Chapter 6 Deception unveiled

Maverick's face burns in anger as he moves closer to Aria.

"How could you, Aria? Do you have any idea how important that necklace is to Monica? Do you?"

Aria's eyes welled up with tears as she shook her head, her voice trembling. "I-I didn't take it, Maverick. I swear"

"Don't lie to me! Monica found it in your purse. You're a scammer and a deceiver!"

Aria's wails grew audibly, her whole body shaking uncontrollably. She tried to speak, but she couldn't as she became speechless.

Monica's smile expanded as she enjoyed the scene before her with so much satisfaction . She seemed to enjoy how Maverick was yelling at her.

Sebastian and Kaden did not utter a word, their facial expressions unreadable. Sebastian's gaze flatered with discomfort, but he didn't say a word.

"This is a big disgrace to me! My supposed wife is a thief. Why didn't you tell me to get a necklace for you? It's not an issue for me. But instead, you preferred to steal it, behind our backs"

"I told y'all that she wasn't worthy of our family's name" Monica said.

Aria's tears dropped down her face as she pleaded. "Maverick, please listen to me! I didn't take it, I swear"

"Enough, Aria!"

"Think it's time we took drastic measures, Father" Monica said.

Sebastian looked at her. "Monica, let's handle this issue with care"

"No, Father, I can't take this. She's brought shame to our family" she persisted.

"Monica!"

"What? Let them just divorce already, my brother can't be with a thief!"

"She didn't take it, I did" Kaden suddenly said, stunning them all.

Aria's eyes widened in shock, her tears momentarily forgotten.

"I took Monica's necklace and planted it in her purse to implicate her. I don't like her, and I wanted to cause trouble"

Maverick's expression transformed from anger to confusion.

"What are you talking about, Kaden?" Monica demanded angrily.

"I said I did it, she's innocent"

"Stop saying nonsense, Kaden!" Monica ordered, grabbing Kaden's arm but Kaden shook her off.

"I'm telling the truth," Kaden insisted.

"I did it. I've never liked Aria, and I wanted to ruin her reputation"

"interesting" Sebastian said, scrutinizing Kaden.

"I'm deeply sorry," Kaden said, looking at Aria.

"I know it was barbaric, but I couldn't help myself"

"Kaden, shut up! You're just making things worse!" Monica spat but Kaden remained adamant.

"I won't let an innocent person suffer, I did it, and I'm sorry"

Maverick didn't hesitate before he walked towards Aria, held her hand, and dragged her out of the setting.

"Come with me" he said, Aria's eyes opened in surprise, but she didn't resist.

Monica's anger erupted at the sight. "Maverick, stop! You can't just believe Kaden's lies!" she shouted.

Sebastian stepped closer to Kaden.

"I'm disappointed," he said.

Without warning , Sebastian slapped Kaden's face, the sound echoing through the room and Kaden's head jerked back, his hand moving to his left cheek.

He turned and walked away, leaving Kaden and Monica alone.

"You fool! You've ruined everything!" she said and slapped on the other cheek.

"Why did you ruin everything?"

"I couldn't let an innocent person suffer, sis" Kaden said.

Monica's slap left a red mark on Kaden's cheek.

"You idiot!" Monica shouted. "You've destroyed my plan!"

"Fuck you and your plans. I did you a favour by covering you up when it was actually your doing "

"You think you've saved her? You've only made things worse" Monica sneered.

"just leave the poor girl alone"

"I'm just starting and what the hell came over you? I thought we both hated her?"

"She's innocent and doesn't deserve this," Kaden said.

"I shouldn't have told you my plans, Now you've ruined everything"

With that, Monica turned and stormed out of the room.

"Stop with the obsession, it's getting annoying!" Kaden shouted after her.

Monica's response was a raised middle finger indicating her frustration, before she disappeared out of view.

Kaden massaged his hurting cheeks, a mischievous smile spreading across his face.

"Well, I guess I'm done here" Kaden chuckled, inspecting his hurting cheeks.

"One slap from Dad, one from sis. Symmetry is key, right?"

He shook his head, still grinning.

Maverick opened the door, gesturing for Aria to enter and she stepped inside.

Maverick shut the door behind them and walked to the bedroom, Aria tagged along.

He sat on a couch beside the bed, running his hands through his hair, his gaze fixed on the floor.

