The CEO's Midnight Remedy novel Chapter 11

**Aria’s POV**

It was all encapsulated in a single, stark word. Just one, almost like a slap in the face—not even a complete sentence—responding to my meticulously crafted email about the revised proposal. No rationale, no suggestion for an alternate meeting time, not even the common courtesy of a proper rejection. Just “Busy.”

“Everything okay?” Marianne’s voice broke through my thoughts as she sat in the front passenger seat of the town car, her eyes narrowing slightly as she scrutinized my expression.

I hastily locked my phone, the screen fading to darkness. “Fine. Just work,” I replied, my tone clipped, attempting to mask the turmoil swirling within me.

We had just departed from Greenwood Cemetery, the image of my mother’s grave etched vividly in my mind. The stark contrast of the white lilies against the cold black granite was haunting. The gold lettering glimmered under the sunlight, a bittersweet reminder of her absence. Even five years later, the weight of her loss pressed down on me like an anchor, heavy and unyielding.

“Speaking of work,” Marianne ventured cautiously, her voice tinged with concern, “Ethan mentioned you’ve been pursuing a contract with Kane Technologies.”

I shot a sharp glare toward Ethan, who was gripping the steering wheel with white knuckles, his posture tense. Of course, he’d been keeping tabs on my business dealings.

“It’s a potential partnership,” I stated, trying to keep my voice neutral, though the tension in my chest tightened. “Nothing concrete yet.”

“Devon Kane has quite the reputation,” Marianne continued, her tone careful, as if she were treading on thin ice. “His business acumen is beyond question, but he’s known to be… difficult.”

Ethan scoffed, his voice dripping with disdain. “Difficult is putting it mildly. The man’s a shark, Aria. You’re playing with fire.”

“I appreciate your concern,” I replied coolly, my patience wearing thin, “but I’m perfectly capable of managing my own business relationships.”

Marianne turned more fully in her seat, her gaze unwavering. “Aria, darling, I hope you realize that Blake Fashion Group would be absolutely thrilled to collaborate with Stellar Impressions. Ethan has already brought it up with the board regarding bringing you on for our spring campaign.”

I raised an eyebrow, skepticism creeping into my expression. “Has he?”

I caught Ethan’s eyes in the rearview mirror, and for a brief moment, I saw hope flicker in his gaze. The audacity of it all was breathtaking, and it made my stomach churn.

“That’s very generous,” I replied carefully, choosing my words with precision, “but I’m afraid I have plans this evening with a potential client to discuss a spokesperson contract.”

Once inside my apartment, I kicked off my heels, the relief washing over me as I collapsed onto the couch. Frustration bubbled within me like a pot about to boil over. Devon’s dismissive response had effectively slammed that door shut, and while the Blake offer was undeniably enticing from a business perspective, the thought of being professionally tied to Ethan after everything that had transpired was nauseating.

I needed another option—and fast.

After a moment’s hesitation, I pulled out my phone and dialed Ryan Winters. Despite his betrayal in setting me up with Ethan at the Blue Sapphire, he still had the connections I desperately needed.

“Well, if it isn’t my favorite angry entrepreneur,” Ryan answered on the third ring, his tone playfully cautious. “Still willing to talk to me after my epic fail the other night?”

“Barely,” I replied, my voice flat. “But right now, I need information more than I need to hold a grudge.”

“Devon Kane. I need to know where he is today.”

There was a pause on the line, and I could almost hear him weighing the risks. “Aria,” Ryan’s voice lost its playful edge, becoming serious. “Kane isn’t someone you want to mess with. There’s a reason he’s called the ‘Terminator’ in tech circles.”