"The number of infants involved is unusually high, yet the higher-ups remain oblivious to this operation. Strangely, no directives have been issued regarding it too."Aria raised a brow. "Should we dig deeper, boss?" the agent asked.Aria thought about Nyx's words, and her gaze darkened. "No, don't. Send me the information, and I'll do it. Remember, don't involve yourself in anything related to the hospital."The conjuror who'd injured Nyx was undoubtedly skilled in the arts, and Aria was never one to let people close to her take serious risks.She constantly felt that a massive web was being spread out, and the Carvers weren't the only prey caught in it.Aside from the Carver family's fortune, the people behind the scenes also wanted something else. However, Aria still hadn't figured out what to be exact, seeing as the other party concealed themselves well. The Special Missions Unit was independent from the system. Even the HOU didn't have the right to command them because th
Fiona's brothers were conspicuously absent, leaving her feeling somewhat dejected. Whether they were deliberately avoiding her or simply unsure how to face her, Fiona couldn't shake the sadness. She recognized her own faults, but that didn't lessen the sting.Now that she was home, she was determined to resolve the misunderstandings between them. Aria had given her the courage to do so.Fiona's experience with Leon had shown her the importance of rectifying mistakes, particularly those affecting loved ones, before it was too late. Otherwise, she would forever be haunted by regret. Her sisters-in-law were all watching her. They didn't know the extent of her recovery. Would Fiona have them call a random girl their niece as she'd done previously?This was why no one dared speak at first. A barrier still existed between them and Fiona—their husbands had gone to great lengths for Fiona, but her past indiscretions had humiliated the Grishams, fostering deep-seated resentment.Fiona kne
The following day, Prosper Hotel hosted the grand banquet. Media giants and successors of prominent Janovin families arrived in waves, all eager to attend.The invitations had come from Warren, not Owen. While these prominent families were on the rise, they still fell short of the Carvers in their heyday. Even now, they still hadn't figured out the Carver family's connections.They all knew that Warren was not one they could risk offending, so they were polite as they expressed their congratulations. Some media outlets were there solely to catch a glimpse of Warren's granddaughter, while others had been personally invited.The socialites, eager to witness Aria's humiliation, were in for a surprise. Leon, having learned of their intentions, had mobilized his resources. Luxury items, usually unattainable for the average person, were readily available to him.No designer could resist his patronage when he sought a limited-edition couture gown. All the brands he represented were high
Despite being Aria's brother, Leon hadn't been of any help. However, he felt warm whenever he thought about how those clothes were all made by Aria.The designers were still raving. "Your family's entrance is going to make a huge splash. Lamar has never designed anything like this before—it's stunning!"Keith had already arranged for two MPVs, and he'd also contacted Jeffrey. By 4:00 pm, most of the attendees had arrived. Mindy arrived with Owen, their arms linked. She wore a fluffy white haute couture dress and a white pearl hair clip. With flawless skin and exquisite makeup, she looked like a princess.In front of the media, Owen maintained his usual image as the gentle company president. It was as if the hotel incident was merely a misunderstanding."The public is speculating over the recent discovery of your daughter. Do you want to tell us anything about that, Mr. Carver?" a bold reporter asked.Owen chuckled. "I'm happy, of course. My daughter has returned, all thanks to t
The socialites clinked glasses with one another, as if they'd already formulated plans to embarrass Aria. Bullying was ubiquitous, and the perpetrators never found anything wrong with what they were doing. The CEOs of other companies present would never use those underhanded methods those socialites came up with. Instead, they asked Owen, "Where are your sons? Why haven't we seen any of them here?""Yes. I heard that Percy is quite the famous lawyer in Shelwigton. He's been working on those famous non-litigation cases, and he's known even in the overseas circles."Owen said lightly, "His absence is no big deal. Dad made this banquet seem like a large-scale thing, but they're busy, and there's no need for them to come back today."This attitude was worth pondering. The CEOs of the Carvers' suppliers were here to get information because the internal affairs of the Carver family would decide whose side they should take. From Owen's words, the brothers didn't care much about Aria.
Explosive screams echoed through the main hall. Glasses were set down as heads turned, curiosity rippling among the Carvers' business partners."It's Leon!" "Leon as in Leon Carver? He's become so much more handsome since we last saw each other last year!""Jeffrey's here too! Is he really back?""Jeffrey? Who's that?""Jeffrey Carver, the fifth son! His identity is a secret, and no one knows what he does!""Why did he come back here too?""This is a big surprise! The Carvers didn't release any information about this at all!""Mr. Carver Senior really kept this secret well. I think even Mr. Carver doesn't know about this."Some guests turned to look at Owen, who had earlier dismissed the banquet's importance and the need for his sons' attendance. Yet, both Leon and Jeffrey, the King of Special Troops, had appeared, defying his words.Owen's complete lack of knowledge about the situation was undoubtedly embarrassing. Being publicly proven wrong must have been mortifying.
The reporters were all shocked. They didn't need to guess who Aria was; her identity was unmistakable. If the way Mindy had made her appearance emphasized Owen's high regard for her, Aria's appearance was the family's way of telling everyone that Aria was the real daughter of the family.None of the CEOs present expected to be greeted with this sight—they didn't expect the so-called country bumpkin to be such a beautiful woman. Leon and Jeffrey stood beside her, each taking one of her hands like gentlemen, making their affection for her clear."This isn't quite like what you told us, Mr. Carver. You told us that they were all busy, yet—" someone said, their voice dripping with sarcasm as they set down a wine glass, signaling whose side they were on.Owen's face turned pale at that remark. Warren got out of his car, and Jeffrey passed Aria to him. He was wearing a suit paired with a leather hat, and it was clear that his suit was made with the same fabric as Aria's gown.Warre
In Aria's dreams, Kylie often bullied and humiliated her with her group of friends.Aria smiled. Kylie had found her first, saving her the trouble of seeking her out.Warren asked sharply, "Do you need anything?"Kylie affected a startled look. "You're as stern as always, Mr. Carver Senior. I just want to be Aria's friend, that's all."Kylie was confident Warren wouldn't humiliate her in front of everyone, given the formal setting and his age. If he lost his temper, all the better—the media could spin it however they liked.The Wagners hadn't been disrespectful at all.Warren saw through Kylie's schemes. He considered having a stern talk with Yonah about his granddaughter's poor upbringing. If that didn't work, he might even demand a personal apology.Kylie's eyes lit up with excitement.Aria glanced at her, fiddling with her amethyst pendant. Suddenly, she chuckled. "Grandpa, go talk to your friends. I'll handle this."Warren trusted Aria wholeheartedly, and before he left, h
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