Chapter 137
Finally, Aria spoke, “We can start by applying for revoking Lean’s guardianship.”
Before winter break, she needed to deal with the hidden dangers lurking in the shadows.
Lily jumped to her feet in surprise. “Seriously?”
Alfa nodded. “Yeah.”
She could barely contain her excitement. “Aria, I’ll study hard and won’t let
you
down!”
Aria smiled faintly and stood up. “Alright, let’s go. Let’s go shopping for clothes.”
Lily tried to refuse. “I already have enough clothes.”
“Didn’t you say you’d take care of me when I’m old? If I don’t treat you well now, what if you regret it later?”
Lily froze for a second, then burst out laughing.
Derek came downstairs and overheard their plan to go shopping. He immediately raised his hand. “I’ll go with you and carry your bags!”
And just like that, Derek became their little helper, trailing behind them with over a dozen shopping bags.
As they passed a store, Aria spotted a deep blue suit and walked inside.
Derek’s eyes lit up. “Aria, I don’t need a suit yet. You don’t have to buy one for me.”
Aria replied coolly, “It’s for Caleb.”
Derek clutched his chest dramatically and slumped into a corner, pretending to sulk.
Aria placed the bags in front of him. “We’re going to shop for other things. Wait here.”
Derek nodded. “Oh, okay.”
They walked into a lingerie store. When the sales assistant asked for her sizes, Lily blushed and whispered softly.
Finally, after finishing their shopping, Lily said, “Aria, this is enough. We shouldn’t buy any more.”
Aria deliberately avoided her while paying, but Lily could guess the clothes were expensive.
She smiled. “Alright, we’ll save the rest for next time.”
Aria walked into a men’s clothing store, scanned the racks, and picked out two outfits that suited Derek. Returning to the previous store, she handed the clothes to him. “Your payment for all your hard work.”
Derek froze for a moment, then broke into a wide grin, his teeth gleaming. Hugging the bags and her briefly, he quickly let go. “Aria, thank you!”
The eldest son of the Fletcher family had always been the golden child in the eyes of other parents–polite, academically gifted, and well–behaved.
In stark contrast, Derek was mischievous, struggled with grades, and often got into fights, leaving his parents exasperated.
Whenever conflicts arose at school, his parents instinctively assumed he was at fault.
During his senior year of high school, he suddenly turned things around, studied hard, and performed exceptionally well on SAT, earning a spot at Mandino University. His parents thought it was sheer luck, a blessing from God.
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Chapter 137
They had no idea how much effort Derek had put in behind the scenes
As for his graduate school exams, they didn’t hold out much hope, already planning for him to join the family business under his older matter – graduation.
For as long as he could remember, his clothes had either been chosen by himself or prepared by the housekeeper or maids. This was the first time family member had personally picked out clothes for him.
He was overjoyed, practically over the moon.
Aria glanced over, thinking to herself, ‘This kid is so easy to cheer up.‘.
When they reached the underground parking lot, Aria’s expression grew serious. She opened the trunk and watched Derek place the clothes inside.
She tossed him the keys. “I’ve got something to take care of. Drop Lily off at Mandino University for me.”
Derek hesitated briefly but nodded. “Got it. Leave it to me.”
Aria gently patted Lily’s head. “I’ll have someone prepare the documents for you.”
Lily immediately understood that Aria was referring to changing her guardian. Her face lit up with joy as she nodded. “Okay, Aria. We’ll get going then.”
Aria nodded. “Okay.”
As the car disappeared from sight, Aria’s warmth vanished, replaced by a cold, resolute expression. She turned and strode purposefully in the opposite direction.
Suddenly, someone called out to her, “Aria?”
Aria turned her head and saw Liam stepping out of a car, with Andrew standing awkwardly by his side.
The moment Andrew saw her, he froze on the spot, like a mouse cornered by a cat, unwilling to move from where he stood by the car.
Aria said nothing and continued walking forward.
Liam, still fuming over the 4% of shares Aria had transferred to Joseph, thought she was dodging him out of guilt. He strode forward and grabbed her arm. “Why would you do that?”
In an instant, Aria turned and shoved him away.
Something sharp whizzed past them and sank into the wall with a heavy thud.
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