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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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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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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