“Given our shared history, remarrying is the best outcome. The Cole Group will be handed over to her–she’ll have complete control. And I’ll spend the rest of my life treating her right.”
Owen’s expression turned icy, “First, Aria is exceptional–far beyond your league. Drop that disgusting mentality of putting her down just to make yourself seem worthy. Second, if she wants a company, the Stars Group awaits her. That Cole Group dump isn’t even worth her glance.
“Lastly, unlike the twisted mindset of the Cole family, the Shaw family are a normal one with sound values. Don’t project your warped standards onto us.
“If you dare pull that disgusting stunt again, I won’t hesitate to send you to prison to join Hannah. Now get lost!”
Owen rarely lost his composure, but then, every emotion was written across his face.
Owen’s words cut deep, leaving Liam speechless and unable to respond.
He wasn’t trying to belittle Aria. He just wanted Owen to back off, so the Shaw family wouldn’t hurt her.
With the way Owen twisted things, Liam just ended up looking like some backward–thinking hypocrite pretending to be noble.
Liam was still lost in thought when he suddenly spotted Aria. His eyes widened instantly. “A–Aria…”
“Damn it!‘ Liam thought to himself in panic. ‘Damn it! She heard everything I said!‘
Owen turned to look and saw Aria standing at the stairwell entrance, her face ice–cold as she watched them.
The moment he realized she’d heard those words, Owen’s heart clenched with such fury that he could’ve killed someone right then and there.
Liam tried to explain, “Aria, I didn’t mean to belittle you. I just wanted to…”
“Shut up,” Aria interrupted him, then turned to Owen. “Aren’t you coming in?”
Owen quickly composed himself. “Coming,” he replied.
He quickened his pace, only to see a hand suddenly reach out toward him.
Owen halted mid–step, his eyes widening in shock.
Her hand still outstretched, her eyes questioning, she asked, “What are you standing there for, silly?”
Owen snapped out of his daze, wiped his slightly trembling palm on his coat, then hurriedly clasped her hand in return.
A wave of warmth washed over him. None of that mattered anymore–not Liam, not the Shaw family. ‘As long as I have her, that’s all I need,‘ he thought.
Aria took his hand, turned, and walked away, never once sparing Liam so much as a glance.
Liam watched their retreating figures, slowly snapping out of his daze.
‘Damn it, Owen played me!‘ Liam realized in fury.
Owen deliberately said those things to rile him up, then played the hero for Aria just to win her over.
That scheming, manipulative bastard! Just as he thought–the whole Shaw family was rotten to the core!
‘Damn, if I’d known Aria would go for that, I’d have done the same thing,‘ Liam thought bitterly.
Liam stormed off in resentment.
1/2
77%
28
23:49 Sun, 22 Jun
Chapter 435
Once inside the elevator, Aria released Owen’s hand. But he seized the moment–slipping his index finger between hers and locking their fingers together, holding on tight.
Aria rarely took the initiative, so when she finally did, Owen was quick to make the most of the opportunity.
Owen teased, “Did you have a little too much to drink tonight?”
Aria shot him a sideways glance. “Why do you ask?”
Owen smiled. “I saw online forums buzzing about Ward’s Winery–and Miss Ward even gifted you quite a collection of wines, didn’t she?”
Though it wasn’t publicized, word spread like wildfire through their circle.
Most of the buzz centered on Aria’s impressive fighting skills–everyone was dying to know how she trained to get that good.
Some bold guys even dared to say online that they wanted to pursue her. Owen retorted in the comments, [You sure you can take a hit?]
“Not much.” Aria looked down at the hand holding hers, her brows arching ever so slightly.
It was her first time holding hands with someone, and to her surprise, it felt pretty nice.
Aria looked up at Owen, noticing the faint smile playing at the corners of his lips. “You look pretty happy, huh?”
Owen didn’t deny it. “Yeah, thrilled,” he said. She took his hand–right in front of Liam, no less.
Aria smiled and squeezed his hand back.
Moments later, the elevator arrived on the eighteenth floor.
As they rounded the corner and spotted several bodyguards stationed at the door, Owen instinctively released Aria’s hand and took two steps back.
