The CEO's Midnight Remedy novel Chapter 68

**Chapter 68**

With a playful glint in my eye, I leaned back in my chair and said, “I hope I didn’t ruin your romantic rendezvous with your marriage candidate, Mr. Kane.” The words slipped out with a hint of mischief, as I relished the moment.

His gaze sharpened, and I could see the slight narrowing of his eyes. “If you invested even half the energy into your work that you pour into stirring up drama, Ms. Harper, I can only imagine how impressive your proposals might be.” His tone was laced with a mix of annoyance and the faintest trace of amusement.

“Perhaps,” I shot back, unable to resist the banter. “But honestly, this is far more entertaining.” The thrill of our exchange was exhilarating; I could feel the tension crackling in the air between us.

Devon scrutinized me for a beat, his expression inscrutable, as if he were trying to decipher a riddle. “What are you really doing here, Aria?” There was a seriousness to his question that made my heart race.

Before I could formulate a response, Caroline reappeared, her presence effectively cutting through our private moment. She beamed at me as she settled into her seat. “Aria, you know what? We should have lunch sometime—just the two of us girls.” Her suggestion caught me off-guard, leaving me momentarily speechless.

“Uh… yes, that sounds lovely,” I managed to stammer, my surprise evident.

“Perfect! I’ll have my assistant reach out to yours to arrange it,” she said, her enthusiasm infectious. Turning her attention to Devon, she added, “Darling, we should probably get going if we want to make it to the gallery opening on time.”

Devon nodded, signaling for the check with a casual wave of his hand. When it arrived, he paid without glancing at the total, then stood and courteously assisted Caroline with her chair. He turned to me, his voice carrying an unspoken expectation. “Aria, will you be joining us at the gallery as well?”

I hesitated, suddenly feeling as if I were an unwelcome guest in their intimate world. “No, I really need to catch up on some work,” I replied, my voice a bit too hurried. “Thank you for allowing me to intrude on your lunch.”

To my surprise, Caroline leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to my cheek. “Don’t forget about our lunch, okay? I’m genuinely looking forward to getting to know you better.” Her warmth was disarming, yet I couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more beneath the surface.

As they exited, I watched them closely, Caroline’s hand resting lightly on Devon’s arm as they walked away. There was an oddness to their dynamic, a disconnect that I couldn’t quite put my finger on. Caroline’s sudden friendliness felt rehearsed, as if we were all playing roles in a script I hadn’t read, leaving me with a nagging sense of unease.

**Devon’s POV**

I held the door of the restaurant open for Caroline as we stepped out into the crisp air. She maintained her flawless smile until we reached the sidewalk, where she let out a small, exasperated laugh. “Well, that was unexpected,” she remarked, shaking her head in disbelief. “But honestly, I can’t say I’m surprised. You two seem to bump into each other everywhere these days. Is that intentional, Devon?”

“You didn’t need my approval for that,” I pointed out, irritation creeping into my voice.

Caroline playfully nudged my arm. “I was doing you a favor! The whole New York social scene knows about Ethan Blake’s reputation as a notorious playboy. She deserves far better than him.” Her expression shifted, a sly grin spreading across her face. “Unless… you’d prefer to watch her marry Ethan? Is that what you want, Devon? To see your woman with someone else?”

Her implication sent a wave of anger coursing through me. “That’s enough, Caroline.”

“If a few words from me could prevent her from marrying into the Blake family, I’d consider it a gift,” she shrugged nonchalantly. “Admit it, Devon. You’re interested in her.”

Choosing not to engage, I opened the car door and stepped inside. “I’m leaving. You can find your own way home.”

Caroline stamped her foot in a childish display of frustration. “That’s so ungentlemanly of you! This isn’t how you treat a lady!”