Those words hit Magdalene like a punch to the gut. How could she admit now that Aria actually had real skills? She even had connections Magdalene knew nothing about. And those connections were more powerful than the Grishams' standing in Ludwiten. After all, playing the stock market required serious money to back her up! Magdalene's face grew paler as she stepped back, nervously twisting her bracelet between her fingers. Out of nowhere, she remembered what Aria had said at the Grisham residence. "I can bring the Fitzroy family down too." With a thud, Magdalene's head knocked against something as she stumbled backward. Her bracelet snapped, sending beads scattering across the floor with a soft clicking sound. "Ms. Kent! Someone get Ms. Kent!" That was Magdalene's gut reaction. She had a strong feeling that bad luck was coming. People would always turn to higher powers when they were in trouble. Magdalene was especially superstitious and hoped Lily might show her a way out
The coldness in Orion's eyes revealed his true nature when he stared someone down. Lily trembled as they held her in front of Orion, whose face was twisted with rage. "Mr. Draycott, please listen. This stock market change was just bad luck. "What I told you was absolutely true, but somehow things changed. Give me another chance to make it up to you." With a loud smack, Orion slapped her across the face when she was done speaking. "Another chance? Who's going to give me another chance then?" Red finger marks appeared on Lily's cheek, making her cry out in pain. But Orion showed zero mercy as he grabbed her by the throat. "Remember what I said? If your predictions were wrong, I'd make you wish you were dead! "I put all my money in because of what you told me! And you tried to run? I dare you to try that again!" Lily felt like she was drowning, unable to breathe. After struggling for what felt like forever, Orion finally let go. Once she caught her breath, she calmed down. "
People were demanding, "What's with the rumors going around outside?" "We're the Draycotts! How could our family possibly be out of money?" "Say something! Are you mute?" Matt had always greeted everyone with a smile before. No matter how outrageous their words or how arrogant their attitude, he would just chuckle pleasantly. After all, he earned his pay by putting up with this stuff. But today, he really could not take it anymore. "What's happening? Go ask Orion! This isn't my company; it's your family's!" Such massive changes in the company had taken everyone by surprise overnight. How could ordinary employees possibly have predicted this? Orion was really reckless for using company funds to speculate on stocks! What would happen to all the working people now? The pressure had initially come from outside, and now it was coming from within. For Orion, those 60 or 70 million in funds didn't matter whether they were recovered or not. He might as well make a big play—what i
Ralph Gambon was the most famous investment professional in Ludwiten. People said he had the Midas touch. Whatever he backed, whether stocks or companies, would flourish. The prominent families in Ludwiten had tried to recruit him many times, but he never appeared. Even Orion wanted to bring him into his company. After all, everyone wanted to recruit someone with such amazing skills like him. Ralph had gone nowhere, even declining invitations from the Chamber of Commerce. But this legendary figure was now on the phone, calling the person on the other end his boss! Could they be an overseas investor? Harlan could no longer maintain his usual composure. He knew Orion was ruthless, but he never imagined he would be so lawless as to target Elena. If those people hadn't shown up, Elena would have been kidnapped. Those men had even tried to assault her! Initially, Harlan just wanted to leave quietly, not wanting to take the fall for anyone. But now, he felt both afraid and furious.
Aria laughed freely when she was done unwrapping her candy. "I get your concerns, Mr. Wexford, but I think you're missing something. You probably know the person standing next to you." "Of course I know him. Anyone in finance knows Ralph Gambon, the investment guru." Aria spoke casually, "Then why do you think Ralph calls me 'Boss'?" That hit Harlan like a brick. That was exactly what he wanted to know—why would someone like Ralph call her that? "You're only seeing the surface, Mr. Wexford." Aria's voice remained calm. "The official documents mention not just the matter of the land development but also upcoming personnel changes. With all the corruption in the Land Planning Department, someone needs to step in and clean things up." Harlan's eyes widened. "Ms. Carver, are you saying there will be changes in government positions?" In the past, Harlan would have asked how she knew this. But not anymore. Maybe everyone in the business world had it wrong, including the Grish
Hearing Aria's words, Pippa's eyes widened. Everyone knew their company had fallen apart because Orion had lost money in the stocks, but nobody knew there was a specific reason behind it all. But Aria was claiming that it had something to do with her. Was that even possible? Pippa hesitated. "But you don't have an appointment..." "Here's my business card." Aria pressed something between her fingertips and handed it over. After seeing the name on the card, Pippa looked up in disbelief, then nervously dialed the CEO's office. At that moment, Orion was raging at Lily. He had smashed everything in his office to pieces. "Didn't you say it was a timing issue? Isn't it long enough now?" Orion looked like he wanted to devour Lily whole. Arlo already looked exhausted. He had too many problems to handle, and several managers had already quit. Every phone call was from someone demanding payment. The last thing Arlo wanted to hear now was another phone ringing. Yet, people from downsta
