Chapter 34

Chapter 7

“ When did Ryan Stone get mixed up with Lily? Aria, let’s go check out what’s happening at the Stones p>

Mom was practically rubbing her hands together, eyes gleaming with gossip hunger,

I was curious too, so I called our driver to take us over to the Stone estate.

The second we pulled up, we could hear chaos from inside crying, screaming, the whole drama.

Lily was collapsed by the front gate, sobbing into her hands.

“I’m the future Hartwell heir! Ryan Stone is MY fiancé! How dare you treat me like this p>

Ryan was standing nearby looking disgusted.

“My fiancée is Aria Hartwell. You threw yourself at me the second we met – kicking you out was me being nice p>

Carol rushed over to comfort Lily, shooting daggers at everyone. Check latest chapters at.net

“Aria isn’t even a real Hartwell! She’ll get kicked out soon enough. You’re picking the wrong side – don’t come crying to us tomorrow p>

The Stone family was exchanging awkward glances when Mom and I finally walked in.

Ryan’s face lit up when he saw me, looking totally wronged.

“ Aria, thank God you’re here! This woman claimed to be a Hartwell heiress, then tried to rip my shirt off. I almost called the cops p>

“She kept saying she and her mom are your grandfather’s daughter and granddaughter, and that you’re not really family. Absolutely ridiculous p>

I gave him a half–smile.

“But what if they’re right? What if I’m not Grandpa’s real granddaughter, not the real Hartwell heiress p>

Ryan hesitated for a second.

I continued: “You could always get engaged to Lily instead. After all, she’d be the real Hartwell, and our engagement was just business anyway p>

Lily’s eyes lit up, practically bouncing with excitement. “See? Even Aria admits it! I’m the real Hartwell heir – you should all be sucking up to me p>

But Ryan thought for a moment, then looked at me hopefully:

“Does that mean you could move in with me now? I’d take such good care of you and your mom p>

“If it wasn’t for your grandfather, I would’ve confessed my feelings years ago instead of waiting for this arranged engagement p>

I twitched. Mom beat me to responding, rolling her eyes.

“Ryan, I’m standing right here and you’re openly hitting on my daughter p>

Lily scrambled to her feet, interrupting us in disbelief.

“I’M the Hartwell heiress! The whole empire will be mine! Are you deaf p>

Carol spun around and charged at Mom, raising her hand.

“You bitch! How dare you show your face here! Nobody’s stealing what belongs to my daughter p>

But before she could get close, Stone family security stepped in.

She kept flailing and screaming.

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I Came Back Cold. But I’m the One Burning Them Down

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Chapter 7

46

“ Lily came to you willingly and you rejected her? You blind loser you don’t deserve to marry into our family p>

Ryan walked over, his voice losing all warmth.

“I’ve known Aria for eighteen years. I know exactly who she is p>

“I wasn’t planning to make a big deal out of dealing with a couple of con artists, but maybe calling the police is the right move after all p>

As the cops dragged them away, they were still screaming about how the Stones were now enemies of the Hartwells and would be destroyed.

Ryan ignored them completely, leaning close to whisper:

“So, fiancée, when can I officially apply for a date p>

1 patted his shoulder. “Thanks for giving us a peaceful day with them in jail p>

“As for dating, I’m booked solid for the next two weeks. Rain check p>

Watching his face fall, I couldn’t help but smile.

The next day, Carol and Lily were released from jail, and the paternity test results came in.

Carol couldn’t care less about her night in custody – she practically snatched the report, giddy with anticipation.

She ripped it open while threatening us.

“Pearl Hartwell, you’re finished. I’m kicking you and your little bastard out of the family today p>

But when her eyes hit the last page, she suddenly went quiet, her face turning white as a sheet.

Chapter 8

Sara Lili

Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.