Aria remained standing, her arms crossed.

"You didn't believe me" Aria said and Maverick looked up, his eyes meeting hers.

"Should I have taken your word over my own sister's? I should pick my blood sister over you?"

"That's exactly what you should have done,If you trusted me at all"

Maverick nodded. "I don't trust someone I barely know and to me, Family comes first" Maverick said.

"Wow, so that's it?"

"I'll handle Monica and Kaden, You focus on being my wife"

"Your wife?" Aria repeated. "You mean your pawn?"

"oh please"

"Your pawn, your possession, your trophy wife, that's all I am to you, right?"

"We are married, Aria, and you'll do well by not forgetting that"

"And what exactly do you mean by that?" Aria said and Maverick stood up, looking down at her since she's short and he's taller.

"It simply means you'll obey my words, when I say it. No questions asked"

"You're incredible," Aria said.

Maverick's lips curled into a cold smile.

"That's why I'm riding high," Maverick said.

"And why you're still here" he added.

"A normal person wouldn't have put up with your crap, Maverick, but here I am, with you. I'm doing your family a favour by providing a male heir, after all"

"You're paid for it, or not?" Maverick asked and Aria frowned.

"Paid? You think throwing money at me makes everything okay?" Maverick nodded.

"It's our deal, don't pretend there's more to it"

"You're heartless"

"I'm practical," Maverick corrected.

"By the way, why did you bring me here?" Aria asked.

Maverick leaned back on his elbows, his gaze fixed on her.

"Because it's safer, Monica's still fuming. I don't want her bothering you" he said, Aria raised an eyebrow.

"Safer for who?" Aria asked. "Me or you?"

"You" Maverick said.

"Save your protection for someone who needs it, Maverick,I can handle Monica"

"You think you can? Well... Not going to say anything"

"Good"

"Good" he said.

"I'm going to set my own rules, just like you made yours" Aria said.

"What do you mean by that?" Maverick asked.

"The contract, I'm supposed to have a say in it, but all I've done so far is follow your orders"

.

"You think you're in a position to make demands?" Maverick asked.

"I'm your wife, not your property, I have rights, too"

"Rights?" Maverick repeated.

"You have obligations, Aria. And fulfilling them is your only concern"

"I'll make my own rules, and you'll have to deal with it"

"We'll see about that" Maverick said.

"I have just two rules now, will add others later. First rule, I want the freedom to do whatever I want, without complaints or interference from you"

Maverick raised an eyebrow.

"Anything?" Maverick repeated, Aria nodded.

"Within reason, I'm not asking for chaos. Just freedom "

"Fine" Maverick said and Aria smiled.

"Second rule,You'll wear your wedding ring at all times"

"Why?" Maverick asked.

"Symbol of commitment of course and a reminder that you're taken. It's non negotiable"

"Whatever"

"I have something else to discuss" Aria said.

"What is it?" Maverick asked.

"I'm a teacher and I won't abandon my job"

"That's not necessary, you're my wife now. You don't need to work"

"First rule, remember?" Aria reminded him. "I get to do whatever I want without complaints"

"That's different" Maverick said.

"No, it's not, my job is important to me. And I won't trade it for anything"

"How can the wife of a CEO be working as a mere teacher?"

"Who cares?" Aria asked.

"We'll deliberate more on this later," Maverick said.

"There's nothing to discuss, Maverick, I'll continue teaching. End of story"

"Oh please"

"Teaching is my passion"

Maverick scoffed.

"Passion doesn't pay the bills" Maverick said.

"Your money doesn't define me" Aria said.

.

"We'll compromise" Maverick suggested and Aria raised an eyebrow.

"What kind of compromise?" Aria asked.

"You can teach, but with conditions" Maverick said.

"What conditions?" Aria asked.

"You'll teach at an elite school, one that fits our family's status"

"Fine" Aria agreed.

"But I choose the school" she said and Maverick nodded.

"Today is...?" Maverick asked.

"Sunday" Aria replied, Maverick groaned.

"Sunday" Maverick repeated, touching his temples.

"Is there any problem?" Aria asked.

"I'll be right back," Maverick said, before exiting the bedroom.

Aria watched him leave, pondering on what was bothering him.

She shrugged it off and began pacing around the room. She suddenly remember meeting up with Beatrice, she picked up her phone and left the penthouse.