Desired by All and He Threw Away 21

Chapter 21 

Aiden’s lips curve slightly. “I can be,” he says, voice smooth but cool. 

she doesnt answer. instead she sits down across from me tucking strand of hair behind her ear. the tension between the two of them feels like static in the air–quiet but dangerous. 

“So, “i start carefully “you said you had something about Dylan?” 

Claria sighs leaning back in her chair. “I dont even know why i agreed to this. Dylan and I are ancient history.But since you asked –he is not who everyone thinks he is.” 

she stirs her drink, the spoon clinking softly against the glass.“Back in high school, he used to cheat on exams. i helped him with it.Then in college he made me write his essays. Entire papers, not just editing. He said it was ‘teamwork.“” 

I blink, surprised. “You did that for him?” 

“Yeah. I was stupid.” She laughs bitterly. “He was charming. he knew how to make you feel like the smartest person in the room – until you werent useful anymore.” 

Aiden who has been silent until now finally speaks. “That’s it?” 

s your 

Claria looks at him frowning. “Excuse me?” He tilts his head slightly unimpressed. “cheating on tests and essays? That’s y big revelation?” 

Her jaw tightens. “It is a start.” 

Aiden leans forward his elbows resting on the table his voice quiet but sharp. “I was hoping for something more concrete. fraud, bribery, assault -something that actually matters.” 

my stomach twists. “Aiden-” 

he ignores me reaching into his coat pocket and pulling out a checkbook. “how much would it take for you to tell us something useful?” his tone is calm business like as if hes ordering lunch. 

“If youre not satisfied with the amount feel free to negotiate.” 

Claria blink caught off guard. “Are you serious right now?” 

he slides the check across the table,his pen poised above it. “Completely.” 

she glances at me uncertain. “i didn’t come here for money.” “Everyone comes for something,” Aiden says coolly. “might as well get paid for it.” 

Her chair scrapes the floor as she starts to stand. “You know what? forget it. I shouldn’t have-” 

“Claria, wait,” I say quickly, reaching out. my fingers brush her wrist gentle but firm. “Please. Sit.” 

she hesitates then slowly lowers herself back down her eyes darting between me and Aiden. 

I turn to him my voice low but sharp.“Can i talk to you for a second!” 

he doesn’t move. 

“Now,” i hiss, standing and motioning toward the corner of the calle. 

the air between us feels colder as we step away from the table. i can still smell his cologne–faint spice and cedar and it only sharpens the irritation building in my chest. 

“what are you doing?” I whisper harshly. 

“Getting results,” he says, unbothered. “You can’t expect people like her to talk for free. Money is faster than pity.” 

“She was talking just fine before you pulled out your wallet.” 

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Chapter 21 

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“She was rambling,” he corrects smoothly. “I’m cutting through the noise. That’s how business works, Taylor. Youre being too naïve.” 

my fists clench at my sides. “Naïve?” 

he looks down at me the faintest glimmer of amusement in his eyes. “You think people help out of kindness? They help because it benefits them. You’ll waste time chasing emotions.” 

The word emotions sounds like something dirty when he says it. 

My anger sparks hotter. I remember the first time I heard him describe women like me -bottom feeders. the memory burns sharper now like acid under the skin. 

“you think money solves everything,” i say my voice trembling with fury. “That you can buy loyalty, truth, even decency. But not everyone works like you.” he studies me for a long second his face unreadable. Then a cold smile touches his lips. “You think your little moral speech will make a difference?” 

I take a step closer, my voice low and tight. “No. But i can show you how narrow minded you really are.” He chuckles softly, the sound low and mocking. “Let’s see what you can really do.” 

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