"We're here." Annie pushed open a narrow door, revealing a dark, gloomy lane. Inside, everyone sat in a numb silence. As Annie entered, a woman's voice rang out, "You're terrible! If you have this disease, you should move out of here. You'll rot away until you die!"Aria noted Annie's reaction and realized this wasn't the first time such an incident had occurred. Annie lowered her head and quickly ushered Aria inside.In the room, a woman lay in bed, her coughs echoing in the foul-smelling air.One glance was all it took for Aria, an experienced doctor, to understand the woman was clinging to life by a thread.Annie seemed to know this as well. "How are you feeling today, Mom? The apothecary gave me some medicine, and I met Aria Carver. She was really nice to me.""Don't come any closer!" Faith Fischer coughed as she tried to prop herself up on the bed, her hands covered in burst blisters. "Stay back!"Aria held up the curtains, her gaze settling on Faith. She was so thin, redu
Justin immediately bowed upon hearing that Aria was from the Carver family. "You didn't need to come over personally, Ms. Carver," he said, "If you wanted Annie to work in your quarters, I could have delivered her myself."Justin tried to be friendly with Aria. "My grandfather was once business partners with Mr. Carver Senior."The Carvers were highly respected in business circles, even among the Krowonians.Justin wasn't dumb. He believed Faith's words due to Aria's luxurious appearance. Her gown was clearly expensive, and the pearl necklace and amethyst pendant she wore were of the highest quality.Though Justin was now destitute, he had once come from wealth. Smoking and gambling had drained his resources, and his family, especially Faith, who stank and refused to die, added to his burdens.Justin met Aria's gaze, sniffling as he chuckled. "I'll go with you, Ms. Carver. You can pay whatever you wish for Annie. If you like her, you can give us more.""Are you trying to sell m
Aria met Faith's gaze. "If I find your daughter and bring her back here while also ensuring Annie's safety, will you die in peace?"Faith paused. Aria said slowly, "You're aware of the marks on your body. You can't keep this from Annie for much longer."Faith was deep in consideration. Her nails were already turning black—she didn't know if she should believe in Aria. "You've absorbed too much sorrow," Aria said. "Maintaining your current state will be a struggle."If I'm not mistaken, you've already targeted your neighbor who mocks your family. You believe Annie will be spared malicious taunts if she's gone, but you haven't dared to confront your husband despite him being the root of your suffering."Faith's eyes welled with tears. "I've tried to kill him, but fate has been cruel. Why is he still alive? Why does a man so vile continue to draw breath? My daughters will be in perpetual danger as long as he lives."Do you know what he said? He said that Annie would be old enough
"This is Bree!" Annie exclaimed anxiously, clutching the newspaper. Aria quickly folded the paper and tucked it away. "Come on, let's go.""Let's go!" Annie nodded emphatically, her eyes bright. Faith worriedly said, "You didn't mention you were bringing Annie along.""She'll be leading the way. Besides, I'm not taking her anywhere dangerous. Before we arrived, a Krowonian soldier died. The others would have noticed and will be searching everywhere for me by now," Aria explained. "I'll take Annie somewhere safe. Don't worry."Faith nervously fidgeted with her fingers. "Where?""To the Carver family's home, behind the Chamber of Commerce," Aria said, putting away her pistol and made to leave with Annie in tow. With the curtains parted, light flooded the room, making Faith acutely aware that she hadn't experienced the outdoors in a long time. She shifted in bed and asked Aria, "Can we really kill off all the Krowonians?""No, but we can drive them out of the country." Aria loo
The Carvers here were Aria's ancestors. Aria was certain because the old man on the paper resembled Warren from afar. Or rather, Warren resembled his grandfather way too much, both in appearance and in personality.Aria folded the paper and glanced at the passing vehicles. She took Annie's hand. "Let's go."Something that even the newsboys knew surely wouldn't escape everyone else's attention. Aria believed that the Carvers would never work with the Krowonians and that something was happening behind the scenes. As a member of the family, it was a given that Aria would worry about how this would negatively impact the Carvers. However, it also gave her the quickest way to enter the embassy without concealing her presence."Not this way, Aria.""I know. We stand out too much now. We need a change of clothes."A change of clothes? Before Annie could react, Aria pulled her into the most luxurious shop on the street.In the Nobeetan concession, gowns were the focus of everyone's atte
"She's a Carver?" the Krowonian asked stiffly, "Are you sure?"The individual proceeded to provide more details. "She definitely resembles a Carver based on her features. Besides, only the Carvers could afford such an extravagant spree. She just spent a significant amount of money, sirs!"He gestured to indicate the amount, and the Krowonians halted.It was clear what their superiors wanted—the Carvers possessed something of great interest to the higher-ups. Their influence within the Chamber of Commerce was obstructing the Krowonians' objectives.The Carvers needed to be at the forefront of establishing the aid center to win the trust of the Farshyan people. Only then would the people entrust their children to the center and the Krowonians.For this reason, the Carvers must remain unharmed for now.The Krowonians had already kidnapped one child from the Carver family as a hostage. If they were to capture another Carver, Barron Carver, the patriarch, would become hostile toward t
