Aria was sweating over her brow even as she stood at a corner.At White Court Hotel, she had set things up so that Frank believed he had a drunken fumble with her.She knew there were cameras in the hallways and the elevators, but there were voyeurs too…?!Did that mean that what she did that night was recorded, and Eron's daughter wanted to tell Frank about that?Forget Frank's fury once he was found out and take back everything he gave her—the life in glamor and riches she envisioned would go up in smoke!Even as the thought struck her, Aria forced a smile as he turned toward Frank. "I'm a little tired… I'll go to my room now.""Yeah, sure," Frank replied, already suspicious after seeing her unusual reaction.Moreover, he was a Birthright rank elite and had overwhelming self-restraint, not to mention that he checked himself right after and did not find anything unusual.And if he really passed out drunk, how would he even get it on with Aria?If anything, Frank had his suspi
Frank, however, did not even flinch.Now that he suspected Aria of duplicity, he was not about to give her another chance."I'm busy," he said, throwing a jacket over her as he pushed her outside and locked the door after. "I'll have to take a rain check." "Hey!" Aria was left stamping her bare feet outside in annoyance.Winter just happened to see that just as she left her room, and she appeared pensive.-Early next morning and after a good night's sleep, Frank took Aria and went straight to White Hall in Soutsthtream.Aria was obviously resistant to the idea and kept cajoling him. "Frank, why don't you go there yourself? I'm busy too…""Just needed to confirm something. Don't worry, I won't do anything to you," Frank replied flatly.His cold reaction only panicked Aria further, and her expression grew darker along the journey to Southstream.It was just a two-hour drive, and as they arrived at White Hall, Aria snapped at Frank, "What do you think you're doing?""Nothin
Frank was bemused even as he strode into the guest room, where Kim was already waiting with Liv Dawson.Kim appeared especially ethereal with her long, wavy dark hair and white dress, and she was on her feet as soon as she saw Frank. "Mr. Lawrence.""How have you been? Have you made a full recovery?" Frank asked politely in turn."Yes, all thanks to you, Mr. Lawrence," she replied."Yeah." Frank nodded, feeling like he had just wasted his breath—he knew Kim's condition better than Kim herself would.Not only did he treat her internal injuries, but he also cleared up his meridians so that she would be twice more efficient in cultivation.Aria, who entered the guest room as well, glanced at Frank in surprise, not expecting him to know medicine.Still, her attention was quickly drawn to Kim's guileless divine beauty.Though Kim's poise was affected by her injury before, she had recovered and regained her charm befitting a goddess.She would not lose out to Vicky or Helen, and a s
As Frank chuckled coolly, Kim appeared stunned. "What was that, Mr. Lawrence?""Nothing." Frank waved her off. "So, when is the recruitment tourney starting?""Tomorrow afternoon.""Tomorrow?" Frank appeared thoughtful.Kim studied his face in turn and said, "It's just a thirty minute drive from here. Why don't you stay the night here if you don't mind?""Sure," Frank replied, not shying from accepting her offer.And judging from Kim's reaction, she had more to say—this time about what had happened at White Court Hotel.Suddenly, Aria got up with a forced smile. "It seems this is going to be a sensitive issue, so I'll step out for the moment."Kim studied her and did not dissuade her, even turning to Liv. "Bring Ms. Lond for a stroll in the garden."Liv, however, was visibility resistant toward Aria. "I refuse."Aria was not tempestuous as she usually was either, instead smiling awkwardly. "Don't worry. I'll just be hanging around—I won't go far.""Very well. Thank you, Ms.
Frustration.That was the only thing Aria felt as she strolled through White Hall's gardens, unable to appreciate the bright flowers blooming around her.She could not forget Kim's calm smile, her knuckles clenching as she cursed, "Fuck them all! Jean, Winter, the White family… All of them! None of them can bear to see me living better than them! Did I hurt them or something?!"Her grief grew as she rambled on, before she finally cracked and dropped to a crouch, sobbing. "What did I do wrong? I just wanted a better life! You all had to go all out to mess with me!"As her sobs grew louder, she drew Eron's attention.His first look at her was one of contempt, though he soon had an idea.Clapping his hands while grinning smugly, he put on a kindly face as he asked, "Aria Lond, was it? Aren't you Mr. Lawrence's girlfriend?"Aria was sobbing even as she looked up, on the verge of a breakdown. "I won't be soon enough.""Hoho…" Eron chuckled as he stood, clasping his hands behind his
Soon however, Aria flinched as she remembered something else and quickly asked, "What about after I leave White Hall? C-Can you still protect me after that, Mr. White?""Oh, well…" Eron shook his head as if troubled. "I'm sorry, Ms. Lond… But if you leave, Mr. Lawrence isn't going to play to our tune."Aria was shocked, her heart sinking rock-bottom again despite just finding some sense of comfort."Mr. White, please, you have to help me," she pleaded. "Please talk to Frank. I-It was just a mistake, I didn't mean anything bad. I just love him so much, I…"Seeing how gullible Aria was, Eron could not feel more disdain for Aria at this point.Still, he kept his thoughts from showing because he needed her for his plans.Pretending to be deep in thought, he then walked up and helped her to her feet and whispered into her ear, "Actually, there's no way to get Mr. Lawrence to forgive you… But I have a proposal. I'll only tell you if you're willing to do it, but if you refuse, you just
In the afternoon, Liv went to Frank's room while he was training and said bluntly, "Frank Lawrence, you'd better keep your hands to yourself."Frank frowned, confused by her words. "Keep my hands to myself? Why?""Don't even get me started." Liv snorted as she planted herself on the couch, crossing her legs as she continued haughtily, "Kim's father has already found a fiance for her. Keep your distance from Kim if you know what's good for you.""And what does that have to do with me?" Frank merely found Liv mystifying.His retort stung Liv, and she leapt up, pointing at his nose as she snapped, "Can't you see?! Kim likes you! I can't even tell what you have going for you, but she's obsessing over you so much every passing day! So you'd do well to stay away from her for the sake of her happiness!""Then talk to her about it. Why me?" Frank was left speechless and gestured for her to leave. "What Ms. White does is none of my business, whether she's engaged to the Yaffes or someone
Over at Skywater Bay, Winter was taken aback."A trip? What about Aria…""Don't worry, Winter," Frank assured her. "It turns out that it was just a misunderstanding—nothing happened between Aria and I."Winter froze and dropped Carol's phone with a loud thud."Winter? Winter?" Frank called out from the other end.Winter turned toward her mother in disbelief. "Mom… Did I hear that right? Pinch me! Is this real?" "Silly girl." Carol smiled, shaking her head as she left to make dinner."Oh, I'm still here, Frank," Winter exclaimed as she scrambled to pick up the phone from the floor, her usual liveliness instantly restored. "In two days, was it? No problem—I have the day off.""Then it's a promise.""Yes!"Winter whooped in joy once she hung up, throwing herself on the couch, and promptly told Jean about the good news.Jean, however, was not surprised. [Hah! I knew Aria deceived Frank, and you doubted me before! See? When I asked her if he actually liked her, his reaction ma