Looking back, Lily realized Aria really had changed overnight, just like that. Lily hadn't paid attention before, but in her previous life, the Carver family had already fallen by this point. The news had even reported Warren's death. Aria had gone back home but couldn't measure up to Mindy in any way. In the end, she had vanished without a trace, hadn't she? Why was everything so different now? Lily stared at her hands blankly. Orion's words had suddenly clicked something into place in her mind. She mumbled to herself, "Why is it different from before? Why?" Orion had lost all patience for her rambling. "Just tell me about Aria's future. Nothing else matters to me. Based on what you know, what will happen to her in the end?" "She... She..." Lily's mind went blank. "Something must have happened to her! Mr. Draycott, have someone find my grandmother. She was closest to Aria, so she'd know what her weak spots are now!" Aria had changed so suddenly, but why had Georgina never
Orion's fingers froze as he glanced at the bodyguards on either side of Aria. The men in black withdrew their hands and moved back a bit, though they remained in the office. Aria seemed totally unfazed, with a smile on her face still. Orion burst into laughter. "I don't get what you're trying to say anymore. You're the one who shows up without warning while I'm handling some business." As he spoke, he gave Lily a meaningful look. "Some people from small towns think they can pull the wool over everyone's eyes with their little tricks. I should really teach them a lesson so they learn to follow the rules wherever they are!" Though he appeared to be talking about Lily, he was really taking a shot at Aria. "Hmm? I don't understand any of that." Aria's voice was cool. "But I do know one simple truth—when you lose, you lose. Making excuses just shows poor character. Wouldn't you agree, Mr. Draycott?" Orion's face suddenly darkened. "I didn't expect the Yorks would help you this m
Chaos erupted at the auction. For all their pride and arrogance, the wealthy clients' expressions had twisted into pure panic the moment something went wrong.So, their first reaction was to seek a staff member."The power's unstable!" Dave spoke into the microphone, trying to project calm. "Everyone, stay calm. There's scheduled maintenance in town—it's just affecting the electricity. Nothing's wrong."He genuinely believed that. It was what he'd been told.But Aria knew better. The blackout wasn't random. It was a signal. Sam had tracked down the source of the call. With the exits sealed off, Aria had everything she needed to act.A faint smirk curled on her lips. Without hesitation, she grabbed Landon and swiftly took Aliya hostage. Her movements were sharp, practiced, so fast that no one around her even had time to react.Then came the needles.Aria flicked her wrist, sending a series of acupuncture needles flying. The rich guests closest to her froze in place, locked in stu
Tony's accusation stirred a ripple through the room, and it didn't escape Dave's attention. With a subtle flick of his wrist, he signaled to someone nearby.Aria caught the movement. Her fingers tensed, ready to slip free of the rope she had already loosened. But before she could act, she heard a smooth, composed voice glide through the air."I need her to boost my luck," the man said coolly. "I've done my research. She's the ideal bride for someone like me."Dave stopped in his tracks, and it seemed like he was telling someone else to verify what Landon had said."Sir, it checks out," one of the staff murmured after a brief consultation. "Mr. Crow's fate is complicated. The master said only a spiritual match could extend his life. Otherwise, he won't make it past his next birthday."Dave let out a low chuckle, visibly relaxing. "Well then, Mr. Crow, it seems you've come to the right place. Please—carry on, everyone."Aria listened in stunned silence. Landon hadn't lied. His life
Aria couldn't tear her eyes away from Dave.He was still quietly speaking to the man on the screen, their exchange shrouded in secrecy. No one nearby could hear what they were saying—but Aria could guess. It had to be a deal of some sort, something about her. Everything about Dave's posture, the glint in his eyes, told her this wasn't just business. It was personal.She glanced up at the clock again, nerves coiling in her chest. Something was wrong. Sam was taking longer than usual. That wasn't like him.The auction was nearing its close. They couldn't miss the chance to strike. Sasha, glowing with excitement, clapped her hands and declared, "Six million! It looks like no one else is bidding—congratulations to our newest member, Mr. Tiger—""Ten million dollars."The voice sliced clean through the noise, calm, clear, and cold.Everyone turned toward it.A man stood at the edge of the crowd, dressed in a sleek tuxedo dusted with black feathers, his mask intricate and dark.T
