Looking at Leon, who was surrounded by a horde of reporters, Aria smiled, her mole particularly striking.Even the cameramen couldn't help but zoom into her face. Her fangirls screamed online, "Aria is so cool!"Landon, who was in the director's breakroom, raised his brow at the sight. This was Aria's first time smiling like that, and it was clear that she was truly happy. However, she'd never smiled like that while with him. This realization made Landon pause. The producer was still introducing other variety shows to Landon, who might be interested in investing in or inserting ads in them.He didn't expect the air around them to cool down suddenly, and he and the director exchanged confused looks. Wasn't everything going smoothly for Aria out there? She was also plastered all over the Internet, with every single post talking about her. So why did Landon look so unhappy?They looked at each other but didn't dare ask. They'd also heard that Landon had canceled his engagement w
"I saw photos of him eating on set. He was handsome, but he really didn't look like the scion of the richest family in the country.""He was doing shows very often so that he could debut.""Let's see who'd dare spread those rumors about how he became famous by sleeping around with executives."Starting now, no one would dare say anything bad about Leon. An online post about Leon's experiences sleeping around was taken down, and the original poster's identity was uncovered. It turned out that this was orchestrated by one of Leon's business rivals. They were absolutely stunned now, especially that actress who'd wanted to give Leon a hard time. She'd coyly requested her sugar daddy to kick Leon out of the movie filming crew. Now, she was the one being kicked out of her sugar daddy's mansion. "You could have done this to anyone else, but you just had to pick a fight with a Carver! My wife said that I shouldn't spend any time and money on women like you and that I would regret it
Most annoyingly, Georgina had no idea about Lily's resentment. "If you ever come across Aria later, you should apologize properly. You and the Short family shouldn't have done that."Lily bit her lip, innocently saying, "You know as well as I do that I don't call the shots regarding that engagement. When I was in Southbury, I did everything my mom told me to."Georgina frowned as if deep in thought. Meanwhile, Lily continued, "I told Mom that it wasn't that appropriate, but she said I was out of line and that I was fortunate that Christian liked me. "I wasn't supposed to destroy the relationship between the Kent and Short families because the Kents heavily depended on the Shorts for their business."I wasn't with them for too long, and I suffered in that village. You know well about what sort of people my foster parents were. They were known human traffickers, and they'd beat me up if I showed the slightest hint of resistance. "I dared not argue with Mom because of that. I did e
Why had the threads of time unraveled so differently from what Lily had known? The unease grew with every passing moment, gnawing at her sanity. When Georgina's voice cut through the haze, Lily could barely reply, her words stumbling in a distracted haze.Georgina thought Lily was tired, so she didn't have her stay and help after dinner. Instead, she told her to go home earlier.Lily was smart and calculating in her own right. She wouldn't be doing so well for herself otherwise. She quickly raced home after leaving Aria's mansion because she had to confirm something. When she arrived home, she saw beer bottles everywhere. After Owen's downfall, the Morris family was also done for. Even after days of effort, Marshall wasn't chosen for the project at the construction site, so he was currently downing a bottle of beer morosely. He'd also invited some construction workers along. He considered taking smaller steps and taking on some renovation projects in the future. It wasn't muc
Many people were still gathered at the broadcasting headquarters even after the recording had ended. Some of them were reporters who directed their cameras toward Aria. Someone said, "Can I send in an application to Carver Group too, Ms. Carver? I'm a technician!""Will Carver Group's niche be reconstructed after this, Ms. Carver?""Carver Group has never entered the entertainment industry. If a new path is developed just for Leon alone, will this affect Carver Group's business strategies that follow?""Don't listen to him, Ms. Carver! Look at me! Give me a trending topic!"They were both expectant and ill at ease at the same time. They wanted Aria to look at them but didn't want her to develop a grudge toward them. After filming this variety show, there was nothing more to hide. Aria looked somewhat tiredโthis was just how she looked most of the time, like an unpleasant daughter from a rich family. However, she was smiling gently when she looked at the reporter who'd just spok
Some executives, who slacked off all day and left all the work to their subordinates, were having the worst time right now. "Wait, didn't you say that a company like Carver Group wouldn't affect us in any way?""Mr. Levington, the scale of our company is totally incomparable to that of Carver Group, and we specialize in different fields.""Why are all of them talking about resigning, then?""I-Iโฆ Ms. Carver's words were too effective.""Can't you replicate her marketing tactics?"At this point, the employee was numb. How were they supposed to copy Aria when she was in a completely different position than them?Their boss, Alex Levington, had said that Aria wouldn't be a threatโshe was merely an ordinary young woman from the countryside. He'd also laughed at her for failing to join the local social circles.Aria didn't need to get to know those socialites in the first place, not when her goal was the heads of these listed companies!Carver Group had a rival company that was sl
At the broadcasting headquarters, Landon was still exchanging polite words with Reginald Tarson, the director of the TV station. One couldn't tell who was keeping who company. Reginald was still speaking with a smile, and Landon would nod along occasionally. Despite the smile on his face, he looked like an employer supervising operations at the store, although Reginald was of high status as well."You've recovered a lot. Your grandpa won't have to worry about you the whole day now," Reginald said."Yes, Mr. Tarson." When Landon talked to someone more senior than him, he did so politely. "My fiancรฉe," Landon said with a chuckle, "the young woman onstage. She saved me."The calm, serene smile on Reginald's face showed signs of cracking upon hearing Landon's words. When he wasn't smiling, he became more intimidating than before. "I didn't know your fiancรฉe was so good at what she does.""Yes, she is, Uncle Reginald." Only after confirming that no one was nearby did Landon refer to R
Someone said that the perpetual bad weather was the result of the Dragonlock breaking down. Forged long before the founding of Farshya, those chains had anchored the west of the country. Now, dark clouds roiled above, a shroud of gloom suffocating the sky."Did you hear about what happened behind the TV network's headquarters?" a passerby asked."Yeah. That alley... you always felt like someone was following you whenever it rained, didn't you?""Exactly. One of my colleagues came down with a fever after walking through it. It's been days, and it won't break. He keeps muttering about how he answered the wrong question.""We should leave now. Let's not wait until the afternoon. Something is seriously off.""You think Mr. Tarson would take that route?""Probably not. Even the guys working in the building across from us are taking a longer detour." "Good," the employee thought. It was unlikely anyone would venture into that alley today. But optimism was a fickle thing. Landon str
Landon's sudden appearance wasn't just a coincidence. With Aria's intelligence, she would figure something out soonโhe 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 placeโฆ 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 trueโhandsome 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 cornerโtoo 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 incomprehensibleโsomething rhythmic, otherworldly. It was less like a speech and more like a chantโan 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 itโone designed to kill anyone who dared to enter, no matter their strength. Dave wasn't afraid. He had more pressing prioritiesโdestroying documents, erasing traces, minimizing damage.His bodyguard stayed close, watching for anyone who might try to stop them.Aria, moving swiftly, reached the lower floorโonly to halt. Mist curled along the ground, thickening with every step. The air turned icy. And the corridor behind herโฆ
"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 townโit'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. Pleaseโcarry 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 sayingโbut 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 biddingโcongratulations to our newest member, Mr. Tigerโ""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 couldโbut 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 toughโit 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 herโher bodyguardโwho 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 resistโhe'd seen what she was capable of.And she'd made her warning crystal clearโif 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 herโfresh, 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 classโbut 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'sโ""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 Murrayโthe new secr