The CEO's Midnight Remedy novel Chapter 122

Aria’s POV

I adjusted my blazer one final time before the massive doors of the hall. The weight of what I was about to do–lying to protect the very people who betrayed me–made my stomach twist into knots. But I’d made a deal: this charade in exchange for my mother’s beach house. A fair trade, I told myself, though the words tasted bitter.

*Ready, Miss Harper?” asked the Plaza’s events coordinator, clipboard in hand.

I nodded, fingers trembling slightly despite my outward composure. “As I’ll ever be.”

The doors swung open, and I stepped into the lion’s den. The hall gleamed with.crystal chandeliers and polished marble, now filled with rows of journalists from every major outlet. Camera flashes erupted like lightning, momentarily blinding me as I made my way to the podium.

I spotted Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, The New York Times, and at least a dozen fashion bloggers with their phones raised. In the front row sat a stern–faced woman from Vanity Fair, her pen poised like a weapon.

My father appeared at my side, guiding me forward with a firm hand on my lower back. “Smile,” he whispered through clenched teeth. “Remember what we discussed.”

The teleprompter ahead displayed carefully crafted lies: misunderstanding… mutual decision… remain business partners… wish Ethan the best…

The Vanity Fair reporter struck first. “Aria Harper, sources claim you discovered your fiancé and stepsister together before your engagement. Is there any truth to these rumors?”

I felt my father’s hand on my shoulder, squeezing slightly–a warning. The script on the teleprompter scrolled to the appropriate denial.

Just as I opened my mouth to speak, movement at the back of the room caught my eye. Scarlett had slipped in, wearing a pristine white dress that screamed false innocence. Her lips curled into a smug smile as our eyes met.

Simultaneously, my phone vibrated in my pocket. I glanced down to see multiple missed calls and urgent texts from Sophia:

[EMERGENCY. Call me NOW!!!]

[Your Hampton house is ON FIRE]

[Firefighters say it was ARSON]

[Answer your damn phone!!!]

1/2

11:25 Tue, Dec 23 M…

Chapter 122

My jaw slackened as I read each message, my fingertips turning numb against the screen. A wave of nausea hit me so hard I had to grip the podium edge. The house–my mother’s house–was burning. The property I had literally just signed papers for hours ago. My eyes burned with unshed tears as rage built inside me, starting deep in my chest and radiating outward until my skin felt too tight.

“Miss Harper?” the reporter prompted.

“I apologize,” I said, voice surprisingly steady despite the tremor in my hands. “We’re experiencing some technical issues. May I have a

moment?”

32

I stepped away from the microphone, ignoring my father’s darkening expression as I checked my phone.

“Not now, Aria,” he hissed. “Whatever it is can wait. This is about our family’s future.”

When I called Sophia, her voice came through frantic. “Thank God you answered! The fire department just called–someone broke in and set fires in multiple rooms. They’re saying it’s definitely arson.”

“When did this happen?” I asked, turning my back to the curious reporters. I pressed the phone harder against my ear, as if that could somehow change the information coming through it.

“Within the last hour. Right after the property transfer was completed.”

I ended the call and looked across the room at Scarlett, who was examining her manicure with studied nonchalance. The timing couldn’t be coincidental. She’d lost the house to me, so she’d made sure I couldn’t have it either.

Something snapped inside me. The script, the lies, the pretense–all of it suddenly seemed absurd.

I walked straight toward Scarlett, ignoring the confused murmurs of the press. When I reached her, I grabbed the lapel of her thousand- dollar Chanel jacket.

“Was it you?” I demanded, voice low but intense. “The house just transferred to my name today!”

Her eyes widened in feigned shock. “Sister, what are you talking about? I don’t understand-”

“The beach house is on fire,” I said through gritted teeth. “Arson. Quite the coincidence, wouldn’t you say?”

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