Chapter 260
Aria’s POV
I pressed myself closer to the pillar as Mandy appeared, hurrying toward him in four–inch heels. Her golden hair bounced with each step.
Devon stopped but didn’t turn immediately. His shoulders tensed visibly. When he finally faced her, his expression was completely blank, his eyes cold and distant as if addressing a stranger rather than his mother’s chosen match.
“Eleanor specifically arranged our dinner tonight,” Mandy continued, slightly breathless.
Devon’s voice was cold enough to freeze the air between them. “And what does that have to do with me?” Each word fell like an ice cube between them. His hands remained in his pockets, his body angled away from her–everything about his stance rejected her presence.
Mandy’s confident smile faltered for just a moment. “You know our families have been discussing our match for months.”
“That’s your mother’s plan with my mother, Devon replied, his tone flat as if discussing the weather. “Not mine.” His jaw tightened slightly, the only indication that the conversation affected him at all.
He turned toward his car, dismissing her as completely as if she d ceased to exist. Mandy’s face transformed from shock to practiced sweetness as she reached for his arm. ‘Devon, don’t be difficult. Everyone knows we’re perfect for-”
Devon started the engine before she could finish. The Maybach reversed with such precision that it missed Mandy’s foot by inches. She stumbled backward, losing her balance and falling onto the concrete floor. Her ankle twisted awkwardly beneath her.
‘Devon Kane, you’ll regret this!” she shouted, her voice echoing through the garage. ‘I will have you eventually!”
I stayed hidden until Mandy limped toward the elevator, cursing under her breath. My pulse quickened—I’d never seen anyone dismiss another person so completely, so coldly. It frightened me and, embarrassingly, excited me too.
Just as I considered leaving–assuming Devon had gone–my phone vibrated with a text: “Front entrance. Now.”
My heart hammered against my ribs as I made my way to the hotel’s main entrance. The Maybach was idling at the curb, Devon sitting motionless behind the wheel. I hesitated for just a moment before opening the passenger door and sliding in.
The interior smelled of expensive leather and his subtle cologne. Devon didn’t look at me, just put the car in drive and pulled smoothly into traffic. The silence stretched between us, taut and electric. I could feel the heat radiating from his body across the console, making me acutely aware of every inch between us.
‘Aren’t you afraid of Mandy?” he finally asked, his voice impossibly low, a rumble I could almost feel against my skin.
I swallowed hard “I just didn’t want any drama. My voice sounded small even to my own ears.
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9:27 Tue, Jan 6
Chapter 260
A mocking smile played at the corner of his mouth, transforming his severe features. “You’re already in deep drama, Miss Harper.” His eyes
flickered briefly to me, then back to the road.
The car accelerated suddenly, forcing me forward. My hand instinctively reached out to brace myself, landing on his thigh. We both froze at the contact. I could feel the heat of his body through the expensive fabric of his trousers, the firm muscle beneath my fingers. Neither of us moved for several heartbeats. I watched his knuckles whiten as his grip on the steering wheel tightened. My breathing became shallow, and I couldn’t bring myself to withdraw my hand immediately, despite knowing I should.
Devon drove through Manhattan with confident precision, finally pulling into the private garage. Without a word, he handed me a key, our fingers brushing. The brief contact sent electricity up my arm.
“Open it,” he commanded, nodding toward the private elevator. His voice was deeper now, rougher around the edges.
I did as instructed, confused but strangely compliant. The elevator opened directly into his penthouse.
Cedella is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a flair for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cedella’s storytelling style is immersive and addictive—perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.

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