Livid Guardian's Endless Coddling

Aria and Levi entered the meeting hall which was guarded by Hanes security. They understood the vice president wanted to talk and resolve.

Levi pulled a chair for Aria and sat next to her seeing her cue.

Moran looked as he was trained, expressionless, and hard to read what was going on in his head. His father Geoff Hanes sat opposite Aria glaring at her.

Aria couldn't understand why there was a staring game. She knew she wasn't like an intense CEO and put on a long face and she wasn't scaredy-cat to get scared by his glare either.

"Vice President Hanes, why are you straining your eyes? I'm not running away."

Moran & Levi: #_#

'Can't help you.'

Geoff Hanes's lips twitched. He had thought she would get scared and panic but it didn't happen.

"President Cooper, why are you behind my son? You are daring but you are noisy. I can't accept a daughter in law like you. Give up."

Moran felt embarrassed by his father's assumption. Even though his father spoke negatively, he knew his father liked Aria who was nonchalantly seeing him in the eye.

Aria and Levi looked at each other before Aria failed to control her laughter.

"I'm... .... sorry." Aria couldn't control her laughter. She was expecting serious scolding and threats.

"I'm sorry... I'll be frank. You said I'm daring so my man should at least stand by me. Your son is chicken and I'm not interested in him. I'm married and I'm not here for your son."

'I'm not chicken.' Moran wanted to scream.

He could feel his father's mood dampen hearing Aria was married.

Geoff nodded passively, "What is your reason for intruding here?"

Aria had left the picture in Moran's office. "I want to talk to Kyle Mason aka Reese Mason."

Geoff frowned, "And why?"

"That's personal." Aria didn't want to bring other people into the matter.

"I am eligible to know it."

"And how?"

Geoff's lips twitched. He had met numerous chiefs of companies and high profile people and it was Aria who was completely nonchalant and maintained eye to eye contact talking back for everything.

"She is my daughter."

Aria danced in her mind knowing Moran wasn't a fiance but a brother. She wanted to know her name so she played dumb.

"You are Hanes. She is Mason."

"Norah Hanes is her real name."

Second success. But Aria didn't show it on the face.

"How about this? You hear it on the call from your daughter directly."

"I object." Geoff sternly responded.

"Alright." Aria stood up to leave while Moran and Geoff were confused.

They thought she would speak the truth to request them to talk but she gave up so easily.

Aria exactly wanted to increase their curiosity and allow her to talk.

"You aren't allowed to leave before telling it."

"I'm not your employee."

Aria and Levi almost stepped out, Geoff grunted. "Return in."

He pulled out his mobile but Aria spoke, "I want to add another person on the call."

Moran felt like his father was following Aria obediently. 'What magic did you do?' He badly wanted to ask.

Aria dialed Noah's number, "Sweetie, it's me. I'll connect Kyle Mason on the conference call. I want to hear you guys confess first as we don't have time. Is it alright?"

Noah was panicked. "Arrie, How did you get Kyle's number? How can I confess so suddenly? Arrie I don't..."

"Relax... Breathe in... Breathe out... You have to make it this time. I am not sure if we can get another chance again."

"Alright." Noah paced back and forth in his office. Since Aria said they might not get another chance, he decided to keep it simple.

Aria hummed and handed her mobile to Moran to dial Kyle Mason aka Reese Mason aka Norah Hanes's number.

'Confess?' Geoff had no idea but Moran realized Norah's love who stays in Country A was Aria's friend.

He promptly dialed and merged calls putting it on speaker.

"Hello, may I know who is calling?" A sweet voice silenced them.

Noah spoke, "Kyle, It's me, Noah here."

The line went weirdly silent while Geoff watched Aria who had an anticipating gaze on the mobile. He really commended Aria's guts for asking a man to confess his daughter and letting him hear that.

And upon that, she was going to such length for somebody else.

He had checked about her before meeting her. She was all alone yet managed everything so well and even won against them on such a big project. He had thought she wanted Moran and tested her extremity but he was disappointed to hear she was married.

He glanced at his son who was passive for everything and sighed internally. He knew Moran was capable but he couldn't understand why he wasn't daring enough to take the authority.

But Geoff had forgotten, it was his father and his treatment that left him passive. Controlling the children all their life would only bury their real selves.

Norah stuttered, "Noah... Noah... How did you get my number? My grandfather will kill me if he knows."

Aria's eyes shifted to Geoff who was actually taken aback by his daughter and Aria's gaze.

Noah was confused too, "Why will he do that? Kyle, Why are you so scared?"

All could feel Kyle was quickly moving and she spoke, "I had told you my family isn't simple. They monitor me for everything. I don't even know what to tell if he gets to know."

Aria double tapped on the table to cue Noah. The latter understood too.

"Kyle, I'll try to help you but before that hear me out and don't lie to me. I need your response. I know I realized it too late, I know I don't know anything about you. It is also true, I have no idea about the past and family problems you are facing but I promise to give you a better life. I love you. Do you?"

Aria bit her lip, crossed her fingers. If Norah said 'No', she wouldn't have any base to stand strong for Noah.

All had held their breath waiting for a response but Norah didn't respond and they could only hear her breathing.

"Kyle, don't be silent." Noah tried again.

Aria prayed in her mind waiting for Norah to speak. Moran wasn't sure how she would respond because she was engaged just on Saturday. She was taught to think about only that man, willingly or unwillingly.

Geoff wasn't sure what he wanted to hear. He just waited. If he doesn't hear Kyle's response, he is sure to throw Aria out with a warning.

Noah who had expected at least Kyle would answer gave up on it. He felt like Aria gave him one last chance and he failed. He got a little hope but it was snatched again. He decided to accept the reality.

"Alright. Say no at least. I promise, I'll not reach you again and this will be our last time in contact."