chapter 5
1440 Words
When Richard casually glanced at the app and noticed they were less than two kilometers apart, Ayria felt that even the word "fate" couldn't explain such a coincidence.
Wrapped in his jacket, she slowly warmed up after being chilled to the bone at the bus stop.
Richard looked at her and asked, "Why didn't you bring a coat?"
Ayria replied, "I didn't expect it to rain suddenly. I forgot."
Her hair was also slightly damp from the rain, as the bus stop had no shelter, and the wind blew the rain straight at her.
Richard frowned, "I'll take you home first. You can take a shower and change clothes."
"No need to trouble yourself," Ayria said, not thinking much of it. She had been cold, but now she felt fine.
She added, "If it's convenient, just take me to the office."
"If it's convenient"—those words made Richard's frown deepen. He usually kept his emotions in check, but her words stirred a thousand thoughts in him.
Finally, Richard said, "Star, you don't need to be this way with me."
Ayria was startled, turning to look at him in surprise.
Had she said something wrong?
His voice came again, "You can let me take you to the office directly, even if it's inconvenient."
Ayria hadn't expected him to focus on her wording. She wasn't intentionally being polite; she was just used to being independent, not relying on anyone, not even her husband.
She looked at him and, after a moment, said, "Sorry." She was simply too accustomed to bearing everything on her own.
Richard gently squeezed her hand, her cold palm gradually warming. He said, "It's my fault. I haven't taken good enough care of you."
Ayria smiled, "You've done more than enough."
"Enough to make my wife forget my face?" His tone was self-deprecating.
Ayria: "..."
In the end, Richard drove Ayria to her office, ignoring her request to stop a bit farther away. When they arrived, if Ayria hadn't insisted, he might have walked her inside.
As she entered the lobby, someone pounced on her from behind.
"My princess Ayria," a joyful voice called out.
Ayria turned to see Lisa's face on her shoulder. "When did you get back?"
Lisa had been on a business trip to New York for a month and had just returned to California. Their companies were in the same building. Ayria had planned to call her for dinner, but Lisa had spotted her getting out of the Bentley while buying coffee at Starbucks downstairs.
Lisa grinned mischievously, "That car was Mr. Tully's, right? Skipping work for a date?"
Lisa had not only seen the car but had ridden in it. She and Ayria had been friends for over ten years, starting as classmates in middle school and later in the same high school. After the college entrance exam, Ayria went to university while Lisa stayed in California for college.
Lisa knew about Ayria's marriage to Richard. Although Ayria had tried to keep it secret, Lisa knew her address. One day, she showed up unannounced and found Richard at home.
Lisa had been shocked to see the man who opened the door, finding him familiar. When a name flashed in her mind, her brain buzzed.
She first thought she was crazy. The CEO of TWYL Group living in a small alley in California?
But Ayria introduced Richard. Later, Lisa made Ayria show her their marriage certificates, confirming the marriage.
Back in high school, Ayria had been a recognized beauty, known even by vocational school students. When someone blocked her way, she coldly told them to get lost.
Lisa had always believed Ayria was destined for great things.
Knowing she married Richard only reinforced that belief.
Ayria, seeing Lisa's teasing smile, poured cold water on her excitement, "He just happened to give me a ride to the office. Nothing else."
"What else? Anything you do as a couple is legal and proper," Lisa said, her teasing undiminished.
Ayria remained silent.
They walked to the elevator, a jewelry advertisement playing on a screen. A woman with long black hair in a red silk evening dress appeared, her beauty striking.
Lisa commented, "Cathy Smith really has a beautiful face."
The screen showed Cathy Smith, the hottest star in the entertainment industry, in a jewelry ad. Cathy Smith was known for her fresh and gentle face, unlike the sharp beauty often seen in the industry. She was also a box office draw, with successful films.
With just the two of them waiting for the elevator, Lisa spoke freely.
She smiled and said, "I heard a lot of gossip in New York. Some say Cathy Smith is being supported by your Mr. Tully. Can you believe it?"
Lisa knew that some rumors had a grain of truth. She didn't think Richard had an affair but wanted Ayria to be aware that many women would try to get close to him.
After laughing, Ayria replied calmly, "Supporting her is unlikely. She has her own background."
Lisa was stunned, staring at Ayria. "They know each other?"
The idea of a star and a CEO being connected seemed far-fetched.
"Childhood friends."
Ayria's tone was mild but the revelation was shocking. Lisa's eyes widened.
"You're saying they were childhood friends?"
This news was startling; even Lisa had never heard Ayria mention it.
Lisa was stunned, "Then they..."
She wasn't being nosy, but with Cathy Smith being so beautiful and successful, wouldn't Richard have some feelings for her?
Ayria turned, "If he had feelings for Cathy Smith, would he have married me?"
Richard and Cathy Smith were indeed childhood friends, with their families being close. But just because Richard didn't have feelings for Cathy Smith didn't mean Cathy Smith didn't have feelings for him.
When Ayria first attended a gathering with Richard's friends, she saw how Cathy Smith looked at him and understood.
She loved Richard.
But love doesn't follow reason. Being first doesn't guarantee an advantage if you're not the right person.
Lisa nodded. She believed it.
Though she didn't know Richard well, she knew that successful men weren't usually clueless.
Lisa's eyes lit up. "So you were the one to defeat the childhood friend?"
Ayria: "..."
Lisa, excited by this revelation, nudged Ayria and laughed, "How does it feel to have a movie star as your defeated rival?"
Ayria looked at her and finally said coldly, "You're really boring."
Though Lisa wanted to chat for hours, Ayria had work to do. In the evening, as people left the office, Ayria stayed behind to finish her work. Richard had an engagement that night, so she decided to stay and work late.
Around seven, her phone rang.
In the quiet office, the sudden ring startled Ayria. Seeing the caller, she felt a sense of helplessness.
She answered, "Hello."
Her polite greeting surprised the caller.
After a moment, the caller asked, "Where are you?"
Ayria: "Working late at the office."
Ella said, "Come home immediately."
Her tone was heavy, leaving no room for argument.
Ayria rarely heard Ella speak like this. Her mother-in-law was usually very composed, even when Ayria and Richard married without informing anyone. Though Ella was clearly upset, she never spoke harshly to Ayria.
But Ayria knew Ella was dissatisfied with her, from the beginning.
It wasn't just the difference in family background. Their sudden marriage was particularly displeasing to the elders. Ella had bluntly told her that Richard had done something rebellious for the first time in his life by marrying her.
The most trusted heir of the Tully family had done something even the most rebellious family members wouldn't dare.
At seven-thirty, Ayria arrived at the Tully family mansion. Ella sat in the living room, looking dignified even in casual attire.
There was an added air of arrogance and distance.
Ayria walked over. Ella looked up, her gaze sharp with hidden anger.
"You should move to the mansion on Fifth Avenue."
Ayria was taken aback. Ella had opinions about their living arrangements before, but never this firm.
After a moment, Ayria said softly, "Sorry, I can't move there."
Ella's anger flared, "Do you know Richard has been sick these days because he's living in your house?"
Ayria was stunned.
Just then, Richard entered, his shoes still on, clearly in a hurry.
Seeing the situation wasn't dire, he remained calm. He glanced at Ayria and then at Ella.
He actually smiled.
He said slowly to Ella, "Doesn't she look like a brave little warrior?"
His words stunned both Ayria and Ella.
Then he looked at Ayria and added, "So cute."
Ella stared at him, feeling like he had lost his mind.
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