Chapter 58
型
Nivers looked at the woman who was staring at her back with a cool and calm composure.
“What happened to my feisty daughter, who would’ve thrown a punch by now!” Aria asked, as she smoothed down her sleeve with a calm grace that made her seem almost regal.
Then–without missing a beat–she delivered another slap, this time to the glossy Hipped woman who had done most of the insulting
The crack echoed through the shoe section like a whip, and Nivea couldn’t help but revel in how satisfying it was
The woman gasped, stumbling back as she clutched her cheek in disbelief.
“How dare you
Aria raised her chin slightly, her expression cool and unmoved. “Aria Elton,” she said evenly, her voice dangerously calm. “Nivera’s mother. And the slut, apparently.”
And just like that, time froze
The insult the women had thrown so carelessly now boomeranged and hit them in the face with the full weight of who they were dealing with
Aria Elton!
Their expressions collapsed in real time–shock first, then confusion, then absolute dread. Every trace of colour drained from their faces.
And now that they looked properly, really looked, the resemblance between Aria and Nivera was undeniable.
The same almond shaped eyes, the same high cheekbones, the same way they both held their heads le royalty at that point in time.
The Elton family wasn’t just wealthy. They weren’t just powerful. They were untouchable.
They were the rulers of the financial world. Aname that shook politicians, celebrities, executives as they held their deepest darkest financial secrets
Aria let the silence stretch just long enough to suffocate them. Then she added, “Well? Would either of you like to give me your last names?”
The question was simple. But the implication was lethal
All Aria had to do was to get back and do some digging and all the tax evasions, money laundering their family might or might not have done would “anonymously come to light.
“I–I’m sorry.”
one of the wo
women stammered, her lips trembling
“We didn’t mean-
Aria smiled lightly, but the smile didn’t reach her eyes.
“Oh, I’m not looking for an apology,” she said in a voice that sounded almost too kind. “Just your last names. That’s all
Nivera let out a small chuckle despite herself, her chack still throbbing. She’d forgotten what it felt like to watch her mother work–cold, composed, lethal, like a queen playing chess with real lives.
And for once, Nivera didn’t mind being her daughter.
She then caught her reflection in the mirror clote to where she stood, pausing just long enough
For a heartbeat, the heat rose to her face–not from pain, but from the emotion it carried.
First Alejandro, now this
see the red mark blossoming across her check,
1/3
20:46 We
Chapter 58
She wouldn’t have ever imagined that the day would pass with her mother standing up for her.
Nivera had forgotten how effortlessly her mother commanded power and how a few words from her could leave someone shaking it thi? b
And though the air in her lungs felt hat and tight, Nivea couldn’t deny the dark part of her that had enjoyed it.
The women didn’t speak. They couldn’t. Even the bravest social climber would know better than to offer their names to a woman who could malo ord phone call and ensure your bank accounts were audited, your family Investigated, and your assets frozen by morning.
Just then, the boutique manager came rushing toward them, his shoes clicking rapidly across the tiles, and his face lit up in alarm and then recognition
“Mrs Elton!” he gasped, instantly straightening “My deepest apologies–I didn’t realize you were visiting today.”
His eyes then found Nivera, and a surprised smile formed. “Oh, and you’re here with your mother this time.” He nodded. “Thank God, I don’t have to worry about you using your father’s stolen card.”
Nivera let out a grin as she was hit with memories of how she was banned from shopping there because her father couldn’t control her stealing his card, The remaining staff nearby, already frozen by the scene, now began to murmur and whisper among themselves as realization spread
Aria gave the manager a polite nod. “Was passing by and decided to stop by your lovely store. Shame about the guests.”
The manager’s brows furrowed as he noticed the red, swelling imprint on Nivera’s cheek, and his eyes finally fell on two women who looked scared. “What happened, ma’am?”
“My daughter was assaulted,” Aria said plainly. “Verbally and physically. On your premises!
The man’s entire demeanour shifted. The joviality vanished from his features like smoke being sucked from a room.
“I sincerely apologize,” he said gravely. “This is unacceptable. I handle it immediately.”
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: The Billionaire's Dangerous Obsession (Nivera)