Too Late Mr. White! I'm Married To Your Rival Now novel Chapter 97

Aria's POV

I paused when I saw only Claire in the room.

Huh? Where's Aiden's nosy aunt?

I wondered if she'd gone to the bathroom after eating too much or something.

Claire rose from the sofa, eyes fixed on Aiden. "Aiden, I wanted to—"

She didn't even get to finish before Aiden coldly cut her off.

"We have nothing to discuss, Miss Bennett. I don't want my wife getting the wrong impression."

His eyes flicked toward the door. The dismissal couldn't have been clearer.

I kept my mouth shut, knowing my place in this bizarre scenario. Without Eleanor here, my role as plastic wife didn't require me to speak up.

Surprisingly, Claire didn't seem bothered by Aiden's hostility. Instead, she smiled. "You misunderstand, Aiden."

I watched that smile spread across her face, secretly impressed by her resilience.

Damn, she had nerves of steel! If it were me, I'd already be halfway out the door by now.

Claire paused dramatically before turning to me. "I actually came to see Mrs. Carter today."

Me? What the hell?

This was a tactic I hadn't seen before.

Aiden's expression grew even colder. "Why do you need to see my wife?"

Claire remained unfazed. She reached into her designer bag and pulled out a gift box, placing it on the coffee table. "Last night, Mrs. Carter saved my life. I'm here to thank her properly."

"Mrs. Carter, this is just a small token of my appreciation. If not for you last night, I wouldn't be standing here today."

Throughout her little speech, Claire maintained that perfect smile, her eyes fixed on me with what appeared to be genuine gratitude.

I instinctively glanced at Aiden, my eyes wide with confusion.

He looked down at me briefly before responding for me: "Miss Bennett, perhaps just be more careful next time."

Claire's smile never faltered. "You're right, Mr. Carter. Without your wife's intervention last night, the consequences would have been unthinkable."

She turned her attention back to me, eyes sparkling with hope. "Mrs. Carter, would you like to see if you like the gift?"

The way she looked at me—with that eager, almost pleading expression—made it impossible for me to refuse.

"I'll take a look?" I said, framing it as a question while glancing at Aiden.

He didn't object, which I took as permission.

Claire happily handed me the box. I untied the ribbon and opened it, only to find another smaller box inside.

What was this, Russian nesting dolls?

Was Claire setting me up somehow?

I hesitated, looking up at her. She still had that expectant look on her face.

Well, Aiden was right here. Even if Claire had bad intentions, she wouldn't try anything with him standing right beside me.

With that reassurance, I opened the smaller box and found... a piece of paper.

No, not just any paper—a purchase receipt.

For a Steinway Model S baby grand piano.

While I was still processing this, Claire excitedly explained, "Do you like it? I spent all night choosing it! The piano will be delivered in a few days!"

I checked the timestamp on the receipt—3:24 AM. She really had spent the entire night picking this out for me.

Maybe I'd misjudged her intentions.

But still, the piano...

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