Aria had once told Sam to avoid chaos if he could—but she'd also said that when desperation knocked, rules could bend.Now was one of those moments.Sam hesitated only briefly before diving in.He had to know who was behind this. Who kept targeting Aria? Who was pulling the strings in the dark? And once Sam decided on something, there was no turning back.Without Aria by his side, he breached the system, knowing full well the other side had already alerted the police.The firewall he faced wasn't just tough—it was nearly impenetrable. It filtered everything, controlling access with surgical precision. But Sam wasn't interested in the broader network. He narrowed his focus and cut straight to the source, filtering out all the noise to lock onto the actual IP.The auction raged on aboveground. The man behind the screen, confident in his usual routine, remained calm and unaware that the mask he'd worn for years was finally slipping. He'd always stayed out of sight, appearing only
While Aria discreetly signaled to move, the auction hall was buzzing with excitement. Laughter echoed, wine glasses clinked, and the room pulsed with greed.Sasha's voice came through the mic, smooth and cheerful. "While everyone's enjoying themselves, let's welcome our latest arrival of the evening."She glanced at the man beside her—her bodyguard—who immediately stiffened under her gaze.To the crowd, it looked like he was escorting Aria to the stage under control. In truth, Aria's hand was already pressed lightly against his chest, right over a poisoned pressure point. He knew better than to resist—he'd seen what she was capable of.And she'd made her warning crystal clear—if she was exposed or captured, he wouldn't live to see morning.The guests didn't notice a thing. All eyes were on Aria, their expressions hungry. They saw value in her—fresh, young, healthy. To them, she wasn't a person. She was premium merchandise.She was brought to stand beside a young woman who had alr
Eamon and Waymond had just been thrown out of the Chamber of Commerce. Waymond's face was flushed with fury, his eyes red. "Eamon, why didn't you let me speak earlier? Mr. Lincoln was being unreasonable!"Eamon, ever perceptive, shook his head. "Mr. Lincoln's been bribed. He was never going to take our side."Wise and strategic, Eamon had always been top of his class—but now, he was even sharper when it came to reading a room."I'm guessing Aria found something during her investigation that made them nervous," he continued. "Durand couldn't have controlled Lincoln on his own. There's more to it."Waymond frowned, still struggling to piece things together. "But who could bribe Mr. Lincoln? Not even the mayor has that kind of sway. He's—""What if it's someone from the state?" Eamon cut in, eyes flicking back toward the building. "We need to tell Dad. There's no point in staying here, but there is someone we can talk to.""Who?" Waymond asked quickly. "Lucas Murray—the new secr
Durand's expression darkened; Eamon was right. Amos and the official from the state had originally wanted to work with the Grishams, especially Eamon. That was why they used the Fitzroys as a bridge to approach him. Unfortunately, Magdalene had failed to establish any rapport with the Grishams.Instead, she kept criticizing Eamon, claiming he followed Laura's every word, and insisted they had plenty of ways to manipulate the Grishams. In the end, the divorce erupted into a scandal, and the entire Fitzroy family was imprisoned.Ironically, Eamon's actions only impressed the state official more. Durand had even heard Amos say that their leader hoped Eamon would continue working with them as his involvement would ensure their plans progressed smoothly.That knowledge burned Durand with frustration. No matter what he did, he could never measure up to Eamon."It looks like you still haven't grasped the situation, Mr. Grishman. Mr. Grisham Senior has begged everyone, but where did it le
"I'm happy to take over the Grishams' responsibilities," Durand said.Waymond scoffed coldly. "You're not worthy of it.""Mr. Lincoln, it seems someone's not too happy with you."Durand, dressed like a gentleman as always, adjusted his glasses and replied calmly, "Waymond, you've been in this business long enough to know how things work. The Grishams have gained a lot over the years. It's not up to you to decide whether to hold on to it."Leonardo stood, trying to ease the tension. "There's no point in arguing. Let's settle this the traditional way—with an anonymous vote. Everyone, write down whether you think the Grishams should step down. Let the vote speak for itself. That way, it'll be fair."He instructed someone to bring in a box, paper, and pens. Each member was handed a set. It was more for show than anything else; everyone already knew how the vote would go.Eamon saw right through their performance, his gaze turning cold as he sat silently. The votes were quickly cast an
"Mr. Grisham, how long your niece stays locked up isn't up to us—it depends on the severity of her crime," Durand said. "As a member of the Chamber of Commerce, you should understand how serious the situation she's stirred up really is. Haven't you read any of the online news?"People are now hoping the Grisham family goes bankrupt. They're even demanding that we, the Chamber, investigate this matter ourselves!"His words made those who had previously wanted to side with the Grishams start to hesitate. With the Draycotts and Fitzroys already doomed, the Grishams had seemed like the next best option. But no one had expected Aria to make such a critical mistake.Public sentiment had turned sharply. The Chamber of Commerce was now being blamed for enabling an economic disaster. What angered the public most was Aria's carefully crafted image. If she'd shown her true colors from the start, they might have ignored her. But pretending to be righteous, only to betray the common people—that w