Just then, a cheerful voice echoed from the entrance, "Grandpa, I'm back!"The concierge was confused, but Aria paid him no heed. With open arms, she approached Barron confidently, acting with the ease and enthusiasm of a student returning home from abroad.Every member of the family present was baffled. They only had sons in the family, so where did this young lady come from? Under normal circumstances, Aria would be dismissed as a fraud. But today was different. No con artist would dare impersonate a Carver family member during such a critical time, especially with nothing more than a flimsy, easily debunked lie.This was why everyone was confused and astonished except for Barron, who remained composed as he watched Aria walk toward him. Barron felt compelled to let her continue for reasons he couldn't quite explain. He knew what Aria was after; her eyes made it clear she wasn't that dense.Aria embraced Barron naturally, speaking with a playful tone, "The food in Angladia is
Gaining full control over the local business circles was crucial to their occupation of Farshya, so they couldn't afford to antagonize Barron.The Krowonians were also keen on staying out of international headlines, as their reputation would suffer if this incident became public.Viktor quickly apologized. "Sorry. It was all a misunderstanding." He spoke in stilted, accented Farshyan, "Please believe us when we say we sincerely want to work with you, Mr. Carver Senior. My subordinates were unaware that this young woman was your granddaughter."None of the intelligence they gathered had mentioned an eldest daughter in the family. She probably left the country early in her childhood, leading to her being missed in the investigation process.Viktor bowed. "I apologize for the terrifying experience, Ms. Carver."Aria replied directly, "I refuse to accept your apology. You were killing people without restraint—it was horrifying."She presented herself as a naïve, innocent young woma
Aliya squinted at the unmasked man beside Aria. Now that his face was fully visible, something about him sparked a flicker of recognition. She lowered her gaze, trying to recall where she'd seen him before.Then a sharp gasp cut through the air."He's from the York family… Janovin's York family! Wait—was he Mr. Crow? Were they working together the whole time?"Even though they were all wealthy people, they weren't in the same ranks. No one dared to mess with the York family at all.If the circumstances were different, the arrogant, wealthy people from earlier would've tried to exchange contacts with Landon. That way, they could've partnered up in the future. However, with what had happened that day, those people were in a daze.Meanwhile, Aria knew those people still had no idea what was going on. So, she just removed her disguise and showed them who she really was.Aliya was stunned by what Aria had done. When she saw who the latter truly was, her gaze was filled with jealousy.
The wealthy clients that were left behind at the auction had connections to powerful people, and Dave didn't think Aria was capable enough to deal with every one of them. Although Farshya was well-developed, it had always been a country that focused on connections.Power meant everything, and Dave wanted to see how Aria and her team would deal with his guests. If he remembered correctly, Aliya was the daughter of a great leader in the state. She wanted a womb from a young lady because she wanted to have children.Before the clients got what they wanted, Aria had offended a lot of big shots. Dave thought about it for a second and hoped Aria would suffer as much as he did.Dave was right about one thing. Aliya wasn't anxious at all when someone infiltrated the auction and took control of the event. She was only stunned for a moment at first. Once everything had settled down, she calmed down and even looked a little proud."I suggest you talk to your leader first before deciding to cu
Dave had escaped, but just barely.He'd saved his life, nothing more. The documents he needed to destroy were still intact. Everything had gone completely off script.Every exit had been sealed. If he hadn't killed a villager and disguised himself with a spell, he would've died at the auction. He didn't receive any news about the ambush and was caught entirely off guard.He wasn't in Janovin, and security was that tight there. With his connections, he could've found out what was going to happen in advance. However, that wasn't the case at all.Slipping into a grimy back alley, Dave cursed his luck. Most of his men had been rounded up in the village. He could only hope a few had managed to slip through. But with sirens wailing in the distance, he knew hope was thin."Who the hell was that?" he muttered, wiping dirt off his face with a shaking hand. Normally a stickler for cleanliness, Dave was too rattled to care. "And where's the real Eden?"His mind snapped into action. The scho
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