Chapter 18 She disliked Jasper's classes for a reason ; didn't he have any clue ? Aria headed toward the kitchen . " If I want to take them , I'll take them . No need for so many whys . " She was starving after being busy all day and planned to cook some noodles . She used to think Asher didn't want her to take Professor Jasper's classes to keep her from overworking . Now it seemed he just didn't want Tessa to have another rival ! Trying so hard to please Tessa , Asher was really so thoughtful . Asher chased after her and grabbed her hand . " Aria , maybe you shouldn't go to Professor Jasper's classes . I'd feel bad if you wore yourself out . " Looking at the claws holding her , Aria calmly pulled her hand free . She took off her apron and tied it on herself . " Don't worry . I don't get tired in class ." Chapter 18 She poured oil into the pan , cracked two eggs , and used a fork to beat them before pouring them in . Not getting the reaction he expected , Asher looked a bit annoyed , feeling something was off . But he couldn't put his finger on it . Just as he was about to say something , Aria pushed him out . " It's smoky in here . Go outside ." Asher wondered , ' What was I about to say again ? ' A steaming plate of pasta was set on the table . Aria pinched her ear , burned by the steam . Turning , she saw Asher still hadn't left . She didn't care . Filling her stomach came first . She pulled out a chair , plopped down , picked up her fork , and started slurping . After finishing , she washed the plate and stepped out of the kitchen , only to be grabbed by Asher again . " Aria , are you mad at me ? I know lately , because Tessa was sick , I neglected you . I promise I'll try to make time for you from now on . Please don't be upset , okay ? " Chapter 18 Aria smiled at Asher . " I'm not mad . You should spend more time with Tessa . If I make her worse , that'd be bad ." She truly wasn't angry ; she'd given up . Whether it was Asher or the Whitmore family , she wanted nothing to do with them . Asher frowned . " You're still jealous of Tessa . I told you , I just see her as a sister . No need to be jealous , really " Aria glanced toward the doorway at Tessa . She must've known Asher was home and ran back alone ; no one from the Whitmore family followed . Seeing Tessa , Aria's first thought was : Oh great , Asher is going to have to soothe her for a long time again . She felt like a caught cheater . With his back to Tessa , Asher hadn't noticed anyone come in . Tessa's eyes were red as she looked this way , then covered her face and ran toward the stairs . Late to realize , Asher glared at Aria and hurried after her . Aria sneered . This was Asher's idea of making it up to her . Chapter 18 As soon as Tessa appeared , everything changed . How laughable . With only ten days left on the countdown , it was time for cousin Howard's son's birth celebration . Howard , the eldest son of Aria's second uncle , was twenty - eight this year , just a few months younger than Mason , and the two were evenly matched in ability . But their status in the Whitmore family was worlds apart . Mason was the heir to the Whitmore family , while Howard was just a wealthy idler , married and settled early . If it weren't for Violet holding him back , Howard would've tied the knot right after college . Because Howard was the favorite grandson of Grandma Willow , Violet and Chloe had been silently competing for years . Violet believed her son wasn't any worse than Mason , just unlucky , born a few months later . But Howard didn't care at all about inheriting the family estate . All he wanted was to be with the one he loved . Her son willingly gave up the inheritance , and Violet was furious enough to get sick for a long time . Chapter 18 Though not the eldest grandson , Howard had fathered the Whitmore family's first great - grandson . That alone gave Violet the upper hand , making her attitude tough as nails .