Too Late Mr. White! I'm Married To Your Rival Now novel Chapter 280

Aria's POV

I gasped as Aiden swiped his credit card, barely turning around before I wrapped my arms around his. The electricity between us was instant—like always.

"Got it," I whispered, my breath tickling his ear. I felt that familiar flutter in my stomach as his dark eyes locked with mine, growing more intense by the second. His arm snaked around my waist, pulling me closer against his solid chest.

Elena Pierce approached us, her gaze lingering on Aiden's hand at my waist before quickly looking away. "Mrs. Carter, Mr. Carter," she greeted formally.

I bit back a smile. Last time, Lillian had called her out for addressing me as "Miss Jones" and using Aiden's first name instead of acknowledging our marriage. Clearly, Elena had learned her lesson.

"Ms. Pierce," I replied politely, feeling Aiden's thumb drawing small circles against my hip.

Aiden barely glanced at her. "Something you need?" His voice carried that edge I'd come to recognize—the one that said his patience was already wearing thin. It had evaporated completely after Elena had spread those nasty rumors about me months ago.

Elena flinched momentarily, caught off guard by his coldness. I could almost hear her internal scramble to recover as she forced her smile back into place.

"Actually, there is something I wanted to ask," she said, shifting her weight from one foot to another. The expensive perfume she wore couldn't mask her nervousness.

Aiden remained silent, waiting. I stayed quiet too, watching the scene unfold. Something told me this had to do with the necklace—that stunning diamond piece he'd just bought me.

Sure enough, Elena cleared her throat and continued, "That necklace... Mrs. Carter, would you consider parting with it?" Her eyes locked onto mine, then darted back to Aiden. "I'm not trying to compete with your wife. It's just that my mother asked me specifically to bid on it last week."

I fought the urge to roll my eyes. She was playing the mother card, thinking that would work with Aiden. Clever, but transparent.

She continued, "As you know, your mother and mine were close friends for years. My mother even helped sort through your mother's belongings after she passed."

The tension in Aiden's jaw tightened, but his voice remained perfectly controlled. "I apologize, but the necklace is a special gift for my wife. It's not for sale."

His tone left no room for argument. Cold, firm, final.

Elena's confident expression faltered. "Lucas," she said, using his childhood nickname—another transparent attempt at familiarity. "You know my mother rarely cares about jewelry. This is one of the few times she's ever asked me to acquire something specific. Surely your wife deserves even better pieces than this one."

Her gaze shifted to me, trying a different tactic. "Mrs. Carter, this is the first time my mother has ever asked me to bid on something. Couldn't you find it in your heart to part with it?"

Was she seriously trying to guilt-trip me? Using filial piety as emotional blackmail? God, the nerve of this woman.

I pressed my lips together, feigning reluctance. "I'm sorry, Ms. Pierce, but this is the first auction Aiden has ever brought me to, and the first gift he's purchased for me here. It holds special meaning." I met her gaze steadily. "Besides, the necklace from 'Love Bridge' collection would likely suit your mother better. Perhaps you should speak with those buyers instead."

I couldn't help but throw her own words back at her. The flash of anger in her eyes told me she caught it.

"I see I've overstepped," Elena said, her voice tight. "My apologies."

Aiden's voice cut through the tension. "If you knew you were overstepping, you shouldn't have asked in the first place."

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