Chapter 5: An Unexpected Guest

The success of the press conference meant that Aria was officially thrown into the deep end of high society. By that evening, her face was trending on every social media platform, and the narrative of the "Ice King's Fearless Bride" had taken the city by storm.

However, the peace inside the Vance Crest mansion didn't last long.

Two days after the media frenzy, Aria was sitting in the formal living room, sketching design concepts on her tablet, when the massive front doors were thrown open without warning. The clicking of sharp, expensive stiletto heels echoed aggressively across the marble floor.

"Ethan! Where are you?!" a high-pitched, demanding voice rang out.

Aria stood up, setting her tablet aside as a woman stepped into the living room. The newcomer was stunningly beautiful, wearing a head-to-toe designer outfit, her blonde hair perfectly coiffed, and her eyes flashing with absolute rage. It was Chloe Montgomery, a world-famous supermodel and Ethan’s notorious ex-girlfriend who had left for Europe a year ago.

Chloe stopped dead in her tracks when she saw Aria standing there in a simple oversized sweater and leggings. She looked Aria up and down with intense disgust.

"So, you're the little charity case the media is raving about," Chloe sneered, crossing her arms as she walked toward Aria. "I leave the country for a few months, and Ethan picks up a low-class nobody to play house. Tell me, how much is he paying you to pretend to be his wife?"

Aria’s eyes narrowed. The old Aria would have gotten into a shouting match, but she reminded herself of the elegance she needed to maintain. "I think you’ve mistaken me for someone who cares about your opinion, Miss Montgomery. This is my home now. I suggest you lower your voice."

"Your home?" Chloe laughed bitterly, taking another step forward until she was inches away from Aria. "Don't flatter yourself. Ethan doesn't have a heart. He is incapable of love. He is using you to protect his CEO title, and the moment he doesn't need you, he will throw you out like garbage. You are nothing but a temporary placeholder for me."

"That's enough, Chloe."

A freezing, thunderous voice boomed from the doorway. Ethan stood there, his face completely dark, an aura of terrifying anger radiating from him. He walked into the room, completely ignoring Chloe as he stepped directly in front of Aria, shielding her from his ex-girlfriend's venomous glare.

"Ethan, darling!" Chloe’s voice instantly changed to a sweet, whining tone as she tried to reach for his arm. "You can't be serious about this girl. Look at her! She doesn't belong in our world. You’re just doing this to spite your grandfather, right? Tell her the truth!"

Ethan coldly stepped back, avoiding her touch entirely. His eyes were dead and merciless as he looked at Chloe. "Who gave you permission to enter my property and insult my fiancée?"

"Fiancée? Ethan, we were together for two years!" Chloe cried out, her perfect face contorting with jealousy.

"And you left for a contract in Paris the moment things got difficult," Ethan reminded her, his voice cutting like glass. "Aria is my wife in every way that matters. If I ever catch you entering my home or disrespecting her again, I will personally ensure that every major fashion house in this country pulls their contracts with you. Mark, escort Miss Montgomery out. She is banned from the property."

Chloe gasped, her face turning pale with shock and humiliation. She glared at Aria with pure hatred before spinning on her heel and storming out of the mansion, her heels clacking furiously against the floor.

As the heavy doors slammed shut, the room fell into a tense silence. Aria looked at Ethan's broad back, her heart beating wildly. He had defended her fiercely, far beyond what the contract required.

Ethan turned around, his expression returning to his usual cold mask, though his breathing was still slightly heavy. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine," Aria whispered, studying his face. "You didn't have to go that far. The staff wasn't watching. You didn't need to defend me like that for the contract."

Ethan averted his gaze, walking toward the grand window. "She insulted a Vance. As long as you wear that ring, an insult to you is an insult to me. Don't read too much into it, Aria."

But as Aria looked at his rigid posture, she realized something dangerous. The contract was only a few days old, but the walls around the Ice King’s heart were already showing the very first, invisible cracks.

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