Aria Rhodes held a delicate little handbag and walked out of the lounge while on the phone, followed by a middle-aged woman in her forties carrying her suitcase. The two walked one after the other into the airport lobby. "I’m in the airport lobby now." Aria Rhodes spoke into her phone as she headed towards the main entrance. In the lobby, a highly efficient woman in her thirties walked towards her as soon as she appeared, and at the same time, a voice came from the phone. It was Ronia Ackerly: "That’s good, your sister Chen is coming to pick you up, you should be able to see her in the lobby." Listening to Ronia’s voice on the phone, Aria Rhodes looked ahead and saw the person walking towards her with a respectful smile. She beamed, "Mom, I’ve seen Sister Chen." "Haha, now I can rest assured." "Sister Chen will take you home. I’ll be back as soon as I finish my work." "It’s okay, you handle your work, don’t worry about me. I’ll go see Dad when I get home." "Haha, yes, your dad has missed you for a long time too." Sister Chen came over, bowed to Aria Rhodes, who said, "Mom, Sister Chen is here. Let’s talk later when we get home." "Okay, stay safe on the road." "I will, don’t worry." Hanging up the call, Aria Rhodes smiled at Sister Chen: "Sister Chen, thank you for your hard work." "It’s not hard, it’s what I should do." "The car is already waiting outside." The group left the airport, with Sister Chen opening the car door for her. Aria Rhodes got in, and soon the car drove away from the airport. Aria Rhodes sat in the car, watching the scenery and buildings whiz by outside the window, her eyes showing various emotions. She had been abroad for several years, mostly staying overseas, only returning during the festive seasons, sometimes not even then. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to, but she couldn’t. She needed to make herself good enough, good enough to match him, so that she might stand by his side, shoulder to shoulder. She could see him often now. Even though he was still indifferent to her, even... The scenes from that night at the banquet appeared before her eyes, her heart ached, and her hand tightened. It doesn’t matter, she could understand. She really could understand. It would be destined to be difficult for her and him to be together, but she wasn’t afraid. At that moment, Aria Rhodes’s fingers clenched tightly, her eyes overflowing with endless determination and resolve, willing to do anything. She would be with him, she definitely would! Sister Chen, sitting in the passenger seat, glanced back through the rearview mirror at the person sitting in the backseat, seeing Aria Rhodes looking dazedly at the scenery outside. She said, "Aurelia has changed a lot in recent years. You used to say how fun the eastern suburbs were, now they’ve become a new development zone, developing very well..." Sister Chen talked to Aria Rhodes about the city’s changes, things that Aria might not know but be interested in. Listening, Aria couldn’t help but ask, "And what about Celestial Holdings?" Sister Chen paused, looked at Aria Rhodes, clearly seeing the concern in her eyes. Her thoughts stirred slightly, as she smiled, "Celestial Holdings is naturally developing well, better than before. After all, that person is a figure in the business world that everyone fears." Sister Chen, like anyone when talking about Celestial Holdings, displayed admiration, envy, and a hint of jealousy. There was nothing they could do; some people are born to be favored by the heavens, beings that others can only look up to, destined to be better and more outstanding than others, reaching heights difficult to attain no matter how hard they try in their lifetime. How could such a person not be envied and admired? Yet, not only was he born into privilege, he also had an exceptional mind, excelling in every way, inviting both envy and admiration. Because not everyone born into privilege can achieve what Poe Vaughn has today. Aria Rhodes laughed, a very happy laugh. With Celestial Holdings doing well, it was good. She wanted him to do well, and then she would also be well. Sister Chen saw the smile on Aria Rhodes’s face, a delight, like a child hearing good news, particularly happy. She asked, "Why did you suddenly ask about Celestial Holdings, Miss?" Aria Rhodes felt a pang of panic inside, her eyes instinctively dodging, but soon she regained her composure and smiled, "Mom said that after I return, I’ll rest a bit before joining the company to learn management and operations, to help Dad in the future." "I want to get an early understanding of the business world, after all, Celestial Holdings is now an industry benchmark." "They are very impressive." She couldn’t let her mom know her feelings, otherwise, she would prevent her. She wouldn’t allow herself to like the son of her rival, she wouldn’t. So, she had to hide her feelings and face them with another identity. At least, so it would be with Mom. "Exactly, let me tell you about the current news and situations in the business world." "Sure, thank you, Sister Chen." "You’re too polite, Miss." Quickly, Sister Chen started to tell Aria Rhodes about the state of the business world, various enterprises, and Hayden Rhodes’s company’s status, giving her a general understanding. Aria Rhodes listened carefully, occasionally asking questions, then remembered everything Sister Chen said in her heart. She wanted to join the company, not just to obey her mom, she wanted to join the company herself, so she and he could have opportunities to contact each other in another way, she needed to work hard. Just like that, the car, amidst Sister Chen’s storytelling and Aria Rhodes’s attentive listening, returned to the Rhodes Family. The car parked right in front of the Rhodes Family villa gate. Ronia Ackerly immediately came out upon hearing the sound, descending the steps. When Aria Rhodes got out of the car, she instantly opened her arms, tears glistening in her eyes, yet her face was full of smiles, "My princess is finally back home." New ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄhapters are published on novel·fıre·net Aria Rhodes stepped forward, voluntarily hugging Ronia Ackerly, burying her face in her embrace, incredibly reliant: "Mom, Aria missed you so much." She was like a child who had to leave home for years finally returning home, with countless emotions upon seeing her mother, even tearful like Ronia Ackerly. Ronia Ackerly gently patted Aria Rhodes’s back, softly saying, "Don’t cry, now that you are back stay by Dad and Mom’s side, don’t leave again." "The three of us, always together, never apart." "I won’t leave, Aria will be with Mom and Dad." Saying this, Aria Rhodes hugged Ronia Ackerly tighter, even more like a child. Ronia Ackerly smiled, instructing people to send Aria Rhodes’s luggage upstairs, then gestured to Sister Chen to leave first. Sister Chen bowed her head, got in the car, and quickly left the villa. Ronia Ackerly gently patted Aria Rhodes, looking down at her, "Come, see the room Mom has prepared for you, it’s brand-new, and I made your favorite dishes." "Let’s eat first, and then go upstairs." The two entered the villa together. Ronia Ackerly led Aria Rhodes to wash their hands, then they sat at the dining table. Ronia Ackerly served food for Aria Rhodes, "Come on, eat." Aria Rhodes nodded, a sweet and obedient smile on her face, "Thank you, Mom." She picked up her chopsticks and ate. All the dishes on the table were made by Ronia Ackerly and were all dishes she loved. Although she wasn’t born to Ronia Ackerly, Ronia always treated her like her own daughter, so Aria Rhodes never felt wronged or anything. In her heart, Ronia Ackerly was her mother by blood. Ronia Ackerly watched Aria Rhodes eat obediently, her eyes showing satisfaction and peace. But gradually, these expressions were replaced by worry.