Chapter 565

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The soft, golden light of the private room cast a warm glow over Owen’s deep, brooding eyes-eyes that burned with a sense of unmistakable possessiveness.
It was as if, at the slightest threat to Aria from Flynt, Owen would go full beast mode-ready to tear him apart.
Flynt thought, ‘Owen Shaw, the Shaw family’s second son.
‘Seems the intel I gathered wasn’t complete.
‘Looks like he’s not as easy to deal with as I thought.
‘Not entirely surprising-after all, he’s the kind of man who could catch Aria’s eye!’
Flynt smirked. “And the Shaw family’s just fine with that?”
Owen said, “They’d probably think our ancestors are blessing us from above.”
Aria shot him a sidelong glance, her eyes filled with a hint of exasperation.
Owen caught her look, tilted his head, and flashed a bright grin at her. “Just telling the truth.”
Those were Emma’s exact words.
She suspected there must be some kind of curse on the Shaw family’s descendants-maybe that was why the family kept turning out bachelors.
If they ever managed to find love, it’d be a freaking miracle.
Just as the waiter began serving the dishes, Owen didn’t spare Flynt another glance.
His hand slipped under the table, capturing Aria’s fingers before tracing slow, teasing circles in her palm.
Aria shot Owen a warning glance, silently signaling him to let go, but he only tightened his grip and flashed an innocent smile.
Flynt took in the scene with a watchful gaze.
With deliberate grace, Flynt poured two glasses of red wine and slid one toward Owen. “Care for a drink, Mr. Shaw?”
“I’m driving-no drinks for me,” Owen said.
tr
“You can always call a driver,” Flynt suggested.
Aria said, “Go ahead and drink if you want-I’ll drive.”
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Owen finally let go of her hand, picked up his wine glass with a grin. “Whatever you say,
Flynt watched their exchanged glances with a meaningful, fake smile.
The meal proceeded in tense silence.
babe.”
Owen didn’t act like a guest at all-he made himself completely at home, piling food onto Aria’s plate and keeping her soup
bowl full.
When the meal was over, Aria cut straight to the point. “Now that dinner’s over, Mr. Hartley, what about what you promised?”
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Flynt looked at her and said calmly, “I can remove the chip, but on one condition.”
Aria asked, “What’s the condition?”
Flynt looked at them coolly and said, “You two break up.”
The air suddenly froze.
Owen remained silent, but Aria asked, “Your reason?”
Flynt looked at her and said calmly, “He’s not good enough for you.”
Owen nodded in agreement. “Absolutely not good enough for her.”
He sighed, his voice thick with smug pride. “But what can I say? She’s crazy about me.”
Even with his remarkable self-control, Flynt was sorely tempted to throw his drink in Owen’s face at that moment.
Aria rose to her feet. “No deal then.”
She simply had no intention of wasting her time on people who were irrelevant.
“Let’s change the terms, then,” Flynt said abruptly. “Mr. Shaw, hand over your estate at Mayen Garden.”
“No,” Aria shot back coldly.
Owen just shrugged and said, “Sure, why not.”
Owen gently tugged at Aria’s sleeve and clasped her hand. Flashing a playful grin, he said, “Same difference-I can just move in with you.”
Flynt’s gaze lingered on their clasped hands before he suddenly let out a soft chuckle. “Just kidding. I have no interest in secondhand properties. I sincerely invite you to join my lab-I would never resort to threats with you, Ms. Saxon.”
He set down his wine glass and rose, smoothing his jacket. “Let’s schedule a time-I’ll perform the surgery for Dr. Todd.”
His demeanor shifted abruptly. “Ms. Saxon, may I have your contact information?”
‘Yeah, right, Aria scoffed inwardly. ‘Like I’d believe a word from someone who kidnapped Dr. Todd’
Aria scanned his QR code and friended him, her expression unreadable.
Flynt smiled faintly. “Ms. Saxon, should you ever have a change of heart, you know how to reach me.”
“I won’t join your lab,” Aria said firmly.
Flynt smiled but said nothing.
Owen studied him, a calculating glint flashing in his eyes.
Owen had a hunch that when Flynt talked about her “change of heart”, he wasn’t just referring to joining his lab.