The CEO's Midnight Remedy novel Chapter 269

Chapter 269

Aria’s POV

“You’re forgetting,” William slammed his hand onto the desk, his knuckles whitening with the impact, “who runs this company.”

I stood up, meeting my father’s gaze directly. His eyes, the same amber shade as mine, were ablaze with barely contained fury. The familiar cold knot formed in my stomach–the one that had been there since childhood whenever he raised his voice.

“And you’re forgetting,” I said, keeping my voice steady despite my racing pulse, “that this company isn’t yours alone.”

Our raised voices had drawn attention. Through the glass wall of the office, I saw the few remaining employees nervously glancing in our

direction. William turned sharply.

“What are you looking at?” he barked. “Get back to work!”

They scattered quickly, files clutched to chests, heads down. William turned back to me, lowering his voice but not his intensity. I noticed

the vein pulsing at his temple–the warning sign I’d learned to recognize years ago.

*Withdraw the SEC report. Immediately.”

“I’m sorry,” I shook my head, swallowing hard but maintaining eye contact. “She violated federal law. It’s out of my hands now.”

William took a deep breath, his chest expanding beneath his custom–tailored suit. For a moment, I thought he might strike me. My body tensed, preparing for impact. Instead, he turned and stormed out, slamming the door hard enough to make the glass walls tremble.

I stood alone by the window, my fingers clenched so tightly they hurt. Slowly, I uncurled them, watching the white marks on my palms fade back to pink. The New York night skyline stretched before me, indifferent to the war I’d just declared. My legs felt weak, but I refused to sit down, I wouldn’t collapse, not even in private.

Devon’s POV

Just thinking about how Calvin Reed had groped Aria at the party earlier made me extremely agitated. Since he was still in the hospital, I had planned to come to Eden for a drink after work to clear my head, but I never expected Calvin Reed to show up on his own. Perfect.

I sat in the VIP section of Eden, observing Calvin Reed on the opposite sofa. The white bandage wrapped around his head stood out starkly against his dark hair–a reminder of our last encounter. His eyes remained fixed on me, completely ignoring the women moving through my exclusive club. I didn’t miss how his gaze periodically darted toward the exit–a man waiting for something, or someone.

‘Not interested in any of these girls?” I asked, taking a small sip of whiskey, noting the slight tremble in his left hand.

1/2

9.28 Tue, Jan 6

Chapter 269

Reed smiled thinly. I ve met someone recently. Makes your offerings look like costume jewelry.”

My jaw tightened involuntarily. ‘Is that so?” I kept my voice neutral, though I already suspected who he was referring to.

“Let’s talk business, Reed set down his glass, wincing slightly as the movement jostled his injured head. ‘I’m interested in your Old Town

redevelopment project. I’d like to partner.”

“How are things with Harper Group?” I asked directly, watching his pupils dilate slightly.

Reed’s eyes flashed. “Progressing well. Especially with Ms. Aria Harper.”

The sound of her name in his mouth bothered me more than it should. I felt a sudden tension in my shoulders, an urge to reach across the table. Instead, I glanced toward the bar where a woman had been watching our table for the past fifteen minutes. She caught my eye and smiled–a practiced smile that didn’t reach her eyes.

I recognized the type immediately. The chestnut hair, the slip dress, the careful way she angled her body–all designed to resemble Aria. Too deliberate, too studied. Something was wrong.

I signaled to Marcus with a subtle nod. “Excuse me. Something requires my attention.”

As I approached the bar, the woman–Anya, according to Marcus’s earlier briefing–straightened up. Her eyes tracked my movement with too much precision for a casual admirer.

‘Mr. Kane,” she greeted, her voice a practiced attempt at Aria’s cadence. “I’ve been hoping to meet you.”