Chapter 428
By noon the next day, Aria was pulling into the parking lot at Ward’s Winery.
Though it wasn’t a household name across the country, Ward’s was famous in Mandino City and lately, even more so.
Two years ago, Amanda’s father, the Ward Group’s CEO, had saved the head of Fraibia, a European wine conglomerate.
The rescue led to a lucrative partnership, and with new technology and Fraibia’s clout, Ward’s wine quality skyrocketed.
Their sales soared–they took first place in quarterly sales, second in annual rankings.
In just two years, the Ward Group became a rising star in the industry.
Officially, today’s event was a casual wine tasting hosted by Amanda–a gathering for the young elite.
In truth, it was the Ward family’s first big gala, a power play to showcase their winery and reel in resources.
With the Ward family’s sudden rise, they’d inevitably made enemies, and Amanda, running point, was worried someone might try to crash the party.
That’s why she wanted Fryderyk around.
Aria was running late. The lot was already packed.
She found a narrow space, backed in like a pro, and was just unclipping her seatbelt when a sleek car rolled up directly in front of her.
A girl in a cocktail dress stepped out, strutted over, planted a hand on her hip and jabbed a finger in Aria’s direction, mouthing angrily through the
windshield.
Aria stared, unmoved, vaguely recognizing her. She stepped out of the car.
“We were here first! Who do you think you are, taking our…” Delilah stopped short, eyes wide as she finally registered who she was yelling at. The words
died in her throat.
Aria smiled, lips curved just enough. “Taking what?”
Delilah took a hasty step back, face drained of color. “No… Nothing”
Just days ago, Hannah had been sentenced–eight years.
Most thought the punishment was too harsh, and the Gibson family would surely appeal, but they didn’t. They accepted it.
Delilah now saw Aria as someone you absolutely did not mess with.
Last time at the real estate office, she’d ended up locked in a police cell for days.
She’d promised her aunt to keep it together, but faced with Aria in the flesh, her courage fizzled.
Delilah turned to her driver, snapping, “Well? Don’t just stand there, go find a spot to park!”
Aria walked on, gaze cool, and headed for the entrance.
At the gates, she handed over her invitation. The receptionist’s eyes lingered on her, a hint of confusion in their smile.
“Is something wrong?” Aria asked.
The hostess quickly shook her head, smiled wider. “Not at all, Miss. Please, come with me.”
1/3
23:48 Sun, 22 Jun G
Chapter 428
A moment later, Aria understood the odd looks.
Everyone else was dressed to the nines, but she’d shown up in casual wear.
Amanda spotted her across the lawn, immediately waving her over. “Aria! You made it.”
Aria smiled, unbothered. “I thought it was just a small tasting, but there’s a serious crowd.”
Amanda waved it off. “Comfort’s what matters, and trust me–you’re not alone.” She nodded behind Aria.
Aria turned to find Fryderyk, equally dressed down, falling into step beside her.
Amanda grinned even wider. “See, Fryderyk? Told you, if Aria showed, you’d show up too.”
Fryderyk’s expression didn’t change. “I didn’t come because of Aria.”
Amanda rolled her eyes, all mock sympathy. “Right, not because of Aria. Because you’re secretly in love with me. Sure.”
She flagged down a server, took a bottle, and poured Aria half a glass. “This one’s brand new–try it and tell me what you think.”
She looked at Fryderyk. “You want a glass?”
He shook his head. “I’m driving.”
“Suit yourself.”
Aria took a sniff, sipped, nodded her approval. “Not bad.”
“Not bad?” Another voice slid into the conversation.
They turned to see Orlando strolling over, Ophelia at his side. Orlando smiled coolly. “Ms. Saxon, aren’t you going to give us a proper tasting note?”
Ophelia eyed Aria, her body instinctively recoiling.
7%1
Catching herself, she stiffened her spine and sneered, “Ward’s wine is just rebottled Netallo, anyway. And look at you, dressed like that at a formal event -so disrespectful to the Ward family. After your divorce from Liam, even your manners went out the window.”
Even Orlando’s expression soured. Idiot, he thought. Amanda’s eye’s turned frosty. “Miss Cole, you seem confused. We borrowed Netallo’s technology, but our ingredients and recipes are all our own. This isn’t Netallo’s wine–and if you don’t know that, maybe you’re at the wrong party.”
Amanda was the one to win over–every business, including the Cole family, needed her approval.
Ophelia had been warned over and over by Daniel to stay on Amanda’s good side.
Yet the first thing out of her mouth was to insult the wine,
Aria hadn’t even needed to open her mouth. Ophelia had dug her own grave.
Realizing her blunder, Ophelia quickly tried to walk it back. “I didn’t mean it like that…”
People nearby turned their attention their way, conversations quieting as they drifted closer–nobody wanted to miss the drama.
Amanda’s smile was razor–sharp. “Everyone in Mandino knows Aria singlehandedly saved the Cole Group. Liam’s ingratitude aside, you could at least show some respect. But you’d rather sneer? I guess that’s just classic Cole family style.”
Ophelia opened her mouth to protest, but Orlando cut her off with a single glare. “Liam should be here soon. Go find him.”
Ophelia’s cheeks flamed red. She stammered an apology, then hustled away, shooting Aria one last death glare.
287
2/3
23:48 Sun 22 Jun ▼▼G
Chapter 428
Aria twirled her glass, not even looking her way. “Keep glaring and I’ll take your eyes out.”
Ophelia shrank and hurried off. Amanda burst out laughing, “That’s why I like you, Aria.”
Though they’d only met twice, Amanda already had a great impression of her.
Catching herself, she turned to Orlando with a raised brow. “Don’t you have other people to talk to?”
She wasn’t shy about her equal–opportunity dislike for the entire Cole family, bastard sons included.
7%1
$28
Orlando ignored the dig, gaze settling on Aria. “Ms. Saxon, you never answered my question. Wine is all about process–one tiny slip and the whole flavor profile changes. Same goes for life. The smallest decisions can upend everything. So, how exactly do you taste this wine?”
Amanda stiffened. This isn’t about wine, he’s picking a fight.”
She looked at Fryderyk for help, silently begging him to step in, but he pretended not to notice, utterly indifferent.
Amanda nearly groaned aloud. ‘And he thinks he’ll ever get a girlfriend? Not with those social skills. Pathetic.‘
3/3
