Chapter 346
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346
Derek took a deep breath , telling himself , ‘ Relax . Stay cool . Keep it together ,
“ We have the suite , ” Aria said evenly .
Everyone knew that Aria had a platinum card granting her unlimited access to the Golden Premier Suite .
Of all days , why did it have to be today ?
Could it be that Derek had also been provisionally admitted ?
A meaningful glint flashed in Lennox’s eyes before he broke into what appeared to be a genuinely warm smile . “ So , Derek , are you here to celebrate getting into the Pharmaceutical Analysis graduate program ? ”
Lennox grinned and said , “ Guess what ? I got into Kanit University’s Computer Science program too ! Let’s celebrate together ! ”
Arnav , unfamiliar with this major and convinced it was a dead end , said sternly , “ You’re graduating soon . Either go help your brother at the Fletcher Group , or come train with me in the military .”
Derek stiffened his neck and shot back , “ I’m going to grad school .”
Arnav scowled and said , “ What’s so good about that worthless Pharmaceutical Analysis major ? Don’t waste your time ! ”
Aria set her coffee cup down with a sharp clink and fixed him with a cold stare . “ Do you think it’s polite to criticize Pharmaceutical Analysis right in front
of me ? ”
Arnav’s opinion of this so – called niece plummeted instantly . He snapped , “ What’s it to you ? ”
Lennox stepped in to explain , “ Uncle , Aria is a supervisor in Pharmaceutical A
Analysis at Mandino University . Derek must have chosen her as his advisor . ”
“ Oh , right , Derek ,” Lennox said with a hint of feigned concern . “ I just checked the provisional admission list for Pharmaceutical Analysis on my way here , but your name wasn’t on it – did I miss something ? ”
Derek thought , “ Seriously ? I applied for Computer Science of course , my name’s not on the Pharmaceutical Analysis list ! ”
“ I didn’t even apply for- ” Derek began .
“ Derek ! ” Arnav roared , cutting him off . “ Are you planning to use Aria to pull strings and get into grad school ? ”
Derek just stared at his father , too exasperated to even bother replying .
Derek couldn’t be bothered to explain . After all , it was just a provisional acceptance – not a final offer – and no one could say for sure what might happen
in between .
Derek snorted , “ Even if I did pull strings , it’d be through Aria – not the Fletcher family . ”
“ You ungrateful brat ! Get your ass back home – now ! ” Arnav roared .
“ I’m twenty – two , not twelve . You think I’ll just scram because you say so ? ” Derek shot back , his rebellious streak flaring up . “ My mom gave birth to me , and the Fletcher family’s money raised me – what did you ever contribute , besides your five minutes of fun ? ”
Arnav’s face turned purple with rage as he raised his hand to strike .
Blinded by rage , he instinctively put all his might into the swing .
If that slap had landed , things would have gotten really ugly .
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Luckily , Aria caught his hand mid – swing .
Arnav instinctively let out a sigh of relief . But the moment he realized what had happened , his eyes narrowed in shock as he turned in stare at her
Unlike his burly anm , Aria’s hand looked slender and deceptively delicate almost fragile .
Yet it was this slender hand that effortlessly intercepted him .
She looked utterly unfazed , as if it took no effort at all .
Arnav’s face changed , realizing Aria was no ordinary girl .
Gloria slapped Arnav’s hand away sharply , her voice laced with anger . “ Do you think you can treat your son like one of your solilers ? Keep your hands to yourself ! ”
Arnav snapped , “ It’s all that brat’s fault – he just had to piss me off ! ”
As his words faded , he sized up Aria , his gaze still dark and unreadable .
He couldn’t help but wonder about her fighting prowess .
Lexie gave Lennox a calm , meaningful look and said , “ Since Aria is already using this suite , let’s just find another one .”
Hearing this , a flash of embarrassment flickered in Lennox’s eyes . He turned to Derek and said with feigned disappointment , “ Derek , you should’ve given me a heads – up about taking the Golden Premier Suite . That way , I could’ve booked another one in advance . Who knows if Amour Bistro even has any tables left now ? ”