Aria got up and cued Levi to be with Noah. She had just taken a few steps towards the door but she turned around and warned.

"Chairman Hanes, a single scratch on Noah will cost your everything and I mean it."

​​

Elder Hanes grounded his teeth glaring at her.

Geoff wasn't short-sighted to misunderstand Aria. "Aria..."

He had requested her to help them so that his children could live their life freely even though he knew his father might hurt her. He didn't expect she would feel bad from his son.

Elder Hanes and his assistant were astonished and perplexed hearing him call her warmly.

Aria halted and turned to him who walked towards her. She continued to hear him apologize, "I'm sorry on behalf of my son."

Aria gave him a faint smile while Moran frowned looking at his father without understanding why his father apologized.

Aria responded, "Vice President Hanes, I can't help who doesn't trust me. I'm really sorry for backing off on my words."

Her helpless and weak words were jab to him.

Aria bowed her head slightly, "I will take leave and don't worry, I will not hurt your family. I only care about Noah's safety."

She turned to leave but Geoff held her back and took her inside. He no more cared about how his father would react.

"Dad, do you know the biggest difference between me and Noah Wood? I decided to elope scaring you might not permit me while Noah wanted to convince you and celebrate with both the family.

Aria had found out about Norah and reached headquarters. I suggested that to take Norah away without your permission because I knew you will not allow it at any cost. But she told me she will not support eloping. That's the respect they gave you even though I warned her you will not agree..."

Madam Hanes panicked and went up to Geoff. She pulled his blazer hem down to stop him from speaking but Geoff patted her fist and continued,

"Dad, your father controlled your life and taught you. So you followed the same by controlling me. I didn't stop you but sincerely saying, I hated everything you did.

Dad, you weren't protecting the family as you thought, instead you were just feeding your ego because you were controlled by your father.

If he had poisoned you then, would you have done the same to me?

We are not in grandfather's age, we are in the twenty-first century. We have to change accordingly. I agree that bringing up children must be strict to discipline but that doesn't mean that we like to live in the suffocating atmosphere.

A family is parents and children living together happily. When have you seen us happy? Do you think having money is happiness? Stuffing every emotion inside isn't a happiness and that's not life."

Geoff didn't hold back and said everything he had shoved in his heart for so long years. Sarah was in tears due to various reasons.

Norah was sniffling continuously. Moran knew his father was doing everything for them by pulling the old man's anger on himself without mentioning his or Norah's name.

Elder Hanes didn't expect his son to go against him in front of strangers. He clutched his cane tight, glowering at him.

Aria didn't force her hand out of Geoff's hold. She was glad he voiced his inner haunting memories into words. She wasn't sure how the Hanes family would end up, she just hoped a better life for them.

She knew Geoff was talking for his children but not for himself. "You are a good father."

Geoff was caught off guard hearing Aria's acceptable and bonny voice. He turned to see her beautiful smile. His hand subconsciously rubbed her head dotingly but Aria's face turned cold and held the cane before it touched Geoff.

Elder Hanes tried to pull it back but failed and gazed her eyes overwhelmed by her strength. "President Cooper, you have no right to indoctrinate my family members."

Aria crossed her arms swinging the cane back, "Family? Is your son looking like ten years old to beat him? How would you have felt if your father hit you in front of your children? He is speaking up because of you."

"Family?" Elder Hanes started laughing as he went back to sit. "An orphan is teaching me about family. Ludicrous."

Aria's breath twitched. She clenched her fist to remain emotionless ignoring Noah and Levi's gaze.

Aria fought back her emotions, "I'm glad I don't have a half-witted, senseless grandfather like you to call as a family."

"You..." Elder Hanes thought he could break her down but didn't expect her to stand back stronger.

Noah's knuckles turned white as a sheet. Blue veins started popping on his backhand. "Actually I am the fool that I thought I could convince you. Some people are so stubborn that other than themselves they find every other right thing as wrong and that's exactly you, Chairman Hanes..."

He strode in front of Norah and spoke decisively, "I know it's not right to put pressure on you with two choices. If you trust and wish to be with me, come with me. If you want to follow your grandfather, I will respect your decision without a question."

"How dare you?" Elder Hanes roared on top of his lungs and started coughing hard.

Assistant Seven quickly supported him and helped him to sit. He quickly fetched water and was handing it to Elder Hanes but he threw it away.

Norah panicked. She looked at the blazing eyes of Elder Hanes and trembled taking steps back shaking her head at Noah.

Noah felt suffocating looking at her reaction. He didn't expect her response so soon. He wanted to give her time to think and let him know but...

He understood she didn't trust him. His gaze subconsciously went on Aria. He understood how it felt to be distrusted.

He tried to control his aching heart looking at Norah who was reflexively going away from him but he failed to hide his pain from Aria who patted his back and spoke.

"Ms.Hanes, take your time but if I hear you got married, that day I will close all the doors that might lead you or Noah to know anything about each other."

She took a step ahead and said in a low voice, "Love is a requirement but it isn't enough. Perseverance, trust, courage is also must."

Norah mumbled and ran away, "No"

Only Aria heard her. She knew the problems and fears Norah had but it was also important that Norah should learn to stand for herself and Noah. If her fear stops her from supporting Noah,

Is she worthy of Noah's love, care, and protection?