Such a huge incident had happened at the factory, and it had even drawn media attention. This had alarmed even Miles Sterling, who notified Aria Sterling and Colin Sterling that they were both to come home for dinner that evening.
He said he wanted everyone to gather for a meal, but they all knew in their hearts that Miles Sterling wanted to know about the factory incident.
Sure enough, the moment Aria Sterling arrived home, she saw her grandfather sitting on the sofa, a troubled expression on his face.
"Aria, you're back?"
Although displeased, Miles Sterling still managed a faint smile when he saw Aria Sterling.
"Yes, Grandpa. You're home so early today. I thought you'd be out playing chess with your old friends."
Since Aria Sterling's return, Miles Sterling had had much more free time. He was planning to gradually hand over the reins to the younger generation, so he often went out to play chess or golf with his old friends.
Miles Sterling gestured for her to sit. "Aria, isn't it time you told your grandpa about what happened at the factory?"
He had seen the news today, but he still wanted to hear the truth from Aria Sterling's own lips.
Aria Sterling nodded, sitting down beside Miles Sterling. Her tone was calm. "The factory issue has been resolved. It's just that someone who loves to stir up trouble hired the media to make a scene."
"Who was it?" Miles Sterling's tone clearly darkened.
Aria Sterling gave Miles Sterling a sweet smile. "Grandpa, you saw what the news was saying today. This was obviously targeted at me. So, the person behind it must hate me to the bone."
And the ones who held a grudge against her were all her so-called family.
Listening to her, Miles Sterling naturally understood what she was implying.
Just as he was about to speak, he heard the front door open. It was Colin Sterling, returning home looking travel-worn.
Seeing Miles Sterling and Aria Sterling both sitting on the sofa, he was taken aback for a moment before quickly breaking into a smile. "Dad, Aria, you're both here."
Miles Sterling snorted. "So you do know how to come home."
Colin Sterling hadn't been back for dinner in a week, and on several of those nights, he hadn't come home at all. Miles Sterling had long been displeased about this.
Seeing the old man was angry, Colin Sterling quickly changed his shoes and hurried over, putting on an apologetic smile. "Dad, I've just been busy with company business. You asked me to come back for dinner today, and here I am, right?"
"Don't think I don't know you've been out fooling around. If you don't want to be a part of this family, then don't bother coming back at all." Miles Sterling's tone was cold, and his gaze was filled with anger.
Colin Sterling's expression turned ugly, but he still tried to placate him. "Dad, this is my home, of course I'll come back. Alright, let's eat first."
Freya Langdon had said she had plans to go to the theater with friends tonight, so she wasn't home for dinner. The large round table, with just Miles Sterling, Colin Sterling, and Aria Sterling, seemed rather deserted.
Miles Sterling clearly had a poor appetite. He ate a single bowl of rice hastily before stopping, telling Colin Sterling to come to his study after he finished eating. With that, he went upstairs.
Colin Sterling couldn't help but glance at Aria Sterling as he put down his bowl and chopsticks. "What, did you handle the factory situation so poorly that you've made Grandpa worry?"
"I'm probably not the one making Grandpa worry. That would be certain people with ulterior motives." Aria Sterling's tone was unhurried, but it was enough to make Colin Sterling fume.
He didn't bicker with her further and stood up to go to the study.
By the time Colin Sterling emerged from Miles Sterling's study, Aria Sterling had just finished her shower and was coming out of her room. She happened to see Colin's ashen face.
"You're quite satisfied now that I've been chewed out, aren't you?" Colin Sterling glared at her, looking as if he wanted to eat her alive.
Just now, Miles Sterling hadn't been easy on him and had accused him of being the one behind the news scandal.
Aria Sterling merely glanced at him. "Those who do wrong should be punished."
'Getting yelled at is nothing. There's a much better show waiting for him.'
"Don't think you can do whatever you want just because the old man has your back!" Colin Sterling spat out hatefully before returning to his room.
Aria Sterling blinked slowly, then turned and went back into her room.
Once the door was shut, she called Julian Grant.
"Aria, calling me so late. Did you miss me?"
Julian Grant's teasing voice came from the other end of the line.
"Stop messing around. I'm serious."
Aria Sterling frowned, her eyes dark. "I remember you're close with Editor-in-Chief Langdon from Star River Weekly. Could you do me a favor and talk to him? Have him suppress all this negative press."
Julian Grant agreed instantly. "No problem. I'll call him right now. But we have a deal: if I get this done for you, you have to treat me to dinner."
"No problem."
Julian Grant was fast. He had the matter settled that very night.
It had to be said, with his help, things were much more efficient.
The next day, all news about the Sterling Factory was suppressed. The media storm was no longer as fierce.
That afternoon, Julian Grant showed up at her company, insisting that Aria Sterling treat him to dinner.
Aria Sterling readily agreed.
The two of them found a hot pot restaurant and had a few drinks.
After leaving the restaurant, Aria Sterling realized her phone had been on silent. She had three missed calls and a WeChat message, all from Damian Xavier.
Only then did she remember that Damian Xavier had asked her to be at his place at eight.
It was already nine-thirty.
His message had been sent an hour ago. It contained only a few words: "Aria Sterling, you dare stand me up?"
She glanced at it silently, then closed WeChat. She had been busy and had forgotten all about it.
Julian Grant didn't feel comfortable letting Aria Sterling take a taxi alone, so he called his driver to give her a ride home.
Unexpectedly, just as they arrived at the gate of the Sterling Family estate, Aria Sterling saw a familiar gray Bentley parked there.
As Aria Sterling got out of the car, the door of the other vehicle opened, and a tall, slender figure emerged.
When he saw Aria Sterling appear with Julian Grant, Damian Xavier's expression instantly became frosty.
"Damian Xavier, what are you doing here?" Aria Sterling frowned.
Damian Xavier grabbed her wrist, pulling her close as he interrogated her, "Did you stand me up for him?"
He didn't even spare Julian Grant a glance, but the fury in his voice was completely unconcealed.
"Let go of Aria!" Julian Grant immediately rushed over, and Damian Xavier's gaze shot toward him like a sharpened blade.
Seeing the situation escalating, Aria Sterling quickly said to Julian Grant, "Julian, you should go home. I'll be fine."
"But..." He was worried about her safety.
"Go on. I'll call you if I need anything." She gave him a reassuring look.
Julian Grant wasn't afraid of Damian Xavier, but he was afraid of making Aria Sterling angry. He shot Damian Xavier a glare before turning and getting into the car.
Damian Xavier's cold, sharp eyes were fixed on her. Aria Sterling struggled constantly, but the more she fought, the tighter the man's grip became.
"Enough! What is it you want?!" Aria Sterling finally couldn't help but shout.
Instead of answering, he shot back, "Why did you stand me up?"
Even Damian Xavier himself was surprised by his own loss of control, but he just really hated seeing her with Julian Grant.
She fell silent for a long moment and gave up struggling. "I just... forgot."