The next morning, Aria entered the company building beside Elias, her small steps quick, determined. Employees stared shamelessly. The cold, untouchable CEO personally walking in with a little girl holding his sleeve—this alone was enough to shake the entire building's gossip foundations.
Elias cleared his throat. "Stay close. If you get lost, call Amanda."
"I won't," Aria said, lifting her chin proudly. Then she stretched her hand toward him. "Give me your phone."
Elias blinked. "Why?"
"Because you'll get calls from annoying people," Aria said bluntly.
He hesitated for only a second before handing it over. "Fine. Don't delete anything."
"I won't. I'm not a thief," she said, slipping it into her little bag like a treasure.
As Elias walked toward the meeting room, Amanda joined Aria, cheerful and ready to follow her all day. They found a quiet room beside the executive hallway. Aria sat on the couch, her legs dangling, playing a game on Amanda's phone. Amanda sat beside her, smiling every time Aria beat a level.
Suddenly—
RING RING RING!
Aria's bag vibrated—Elias' phone.The caller ID flashed boldly on the screen:
RYANA
Amanda stiffened.Aria raised one eyebrow.
"Oh? Look who crawled out."
She picked up the call.
Before Aria spoke, Ryana's voice burst through, breathless and dramatic:
"Elias!! Help me! I—I've been kidnapped! They want 20 million dollars or they'll hurt me—please help—"
Aria made a face.
"A kidnapping? Really?" she said, bored. "Why are you calling him? If you're kidnapped, call the police."
Ryana froze.
"W-Wait—who are you?! Where is Elias?! Put him on the phone!"
Aria sighed loudly. "He's in a meeting. Not available. And seriously—if someone kidnapped you, why are they letting you keep your phone? Just report it. He's not a police officer to rescue you."
And before Ryana could explode—
CLICK
Aria hung up.
Amanda's jaw dropped."You… you hung up on her?"
"Of course." Aria tossed the phone aside. "She's annoying."
Meanwhile—
On the Other Side
Ryana stared at her phone like it slapped her.
"She… hung up on me," she whispered, shaking with rage.
Across from her sat a tall, handsome man leaning casually against the table—the male lead, Ryusei. His dark eyes sparkled with boredom.
"You didn't really get kidnapped," he reminded her, eating chips lazily. "It was your idea to pretend so he would run to you."
"I KNOW!" Ryana snapped. "But—who was that girl?! Why is there a child answering HIS phone? Is Elias babysitting now?"
Ryusei shrugged. "Probably some family kid. Who cares?"
Ryana clenched her fists. "I care. Elias didn't even come for me. And that girl—she talked to me like I'm irrelevant!"
Ryusei lifted an eyebrow. "So? Go there. March into his building and demand answers. Threaten him. Tell him you'll break up with him if he doesn't get rid of her."
Ryana's eyes gleamed.
"Yes… yes. That will work. Elias can't resist me."
Ryusei nearly laughed.
"Sure. Go break up with him."He paused, smirked."…again."
Ryana ignored his sarcasm and stormed out.
Back at Titan Corporation
Aria was sipping juice as Amanda handed her snacks when the elevator doors dinged open.
The heels were unmistakable.The perfume even more so.
Ryana—perfect hair, perfect makeup, perfect fake smile—walked directly toward the entrance. She stopped in front of Elias' office door where the tall bodyguard stood guard.
"I'm here to see Elias," Ryana declared.
The bodyguard stiffened. "Miss Ryana, CEO Elias is still in a meeting—"
"I said I'm going in." Her eyes flashed. "Move."
Aria, from inside the hallway, peeked around the corner with a smirk.
"This is going to be fun," she whispered to Amanda.
Amanda clutched her clipboard nervously. "Aria… don't start a war…"
"It's already a war," Aria replied calmly. "I'm just winning it."
Ryana knocked sharply on the door—not waiting for an answer, she grabbed the handle.
But the bodyguard stepped in front of her, blocking the way completely.
"You cannot enter without permission."
Ryana glared. "Permission? I am—"
"You are not on his schedule," the bodyguard said, expression unreadable. "Please wait."
"Move!" Ryana snapped.
Her voice echoed across the floor, catching the attention of several employees pretending not to eavesdrop.
Aria decided she had heard enough.
She walked forward, her small shoes tapping confidently on the polished floor. Amanda hurried behind her.
Ryana blinked when she saw her—the same little girl's voice she heard on the phone.
"You!" Ryana pointed at her, outraged. "You're the brat who answered Elias' phone!"
Aria shrugged. "You're the brat who faked being kidnapped."
Ryana almost choked. "I—I did NOT—"
"Oh please." Aria rolled her eyes. "If you were actually kidnapped, the kidnappers wouldn't let you keep your phone and cry dramatically."
A whisper ran through the employees like wildfire.
Ryana's face turned red with humiliation.
"You insolent little—who even are you?! Why are you with Elias?!"
Aria placed her hands behind her back, tilted her head sweetly, and answered,
"I'm Aria. His family. The one person you can't lie about, manipulate, or replace."
Ryana inhaled sharply.
Family?
Elias never mentioned family.
"You're lying," Ryana spat.
Aria smiled.
"No. But I bet you are. Again."
Amanda bit her lip to stop herself from smiling.
Ryana pointed her finger. "Tell Elias to come out. I want to talk to him!"
Aria shrugged. "No. He's busy. And unlike you, I don't interrupt important meetings because my crush isn't giving me attention."
Gasps echoed.Even the bodyguard bit his lip to hold back laughter.
Ryana trembled with rage.
"I demand to talk to him!"
Aria sighed dramatically.
"Then wait like a normal person."
Ryana's mouth opened and closed like a fish.
Aria stepped closer, her voice low but sharp.
"And if you dare threaten him"
"…I'll deal with you myself."