Divorced, But Queen - Chapter 180: Chapter 180

In the car, Aria asked, "So, you're sure you're not going home?"
Derek nodded. "I'd rather not see anyone who makes me lose my appetite. Besides, all my study materials are at the apartment."
He'd only gone home yesterday to pick up a few things—Lexie had asked him to stay the night so the family could take him to the exam.
But with Aria giving him rides now, he had zero interest in going back.
"Aria, will you drive me again tomorrow?" he asked.
She nodded.
Derek grinned. "Then I'll swing by my place for some notes and crash at yours, okay? Mayen Garden is just half an hour from the test site."
Aria shot him a look; he instantly put on his most pitiful puppy-dog eyes. "You have no idea how lonely I am, living off takeout every day.."
"Enough," Aria cut him off. "Address."
He immediately beamed and started giving directions. "Next intersection, turn left."
When they reached Derek's place, Aria waited in the car. An unknown number popped up on her phone. She answered.
"Aria, it's Amelia."
Aria barely remembered her, having only met the extended family once when she first got back. They hadn't spoken since.
"What do you want?" Aria asked flatly.
Amelia hurried to explain, "Look, the account that posted those rumors about you is your cousin's, but he didn't post it himself."
Aria's contributions were significant, and the higher-ups demanded severe punishment.
Detention was inevitable. After a failed attempt at reconciliation with the Saxon family, Amelia came pleading herself.
Aria gave a cold laugh. "Oh? If he didn't post it, should I blame the family dog? Get a lawyer—don't bother me with this again."
She hung up, leaving Amelia so furious she nearly smashed her phone.
"What's wrong with the Saxon family? Why escalate over something so trivial?" she fumed.
Tristan sighed. "Hannah destroyed Aria's marriage, and now Griffin spreads lies about her online to defend Hannah. Honestly, they're lucky the Palmers didn't get dragged in, too."
"Griffin isn't usually so reckless. Maybe Hannah said something to him?"
With Hannah targeting Aria and Griffin helping her, Amelia could see why Aria was furious. "That little homewrecker—still trying to seduce my son? Find out where Hannah is."
Derek was sprawled on the couch with a book, calling up the stairs, "Hey, someone's at the door!"
No answer. The place was well insulated—maybe she hadn't heard.
He got up and opened the door, only to see Liam on the threshold. Derek's expression chilled. "What are you doing here?"
Liam's reaction was instant. "You're the one who hugged Aria?"
They knew each other—they ran in the same circles. So the guy hugging Aria in the photo was just her cousin.
That uneasy feeling in Liam's chest dissipated, replaced by a flicker of relief. 'Of course Aria wouldn't move on so fast—not when she loved me that much.'
But Derek frowned. "How do you know about that?"
Now Liam realized—Delilah couldn't possibly not recognize someone from the Fletcher family. That photo was sent to stir up trouble.
Yet, it was Hannah who'd forwarded it to him.
A heavy feeling settled over him, but the Cole Group crisis was more urgent. He pushed everything else aside.
"I need to see Aria," Liam said.
Derek blocked his view. "You can explain first, then I'll ask Aria if she's willing."
"Delilah was at the same test site—she snapped a photo and... sent it to me."
Derek's tone went flat. "Aria's busy painting. She doesn't have time for you."