Chapter 18
She disliked Jasper’s classes for a reason; didn’t he have any clue?
Aria headed toward the kitchen. “If I want to take them, I’ll take
them. No need for so many whys.”
She was starving after being busy all day and planned to cook
some noodles.
She used to think Asher didn’t want her to take Professor
Jasper’s classes to keep her from overworking.
Now it seemed he just didn’t want Tessa to have another rival!
Trying so hard to please Tessa, Asher was really so thoughtful.
Asher chased after her and grabbed her hand. “Aria, maybe you
shouldn’t go to Professor Jasper’s classes. I’d feel bad if you wore
yourself out.”
Looking at the claws holding her, Aria calmly pulled her hand
free.
She took off her apron and tied it on herself. “Don’t worry. I
don’t get tired in class.”
Chapter 18
She poured oil into the pan, cracked two eggs, and used a fork to
beat them before pouring them in.
Not getting the reaction he expected, Asher looked a bit
annoyed, feeling something was off.
But he couldn’t put his finger on it.
Just as he was about to say something, Aria pushed him out. “It’s
smoky in here. Go outside.”
Asher wondered, ‘What was I about to say again?‘
A steaming plate of pasta was set on the table. Aria pinched her
ear, burned by the steam.
Turning, she saw Asher still hadn’t left.
She didn’t care. Filling her stomach came first.
She pulled out a chair, plopped down, picked up her fork, and
started slurping.
After finishing, she washed the plate and stepped out of the
kitchen, only to be grabbed by Asher again.
“Aria, are you mad at me? I know lately, because Tessa was sick,
I neglected you. I promise I’ll try to make time for you from now
- on. Please don’t be upset, okay?”
Chapter 18
Aria smiled at Asher. “I’m not mad. You should spend more time
with Tessa. If I make her worse, that’d be bad.”
She truly wasn’t angry; she’d given up.
Whether it was Asher or the Whitmore family, she wanted
nothing to do with them.
Asher frowned. “You’re still jealous of Tessa. I told you, I just see
her as a sister. No need to be jealous, really”
Aria glanced toward the doorway at Tessa.
She must’ve known Asher was home and ran back alone; no one
from the Whitmore family followed.
Seeing Tessa, Aria’s first thought was: Oh great, Asher is going to
have to soothe her for a long time again.
She felt like a caught cheater.
With his back to Tessa, Asher hadn’t noticed anyone come in.
Tessa’s eyes were red as she looked this way, then covered her
face and ran toward the stairs.
Late to realize, Asher glared at Aria and hurried after her.
Aria sneered. This was Asher’s idea of making it up to her.
Chapter 18
As soon as Tessa appeared, everything changed. How laughable.
With only ten days left on the countdown, it was time for
cousin Howard’s son’s birth celebration.
Howard, the eldest son of Aria’s second uncle, was twenty–eight
this year, just a few months younger than Mason, and the two
were evenly matched in ability.
But their status in the Whitmore family was worlds apart.
Mason was the heir to the Whitmore family, while Howard was
just a wealthy idler, married and settled early.
If it weren’t for Violet holding him back, Howard would’ve tied
the knot right after college.
Because Howard was the favorite grandson of Grandma
Willow, Violet and Chloe had been silently competing for years.
Violet believed her son wasn’t any worse than Mason, just
unlucky, born a few months later.
But Howard didn’t care at all about inheriting the family estate.
All he wanted was to be with the one he loved.
Her son willingly gave up the inheritance, and Violet was
furious enough to get sick for a long time.
Chapter 18
Though not the eldest grandson, Howard had fathered the
Whitmore family’s first great–grandson.
That alone gave Violet the upper hand, making her attitude
tough as nails.
