Chapter 75
Aria’s POV
I pulled the blanket a little tighter around myself as I slowly sat up, the warmth of Aiden’s skin still lingering against mine.
When I finally looked up at him, his expression was unreadable, but his presence alone had a strange way of grounding me.
“I’ve decided what to do,” I said, my voice steadier than I felt. I gave a small, firm nod. “But I don’t need your help with this p>
I meant it. I could handle this on my own.
When I’d vented my frustration to Aiden moments ago, I wasn’t actually asking for his assistance. I’m not so weak that I can’t fight back when someone walks all over
me.
But somehow, without even realizing it, I ended up turning to him.
I didn’t plan to. It just… happened.
But when Aiden heard me say I didn’t need his help, something in his expression shifted.
His jaw tightened. “This affects both of us, Aria. We’re in this together p>
“I appreciate that,” I said softly, clutching the sheet tighter around my chest. “But I want to handle this my way, with my own abilities. Please p>
He studied me for a long moment, his dark eyes unreadable. Finally, he released a slow breath. “Fine. But if things escalate p>
“I’ll come to you,” I promised. Then, hesitating, I added, “If I make too much noise online… will it cause problems for you p>
“No,” he replied without hesitation, his voice firm and reassuring.
He stood and began to dress, buttoning his shirt with calm, practiced movements.
Once he was fully dressed, Aiden walked to the door. He paused for a beat, glanced back at me, and said simply, “Do what you need to do p>
Then he left the room, closing the door gently behind him.
With Aiden’s approval, I felt emboldened. If he wasn’t afraid of the blowback, then neither was I.
It was time to take off the gloves.
When it came to social media battles, I was getting more experienced by the day. In
a strange way, I almost felt grateful to Sophia for the practice.
I was about to call Summer when Lucy’s voice came from downstairs, asking about lunch plans.
“Just make whatever you think is best,” I called back, heading toward the stairs with my phone in hand, now properly dressed in a silk robe.
As I passed by Lucy in the hallway, she stopped me with a worried look. “Mrs. Carter, did something unpleasant happen to Mr. Carter today p>
I paused, surprised. “No. Why do you ask p>
Lucy fidgeted slightly, clearly uncomfortable discussing her employer. “It’s just… when I saw him earlier, his expression seemed… displeased. I thought I’d prepare something special if he’s in a bad mood p>
A twinge of concern ran through me. “I’m sure it’s nothing,” I reassured her, though I
wasn’t entirely convinced myself. “Make whatever you think best p>
Walking away, I couldn’t help wondering—was Aiden angry? And if so, was it because of me?
I thought back to the way he’d left the room-calm, composed, not a trace of tension
in his expression or movements. Nothing had seemed off.
Still, I made a mental note to check on him after handling the Diana situation. Just in case.
But before I could dial Summer’s number, my phone lit up with messages from Lillian.
Lillian: Babe! It’s all turning around! LMAO, Diana is getting destroyed online! Lillian: Holy shit, Adrian Black himself is defending you!
Lillian: [Image.JPG] [Image.JPG] [Image.JPG] [Image.JPG]
I quickly opened the images and discovered that in the short time since we’d spoken, the tide of public opinion had dramatically shifted in my favor.
The “reversal” Lillian mentioned was because Adrian Black—a virtual legend in the music world who had all but disappeared from public view—had suddenly spoken out on my behalf.
Adrian Black was no ordinary musician. For twenty years, he’d dominated the music industry before semi-retiring seven years ago due to health issues.
Diana Hayes, with her mere five years of fame, was a nobody compared to him. His social media accounts had been dormant for over two years.
Until today.
His sudden post read: “I hear my junior’s awards are supposedly ‘worthless’? What does that make me then? @AriaCarter”
The post immediately went viral. Everyone knew that before his transition to becoming a recording artist, Adrian had been a classically trained pianist with numerous prestigious awards himself.
By calling me his “junior,” Adrian had revealed something significant: we shared the same mentor. The legendary Professor Whitman, known for his exceptional standards, had only taken three students in his entire career-Adrian Black, Howard Miles, and apparently me, though this wasn’t public knowledge until now.
For Adrian to break his two-year silence specifically to defend me spoke volumes. Following Adrian’s lead, other accomplished pianists began speaking out:
“If Ms. Carter’s achievements are worthless, then I’ve wasted thirty-five years of my life in complete mediocrity p>
“Are people really this ignorant now? Claiming Aria bought her awards? The billionaire Reynolds’ daughter plays piano too and enters every competition with unlimited resources. Check how many of Aria’s awards SHE’S won! Like artist, like fans-equally clueless p>
“Laughable. If anyone’s success was bought, it’s Diana Hayes.
Everyone knows the entertainment industry is all about capital investment these days. Any respectable charity event organizer would know who deserves that opening slot p>
As I scrolled through the comments, I realized the narrative had almost completely flipped without me lifting a finger. For a moment, I wondered if my involvement was even necessary anymore.
But that thought vanished quickly. This wasn’t just about my abilities as a pianist—it was about Diana’s attempt to humiliate me after being removed from the charity event lineup.
I immediately called Summer, who answered on the first ring. Clearly, she had been about to call me as well.
Summer had been furious this morning when she first heard about the situation. She’d only calmed down after Aiden had turned the tables and had Diana removed from the event. Now her anger had returned full force.
Despite being both my assistant and unofficial “manager,” Summer had always respected my wishes. Years ago, when entertainment companies had thrown numerous offers my way, she’d declined them all without hesitation when I expressed disinterest.
Last year, when I won that major award, most people would have leveraged it for publicity and lucrative endorsement deals.
But when I said I preferred to keep a low profile, Summer not only avoided publicity but actively contacted media outlets to minimize coverage of me.
She’d always followed my lead-except this time.
“Aria,” she declared before I could speak, “I’m not letting this slide. I know you prefer staying out of the spotlight, but this is the first time someone has dared to attack you so brazenly.
Don’t try to talk me out of it—I won’t listen. I’m going to hit back hard online. I might not destroy Diana’s career completely, but she’s going to regret this p>
I was left momentarily speechless, since she’d basically stolen the words right out of my mouth.
After a pause, Summer asked anxiously, “Aria? What are you thinking? Say something p>
I couldn’t help but laugh. “You’ve already said everything I was planning to say. I’m not sure what to add p>
Summer seemed surprised, “wait… you’re saying you don’t want to handle this privately p>
Her voice was so uncertain that I almost felt bad. I really had been too passive in the
past.
“I’m not cotton that can be pushed around,” I said firmly. “She’s attacked me publicly -how exactly would I resolve this privately p>
The truth was, I wasn’t suddenly more confrontational. In the past, I’d avoided public drama because those incidents had been contained within our professional circles. I wasn’t a celebrity who needed to perform in the court of public opinion.
But this situation was different.
Diana was an entertainer who had dragged me into a massive public scandal. If I tried to suppress it now, wouldn’t that just look like an admission of guilt?
When Summer realized we were on the same page, her indignation transformed into excitement. “Say no more! I’ll handle the PR response. Just watch—I’ll make that presumptuous girl serve you tea and apologize before this is over p>