Aria’s POV

Amelia’s question landed heavily.

This evidence could prove Sophia was Patrick’s illegitimate daughter, but it couldn’t resurrect a dead woman. It couldn’t definitively prove Clarence had survived, nor that Sophia had been born of her and Patrick.

Chloe’s brows knit together, her annoyance sharp enough that even my wolf felt it. "If Patrick refuses to admit anything, then at most he’s just a cheating scumbag. People will curse him, sure, but legally? He walks away."

She clicked her tongue. "After all this effort, leaving him with nothing but a few scratches? That’s infuriating."

I lifted my gaze, meeting theirs. My pupils darkened, wolf-shadow bleeding into my eyes.

"Of course not," I said quietly. "I’m not stopping there."

My wolf bared her fangs in agreement.

"I’m going to destroy his reputation completely."

*****

That evening, I arrived at Lakeside Pavilion restaurant at exactly 9 p.m. I had come an hour late on purpose.

Richard was already seated alone at the table, expensive dishes laid out with excessive care.

His smile cracked the moment he saw me. For a second, irritation flashed across his face before he masked it. I noted it all.

He stood when I approached, relief washing over him. "I thought you weren’t coming."

I stopped beside the table, not bothering to apologize. "I really didn’t want to."

The sarcasm in my voice was sharp enough to draw blood. Richard only smiled, as if he were immune.

"Try this," he said, placing a piece of fish onto my plate.

The smell hit me instantly. My chest tightened.

For a moment, memory slammed into me, memory of my grandmother’s kitchen, she used to prepare this for me.

Richard as a scrawny boy would always climb over the fence, his eyes wide, drooling over her cooking. I would usually pout, clinging to her apron, jealous over a piece of fish.

I shoved the plate away.

"I don’t like it," I said flatly.

That was a lie. I did like it. But I didn’t eat it anymore. Not since my grandmother died.

Richard’s hand froze midair. Slowly, he pulled it back, his smile stiffening.

"Then... try something else."

I leaned back, crossing my arms. My wolf watched him with cold, predatory patience.

"Richard, stop wasting time. Are you really here to reminisce about old days or do you actually want something?"

His expression darkened, irritation flashing before he forced it down. "Do we really have to be like this? You won’t even talk to me anymore?"

I almost laughed.

"Do I need to be grateful to you?" I asked. "If you hadn’t kidnapped Jackson, I wouldn’t have had to tear across countries in the middle of the night to find him."

My nails dug into my palm.

"And you keep saying you feel sorry for my suffering...but what happened a year ago? Can you honestly say you played no part in that?"

I stared straight into his eyes.

His pupils trembled.

"I had no choice," he said softly, lowering his head. "You kept pushing me away. This was the only way to make you see me."

What a pathetic excuse.

My wolf scoffed, curling her lip. Richard’s pitiful act could fool anyone, but not me.

"A year ago," he continued, "I did take advantage of the chaos you caused at Hemsworth Group. I stole their secrets and pushed Cowen Group to the top."

He looked up, unapologetic. "I’m a businessman. Who wouldn’t seize such an opportunity?"

I said nothing, my silence pressing down on him like a blade.

"Aria," he added quickly, his eyes filled with something he probably thought was sincerity, "the ones who truly hurt you were Nathan and Sophia. I’ve been trying to help you escape them. Escape the Darvin family."

My wolf growled low in my chest.

"In other words, I should be thanking you," I said softly, then laughed.

The sound surprised even me. I could feel his eyes on me, feel his gaze tighten like a snare. My wolf stirred beneath my skin.

Richard swallowed, his throat bobbing. His eyes darkened. "Of course."

"Aria," he continued eagerly, leaning forward, "you’re divorced from Nathan now. Here in Asterfell, with me, you won’t have to answer to anyone. No more suspicion. No more false accusations."

His heart was racing. I could hear it.

My wolf snarled.

I frowned, as if something he said had finally piqued my interest. I rested my chin against my hand, studying him like prey that thought it was a savior.

"Is that so?" I murmured. "False accusations..."

I let the words linger.

"You know I was framed a year ago," I said calmly. "And you told me you could help clear my name. So tell me, who actually stole Hemsworth Group’s confidential files? Was I really wrong to suspect you?"

Confusion, carefully crafted, softened my expression. Inside, my wolf held her breath.

Richard hesitated.

That single pause was enough to make my pulse spike.

Then his eyes sharpened, as if he’d made a decision. "Aria, you misunderstood me," he said earnestly. "You suspected me because I benefited the most. But I’m innocent."

"Then tell me," I pressed, locking eyes with him, "who was it?"

My gaze drilled into him.

He inhaled slowly. "Sophia." 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

My fingers tightened around the fork.

"You’re sure?" I asked.

"Yes." His tone was steady. There was no flicker of guilt, no hesitation. He met my eyes squarely. "I know you have been digging for answers Aria. Your tech girl found the surveillance footage, didn’t she?"

The fork slipped from my hand and clattered against the table. How did he know?

I looked up sharply. "What do you mean?"

Richard smiled faintly, confidence creeping back in. "That footage was buried. Even Nathan couldn’t get it. Don’t you think it’s strange you found it so easily?"