Chapter 91
Aria’s POV
“Holy shit!” I gasped as Claire’s body hit the water with a massive splash.
She actually did it. She actually threw herself into the damn pool!
I glanced around frantically, confirming what I already knew we were completely alone out here. Everyone was still inside enjoying their champagne and gossip while I was stuck in this absurd situation.
In the pool, Claire’s flailing was becoming weaker by the second, her splashing growing fainter as she struggled.
Fuck. I’d been played.
This woman was absolutely shameless! She’d manipulated me perfectly, knowing exactly which buttons to push. I couldn’t believe I’d fallen into her trap, but what choice did I have now?
I couldn’t just watch someone drown right in front of me, even if she orchestrated this whole ridiculous scenario.
Without wasting another second, I sprinted to the edge of the pool, kicking off my Louboutins and yanking the diamond necklace from around my neck. I hastily shoved the jewelry under my shoes—I wasn’t about to let five million dollars worth of diamonds get ruined because of Claire’s theatrics.
“Goddammit,” I muttered before diving in.
The water was surprisingly warm as it enveloped me. Thankfully, I’m a strong swimmer-have been since childhood when Dad insisted I take lessons at our country club. The pool wasn’t even that deep—maybe four feet—and I quickly found my footing.
With a determined push, I reached Claire’s sinking form and grabbed her, pulling her up toward the surface. The moment her head broke through the water, she gasped dramatically, her eyes wide with what looked like genuine panic.
And then, exactly as I feared, she latched onto me like a terrified octopus.
“Stop!” I yelled as her weight threatened to drag us both under. “Claire, stop grabbing me like that p>
She was surprisingly strong for someone who claimed she couldn’t swim. Her arms locked around my neck, and despite standing firmly on the pool floor, I lost my balance and toppled backward into the water.
Thankfully, we were near the edge. I quickly regained my footing, sputtering and pushing wet hair from my eyes.
“Get off me!” I snapped, anger fully replacing my initial concern. “This pool is only four feet deep! You’re like 5’6″—you can literally stand up and your entire upper body will be above water. What the hell are you so afraid of p>
Something in my tone must have registered because her death grip on me loosened slightly. I took the opportunity to drag us both toward the pool’s edge, my arm straining as I supported her weight.
“Hold onto the edge,” I commanded through gritted teeth, guiding her hand to the concrete lip of the pool.
Once she was secure, I hauled myself out of the water, my soaked dress clinging to my body and weighing approximately a thousand pounds. Water streamed from the ruined fabric as I turned back, ready to help Claire out.
That’s when a piercing scream shattered the night.
“AHHHHH p>
You have got to be kidding me.
The scream-theatrical and perfectly timed-echoed through the garden. Within seconds, the French doors burst open and guests came pouring out, their curious faces illuminated by the garden lights.
I’d just managed to pull Claire’s shivering form out of the pool when a woman’s voice rose above the growing murmurs.
“I saw her! I saw her push Miss Bennett into the pool p>
Are you fucking serious? She actually planted witnesses for this charade?
I suddenly regretted every heroic instinct that led me to jump in after her. Claire clearly had a backup plan to “save” herself if I hadn’t taken the bait. Now I was soaked, my makeup was ruined, my $12,000 dress was destroyed, and I was being accused of attempted murder.
Fantastic.
With as much dignity as I could muster, I squelched over to where I left my shoes and retrieved my necklace, securing it in my palm. No way was I losing this on top of everything else.
I’d just picked up my shoes when Eleanor Smith approached, surrounded by a protective circle of socialites like she was royalty.
“What happened here? Oh my god, Claire! What happened to you?” Eleanor’s voice rose with perfectly practiced concern.
Claire was still coughing, water dribbling from her mouth as she struggled to catch her breath.
Before she could answer, the woman who screamed pointed an accusing finger at me. “Mrs. Carter did it! I saw her push Claire into the pool and hold her under! If I hadn’t spotted them, Claire could have died! She’s trying to eliminate the competition for Aiden’s affections p>
The crowd around us gasped dramatically, and the whispers started immediately.
“That Aria woman is insane p>
“She tried to kill Claire Bennett? Over a man p>
“No wonder the Carters don’t accept her—she’s dangerous p>
“Someone should call the police! This is attempted murder p>
I’d never been one for public confrontations, preferring to let Aiden handle these situations. But at the mention of police, I snapped my head up and let out a cold laugh.
“Fine,” I said, my voice cutting through the gossip. “Call them. I’d love to see the security footage p>
The words had barely left my mouth when Claire suddenly stood up, still dripping wet, and raised her hand to silence the crowd.
“Call the police?” she rasped, her voice hoarse from coughing. “What for p>
Eleanor rushed forward to support her. “Claire, darling, don’t protect this woman. What she did was criminal! We need to report this p>
But Claire gently pushed Eleanor’s hands away. “I fell in by myself. There’s nothing to report p>
The crowd fell silent. I was standing there, soaking wet and open-mouthed, completely confused by this unexpected turn of events.
Claire turned to me with a smile that seemed almost…genuine? “If Mrs. Carter
hadn’t been here tonight, I probably wouldn’t be alive. She’s my savior p>
And then, to my absolute shock, Claire Bennett-Manhattan socialite extraordinaire -bowed deeply to me in front of everyone.
I heard footsteps behind me just as
warm fabric settled across my
Opsonar scent
of
shoulders. Aiden’s cologne wrapped around me and I turned to see him standing there, his eyes dark with concern.
“She-1-but she-” I stammered, ready to explain the whole bizarre situation, but Claire’s bow had
words died in my throat as I realized Thad no idea what was actually happening anymore.
completely thrown me off. et
Aiden’s hand found mine, warm and steady, as he turned his attention to Claire.
“Miss Bennett,” his voice was cold steel, “my wife goes to speak with you for a few minutes and ends up like this. I believe you owe us an explanation p>
“It’s my fault. I apologize, Mr. Carter, Mrs. Carter,” Claire said, sounding contrite. “I accidentally fell into the pool, and your wife jumped in to save me. She’s the reason I’m still here p>
Eleanor looked between us, completely baffled. “Claire, sweetie, are you being threatened? Did she say something to you p>
I stood there, dripping and bewildered, as the scene unfolded like some bizarre theater production where I missed half the script. Why was Claire suddenly portraying me as her hero? Wasn’t this whole thing, staged to make me look like a psychotic, jealous wife?
The crowd murmured in confusion, clearly as perplexed as I was by this unexpected
ending.
Claire wrapped a towel someone handed her more tightly around her shoulders and looked directly at me from behind Aiden. “Mrs. Carter, I’m so sorry for frightening you tonight p>
A breeze swept through the garden, and she sneezed delicately before continuing. “You should go change into dry clothes. I’ll come by properly another day to thank you for saving my life p>
With that, she allowed her friends to lead her away, leaving me standing there completely stunned.
Wait…that was it?
No accusations? No screaming match? No security dragging me out?
I’d prepared myself for a full-blown scandal, for being labeled a crazy, jealous wife
who tried to drown her husband’s suitor.
I was ready for photos in the tabloids, for whispered gossip that would follow me for months.
But instead…nothing?
I looked up at Aiden, completely bewildered, water still dripping from my ruined dress onto the garden flagstones.
“What just happened?” I whispered, genuinely confused by the entire exchange.
Something told me this wasn’t over-not by a long shot. Claire Bennett didn’t stage
this elaborate drama just to walk away empty-handed.
The question was: what’s her real game?