Chapter 5

ARIA’S POV

I stood in front of the towering glass building of Tallhox Company, my fingers tightening around the handle of my suitcase. My stomach twisted. I already knew walking through those doors wouldn’t be easy. Especially the ground floor—where eyes always followed, where whispers clung to the walls like dust, where people pretended to feel pity while enjoying my downfall.

It wasn’t news anymore. Everyone knew Noah had traded me for someone better—the heiress of Tallhox.

But I had to go in. I had to collect my final settlement. It was mine. My right.

I inhaled deeply, squared my shoulders, and balanced Mr. Magnus’s suit that I was holding before walking inside.

“Ohhh… I pity her. She must be so naïve to think Noah will actually settle with her,” one staff member said loudly—close enough for me to hear.

Their tone dripped with mockery disguised as sympathy.

I lifted my chin and kept walking. I had prepared myself for this.

Minutes later, I finally reached the HR department on the second floor.

“I made it,” I whispered to myself. “Alive. Their words didn’t cut me.”

I knocked gently, and the office door slid open immediately.

“Yes? How may I help you?” a voice asked.

I looked up—and of course, fate had paired me with Tracy. One of the infamous “three witches” of the company. A smug smile curled at the corner of her mouth.

Of course.

“Good morning, Tracy,” I greeted, adjusting the bag in my hand.

“Morning,” she replied sweetly—fake sweet. “How may we, the prestigious staff of Tallhox Company, assist you today?”

I ignored the jab. “Thank you… I’m here for my dismissal settlement.”

She raised a brow, almost theatrically. “Oh, really? Have a seat while I check your conduct and work ethics. Mandatory process, you know.”

“Of course,” I said, sitting down.

She clicked her mouse a few times, eyes glued to the screen.

“Well…” she began dramatically. “According to your records, you had very poor work etiquette with your colleagues. Also, logs from your computer show you were sending naked pictures of porn stars and, um… sultry messages to Mr. Noah. Granted, that was when he was still single and you were so passionately trying to seduce him.”

“What?” I shot up from my seat, confused and stunned. “What are you talking about? None of that ever happened.”

“What it means is…” she paused and smirked, “…Tallhox Company has reviewed your record and found your conduct full of misconducts. Therefore, you’re not eligible for the severance.”

“Tracy, listen,” I said sharply. “The moment I walked in and saw you were the one handling my case, I sensed trouble. But I hoped you’d be mature enough to do your job. Clearly, you’re still sulking over what I told you—about what Noah and half the company really think of you and your two friends.”

Her smile vanished for a second.

“Trust me, Ms. Aria Blackwell,” she finally said, regaining her composure, “we cannot pay your dismissal settlement. You’re not worth it. So, kindly kiss the door goodbye.”

“I’m not leaving this office until you pay me what I deserve,” I shot back.

She ignored me, tapping away at her keyboard.

“Or maybe,” Tracy said loudly, “you mean your little lady V down there deserves it—for all the good service she rendered Mr. Noah Trents.”

“Oh, Tracy, you’re terrible,” Stephanie and Liz laughed, standing by the door, nearly choking from amusement.

“I don’t have to explain myself to the three of you,” I yelled. “All I know is I deserve my pay!”

Other staff began peeking through their doors, attracted by the rising commotion.

“Go on,” Tracy said, still smiling. “Embarrass yourself. It’s not your first time.”

“What is going on here?”

A deep, authoritative voice sliced through the air.

Everyone scattered instantly—Stephanie and Liz included—leaving Tracy standing rigidly.

He stepped forward, towering, immaculate, the embodiment of a man who commanded attention without trying.

“I asked,” he repeated, “what is going on in your office?”

My eyes stayed glued to him… but he didn’t even notice me.

That stung.

“Sir, she… she caused it,” Tracy stammered, pointing at me.

He finally turned—and looked at me.

No recognition. None.

Not even a flicker.

The man who had my first kiss in the car looked at me like I was a complete stranger.

“What do you want?” he asked, hands in his pockets.

Ouch, Aria.

My heart actually tightened.

I’d spent the entire weekend thinking about that kiss.

Apparently, he hadn’t.

“I’m here to get my dismissal settlement,” I said through clenched teeth. “And the HR department is feeding me fabricated lies about my record.”

“Ms…” he paused, turning towards her.

“Tracy Brown, sir,” she chimed in quickly.

“Forward her records to my system,” he said. Then looked at me. “You—follow me.”

He turned and walked away.

I followed.

When we reached the staircase, I instinctively moved toward it, but he caught my arm. His grip was firm—steady—and a collective gasp echoed from the second-floor staff who had seen it.

My heart skipped.

And his hand… God, his hand was right on my arm, holding me tightly.

I looked up at him, drinking in the sight I had been trying to forget: the tailored coffee-brown suit against his warm skin, hair smoothly brushed back, a face sculpted to ruin women, and eyes that held mine with an intensity that made my knees betray me for a second.

Stella’s voice rang in my head: He either likes you or he's obsessed with you, Aria.

But no. That couldn’t be right.

“If you don’t fix your balance, I’ll let you go,” he said flatly.

Just like that, reality smacked me back into place.

He was only steadying me because I had nearly tripped.

“Oh—sorry,” I muttered, stepping back, cheeks burning.

“We’re using my private elevator,” he said.

I gasped—loudly.

He stopped. I walked right into his back.

“Ouch,” I hissed. Why was he built like a human boulder?

“Why did you gasp?” he asked, turning slightly.

“Because… the staff here never get to use your private elevator,” I blurted.

“Don’t feel special, Ms…” he paused again.

Right.

The man I almost gave my V-card to didn’t even know my name.

“Ms. Aria Blackwell,” I said quietly.

He nodded once and continued walking.

I followed in silence.