The CEO's Midnight Remedy novel Chapter 64

**Dust Writes New Stories by Rei Holt Wilder**
**Chapter 64**

I turned to face him, my features carefully arranged into a mask of neutrality. “Stellar Impressions can achieve so much more than this. I don’t want them to settle for merely ‘not bad’—I expect them to surpass every expectation set before them.”

As the elevator doors slid open, revealing the dimly lit underground parking structure, I felt a sense of urgency wash over me. My driver stood poised beside my sleek Porsche, but my gaze was drawn to a figure strategically placed in front of my car—a young woman clad in a pink dress, her posture radiating a mix of shyness and calculated hesitation.

“Mr. Kane?” she called out softly, her voice lilting as I approached. “I don’t think we’ve had the pleasure of a formal introduction. Perhaps you’ve seen me on Instagram? I boast over a million followers.”

I scrutinized her carefully, the pieces falling into place as I recognized her as Aria’s stepsister. She exuded a practiced vulnerability, the kind that suggested she was well-versed in the art of manipulating men through her feigned delicacy.

“I’m afraid I don’t engage with social media,” I replied, my tone cool and dismissive.

Her smile was a calculated facade, a charming curve of her lips that failed to reach her eyes. “I’m Scarlett Harper, Aria’s sister.”

“Stepsister,” I interjected automatically, noting the subtle exchange of glances between Marcus and my driver, both maintaining their professional composure.

“Right, stepsister,” she amended, undeterred by my correction. “I wanted to discuss Aria with you. Our father has fallen ill, and she seems to be… well, rather distant. I’m genuinely concerned about her.”

She bit her lip, an action that I presumed was intended to convey anxiety. “I thought perhaps you might have some influence over her? She appears to respect you, and it would mean a lot to Dad to see her.”

I observed her performance with an air of detached curiosity. The resemblance to Aria was minimal at best—they shared a few physical traits, but where Aria’s expressions were infused with authentic emotion, Scarlett’s face resembled a meticulously crafted mask, devoid of true feeling.

“Ms. Harper,” I replied finally, my voice steady, “if your father is genuinely unwell, then standing in parking garages to confront businessmen seems an inefficient use of your time.” I stepped around her, making my way toward my car. “Furthermore, I would suggest using a better filter for your photos. The contrast between your online persona and your reality is quite jarring.”

I paused for a moment, assessing her, then rounded the car and dismissed my driver with a slight nod. I slid into the driver’s seat beside her, shutting the door with a sense of finality.

“What is it, Aria?” I asked, my gaze drifting deliberately to her outfit—the deep burgundy pencil skirt I had chosen for her, paired with a cream blouse that perfectly complemented her complexion. “That outfit suits you remarkably well, by the way.”

A faint blush crept across her cheeks, and she momentarily cast her eyes downward before meeting my gaze again, her resolve renewed. “Thank you,” she replied simply, her voice steady.

Unexpectedly, I felt my mood lighten. After all the intimate moments we had shared, she still blushed at a simple compliment. It was a delightful contradiction—this confident businesswoman, capable of commanding boardrooms and rivals alike, yet still able to react like a schoolgirl in the face of praise. It was… endearing. A thought I would never voice aloud.

“That was quite a performance in the conference room,” she said, regaining her composure. “Was it truly necessary to publicly humiliate my team?”