At the same time, at the studio, the interviewer asked Leon, "To be honest, Kina, we're all curious about the reason you agreed to be featured in this variety show."The host, Jamie Morvan, sat across him, legs crossed. He chuckled as he continued, "As far as I know, you'll only experience the feeling of wonder if you have some degree of knowledge about ancient relics."The impressive cultural history of Farshya, spanning 5,000 years, will be exhibited in this show. As an idol, would participating in a show such as this be too difficult for you?"This question was surely meant to be a trap hidden behind a veneer of goodwill. Leon had been asked questions in this manner before, as his public image was still that of an uncultured idol with no background.He didn't mind it, but his fans didn't like it when he was asked these strongly biased questions. Clary, who was beside him, didn't want him to answer because his answer might be interpreted negatively.However, Leon seemed to have
Clary, an experienced manager, knew how to solve problems more efficiently. She quickly made a call to her boss.…On a train heading to Janovin, Clary's boss—Landon—was massaging Aria's waist. The first-class carriage was empty; no one dared sit in it.The head of York Group's Nymeria branch had practically booked a first-class carriage. They'd only known of Landon's arrival due to the incident happening at the church. Many people had requested them for their help in bailing their friends out. As if they'd dare do so!Who would dare bail someone out when their CEO was sitting right there? They didn't want to lose their jobs.They'd planned to treat Landon to dinner after the case concluded, but he wanted to return to Janovin immediately so they could only board the train with them.The three important men wiped their sweat. "Mr. York, uh—"Landon held his phone up, gesturing for them to wait so they shut up. "Yes, it's me. Please, go on." Landon poked a straw on the lid of
They finally knew why Landon valued her so highly. The man said a few more names before he seemed to remember something else. "Your cousin Marty was there too!""Yes, and he seemed to know Mr. Blooms really well.""We were surprised because one of them lives in Janovin while the other lives in the South. How did they grow to know each other that well? It's weird, right, Phil?"His colleague, Phil Chevron, thought, "Don't ask me that! Did you not realize that Mr. York is looking at us now? You sold yourself out!"As expected, Landon said, "Which means that all of you were there during that dinner too."Dan paused. He wanted to give himself a slap on the face. Landon said expressionlessly, "Tell me about that dinner. How did you become his pilgrims?"The men's backs were drenched with their sweat."His predictions are very accurate. He even managed to recount what happened to us during that time.""After we gave him some offerings, everything in our lives went smoothly.""We r
The three men nodded and hurriedly took their leave, clutching their briefcases. The train usually made short stops at stations on the way when a traveler or two would get in. For a moment, Aria couldn't distinguish between what was real and what was in her dreams. The desire for revenge consumed her, burning her throat and eyes.This went on until she heard Landon's voice through the din. "Don't overthink it. Take a nap."He spoke softly, and his hands were perfect for cooling Aria down. "If you really do feel bad, I'm here, aren't I? Your blood bag."Aria had realized last time that Landon could absorb some of the energy she released and that his blood was fatally tantalizing to her. Aria's eyes remained closed as she lay on Landon's shoulder, pushing her emotions down. She seemed to have done so once—many images flashed in her mind. Why was Landon in period clothes? In those images, Aria sat in a high chair, ordering Landon to wait as she bathed. She'd also said that Land
The journey from Nymeria to Janovin wasn't that long; it was almost dusk when Aria woke up. At dusk, the city was bustling with activity, but it was peaceful nevertheless. Perhaps it was because Aria had taken a nap, but she felt more relaxed now. It was as if the discomfort she felt due to the karma had been digested without her knowing. She hadn't known how to bring the subject of Ian's side of the family up to Warren, but she stopped feeling the need to hesitate.After what Fergus had gone through, she understood something—the sadness one felt after being betrayed was transitory; it was more important to evade risks. Also, Warren deserved to know the truth more than anyone else. Both the incident at the church and the stuff the Carver Group shareholders got up to in secret were heinous. Warren would feel sad upon hearing them, but letting him know was better than keeping it from him. Aria went to the Carver Group headquarters with Landon. The influencer who insulted Ari
It wasn't just because they worked for Carver Group, but also because of Aria's heroic deeds. Although the video wasn't complete, it was clear who had saved the children and allowed the heroic spirits to return to their rightful places.Aria paused and glanced at Keith, who pushed his glasses up and explained, "They admire you. The videos of you online have gone viral, and quite a few people are asking if we'll be making merchandise featuring you."Merchandise? What?Before Aria could ask more, Keith continued, "They didn't manage to capture your face, but they did take pictures of Mr. York standing next to you. You two looked good together, and now people say you are quite the couple.""Really? Where's the video? I want to see it," said Landon. He appeared very interested in this, judging from the smile on his face. Warmth pooled in his eyes, gradually melting away his aloof exterior. The employees rarely saw Landon in the office. His physical condition wasn't exactly a secret—e
They'd assumed that no one would dare approach Landon, yet Aria was standing on equal footing with him—perhaps even more domineering.Oh, how they loved it!Aria noticed their excitement but had no idea what had them thrilled. She didn't usually root for couples. Landon found the situation amusing. He had felt bound to someone in a similar way once before, but back then, it hadn't been as enjoyable.As Aria and Landon entered the elevator under the watchful, excited eyes of others, Landon received a call. It was for an online meeting, so he borrowed a conference room from Keith without a second thought. He didn't see himself as an outsider here.Meanwhile, Aria headed straight to Warren's office. Wasting no time, she took advantage of his good mood to explain everything that had happened at the church, including how Ian's family was involved."Fergus and I have been thinking about who arranged Poeta's 'coincidental' appearance. I have a suspect," Aria said, her gaze distant. "Th
The information Aria had read about Ian revealed that he had been a prodigy from a young age, earning numerous accolades. However, this was a more impressive achievement in the past than in the present.Ian had also graduated with a degree in financial management, which seemed odd. Why wasn't Carver Group passed down to him? Wasn't it a tradition for the family business to go to the eldest son or grandson?Something must have happened. Aria tapped her fingers on her phone, a habit she had when she was in deep thought. At that moment, her phone rang. It was Leon. "Are you back, Aria?" he asked.There was a lot of noise in the background as if Leon was outside. "I saw what went on online. You were so cool."Aria relaxed marginally. "It was nothing. Anyway, I have something to ask you." "Come over then. I'm filming that variety show tomorrow, and I'll feel confident with you by my side."Leon had become quite fond of Aria. Whenever someone brought up a new topic, he would mention
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