The CEO's Midnight Remedy novel Chapter 76

“Enough!” I shouted, my voice echoing in the room. “Who do you think I am? Your property? Some object

that anyone can steal from you?”

Ethan slowly stood, anger flashing in his eyes. “You’re my fiancée-

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“I’m a person!” I shot back. “Not an acquisition. Not a merger deal. Not a chess piece in whatever game

you’re playing with Kane Technology.”

He stepped toward me, but I stepped back, maintaining distance, straightening my rumpled skirt. “Aria,

baby, I’m sorry. I’ve had too much to drink. I didn’t mean-”

“Yes, you did.” I straightened my shoulders, finding strength in my anger. “This is supposed to be the night

you proposed. Instead, you’re acting like a entitled frat boy who can’t handle rejection.”

His expression shifted, anger giving way to calculation. You’re right. I’m sorry.” He ran a hand through his

perfectly styled hair, messing it up in what I recognized as a practiced gesture of vulnerability. “It’s just…

seeing Kane there, the way he looked at you… I got jealous. You know how much I care about you.”

Once upon a time, I might have fallen for this act. Now I saw it for what it was–manipulation, plain and

simple.

“I need some air,” I said, walking toward the door. “Don’t follow me.”

“Aria, wait-” He grabbed for my arm, but I evaded him.

“If you touch me again,” I said coldly, “I’m calling security. Fiancé or not.”

That stopped him. Image was everything to Ethan Blake. The thought of being escorted out of Pantheon by security was evidently worse than letting me walk away

I left the suite, closing the door firmly behind me. The hallway stretched before me, eerily quiet after the noise of the party below. My heart was pounding, adrenaline finally clearing the last of the alcohol from my system. I headed toward the elevators, my heels clicking against the marble floor.

Behind me, I heard the suite door open. “Aria!” Ethan called, his voice echoing in the empty hallway. “Don’t

be dramatic. Come back here so we can talk.”

I quickened my pace, turning the corner toward the elevator bank. Before I could reach the call button, a strong arm wrapped around my waist, pulling me sideways through a door I hadn’t even noticed.

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14:38 Sat, Dec 20 G GA

Chapter 76

I found myself in another suite, similar to Ethan’s but with different furnishings. A hand covered my

mouth, silencing my startled cry. I inhaled sharply through my nose, catching the familiar scent of

cedarwood and sandalwood cologne.

Devon.

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His gray eyes met mine in the dimness as he released my mouth but kept his arm around my waist. He

quietly closed the door and locked it. I could hear Ethan’s footsteps growing closer, his voice calling my

name with increasing frustration.

“Don’t make a sound,” Devon whispered, his breath warm against my ear.

The footsteps paused just outside the door. There was a moment of tense silence, then a loud knock. “Aria?

Are you in there?” Ethan’s voice was tight with anger.

Devon and I remained perfectly still. After another knock and no answer, Ethan cursed loudly. His footsteps

continued down the hall, and soon I heard the distant chime of the elevator.

Devon’s arm remained around my waist, his body solid and warm against mine in the darkened room. I should have pulled away. I should have been angry at his presumption. Instead, I found myself leaning into

him, the night’s events catching up to me all at once.

“You’re shaking,” he observed quietly, his voice a low rumble I could feel against my back.

I closed my eyes, suddenly exhausted. “It’s been a long night.”

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