Chapter 157: Chapter 159: Victoria’s Scheme
"What could possibly make you nervous?"
"Sunday dinner. With your mother." His expression shifted to something between nervousness and determination. "You said she wants to interrogate me properly. I need to prepare. What should I know? What does she like? What topics are off-limits?"
Aria couldn’t help but laugh at the rare sight of Damien Blackwood looking genuinely anxious. "You’re really worried about this."
"Your mother raised an extraordinary woman. That means she’s formidable in her own right. And her opinion matters. To you, and therefore to me."
"She’s going to love you. But if you want specifics..." Aria settled more comfortably in his lap. "She likes white peonies, not roses. She appreciates good wine but isn’t a snob about it—something mid-range is fine. She’s traditional in some ways but progressive in others. And she’s going to ask you about your intentions toward me."
"My intentions are to marry you. Eventually. When the time is right."
Aria’s heart stopped. "What?"
"Did you think I was planning anything less? That I’d go through everything we’ve been through....the lies, the betrayal, the separation, the reconciliation.....just to date you indefinitely?" His eyes were intense on hers.
"I’m going to marry you, Aria Chen. Maybe not tomorrow. Maybe not this year. But someday, when we’re both ready, I’m going to put a ring on your finger and make sure the entire world knows you’re mine."
She couldn’t speak. Couldn’t breathe. Could only stare at him with her heart racing and emotions overwhelming her.
"But that’s not what I should tell your mother on Sunday," Damien continued, watching her reaction carefully. "So what should I say instead? I need to know practical things. What does she like to eat? Does she have any food allergies? Should I bring anything besides flowers and wine?"
"She loves dumplings," Aria managed, her mind still reeling from his casual mention of marriage. "Specifically pork and chive dumplings. And she’ll pretend her English isn’t very good to test you, even though she’s fluent. It’s a game she plays to see how people react."
"What else?"
"She’s going to ask about your parents. About your grandfather. About what kind of man you are when no one’s watching." Aria touched his face gently.
"And what should I tell her? About what kind of man I am?"
"The truth. That you’re intense and possessive and sometimes overwhelming. But also protective and loyal and capable of incredible tenderness." Aria touched his face gently. "That you’re the kind of man who forgives when it would be easier to destroy. Who loves completely even when it’s terrifying. Who would burn down the world to protect the people you care about."
"That’s a lot to tell someone over Sunday dinner."
"She’ll see it anyway. My mother is incredibly perceptive. She’ll know within five minutes exactly what kind of man you are."
"Should I be worried?"
"Terrified," Aria said with a small smile. "She’s scarier than any board of directors you’ve ever faced."
"Great. Now I’m genuinely nervous."
"Good. You should be. But Damien? She’s going to love you. Because she can see how happy you make me. And that’s all that really matters to her."
Before Damien could respond, his phone rang.
He glanced at the screen and frowned. "It’s Julian. He never calls unless it’s important." He answered, putting it on speaker. "Julian. What’s going on?"
"Damien." Julian’s voice was tense. "Are you somewhere private? With Aria?"
"We’re in my office. What’s wrong?"
"You need to check the news. Now. There’s a story breaking....about Blackwood Enterprises. About someone in a high position sleeping their way to the top."
Aria’s stomach dropped.
"What are you talking about?" Damien’s voice had gone cold.
"It’s all over the financial news sites. Anonymous source claiming that a woman at Blackwood Enterprises was promoted to Chief Innovation Officer because she’s sleeping with someone powerful in the company. They have a photo....it’s blurred but anyone who knows Aria would recognize her."
Damien was already pulling up his laptop, typing rapidly.
Aria leaned over to see the screen, and her blood ran cold.
There it was. On three different financial news websites. The same headline with slight variations: "Blackwood Enterprises Executive Accused of Sleeping Her Way to the Top."
And the photo. Her, entering the elevator at Blackwood Enterprises headquarters. Her face was blurred for "legal reasons," but her body, her clothes, her posture....it was unmistakably her.
The article was vague on specifics, citing "anonymous sources close to the company" who claimed the unnamed woman had received her position through personal relationships rather than qualifications.
"When was this published?" Damien asked, his voice dangerously quiet.
"About twenty minutes ago," Julian said. "It’s already spreading. Business Insider picked it up. Wall Street Journal is asking for comment. This is going to be everywhere by tomorrow morning."
Aria said quietly. "This is Victoria. This has to be Victoria."
"Of course it’s Victoria," Damien said, his expression absolutely murderous. "Julian, I’m going to call you back."
He hung up and immediately dialed another number.
"Marcus." His voice was ice. ’’I want Victoria Ashford in front of me within thirty minutes.
He ended the call and sat back, his entire body radiating controlled fury.
Aria had never seen him like this. She’d seen him angry before, seen him possessive and intense and demanding.
"Damien," she said quietly. "What are you going to do?"
He turned to look at her, and the darkness in his eyes sent a shiver down her spine.
"I’m going to teach Victoria Ashford a lesson she’ll never forget. I’m going to make her understand exactly what happens when you come after what’s mine." His hand cupped her face, thumb brushing her cheekbone with devastating gentleness. "And then I’m going to destroy her so completely that she’ll never even think your name again."
The promise in his voice was absolute.
And somewhere in New York, Victoria Ashford had exactly twenty-eight minutes to realize she’d just made the worst mistake of her life.
