Chapter 227
“ You’ve already thanked me about a dozen times , ” he said , a bird of amusement in his eyes . “ He need to be so polite between friends , it calia by a
At the word “ friends , ” any doubt Aria had was instantly dispelled . She smiled , “ I’m just used to calling you Owen . ”
He suddenly called out , “ Aila , ”
She looked up instinctively , “ Yeah ? ”
He grinned . “ Say it a few more times , and it feel natural ”
Aria met his gaze and nodded . “ Owen
They both smiled .
From the kitchen , Derek stole a glance over his shoulder and switched to a new tune .
With Owen’s looks and personality , maybe he was actually good enough for Aria after all .
A few minutes later , Owen handed Aria a tube of ointment . “ For bruising ”
She almost said thank you again but caught herself . “ Alright ”
She squeezed some out and rubbed it in .
Once Derek finished the dishes , they headed out . Owen got a call from his friend Tobias Amold .
The guy who just moved into 194 is named Russell . CEO of Nebula , just bought up a couple of entertainment companies – looks like he’s planning to expand into the local market . He and the Cole family’s new illegitimate son ‘ seem pretty close . Why are you asking about him ? ”
Russell – that name sounded familiar
Owen frowned . “ See if you can confirm if Russell is the founder of the Baron casino . ”
“ Did he piss you off ?”
“ Something like that . ”
That afternoon , Derek went with Aristo Larkridge High . On the way , she stopped at a skincare store and bought six sets of products .
Derek followed her in , pulling out his phone . I’ll pay for this
Aria didn’t argue ,
But when he tried to pay , the transaction failed – bank card error . He tried another card . Same thing
Suddenly , he understood : his family had frozen his accounts .
Derek had just graduated and , thanks to his crazy exam schedule , hadn’t had time to earn his own money .
He’d fought with his family before , but they’d never cut him off – until now .
His phone buzzed . New message : [ Derek , your dad stopped your cards and took back the property in your name . If you’re homeless , want me to send you some cash !|
Of course , Lennox had probably stirred the pot again , and the family , as always , believed him over Derek . They’d even repossessed his apartment-
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practically forcing him home to get punished .
Derek’s chest but with frustration . “ Aula , my cards are from ”
She barely looked up . “ Higured . Here , cany flete . ”
Derek obediently loaded the six shopping bags into the car . “ So , I’ve been kicked out Cantinove in with you ? ”
“ Had a fight with your family
“ Yeah , my dad from my cards and took the apartment . ”
in that moment , Derek fell even more in awe of Asia .
She was only eight or nine months older than him , already a millionaire , while he was sad living off his parents . That’s the difference
“ They took everything ? ” Aria asked .
“ Everything . Even the place used to stay most ”
She was silent for a second . “ Want me to buy you an apartment ? There’s still some in Mayen Garden . ”
He didn’t answer .
When the light burned red , Aria stepped on the brake and turned to look at him – just in time to see Derek’s eyes brimming with tears
at your place ? You’re the only family I’ve got
“ You’re too good to me . I still need to do grad school . No point having an empty apartment . Can’t I just stay at now . If you don’t want me … jump out right here , I’m done ! ”
Aria pinched the bridge of her nose . “ There are plenty of rooms . You can stay if you want . ”
Derek immediately dried his tears . “ Thanks ”
At Larkridge High , Aria pulled up by the girls ” dorms . “ Go wait in the backseat . ”
The passenger seat was for his sister – Derek hopped out and moved to the back . “ Got it . ”
As he watched Aria’s figure disappear into the dorm , he snapped a selfie and posted it .
[ Here at Larkridge High with Aria to pick up my little sister . ]
D