After seeing Keeley off, Aaron hit a traffic jam caused by a serious multi-car accident in the snowy conditions. He arrived at the office over an hour late, cringing. He knew dropping Keeley off would make him late—both the committee meeting and work started at 9:00 a.m.—but he hadn't anticipated this. He'd never been so irresponsible. If anyone found out…

Unfortunately, the last person he wanted to notice his tardiness had already done so. A secretary informed him that Alistair was waiting as he approached the elevator.

Fantastic. He headed to his father's office, bracing himself for the inevitable storm.

"What is it?" he asked flatly upon entering.

Alistair glared. "How dare you be so impertinent, arriving nearly an hour and a half late?"

Aaron shrugged. "There was a serious accident, and I was stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic for ages. Not my fault."

His father couldn't entirely fault him for that. Though his expression remained sour, he let it go, clasping his hands and adopting a domineering posture. "When is your fiancée returning? It's been five months of the six you mentioned. It's time she began learning the ropes of being Mrs. Hale."

Oh, boy. He couldn't make excuses much longer. But he needed more time! The stock prices weren't set to rise until spring, nor were his children due until then. Did he have enough manpower to pull off his hostile takeover? He'd have to review the numbers once he reached his own office. If not… he might have to end this fake engagement sooner than expected. It had bought him time, but not nearly enough. Lacy Knighton would pounce the second he broke things off with "Bethany." He couldn't let her. What was he to do?

His phone rang. He was about to ignore it—Alistair hated interruptions, and he was already furious—when he saw it was "Wife." This might work in his favor.

"Oh, look, it's her now," he smoothly lied. "Excuse me a moment."

He answered the call, moving away from his father. Keeley's voice bubbled with excitement. "Aaron, I did it! I passed!"

Even in this tense situation, he couldn't help but smile. He knew she would. "That's amazing, sweetheart. I'm so proud of you."

"I wanted you to be the first to know."

His heart pounded. She told him before her dad? It was something she would have done when they were younger and she loved him.

"I'm glad." Alistair coughed, reminding Aaron of his predicament. "Listen, Bethany, have you decided when you'll be back? I know your charity work is going well, and it might not be ideal timing."

The line went silent as Keeley gathered her thoughts. He knew she understood. He hadn't been subtle.

"The timing is crucial; I can't leave yet! I'll need at least another three months, if not more. The starving children need me," she said dramatically.

He wanted to laugh. She wasn't nearly as good an actress as Jennica.

"That's what I thought," he said, feigning disappointment. "Too bad. I was hoping to see you for Valentine's Day."

"I know; me too. Be sure to tell your dad hello for me!"

Aaron almost snorted at the false sweetness. Unfortunately, he hadn't put her on speaker; Alistair missed the performance.

"I will. Love you."

"Love you too!"

He knew it was because she thought Alistair was listening, but it still made his heart flutter. He ended the call to find his father looking ready for murder.

"Looks like she won't be back for a while. The project is going well, but they need her active involvement. I guess we'll postpone the wedding until summer or later."

Alistair gnashed his teeth. "This wouldn't be a problem if you'd chosen someone based in New York."

Aaron heard the unspoken "like Lacy Knighton." Ugh. If his father liked her so much, he should marry her. If he wanted her as a daughter-in-law so badly, it was a shame he didn't have more than one son.

"The heart wants what it wants," he said loftily. "Anything else, or was that it?"

"It's your mother's turn to host the annual Christmas party. You need to be there."

He'd forgotten. Skipping it would be a major insult. He'd already missed his own birthday party… could he get away with this? He wanted to spend the holidays with Keeley and Robert, his real family.

"I already have plans."

Alistair's fury escalated. He roared, "What plans could possibly be more important than this?"

Literally anything.

Aaron shrugged. "It would be rude to cancel. Someone else asked me first. What can I say, I'm in demand. Please give Mother my apologies. I'll send an extra gift."

"Aaron Hale, I am still your father, and you WILL be at that party," he growled.

"I'm twenty-five; I don't have to do what you say."

What a joke. Aaron had outlived his father's influence. Nothing could stop him, least of all Alistair.

Even if he didn't have a real Christmas celebration, Lacy Knighton would likely be there. He never wanted to see that insincere face again. What he really needed was a valid reason to lock her up forever.

Unfortunately, she hadn't done anything illegal (that he knew of) recently. Aiden was still searching for evidence of her father's collusion with Alistair in insider trading. Once he had enough for the police, those two would go to jail, or at least lose their reputations. Lacy's reputation would suffer too, but knowing her, that wouldn't be enough. She'd claw her way back. Aaron wished she'd disappear.

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