Chapter Thirty-Five: Office Gossip Hits Hard

If Aria thought Monday was bad, Tuesday was a full-blown circus.

The moment she stepped into the building, heads turned. Conversations hushed. A few too-sweet smiles followed by suspicious glances trailed in her wake.

She made it to her desk before Olivia appeared, dramatically sliding into the chair beside her.

"Okay," Olivia whispered, eyes wide. "What did you do?"

Aria blinked. "What are you talking about?"

"The rumor mill is on fire, babe. Apparently, Ethan Cole punched Nate at dinner last night, you threw wine in someone's face, Chloe Cole proposed adopting you, and — get this — you two are engaged."

Aria choked on her coffee. "We're what?!"

"Congratulations, future Mrs. Cole," Olivia teased.

Aria groaned. "I swear to God, none of that happened. Okay… most of it didn't happen."

"So there was a Nate incident?"

Aria hesitated, then sighed. "He showed up. It was messy. But no one punched anyone."

"Damn," Olivia pouted. "Missed opportunity."

Before Aria could respond, a voice from the hallway drifted over.

"I give them a month."

"I give them two weeks."

"Ethan Cole? He's way out of her league."

Aria's stomach twisted. She hadn't expected support from everyone, but the sting of whispered judgment still hurt.

Olivia scowled. "Idiots. You want me to handle them?"

"No," Aria forced a smile. "I've got this."

---

An hour later, Ethan stormed into her office, murder in his eyes.

"I'm going to fire every last one of them," he growled, pacing like a caged animal.

"Ethan—"

"They're saying you're using me. That you slept your way into this job. That you don't deserve to be here. I swear, Lane, I will burn this place down—"

She grabbed his hand, pulling him to a stop. "Hey. Breathe."

He stared at her, breathing hard, jaw tight.

"I'm fine," she said softly. "It's gossip. They'll move on to something else soon."

"They crossed a line."

"I know. And if anyone says it to my face, I'll deal with them."

He looked like he wanted to argue, but then his expression softened.

"You shouldn't have to deal with this."

"I've dealt with worse."

He cupped her face. "You shouldn't have to."

Someone cleared their throat in the doorway.

Olivia.

"I'd hate to interrupt this tender moment," she said, smirking, "but I just heard someone call Aria a 'corporate gold digger' in the break room."

Ethan stiffened.

"I'll handle it," Aria said before he could move.

Both of them stared at her.

"Trust me," she added, standing. "I've got this."

---

The break room was packed with junior staffers, most pretending to work or make coffee, but really just loitering for gossip.

Aria walked in like she owned the place.

The conversation died immediately.

She zeroed in on a cluster of people by the fridge, one of whom was the source — a smug guy named Marcus who'd always looked down on her.

"Marcus," she said coolly.

He blinked. "Oh… hey, Aria."

"Funny thing," she continued, voice light but sharp, "I heard you've been talking about me."

He paled. "It's… uh, office jokes."

"Let me be clear," Aria said, stepping closer. "You can whisper about my shoes. Gossip about my dating life. Hell, you can debate my Starbucks order. But question my work ethic, my job, or my integrity again — and I will personally make sure you're delivering mail by next week. Am I clear?"

He swallowed hard. "Crystal."

"Good."

She smiled sweetly at the room. "Anyone else have something to say?"

Dead silence.

She nodded. "Didn't think so."

Then she walked out, head high, heart pounding.

---

Back in her office, Ethan was waiting.

"Well?"

She smirked. "Handled."

He laughed, tension easing from his shoulders. "Remind me never to get on your bad side."

"Too late, Cole."

He reached for her hand. "Seriously. I'm proud of you."

She rolled her eyes, but her cheeks warmed. "You're not off the hook yet. You still owe me dinner for surviving this week."

"I'll make it special," he promised....