Chapter 7
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The Saxon estate sprawled across Mandino City’s swankiest villa district , tucked away at BlueMoon Haven .
Aria glided her car through the manicured garden , parked , and headed toward the imposing manor that stood like a sentinel .
Crossing the front door , her mind churned , already betting on who’d be inside , ready to give her the third degree .
The Saxons were one of Mandino City’s elite four families , and her grandfather , Joseph , ruled the roost with an old – school iron fist .
Terrified of the family scattering , he kept everyone – her dad Logan , her uncle Luke , and their kids – under the massive roof of the Saxon manor . Everyone , that was , except his eldest daughter , who’d married and bolted .
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Then there was Aria’s free – spirit uncle , Nathan , a painter with a decent rep , always chasing his next masterpiece and dodging home , much to Joseph’s
constant headache .
Aria stepped into the living room , and sure enough , there they were – the Saxons , draped over plush sofas like they owned the world .
As expected , Luke’s clan was all present , except their high schooler . Luke himself lounged among them .
The air felt thick , like a storm was brewing , and Aria stood there , their eyes slicing through her like she was on trial .
She stayed quiet , her gaze catching Silvia , snuggled in Zoe’s lap . A quick , weird pang hit her chest – sharp , fleeting , and gone before she could pin it
down .
Joseph’s face was hard as stone , his sharp eyes burning with barely leashed fury . “ Aria , you got any clue why we hauled everyone here for this sit – down ? ”
His lean face and intense stare screamed control . Joseph was obsessed with the family’s rep , always dishing out orders and expecting the younger crowd to snap to it .
Cross him ? They were basically dead to him . And Aria ? She wasn’t exactly the “ yes , Grandpa ” type he craved .
Aria met his glare , cool as a cucumber . “ Yeah , I know . I’m getting a divorce . ”
Boom !
Joseph’s hand crashed onto the coffee table , rattling teacups and splashing coffee everywhere . “ You were so hell – bent on marrying Liam that Silvia stepped back for you .
“ Two years later , you’re stirring up a divorce ? You’re making the Saxons look like a damn joke ! ”
Logan’s face darkened , his jaw tight . “ Dad , Silvia wasn’t into Ljam . You can’t say she gave him up . ”
Joseph’s lips flattened into a grim line . “ We coughed up that prime Northside plot to the Coles to nix the engagement . But Aria ? She practically raced to the altar with Liam , sneaking in a prenup behind our backs . You hear what people are whispering ? Airhead , lovesick , fool . The Saxon name’s getting dragged through the dirt . ”
His voice spiked , and he slapped the table again , his temper red – hot .
“ Grandpa , take a breather ,” Caleb said , sliding a glass of water toward Joseph . “ Liam’s the one who screwed around with that Gibson girl . Aria’s the one who got burned here – not her fault . ”
Caleb , Arta’s older brother and the Saxon family’s eldest heir , had been her anchor over the past two years . He’d schooled her in the ways of the corporate jungle , passing down half his tricks to help her thrive .
They got on well enough , always able to talk without sparks flying-
Luke , toying with the oversized gold chain dangling from his neck , flashed a crooked grin . “ Hang on , Caleb , I’m not buying that . Mr. Cole let slip that Aria
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funneled 150 million into Cole Group . Didn’t think Logan had that kinda bank tucked away for his real daughter . Bet Silvia’s wondering if she’ll get the same fat stack when she walks down the aisle . ”
He leaned hard into “ real daughter , ” his voice tart with shade .
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Luke was the spitting image of his late grandma Nora , with a bold , almost too gorgeous look that had charmed everyone since he was a kid . As an adult , he’d leaned into his playboy rep full tilt .
His dad , Joseph , wasn’t having it and dragged him to the altar .
After Luke and his wife welcomed a son , he finally dialed back the wild life . He’d always wanted a sweet , doe – eyed daughter , but his wife , Abigail , was married to her career and shot down the idea .
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