Chapter 169

The hashtag "#AriaBennettAndNolanReedChildhoodFriends" instantly went viral across the internet.

As soon as Kieran Doyle stepped into the inn, he exclaimed, "Ms. Bennett, you and Mr. Reed are trending!"

Everyone paused, pulling out their phones.

On the screen were photos of Aria and Nolan together from elementary school all the way through college.

"You two were so close as kids," Wesley Hart couldn't help but remark.

Caleb Monroe pointed at one photo and laughed, "Looks like Mr. Reed's been carrying Aria's bags since childhood!"

In the picture, a teenage Nolan, though stern-faced, had a tight grip on Aria's backpack strap.

Nolan stared at his phone, his eyes slightly red.

Long-buried memories came flooding back.

"She always tossed her backpack to me," he said hoarsely. "From first grade through high school—twelve whole years."

But now, he'd lost that girl.

Aria swiped through the photos, her brow furrowed.

These pictures appearing now was suspicious.

From Nolan revealing they were schoolmates to these photos surfacing—it had taken barely half an hour.

Too fast.

Almost as if it had been planned.

Damian Cross gripped his phone, knuckles turning white.

This was no fan's doing.

Serena Blake dug her nails into her palm, burning with jealousy.

How could Aria have so many precious memories with Nolan?

She instantly regretted her earlier comment.

"How sweet," she said with feigned innocence, glancing at Damian.

Aria smiled lightly. "Our families have been close for generations. Mrs. Reed even wanted to adopt me as her goddaughter."

She emphasized the word goddaughter.

Nolan stiffened.

She was drawing a line between them.

Serena's eyes lit up. "So Mr. Reed would be like your brother?"

"Shut up," Nolan snapped coldly. "You don't get to call her Mrs. Reed."

That name belonged only to Aria.

The atmosphere froze.

"Let's all get some rest—it's been a long day," Caleb quickly intervened.

The director wiped his sweat. "Tomorrow's an off day. You're all free to do as you please."

Vivienne Archer tugged Aria upstairs. "I'm exhausted. Let's go to bed."

The moment the livestream ended, Vivienne lowered her voice. "What's going on online?"

"No idea," Aria said. "I'll look into it."

The first-floor reading nook was empty.

Nolan pushed the door open.

"Wasn't me," he said bluntly.

Aria nodded. "I know."

She'd never seen those photos before.

"Did you keep them?" she asked, meeting his gaze.