Isla Turner made sure to avoid glancing at the door the whole time giving an award-winning acting showcase.

"Somebody? You heard them talking on the phone saying that they have completed President Cooper's work. Is there any other President Cooper alive? Stop being naive Mian. First, she ruined my career knowing I liked President Morgan and she didn't even let me talk with him during our date. Now she is stopping you. She must be behind the Morgan industries. The Morgan family members are so innocent, after her arrival, aren't they facing back to back problems. I don't understand why you all taking her side."

​​

Mian held Isla's hand and pleaded, "Isla please don't tell anybody that Aria misunderstood my relationship with my cousin and threatened me to stay away from Rian. Especially Rian. He is very sensitive and he will feel very bad. If he asks President Morgan who will obviously take Aria's side that will ruin their brotherhood. Please, Isla, don't tell anybody."

Isla continued, "Threatened? She didn't just threaten, she used paid thugs to beat you up, Mian... Wake up Mian, you shouldn't tolerate it as it will ruin the Morgan family too."

Rian heard everything clearly. He clenched his teeth and went out of the room fishing his mobile.

Isla and Mian panicked. Mian asked in a low voice, "Why did he leave? Didn't he believe us? What to do?"

They were thinking of different plans, Rian entered and swiftly went to Mian's side.

Mian apologized immediately acting weak and tired, "I'm Sorry Rian. I troubled you. I wanted to talk to you but out of nowhere two men came and beat me before they left. They must have misidentified me for somebody else. I'm totally fine, go home and take rest."

Rian nodded lightly, "Who is behind this attack?"

"Second you..." Mian squeezed Isla's hand visibly to show Rian as she was stopping.

He sat there and spoke to them for some time but he never heard them taking Aria's name anymore and they brushed off the topic whenever he asked.

He dropped Mian to her shared living flat then went to the Morgan mansion. He ignored his parents and went upstairs to see Aria. In anger, he slapped her to realize later he actually hit Aria.

He was confused as hell. He didn't want to face Aria, he didn't want to think as Aria did it or he didn't want to think Mian lied to him so he shut her off.

He looked at his right palm and hit the wall many times before stopping but he was too late to realize...

--

Morning, Aria woke up at a usual time and just sat under Aerial hammock realizing she couldn't hold the hammock looking at her hand.

She went upstairs to talk to Rian but stopped before knocking the door.

She didn't do anything wrong yet she got punished for it. She took her hand back deciding she shouldn't give in this time.

If he didn't want to trust her, so be it. She still trusted in him making her mind to wait for him to see if their years of knowing each other could be trampled so easily by a girl. If it was easier, then their bond was never strong.

She turned towards her room where Alan was leaning on the wall giving her a gentle smile.

He was encapturing to the eyes. That smile was the icing on the cake which she never saw him giving to anybody other than her.

Her lips tilted up lightly and went to him. He pinched her nose making it red, "Alan!"

She rubbed her nose and tried to reach his cheek but he evaded like every time. Aria showed a displeased face, "Is there a makeup on that you never let me touch?"

Alan chuckled and unhurriedly spoke, "That line can't fool me."

Aria pouted and entered her room as she heard him say, "Keep the cut dry. Get ready, I will redress it."

She peeked at him from the bathroom, "Alan, you should really consider being my house husband. I will bestow you with lots of gifts at that time and keep you hidden."

She didn't let him react and entered inside. Alan smiled hearing her but it vanished seeing Rian exit his room. He ignored him as he always did and entered his room.

Rian was expecting some serious rebuke from Alan but nothing happened.

He contemplated and decided to ask the maid to send his breakfast to the room so that he doesn't have to face Aria.

He didn't have the courage to face her.

Aria and Alan had breakfast with Amelia and Rowan before they left for the school and office.

Rian who was on his balcony saw Aria going around Alan stretching her hand asking something. His lips tilted up seeing her stick on to driver seat door, he understood she was asking Alan for the fob to drive.

His smile froze when Alan raised her right hand to show her saying something. Alan carried her effortlessly to the shotgun seat before he drove out.

He bolted out and asked the housekeeper who was taking his breakfast plates back, "Aunty Lilly, what happened to Arrie's hand?"

Hearing his panicked voice, she replied quickly, "Second Young Master, Young miss got cut on her fingers when she was picking broken pieces of plate. Don't worry Second Young master, it's not so serious."

Rian nodded passively realizing when it should have happened and returned to the room.

He was pondering to call Aria but his mobile rang displaying 'Mian' on the screen. The concern for Aria instantly disappeared and answered the call...

Later he got ready and packed a set of clothes and left to the capital city with other players for semifinals.

Aria didn't tell anybody about what happened between her and Rian. In fact, she herself didn't know what happened.

Only Noah met Eva and Aria at their class before he left.

After lunch, Aria was returning to class with Eva when Isla and Mian stopped them. Seeing band-aid on Mian's forehead, Aria instantly understood what must have happened.

"President Cooper! How are you?... Oh seems like you have hurt your hand for sympathy." Isla sounded sarcastic thinking Aria used the same method as them.

Aria ignored. Eva glared at Isla before looking at Mian, "Mian, what the hell are you doing with this use for nothing actress? Do Rian knows about you two are friends?"

It dawned on Aria about Rian's behavior the whole week to analyze Rian knew about them and they started to make them away for a long time.

Mian played her good girl role.

Isla smirked, "Are you two lesbo? I always see you two together or President Cooper will be with boys. I think she is raunchy that she manages with whoever she gets."