Aria was doing her work when her mobile went off displaying Noah's name. She answered it to hear his anxious tone, "Arrie, Chairman Hanes is at Wood mansion with nearly twenty guards. I'm on the way home..."

Aria pulled her hair in frustration, "This man doesn't learn until he dies. I'm coming."

​​

She hung up the call.

Noah didn't want her to come instead he just wanted to tell her. He already called his security head to get his people.

Aria checked her safe drawer but didn't find her handgun. She called Levi as she took her bag, "Levi...."

"My handgun."

Levi quickly gave her from another drawer which was at the bookshelf, "You will run away without telling me so."

Aria controlled herself from smacking him, "Wood mansion. Quick." Then she ran out as Levi followed her calling the team to get ready.

Aria took the driver seat and sped towards Woods' mansion.

Woods' headquarters was far compared to Skyline so Aria was ahead with her high speed.

---

At the Woods' Mansion

Aria was first surprised by seeing the woods' main security guard opening the gate as usual greeting her amiably.

'Shouldn't Hanes's people take everyone under control?'

She saw all gardeners doing their work as she drove in. 'Should they be helping out or running away?'

She saw only two cars in the guest parking space. "Levi, something's off. Why is everything calm?"

Levi was in the same state, he called his men not to take action and went inside with Aria.

Aria was courteously greeted by the maid who helped her with the jacket, as usual, to place on the stand.

'What the hell is going on?'

She heard hearty laughter instead of screaming. She quickly went to the main living area to see the Wood parents talking with the Hanes family.

There were piles of gifts on the side but not the sentry.

Madam Wood noticed her first went up to her. She hugged Aria happily, "Arrie, you are at the right time. Come sit with us."

Levi remembered a minute back she was at the stage to kill Jude Hanes and now saw her in confusion. He understood the miscommunication. Seeing no threat, he sent his men off.

Aria quickly held Madam Woods' hand and asked in a low voice, "Auntie, what is going on here? Where are the twenty-plus guards?"

Madam Woods took her to the couch as she explained, "Hanes family had brought a big entourage and see over there? They aren't listening to us even when we are saying those aren't required."

All saw Aria in confusion and Geoff asked, "Aria, what happened?"

Aria flushed in embarrassment as she said, "Noah had called me and said Chairman Hanes is at home with twenty-plus men. He was panicked so I..."

All were speechless hearing her.

Master Wood spoke, "That brat didn't hear me completely and hung up the call. I thought he was excited but it turned out he is coming here to fight. He threw you in a panic too."

Aria awkwardly laughed while Master Wood rubbed her head.

Aria took permission in a low tone, "Uncle, I'm going to beat him today. Ahh, he is soo dumb."

Madam and Master Wood chuckled seeing her flushed.

She whispered looking at the family of five, "Are they your in-laws now?"

"We guess so."

Aria breathed a sigh of relief resting her head on Madam Woods' shoulder, "I guess I can breathe now."

Jude saw her behave spoiled with Woods' parents, who helped her drink water and asked if she wanted to eat anything.

He understood what she had meant by she had many who looked after her like parents.

Suddenly all heard a series of footsteps. Aria shot up quickly grabbing vase from the side table.

"Boy, you are dead tonight."

Noah who stood in surprise started running around the living area, anteroom, dining area as Aria cursed and scolded him endlessly.

"What the hell?"

"Hell? I'll show you the one you brainless fool."

"Arrie... Arrie... That hurts... First, tell me what is going on?"

"Hurts? You dumb man, you gave me a heart attack and you are saying I'm hurting you. Stop now, I'll break your leg."

"Holy, have you gone nuts?"

"Am I nuts? You are the one who lost the brain? Your screws have all gone loose, I'll tighten them for you."

"Arrie, let me take a breather?"

"Why? To give one more panic attack? Where have you sold your brain? Can't you know the difference between surprised and frightened? You headless lad, I chop you tonight..."

Levi held her while she was passing by him. Aria breathed heavily glaring at Noah who was at no less state.

"Thank you, Levi. Your boss is scary." Noah thanked but heard, "President Cooper, remove your heels, it will be easier to chase."

Noah: ●_●

The Wood parents who were laughing continued to laugh more seeing Noah speechless.

Jude took the time to digest what just happened. He saw Aria who could actually knock Noah down but she didn't and played like a spoiled one just because she was misdirected.

He understood why Curtis treasures her and listens to her more than his own sons.

Sarah Hanes was smiling while Norah had a complex expression. Moran Hanes watched them enviously.

Zara who reached saw Noah and Aria catching breath and the latter holding vase.

She offered, "Do you want me to take him for another round?"

"Sis, that's not fair."

Aria nodded then shook her head, "I'll punish him more... You there, go open each and every box. I want to see better gifts than them at Hanes mansion when you visit there."

"Now?" Noah was bewildered and saw nearly fifty gift boxes.

Aria stood in akimbo glaring at him. Noah snorted and went to do it.

He was scared to death and he could say how much she was panicked so he didn't argue back.

While the Hanes family was shocked and thought the Wood family would scold her, they saw them laughing.

Aria went to Norah, "Talk to him. Don't worry no one can hear you guys from that far or take him out."

Norah nodded and went to him while Zara stood displeased, "That's not a punishment."

"As if I'll really punish our Cutie."

Aria smiled when Noah turned to her seeing Norah sitting with him. She was glad everything was falling in place.

Noah was getting Norah, Aria got to know about Saira Hayek, Jasper Madison wasn't a threat yet. And Aria could finally lower her burden.