Chapter 279 He really was a complete bastard

Chapter 279: Chapter 279 He really was a complete bastard

Aria’s POV

After a long internal debate, I pulled out my phone and dialed his number.

"Well, well," Nathan drawled when he picked up. "Aria Smith, calling me voluntarily? What’s the occasion? Did hell freeze over?"

He was baiting me. He knew exactly why I was calling.

"Stay away from Jennifer," I said coldly. "She works for me. If you hurt her, I swear I’ll make you regret it."

"Hurt her?" Nathan’s voice was all mock innocence. "We’re just two people getting to know each other. What’s wrong with that? Are you seriously trying to control who your employees date now?"

"Yes," I snapped. "If it means protecting them from you, then yes."

"Jennifer’s a grown woman, Aria. She can make her own choices."

"She’s not someone you can just use and throw away, Nathan. She’s not one of your toys."

"Compatible or not—that’s something we’ll figure out together." His tone shifted, becoming deliberately provocative. "You can’t control everything, you know."

He was enjoying this. Enjoying getting under my skin.

I could picture him smirking on the other end of the line, leaning back in his chair, completely unbothered.

"You can try," I said quietly. "But if you hurt her, I’ll make sure you’re not just suspended. I’ll make sure you’re gone from V&A Group permanently."

I hung up before he could respond.

My hands were shaking slightly as I tossed the phone into the passenger seat. Nathan was driven by self-interest above all else. Even if he was interested in Jennifer, my threat would at least make him think twice.

At least, I hoped it would.

By the time I pulled into the underground garage at home, I was still wound tight with frustration.

Nathan. Jennifer. The upcoming trip to Italy. Sylvia waiting to pounce on any weakness.

It was too much.

I sat in the car for a moment, forcing myself to take deep breaths. In through the nose, out through the mouth. Slowly, the tension in my chest began to ease.

When I finally stepped out of the elevator into our penthouse, I made sure my expression was calm. Relaxed.

Damian was working from home today, and the last thing I wanted was to worry him with my mess.

I took one more deep breath, fixed my smile, and opened the door.

That damn Nathan. He really was a complete bastard.

---

I’d barely pulled open the penthouse door when Grace came rushing out first, her soft frame enveloping me in a warm hug. "Oh, my dear girl! You’re home!"

It had only been a few days since I’d seen her, but Grace acted like it had been years. She held me tight and planted two affectionate kisses on my cheeks.

Her face was glowing, radiating pure joy.

Elena stepped into the doorway as well, smiling at me warmly. "Long day at work? I just finished brewing several types of wellness tea. Perfect timing—come try some."

"I’d love to!"

Seeing Elena and Grace instantly dissolved whatever frustration I’d been carrying from the office. Nathan, Jennifer, all of it—it melted away in the warmth of their greeting.

This was what family felt like. Real family. A home filled with people who genuinely cared.

The moment I walked through that door, I was wrapped in nothing but affection and warmth. Whatever storms raged outside couldn’t touch me here.

Inside, Damian and Andrew were deep in conversation.

Andrew loved discussing military history and politics, and Damian was one of the few people who could keep up with him.

But the moment Damian saw me walk in, he couldn’t stay seated. He rose from the armchair in the sitting room and came straight toward me.

I’d just taken my first sip of the tea Elena had pressed into my hands when Damian appeared at my side.

"You’re back," he said, his voice low and warm.

"Mmm."

When it was just the two of us at home, we were shameless—eyes locked, voices soft and intimate, completely wrapped up in each other. But with this many people around, having Damian stare at me so intently made my cheeks flush.

"How was your day? Are you tired?" His hand reached up, fingers gently brushing a stray lock of hair away from my face, completely unbothered by our audience.

"Not tired," I murmured, shaking my head.

He didn’t say anything more, but everyone in the room could see it—the hunger in his eyes, the way he looked at me like he wanted to devour me whole.

I instinctively moistened my lips, and he leaned in slightly, as if preparing to kiss me right there in front of everyone—

"This tea is really good. Want to try some?"

I quickly pressed the small cup against his lips, intercepting whatever he’d been about to do.

The blue liquid brushed against the corner of his mouth, sweet and fragrant.

"Oh wait, this one’s a bit sweet. You probably won’t like it."

Just as Damian’s gaze dropped to the cup and he started to lean in for a taste, I pulled it away teasingly.

"I like it," Damian said firmly, catching my wrist gently. "Let me try."

The blue liquid rippled as he guided my hand back to his lips, drinking everything in the cup while his fingers stayed wrapped around mine.

His throat moved as he swallowed slowly.

"Ah, young love," Elena said with a laugh, covering her mouth as she turned to whisper to Grace. "Newlyweds are just so sweet together."

Grace looked positively triumphant. "Of course they are."

Damian’s devotion to me was obvious to everyone—not just outsiders, but every member of his family. It was overwhelming, really.

After a few minutes of chatting, I excused myself to help in the kitchen. Several staff members were already preparing dinner, but I wanted to pitch in.

Damian had started to follow me, but his Andrew called him back, wanting him to finish explaining something about a recent news article.

Still, halfway through my prep work, Damian appeared at my side anyway.

He resisted the urge to wrap his arms around me from behind—barely—and instead silently started helping by carrying plates and utensils.

"You don’t have to stand here," I said, glancing over my shoulder at him while monitoring the heat under my pan. "Go sit down and rest."

As I spoke, his hand reached up to brush away a thin sheen of sweat from my temple. His brow furrowed with concern.

Elena had been keeping an eye on us from the doorway. Seeing Damian hovering anxiously, she came over and tied on an apron.

"Elena, you don’t need to—I’m almost finished..."

I wasn’t cooking alone—the staff were handling most of it. We were nearly done.

"You’ve already made all the main dishes, Aria. I’ll handle the rest." Elena gave me a knowing smile.

"Besides, I’m mainly trying to save a certain someone from his suffering. Poor thing looks like he’s about to cry watching you work so hard."

She was openly teasing Damian, and for once, he actually looked embarrassed.

"Mom," he said quietly, almost pleadingly.

That single word made Elena’s expression soften with pure affection.

She waved us away with a shooing motion, and Damian wasted no time pulling me toward our bedroom.