Chapter 572
Chapter 572
The crowd dispersed.
Emma’s eyes sparkled as she looked at Aria. “Aria, you’re amazing! We wouldn’t have sorted this out so quickly without you.”
Aria smiled. “Calling the police would have worked too.”
“But it would’ve been a waste of time. Thanks anyway.” Emma looped her arm through Aria’s like close friends. “Our housekeeper made plenty of stewed beef. I already sent some to Cloe, so the rest is for you guys.”
“Let Owen cook,” she said with a grin. “If there’s one thing that boy’s been getting better at, it’s his cooking.”
Before Aria could reply, Emma was already heading toward her parked car. “Perfect timing-I’ll ride with you to Mayen Garden,” she said cheerfully.
Seeing this, the chauffeur immediately returned to his car and trailed behind Aria’s vehicle at a steady pace.
Emma had timed her visit to coincide with Owen getting off work, but got delayed by ten minutes on the way, so she was running a bit late.
She’d texted ahead, so Owen had already prepped all the ingredients-now they just needed the beef.
Seeing his mom, Emma, and Aria together, Owen paused in surprise for half a second before breaking into a warm smile. “Mom, Aria, why don’t you two relax for a while? I’ll go stew the beef.”
“Alright, go ahead then.” Emma shot Owen a glance, then beamed at Aria. “Aria, let’s leave it to him. We can just relax.”
Aria glanced back at him.
Owen’s eyes crinkled with a smile as he said, “Since they’re not far, let’s have Lily and Derek join us for dinner.”
“Sure.” Aria nodded and walked out with Emma.
Hearing Owen and Aria banter like an old married couple, Emma couldn’t help but smile.
Arriving at Aria’s duplex apartment, Emma paused in surprise when she spotted an unfamiliar man in the living room.
Today, Ella was off and went to the hospital.
Rhett had two classes that ended right at 5:30.
Rhett had just finished packing up and was about to head out when he bumped into Aria and Emma.
“Mrs. Shaw, this is Pearl’s tutor,” Aria said.
“Ah, the tutor!” Emma secretly breathed a sigh of relief for Owen. “My, what a handsome young man. Do you have a girlfriend?”
Rhett smiled and replied, “Yes, I do.”
Emma’s smile widened. “Are you leaving already? Why not stay for dinner?”
Rhett said, “Thank you, Mrs. Shaw. My girlfriend’s waiting for me, so maybe next time, dinner’s on me.”
Rhett had only come over for dinner once before he ran into the girl he liked. He’d been wooing her for months, and they’d only just started dating not long ago.
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Chapter 572
Emma nodded. “Your girlfriend comes first-go on, don’t keep her waiting.”
At half past six, Derek showed up with Arthur and Lily in tow.
Aria only mentioned dinner, never saying there’d be anyone else. So as soon as Derek walked in, he blurted out, “Owen, you rock! I’m cool with you being together with Aria now…”
An awkward silence suddenly fell.
Derek froze, his face flushing. “What…”
Derek pursed his lips, then forced a sheepish laugh. “I didn’t realize you were here, Mrs. Shaw! My bad.”
Emma chuckled, “You’re family here, no need to be formal. I know all about it.”
Emma thought, ‘So they’re together after all.’
Arthur looked from Aria to Owen as he emerged from the kitchen.
Owen stepped out of the kitchen in casual clothes and an apron, flashing them a warm smile. “Alright, everyone, wash your hands-dinner’s ready!”
Arthur wondered, ‘He’s nothing like I pictured him.
‘Still, only someone like him could properly care for Ms. Saxon in daily life.”
“They’re a perfect match.
****
While relaxing after her shower, Aria told Owen about meeting with Flynt to talk about the chip.
Owen wrapped his arms around her. “Then I’ll go with you next Tuesday,” he said.
He added gently, “I won’t go in-I’ll just wait for you outside.”
No surprise there-Flynt would never let him in on that chip talk.
Though Owen didn’t know what Flynt was after, he trusted Aria to handle it.
“Okay,” Aria murmured, feeling safe in his arms.
Just as Aria closed her eyes, she felt the gentle warmth of Owen’s lips brush against her eyelids.
“Madelyn, it’s only ten. Going to sleep already?” Owen murmured.
