Chapter 74
Aria’s POV
The shrill ring of my phone shattered the moment. Aiden and I froze, our bodies still intertwined, breaths heavy with unfulfilled desire.
“Ignore it,” Aiden murmured against my neck, his voice rough with need.
But the persistent ringing continued, and something told me I shouldn’t ignore this call. With an apologetic glance at Aiden, I reached over to the nightstand.
“It’s Lillian,” I said, recognizing the caller ID.
Aiden sighed and rolled onto his back beside me, his muscled chest rising and falling with each frustrated breath. I couldn’t help but admire his perfect form as I answered the call.
“Hello p>
Lillian’s voice exploded through the speaker, a stream of creative profanity directed at Diana Hayes. I had to hold the phone away from my ear.
“Lillian, please calm down,” I said, pulling the sheet up to cover myself, suddenly feeling exposed despite being alone with my husband.
“Calm down? I can’t calm down! Have you seen what that bitch posted about you p>
I frowned. “What are you talking about p>
“Check your Instagram. I’m sending you the link now p>
My phone buzzed with her message. I opened it to find a trending hashtag: #AriaCarter’sPrivilege
At first glance, I couldn’t tell if it was positive or negative, but clicking through revealed a flood of hateful comments. I scrolled through them, my stomach sinking with each swipe.
“Oh my god,” I whispered.
Aiden propped himself up on his elbow beside me, his brow furrowed with concern. “What is it p>
I held up a finger, asking him to wait as I continued reading. It didn’t take long to piece together what had happened.
Apparently, Diana Hayes had thrown a tantrum backstage when she learned she wouldn’t be performing at the charity event.
She’d stayed there making a scene for half an hour until the event started. When she saw me take the stage, confirming she’d truly been replaced, she’d stormed out in a rage.
And then she’d gone straight to social media with a thinly veiled attack:
“Some piano player thinks she’s so special, huh? Win a few meaningless awards overseas and suddenly you’re untouchable? When your talent can’t compete, just use your connections. Amazing what I’m learning about this industry p>
Her fans had quickly identified me as the target and within an hour, Diana had the top trending topic while I held second place-both full of attacks against me.
“She uses charity events to show off her privilege? This world is doomed p>
“Well done, Miss Carter, married well, didn’t you p>
“Who does Aria Carter think she is? Diana has real fans! Some nobody piano player dares to steal the opening performance? The audacity p>
The comments were overwhelmingly nasty, though a few voices attempted to defend me:
“Look up Aria’s awards before commenting. Those aren’t prizes anyone can just buy p>
“Whatever else happened, her piano skills are undeniable. She’s internationally acclaimed, just not well-known domestically because she hasn’t promoted herself here p>
These rational responses were quickly buried beneath waves of hatred. They were even dragging up my history with Liam, using it as additional ammunition.
I felt my mood plummet. Why was I being attacked when I’d done nothing wrong?
Just then, Aiden’s phone buzzed from somewhere on the floor. With a sigh, he swung his legs off the bed and stood, his naked body moving with effortless grace as he walked across the room to pick it up.
I glanced away, heat rising to my cheeks. But my mind wasn’t on his body-it snagged on something else. On what he’d said in the car.
“Next time, I want to be the first person you call. No matter how minor the issue seems p>
Should I tell him about this? The situation was already exploding online-surely the Carter family would notice soon if they hadn’t already.
Before I could decide, Aiden ended his call and turned to me. “You’ve seen what’s happening online?” he asked, his voice neutral.
I startled, realizing his secretary must have called about the same issue. “Yes,” I admitted, letting the phone drop onto the bed. “They’re all attacking me p>
Let them attack, I thought bitterly. I did use “privilege” to replace Diana, and I won’t deny that.
But those idiots saying my piano playing sounds like “pressing cotton” – that I can’t tolerate.
I clenched my jaw, unable to contain my frustration. “I can’t let this go, Aiden p>
He raised an eyebrow, a dangerous glint entering his eyes. “What a coincidence. Neither can I p>
I’ve never been this angry, not even when Sophia was making passive-aggressive comments about me online.
I started playing piano at eight. Everything I’ve achieved comes from my talent and relentless effort.
In high school, I’d go to bed at midnight and wake at five to practice before classes. Even now, with all my success, I still practice more than thirty hours every week.
When I travel for performances or competitions, I never slack off.
All these years climbing the ladder in my chosen field, only to have someone claim my honors were bought and that I’m desperately trying to ride Diana’s coattails for fame.
If they were attacking my character or personality, I might not be this upset.
But with a few careless words, they’ve dismissed twenty years of sweat and tears, comparing my proudest skill to “pressing cotton p>
My body trembled with rage as I spoke. I couldn’t remember ever feeling this hurt before, and my eyes welled with tears despite my best efforts.
When Aiden’s hand covered mine, I instinctively looked at him. A tear escaped, rolling down my cheek as I whispered, “Aiden, I’m so angry p>
I was furious, genuinely furious.
Aiden seemed momentarily stunned by my tears.
His dark eyes intensified before he pulled me into his embrace, still warm and bare from our interrupted passion. “Hush, I’ll handle this for you p>
I was still shaking in his arms, my naked body pressed against his. Usually, I don’t care much about online opinions. When Sophia dragged me through the mud, I treated it like watching a spectator sport.
But this was different. These people had casually dismissed the career I loved most.
Aiden’s shoulders were warm and solid, his familiar woody scent surrounding me, helping me gradually calm down. As my rationality returned, I began to think more clearly.
Getting angry wouldn’t help. Diana had gone too far – if I didn’t fight back, people would think I was an easy target.
I lowered my eyes, contemplating my response.
Getting revenge wouldn’t be difficult. After five years in the entertainment industry,
Diana must have plenty of scandals in her closet.
Since she enjoys attacking others so much, I should let her experience the consequences. I’m not part of the entertainment industry, so this controversy won’t affect my future.
But for Diana, if her fans turn against her, her career would effectively be over.
My anger faded as quickly as it had arrived. I was just upset seeing those awful comments, but now that I’d calmed down, the situation didn’t seem so dire.
With a plan forming in my mind, I reached for my phone to call Summer and have her handle the matter.
As I raised my hand, my fingertips brushed against my lips, and I suddenly froze, becoming acutely aware that I was still naked in Aiden’s arms.
Wait, what just happened?
Why was I in Aiden’s arms discussing social media drama when moments ago we were p>
Finally realizing the absurdity of the situation, I quickly extricated myself from his embrace, shifting to sit half an arm’s length away, clutching the sheet to my chest. “Aiden, I’m sorry for getting so emotional p>
“So, Mrs. Carter,” he asked, “have you decided how you want to counter- attack?”When he looked at me, his typically detached voice carried an almost imperceptible tenderness.