Settle the score? With whom?The Chamber of Commerce members, devastated by their losses, wanted to pin the blame on Orion. If not for him, they wouldn't have been so obsessed with the stock market.One particular member, who had just suffered a breakdown, had neglected his company entirely to monitor stocks, convinced that Orion's three picks would soar. But now, his faith had cost him everything.Yet, none of them dared to lash out at Orion. They clenched their fists, their faces contorted with frustration.Despite their losses, they weren't entirely ruined. The three stocks still held some value—six to seven dollars each. If they pulled out now, they could salvage at least a third of their assets. The problem was that they couldn't sell until Friday.One of them, grasping at straws, muttered, "Today was bad, but maybe tomorrow will bring a rebound."No one responded. They knew better. A drop like this wouldn't end in a day. Worse, each transaction came with hefty fees.Some h
Warren was holding a shareholders' meeting in Janovin. The Carver family was nothing like it had been before. No one entertained the idea of collaborating with Krowonian companies anymore—those who remained were fully committed to rebuilding the business. More importantly, everyone had heard of Aria's success in Ludwiten. Their excitement was barely contained."Mr. Carver Senior, my friends in Ludwiten told me that Ms. Carver secured the most sought-after government development land. Perhaps we should also shift our focus there..."Warren didn't deny their assumptions. He merely laughed. "You're right. Our company will officially establish a branch in Ludwiten next month. We started there all those years ago—it's time to go back."Such a move had been unthinkable before. No matter how much some had wished for it, returning was no easy feat.Rebuilding connections, especially after what Owen had done, was a challenge. The Carver Group had lost its foothold in Ludwiten, and break
Breaking into the international market was no easy feat, but the Carver Group had absolute confidence in their technology.During the shareholders' meeting, the proposal passed unanimously. Aria had not only ventured into Ludwiten but also carved out a new path, fulfilling the long-held dreams of many. The air buzzed with excitement, the joy unmistakable.For Warren, this was a moment of true fulfillment. With such talented and capable grandchildren, he had no regrets in life."Aria accomplished what we could only dream of back then." He spoke not as a chairman but as someone who had endured hardships and understood what returning to Ludwiten meant for the Carver Group.The shareholders were elated, and the entire company felt like celebrating. In a cutthroat industry, finding a company that valued its employees was rare. Yet, under Aria's leadership, while she focused on expansion and revenue, the employees worked reasonable hours and left on time. Even during peak seasons, over
"With the current market trend and international demand rising, gold prices will only continue to increase this week."50 billion? Each share gaining twenty dollars in value?Everyone in the office gasped in shock.An average person might struggle to grasp such astronomical growth, but everyone seated in the conference room was a seasoned businessman. They understood the implications instantly—Aria was on the verge of making a staggering fortune.Fergus could see that Warren was just as stunned as he was. Keeping his voice low, he explained, "Take a moment to let it sink in, Grandpa. Also, ten billion of that fifty billion came from the profits we made off the Draycott family."Some foreign investors tried to siphon money from us through the stock market. Aria ensured they lost every last cent."As for gold, they wanted to suppress its price, but we won't allow it. Our country's economy shouldn't be dictated by outsiders, and that includes the business world, where interests are
Robert was no longer the butler of the Grisham residence. Instead, he was one of Aria's staff members brought from Janovin. He only asked because Laura had never visited alone before.Despite her urgency, Laura maintained a composed façade, though she seemed unimpressed with the new butler. "Can't I come here by myself?""Of course you can. I misspoke. However, Mr. Grisham Senior just left. I'm afraid you might have come in vain."Although Laura had sabotaged Jett's investment, she wasn't foolish enough to cause trouble for a butler. She was only here to speak with Fiona, and Clyde's absence made things easier.She cast Benson Pennyworth a cool glance. "This is my house. There's no such thing as coming in vain. Where's Fiona?"Benson hesitated for a brief moment as if suppressing something, but his tone remained respectful. "Ms. Grisham is in the kitchen, preparing medicine. Shall I take you to her?"Laura waved him off. "No need. Get back to work—I'll go myself."Without anothe
Fiona remained calm as she listened, though a faint dimness clouded her eyes. Without a word, she poured herself another cup of coffee, ignoring Laura entirely.Laura had expected her to react, to ask questions, to follow her lead. Instead, Fiona's indifference caught her off guard. Who would have thought she'd be so unmoved?"Fiona, I know how incredible Aria is. She's achieved so much in Ludwiten. But Jett also put in a great deal of effort to help her. He followed her everywhere without a single complaint."Laura wiped her tears away. "It broke my heart to see Aria being looked down on when she first arrived. I thought, if I couldn't mend your relationship with Dad, then at least I could be a good aunt."So, I made sure Jett supported Aria as much as possible. You know Jett's personality—he's sincere. He genuinely wanted to help her secure the land, and he never took credit for it. That's why I'm here on his behalf."Jett is the eldest grandson of the Grisham family. Clyde will
