Chapter 11 A mystery
Aiden’s POV
When I returned, the faint scent of red wine lingered in the air. My mother, Veronica, was curled up on the couch watching the TV. Her skin was slightly less pale than before, indicating that she had been recovering steadily.
“I heard something… odd today,” she said, lifting her gaze to meet mine.
I loosened my tie and dropped into the armchair across from her. “What is it?”
Her eyes narrowed, studying me like she was trying to gauge whether I already knew. “Someone at the Blood Claw banquet told me Rue was there.”
I didn’t flinch. “She was.”
Veronica’s brows arched high. “So it’s true? She re-appeared?”
“In the very flesh,” I said evenly. “And apparently, she desperately desires to make me regret the divorce.”
Veronica’s lips curved in a faint, humorless smile. “Don’t worry, if she shows up here, I’ll have the butler throw her out.’
I leaned back, letting the words hang in the air. “She won’t” I murmured, though deep down, I wasn’t entirely sure anymore. Rue had always been unpredictable.
The next morning, before dawn broke, I arrived at the office. Despite how early it was, every executive from my company was already there, waiting for me.
“This is a very dangerous phase we are entering,” I started, my voice plain. “this period will determine whether we stop and strengthen our position, or give our competitors an advantage over our progress. I expect everyone to work like it’s their last day on earth.”
There were nods around the table, murmurs of agreement.
The meeting dragged on for a few hours before I dismissed them.
When the others filed out, Beta Vance lingered behind. His expression remained plain until the last of the executives had left the boardroom. “I’ve heard something unusual about Percy’s company.”
I motioned for him to continue.
“They’ve recently brought someone new into Onstream,” he said. “A woman named Hawthorne. Supposedly, she’s been there less than a month, yet she’s already pushed a project to release-it’s a new tech invention that is supposed to be a one of a kind-and it won the top industry award.”
The name was a spark in my mind. “Hawthorne?”
Vance’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Do you perhaps think it could be Rue?”
I smirked “To my knowledge, Rue didn’t even finish high school. She’s not capable of competing with us. Games? Technology? That’s way above her. She wouldn’t know where to start.”
Vance chuckled dryly. “Then if she’s involved, she would just be making Percy’s situation worse. Which means he’ll come to us, hat in hand, asking to sell.”
“Exactly,” I said. “Rue joining him? It’s just one of her stunts. Trying to get my attention. If only she knew she was helping me buy Percy’s company without realizing it.”
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Vance shook his head with mock sympathy. “It’s almost pitiful.”
I let out a low laugh.
With that, my confidence in my plan swelled. Blood Claw’s cooperation was still within reach; in my mind, it was already ours.
“Investigate her relationship with Cole, Blood Claw’s Alpha’s son” I added. “I want to know if he’s part of her game, or if there is more to it.”
When evening came, I found myself attending a high-rise party for wealthy individuals.
In the underground parking lot, just when I’d stepped out of my car, a low purr of an engine drew my attention.
A sleek, black luxury vehicle glided past, its tinted windows catching the glinting city lights. The driver’s side lowered just enough for me to catch a glimpse-her.
Rue.
She looked… different. Not just regal, but dangerously royal. Confidence radiated from her in a way that made her beauty sharper, like glass that could cut.
My mood soured instantly.
The murmurs started almost at once from those who had accompanied me.
“Was that Rue Hawthorne?” someone whispered.
“She’s changed so much,” another voice said. “When did she start driving something like that? Afford it.”
“Probably borrowed,” someone else scoffed. “Or a gift from some rich friend.”
Their voices blended into a background hum, irritation prickling under my skin.
“I
A short while later, Vance approached, his tone clipped. “I looked around and I couldn’t find anything concrete on her and Cole. No shared assets. No public sightings that suggest they’re together.”
That only made my curiosity grow sharper. Who was backing her? And why the sudden transformation?
I pulled my phone from my pocket and dialed her number in the full witness of the onlookers. The call cut off almost instantly.
Blocked.
Around me, a few heads turned at the abrupt silence.
“She blocked you?” one man said, disbelief lacing his tone.
I slid the phone back into my pocket, my voice turning cold. “We were divorced. And anyone who brings her up again will deal with me personally.”
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