpectedly, smiling to himself.
Aaron was floored. That smile–he’d only seen it on colleagues in the throes of a new relationship, always glued to their phones. ‘Did Owen finally win
over Ms. Saxon?‘
Trying to be casual, Aaron said, “Owen, are you texting Ms. Saxon? There’s a new animated film out, you two should see it.”
Owen finally glanced up, “What movie?”
No denial–that meant yes, he was texting Aria.
Aaron grinned, “I actually got two tickets for Saturday, but I have to meet a client, so I can’t use them.”
He hurried out and returned a moment later, waving the tickets. “Here, take them. No point letting them go to waste.”
“Thanks,” Owen replied, “I’ll send you the money.”
Aaron waved him off, “No need, you’ve helped me so much already.”
When Aaron first joined Seacrest, he thought Owen was just another lucky connection.
Later, he realized Owen was the real deal—and they’d become close friends.
Owen said, “Alright, you go ahead.”
1/3
23.47 Sun, 22 Jun
Chapter 423
Aaron paused at the door, “You came in early today, heading home early too?”
“Yes”
Seacrest Law Firm had flexible hours, so everyone could set their own schedule.
78%1
28)
After seeing Aria’s car pull away, Owen figured there was no point hanging around at home–he might as well head in early and get a jump on work, which meant he could clock out sooner too.
“Yeah,” Owen replied, “I’ll probably keep this schedule from now on.”
Seacrest had flexible hours, and seeing Aria leave in the morning made Owen want to use his time better–come in early, leave early.
After Aaron left, Owen looked back at his phone.
[Why are you sending me money?]
Aria answered: [Isn’t that how this is supposed to work?]
She was treating this as a “relationship,” where both parties are equal, not like a sugar arrangement, where one side uses money to control the other.
Yet here she was, offering to pay him directly.
Owen couldn’t help but laugh at the absurdity of it.
He started to type: [No need.]
Then he paused, deleted it. If he took her money, it gave him the perfect excuse to keep clinging to her.
He sent his account number.
A moment later, a transfer came through: 300,000 dollars.
Owen whistled to himself. Well, I’m worth more than I thought.
He sent almost all of it back, leaving exactly 3,000 dollars.
Aria immediately replied with a question mark.
He explained: [Market rate–3,000 dollars.]
She shot back: [That cheap?]
Owen replied: [That’s the standard. If you want, you can make up the difference with gifts–assuming you’re happy with my performance.]
He wanted her to pick out gifts for him? Aria hesitated, then typed: [It’s easier to just send money. Buy yourself something you like.]
Owen insisted: [No. I want something from you.]
Her heart skipped a beat. She locked her phone, pressing a hand to her chest, muttering, “It’s just a message–why am I freaking out?”
Luckily, Owen didn’t push the issue. [Now that you’re done, go eat breakfast.]
Aria didn’t reply.
Ten minutes later, Nikolas came out, dragging Kristian behind him.
Kristian was practically begging, “I swear, I didn’t do anything, I just kept quiet! I told you everything, please, don’t turn me in–they said they’d kill my whole family if I talked!”
2/3
23:48 Sun, 22 Jana
Chapter 423
Nikolas glared at him, furious. “You should’ve gone to the police! For all you know, they’ve already been caught, and your silence just made it worse,”
Kristian looked pitiful. “My wife just had a baby. I was scared.”
Aria stopped over. “So, is it done?”
Nikolas nodded, “Yeah, let’s go.”
On the way out, he filled her in: That day, Kristian slammed on the brakes at the last second, barely avoiding hitting the Todd family’s escort car.
He saw two men jump out, throw open the back door, and transfer Maverick–bed and all–into their car. Kristian remembered the markings on the vehicle–it was definitely a Todd family escort.
It meant things were going exactly where Nikolas had feared most: there was a traitor inside Todd School, and not just any traitor someone with real
power.
Most people at Todd School were related to the Todds by blood; this was serious.
Aria said quietly, “They went to all this trouble to take your grandfather alive, not just kill him. He’s probably still safe, at least for now.”
Nikolas felt a bit of relief. “Thank you, Ms. Saxon. Culver doesn’t know the National Doctor’s Seal is fake. If they trace it back to you, they’ll probably guess you have the medical book too. You could be in danger.”
Aria shrugged. “Let them come. I’ll deal with it.”
Nikolas remembered her moves from earlier, and, reassured, said, “At least now I know what to do. And the Gibson family wants Culver’s seal.”
Aria nodded. “That seal was made by a friend of mine. I have to get it back.”
Nikolas laughed, “Don’t worry, I’ll look the other way. Your friend did great work–we just made a few tweaks, like adding ‘Todd‘ so Culver could take over with a clear conscience. Good thing we did, or Axton would’ve ruined the ceremony.”
They parted ways. Aria stopped near Mayen Garden for breakfast. She had just sat down when her phone rang–Dexter calling.
“Can we meet? I have something to return to you.”
3/3
