Chapter 10
What the “Tielse’s polished mask nearly cracked, her eyes blazing.
‘Pay off the Kellers‘ debts? Does Arya think we’re idiots? she fumed.
“Maria, come on “Jared, fed up with Arya’s nerve, reped in on Maria, who’d stayed quiet the whole time. “You gotta talk some sense into this kid. That attitude’s gonna bite her in the ass someday.”
To Jared, Maria was the perfect, fragile housewife–especially now, with Stephen in a coma after his fall, Without her husband calling the shots, she was an easy mark.
He figured a little sweet talking, and he’d have her wrapped around his finger. Maybe even snag t
the Keller Group’s shares while he was at it.
But Maria wasn’t having it. She cut him off cold. “Jared, Arya’s word is my word. If you’re done, we’ve got stuff to do. No time for chitchat.”
Jared’s face darkened. “Maria, Tim trying to help you out here, as family. Don’t come crying when you regret this.”
He stormed out, hauling a fuming Eloise behind him
The second the door slammed, Maria’s tough act fell apart.
Her eyes welled up as she turned to Arya. “Sweetie, what now? Your brother gave up acting to save the Keller Group, but we’re still drowning in this
billion–dollar mess
Truth was, Maria was barely holding it together. She just refused to let anyone disrespect her daughter,
Arya grabbed her mom’s shaky hands, her voice rock–solid. “Mom, forget the debt. I’ve got an investor ready to wipe that million–dollar slate clean, no strings attached.
“They’re sending a pro to run Keller Group. The company’ll be back on top in no time. And Travis? He can go back to chasing his Hollywood dreams. I’ve got this, Mom. I’ll fix it all.”
Here’s the deal: Arya was already worth billions before she stepped back into the Keller family chaos.
To her, any problem money could solve was no problem at all.
She hadn’t jumped in sooner because Stephen’s life was hanging by a thread, and she wasn’t sure how to drop that bombshell on her mom and brother.
Plus, she wanted to see who’d stick by the Kellers when they were down–those so–called friends and family who’d kissed up back when times were good
More than that, she was testing the Barnetts. She needed to know if Malcolm’s heart was legit.
And, well, people’s true colors always bleed through when the heat was on
After calming Maria’s nerves, Arya bolted to the rooftop terrace and dialed a number. “Any leads on Miracle Pill K?”
“Miss Keller,” a smooth, respectful voice answered “Fresh intel: Professor Ashton’s last Miracle Pill is in Flodes City. It’s up for grabs at the Estello Auction tonight.”
Arya’s killer eyes flashed with surprise ‘Talk about dumbluck!
“Got it,” she said, cool as ice. “Tm snagging that pill.”
“Miss Keller, it’s been five yours since you ghosted the organization. When you coming back? the unked, a little too eager.”
“The crew
misses you
like
crazy.”
1/3
Chapter 10
I’m slammed right now. Once 1sort this Keller family mess, I’ll roll back,”
After hanging up, Arya lit a slim cigarette. One drag, and the was coughing, eyes watering
Five years. Five years since she ditched smoking and that old life,
But now? Time to step up.
“Aryal A panicked shout broke her trance.
Arya stubbed out the cigarette and turned to see a pay charging toward her.
Her big brother, Travis.
Her big bro, Travis, just twenty five, was a total rockstar.
Youngest triple–crown actor ever, he was drop dead gorgeous, insanely talented, and stole every scene like it was nothing
A month ago, when the Keller family tanked, Travis quietly balled on his acting contract–no heads–up to their parents or agency–and came home to keep Keller Group from collapsing.
“Yo, Travis, what’s good?“Arya stood, flashing Travis a quick smile.
“Arya, 1 you okay?” Travis rushed up, grabbing her shoulders gently. “I saw the news–said you got snatched last night. Those punks didn’t mess with you, did they??
Arya met his worried gaze with a soft grin. “I’m fine.”
Then she added, “Oh, and I’ve lined up new investors for Keller Group. We’ll be back on top soon, and you can get back to your acting thing, no sweat.”
Truth was, the “investors were fake. She was just funneling her own money in.
Travis and their parents had no clue about her real deal, and she wasn’t planning to spill.
But now, s
she had no choice.
Travis’s frown deepened. “Arya, I know we’re down bad, but I’ll figure out how to save Keller Group, I’m not letting you marriage deal”
sell yourself out for some
He’d hated her engagement to Malcolm from the jump.
Now, with the family in the dirt, he wasn’t about to let his sister be a bargaining chip.
To him, Arya deserved way better.
Arya didn’t flinch. “Bro, I already ditched Malcolm, Engagement’s done.”
She thought he meant the Malcolm drama, but then Travis threw a curveball. “Arya, level with me. What’s up
s up with you
you and Malcolm’s uncle?”
“Nada,” Arya shot back, no pause.
Okay, sure–Malcolm’s uncle, Finn, was total eye candy. Her type to a T. And yeah, their vibe was off the charts.
But she wasn’t about to get tangled with the Barpett crew.
Travis raised a brow, “Then why’s Mr. Barnett telling everyone you’re his fiancée?”
Arya froze. “Hold up, what?!”
