The color drained from Colin Sterling's face.
Aria Sterling, however, was unconcerned.
While Miles Sterling was lost in thought, she leaned in close to him, a charming smile on her face, and whispered in a voice only the two of them could hear, "I almost forgot to tell you some good news, Second Uncle. The thing is…"
Aria Sterling deliberately drew out her words. Colin Sterling watched her nervously as she continued, "I have all the evidence now. Everything you've done. If you don't want to go to prison, you'll do exactly as I say."
At her words, Colin Sterling's face darkened. He clenched his fists and asked through gritted teeth, "What do you want?"
"I was just joking. Don't take it so seriously." Aria Sterling stuck out her tongue playfully. "I just want an executive position. It's a small request. You won't say no, will you, Second Uncle?"
Her smile was brilliant, but a dangerous light smoldered in her captivating eyes.
Colin Sterling was seething, but he could only feign enthusiasm. "Of course not. A mere executive position is nothing. Even if you wanted the entire Sterling Group, I wouldn't object."
Aria Sterling scoffed internally.
'Where did he get the nerve to say something so high and mighty? The Sterling Group should have been her father's in the first place. What right did he have to object?'
Miles Sterling didn't notice the disdain in Aria's eyes. He nodded thoughtfully. "Good. The company happens to need a Chief Executive Officer. Let Aria take the role."
"What?" Colin Sterling blurted out in shock.
He had planned to give Aria Sterling a senior position with no real authority, but Miles Sterling's words had just nipped that idea in the bud.
He forced a smile that looked worse than a grimace. "Dad, Aria just got back. Isn't it a bit inappropriate for her to become CEO right away?"
Hearing this, Aria Sterling remained perfectly composed. A faint smile touched her lips as she waited to see what Miles Sterling would do.
Miles Sterling shot Colin Sterling a displeased look. "What's inappropriate about it?"
Miles Sterling snorted, his words a blunt rebuke. "The entire Sterling Group belongs to Aria. The fact that she hasn't made you give up your position is already her being generous."
The comment made Colin Sterling's face flush, and he was rendered speechless.
"Alright, the matter is settled. You may both leave," Miles Sterling said, waving a hand, a weary look on his face.
Aria Sterling and Colin Sterling nodded, rising at the same time and leaving the room together.
Walking beside her, Colin Sterling spoke in a low voice, "I really underestimated you."
Aria Sterling pretended not to hear the sarcasm in his voice and smiled slyly. "There's a lot you underestimate, Second Uncle."
With that, Aria Sterling strode away.
As she walked out of the Sterling family residence, a cold glint appeared in Aria Sterling's eyes.
In the years since she had married into the Xavier Family, her entire wardrobe had been chosen for her by the staff, all according to Damian Xavier's preferences. That included the clothes she was wearing right now.
She was starting her new position at the Sterling Group tomorrow; she needed to buy some proper attire.
With that thought, Aria Sterling dialed Julian Grant's number.
Coincidentally, Julian Grant was just about to call her. He answered, his tone light and teasing, "Aria and I are truly on the same wavelength. I was just about to call you."
"Oh?" Aria Sterling was used to Julian Grant's roguish nature, so she paid his tone no mind. "Did you need me for something?"
"Of course. There's a reception downtown tomorrow night. Don't tell me you didn't know."
Aria Sterling: "…"
'She really didn't know about it.'
Seeing that Aria didn't reply immediately, Julian realized she was unaware.
He cleared his throat and gave her a mock-serious rundown of the event. "I'm guessing you don't have a gown, so I've prepared one for you. What do you think? Touched?"
"Mhm," Aria replied dismissively. "I'm going to Fashion Plaza to buy some clothes. You—get that gown to me, and make it quick."
With that, Aria Sterling hung up. The image of Julian Grant fuming on the other end made her mood lift instantly.
She hailed a taxi and headed for Fashion Plaza.
Evening. The Xavier Group.
Inside the CEO's office, Mya Walsh stood beside Damian Xavier, her eyes filled with adoration as she gazed at him.
Just as she was about to ask Damian Xavier when they would get engaged, his assistant suddenly walked in.
"Mr. Xavier, there's a reception tomorrow evening. Will you be attending?"
'A reception?'
Damian Xavier had no interest in such events and was about to refuse, but he noticed Mya Walsh looked intrigued. He changed his mind. "Yes."
"Very good. I'll have my team make the arrangements right away."
That evening, Aria Sterling also received an invitation to the reception.
Sitting on the sofa, Freya Langdon saw Aria Sterling staring blankly at the invitation and couldn't resist a sarcastic jibe. "Some people have never even been to a proper party. So utterly unpresentable."
The barbed words reached Aria Sterling's ears, but her expression remained placid. She put the invitation away, stood up, and went upstairs.
Ignored by Aria, Freya Langdon was furious. She wanted to stop her, but then she remembered Colin Sterling's warning from that afternoon and held herself back.
「The next day.」
Reluctantly led by Colin Sterling, Aria Sterling entered the Sterling Group offices under the curious gazes of the staff.
Colin Sterling cleared his throat and announced to the crowd, "Everyone, this is our company's newly appointed Chief Executive Officer, Aria Sterling."
The announcement sent shockwaves through the office, like a boulder dropped into a calm lake.
Everyone stared in astonishment at the coolly indifferent Aria Sterling, shocked that someone so young could be their CEO.
"My God, who is she? To become CEO right after joining!"
"What other background could there be? Didn't you hear her surname is Sterling?"
"So she's the Sterling heiress. No wonder…"
As the staff murmured amongst themselves, Aria Sterling swept her gaze over them, her exceptional memory instantly committing their faces to mind.
A cool voice suddenly cut through the chatter. "Where is my office?"
"It's upstairs. I'll take you," Colin Sterling said with a smirk, leading Aria Sterling to the top floor.
Inside the elevator, Colin Sterling sent a text message to an unknown number.
The recipient of this message was none other than Damian Xavier.
He opened the message. The words on the screen read: "The little girl who betrayed the Sterlings is back. She'll be at the reception tonight."
This planted a seed of curiosity in Damian Xavier's mind. He began to wonder what the little girl who had betrayed the Sterling family actually looked like…
「That evening.」
The Reception.
Countless luxury cars were parked at the entrance to the venue. A long line of guests snaked along a ten-meter-long red carpet.
The guests were all from the city's most prominent families. Mya Walsh and Damian Xavier stood side-by-side, waiting in line with the crowd.
The eyes of many socialites were fixed on Damian Xavier's handsome, aloof face.
He wore a tailored black suit, the two white buttons on his cuffs adding to his austere allure.