Divorced, But Queen - Chapter 227: Chapter 227

"You've already thanked me about a dozen times," he said, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "No need to be so polite between friends. Just call me by my name."
At the word "friends," any doubt Aria had was instantly dispelled. She smiled, "I'm just used to calling you Owen."
He suddenly called out, "Aria."
She looked up instinctively. "Yeah?"
He grinned. "Say it a few more times, and it'll feel natural."
Aria met his gaze and nodded. "Owen."
They both smiled.
From the kitchen, Derek stole a glance over his shoulder and switched to a new tune.
With Owen's looks and personality, maybe he was actually good enough for Aria after all.
A few minutes later, Owen handed Aria a tube of ointment. "For bruising."
She almost said thank you again but caught herself. "Alright."
She squeezed some out and rubbed it in.
Once Derek finished the dishes, they headed out. Owen got a call from his friend Tobias Arnold.
"The guy who just moved into 19A is named Russell. CEO of Nebula, just bought up a couple of entertainment companies—looks like he's planning to expand into the local market. He and the Cole family's new 'illegitimate son' seem pretty close. Why are you asking about him?"
Russell—that name sounded familiar.
Owen frowned. "See if you can confirm if Russell is the founder of the Baron casino."
"Did he piss you off?"
"Something like that."
That afternoon, Derek went with Aria to Larkridge High. On the way, she stopped at a skincare store and bought six sets of products.
Derek followed her in, pulling out his phone. "I'll pay for this."
Aria didn't argue.
But when he tried to pay, the transaction failed—bank card error. He tried another card. Same thing.
Suddenly, he understood: his family had frozen his accounts.
Derek had just graduated and, thanks to his crazy exam schedule, hadn't had time to earn his own money.
He'd fought with his family before, but they'd never cut him off—until now.
His phone buzzed. New message: [Derek, your dad stopped your cards and took back the property in your name. If you're homeless, want me to send you some cash?]
Of course. Lennox had probably stirred the pot again, and the family, as always, believed him over Derek. They'd even repossessed his apartment—practically forcing him home to get punished.
Derek's chest hurt with frustration. "Aria, my cards are frozen."
She barely looked up. "I figured. Here, carry these."
Derek obediently loaded the six shopping bags into the car. "So, I've been kicked out. Can I move in with you?"
"Had a fight with your family?"
"Yeah, my dad froze my cards and took the apartment."
In that moment, Derek felt even more in awe of Aria.
She was only eight or nine months older than him, already a millionaire, while he was still living off his parents. That's the difference.
"They took everything?" Aria asked.
"Everything. Even the place I used to stay most."
She was silent for a second. "Want me to buy you an apartment? There's still some in Mayen Garden."
He didn't answer.
When the light turned red, Aria stepped on the brake and turned to look at him—just in time to see Derek's eyes brimming with tears.
"You're too good to me. I still need to do grad school. No point having an empty apartment. Can't I just stay at your place? You're the only family I've got now. If you don't want me... I'll jump out right here, I'm done!"
Aria pinched the bridge of her nose. "There are plenty of rooms. You can stay if you want."
Derek immediately dried his tears. "Thanks."
At Larkridge High, Aria pulled up by the girls' dorms. "Go wait in the backseat."
The passenger seat was for his sister—Derek hopped out and moved to the back. "Got it."
As he watched Aria's figure disappear into the dorm, he snapped a selfie and posted it.
[Here at Larkridge High with Aria to pick up my little sister.]