Xavier elaborated, "Aria needs to become a peacemaker to convince the Layne family to let her off the hook. Eventually, the Carver family will tire of being indebted to her. When that happens, she'll be in a difficult position!"The scholars found merit in Xavier's argument.A scholar remarked, "Well, we need to regard her highly now. After all, she should be quite skillful to be able to save Mr. Carver Senior."Xavier disagreed. "It's just luck."Compared to Aria, Xavier was more concerned about getting his hand on the "Needle's Codex" in Lily's possession.Acquiring the book would solidify his position. After all, he witnessed Lily's inexperience during the needle insertion.However, the chances of Xavier acquiring the "Needle's Codex" seemed slim. Perhaps the Layne family had already secured it.Lost in thought, Xavier furrowed his brows.âĶMeanwhile, Lily's face was ashen as she hurried back to the university.She had tried calling Dominic multiple times, but he didn't pi
"Even so, it's best to avoid mentioning her and that man," Lily replied. "Public opinion is what truly matters.""I know that. I'm just saying this because it's a phone call between us," Evelyn sighed. "Her company issued a PR statement to warn people not to defame her, but the rumors online are relentless."Some media outlets are still waiting outside the hospital, eager to know if she was pregnant since she was hospitalized for so long. Even worse is that my friend's image has always been innocent and pure. She needs something to clear her tarnished name," Evelyn said, standing up straight.Evelyn quickly added, "If you can solve this, I'll reward you handsomely!"Lily, though moved, remained modest. "There's no need for a reward. I'm just helping you because of how stressed you are over it lately.""Lily, you're truly my best friend." Evelyn blew kisses at the screen. "Honestly, do you have a gift for fortune-telling? Everything you predict always comes true."Lily replied cry
Samuel's anger flared upon hearing it was another young woman. "Another one?"Fury flared in Samuel's eyes as he gripped his cane. "I don't care how you do it, Dominic, but get someone working on the birth certificates. We need those doctors too. They're the ones most familiar with hospital procedures."Samuel glanced at Dominic. "The customer's been asking for new stock recently. Hurry up and handle it. Your brother will be back soon, and we can't be caught unprepared."Dominic nodded. "Okay. Dad, how is Moses doing?""No change," Samuel replied, his eyes glinting dangerously. "I have someone investigating this young lady with Will. When we find her, she'll pay!"Dominic was puzzled. "Didn't they say she was Will's niece?""We need to clarify that with the Wagners," Samuel said through gritted teeth. "Philip's vanished, and Kenny insists he heard she was Will's niece. But Will was raised in Janovin. How could he have relatives in Southbury?"Samuel tossed an envelope to Dominic
Confidence surged through Samuel. He was certain the Carvers wouldn't reject him.Dominic immediately handed Samuel his phone.Aria needed to be eliminated as soon as possible. It was the right move for them to test Warren's intentions. Even if Warren supported Aria now, he might not do so in the future.However, as Samuel held the phone, a change of heart struck him. "Wait. We need to confirm if that brat can truly predict the future or if she is just bluffing. Giving the Carvers such an edge for free is unwise."Dominic grasped Samuel's intent. "You're saying that we shouldn't discuss the car accident?"Samuel leaned on his cane and said, "Nobody knew about the details of the car accident except for the Wagner and Furler families. This is especially the case with the young woman's prediction about Philip, which only he alone knew. Even Kenny believed that she was just spouting nonsense.""But what if she's not?" Samuel's eyes gleamed with excitement. "If we can exploit her accu
It was evening, and the Layne family had yet to reach out to the Carver family.Warren was starting to get angry. "Perhaps I've been too kind these few years. That's why the Laynes are disregarding me.""Perhaps the Laynes aren't aware of Ms. Carver's true identity. But why would they be supporting an unknown doctor?" Keith questioned.Warren fell into deep thought after hearing Keith's words.Just then, Aria entered the room after seeing Abraham off. "Grandpa, what are you discussing with Mr. Watson?""The Laynes' recent actions are unsettling," Warren looked at Aria. "Rainbow, you're new to Janovin, so you might not be familiar with them."I know Samuel well. He appears scholarly, but he's quite cunning and has connections in high places. I've always maintained a distance from himâsomething about him makes me uneasy."Warren leaned on his cane, a decision forming. "It's time for your brothers to return. We should also formally announce your identity to the other families.""Y
Warren paused after hearing that. Then, he asked rather seriously, "Rainbow, tell me honestly. Did you only learn a bit about fortune-telling?""Not really." Aria was hesitant to answer. "Well, I'm an idealist, so I wasn't the most attentive student when Mr. Revelare taught me. But I'm definitely a step above the frauds in the market."Warren, a man of logic, had never entertained the idea of fortune-telling. He countered with a name. "But how do you stack up against Mr. Windsor from Panne Street?""I'm better than him." Aria peeled an orange and gave half of it to Warren. "I'm quite familiar with some of his techniques. Don't go to him, Grandpa. If you really want to get your fortune told, the man who visited our hotel is good."A flicker of surprise crossed Warren's face. "Mr. Homer Bond?"Aria nodded, sipping her coffee with an elegance that captivated him. "The very same. He's incredibly knowledgeable. If you'd like, I could arrange a visit."Warren chuckled. "Rainbow, you ne
Aria couldn't shake a feeling of unease. Though the crisis seemed over with Dorothy under investigation by the Special Missions Unit, something felt amiss.Warren's safety remained a top priority. With a mole lurking internally, vigilance was key.Zayn's head snapped up at her words. "Miss, you meanâĶ""I haven't said a word," Aria replied, her gaze flickering to the black-clad bodyguards nearby. "You've been with Grandpa the longest. Honestly, I investigated you before."Zayn stiffened.Aria's voice dropped to a low murmur. "News always leaks whenever Grandpa wants to see me. There's a disloyal element in his inner circle.""Yes. Mr. Carver Senior is also looking into this," Zayn replied.Aria's eyes darkened. "Grandpa's sentimentality might blind him to those who've endured hardships with him. Zayn, your mission is simple. Protect Grandpa."A shiver ran down Zayn's spine. He understood the weight of her words. "Don't worry, miss. I won't fail.""You're the only one privy to t
There was a bakery near the company. Aria lugged a hefty bag of bread while observing the beggar. "Go on. Eat.""I-I can't eat anymore! Hic!" The beggar leaned against the wall, his mouth stuffed with bread that made him hiccup. He wasn't sure what Aria had put in it.On top of that, he couldn't stop laughing. "Hahaha! I'll tell you everything! IâĶ Hic!""I don't feel like listening anymore." Aria handed him another piece of bread. "You should eat. It's not healthy to starve."The beggar felt like he might explode. "IâĶ Hic! I was wrong! Y-Young lady, IâĶ"Finally, Aria reached out and removed the needles from his body.The beggar slumped into the corner, gasping for air and sweating profusely.Aria's voice was indifferent. "I'm not a patient person, so don't beat around the bush. Speak.""I swear, I have no clue who gave me the box! I was lying down at the time and didn't see who it was. The person just told me to deliver it to Carver Group and offered me a thousand dollars." The
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 townâit'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. Pleaseâcarry 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 sayingâbut 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 biddingâcongratulations to our newest member, Mr. Tigerâ""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 couldâbut 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 toughâit 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 herâher bodyguardâwho 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 resistâhe'd seen what she was capable of.And she'd made her warning crystal clearâif 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 herâfresh, 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 classâbut 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'sâ""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 Murrayâthe 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 wayâwith 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 usâit 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 peopleâthat w