Aiden was still enjoying the hors d'oeuvres when Brann Knighton made an announcement:

"Thank you everyone for coming to celebrate my beautiful daughter's 25th birthday. We have a special announcement in a few moments. Lacy, could you please join us on stage?"

"It's time," Aaron said grimly, dragging Aiden away from the food and positioning him in the middle of the crowd.

Aiden didn't even finish his water. The saltiness was agonizing!

Aaron took a deep breath, a look of disgust and regret briefly crossing his face, before pulling something from his jacket pocket and kneeling.

"I wanted a more romantic setting, but I can't wait any longer. Bethany Carlisle, will you marry me?"

The gigantic diamond on the ring sparkled under the soft lighting. Aiden was about to scream. "Aaron! You didn't say anything about pretending to get engaged!"

What was he supposed to do? Everyone was watching. He'd promised to cooperate, but this was too much. He knew, however, that backing down could be fatal.

"Yes!" he forced out, trying to sound excited.

Aaron slipped the ring onto Aiden's finger. It fit perfectly; he must have planned this meticulously. This was so wrong!

Aiden maintained a plastered smile, seething inwardly. The scoundrel! Proposing to someone else at the birthday party of the woman who liked him? That was a new low.

The crowd, as shocked as Aiden, took a moment to recover before erupting in cheers and congratulations for the "happy couple."

In the distance, Aiden saw Lacy's mother restraining her. Murderous rage was etched on her face. Aaron noticed, and actually smiled—a chilling, bone-deep smile.

Aaron's arm was stiffly around Aiden's shoulders as people crowded around, asking questions. After tonight, Aiden deserved a proper explanation. He would get one.

Aiden cursed as they headed to the car after the worst two hours of his life. "What was that?! This wasn't part of our deal!"

Aaron shrugged. "I didn't want to propose to someone like you either, but I had to do it before the announcement, or I'd never get rid of that parasite."

He deflated slightly. Lacy had run off crying after her mother stopped her from causing a scene. The announcement was forgotten in the ensuing chaos. A memorable birthday indeed.

"Man, that wasn't cool. I get you hate her, but did you have to ruin her birthday like that?"

The ever-present ice around his boss intensified into a blizzard. "Did Lacy have to ruin Keeley's birthday by drugging her because we ate lunch together in high school?"

Aiden's jaw dropped. What?! That prissy shopaholic was capable of that? Because of a high school lunch? That was incredibly petty.

"She seriously did that?"

"Ask Keeley if you don't believe me," Aaron said frostily. "She ended up in the hospital. If I hadn't found her in time…"

"Why?"

Aaron's anger flared. "Because she's a bloody psychopath! Anyone associated with me is a target. She's possessive and delusional. I've never liked her."

Many pieces clicked into place: Aaron's paranoia, his hatred of the Knightons, his efforts to keep Keeley away from the office. She'd been in danger before, and he wouldn't let it happen again.

Was that why Keeley sometimes seemed to hate him? Did she know about Lacy drugging her? Or had Lacy done more?

"Is that why you couldn't pretend to get engaged to someone you actually know?"

"It's part of it. I can't betray Keeley like that."

Betray Keeley? Aiden's theory that they'd dated solidified. If Lacy acted that way after a lunch, how much worse would it have been in a relationship?

"And I don't count as a betrayal because I'm a guy," Aiden surmised.

Aaron nodded. "Right. She can't come after you; your alternate persona doesn't exist. I'll tell everyone you're in Europe, make it a long engagement, and eventually break it off when everyone loses interest. You'll never have to dress up again."

Aiden doubted his words after tonight's stunt. "Never? Really? If she's as crazy as you say, will she back down with an absentee fiancé?"

"That's why we have to destroy her."

The calmness of that statement was terrifying. Aaron's tone was as if discussing lunch plans.

Aiden gulped. "Destroy her?"

"Yes. Her, both our corrupt fathers, her lackey Max Lynch, and someone whose involvement I haven't discovered yet."

A mystery person…this explained Aaron's constant inquiries about Lacy's associates. But how did he know this person existed without knowing their identity? None of this made sense.

And Max? That idiot who followed Lacy around like a puppy? What had he done?

"What does Max have to do with this?"

"He was her accomplice."

Aiden had a headache. He'd always known his boss was shrewd, but the extent of his enemies—and the people targeting Keeley—was surprising.

Aaron would do anything for Keeley. Revenge was the only sane part of this insanity.