“Hello? Aunt Katarina? I’m in a meeting right n—”
But her aunt cut her off, her voice sharp and trembling through the line.
[Aria, your maids called me. They’ve been trying to reach you since this morning. You weren’t answering. Where on earth have you and Cecil been?]
Aria’s brows furrowed at the urgency in her aunt’s tone.
“We were at Ravenhold... visiting Mom and Dad. Why? What’s wrong?”
There was a pause. Then the sound of soft, broken sobs filtered through the receiver.
[Everything, Aria… everything is gone.]
<Alisher walked with Aria and Mason down the dimly lit corridor that led to the basement parking.When the heavy metal doors slid open, Julian, Cecil, and Nina were already there, waiting, exactly as Mason had instructed through their mindlink.“This is as far as I go,” Alisher said, stopping at the edge of the parking area. He handed Aria a small folded paper. “That’s my private emergency line. Save it, memorize it, and then burn it. No digital trail. No risks.”Aria gave him a grateful nod. “Thank you. I’ll just save it now—”She reached for her phone, but before her fingers could even unlock the screen, Mason snatched it from her grip. Without blinking, h
“As far as I remember,” Mason finally spoke, his voice low and deliberate, cutting through the silence like a blade, “a safe house can either be selected from your firm’s existing properties… or be determined spontaneously, based on the urgency of the situation, correct?”Alisher’s brow furrowed instantly. He knew that tone, knew the direction this was heading all too well. “That’s true,” he replied cautiously.“In high-risk cases, we sometimes embed witnesses in a pre-established family residence. It makes it harder to trace them, blending into the routine of a normal, active household.”Mason gave a single nod, like a king delivering a final verdict. “Perfect. Then it’s decided. I&rs
The silence that followed Mason’s proposition was thick, so thick it felt like it might suffocate the very air in the room.Aria and Mason sat across from each other, locked in a silent, unblinking stare.Alisher shifted uncomfortably in his seat. He glanced between the two, feeling the pressure build in his chest.With a discreet but deliberate clearing of his throat, Alisher finally spoke, trying to defuse the mounting tension. “If staying near the Chairman is what’s best for your safety and for Nina’s well-being, then perhaps it’s something worth considering. What do you think, Aria?”The words had barely left his mouth when Aria responded with unwavering determinat
Everyone in the room shot to their feet the moment the unexpected guest stepped in.Alisher and Leo immediately dipped their heads in a respectful bow.“We weren’t expecting your presence today, Chairman,” Alisher said smoothly, masking his unease with practiced diplomacy. “Had I known, your favorite drink would’ve been waiting.” He motioned to the nearest chair with a polite sweep of his hand. “Please, have a seat.”Mason Larkin didn’t speak. He didn’t need to. His mere presence filled the room with a commanding silence that felt almost oppressive. His sharp eyes scanned the room with quiet calculation, landing briefly and intently on Aria.Aria lowered he
“Hello? Aunt Katarina? I’m in a meeting right n—”But her aunt cut her off, her voice sharp and trembling through the line.[Aria, your maids called me. They’ve been trying to reach you since this morning. You weren’t answering. Where on earth have you and Cecil been?]Aria’s brows furrowed at the urgency in her aunt’s tone.“We were at Ravenhold... visiting Mom and Dad. Why? What’s wrong?”There was a pause. Then the sound of soft, broken sobs filtered through the receiver.[Everything, Aria… everything is gone.]
“Thank you… truly, Attorney Marshall,” Aria said, her voice soft but brimming with emotion. “Every lawyer I’ve spoken to turned me away the moment I mentioned my parents’ names. I was starting to think no one would ever help us. I don’t even know what I would’ve done if you hadn’t stepped in.”Alisher Marshall studied her carefully, his expression unreadable for a beat. Then he spoke, his tone firm and with quiet conviction. “Your parents’ case isn’t simple, Aria. It’s the kind of legal war that would crush a lesser attorney. When the Chairman brought it to me, I knew right away—it’s not just about the law. It’s about the truth hiding beneath it. And I don’t lose cases like this.”Aria’s eyes flickered with gratitu