Chapter 180
180
In the car , Aria asked , “ So , you’re sure you’re not going home ? ”
Derek nodded . “ I’d rather not see anyone who makes me lose my appetite . Besides , all my study materials are at the apartment ”
Held only gone home yesterday to pick up a few things – Lexie had asked him to stay the night so the family could take him to the exam .
Dat with Aria giving him rides now , he had zero interest in going back .
“ Aria , will you drive me again tomorrow ? ”” lie asked ,
She nodded .
Derek grinned . “ Then swing by my place for some notes and crash at yours , okay ? Mayen Garden is just half an hour from the test se
Aria shot hi
him a look ; he instantly put on his most pitiful puppy – dog eyes . “ You have no idea how lonely lam , living off takeout every day .. ”
“ Enough , ” Aria cut him off . “ Address ”
He immediately beamed and started giving directions . “ Next intersection turn left ”
When they reached Derek’s place , Aria waited in the car . An unknown number popped up on her phone . She answered .
“ Aria , it’s Amelia .
Aria barely remembered her , having only met the extended family once when she first got back . They hadn’t spoken since .
“ What do you want ? ” Aria asked flatly .
Amelia hurried to explain , “ Look , the account that posted those rumors about you is your cousin’s , but he didn’t post it himself . ”
Aria’s contributions were significant , and the higher – ups demanded severe punishment
Detention was inevitable . After a failed attempt at reconciliation with the Saxon family , Amelia came pleading herself .
Aria gave a cold laugh . “ Oh ? If he didn’t post it , should I blame the limily dog ? Get a lawyer – don’t bother me with this again . ”
She hung up , leaving Amelia so furious she nearly smashed her phone ,
“ What’s wrong with the Saxon family ? Why escalate over something so brival ? ” she tumed ,
Tristan sighed . “ Hannah destroyed Arla’s marriage , and now Gridin spreads lies about her online to defend Hannah . Honestly , they’re lucky the Palmers didn’t get draped in , too ”
“ Griffin isn’t usually so reckless . Maybe Hannah said something to him ?
With Hannah targeting Aria and Griffin helping her , Amelia could see why Aria was furious . “ That little homewrecker – still trying to seduce my son ? Find
out where Hannah is . ”
Derek was sprawled on the couch with a book , calling up the stairs , “ Hey , someone’s at the door ! ”
No answer . The place was well insulated – maybe she hadn’t heard .
He got up and opened the door , only to see lam on the threshold . Derek’s expression chilled . “ What are you doing here ? ”
Lian’s reaction was instant . “ You’re the one who hugged Aria ? ”
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180
They knew each other – they ran in the same circles . So the guy hugging Aria in the photo was just her cousin .
That uneasy feeling in Liam’s chest dissipated , replaced by a flicker of retiel ‘ Of course Aria wouldn’t move on so fast — not when she loved me
much ”
But Derek frowned . “ How do you know about that ? ”
Now Liam realized – Delilah couldn’t possibly not recognize someone from the Fletcher family .
hat photo was sent to stir up trouble .
Yet , it was Hannah who’d forwarded it to him .
A heavy feeling settled over him , but the Cole Group crisis was more urgent . He pushed everything else aside.
“ I need to see Aria , Liam said .
Derek blocked his view . “ You can explain first , then I’ll ask Aria if she’s willing ”
“ Delilah was at the same test site — she snapped a photo and … sent it to me . ”
Derek’s tone went flat . “ Aria’s busy painting . She doesn’t have time for you . ”
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