Free Web NovelChapter 377: Chapter 377
Aria’s POV
I spread the folded sheet on the desk. It was a factory floor plan, detailed down to secondary exits and storage zones.
My wolf surged triumphantly. I snapped photos fast. My ears stayed locked on the hallway for any footsteps passing.
When I was done with taking the pictures, I refolded the paper, slid it back and returned the book at the exact angle it had been.
From across the room, nothing looked touched.
Next, I went to Patrick’s computer.
I powered it up, my fingers flying. I pulled up the mansion’s surveillance system and inserted a USB that would help Chloe remove every footage of me in Patrick’s office.
She would replace the footage with an empty room so no one would know I set foot here at this time period.
When I was done, I shut everything down and was about to slip out when I heard footsteps approaching.
It was close. Someone turning the corner. It caught the scent, it was Ann, the housekeeper.
I flattened myself against the wall beside the study door, kept my breathing shallow, and lowered my heartbeat.
Thankfully, I had taken a potion that would mask my scent on my way here. She won’t be able to detect my scent.
“Mr. Darvin? Are you back already?” Ann’s voice drifted down the hall.
I didn’t move. She stepped closer. I could hear the soft shift of her slippers. She was met with absolute silence.
She peered down the corridor.
“...no one’s here?”
Her confusion lingered, then faded with her steps. I waited six full seconds after the last sound.
Then I moved. I took a different staircase and used the side exit. Soon, I was gone from the estate. Only once I was in a cab did I let my shoulders drop.
My phone buzzed in my hand. I’d silenced it earlier, fortunately. fɾeeweɓnѳveɭ.com
I sent Rowland a message.
> How’s it there? Did they notice anything?
Rowland replied.
> Not yet, we are still here but you need to come over as soon as possible.
A second message popped up, it was a winking emoji. I huffed a laugh under my breath. What a big bad Alpha he was.
I gave the driver the address of my destination and urged him to drive fast.
As soon as we arrived, I got out of the car and came in through the back door as I had done when leaving.
Sophia’s voice was tight, her scent sharp with agitation. “Why isn’t she answering?” She had been calling me but I didn’t take any of her calls.
She dialed again. My phone vibrated silently in my bag.
Patrick’s heartbeat was uneven. A worried look was etched on his face.
“Alpha Rowland, do you know what’s going on?” he asked.
Rowland appeared unbothered. His presence alone filled the space, lazy but oppressive, like a wolf stretched in the sun who could still kill in one bite.
“She’ll be here soon,” he said coolly.
Then Margaret snapped.
“Is Aria still mad at us? She agreed to come and now she’s sneaking off? Is she only happy when we’re chasing after her?”
Her voice was sharp enough to cut. The air changed instantly.
Rowland’s temperature drop, the silent dominance that rolled off him when someone crossed a line.
Margaret felt it too, her breath hitched.
I decided to go over right then, to prevent things from escalating. I couched, announcing my presence.
All heads turned to me.
“Just felt a bit unwell, so I stopped by a pharmacy.”
I walked toward them at an easy pace, a small plastic bag swinging from my fingers. Two boxes of medication were clearly visible in the bag.
The tension dissolved like frost in sunlight.
Patrick rushed forward. “Sophia called you so many times, Aria. We were worried.”
“My phone was on silent,” I said lightly, then looked straight at Margaret. “What were you saying? I thought I heard my name.”
She folded instantly under Patrick’s presence. “Your mom’s just been on edge lately...”
I let my gaze pass over her like she was furniture.
“I’m not feeling great today,” I said, resting my hand on my abdomen, not enough to be dramatic, just enough to be noticed. “I won’t be choosing anything. I’ve seen the store’s taste. Just pick the most expensive bedding and décor. The color just has to be soft blue.”
The clerk lit up like I’d handed her the moon. It wasn’t surprising. I mean...every clerk would be excited when they hear they were about to make more money from a deal.
“Miss Aria, we’ll handle everything! I’ll send photos...”
“Sure.” I waved casually.
“Since you’re unwell, I’ll take you home,” Rowland said.
I was already on my way towards the exit when the clerk called out to me. “Ms. Aria, who would take care of the bill?” She had already tallied the cost and needed payment.
I raised a brow and glanced at Patrick.
“Of course, I will take care of it, I specifically came here to redecorate my daughter’s room”.
He stepped up with a smile but as he glanced at the price, his eyes widened.
“Is... is there a mistake?” he forced out. “It says eight hundred thousand dollars here”.
“No, sir. Ms. Aria requested for the most expensive line with a custom color.”
I tilted my head, blinking softly. “Dad, I didn’t expect it to be that much. It won’t be a burden, right?”
My wolf practically purred. Of course it was a burden to him. I could hear it in the way his lungs struggled to pull air. But pride was a leash wolves loved wrapping around their own throats.
“No problem,” he laughed stiffly. “As long as you like it.”
Rowland added smoothly, “Seems the Darvin family treats Aria very well after all.”
Patrick was cornered, he had no exit now. He handed over the card. That was probably his last reserve. I could smell the loss on him.
“Where did you get eight hundred thousand dollars from?” Margaret demanded, forgetting the audience.
