Chapter 10
“Thank you, Mr. Duncan.”
Regardless of why Archer had chosen her, a married woman, what he was doing for her now far exceeded any benefit she could bring him.
Her gratitude was genuine.
“I think our relationship doesn’t require such formality,” Archer said quietly. Even through the phone, she could feel the
coolness in his voice.
Aria gripped her phone and made a sound of agreement.
“I’ve sent the medical team’s information to your phone. Dr. Alexander will be leading the surgery. You can rest assured.”
Aria instinctively wanted to say thank you again, but remembering Archer’s previous words, she held back.
Archer didn’t hang up. Through the phone, they could hear each other’s soft breathing.
Aria paused, recalling how someone once told her that people who care about you will wait for you to hang up first.
But what were she and Archer to each other?
She couldn’t possibly be that important to him.
A hint of self–mockery rose in Aria’s heart.
“Mr. Duncan, I’ll see you tomorrow then.”
He seemed to give a soft laugh, slightly husky and captivating, as if he were chuckling right beside her ear.
She heard him say, “See you tomorrow.”
Taking a deep breath, she covered her suddenly racing heart, hung up the phone, and sank into the sofa in confusion, holding her
head in her hands.
After a long daze, she came back to herself and reviewed the information Archer had sent.
In truth, just knowing that Dr. Alexander would be in charge had already put her mind at ease.
James was her younger brother. Two years ago, he had been in a car accident that left both his legs broken, and he had been in
hospital care ever since. After their father’s death, her mother and brother were the people she cared about most. She needed to support the Jackson family for them.
Larry knew this and used it to control her.
Her mother’s illness and her brother’s condition would be enough to crush an ordinary family. The Jackson family had already fallen. As Larry put it, the Spencer family was indeed supporting her mother and brother.
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But… if Larry hadn’t forbidden her from working outside the home, she wouldn’t be in this situation now.
Back then, she thought she had married for love, but that so–called love couldn’t withstand the cruelty of reality.
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Men couldn’t be relied upon–not even childhood sweethearts. In the future, she would focus on her career and become her own support.
Aria’s eyes grew vacant. Only when her phone rang again did she mechanically answer it.
“Aria, have you seen the trending topic?”
It was Christina calling.
“Didn’t Lucy accuse you of pushing her last night? Well, the surveillance video from the gala has been leaked today, and it clearly shows Lucy approaching you and then pulling you into the pool! It’s absolutely clear! Everyone in high society is talking about it. So many people are mocking the Spencers‘ lowborn adopted daughter.”
How had it been exposed so quickly?
Aria was stunned. Only after Christina called her name several times did she respond with, “I’ll look at it now.”
Aria clicked on the trending topic and saw the clear surveillance footage from the gala.
Last night’s event was hosted by the Duncan family. Could Archer have done this?
Aria gripped her hand tightly, wanting to message him and ask, but feared it would only create awkwardness for no reason.
That evening was Felix Wilson’s welcome–back party.
Felix was a mutual friend of Aria and Larry. He had been traveling for a while, and before returning, he had specifically called
Aria, inviting her to join the celebration.
They all moved in the same social circle and had grown up together. Recently, there had been quite a bit of gossip about Larry and
Aria, and many were concerned about their relationship. Felix hoped to help them reconcile, which was why he had invited her.
When Aria arrived, the private room was already lively.
Through the door, Felix’s amused voice reached her ears.
“What are you thinking? You and Aria grew up together as childhood sweethearts. You know each other inside out. Why are you so
determined to get involved with Lucy?”
Aria froze, her hand stopping in mid–air as she was about to push the door open.
After a moment, Larry responded casually, “It has nothing to do with Lucy.”
Even knowing that Lucy wasn’t entirely innocent, Larry couldn’t accept anyone saying a word against her.
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“Nothing to do with her? Wasn’t she raised by the Spencer family? Doesn’t she know you and Aria are married? Wasn’t she the one who set up Aria at the Duncan gala? What would you call her behavior? She knew you were married and still went after her adoptive brother!”
Felix continued meaningfully, “Compared to Lucy, Aria is obviously better–beautiful and smart. Everyone in our circle has known for years how exceptional Aria is. Why are you so stubborn about getting involved with Lucy? You might be enjoying yourself now, but when you actually get divorced, you’ll have plenty of time to regret it.”
Felix had certainly met Lucy before.
He could tell from the first glance that Lucy was calculating, but Larry was too blinded to see her ulterior motives.
Lucy couldn’t compare to Aria, or even to the daughters of minor wealthy families.
What kind of well–bred young woman would cause such a scene at a gala, especially at the Duncan family’s event? She was truly audacious.
If Larry’s relationship with Aria ended because of Lucy, he would surely regret it.
After a long pause, Larry laughed derisively. “Lucy is just very concerned about me. Aria only fell into the water–she didn’t get sick or injured. In my eyes, Lucy is still the best.”
His judgment had clearly been warped beyond recognition.
Aria lowered her eyes, her hand at her side gradually clenching.
Felix gave Larry a sidelong glance.
He felt his friend had been bewitched, his mind no longer functioning normally.
Felix stopped trying to persuade him and simply warned, “Don’t say I didn’t warn you. There’s only one Aria in this world.”
“There’s only one Lucy too,” Larry retorted.
“Fine, whatever,” Felix drained a bottle of beer, laughing sarcastically. “I’m done trying to help you. I’ll just watch and see when
you, blind fool, finally come to regret it.”
Having heard this much, Aria felt there was no point in going inside.
She took out her phone and messaged Felix, saying she had something to attend to.
Felix, who received this message, kept quiet. Being perceptive, he guessed that Aria had likely been at the door and heard
everything.
Aria lingered at the door for a moment before turning to leave. As she turned, she collided with what felt like a wall, hurting her
face.
Her eyes uncontrollably reddened from the pain. When she looked up, she met an exceptionally handsome face, though his
expression was cool and aloof.
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Despite the dim lighting in the bar, she could clearly see the man’s perfectly sculpted features, flawless in every way.
It was Archer.
How had she run into him in a place like this?
Aria looked up and immediately met his deep, dark eyes.
When he looked down at her, his expression was calm and gentle, but his aura carried a coolness that seemed to warn others to
keep their distance.
His posture wasn’t threatening.
Yet he always seemed to maintain a certain distance.
As if there were thousands of people between them.
“Miss Jackson.”
His eyes studied her casually, his tone gentle, “What brings you
here?”
