Chapter 694
It was a Phosphor Group Transfer Agreement. Orlando said, “Sign it. The group should have been yours in the first place.” Without her, the Cole Group would have gone under sooner or later.
Aria had helped Sara before, and she was looking after Pearl, too. It only made sense to give it to her. Orlando had come with sincere intentions.
Aria pushed the contract back and said calmly, “The Cole Group isn’t my thing. Taking it over would just bring me a bunch
of headaches.”
Aria thought, ‘Those Cole family members are as clingy as leeches, impossible to shake off. And it’s not like I can just get rid of them. I really don’t need that kind of trouble.’
Orlando recalled Russell’s advice. “She won’t take over the Cole Group. Try another approach. Ask if the Stars Group would be interested in acquiring it.”
When Orlando made the suggestion, Aria, sure enough, hesitated for a moment. She genuinely wasn’t involved in the day- to-day operations of the company, and it wouldn’t be quite right to just dump it on Johnny.
Aria thought, ‘But what if he’s willing to help the Stars Group take it to the next level?’
Aria said, “I’ll think about it.”
Orlando let out a sigh of relief, a genuine smile spreading across his face. “Alright then, I’ll get going now.”
As Orlando turned to leave, Pearl chased after him to the door and called out, “Take care on your way.”
Orlando gently ruffled her hair and said softly, “I’m heading out now. Take care of yourself, okay?”
Aria and Silvia shared the same birthday, and the day before was their birthday.
Last night, Caleb and Wilson made a point to stay, throwing Aria a lively celebration that lasted into the wee hours.
Caleb and Wilson wanted to come over again, but Aria politely declined. She said, “You’ve already celebrated my birthday. Today, go spend time with Silvia.”
Caleb shook his head. “Mom, Dad, and Grandpa will all celebrate with her, so our absence won’t make a difference.”
Wilson immediately chimed in, “Yeah, Caleb’s right.”
“I’m not celebrating my birthday today,” Aria said firmly. “Please don’t come over.”
Wilson teased. “I get it. You just want to celebrate privately with Owen, don’t you?”
“No,” Aria said.
Seeing Aria’s determination, her brothers had no choice but to give in. After all, there would be plenty of time ahead.
Silvia was also surprised that her brothers had stayed to celebrate her birthday. “Caleb, Wilson, you ought to be with Aria instead,” she said.
Seeing her genuine expression, Wilson’s irritation softened a bit. He said, “We already celebrated with Aria late last night. She was the one who asked us to come keep you company.”
Silvia had Caleb deliver a gift to Aria, a bracelet she bought with her own money.
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Chapter 694
Caleb pulled a rolled-up drawing from his jacket and handed it over. “This is a birthday present from Aria for you.”
In a daze, Silvia took the scroll. “For me?”
The painting depicted an endless grassland, with a girl dashing freely across it. Though it was just a silhouette, Silvia instantly recognized herself in the painting.
Nathan walked by and leaned in for a closer look. “Caleb, I’m going to my room,” Silvia said abruptly, then turned and dashed upstairs.
Nathan watched Silvia walk away, then turned to Caleb. “Caleb, you guys celebrated Aria’s birthday yesterday. Why wasn’t I invited?” He had always assumed the celebration was that day.
Wilson didn’t mince words. “You shouldn’t go, Nathan. You’d just kill the vibe.”
After a long silence, Nathan abruptly turned and left the villa.
Wilson looked at Caleb. “Caleb, aren’t you going to talk to him?”
Upstairs, Silvia carefully smoothed out the painting, took a photo, and sent it to Aria: [Aria, I love it so much! Thank you.]
Aria quickly replied, [No need to thank me. You gave me a present too.]
Meanwhile, Aria was at Owen’s place. Just as Aria set her phone down, she looked up to see Owen stepping out of the bathroom, steam still clinging to his hair.
He gazed at her in silence, his eyes misty with steam and emotion.
Aria got up and walked over, tugging at the front of Owen’s bathrobe. As he leaned down, she brushed her lips lightly against his. Aria murmured, “It feels like forever since we last kissed.”
Owen murmured, “It truly has.”
Owen wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her close as he lowered his head and captured her lips. It was soft and sweet, just as he remembered, intoxicatingly addictive.
With their breaths mingling, Owen pressed against her lips, delving deeper, drinking in her breath like a man starved.
The room was too brightly lit, hardly the best setting for intimacy. But neither wanted to stop.
Owen’s bathrobe was already in disarray. Aria pressed a hand against his chest and murmured, “The curtains…”
