In the CEO’s office, Milo Kelly walked in with the woman and child beside him, not even bothering to hide his intentions. The woman clung to his arm with a soft, fragile air.
The moment the door opened and Ariyah Griffin met Milo’s gaze, a flicker of hesitation crossed his face. He swallowed hard and pulled himself together, all too aware of the woman at his side.
Before Ariyah could get a word out, her assistant Joan moved fast—snatching the bottle of water from the table and flinging it at the woman’s shoulder, drenching her tailored sheath dress and hair.
The woman stumbled back, eyes filling with tears.
“Joan! What the hell is wrong with you?” Milo shouted, visibly rattled.
“Oops. My hand slipped,” Joan said flatly. Since graduation, she had been more like family to Ariyah than an assistant, and she couldn’t stomach what Milo had become—a man who’d started as a broke intern and now acted like he’d built everything on his own.
Milo’s jaw tightened as he took a step toward Joan. He wouldn’t dare lay a hand on Ariyah, but Joan was just an employee. What gave her the right to get in his way?
“Try it,” Ariyah warned coolly from the sofa. Her coffee had gone lukewarm. She set the cup down. The show Milo was putting on had her raising an eyebrow. “What’s your angle, Milo?”
Her gaze slid to the short-haired woman in the expensive cream silk wrap dress, a Gucci bag clutched in her hand. The little girl beside her—maybe two years old—peeked out from behind Milo, shy and wide-eyed.
Milo had clearly spared no expense. The sight sent a sharp, stinging pain through Ariyah’s chest.
Milo licked his dry lips and tugged at his collar. “I admit I’ve wronged you, Ariyah, but let’s be real. Did you or your father ever actually treat me like family?”
“To you, I was just nothing more than a glorified workhorse,” he went on, his voice rising with fresh resolve. Today, he was done hiding Alyssa Jenkins and their daughter, Avayah. It was time they got what they deserved.
“A glorified workhorse?” Ariyah let out a dry laugh. “You never saw yourself that way. If anything, you thought you were a diamond in the rough—destined for greatness.”
She knew exactly why Milo had the nerve to pull this stunt in her company. Six months earlier, he’d come to her about a merger. The other side insisted on negotiating only with the primary shareholder. Moved by his emotional plea, Ariyah had transferred all her shares to him, making Milo the sole controlling power at AEI Equity.
Her kindness had become the knife he now twisted in her back—the farmer and the viper all over again.
“Milo, don’t let Ariyah’s sarcasm get to you. This isn’t entirely your fault,” Alyssa interjected, tucking a wet strand of hair behind her ear. “Blame me—just don’t target Milo or our daughter.”
Joan wished she’d thrown glue instead of water. Anything to shut this woman up for good.
Ariyah rose and walked toward Alyssa, studying her like something stuck to the bottom of her shoe. “And who are you to speak?”
She shifted her gaze to Milo. “A little loneliness, I could understand. But this choice of yours? Questionable. No amount of luxury can hide how ordinary she is. Where did you even find her?”
“Milo,” Ariyah said, her voice dripping with scorn, “is she a diplomat’s daughter? Raised in luxury, with impeccable character?”
Impeccable character? Ariyah nearly laughed. Since when did people of good character break up a marriage and become the other woman?
“I’m not here to fight with you, Ariyah. I admit I made mistakes, and I’m asking you to let it go. I’ll compensate you for part of the shares you gave me,” Milo said, as if he were being gracious.
Ariyah turned slightly, watching him with cold detachment. That face—she’d known it for years—but she was seeing it clearly for the first time. He actually spoke as if she should be grateful.
Before she could respond, Alyssa stepped forward, voice thick with emotion. “Milo, love is about timing. I was naïve to believe true love could conquer everything.”
“Don’t fight with Ariyah, Milo. She’s been through enough. I’m not asking for a title. Just being by your side is enough for me.”
Ariyah smirked. “If your love is so pure, why doesn’t Milo walk away with nothing? Give back the shares, the house, the car. Live without all those material burdens. How about that?”
She’d run into the other woman’s type before. Women who believed true love had chosen them. It was a special kind of delusion—one men were only too happy to feed.
Sure enough, Alyssa hesitated. Panic flickered in her eyes before she pulled the child closer and shrank back.
“I’m willing to sacrifice, but our child is innocent. Her future shouldn’t suffer.”
Ariyah laughed once and turned away, done with the fake performance.
“You have two choices: Milo leaves the company—or she packs up and leaves the city.”
Milo exploded. He hurled the coffee cup. “Wake up, Ariyah! You think your father’s still in charge? This whole company depends on me!”
“And as for your AEI Equity, I’m its face. Without me, every client walks out that door.”
He was done pretending. His interests were on the line, and he had nothing left to hide.
Ariyah watched him unravel, feeling neither anger nor disappointment—just a deep, hollow sense of loss. How could she have ever trusted this man?
Joan stepped protectively in front of Ariyah, eyes blazing. “You were a broke intern, Milo. If it weren’t for Ariyah... what gives you the right to run anything now?”
“That was my talent! She just opened the door!” Milo’s voice rose.
The office went dead silent, the air thick with tension. Outside the door, a crowd had gathered.
Ariyah laughed, cold and sharp. “So that’s it? In my own company, you’re actually trying to kick me out?”
