The CEO's Midnight Remedy novel Chapter 114

“I don’t want his money,” I said, anticipating her next words. “I just want him to stay away from me.”

“Of course,” she murmured, then asked tentatively, “How is William doing? I heard about his heart attack.”

“The doctors say he should recover,” I answered flatly, unwilling to elaborate on my complicated feelings about my father.

Marianne studied me, her head tilting slightly. “Aria, please. For the sake of what you and Ethan once shared… for the sake of your mother’s memory and my friendship with her… isn’t there any way to handle this more quietly?”

I met her gaze steadily, letting my silence answer for me.

“I need your help, Aria,” Marianne said finally, taking out a tablet and sliding it across the table.

I glanced down at the screen, which displayed trending topics across various social media platforms. “#BlakeFamilyScandal” and “Harper–Blake Wedding Disaster” topped the list. A photo of me throwing champagne at Scarlett filled the screen.

“Our stock has dropped fifteen percent since yesterday, Marianne continued, her voice strained. “The board called an emergency meeting this morning. Our PR team suggests we issue a joint statement–you and Ethan–saying the breakup was mutual and amicable.”

I almost laughed. “You want me to publicly forgive the man who cheated on me with my stepsister and then tried to assault me this morning?”

“Not forgive,” she clarified quickly. “Just… minimize the damage. For both families. Whatever happened between you two privately can stay private. This isn’t just about Ethan–it’s about hundreds of employees whose livelihoods depend on Blake Fashion’s stability.”

Her plea might have moved me once, but not anymore. I’m sorry, Marianne, but I can’t do that.” I gathered my purse, preparing to leave. “Please tell Ethan not to contact me again. It’s better for everyone.”

She accepted my refusal with grace, though disappointment shadowed her features. As we parted, there

was a finality to our goodbye that felt like closing a chapter of my life.

Back in the car, my phone buzzed repeatedly with calls from unknown numbers. I answered one only to

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hear a reporter demanding a comment about my “revenge wedding stunt.” I hung up immediately and

turned off my phone.

“Ms. Harper,” Melanie said hesitantly, “you might want to see this.” He handed me the car’s tablet,

My blood ran cold as I stared at the screen. There I was captured in multiple photos–dining intimately with a man in an upscale restaurant, entering and exiting The Pinnacle Hotel at various times. Though the

man’s face wasn’t clearly visible, anyone who knew Devon Kane would recognize him.

cognize

The headline read: “WHO CHEATED FIRST? Sources claim Aria Harper’s wedding meltdown was revenge for

fiancé discovering her affair.”

“This is ridiculous,” I whispered, fingers tightening on the tablet as I scrolled through the allegations.

According to the “exclusive source,” I had been seeing another man for months before the wedding, and my

public humiliation of Ethan was merely preemptive revenge before he could expose me.

My initial shock quickly hardened into analytical clarity. These photos must have been taken by someone

following me. But who? Ethan was too self–absorbed to orchestrate something this sophisticated. This had

my family’s fingerprints all over it–but was it Scarlett acting alone, or Victoria? Maybe even my father?

“These photos are clearly professional surveillance,” Sophia said, examining my phone as I paced my office.

“The angles, the timing–someone hired a pro to follow you.”

“Ethan’s not smart enough for this,” I muttered. “It has to be Victoria, or maybe Scarlett.”

“Or your father,” Sophia added quietly. “William has the most to lose from the Blake merger falling apart.”

I nodded grimly, then pulled out my phone and dialed a number.

“Did you see the trending stories?” I asked when Devon answered, my voice surprisingly steady despite the

storm raging inside me.

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