Chapter 371
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Aria shot Russell a cold , mocking look . “ Mr. Nicholson , you really know how to seize every chance for revenge , don’t you ? So petty ! Do you really think Olivia would be satisfied with you ? ”
Aria didn’t budge the bag from her lap , instead fixing Russell with an impassive stare .
Russell’s smirk deepened , his eyes glinting with mockery . “ I couldn’t care less whether she’s satisfied . As long as you are , Ms. Saxon . ”
Aria stared directly into his eyes , grabbed the bag , and hurled it forward with force .
The bag slammed onto the ground with a heavy thud , the metallic clanging inside ringing out even louder .
Even though Russell managed to step back in time , the bag still came crashing down on his toes .
The pain shot through him like a lightning bolt , reaching every fiber of his being .
The director rushed over , just in time to witness Aria hurling the bag away .
“ Let me take the bag , ” the director said quickly , stepping forward to take charge .
He rushed over without hesitation and instinctively lifted the bag , barely getting its bottom off the ground .
Suddenly , the director’s arm gave way under the weight , his hand and the bag slamming back down to the ground with a heavy thud .
The bag landed squarely on Russell’s foot , again .
The atmosphere felt tense .
The director thought . ‘ Mr. Nicholson just dumped that heavy bag on her leg , how am I not getting my ass kicked for that ? ‘
Feeling the chill of Russell’s icy glare , the director swallowed hard , grabbed the bag , and beat a hasty retreat .
Hopefully Russell stopped causing trouble so he could focus on filming in peace .
Aria’s gaze swept over the ground , a smirk curling at her lips . “ How does that feel , Mr. Nicholson ? ”
Russell gritted his teeth and spat , “ Feels fantastic . I won’t forget this . ”
Aria retorted coldly , “ Treat others the way they treat you . You started this , Mr. Nicholson , so don’t blame others . ”
He turned and walked away , his steps slow and measured . Upon closer look , his footsteps alternated between heavy and light .
Aria withdrew her gaze coldly , picking up her phone just as it began to ring .
“ Aria , I have my thesis defense tomorrow . I’m graduating ! ”
Aria smiled softly . “ Congratulations . From now on , you’re no longer an undergrad . You’re a graduate student . ”
Derek chuckled , “ Once the admission letter comes , I’ll be one too . ”
Aria asked , “ Your family doesn’t know yet ? ”
“ No , they only have eyes for Lennox . I can’t be bothered to tell them anyway , ” Derek said , shrugging off such trivial matters .
Aria asked gently , “ You’re not short on money , are you ? ”
Derek nodded . “ I’m all set . After my thesis defense , I’m heading to Kanit City for that job I mentioned before . The boss seems like a really good guy . I’ll
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actually get to learn the ropes working with him . ”
He was initially rejected , even though someone had put in a word for him with the boss . To his surprise , Peyton Maddox , the hiring manari palie came to Mandino City to apologize .
In the end , Derek took the job . They hired him even though he wasn’t a computer science major .
It wasn’t until he joined the company that Derek learned the truth that Peyton had screened him out to make room for Lennox . Only because the bose Patrick personally intervened did he get his position back .
Lennox reported to Peyton , while he reported directly to Patrick .
Lennox sulked for weeks . He’d really wanted to work under Patrick , but it just didn’t pan out .
Seeing Lennox sulk just made Derek’s day . It gave him extra motivation at work too .
“ Aria after my thesis defense , I’m coming to crash at your place for a couple of days . I’ve been craving Owen’s cooking so bad ! ”
Aria said , “ I’m in Kanit City too . ”
Derek’s face lit up . “ You’re in Kanit City ! How long will you be staying ? ”
“ I’m with the film crew , so my schedule’s up in the air , ” she replied .
“ When I get to Kanit City , I’ll introduce you to my boss . He’s a total tech wizard , ” Derek said .
When it came to computers , Aria had never met anyone more skilled than Vanessa . She said , “ Once you get to Kanit City , I’ll introduce you to my friend . If she’s available , you can pick her brain about tech . ”
Derek exclaimed , “ Thanks , Aria ! ”
Gloria had also been planning lately to take Lennox to Kanit City to meet Deangelo . Though Derek told himself he didn’t care , a tiny pang of resentment still pricked at his heart .
But the moment he thought about how much his sister cared for him , all that unhappiness just melted away .
“ Aria , I’ll come find you when I get to Kanit City ! ”
“ Sure . ”