Chapter 429
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Aria let out a soft laugh. “Good wine only happens when you put your heart into it. Mess up a step, the whole batch is ruined, Ward’s Winery doesn’t make rookie mistakes. No wonder their wine’s so popular–they’ve earned their place in the market.”
Orlando’s eyes narrowed. “And how do you know it’s just a mistake, and not sabotage?”
The whole crowd fell silent, eyes darting between them, half–wondering if this was really a wine tasting or something else.
Aria just smiled, her tone light but clear: “Then you find proof. Whether it’s sabotage or the truth… Well, that’s still up in the air, isn’t it?”
Orlando’s hand tightened around his glass, murder flashing in his eyes.
Years of plans had nearly been ruined by Aria, and to this day, no one knew what she’d given Tyree.
Russell had been punished and lost a chunk of his power–all because of her.
Aria met Orlando’s gaze and, after a beat, tossed out two simple words: “Idiot move.”
Amanda just stared. The conversation had veered so fast she could barely keep up.
Everyone watching felt the same, lost in the jump.
People from other cities were here too. Someone whispered, “Who is that girl? Which family does she belong to? Is she single?”
That was all it took for everyone to start gossiping about Aria–her reputation was infamous and irresistible.
Meanwhile, Delilah, standing in the distance, locked her eyes on Fryderyk.
She’d heard Amanda say Fryderyk liked Aria, and the idea had stuck.
Delilah pulled out her phone, snapped a photo, and was about to stash it when a hand snatched it away.
“Why did you taking secret photos of Aria?”
She looked up, indignant, and froze when she saw Caleb.
Delilah shrank back, her voice faltering. “I… I was taking a picture of Fryderyk, not her…”
Caleb gave a cold smile, holding up her phone. “Oh, really?”
Without another word, he tossed the phone to the ground. The screen shattered.
Delilah’s face turned livid. “Who do you think you are, smashing my phone?”
She used to call Caleb that way back when she and Silvia were close. Old habits died hard.
Caleb replied calmly, “Don’t call me that.”
Delilah flushed, glancing behind him at Silvia, hoping, maybe, for a little sympathy from her old friend.
But Silvia just bent down, picked up the broken phone, walked over, and casually tossed it into the artificial lake.
Delilah gasped, completely stunned.
Silvia simply asked, “How much was it? I’ll pay you back.”
Delilah bit her lip so hard she nearly drew blood, then stormed off, ordering a servant to fish out her phone.
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Chapter 429
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As she left, Caleb gave her one last warning. “Miss Marshall, unless you want to go back behind bars, I’d keep your little
With that, he headed back toward the crowd, Silvia following quietly.
your little games to yourself.”
When Caleb spotted Orlando, his frown deepened, but the moment he turned to Aria, all the sharpness in his eyes vanished, replaced by a gentle warmth. “Aria.”
Aria drew her gaze from Orlando and greeted Caleb with a small, genuine smile.
Silvia, standing shyly behind, offered a soft, slightly nervous, “Hi, Aria.”
Aria had no history with Silvia and just nodded.
Silvia instantly relaxed, a little starstruck. ‘Aria doesn’t even acknowledge Nathan, but she just spoke to me!‘
Amanda was busy running the show and moved on to handle the rest of the preparations.
Fryderyk glanced at Orlando, sensing the hostility directed at Aria.
It was odd–Orlando was the Cole family’s illegitimate son. Technically, he shouldn’t have much to do with Aria.
Remembering what Amanda had told him, Fryderyk turned to Aria, “I’ll go check on something.”
Aria blinked. “Okay.”
Amanda intercepted him, confused. “Where are you going? Not sticking with Aria?”
He gave her a look. “That thing you wanted at the police station.”
Amanda smacked her forehead. “Right, I almost forgot. Have you noticed anything weird?”
“Nothing so far.”
She let out a breath of relief and turned to the bodyguards. “Stay alert. The most important thing is the guests‘ safety.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Amanda took care of the logistics; the Ward family men handled the negotiations. She glanced around, hoping nothing went wrong. If it did, she’d take the fall.
Just then, Liam entered, right as the expert’s opening remarks finished. Ophelia trailed after him, complaining nonstop. “Aria’s so violent–she actually threatened to take my eyes out! Good thing you divorced her, people like that…”
“Shut up.” Liam cut her off, exasperated. “When Aria was with us, did she ever treat you badly?”
Ophelia put on her most aggrieved face. “Of course she did.”
Liam scowled. “Then name one example. Just one.”
With the Cole Group’s fortunes rising, Ophelia had returned to her old, spoiled ways, completely forgetting how much Aria had done for her. But when pressed, she couldn’t come up with a single complaint.
She sulked, “You’re always taking her side. Don’t tell me you want her back?”
“Enough. If you’re done, go home.” Liam didn’t bother to answer.
He scanned the room, immediately spotting Aria across the crowd, chatting with Caleb, a gentle smile on her face.
A pang twisted in his chest.
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SUN, ZE GUJE
Chapter 429
He’d mistaken glass for diamonds, and he knew it.
Orlando, not far off, saw Liam’s sour look and smirked.
He glanced at his phone–Russell had messaged: [Don’t make an enemy of Aria.]
Orlando replied: [Still haven’t figured out what she gave Tyree?]
Russell: (No, and it wasn’t her–Olivia was involved.]
Orlando frowned. [What’s Olivia got to do with this? Isn’t she obsessed with you?]
But as he sent the message, it dawned on him.
Tyree doted on his daughter. He’d never refuse her anything.
Russell had embarrassed Olivia in Huthailia. This was her warning.
Russell: [Don’t worry about Olivia. Keep an eye on Rachel.]
The official wine tasting began, the mood lightening as the younger crowd networked and swapped stories.
Just as things relaxed, a dark, imposing figure entered the venue.
Fryderyk spotted him immediately and leaned toward Amanda, “You know that guy?”
Amanda’s smile faltered. “Yeah. I have no idea how he even got in.”
Once someone like that showed up, you couldn’t exactly throw them out. If he made a scene, it was the Ward Group’s reputation on the line.
Fryderyk pressed, “What’s his story?”
Amanda sighed. “He used to run a rival company. They went bankrupt, and my dad had something to do with it.”
Fryderyk frowned. “Why are you running this event? Shouldn’t it be your brothers?”
Amanda gave a sharp laugh. “You know how it is–boys are too precious to risk. So when there’s danger, I get sent out instead.”
The man shot Amanda a cold glare, grabbed a glass of wine and downed it, then spat, making his contempt clear.
Fryderyk motioned to two waiters–turned–bodyguards. “Stay close to your boss.”
The bodyguard said, “Understood.”
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