Laura paused for a moment before continuing, "Fiona, what's done is done, and we can't just ignore it. Eamon… It may be hard to imagine, but Jett wouldn't have ended up like this without Owen's influence."Eamon was always busy, so he never had the time to guide Jett. That's why Jett has no real accomplishments as the Grisham family's eldest son. Some of our family's elders even cut ties with us after what Owen did."If they had been around to guide Jett, things might have turned out differently."Fiona looked down at the hand holding hers. "Laura, don't worry. I won't ignore what happened. No one hates Owen more than I do.""I understand. And Owen has already been punished. It's unrealistic to keep holding on to resentment. We should focus on moving forward. You and Eamon should clear up any misunderstandings," Laura said sincerely.But Fiona caught the deeper meaning behind her words. "If you were in my place, how would you let go of the grudge?"Laura pointed to a red-marked a
"I only realized today that you're not worthy of marrying into the Grisham family!" Fiona stood up, her patience completely spent. "See her out!"Laura was stunned. She hadn't expected Fiona to actually say that. Fury made her hands tremble as she pointed at Fiona. "You're saying I'm not worthy? And whose fault is it that the Grisham family is in such a miserable state?"Their decline is all thanks to your husband! And now, after divorcing him, you dare to come back? I only wanted harmony in this family, yet you accuse me like this? Fine! I'll go ask Eamon myself if he thinks the same way—that I don't deserve to be here."Fiona, if I end up divorcing Eamon, it's because of you! How dare a divorced woman like you meddle in your family's affairs!"Snatching up her bag, Laura stormed toward the door, her high heels clicking sharply against the floor.Since both Aria and Fiona refused to listen, Laura would let everyone in Ludwiten decide who was right. Fiona had no right to stay
In that moment, Cormac couldn't afford to care about pride or appearances. His survival depended on severing all ties, especially with a traitor."I don't have a daughter like you!" he snapped, slapping Aliya again. "Do you even realize what you've done? Trafficking human organs—do you think that's something you can walk away from?"Aliya collapsed to the floor, stunned. A chill unlike any she'd ever felt seeped into her bones. She stared up at her father in disbelief, watching as he bowed his head respectfully toward Aria, the very woman she had just mocked.In Aliya's world, her father was the state government. She had grown up believing that their family controlled everything, that Cormac Windham's influence extended far beyond his office, even as retirement loomed.But all of it was crumbling before her eyes.Outside his office, word had already begun to spread. Though muffled, the sharp sound of a slap echoed faintly through the corridor.Everyone understood what that meant—
The group dared to be reckless as Amos was Ludwiten's lieutenant governor. They were peas in a pod and did corruption together.However, they didn't know that their support had already collapsed. Aria was not in a rush to capture Amos' lackeys as her target was in the state government. She didn't go alone either, for Aliya also went with her.Shortly after, Aria issued a new command. "Seal the premises. No one is to leave. Tell everyone to remain in their seats."A request like that, especially directed at the state level, would typically require an exhaustive process—dozens of forms, layers of red tape. Even in cases involving fatalities, senior officials were rarely detained on the spot.But Aria followed with a second message, one that sent chills down spines. "This case involves foreign infiltration. Someone has betrayed the country."Those words landed like a thunderclap. No one dared raise an objection. No one wanted to be associated with treason—not ordinary citizens, and
"Grandpa, it's not convenient for me to get in touch with all of you right now. Remember to take your medicine on time. I have to pretend that I'm locked up. Uncle Eamon and Uncle Waymond have to seem fretful so that the enemy wouldn't be alerted. I'm sorry, Grandpa."Aria didn't reveal what she had encountered in the message. This was because the Special Missions Unit was bound to a confidentiality contract when making decisions. What Aria said was almost pushing the limits.Aria only agreed to get locked up just to see how people would react when the Grisham family was in trouble.When the opponent placed their attention on this incident, they would let their guard down and give Aria a chance to secure evidence of their crimes.If the Grisham family retained its usual influence, the mastermind wouldn't show himself so easily. As Aria felt sorry for her family and worried about Clyde's health, she immediately sent a message to apologize after the auction. However, she couldn't s
There was no way Aria didn't know that the conviction was unfair. Furthermore, Percy specialized in handling economic cases. He knew there was no way Aria would be locked up so quickly. Yet, her crime had been publicly declared without prior warning. Percy was absolutely furious. He tugged his tie and declared the system was corrupted. While Fergus was also helping to find connections, Warren had just landed from Janovin.Clyde had sought out all sorts of connections, even his ex-colleagues in the education field.Fiona clenched his hands. "They promised to help Dad look into it." "They're just trying to fool Mr. Grisham Senior. Their higher-ups have already warned them about it." Nisa suddenly lowered her voice. "They're trying to make his health relapse again. If that happens, the Grisham family is done for."At this moment, a low voice sounded from the door. "So that's what happened. I was wondering why there was no progress with Aria's side after a whole day."It was Eamon.
