The CEO's Midnight Remedy novel Chapter 130

Chapter 130

I feigned confusion. “I don’t know what you mean.”

Devon’s laugh was cold. “Don’t play dumb, Aria. I know the Blakes have blacklisted your company. So you’re what–meeting with second–rate investors like Preston? That’s your solution?”

I stared at him, surprised. “You’ve been keeping tabs on my business troubles?”

He didn’t answer directly. “You really thought tea–throwing and Preston Scott would fix things?”

I looked down at my hands, clutching my purse tightly. The defeat and frustration I’d been holding back threatened to overflow. For weeks I’d been fighting to save my company, refusing to ask for help, determined to solve everything myself.

“Fine,” I admitted, my voice barely audible. “You’re right, I need help… your help.”

Devon’s expression remained impassive, but something flickered in his eyes. “Tell me exactly what’s

happening.”

I took a deep breath, pride dissolving in the face of necessity. “The Blake family has been systematic. They’ve scared off potential clients, spread rumors about financial instability, and somehow triggered that ridiculous SEC investigation that’s draining our resources. We’re running out of options.”

Devon nodded slowly. “I can handle these issues. But I have conditions.”

I tensed. “What conditions?”

His eyes met mine, intense and unreadable. “Our previous arrangement. I want to extend it. Not just for a

month, but… indefinitely.”

“Why?” I questioned, genuinely confused by his request. “What do you get out of this?”

Devon rarely showed vulnerability, but something in his expression shifted. “My insomnia… it’s been better since I met you. I don’t know why. The doctors don’t know why. But I sleep when you’re there,”

The confession caught me off guard. Devon Kane, Manhattan’s most formidable business titan, admitting he needed me for something as basic as sleep. It was both powerful and strangely intimate.

“I need to maintain my company’s independence, I countered, not wanting to seem too eager. “And my

own personal space. This can’t be a 24/7 arrangement.”

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Chapter 130

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“Agreed,” he said after a moment’s consideration. “I’ll handle your Blake problem and ensure the SEC investigation disappears. In exchange, our arrangement continues, with reasonable accommodations for your independence.”

We shook hands, and I felt a strange electric current pass between us. This was more than our previous transaction–something had shifted.

The car pulled up to the Harper family mansion. I prepared to exit, feeling simultaneously relieved and anxious about our new agreement.

“My team will contact you tomorrow to discuss specifics, Devon said, his business tone returning.

On impulse, I leaned over and pressed my lips to his cheek. “Thank you for today.”

His expression registered genuine surprise, his fingers unconsciously touching the spot where I’d kissed him. For a moment, his features softened in a way I’d never seen before.

I hurried out of the car, heart racing at my own boldness, wondering what had possessed me to do that.

Inside, Elsa the housekeeper greeted me with worried eyes. “Miss Aria, have you eaten dinner? You look

exhausted.”

I shook my head. “Just tired, Elsa. Are my father and Victoria home?”

Elsa’s expression clouded. “Your father is in his study, miss. Victoria took Miss Scarlett to the hospital last night. Mr. Blake brought her in for a… procedure.” She lowered her voice. “An abortion, miss. But something went wrong. There was heavy bleeding. It’s quite serious.”

I froze, a complex wave of emotions washing over me. Scarlett pregnant with Ethan’s child. Etha her for an abortion. The procedure going wrong. Part of me wanted to feel vindicated–they dese consequences for their betrayal. But another part felt an unexpected twist of concern.

“I see,” I said quietly, climbing the stairs to my room.

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