Every word Aria Sterling said was reasonable, and Victor Lawson was indeed tempted.
But considering the price, he was still somewhat dissatisfied.
Seeing his hesitation, Aria Sterling spoke again. "I know you've invested heavily in your new brand, even hiring a top actress as its spokesperson. If you run into problems by partnering with one of those small-time factories, your losses will be far greater than the money you're hesitant to spend now."
Her words clearly made Victor Lawson even more indecisive. But in the next moment, his wife pulled him away to schmooze with a business partner, and he only managed to tell Aria they would talk later.
Aria Sterling stood there alone, a wave of frustration washing over her.
"What? Haven't landed Victor Lawson yet? Need my help?"
That mocking tone could only belong to one person: Julian Grant.
He had arrived late, so he came in through the back.
Aria Sterling's eyebrow twitched as she looked at Julian Grant. He was wearing a beige suit that toned down his roguishness, giving him more of the air of a refined gentleman.
"No thanks. I'd rather wait."
'She preferred not to rely on others for something she could handle herself.'
"Alright." Julian Grant didn't seem to mind. He casually picked up a glass of wine. "Then here's to you closing this deal soon."
Aria Sterling didn't refuse, clinking her glass against his with a smile.
But this exact scene happened to be witnessed by a pair of dark eyes from not far away.
The soothing light music that had been playing in the hall faded, replaced by a melodious waltz. Everyone knew the dancing was about to begin.
The lights dimmed, and soft spotlights illuminated the center of the floor, inviting guests to dance.
Couples began to make their way to the floor, ready to dance.
"Shall we have a dance?" Julian Grant suddenly asked, extending a hand to Aria Sterling in invitation.
But before Aria Sterling could respond, someone else answered for her.
"No."
Damian Xavier stepped in front of Aria Sterling, his eyes locking with Julian Grant's.
The two tall, handsome men standing together drew countless gazes.
Aria Sterling was stunned. 'What is going on?'
Julian Grant didn't flinch under Damian Xavier's piercing gaze. In fact, his eyes held a hint of sly amusement, and his expression remained perfectly composed.
The atmosphere suddenly grew awkward.
"I was asking Aria."
Julian Grant was the first to break the silence. With an air that showed he couldn't care less about Damian Xavier, he kept his eyes fixed on Aria Sterling.
Hearing him call Aria Sterling "Aria" so intimately made Damian Xavier's expression darken even further.
"Julian Grant, you'd better move," Damian Xavier said, his voice laced with impatient anger.
The silent onlookers were stunned to hear him say Julian Grant's name. It was quite a shock.
The Grant Family's Zenith Group was renowned throughout the country. It had started in real estate before expanding into trade and transport. Julian was their bona fide heir.
They just hadn't expected Aria Sterling to know him as well.
Two of the city's most eligible bachelors were now fighting over Aria Sterling, making the drama all the more entertaining.
Fortunately, it was a private gathering, and the socialites in attendance valued their privacy, so no reporters were present. Otherwise, this scene would have undoubtedly been tomorrow's headline.
"This isn't the Xavier Group, and I'm not your employee. I don't have to listen to you," Julian Grant said slowly, deliberately, as if he didn't feel Damian Xavier's threat at all.
A smile bloomed on Damian Xavier's lips, one so brilliant it could make the dazzling crystal chandelier overhead pale in comparison. But it was a smile that held a bone-chilling coldness.
"She's not someone you can touch." Damian Xavier grabbed Aria Sterling's hand, but his words, full of warning, were for Julian Grant.
"Damian Xavier, are you insane?!" she hissed, her beautiful face contorted with anger.
"If you're going to find a replacement, at least find a decent one. Julian Grant is obviously a playboy. You can't handle him. I'm doing this for your own good," he whispered in her ear, the fury in his eyes unconcealed.
Aria Sterling forcefully wrenched her hand back. "Stop talking nonsense."
With that, she grabbed Julian Grant's arm and made to leave.
"Leave, if you don't want the Zentex contract."
Damian Xavier's voice rang out from behind her, calm yet carrying an immense weight of authority.
'Damn it! How dare he threaten me with that?'
She knew the extent of Damian Xavier's influence. If he really intervened, The Sterling Group would stand no chance.
But before she could turn, Julian Grant shot back first, "Throwing your weight around the moment things don't go your way? Is that how the president of the Xavier Group conducts himself?"
His tone was filled with contempt and hostility. The tension between the two men was thick enough to cut with a knife.
Victor Lawson, naturally, saw that things were getting heated and hurried over to play peacemaker. "Mr. Xavier, Young Master Grant, it's a rare honor to have you both grace my event. Please, don't let a little anger spoil the mood. Come, Young Master Grant, let's have a drink." As he spoke, Victor Lawson offered a glass of wine to Julian Grant.
Julian Grant accepted the glass, but he didn't move. He simply looked at Aria Sterling, clearly intending for her to come with him.
Aria Sterling shook her head, then glanced at Damian Xavier.
"Julian, you go on ahead," she said. "I'll find you later."
'She knew that if she didn't sort this out with Damian Xavier now, he wouldn't let her off the hook so easily.'
Julian Grant respected her wishes, but she knew he would be there the second she needed him.
The moment Julian Grant walked away, Damian Xavier took Aria Sterling's hand and strode out of the hall without a second thought, completely ignoring the countless curious stares that followed them.
Julian Grant watched them leave, a flicker of worry in his eyes.
Damian Xavier dragged Aria Sterling out of the hotel lobby and to his car. He didn't control his strength, and his grip on her hand made her gasp in pain.
"Damian Xavier, have you made enough of a scene?!" Aria Sterling couldn't help but shout, her eyes blazing with fury.
Only then did the man seem to realize what he was doing. He abruptly released her hand, looking slightly dazed.
"What exactly do you want?" Aria Sterling truly couldn't understand his behavior.
He didn't answer. He just stood in the cold wind, his side turned to her, giving off an inexplicable air of loneliness.
ACHOO.
Aria Sterling sneezed from the cold, subconsciously wrapping her arms around herself.
At that, Damian Xavier turned, took off his jacket, and draped it over her shoulders.
His jacket was filled with his scent and warmth, making Aria Sterling flinch involuntarily.
In three years of marriage, this was the first time Damian Xavier had ever done something so considerate for her.
'And yet, it was happening after their divorce. How ironic.'