"Don't worry about me." Aria hugged Charlie gently. "You should take care of your waist injury."Charlie's usual abrasive temper was nowhere to be seen as he hugged Aria back. "If you encounter any problems, go to the Murray family. Don't worry about being rude. "You're Kenneth's student, so they'll be very eager to welcome you. Besides, they're indebted to you. Without you, Lucas would have been stuck in Southbury."Remember this, Aria. To us in Elmer, you'll always be our child. Regardless of what happens with your biological parents in Janovin, we'll never stand idly by if you're wronged, not while any of us are still alive!""Mr. Tomlinson is right. You're still one of us, even after you go to Janovin," one of the other elderly residents added feebly. "You have nothing to fear."Charlie glanced at the man. "You shouldn't say anything. Do you remember who was behind Aria's arrest last time?""I—" Aria laughed. "Mr. Emmerts is innocent in all this. That happened because some
Dorothy placed a plate of mango pudding by Mindy's bedside. "You should eat something, Ms. Carver. I asked around, and she's just a country girl who can't hold a candle to you.""She was found in Uludon," Dorothy continued disdainfully, "As if that impoverished place was capable of nurturing anyone decent! Don't you worry, Ms. Carver. You were brought up with meticulous care, and you're much better compared to her."Mindy peeked out from her blanket when she heard Dorothy's words. Her voice was muffled as she said, "This stays in the bedroom—don't bring it up anywhere else. She's the real daughter of the Carver family, not me.""She's nothing compared to you, Ms. Carver. I'm just telling the truth. She has nothing but her bloodline." Dorothy finally felt relieved now that Mindy was willing to speak. "Wait and see. Even if she returns to the family, so what? She's not destined for a life of privilege and wealth. The social circle here is ruthless—a girl from the countryside will ne
Owen wanted to argue further, but Warren was so agitated that he struggled to breathe. As Owen approached, Warren’s coughing intensified.Owen hadn't meant to upset Warren. As he reached out to pat his back to ease the coughing, Warren spat a mouthful of blood right on him! Panic seized Owen. "Dad, what's wrong?""Leave," Warren rasped.Just then, Keith strode into the room. "Mr. Carver, Ms. Carver is on the phone. She's already on the highway and will be in Janovin by afternoon. Do you want... Mr. Carver Senior!"Keith entered with a cheerful demeanor, but his words stumbled when he saw Warren's condition.It was only then that Warren caught his breath. "S-She's on the phone? Quick. Give the phone to me!""But you…" Keith hesitated.Aria could hear the commotion on the other end. Her brow furrowed. "Grandpa, what's wrong?""It's nothing, Aria. Keith is just making a huge scene out of it." Not wanting his granddaughter to worry, Warren tried his best to steady his breathing. "W
Keith didn't hold back a single detail from Aria. He named the person who came in to visit Warren and described what they brought."Ms. Mindy Carver, the one the Carver family had sponsored, wanted to send your grandfather some soup," Keith explained.Aria raised her eyebrows. "Send some soup?""Yes, she recently started bringing soup to the office," Keith added.Aria replied, "I don't think the soup is the problem. I doubt Grandpa drank any of it."Keith continued, "Mr. Carver Senior indeed didn't drink any of it. I didn't let anyone into the room, so only the chef and Mr. Carver came by."Aria's eyes flickered. "Mr. Carver?"However, Keith didn't want to elaborate on it. "Your father. He got your grandfather a little worked up."Aria seemed to be deep in thought, only talking after some time, "Mr. Watson, please help prepare a few medicinal ingredients and keep an eye on Grandpa. Don't let anyone meet with him, including Mr. Carver."Keith was smart enough to catch on. After
Inside the study, Warren listened to Aria's voice message urging him not to get worked up.Warren refused to open the door for his son, only replying, "If you didn't provoke me, my condition wouldn't have worsened. I'm warning you. You'd better leave if you still want your position in the company."Owen went closer to the door. "Dad, I'm just worried about your health."Warren gripped his walking cane and lowered his voice. "You should worry about your intelligence more. Get out."Owen clenched his hands. He didn't understand why Warren looked down on him. It seemed that he was completely worthless in Warren's eyes.Owen cast a sideway glance at the door. "Okay. I'll leave, but my doctor will be just outside the study in case anything happens."Hearing no reply from Warren, Owen turned and left. Up until now, Owen failed to tell his wife that their daughter was found.He wasn't sure how to break the news to her. Plus, he was scared that the news would worsen her condition even m
Logan nodded. "I doubt anyone could accept such sudden news so easily."However, Philip didn't share the same opinion. "Kenny, the Carver family is only sponsoring her because she's an orphan. Are they responsible for adopting every child they sponsor? Mindy should leave now that their biological daughter has returned.""Shut up," Kenny spat.Logan wanted to smooth things over. "The Carver family is quite odd, though. There's barely any news about them finding their biological daughter. Could it be a false alarm?""I doubt they'll want anyone to know they found her deep in the mountains. I even heard she's illiterate," Kenny said with disgust despite maintaining a straight face. "We don't know what she looks like, but the Carver family will probably make her go through some etiquette lessons before showing her to the world. Otherwise, she'll be a laughingstock."Logan rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "If that's the case, she's completely different from Mindy.""There's no competit