Because Amos' arrest was part of a covert operation, the news didn't reach anyone outside the circle. That meant Durand remained completely unaware. He was still riding high on the thrill of his plan, blinded by the pleasure of watching the Grisham family fall.That night, he raised a glass of wine in early celebration, his mistress seated beside him. He didn't know that the move he'd made would become the greatest regret of his life.Elsewhere, Nisa couldn't bring herself to be as heartless. That was why, under the quiet cover of night, she made her way to the Grisham residence—not to see Clyde, but to speak with Fiona. She knew Clyde would shut her out immediately, but Fiona… Fiona might just listen.They weren't close. Not the way Fiona was with Priscilla. But they had once shared a few polite meals, floated in the same social circles. Enough to warrant a conversation—barely.When they sat down, Fiona's expression was cool, even distant. She hadn't forgotten the things Nisa had
Lucas could hear the pride in his mentor's voice for Aria. After all, his mentor had taken Aria in Southbury and even owed her his life. Lucas didn't dare to inform his mentor that Aria was being suppressed in the political world. He understood his mentor well. He was devoted to the country and couldn't stand such injustice.Therefore, Lucas didn't tell the truth to prevent his mentor from worrying. If someone with his position made a move, it would become a huge issue. That was why Lucas hid the truth from him. The former had to play along with the other politicians and endure them spouting empty promises. Before Lucas set out, his mentor stood on top of Old City and looked at the vast mountains. "Do whatever you need to, just like what you had done in Southbury. I'll be waiting for you and Aria's return at Janovin."These people didn't deserve his mercy at all!"You used your authority to disregard people's lives." It was the first time Lucas had shown his emotions so open
Amos was too stunned to react. One side of his face throbbed with pain, and fish oil clung to his hair, glistening from the dish he had been slammed into.He had always eaten fish a particular way—only one side. No matter how expensive the fish, he refused to flip it over, believing that leaving it untouched brought good fortune.But today, that superstition had been smashed—along with his pride. Pinned to the table, Amos hadn't even found the time to get angry. Confusion flickered in his eyes as he struggled to rise.Then Lucas spoke, his words crashing down like a stone wall."Amos Lune, you conspired with the Draycott and Fitzroy families to crush honest entrepreneurs. You've abused your position shamelessly."Lucas didn't stop. His tone cut sharper with each sentence."We also have evidence linking you to a human organ trafficking ring in Bellebrook. You've disgraced the people who supported your rise—and the country that invested in you."Lucas had been suppressing his ange
Lucas shook his head steadily. "Not yet."Amos, still basking in the glow of his "victory", had no idea what was coming. He answered Durand's call with a smug smile. On the other end, Durand's laughter rang out loud and triumphant."Mr. Lune, you should've seen the Grisham brothers' faces! I bet they never expected to be abandoned like that!"You played it brilliantly. One quiet move, and boom—the Grisham family's out of the Chamber of Commerce. From here, it's just a slow bleed. They'll lose everything."Amos kept his tone cool. "This isn't enough. Keep pushing the online chatter. The narrative needs to focus on how their precious granddaughter cost so many investors their savings. And don't forget her carefully crafted persona—it's about to unravel."He paused, voice crisp. "Reach out to the other businessmen. Now that the Grishams can't offer any benefits, it's time for everyone to take a bite. You understand, don't you, Durand?"Durand took a moment, then replied, "Right. Got
Cormac even thought of leaving some of his influence behind after retiring. This way, he could still have some power over decisions. He thought he could remind Lucas that not just anyone could do his job well. Therefore, Cormac remained calm after receiving the note. He was already so used to handling his daughter's troubles.Cormac strode into his lounge and asked Pedro, "Is it drunk driving again? Don't you know how to handle it?""It's not drunk driving." Pedro still seemed out of it.Cormac's expression darkened. "It's not drunk driving? Was she on drugs again? I already reminded you numerous times to get someone to keep an eye on her. Which stage of the process is she at right now? Call the people from the drug-testing institution.""No. That's not it." Pedro took off his glasses and his badge.Cormac finally realized that Pedro seemed off. "What happened? Just tell me. I doubt she'll kill someone. Although my daughter is troublesome, she won't do something like that. I kno