Chapter 431

Aria's POVChloe stood and wandered over. The moment she opened it, I caught an unfamiliar scent drifting into the room. It was a male wolf with a very powerful aura.His silver-flecked hair was neatly combed back. His tailored suit fit perfectly. Everything about him screamed authority.He smiled politely. "You must be Chloe." He lifted a gift box. "I'm here to visit Ms. Aria Darvin."Chloe's eyebrows furrowed. I could practically hear her suspicion. She knew almost everyone in my circle. This man wasn't one of them.Still, she stepped aside. "Aria." She glanced back. "You've got a visitor."The man entered calmly, his polished shoes clicking softly against the floor. Then his gaze landed on me.I studied him carefully. I had never met him before. "And you are?"Even Chloe didn't know him. Yet he knew her name, which meant he'd done research. The realization immediately put me on guard.Then it clicked. The similarities

Chapter 432

Aria's POVI looked directly into his eyes. Then smiled genuinely."I'll make you a deal."His expression brightened slightly."If you and Rose come here together..." I folded my hands. "And both of you bow sincerely and apologize." I raised an eyebrow. "I'll consider letting this go."There was absolute silence. Victor's face turned black. My wolf felt oddly satisfied."Good." His voice was tight. "Very good." He stared at me for several seconds. Then turned sharply. "If you insist on doing things the hard way..." His eyes flashed. "This isn't over."The door slammed behind him hard enough to rattle the walls.The room became quiet again. Nobody spoke. Everyone understood. The Wayne family had just declared war.I lowered my gaze. Honestly... my heart was pounding harder than I wanted to admit. The Wayne family wasn't Patrick Darvin.Patrick could be manipulated, controlled, and outmaneuvered. The Wayne family wa

Chapter 433

Aria's POVSophia wore the same pleasant mask she'd been using lately. She smiled like a predator baring its teeth and pretending it wasn't preparing to bite.Chloe immediately stepped between us, positioning herself protectively."There is no need to be nervous, Ms. Collins," Sophia said with an exaggerated smile. Neither of us believed her."Move," Chloe replied flatly. She gripped my wheelchair and started guiding me around Sophia. The dismissal made Sophia's smile twitch."We're family, Aria," she said. "You've returned to the Darvin family. Why do you keep pushing me away?"I didn't even look at her. Chloe took my silence as her answer and continued moving. The fake smile vanished from Sophia's face, and she quickly stepped in front of us again.I finally raised my eyes. The coldness in them made her hesitate."Move, Sophia.""Are you really that afraid of talking to me for two minutes?" She lifted her chin, the cha

Chapter 434

Aria's POVRowland crossed the room and opened the door. Standing outside was a woman in a sharp business suit, looking to be in her forties. Everything about her screamed professionalism.The moment the door opened, she lowered her head respectfully."Good morning, Ms. Darvin. We don't have your contact information, and we heard you were recovering here at Asterfell Medical Center. We apologize for arriving without notice."The woman launched into a series of formal apologies. Then she looked up and froze. Her eyes landed on Rowland.I almost laughed. Unfortunately for her, Rowland's appearance had that effect on people. He was tall, handsome, and confident. An alpha blessed by the Moon Goddess herself."Looking for Aria?" Rowland asked casually, stepping aside."Aria?" The woman blinked. Then realization dawned. I watched her expression change instantly. Her eyes lit up, and a noticeable flush crept into her cheeks."Yes!" sh

Chapter 435

Aria's POV"No." I shook my head. "The Osborne Pack is leaving soon." I reached into the drawer beside my bed and pulled out a key, the metal cool against my fingers."Spend time with them instead."I held it out. Rowland accepted it with a puzzled expression."I'll send you an address," I said.His brow furrowed. "What's there?"I looked down at the key. "My grandmother's belongings."A shadow crossed my face."Most of what she left me is stored there."For a moment, memories surfaced. Memories of how strong she was. She was the one who had taught me how to survive. I pushed the emotions back down."Take them to see it."Rowland looked at the key resting in his palm. Slowly, understanding appeared in his eyes. This wasn't just an errand. It was me trusting him with something that was special to me."All right," he said in a steady voice.I nodded, then added quietly, "Keep your phone close."

Chapter 436

Aria's POVChloe lowered her phone after making a call to Rowland, confusion rolling off her scent."According to Rowland, Sophia met them outside and said you instructed her to take them away to get breakfast."I paused, my fingertip stilling against the desk. Why did Sophia do that? What was she up to?At that exact moment, Anita stepped back into the office. She had been downstairs trying to manage the chaos in the lobby, and her heartbeat was still elevated."Ms. Darvin, Ms. Wayne has arrived.""Show her in."Anita hesitated. "There are two others with her. Do you want them all in?"I glanced toward the half-open door. "All of them."Before Anita could move, a familiar voice drifted through the hallway."Mom, why did you have to come to this dump yourself? Calling this a company is generous. I've seen better-organized storage closets." Rose's irritating laugh followed.My expression didn't change.