Chapter 36
Author’s POV
The trending topic hit like a slap to the face-loud, unexpected, and way too public. By the time Mark stumbled across it, Julian’s name was already glued to Aria’s like they were some tragic pop ballad duo, and the internet was eating it up like it had waited all year for this drama.
He grabbed his phone to call the PR team, but the person on the other end barely let him say a word.
“It’s already been removed p>
Mark froze. “Removed? By who p>
“No idea. Not us. It was gone before we even logged in p>
He hung up, brows furrowing in that special kind of irritation reserved for things that made absolutely no sense. His gaze drifted to Julian, sprawled across the couch like he didn’t have a single urgent thought in his head.
Julian caught the look and sighed, deadpan. “What? Don’t give me that face. I didn’t start this fire p>
All he had done was say something quietly to Aria while pushing her out the door, which somehow got twisted into a scandalous ‘intimate moment’ between them.
Then he raised an eyebrow and let out a soft chuckle. “Gotta hand it to the internet —imagination really is a valuable commodity. Peak-level insanity, with just the right amount of drama p>
He took another sip of his coffee, looking relaxed. But in truth, he wasn’t nearly as calm as he appeared.
That day in the studio, he’d only leaned down to say something—just a casual remark, nothing important. But Aria had looked up at him right then, eyes wide and startlingly clear. The proximity caught him off guard-so much so that he forgot what he was going to say.
He hadn’t meant to create a moment. He certainly hadn’t been trying to stir up rumors. But to say he felt nothing in that instant?
That would be a lie.
And he was sure someone had seen it-someone who wasn’t thrilled about it.
Mark’s voice broke through his thoughts. “You said the trending topic was removed by someone else. Have you thought about who might’ve done it p>
Julian shrugged lazily. “How would I know? Oh, right—I should probably post a statement before people start thinking Aria’s having a secret affair in my studio. This whole mess is on me anyway p>
Mark nearly spit out his water. “Don’t you dare write anything like that. If you even hint at the word ‘affair’, Carter Group’s lawyers will be at your door before dinner p>
Julian rolled his eyes and started typing. “Do I look that dumb to you p>
A few minutes later, he handed over his phone.
Mark took one look-and blinked in surprise. It was… actually a proper statement. Gracious and professional.
“Big thanks to Aria Jones for her incredible work as the piano arranger on the upcoming album. A pleasure to collaborate, and I can’t wait for you all to hear it p>
Attached was a photo of Aria from behind, focused, poised, and completely immersed in her work at the piano. No tags. No hashtags. No drama.
Mark muttered under his breath, “Who are you, and what have you done with Julian Hayes p>
He handed the phone back, just as he was about to bring up the new MV shoot, when his own phone buzzed again.
Julian picked up his glass of water, eyes drifting absentmindedly toward the shopfront outside the window.
He remembered the moment clearly-how he’d passed by a tiny boutique tucked away in a quiet alley near Shibuya. The rabbit was sitting on a shelf, floppy-eared and big-eyed, looking a little lost among all the slick, modern décor. It reminded him of her for some reason-soft, but quietly stubborn.
He’d bought it without thinking too deeply about it.
Now, he wondered if she’d liked it. If she’d kept it.
People like her… maybe they were drawn to things that felt like their own reflection.
He smiled faintly at the thought.
Then Mark’s voice cut through the silence again.
“There’s a dinner tonight p>
Julian turned back toward him. “Okay… and p>
“You’re expected to attend p>
Julian narrowed his eyes, suspicious. “You’re ma that face again. What aren’t you telling me p>
Mark scratched the back of his neck, suddenly looking very interested in the floor. “It’s Carter Group’s official welcome dinner. VIPs, media, a few politicians probably. It’s basically their way of saying, ‘We own the room p>
Julian blinked. “Wait-Carter Group as in… Aria’s husband, Carter p>
Mark nodded, almost apologetically. “Aiden Carter himself. He’ll be there. I’m guessing he wants to meet their brand ambassador in person. You know, set some boundaries p>
Julian leaned back slowly, a sharp grin tugging at the corners of his mouth. “Oh, I see p>
His tongue clicked against his teeth, the grin widening with unmistakable amusement.
“Looks like things are finally getting interesting.”He leaned back, eyes glinting with amusement.
Aria’s POV
I stared at Aiden’s text, reading his sarcastic words over and over: “Compared to getting trending hashtags removed, how much trouble could it be p>
He was definitely annoyed. No, more than annoyed – he was jealous. The realization sent a surprising flutter through my chest before I quickly tamped it down.
