Chapter 292: Are we declaring war?

Levi was stopped outside by the assistant who identified him easily. "Assistant Levi, you are not allowed inside. Please have a seat."

Levi didn't want to create a scene and messaged Aria. Levi knew he could barge in any movement if required.

Aria strode ahead and greeted, "President Hanes. Pleased to meet you."

Yes, she was in Hanes Industries. An enigmatic President's office.

Moran Hanes looked at her in amusement. He wanted to tease but there was something so he had to hold back.

He saw her in a completely different mode. She was a girl of her age but she wasn't the little girl playing there. She was tranquil, confident yet mystic, beautiful yet relentless.

Her title as style Icon suited her well. Ripped blue jeans on the white blouse. Topped with a long white blazer, she looked stylish yet managed to look professional.

Removing her sunglasses, Aria saw Moran's completely opposite side. In a business suit, he looked little abrasive, officious, and dominating but those had no effect on Aria.

More than him, Alan, Vince, and Finn's presence was stronger. Being with them, she was practically immune to those dominating gazes or oppressing air.

But that wasn't what she was expecting from Moran. Why were there no questions?

His blank gaze on her was clear but not a single word escaped his lips. 

Her mobile beeped displaying Levi's message, [I am right outside. A cue, I will be inside.]

She was meeting Moran Hanes without an appointment, shouldn't he ask questions or throw her out or call the security to handle her but other than his expressionless face she got nothing to see.

He didn't ignore her, he just blankly looked at her waiting for her to speak,

Aria asked, "Are you for real? I barged into your office and the company."

Moran Hanes didn't react again. Aria smirked, thinking he was in President's mode.

President Mode, she knows to play it well.

"I will jump to the point." She took out a picture from her handbag and kept it in front of Moran Hanes.

She asked once his eyes fell on the picture "Who is she? And what is your relationship with her?"

Aria's eyes stayed on Moran whose eyes darkened looking at the picture. She could feel he was turned cold when his eyes sharped on her.

"President Cooper, you shouldn't test your luck."

'Time for the business.' Aria was prepared for his behavior. She knew he wouldn't behave like the Moron of the avenue Seven.

Aria turned colder and authoritative. She pulled a chair and sat responding to him, "I live in reality." She never depended on luck.

The one person Moran Hanes always tried to protect was the one who Aria asked about. "I'll not think twice to bring you down."

"You know nothing about me." Aria was never scared of such threats. In fact, she would love to test her limits when somebody attacks her.

Her confidence stopped him from insulting her. "As if you know me."

"Try me." She wasn't an idiot to go without a proper investigation about him and the family.

"Let me hear."

Moran didn't actually believe her. It wasn't easy to get information about the Hanes family members. Even though he wasn't protecting it, his elders were doing it.

Aria stood next to the desk and played with a paperweight, "A puppet of your grandfather."

First insult which was the fact.

Moran's face turned darker than the bottom of the pit and ordered, "Leave before I call the security."

"And I'm scared." She thought he was trying to frighten her.

Moran Hanes, clenched his tight to control himself from lashing out, "President Cooper, don't go to extremes."

She just asked about his relationship with Kyle aka Reese mason. She couldn't understand why can't he just answer it, "Don't let me go to extremes."

Moran saw her fearless. He wasn't sure if she was dumb about Hanes Industries or just playing dumb about them. "So you are the one who tried to know about her."

"Absolutely." She expected his people to know who was checking about the girl who had such a complicated background.

"Mind your company and work. Stop meddling in others' affairs." In fact, he wanted to ask 'why can't you just mind your work? Why do you search for a disaster?'

If she gets to know Kyle Mason really wanted to marry somebody else, she wouldn't say the word and leave. Forcing her was never her goal.

"I'm just doing what I should," Aria said and threw the paperweight.

'Crack'

The surveillance camera broke in no time. Aria saw the change in expression of Moran who rubbed his forehead.

It didn't take long for Aria to guess, "Don't tell me your chairman watches you from that."

Moran signaled her to sit and two assistants barged inside hearing the sound.

Aria signaled Levi that she was fine and spoke, "President Hanes is quite boring and I broke the camera." She pointed the broken camera to Levi so that he could rest at ease.

Levi had already reached and checked on her while Moran signaled his assistant to exit the office.

"Don't tell me you gonna change him too." Levi sighed seeing her fine.

Moran silently watched her giggle to his assistant. He didn't expect her to be so close to her assistant. He never showed a small curve of his lips to his employees.

Aria turned back to Moran, "President Hanes, Shall we talk? Or are we declaring war against each other?"

Moran was still serious, "Do you think you can win on me?"

"You have lost to me already. Shall I remind you?"

Moran tried to remember but didn't get it.

Aria leaned back on the chair, "Administration dam project investment result is out in the morning. And Country S, the film city project was stolen by Managing Director Alia and that's me."

Moran was still digesting the first one when he heard the second one. 'Managing Director Alia?', "You are the young dynamite who refused to meet me."

"And you are the CEO who received the wrath of your uncle."

Okay, the second insult but it was the fact.

Moran signaled to send Levi who was standing in confusion thinking when did that all happen.

Since Aria was fine, Levi was leaving and was near the door when it flung open and four bodyguards entered inside. Two of them held Levi and another two stood next to Aria.

They bowed to Moran and one spoke, "President Hanes, these two entered here with an employee's access card and reached you. Vice President Hanes ordered us to take them to the basement."

Aria knew things won't be easy in there even if Moran lets her talk.

What Moran didn't want to happen was happening. The vice president was his father and he couldn't order him either.

He couldn't understand why Aria was so daring instead of staying safe and sound.

Aria ordered two men who were holding Levi. She knew Levi was only controlling because of her, "Leave him now."

Moran wanted to smack her head and say, 'Tiny, it's not your company and they don't even listen to me.'

Aria strode ahead and twisted one's arms who wasn't expecting her to be strong. In fact, they didn't even expect her to have some skills.

Aria aimed the nerve on the nape and pushed him aside.

Levi punched another's neck and he was knocked out.

Moran: ○_○ 

He wanted to ask her, 'You got some skills.'

Moran knew there was going to be a disaster now. He strode towards them when the other two attacked Levi and Aria.

"I'm not in the mood to fight." Aria complained to Levi and kicked the man who was on her side.

Levi held the hand of the man who wanted to punch him and saw another man holding his crotch and fall on the floor then his eyes shifted to Aria who was pouting in displeasure.

"President Cooper, we are really seriously in a problem now."

Levi said it while twisting the arm of the man until he heard a crackling sound of bones.

"Hey Teeny weeny, are you for real? Why are you creating fuss? Leave before some more comes."

Aria scrunched her brows and spat back, "Hey Moron, I'm just here to know about the girl. You guys are making it a big deal."

"I'm not Moron. And currently, you are an intruder. Do you know that?"

"I don't care. Can't you see them groaning? I'm not Teeny Weeny."

Levi had expected a serious fight of words and declaration of war between two presidents but it was opposite.

"You know the consequences of standing here. Don't you?"

Aria responded instantly. "I know."

"Still you are doing it." 

"Yes."

"Dumb girl, it's not funny to jump into the fire." Moran really watched to check her brain.

He had just finished two rows of securities entered with Vice President Hanes, Moran's father.

"President Cooper, Follow us quietly."

Levi and Aria had no choice but to follow him while Moran too followed them in fright what his father might do to Aria.