Chapter 8
Aria's eyes instantly lit up, and then she bowed slightly to Ethan with sincerity.
"Thank you, Mr. Sterling."
Ethan didn't say anything, just quietly watched her, a trace of complex emotion flashing in his eyes.
Seven years ago, when he was at his most desperate and helpless, it was Aria who saved him despite the danger.
And now, she needed help.
He had no reason to refuse.
He wasn't an angel, but he understood one thing—the warmth others had given him, he would eventually return.
...
The next morning.
As soon as Ethan stepped outside, he saw dozens of black luxury Bentleys already parked outside Seine Manor.
At the same time, Aria's soft voice suddenly came from behind him, "Mr. Sterling, we should head to the Senna Group now."
Ethan instinctively turned around.
Even though over the years he'd seen countless top beauties, and even those dangerous and seductive women in the deep-sea prison couldn't make him lose focus for long.
But at this moment, he still paused slightly.
Today Aria wore a champagne-gold haute couture gown. The fitted cut perfectly outlined her flawless figure, with delicate and elegant lace embroidery on the chest and shoulders, and scattered diamonds on the hem that sparkled slightly in the morning light.
That face, already exquisite to the point of seeming unreal, looked simply like Venus herself descended to earth beneath her light makeup.
Seeing Ethan staring at her, Aria felt inexplicably nervous and instinctively looked down to check her clothes.
"What's wrong? Is something not right?"
Ethan smiled faintly, "No, you look beautiful."
Aria's ears turned slightly red.
But the next second, Ethan suddenly became serious, "However, there's something we need to clear up first."
"What is it?"
Ethan looked at her, "Although our marriage is just a partnership, if we're going to act, we need to make it convincing."
Aria nodded gently, "Of course."
"Good. At home, you can call me whatever you want. But outside, especially at the Senna Group, we need to act like a real married couple."
Aria was obviously stunned for a moment, "You mean..."
Ethan said calmly, "From now on, when we're outside, you need to call me 'honey.'"
Aria's cheeks clearly reddened, but eventually she nodded gently, "Okay."
She added in a low voice, "After all, it's all for the plan."
...
An hour later.
They arrived at the Senna Group headquarters.
As one of California's top financial groups, the entire building towered into the clouds, its glass curtain walls reflecting a cold gleam in the sunlight.
As soon as they got out of the car, a blonde, blue-eyed young woman hurried over.
"Ms. Rockefeller! It really is you!"
The woman looked thrilled.
She was Aria's former personal secretary—Clara Price.
Aria nodded gently, then looked at Ethan, "It's me. This is my husband, Ethan Sterling. Starting today, he'll be working at the company. Go find him a position and help him get familiar with the group's operations."
Clara immediately nodded respectfully, "Yes, Ms. Rockefeller."
Then she looked at Ethan, "Mr. Sterling, please follow me. I'll show you around the company first."
Along the way, Clara earnestly introduced the Senna Group's business and structure.
But in Ethan's eyes, this level of business system could hardly be called massive.
Just then, a rough voice suddenly came from behind.
"So this must be Ms. Rockefeller's newlywed husband, Ethan?"
Ethan turned around.
He saw a fat, middle-aged man with a thick beard striding over.
His suit was obviously too tight, and his face wore an arrogant smile.
His name was Marcus, a department manager at the company, and also one of Chloe's people.
Marcus looked Ethan up and down, his eyes making no effort to hide his contempt, "Clara, you're not needed here anymore. I'll personally arrange his work."
Clara's expression changed slightly, "Manager Ward, Ms. Rockefeller already instructed that Mr. Sterling's position would be my responsibility—"
Marcus coldly interrupted, "Who do you think you are? Just a secretary, and you dare talk back to me? The entire company is now managed by Ms. Senna. As a department manager, don't I have the authority to assign a new employee?"
Clara immediately didn't dare say more.
Marcus sneered and looked at Ethan, "Come with me."
Ethan's expression remained calm as he followed.
But worry flashed in Clara's eyes.
She knew exactly what kind of person Marcus was.
If he was deliberately getting involved, it definitely wasn't anything good.
With that thought, she immediately turned and rushed toward Aria's office.
...
Soon, Marcus led Ethan to an office.
Ethan glanced around, "This is my office?"
The environment was average, but barely acceptable.
Marcus suddenly laughed mockingly, "Your office? Aren't you thinking too highly of yourself? The Senna Group doesn't support deadweight. If you want your own office, you need to prove your worth first."
With that, he directly threw a document in front of Ethan, "Here's a bad debt the company has. If you can collect it, I'll not only give you a formal position, but also a bonus. Of course, you can refuse."
Marcus showed a sinister smile, "But if you refuse, get out of the company right now."
Ethan opened the document and quickly scanned it, "Caesar Group?"
Marcus sneered, "That's right. They owe the company five million dollars."
Ethan closed the document, "It's just debt collection. I'll go."
Marcus's eyes immediately flashed with triumph, "Good, then don't waste time."
After Ethan left, Marcus immediately made a phone call.
"Ms. Senna, everything's been arranged. I've given him the Caesar Group debt."
On the other end of the phone, Chloe's satisfied laughter soon came through.
"You've done well."
Marcus quickly spoke obsequiously, "It's my honor to serve you."
After hanging up, he couldn't help but sneer, "A piece of trash just out of prison dares to oppose Ms. Senna? He really doesn't know what's good for him."
...
Meanwhile.
Clara had already rushed into Aria's office, "Ms. Rockefeller, this is bad! Marcus took Mr. Sterling away!"
Aria's expression instantly changed, "What happened?"
After hearing Clara's explanation, Aria's frown deepened.
"No, I need to go check."
But just as she reached the door, she ran right into Ethan.
They were extremely close, almost falling into each other's arms.
Before Aria could speak, Ethan had already said first, "Honey, I was just coming to find you."
That "Honey" made Aria obviously freeze for a moment.
Then she tried hard to stay composed, "What's wrong?"
Ethan held up the document, "Marcus gave me a job assignment. I need to go out for a bit."
Aria took the document, and after just one glance, her expression instantly changed, "Caesar Group?"
Ethan nodded, "That's right. A five million dollar debt."
Aria almost blurted out, "No! You absolutely cannot go!"
Ethan was somewhat surprised, "Why not?"
Aria's tone was clearly urgent, "Because that's not an ordinary company at all! Caesar Group is backed by one of California's largest underground gangs, with tens of thousands of members, all with blood on their hands! None of the people the company sent to collect debts before came back alive!"
She gripped Ethan's arm tightly, "Marcus is deliberately sending you to your death!"
But Ethan just smiled faintly, "It's only five million dollars. Don't worry, I'll bring the money back."
Aria was about to lose it.
She'd already explained how serious this was, but Ethan still acted like it was nothing.
"I said, you're not allowed to go!"
But Ethan just gently patted her hand, "Don't worry. I know what I'm doing."
In fact, he didn't care about Caesar Group at all.
The reason he agreed was simply because once this money was collected, it would help Aria stabilize the company's situation faster.
