<b>Chapter 428 </b>
By noon the next day, Aria was pulling into the parking lot at Ward’s Winery.
Though it wasn’t a household name across the country, Ward’s was famous in Mandino City andtely, even more so.
Two years ago, Amanda’s father, the Ward Group’s CEO, had saved the head of Fraibia, a European wine conglomerate.
The rescue led to a lucrative partnership, and with new technology and Fraibia’s clout, Ward’s wine quality skyrocketed.
Their sales soared–they took first ce in quarterly sales, second in annual rankings.
In just two years, the Ward Group became a rising star in the industry.
Officially, today’s event was a casual wine tasting hosted by Amanda–a gathering for the young elite.
In truth, it was the Ward family’s first big g, a power y to showcase their winery and reel in resources.
With the Ward family’s sudden rise, they’d inevitably made enemies, and Amanda, running point, was worried someone might try to crash the party.
That’s why she wanted Fryderyk around.
Aria was runningte. The lot was already packed.
She found a narrow space, backed in like a pro, and was just unclipping her seatbelt when a sleek car rolled up directly in front of her.
A girl in a cocktail dress stepped out, strutted over, nted a hand on her hip and jabbed a finger in Aria’s direction, mouthing angrily through the
windshield.
Aria stared, unmoved, vaguely recognizing her. She stepped out of the car.
“<b>We </b>were here first! Who do you think you are, taking our…” Delh stopped short, eyes wide as she finally registered who she was yelling at. The words
died in her throat.
Aria smiled, lips curved just enough. “Taking what?”
Delh took a hasty step back, face drained of color. “No… Nothing”
Just days ago, Hannah had been sentenced–eight years.
Most thought the punishment was too harsh, and the Gibson family would surely appeal, but they didn’t. They epted it.
Delh now saw Aria as someone you absolutely did not mess with.
Last time at the real estate office, she’d ended up locked in a police cell <i>for </i>days.
She’d promised her aunt to keep it together, but faced with Aria in the flesh, her courage fizzled.
Delh turned to her driver, snapping, “Well? Don’t just stand there, go find a spot to park!”
Aria walked on, gaze cool, and headed for the entrance.
At the gates, she handed over her invitation. The receptionist’s eyes lingered on her, a hint of confusion in their smile.
“Is something wrong?” Aria asked.
The hostess quickly shook her head, smiled wider. <b>“</b>Not at all, Miss. Please<b>, </be with me.”
23:48 <b>Sun</b><b>, </b>22 <b>Jun </b><b>G </b>
A momentter, Aria understood the odd looks.
Everyone else <b>was </b>dressed to the nines, but she’d shown up in casual wear.
Amanda spotted her across thewn, immediately waving her over. “Aria! You made it.”
Aria smiled, unbothered. “I thought it was just a small tasting, but there’s a serious crowd.”
Amanda waved it off. “Comfort’s what matters, and trust me–you’re not alone.” She nodded behind Aria.
Aria turned to find Fryderyk, equally dressed down, falling into step beside her.
Amanda grinned even wider. “See, Fryderyk? Told you, if Aria showed, you’d show up too.”
Fryderyk’s expression didn’t change. “I didn’te because of Aria.”
Amanda rolled her eyes, all mock sympathy. “Right, not because of Aria. Because you’re secretly in love with me. Sure.<b>” </b>
She gged down <b>a </b>server, took a bottle, and poured Aria half <b>a </b>ss. “This one’s brand new–try <b>it </b>and tell me what you think.”
She looked at Fryderyk. “You want <b>a </b>ss?”
He shook his head. “I’m driving.”
“Suit yourself.”
Aria took a sniff, sipped, nodded her approval. “Not bad.”
<b>“</b>Not bad?” Another voice slid into the conversation.
They turned to see Ondo strolling over, Ophelia at his side. Ondo smiled coolly. “Ms. Saxon, aren’t you going to give us a proper tasting note?”
Ophelia eyed Aria, her body instinctively recoiling.
<b>7</b><b>%</b><b>1 </b>
Catching herself, she stiffened her spine and sneered, “Ward’s wine is just rebottled Netallo, anyway. And look at you, dressed like that at a formal event -so disrespectful to the Ward family. After your divorce from Liam, even your manners went out the window.”
Even Ondo’s expression soured. Idiot, he thought. Amanda’s eye’s turned frosty. “Miss Cole, you seem confused. We borrowed Netallo’s technology, but our ingredients and <i>recipes </i>are all our own. This isn’t Netallo’s wine–and if you don’t know that, maybe you’re at the wrong party.”
Amanda was the one to win over–every business, including the Cole family, needed her approval.
Ophelia had been warned over and over by Daniel to stay on Amanda’s good side.
Yet the first thing out of her mouth was to insult the wine,
Aria <b>hadn’t </b>even needed to open her mouth. Ophelia had dug her own grave.
Realizing <i>her </i>blunder, Ophelia quickly tried to walk it back. “I didn’t mean it like that…<b>” </b>
People nearby turned their attention their way, conversations quieting <b>as </b>they drifted closer–nobody wanted to miss the drama.
Amanda’s smile <b>was </b><b>razor</b>–sharp. “Everyone in Mandino knows Aria singlehandedly saved the Cole Group. Liam’s ingratitude aside, you could at least <b>show </b>some respect. But you’d rather sneer? I guess that’s just ssic Cole family style.”
Ophelia opened her mouth to protest, but Ondo cut her off with a single re. “Liam should be here soon. Go find him.”
Ophelia’s <b>cheeks </b>med red. She stammered <b>an </b>apology, then hustled away, shooting <b>Aria </b>onest death re.
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<b>23:48 </b><b>Sun </b><b>22 </b><b>Jun </b>▼▼G
Aria twirled her ss, not even looking her way. “Keep ring and I’ll take your eyes out.”
Ophelia shrank and hurried off. Amanda burst outughing, “That’s why I like you, Aria.”
Though they’d only met twice, Amanda already had a great impression of her.
Catching herself, she turned to Ondo with a raised brow. “Don’t you have other people to talk to?”
She wasn’t shy about her equal–opportunity dislike for the entire Cole family, bastard sons included.
<b>7</b>%1
$28
Ondo ignored the dig, gaze settling on Aria. “Ms. Saxon, you never answered my question. Wine is all about process–one tiny slip and the whole vor profile changes. Same goes for life. The smallest decisions can upend everything. So, how exactly do you taste this wine?”
Amanda stiffened. This isn’t about wine, he’s picking a fight.”
She looked at Fryderyk for help, silently begging him to step in, but he pretended not to notice, utterly indifferent.
Amanda nearly groaned aloud. ‘And he thinks he’ll ever get a girlfriend? Not with those social skills. Pathetic<b>.</b>‘
<b>3/3 </b>