The CEO's Midnight Remedy novel Chapter 30

**Dust Writes New Stories by Rei Holt Wilder**

In that fleeting moment of vulnerability, Devon Kane felt an unsettling stir within him. Tenderness was not his forte; it was a currency he had long since traded for ambition and ruthlessness. Every act of kindness in the cutthroat world of business came with strings attached, and Aria Harper needed to grasp that fundamental truth.

With a sense of resolve, I summoned my investment team, instructing them to scour every detail for reasons to sever our contract. I had my assistant block Aria’s number, a petty maneuver that felt beneath me, yet it was essential. I needed to recalibrate the influence she was starting to wield over my thoughts and emotions.

And yet, here she remained, hours later, an immovable force in my lobby, her persistence a testament to her spirit.

“Mr. Kane?” Claire’s voice crackled through the intercom, breaking the spell of my contemplation. “The investment team is ready for you in conference room A.”

I brushed aside thoughts of Aria, focusing on the task at hand. “I’ll be right there,” I replied, my voice steady, though a flicker of uncertainty gnawed at me. Surely she would eventually tire of waiting and leave. But if she chose to linger? I could always reestablish the contract—albeit under stricter terms that would serve as a reminder of the nature of our relationship.

Business. Nothing more.

**Aria’s POV**

As the clock ticked toward 5:45, my determination began to waver. Had I misjudged the situation? Was Devon truly intent on severing all ties? Just as doubt began to creep in, Claire reappeared, her expression unreadable.

“Mr. Kane will see you briefly after his meeting concludes at six,” she announced, her tone professional yet tinged with an undercurrent of sympathy. “Please follow me.”

The executive floor was unnaturally silent as Claire guided me toward Devon’s office. She opened the door without knocking, a gesture that felt both bold and disconcerting. “He’ll be with you shortly,” she said, stepping aside.

Devon’s office matched my expectations perfectly—spacious and minimalist, dominated by vast, floor-to-ceiling windows that showcased a breathtaking view of Manhattan. One wall was adorned with framed magazine covers, each one a testament to his success and influence. His desk was a monumental slab of what appeared to be volcanic stone, meticulously organized with a single laptop resting on its immaculate surface.

I began to pace, my nerves fraying as I mentally rehearsed my arguments. Ten long minutes dragged by before the door finally swung open.

“What else could it be?” I challenged, my voice rising slightly. “You summoned me to your hotel suite, and because I passed out from sheer exhaustion instead of fulfilling the services outlined in our agreement, you’re punishing my company.”

Devon shook his head slightly, a hint of condescension in his demeanor. “I don’t mix business with pleasure, contrary to what you might believe.” He moved to his desk, taking a seat as he regarded me with that maddeningly calm expression. “The termination decision came from my investment team after reviewing your company’s financial stability. The timing is… an unfortunate coincidence.”

I didn’t buy his explanation for a second. “My company’s finances were the same when we signed the original contract.”

“Perhaps my team was overly optimistic then,” he replied, his voice dropping to a low, measured tone. “Or perhaps they’ve grown concerned about the CEO’s apparent lack of professionalism.”

“What does that even mean?” I pressed, my heart racing with indignation.

“It means,” he said, his gaze piercing through me, “that I don’t make a habit of working with people who waste my time, Aria. Time is precious for both of us.”