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
There was a grand banquet in the evening at White Hall, and Frank sought out Aria."I won't hold you accountable for what you did," he said. "You can keep everything I gave you, but I have one request—once we return to Riverton, you'll tell Winter that nothing ever happened between us."Aria was taken aback. "I-I can keep your presents? You're not upset?"Noting her disbelief, Frank nodded. "I had lost myself that night, or that wouldn't have happened at all. Don't worry—I'm not upset, but no more dirty tricks like these, okay?"Aria nodded repeatedly as she saw the clear warning in Frank's eyes. "Oh, are you going for a tourney tomorrow?""Yes.""Then…" Aria appeared to be at a loss, but soon resolved herself and picked up the glass on the table and poured in wine. "Thank you for forgiving me, Frank. Cheers."Frank sighed in turn—while Aria had clearly made a mistake, he was responsible too.It was the first time in a long while since he passed out drunk, and he really should
Even as Eron smiled warmly, he was drawing up plans in his mind.He had given Frank his chance to walk away, but Frank had to take away his Earthen Dragonheart anyway. If Frank had not, it would not have been so difficult for Eron to arrange a marriage between Kim and Maron!If anything, Frank taking away the Earthen Dragonheart and Eron letting Sage Lake Sect have their way with him made them even!Kim was at once uneasy to see that look on his father's face.After the banquet, Kim went to his study. "What are you up to, Dad?'Eron scowled since she was being very blunt. "Nothing," he said quietly. "It's late. Go to bed already.""Does it involve the fiance you mentioned before?" Kim pressed worriedly. "If you're planning to harm Frank, I'd suggest you stop right now.""What would you know?!" Eron snapped sternly. "Everything I do is for your sake and for our family! What, did you think Frank was the one who destroyed the Yaffes? I've looked into him—he might know medicine an
However, Frank was not pushover himself to be threatened by such a cheap move.Seeing that Kim was not budging, he folded his arms before his chest and said quietly, "Go ahead and yell. I'm fine with it." "I'll do it!" Kim snapped tempestuously.Frank snorted. "Go on.""Help! Someone… Frank Lawrence… touched me! Help!!!"Not expecting this turn of events, Frank had to leap up and clasp his hand over her mouth, feeling defeated just then. "Don't you know no shame? Is this how you treat your guests, Ms. White?!""I don't care," Kim snapped, too indignant to be bothered. "I'll keep yelling, and you're not getting away once everyone hears me!"Kim appeared totally harmless, but she was certainly tough once she got stubborn.Exasperated, he invited her over to Riverton the next few days after he acquired the Goldeater Cane.It was only then that Kim left, while Frank was left speechless for an entire night. -Frank woke up early the next morning, practicing his usual return bef