Rebirth: From Devoted Wife to Ice Queen CEO

Aria's pov

My eyebrows shot up in shock. It was a written blog. About me.

I closed my eyes for a second, breathed through my mouth, and opened Instagram to read it again for the third time.

🌠'CEO CHAOS: CEO Turned Heartbreaker says "No" To Fiancé, Then Tongue-Tangles with Her Assistant on Stage?!'🌠

Posted by velvet vine/ Verified Mess since 2020

'Last night's Lin & Co. gala wasn't just about launching a new jewelry line... it was about launching one poor man into humiliation orbit. In a scene straight out of a soap opera, Adrian Wu dropped to one knee in front of hundreds of guests, expecting a yes. What he got? A devastating no... and a front-row seat to Aria's fireworks-level passion for her Assistant, Ethan Luo.'

The photo embedded in the article was unforgiving... Adrian on one knee, frozen in shock, ring box still open... while I had my hands tangled up in Ethan's collar like something out of a damn romance novel.

I scrolled down, my heart racing.

'Sources say the affair had been going on for months. Could the polished CEO have been playing the perfect girlfriend while sneaking kisses in office corners? One thing's for sure... if Aria Lin wanted a rebrand, she just went viral.'

What's next for Aria Lin?

Damage control? A resignation? A rebrand?

Stay tuned... because we're not looking away.

I tugged at the collar of my nightdress, the fabric feeling tight against my clammy skin. I paced my room while gripping the hair at the back of my head with one hand.

The post was already at 10 million views and about 5 million comments.

I should turn off my phone. Burn it or bury it in a grave six feet deep. But, like the masochist I apparently was, I clicked on the comments section.

COMMENTS SECTION:💌

@PRPrincess: 'This is what happens when you hire your fantasies.' *Sighs dramatically*😋

@HeartbrokenForAdrian: 'He deserved better. She humiliated him in front of everyone. Cold.'😒

@GirlBossEnergy: 'Not her walking into HER villain era with red lip and zero regrets. We stan.'😍

I wanted to stop reading the comments, but it was like the more I read, the more I wanted to continue. I clutched the hem of my nightdress tightly, the fabric bunching in my hands, as I read on.

@businessbabe88: 'She just tanked her image. Can't wait for the apology tour.'😔

@AriaThelcon: 'People mad because she chose passion over PR. Let the woman live her truth.'💞

@TeamEthan: 'Assistant? More like soulmate. I've never seen Aria look that alive.'😘

@OfficeAffairsAreGross: 'Sleeping with your assistant? Major HR violation and major yikes.'🤮

I dropped the phone on my bed like it burned me. I squeezed my eyes shut.

I wasn't sure if I wanted to scream, cry, or go back in time and throw a glass of champagne in my own face.

Instead I chuckled and muttered to myself, "Well... at least we made headlines."

I turned sharply when I heard the sound of glass breaking from downstairs, followed by my father's angry voice.

I hurried downstairs and the sight made me gasp. My father had smashed his phone and thrown pieces of what I assumed was once a mug at the wall.

My mother was trying to get him to calm down from his rage, but it seemed like an impossible task. I had never seen my father this mad in my life.

"How dare they post all that stuff about my princess? I'm going to destroy them all," he thundered.

I rushed down the stairs and met my parents in the center of the room, with some of the servants peeking, trying to see what all the commotion was about.

"Dad, please calm down. That's exactly the reaction they want us to have," I said, squeezing his arm.

"But what they posted isn't fair, Aria," my mother muttered.

"And I know just how to handle them. So don't worry too much. I just hope it hasn't affected the company," I said, my forehead creased with worry.

My parents exchanged looks between themselves.

"Well," my father started. "It did, dear. The company's stock has dropped drastically."

I stood there unblinking, trying to process what my father just said to me.

"What?" I asked, like I hadn't heard what he'd just said.

"It's nothing new, dear. It happens all the time, so don't you dare think it was your fault. Because it isn't," my father said, patting my hand gently.

"I promise to fix it, Dad. I'm the CEO now. Many people will be counting on me to make this right. And I will," I stated.

My father smiled at me. "And that's why I said you're the perfect candidate for the CEO position. Go show them how the Lin family deals with whoever messes with us," he exclaimed.

My whole face lit up with certainty. "Of course. I'm Aria Lin after all," I teased.

I left my parents downstairs and went to my room to get ready for work.

The morning sun hit the Lin Corporation tower like a spotlight.

I stepped out of the back seat of the sleek black sedan, sunglasses shielding my eyes, my heels clicking confidently against the polished stone of the private parking level.

My white pantsuit was crisp, elegant, and calculated... clean lines, high collar, and no room for interpretation.

I could see Ethan already waiting by the elevator. Well, standing might have been generous.

He leaned against the wall, his suit wrinkled, tie loose and eyes bloodshot. He didn't even look up right away, probably didn't even hear my footsteps.

When he finally did, it was like watching someone force themselves into autopilot.

"Morning," he said, his voice low and rough like sandpaper.

He straightened up and pressed the elevator button with more force than necessary, which made me pause.

I tilted my head slightly. "You look like hell," I commented.

"I slept great," he said flatly, rubbing his temple.

I blinked slowly at him, but the elevator opened before I could say more.

"I assume you've reviewed the updated numbers?" I asked, already changing the subject.

Just because I felt sorry for him didn't mean I had to show any weakness. Especially not in front of him.

"Yeah. Forecast is stable. The partnership with Duwari & Sons is going to need a three-week delay, but legal's on it. I sent you the preliminary this morning," Ethan replied.

"Good," I muttered without turning to look at him.

It was like the air had become solid around us, making each breath feel wrong in the silence.

I cleared my throat. "For what it's worth, I didn't plan any of that. The kiss."

His gaze finally shifted to me. "And yet you still went ahead and did it anyway."

Silence hung over the elevator like a suffocating blanket after his reply.