Too Late Mr. White! I'm Married To Your Rival Now novel Chapter 121

Aria's POV

The passive-aggressive barbs made me glance up sharply. Two women I'd never seen before stood nearby, champagne flutes clutched in their perfectly manicured hands, their expressions dripping with manufactured concern.

Since I didn't know them from Adam, I saw no reason for false politeness. "Not nearly as dedicated as you two, putting on this little comedy show at such a distinguished event," I replied coolly, my voice cutting through their pretense like a blade.

"You—!" One woman immediately bristled, her carefully constructed mask slipping at my swift retort.

The other maintained her composure, though her smile grew increasingly strained. "Miss Jones, my third-grade niece happens to need a piano instructor. You must have plenty of free time these days, right? I mean, your skill level seems perfectly suited for teaching elementary students."

She paused with theatrical flair, placing a hand over her heart. "I mean absolutely no offense, of course. I simply admire your... talents!"

The condescension was so thick I could practically taste it. She claimed to admire me while simultaneously suggesting I was only qualified to teach children? The insult was crystal clear, but I wasn't about to give her the satisfaction of seeing me lose my temper.

"How thoughtful of you," I responded with serene calm. "Though I should mention that my hourly rate is rather substantial."

"Money is no object whatsoever," she declared loudly enough for nearby guests to overhear, clearly hoping to orchestrate my public humiliation. "As long as you can properly instruct my niece, we can negotiate any arrangement!"

I noticed curious onlookers beginning to gravitate toward our little drama, drawn by the woman's deliberately raised voice and the palpable tension crackling between us.

Surveying the growing audience with calculated precision, I replied: "How wonderful. I actually did accept a tutoring position this month. The family compensates me three hundred thousand dollars per hour. For your niece, I'd be happy to offer a family discount—two hundred thousand per hour, with a minimum commitment of twenty hours weekly."

The woman's expression transformed instantly, her confident smirk evaporating as her prepared comeback died in her throat.

I tilted my head with innocent curiosity, blinking wide eyes at her. "Is there a problem? Too steep?" I shrugged with exaggerated helplessness. "I'm terribly sorry, but that's my standard tutoring rate. If it's beyond your means, I'm afraid there's nothing I can do."

My response triggered a ripple of delighted laughter from the gathered spectators.

"Who does this woman think she is, trying to publicly embarrass Aria Jones?"

"Talk about a perfect comeback..."

Just then, I spotted a beloved figure cutting through the crowd with determined strides. Without thinking, I called out with unrestrained joy: "Darling!"

My sudden cry instantly drew the attention of half the party guests.

Without hesitation, Aiden walked over to me and took my hand. "Have you been waiting long?"

His face wore a smile, seeming quite pleased with that endearment.

Then his gaze fell on the glass in my other hand. "You've been drinking?"

I quickly lowered my voice to defend myself. "This isn't alcohol, just fruit juice."

Really delicious fruit juice, actually.

Something flickered in his deep eyes, but he didn't correct me. "Mm."

"Should we go?"

"Yes, please."

Let's go, let's go.

If we stayed any longer, I'd feel like an animal on display at the zoo.

Those two women who had appeared from nowhere to humiliate me had already slipped away before Aiden arrived. I didn't care about them anymore.

"Is there gold on the floor?" Aiden asked casually as we descended the stairs.

I finally lifted my downcast eyes to glance at him. "No."

"Really? I could have sworn there must be, considering how Mrs. Carter keeps staring at it."

Just as I was about to lower my head again, I stopped myself.

Mr. Carter certainly had his own unique way of being sarcastic.

I pressed my lips together and focused on looking straight ahead, not daring to look down again.

When we reached the entrance, I suddenly remembered: "Oh! I forgot to tell Claire we were leaving!"

"No need. Plenty of people will tell her we left. Let's go."

"Oh."

I made a small sound of acknowledgment and didn't bring it up again.

After settling into the car, Aiden asked, "What did Claire show you?"

"Her birthday presents."

"Mm?"

"She said she wanted to give me all her birthday gifts, and that she likes me..."

It really was hot.

"Your face is very red." Aiden glanced at me and turned the air conditioning down another degree.

I mumbled a thank you, but my hand couldn't help reaching toward him.

My fingertips traced over his Adam's apple, then moved down to his firm chest muscles.

Continuing downward...

Claire's POV

"They left?" I feel my heart sink when my friend tells me Aria and Aiden had departed ten minutes ago.

"Left so soon?" The disappointment must be evident on my face.

My friend notices immediately. "Claire, what's wrong? You suddenly look upset."

I glance at her with a sigh. "I am a bit disappointed. Why did Aria leave so quickly?"

My friend gives me the strangest look, like she can't believe what she's hearing.

"Aren't you being a bit... excessive about Aria?" she finally says, unable to hold back. "I mean, technically, you two were rivals."

"Rivals? What are you talking about?" I shake my head dismissively. "My family already dissolved the engagement with the Carters."

"Because of Aria?" she probes.

"Yes and no," I wave my hand, not wanting to get into those details.

My friend persists, clearly confused by my behavior. "Claire, why are you so nice to Aria?"

"She saved my life!" I remind her, the memory still vivid in my mind.

"But you've already thanked her for that..."

I can tell from her expression that she doesn't understand. The Claire Bennett she knows isn't typically this... grateful.

I open my mouth to explain further, then hesitate before finally pressing my lips together. "I just think Aria has a wonderful personality. I like her."

"I don't think 'like' covers it," my friend mutters.