Aria's expression turned dark hearing two talking about eloping.

"Loving a person and wishing them in life doesn't mean disregarding one's parents and responsibilities. You have agreed so your wife will give her consent. Let your children and Noah convince your father. Unless we reach the last straw, I will not support eloping."

​​

Geoff and Moran were momentarily stunned hearing her. Levi was surprised too.

"Are you for real?" Moran adored Aria.

Geoff asked, "Are you really married?"

Moran's lips twitched. Aria responded straight, "I will be celebrating the third year anniversary soon with my husband Alan Morgan."

She couldn't understand why he was behind her marital status.

Geoff knew Aria was the right one to stand against his father but she was married. He sighed hearing her.

"Child marriage is prohibited in country A." Moran tried to guess her age before three years

"I know, so grow up first." Aria countered back calling him a child.

Geoff finally let out a chuckle. He had felt like an eternity he laughed or heard somebody passing funny comments in front of him.

"I really appreciate your thinking and values President Cooper... So what's the plan?"

Aria smiled hearing him. They sat and discussed half an hour before coming to the conclusion.

Aria bid them and left the Hanes Industries.

Levi was very much impressed by Aria. She was alighting at Morgan Industries to have lunch with Alan when Levi complimented, "You are a strong woman."

Aria smiled while saying, "Vice President Hanes's secretary likes you I think." She had seen her eyes glued on Levi when they walked out.

Levi waved his hand and left to escape from her.

Aria chuckled and went to Alan's office without informing Noah or Norah..

---

In Woods' Company

Noah decided to hold the patience but the call he was expecting never came. After a few hours, he called Aria but she didn't receive and sent a message saying 'Busy in a meeting.'

As far as he knew, Aria always answered the call about how important things might be. Unsure if Norah Hanes was a young miss of Hanes, he still panicked thinking Aria might be in danger.

After failing to reach Aria, he dialed Alan directly, "Brother Alan, I can't reach Arrie. She had called me..."

Alan cut in unhurriedly, "She is attending a meeting in Skyline. I will inform her to reach you."

"Oh!" Noah was perplexed due to Aria's sudden change in behavior. "Thank you, Brother Alan."

He hung up the call and went back to work halfheartedly. The least he wanted was Aria to be in a problem due to him.

---

In Hanes Mansion

Norah Hanes waited and waited for the call and message but didn't get any. The call she received was a private number so she couldn't call back either.

Half-Heartedly, having lunch under the oppressing gaze of her grandfather, she quickly sprinted to her bedroom.

She controlled herself from calling Noah but she couldn't hold for long. She had Noah's number hence she directly called.

"Yes?"

Norah heard a neutral unemotional tone of Noah. "Noah!"

"Kyle?" Noah's surprised tone let her lips tilt up hearing him easily identifying her.

"Norah" She had heard Aria telling her name so she decided to clear it to him.

"Are you really Norah Hanes? Young miss Hanes of Hanes Industries?"

Norah hummed and heard him say, "Your name is the feminine version of my name."

Norah hummed again.

Noah asked in doubt, "Are you shy or hesitant?"

Norah blushed clutching plushie. She completely diverted the topic, "You said Arrie in the call. How did President Cooper get my number and knows my name?"

Noah again started thinking about Aria and responded, "I don't know. She is busy. I will let you know once I speak to her."

Their plain talk continued before they hung up the call confirming it was Norah's personal number.

Even though he felt weird to suddenly call a different name, he had mentally prepared for it so it didn't affect him much.

Hanes Family!

He decided to talk with his parents first and left home after finishing the work.

---

In woods' mansion

Noah frowned looking at the Limousine and Maserati. He never had seen those car models in his known circle. Passing his car key fob to security, he entered inside.

Noah's mother who heard his arrival quickly went to him. "Noah, what is all this? Why don't we know anything about this?"

"Mom, what are you talking about?"

Noah went inside with his mother to see a man, a woman, and... "Avenue seven?" He pointed at Moran and said it.

Upon closer look at Moran's serious face, "You are the one who was with Kyle in Skyline Jewelry."

"Young man, have a seat, we need to talk."

Noah heard the man's voice and obediently followed and sat with his mother and father.

"May I know your identity?"

His father introduced for them, "He is Vice President Hanes, Geoff Hanes, his wife Sarah Hanes and his son Moran Hanes."

Noah realized Moran and Norah were siblings. Even though he was overjoyed by the news, he was expressionless.

"The reason behind your presence." Noah asked because he knew Norah wasn't daring enough to speak to her parents.

Geoff spoke grimly, "You don't even know us, and how dare you to indoctrinate my daughter?"

Noah frowned but didn't lose his cool, "Vice President Hanes, I don't have to brainwash anybody."

"Did you think I would believe that? Who do you think you are?"

"Well, the man who your daughter is in love with." He said confidently.

"Do you really think you could go against us?"

"I don't think I'm against you or your family." Noah's calm and collected poise didn't change even when Goeff tried to hold his ground.

Aria, Eva, and Rian popped there and got everyone's attention, "We are here to test the groom and prepare him for the big battle."

Noah smiled seeing them, "Arrie, you brought them here."

"I'm sorry President Wood. I'm from the girl's side now." Aria didn't join him.

Noah tried to reach them but Rian pushed him away, "President Wood, it's test time."

Hanes family members just looked at them in amusement.

Eva and Aria sat down like examiners while Rian sat on the arm of the couch next to Aria.

"Master and Madam Hanes, test time continues," Eva announced.

"Do you really love my daughter?"

Noah had no idea what was happening but responded, "I do."

"Can you face any problem for her?"

"Yeah!"

"Will you be able to prioritize her ahead of you?"

"Certainly."

"What if we don't agree?"

"We will convince you."

"What if we force her into marrying somebody else?"

"You wouldn't be here in that case. For 'if case', with her consent, we will elope. I am sure my family will support me."

As a father and mother, they asked many questions.

Moran warned, "If she cries, I'll make sure you cry with her."

Eva asked after him, "Can you dance for Ms.Hanes?"

Noah's lips twitched, "Eva."

"Excuse me? I'll repeat it for you. Can you dance to entertain Ms.Hanes?"

Noah responded glaring at Eva, "In private."

"We need a demo." Aria demanded, causing elders to chuckle.

"Pole dance please." Rian chose the dance form.

"Guys." Noah was too embarrassed.

"What?" Aria tilted her head a little and eyed behind Noah, "Ms.Hanes, don't you like to watch Noah pole dancing?"