Chenice had said all that out of jealousy because Aria had found herself a great boyfriend. However, when she started rumors about Aria and her sugar daddies, Mary wondered if Chenice was not afraid of the karmic consequences.Mary didn't know about anyone else, but the only thought in her mind was that she should stay away from this crowd.When Landon left, he said, "I can't tolerate anyone saying malicious things about my fiancée. If anyone else wants to spread rumors around, expect lawyers to show up at your door. I'm always ready to take the matter further."All the students dared not speak. Lily, the shrewd and calculating woman she was, knew very well that this was not the right time and place to tell Landon about what she knew. Those who attracted the most attention were always dealt with first. Also, Landon wasn't just an ordinary descendant from a wealthy family; he wouldn't remember her if she'd only used the most basic tricks.As Lily witnessed Chenice's downfall, she
Lily cried pitifully, "Please give it some thought. If I knew that Aria had such a powerful man as a boyfriend, would I embarrass myself on purpose like this?"That was true. Noticing that the accusatory stares had softened, Lily added, "Don't worry. I'll deal with the misunderstanding between me and Aria—I'll seek her out later. Grandma won't just stand by and watch us turn against each other."Everyone traded gazes. It wasn't that they didn't want to believe in Lily's words. It was that they suddenly realized that Lily and Aria were sisters, and they had mutual relatives even though they weren't blood-related. If they ended up upsetting Lily, they would be the ones suffering from the adverse consequences. In addition to that, Lily also had her own connections within Janovin. Soon, someone apologized, "I'm sorry, Lily. We were a bit agitated just now. You should talk this through with your grandma, though. "You and Aria are family in the end. Now that she has found herself s
As long as Georgina was alive, there was hope that Lily's plan could be carried out. She had already decided what her next step would be. However, Lily remained unaware of Aria's real identity. She thought she was now among the elite in Janovin, but both the Wagners and Laynes saw her only as a doctor. None of the daughters of the wealthy and powerful in the city saw her as a friend, so they naturally wouldn't tell her about the marriage between the York and Carver families.…The collapse of the Short family directly affected the Layne family, who had already been having a rough time recently. Samuel's hands, perched on his walking stick, were shaking as he said, "Did you not find out why Landon suddenly took action against the Shorts?""You know this as well, Dad. If we investigate the matter right now, we're basically admitting our involvement in what the Shorts have done, so we can't do it."Samuel looked at his eldest son, who used to be the most competent one of them al
It wasn't only the people in Janovin who placed particular importance on their social circles. This was common regardless of area.Even a famous celebrity would have to rely on connections to borrow couture outfits from more prominent brands if they weren't ambassadors of said brands.The more prominent the brand and the better the designer, the stricter they were about people wearing their clothes and jewelry.Not everyone could come to own these pieces. For the extremely wealthy, celebrities merely served the role of good-looking clothes racks whenever they were picking jewelry and clothing. No designer would risk offending anyone in that circle. However, they couldn't flat-out reject the Carver family's proposal.They either told Keith that they were currently participating in fashion shows overseas or had their hands full with couture outfits for another client. All in all, no one took Aria up as their client. Their responses were so polite that Keith couldn't find any faul
Keith was fuming. Just as he planned to inform Warren of this so that he could think of a solution, the door to his office was pushed open. "Ms. Carver." Keith turned off speaker mode on his phone immediately.Aria had come alone. Sam had gone to Ludwiten with Fiona. Aria wanted to investigate some matters, so she hadn't asked Landon to accompany her. She paused outside Keith's office when she heard him on the phone discussing something concerning her. She remained at the door, careful not to interrupt until he was almost done.Keith didn't know how much she'd heard. He was about to explain himself when Aria chuckled, saying, "You don't need to tell Grandpa about this. His body deteriorated too much last time, and flying into a rage will negatively impact his health.""What they're doing is absolutely abominable!" Keith managed to look poised in his suit despite his rage. "They're excluding you with these underhanded methods. Color me shocked."Aria was nonchalant. "It's fine.
Aria continued, "Sometimes a luxury brand isn't expensive because of the brand itself but because of the story behind it."With his experience working for an elite company, Keith instantly understood what Aria had meant by that.Aria pointed at the crown. "I packaged myself as a foreign brand so that I can price my items higher. The story behind the brand isn't by me, but by the people in charge of my online orders."Keith paced around the room, his mouth wide open. "Do you know how popular you are in the social circles here, Ms. Carver?"He added, "I mean, the couture gowns and jewelry designed by you are absolutely amazing! The ladies here compete fiercely against each other just to get their hands on the limited items you release every year!"Keith wasn't a lady, but he knew clearly how astronomically famous the brand Lamar was in the jewelry and couture design industry. The couture gowns were relatively easy to acquire in Janovin, and Warren had reserved many of them the pre
These incidents had happened during Leon's childhood, so whatever he'd told her would be limited in that sense. Keith was different, seeing as he'd worked in Carver Group for so many years. Aria was sure that he knew clearly about those incidents. Even if he didn't, he'd have an idea about things that seemed unusual back then. In addition, he was not a member of the family, which meant that he could discuss the matter more objectively. This was why Aria's first move was to seek him out. "None of us expected Mrs. Carver to be reduced into that state." Keith heaved a long sigh. "Mr. Carver Senior fought with his son on the matter. He believed that Mrs. Carver's psychological trauma was all the more reason for her to leave the house and interact with other people in her social circles."Mr. Carver, on the other hand, didn't want to remind her of those sad memories. He also worried that she'd injure other people like she'd once done."Aria raised a brow. "Has she really injured a
Keith paused. "Are you possibly suspecting Mr. Carver? He'd never!"Aria glanced at him, and he said, pushing his glasses up, "I'll always take your side, Ms. Carver. However, according to what I know about Mr. Carver, he'd never harm Mr. Carver Senior despite their disagreements."I'm not saying that Mr. Carver is a good man, rather that he's a complicated man. He doesn't resent his father to the extent of harming him."Aria believed him. However, Owen was the only Carver who could conveniently dose Warren with poison. There was also something interesting about the time the poison had taken effect. Aria had assumed that Mindy had been the perpetrator because she'd tried repeatedly to deliver homemade soup to Warren.After investigating the matter, Aria changed her mind. Mindy's soup had never been successfully delivered. If Warren's illness worsened after Mindy delivered soup to him, she would surely be seen as responsible. Mindy probably did so because she wanted to express h
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