Chapter 170

Nolan Reed had anticipated Aria Bennett's question.

He confessed honestly, "I have full backups on my computer. The phone only has that one photo of you acting cute with me." He unlocked his phone and handed it to her.

Aria scrolled through the gallery—aside from the viral photos online, there were numerous candid shots of her alone, as well as childhood pictures of them together.

Something didn’t add up. "Did your father have these taken?" she asked, then shook her head. "No, he hadn’t found you yet when we were in elementary school."

Nolan explained, "The elementary school photos were taken by a private investigator hired by that woman. My father traced us through her."

"The ones from middle school onward were taken by his people," he added, his voice lowering. "Back then, he wanted to make amends but couldn’t see my mother, so he relied on photos to cope."

Aria finally understood. "That’s why the collection is so complete."

Then she narrowed her eyes. "So how did they end up online? Don’t tell me your father—"

"Not him," Nolan cut in quickly. "I already asked."

Aria raised an eyebrow. "Then your computer was hacked?"

Nolan’s ears turned red. He hesitated before admitting, "Actually... I posted them myself."

Seeing Aria’s skeptical look, he forced himself to continue, "In college, I made a private account and uploaded the photos I liked..."

Aria nearly laughed in disbelief. "You have that kind of hobby?"

Mortified, Nolan muttered, "I missed you too much back then..." The moment the words left his mouth, he regretted them.

Aria rubbed her temples. "What now?"

"I’ll find out who leaked them," Nolan promised urgently. "I won’t let the photos spread further."

Aria said coolly, "Just delete them all."

"No!" Nolan shot to his feet, his eyes reddening. "They’re the only things left of—"

"Let the past stay in the past," Aria interrupted.

Nolan clenched his fists, his voice breaking. "How can you be so heartless?"

Ding—

Aria’s phone chimed. She glanced at the notification and stood. "Do whatever you want."

Nolan grabbed her wrist. "Is it Damian?" He caught a glimpse of "Movie Emperor Damian" on her screen.

Aria pulled free. "None of your business."

Watching her walk away without looking back, Nolan slammed his fist onto the table.

Outside the inn, Damian Cross stood beneath a ginkgo tree. Moonlight cast a silver halo around him, accentuating his ethereal presence.

"You needed me?" Aria approached.

Damian looked remorseful. "About the photos—it’s my fault."

Aria stared at him in surprise.

"A family friend’s daughter had you investigated," Damian said grimly. "When she discovered your history with Nolan, she tried to drive a wedge between us."

His brow furrowed. "I’ve already handled it."

Aria checked her phone—the trending topic had indeed been removed. She smirked. "Fast work."

Damian exhaled in relief. "You’re not angry?"

"Not at you." Aria waved it off. "I’ll leave it to you."

When he seemed about to say more, she cut in, "See you tomorrow!" and strode away before he could respond.

Damian watched her retreating figure and sighed in frustration. Once again, his carefully planned confession had been aborted.