The CEO's Midnight Remedy novel Chapter 54

**Chapter 54**

**Aria’s POV**

A sly grin tugged at the corners of my lips as I recalled the moniker I had assigned to him: “Debt Collector.” The name felt oddly fitting—he was, after all, the financial backbone of my fledgling company, and I was certainly repaying him in ways that strayed far from the conventional. My eyes flicked up, catching him in the act of studying me, his expression a carefully crafted mask, revealing nothing of his thoughts or intentions.

“Marianne,” I said, turning my attention back to my future mother-in-law. “I’m afraid I have to cut our meeting short. An urgent matter has just arisen at the office—there’s a potential crisis brewing with one of our clients, and I need to address it immediately.”

“Oh, darling, that’s such a pity,” she replied, her brow furrowing slightly. “We were just getting to the most intriguing part of our conversation. Can’t it wait just a bit longer?”

“If only it could,” I responded smoothly, crafting a lie that rolled off my tongue with ease. “But this client is particularly crucial to our operations. How about we reschedule for next week?”

As I slipped back into my coat, I couldn’t shake the unsettling memory of Devon’s intense gaze or the self-satisfied tone of Eleanor Kane when she spoke about her son’s “selective” nature. It was a disquieting thought, gnawing at the edges of my mind.

Once I reached the lobby, the doorman recognized me immediately, his face lighting up with a warm smile as he gestured toward the private elevator, granting me access without a moment’s hesitation. As the elevator ascended toward the penthouse, my mind raced with questions. What could Devon possibly want from me? More importantly, what was I hoping to gain from this unexpected encounter?

The elevator doors slid open, revealing his opulent apartment, and there he stood, silhouetted against the floor-to-ceiling windows, the shimmering city lights framing him like a portrait. In his hand, he cradled a glass filled with amber whiskey, the liquid catching the light as he took a slow sip, seemingly savoring the moment.

“You’re punctual,” he remarked, still facing away from me, his tone casual yet tinged with an undercurrent of something far more serious. “I appreciate that.”

I set my purse down on the sleek console table, a smirk dancing on my lips. “You make it sound like I’m here for a job interview,” I shot back, my heart racing slightly. “What exactly prompted your summons, Devon?”

At last, he turned to face me, his expression cloaked in the dim light of the room. “I want to put an end to this engagement farce,” he stated bluntly, his words slicing through the air like a sharp knife.

I blinked, momentarily taken aback by his forthrightness. “Excuse me?” I stammered, disbelief creeping into my voice.

“Your engagement to Blake,” he clarified, taking another measured sip of his drink, as if this were merely another business transaction. “Name your price to call it off.”

A startled laugh escaped my lips, tinged with incredulity. “Are you serious? You genuinely believe you can just buy me out of my engagement?”

“This isn’t about Caroline,” he stated firmly, his voice taking on a hard edge. “This is about Blake not being worthy of you.”

I let out a laugh, deliberately provocative, my defiance rising to the surface. “And who, pray tell, is worthy of me, Devon? You?” I moved even closer, the heat radiating from his body almost intoxicating. “Is that what this is about? Are you proposing to marry me instead?”

His eyes darkened, but not with desire—irritation flickered across his features, making my heart race. “Don’t be ridiculous, Aria. Don’t mistake this for something it isn’t.”

“Then what is it?” I pressed, refusing to back down, my voice steady despite the whirlwind of emotions swirling within me.

“A business proposal,” he said coldly, his tone leaving no room for misinterpretation. “Nothing more.”

As the tension in the room thickened, I felt a whirlwind of emotions coursing through me—confusion, anger, and an undeniable thrill. Devon’s bluntness forced me to confront the reality of my engagement to Blake, a relationship that had begun to feel more like a business arrangement than a union of hearts. His offer, however coldly calculated, ignited a spark within me, challenging me to reconsider not just my future with Blake, but my own worth. In that moment, I realized that the stakes were higher than mere contracts and negotiations; they were about my autonomy, my desires, and the path I wanted to carve for myself.

Devon’s presence, both intimidating and magnetic, compelled me to question everything I thought I wanted. As I stood there, locked in a battle of wills, I understood that this was more than just a conversation about marriage; it was a pivotal moment of self-discovery. I had the power to define my own narrative, to choose my own path, and to decide who truly deserved a place in my life. With each heartbeat, I felt more resolute, ready to confront the complexities of love, ambition, and the unexpected connections that could rewrite my story. In this intricate dance of power and vulnerability, I was no longer just a pawn in someone else’s game; I was the author of my own fate.