Aria's striking beauty and assertive demeanor embodied the Carver spirit. The staff, intimidated, didn't question her identity. They couldn't help but be captivated by her.From the moment she strode into the courtyard toward the study, the staff couldn't help but murmur about her beauty.Aria never thought she could win over the staff members just by her looks. After all, she was more worried about Warren's condition than anything.Warren stood up when the study door was pushed open. He couldn't seem to conceal the smile on his face. "Rainbow, come here. Let me have a good look at you. Are you cold?"I wanted to send a car to pick you up, but that brat Landon insisted it would be safer if he brought you himself. By the way, where's your grandmother?""She'll visit next time," Aria replied as she checked his pulse. "Grandpa, how are you feeling now?"Warren felt fine. "Perhaps I got a little too worked up just now."Aria paused before opening her black bag. She retrieved a silve
"Grandpa, who designed this house?" Aria asked as she approached the lily pond. The miniature landscape was designed with flair, containing some greenery and water features to it.Warren thought she found the landscape pretty. Thus, he smiled and said, "Your eldest brother hired an overseas designer. If you like the design, I can ask him for the contact." A smile curled on Aria's thin lips. "Sure. The design seems to incorporate many elements from our country. The turquoise pebbles symbolize good fortune, right?" Warren's eyes lit up. "Rainbow, you even have knowledge about this?"Aria smiled. "I read some books here and there. Grandpa, the design is lovely, but I think there's a clash of elements. For example, the direction of the flowing water could signify financial loss."Then, she pointed at the corner skylight. "Additionally, the skylight creates a missing corner in the house. This can be detrimental to health and business, and its effects will worsen over time. It needs t
Landon's sudden appearance wasn't just a coincidence. With Aria's intelligence, she would figure something out soon—he knew that. He hadn't planned on revealing himself like this. But something that belonged to him was here, and the demonic energy in this place… Aria couldn't face it alone.She studied him from head to toe, her hand still in his. His grip was firm, protective."There's a lot of mist ahead," he said quietly. "We'll need to tread carefully."Aria tilted her head. "You speak like you know this place well.""I do," Landon replied with a calm honesty. "I was deathly ill once. My soul wandered into a place just like this. Homer pulled me back."His voice made it sound like a distant memory, and Aria gave a soft laugh, tightening her hold on his hand. "You really are full of surprises. I guess it's true—handsome men are the most dangerous."But Aria's thoughts were racing. Why had he come after her like this, knowing it would reveal parts of himself he'd tried to keep h
Landon was still handling the stragglers behind Aria when he paused, his gaze flicking upward. Cameras were mounted in every corner—too many eyes. Vanishing without a trace wasn't an option.He glanced in Aria's direction, then lowered his head. His lips moved in a whisper, but the sounds were incomprehensible—something rhythmic, otherworldly. It was less like a speech and more like a chant—an exorcism.Meanwhile, Dave descended into the underground, calm and unrushed. That place reeked of foul energy, dense and suffocating. His master had cast a spell over it—one designed to kill anyone who dared to enter, no matter their strength. Dave wasn't afraid. He had more pressing priorities—destroying documents, erasing traces, minimizing damage.His bodyguard stayed close, watching for anyone who might try to stop them.Aria, moving swiftly, reached the lower floor—only to halt. Mist curled along the ground, thickening with every step. The air turned icy. And the corridor behind her…
"Why would there be people outside?" asked Dave. He had been disguising himself as a doctor for years, and that was the first time he looked so anxious. After all, if someone did approach their building, the villagers would have informed them about it. However, they received no news this time.Dave wondered what was going on."Dr. Dave, what should we do now? I think we're surrounded!"He was still in his coat as he slightly clenched his fists. "Let's move out. Bring the girls in the basement with us.""T-They're not in the basement."When Dave heard that, he looked furious. "What do you mean they're not in the basement?""Someone took them away, and I'm guessing it was her fault!" The bodyguard pointed at Aria, who was standing on the highest point, showing off her skills. With swift, lethal kicks and a taser turned weapon, no one dared get close.Whoever touched Aria would die, and no one dared to approach her at all.As for Landon, he still had his mask on as he stood behind
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