No, that couldn’t be right. Aiden Carter wasn’t jealous; he was simply protecting the Carter family name. After all, what would people say if the Carter heir’s wife was seen getting cozy with Julian Hayes?
Still… there was something in his tone that felt personal. Possessive, even.
I chewed my lip nervously and checked T r. The trending hashtag #AriaAndJulian had disappeared completely. Relief washed over me as I sank back into my chair. Aiden had actually done it – wiped away a trending topic just like that. The power this man wielded still shocked me sometimes.
My phone pinged with I m notifications. Curious, I opened the app to find my latest post flooded with unexpected supportive comments:
“For real! Anyone good enough to work with Julian must be crazy talented! Y’all should check out Aria’s music background instead of gossiping p>
“Been a fan of Aria’s piano work for five years! I KNEW she wouldn’t do anything inappropriate! So proud she’s getting recognition p>
“International Leirna Award winner last year! Ms. Jones is brilliant! Some people are just blind and stupid p>
I blinked in surprise. These weren’t my usual followers. Had Julian’s fans found me? The comments kept coming, many of them referencing my background in classical music-details that most people had never paid attention to.
That wasn’t surprising, though. I had always kept a low profile. I never tried to market myself or chase the spotlight. Back when I won the Leirna Award, the company had even suppressed the trending topic at Liam’s request. He didn’t like it when I stood out too much.
So my achievements faded quietly into the background-until now.
As I scrolled through social media, something else caught my eye – Sophia’s name trending. I clicked on it without thinking.
There she was with Liam, both clearly unaware they were being followed. The photos showed them entering a hotel together, looking furtive. The video that followed was even more damning – them practically devouring each other as soon as they got through the door, before it finally closed behind them.
I waited for the pain. The jealousy. The anger. But it didn’t come.
Instead, I felt… nothing. Maybe a tiny bit of surprise that they were being so careless, but beyond that?
Just emptiness. Liam had drained every last drop of love I had for him, leaving nothing but a hollow space where those feelings used to be.
I scrolled through the comments under their photos. People were absolutely eviscerating Sophia – calling her everything from homewrecker to worse. Much worse.
” Sophia really is a bitch,” I muttered, not even trying to pretend I wasn’t enjoying her public humiliation just a little bit. After all she’d put me through, watching her perfect image crumble felt like poetic justice.
I put my phone down and wandered to the kitchen to make lunch. As I ate, Lillian called, and I spent a glorious half hour venting about everything – the Julian situation, Aiden’s cryptic messages, and of course, the Liam and Sophia scandal.
“I told you karma would get her eventually,” Lillian cackled on the other end of the line. “And it sounds like Mr. Ice King might actually have feelings under all that frost p>
“Don’t be ridiculous,” I laughed, though the thought made my cheeks warm. “Aiden only cares about the Carter reputation p>
“Mmhmm, keep telling yourself that,” Lillian teased. “Anyway, I’ve got to run. Call me later with updates p>
After hanging up, I felt my eyelids growing heavy. The emotional roller coaster of the day had left me exhausted, and with nothing urgent on my schedule, I decided a nap was in order. I curled up on my bed, not even bothering to change out of my clothes, and drifted off almost immediately.
I woke to the sound of my phone ringing. Groggy and disoriented, I fumbled for it, squinting at the screen.
Aiden.
My heart skipped a beat as I answered. “Hello p>
“Aria.” His voice was crisp, businesslike. “I’ve arranged dinner tonight with Julian Hayes and his management team to discuss his role as Carter Group’s brand ambassador. Your presence is required p>
I sat up straight, suddenly wide awake. “Tonight? But I p>
“Seven o’clock. Wear something appropriate for a business dinner. I’ll pick you up at
six-thirty p>
And before I could respond, he hung up.
I stared at my phone in disbelief. Did he just order me to dinner like I was one of his employees? And with Julian?
“What are you playing at, Aiden Carter?” I muttered, running a hand through my messy hair.
Part of me wanted to refuse just to spite him. But a bigger part was curious. Why this sudden dinner? Why include me? And why did his voice have that edge to it when he mentioned Julian’s name?
I glanced at the clock. Just past three. That gave me barely three hours to get ready for whatever game Aiden was playing.
With a sigh, I headed to the bathroom. Whatever his motives, I wasn’t about to show
up looking anything less than perfect.
Two could play at this game, and I intended to win.