"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
Barron mulled over his thoughts before finally saying, "Tell me about this idea of yours.""Dad!" The Carvers standing nearby were shocked. They couldn't believe Barron would place his trust in this unfamiliar young woman, especially considering how obviously most of her claims seemed dubious.Barron raised his hand, halting the heated discussion around them. He met Aria's gaze. "But you must tell me where you come from and why the Krowonians were tailing you.""Sure." Aria looked at everyone. Barron, who instantly understood her intentions, gestured for everyone to leave save for a bodyguard. Aria bent down and patted Annie on the shoulder, telling her to leave as well. "Put your trust in the Carvers. They won't give you a hard time."Aria then looked up. "I'll have to trouble you to feed her."The Carvers had married good women. They had felt sympathy for Annie from the moment she walked in, so they waved her over.With the door firmly closed and the room soundproofed, no one
"Yes. Everyone is working and going to school. We travel occasionally to relax," Aria said.Barron's eyes reddened. "That's great, truly great!"It was hard for anyone not from this era to understand their commitment to studying and earning money. They just wanted their people to be able to afford food and no longer suffer bullying. It was that simple.Aria trusted herself but also believed in the existence of altruistic people—those who acted heroically to save others.She was grateful to have been born a Carver because Barron was one of those rare individuals. Despite being a businessman, he remained altruistic. "Tell me, young lady, what do you need me to do?" Barron asked, returning the new device he had been holding back to Aria once he had calmed down. He had wanted to inspect it further, but he had more pressing matters to attend to. He needed to stay focused. "I have one condition—I will never work with the Krowonians.""Don't worry. You won't have to," Aria assured hi
Barron would never let the Krowonians succeed, even if it meant sacrificing his life.However, seeing Aria willing to put herself in danger touched him deeply. He began to bow in gratitude, but Aria stopped him. "I'm really a Carver, so we're practically family. If I let you bow, my grandpa will have my head when I get back."Aria was clearly joking—Warren adored her more than any of his grandchildren, and he'd never raise a hand against her.Barron chuckled at her words. "You truly are a Carver!"As the door opened, everyone inside heard laughter. "Really. I have six brothers, and none of them want to inherit the family business. They probably find the massive family fortune intimidating."Aria's words made Barron laugh. It had been a while since the Carvers last saw Barron with a smile on his face. Despite having their suspicions about Aria, they were still thankful to her. Barron looked up. "Tell the embassy we'll attend the banquet. I'll bring Warren home with me too."The
No, this man was probably Landon's previous incarnation. He raised a brow, a knowing smirk playing on his lips. "Are you Mr. Carver Senior's granddaughter who has been studying overseas?"Aria didn't give anything away. "Yes. I've heard of you."The man's smile widened, his voice as smooth as the rustling forest winds. "This is our first meeting. When did you hear of me?""You're famous out there." Aria scanned the face of his partner. She adjusted her posture and added quietly, "I prefer the reincarnated version of you."He'd tarnished himself now, something that Aria minded. She wasn't sure if he heard the latter half of her sentence, but he chuckled softly and coughed a little. "The way you look at me is interesting.""Is it?" Aria was waiting for whoever was in the study to come out. Barron hadn't invited those people here before heading to the embassy just so she could meet them. He probably had something he wanted to pass out to these men in advance.Aria had guessed ri
As fog blanketed the windows, Viktor stood outside the embassy, awaiting Barron's arrival. He had been waiting for quite some time, intending to extend a courteous welcome. However, seeing Aria with Barron caught him off guard."Care to explain this, Mr. Carver Senior?" Viktor asked, his curiosity piqued."My granddaughter is fluent in Krowonian, so she'll interpret for me. Why? Do you have a problem with that?" Barron replied. Viktor couldn't refuse to show Aria in. "Of course not. After you."Aria, her arm looped around Barron's, remarked imperiously, "This place is tiny, Grandpa.""It is not that big compared to Carver Residence, for sure." Viktor liked Aria in terms of her appearance and family background. If only she wasn't problematic. "Please follow after me."They made a turn, which took them to a vast building connected to a soccer field."This is where the school will be. The students can play soccer after school. The classrooms are over there. We plan on hiring teach
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