Chapter 510
When the three of them heard that name , they turned to look at Lincoln in surprise . None of them had any idea when he’d gotten to know Aria .
Caleb withdrew his gaze and looked back at his sister with a gentle smile on his face . “ Owen came to pick you up ? ”
He’d recognized Owen’s car .
Aria nodded lightly . “ He came to pick me up , but not to go home . Lily just got her university admission letter . She’s treating us to dinner . ”
Actually , he had also received his admission letter from Mandino University .
Nathan opened his mouth as if to say something , but Caleb spoke first , “ Nathan got his too . We’re out celebrating his college acceptance . ”
That shut Nathan right up . He glanced at Caleb with some frustration . But Caleb’s attention remained only on Aria .
Caleb said , “ I’ve got a day off this Sunday . Can I come over ? ”
Without hesitation , Aria nodded . “ Sure . ”
Silvia raised her hand . “ Aria , can I come too ? With Caleb ? ”
Except for Caleb , no one else knew about her and Pearl’s reunion .
Every time she went to see Pearl , Caleb had helped cover for her .
“ Sure , ” Aria said .
Just as Nathan was about to ask , “ Can I come too ? ” Aria had already turned around and left . He swallowed his words , eyes full of disappointment .
It wasn’t just that Joseph and Luke had a generational gap . It was that he , her own brother , had hurt her with his words more than once .
Nathan had no one else to blame . Everything was his own doing . The most he could be to her was a stranger .
“ Shit ! ” Lincoln suddenly yelped . “ Aria is Madelyn ? How the hell did that happen ? ”
He remembered all the nonsense he’d said in front of her earlier today and wished he could dig a hole and bury himself .
Silvia , in a good mood , kindly explained , “ Uncle Lincoln , Aria’s old name was Madelyn Colton .”
Suddenly , everything clicked for Lincoln .
No wonder Mono had turned cold so abruptly .
At the time , he and the “ little niece ” had just added each other on WhatsApp , which meant they hadn’t been connected before . Mono must have been upset because he cared about his disciple .
Lincoln’s eyes were unfocused as he stared at the car disappearing into the distance , feeling a weight in his chest . He’d brought this on himself .
He’d spent years trying to become Mono’s apprentice , only to find out that his “ niece ” was already that disciple . Except now , she wasn’t his niece anymore . She had left the Saxon family .
Frustrated , Lincoln raked a hand through his hair . He couldn’t figure out how things had ended up this way . He didn’t even have the face to try and make amends , keeping his distance was probably for the best .
Blood ties could be strange like that . Lincoln and his three siblings had inherited Joseph’s most frustrating trait , self – righteousness .
Nathan , too , was feeling agitated . It made sense if only Caleb was allowed to visit Aria . But even Silvia could go . That didn’t sit right with him .
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“ How could Aria possibly agree to let you go ? ” Nathan asked .
From his tone , it was obvious that he liked Aria very much .
In the past , that would’ve hurt Silvia . But now , she felt nothing . Aria was the most innocent party . And as for herself ? She had reaped the benefits .
She was already more than grateful that Aria had agreed to let her visit Mayen Garden .
She wasn’t alone anymore . She had Pearl .
Silvia smiled , giving him a different kind of explanation . “ I know one of her little sisters . We’re very close , so she agreed to let me go . ”
“ Lily ? You and Lily know each other ? ” Nathan was confused .
Silvia replied , “ Not Lily . It’s another sister, Pearl . ”
Shock crossed Nathan’s face . “ She has another sister ? ”
“ Yup , ” Silvia replied .
In the car , Aria received an apology message from Lincoln . She didn’t reply .
At a red light , Owen rolled up his left shirt sleeve , then paused when switching to his right . He reached over and lightly pinched Aria’s left hand . “ Madelyn , help me roll this one up too ? ”
Aria put down her phone and folded his sleeve neatly up to his elbow . On impulse , she gave his forearm a light squeeze . “ You guys really have to wear shirts and slacks in summer ? ”
“ Yeah , but there’s AC , so it’s not too bad . ” Owen let her fiddle with his arm . When the light turned green , he pulled his hand back and drove on .
Because of the heat , Owen had left the top two buttons of his shirt undone . Below his Adam’s apple , his collarbone looked especially tempting .
Aria glanced over , subconsciously ground her teeth , then quickly looked away .
She was probably just hungry , not thinking about biting anyone.
When they arrived at the restaurant , Aria and Owen saw Lily waiting at the door .
Lily waved . “ Aria , Owen . I already ordered everything ! ”
After living and eating together for a while , Lily had learned everyone’s food preferences .
Aria slung an arm around her shoulder as they walked inside . “ Lily is getting more and more capable. ”
“ Of course ! ” Lily smiled brightly , eyes curved in delight
Owen walked alongside Aria .
Not far away , a group of young men was leaving the restaurant .
One of them suggested , “ Let’s hit up Neon Nightclub tonight . I’ve never been . ”
Another chimed in , “ Isn’t Arthur working at Neon Nightclub ? Maybe we can get a discount . ”
The guy they were talking about had a youthful face . He smiled , dimples forming . “ I quit a while ago . ”
His friend responded , “ What ? Why ? I heard they pay well . I was thinking of trying it too , but I don’t think I’m good – looking enough .
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Neon Nightclub was known for hiring only the best – looking people . Even the front desk staff were all stunners .
Arthur was known for his bartending skills . Everyone assumed that’s what he did there , so no one held back . “ I heard that place is crawling with rich women . If you catch one’s eye , you’re set for life . ”
At the mention of rich women , a cool , elegant face suddenly flashed in Arthur’s mind . Then he blinked , and there she was . Arthur thought he was hallucinating .
The restaurant hallway wasn’t wide . The two groups were heading toward each other .
Aria instinctively pulled Lily toward the wall to give them space . At th
She looked up and met the slightly stunned gaze of one of the
At the same time , Arthur felt another intense , scrutinizing gaze . He
Owen remembered that Arthur was the male model who was almost
on her behalf .
Aria didn’t recognize Arthur , but Arthur sure did ,
“ You’re in the way . Let’s go ! ” One of Arthur’s friends tugged him along .
moment , she felt a pair of eyes fixed on her .
She was confused , thinking , ‘ Does he know me ? ”
I his head and met eyes with Owen . They both remembered instantly .
I by Aria . Arthur remembered Owen had stopped Aria , then tipped the server
Just as he was about to turn around for one last glance , someone exclaimed , “ Wait ! That gorgeous woman just now ! Wasn’t that Aria ? ”