The CEO's Midnight Remedy novel Chapter 85

Aria’s POV

I rose slowly, tucking my phone away. “Visiting Sofia’s other after her heart surgery,” I said, my tone pleasant but my eyes sharp. “The better question is what are you doing here, in the obstetrics department? Not feeling well?”

Her eyes darted around, looking for an escape route. “I was just… getting a regular checkup. Women’s health is important, you know.”

“How responsible of you,” I replied, my gaze dropping deliberately to her midsection, then to her purse where she’d hidden the papers. “Everything okay with the examination?”

A flush spread across her cheeks. “Perfect! Absolutely perfect. The doctor says I’m in excellent health.”

“I’m so glad to hear it,” I said, taking a step closer. “Though most women go to their gynecologist’s office for routine checkups, not the hospital department that specializes in high–risk pregnancies and advanced prenatal care.”

The color drained from her face. “I–I have to go. I’m meeting friends for lunch.”

“Of course you are,” I murmured. “Don’t let me keep you.”

She practically ran toward the elevators, jabbing the button repeatedly as if that would make it arrive faster. As the doors closed on her panicked expression, couldn’t help the slow smile that spread across my

face.

So, little sister was pregnant. And given her reaction, I had a pretty good idea who the father might be. The timing couldn’t be more perfect–or more disastrous, depending on whose perspective you took. With the wedding just around the corner, this unexpected development added a fascinating new dimension to my

plans.

I found myself looking forward to the wedding with renewed enthusiasm.

Back at the Harper estate that afternoon, I found my father in the garden, enjoying his afternoon coffee

while reviewing documents.

“Father,” I greeted him, taking the seat opposite. Elsa appeared with a second cup of coffee for me, offering

a warm smile that contrasted sharply with my father’s cool gaze.

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Chapter 85

“Aria,” he acknowledged. I thought you’d be at your office today.”

“I was visiting Sofia’s mother at Mount Sinai. She had fart surgery this morning.”

He nodded absently, clearly uninterested in anyone outside his immediate circle of concern. “I hope she recovers quickly. Now, I wanted to discuss the Blake situation.”

Of course he did. Not my day, not my work, not anything personal–just how I could best serve the family

interests.

“What about it?” I asked, stirring my coffee.

“You should be spending more time with Ethan,” he said bluntly. “Cultivating the relationship. The Blake family is extremely important to our business interests and this… incident with the photographs has

raised concerns.”

I stiffened. “Ethan understands it was nothing. I explained everything.”

“Explanations aren’t enough. You need to be visibly devoted, especially now. The media is watching. The Blake board members are watching.”

“I’m sorry my personal relationship isn’t adhering strictly enough to your business timeline,” I said, unable

to keep the edge from my voice.

His eyes narrowed. “Don’t be flippant, Aria. This engagement isn’t just about you and Ethan. It’s about

securing the future of Harper Group.”

“You’re so eager to sell your daughter to secure business deals, I’m surprised you haven’t put a barcode on

my forehead,” I replied. “Or is that what the engagement ring is for? A prettier version of a price tag?”

My father slammed his coffee cup down on the table, sending a spray of dark liquid across the pristine

white tablecloth. “That’s enough!” The cup shattered, ceramic shards scattering across the table. “You have

no idea the pressure I’m under to keep this company afloat. The media landscape is changing faster than

we can adapt.”

I watched him with calculated calm, even as Elsa rushed over with a cloth to clean up the mess. “Perhaps if

you hadn’t pushed away the person with the most innovative digital marketing experience in the family,

you wouldn’t be struggling so much to ‘adapt,” I suggested.

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