Thankfully, Mindy came forward and steadied Owen. "Dad, you have a weak heart. Don't get so worked up."Mindy's gaze shifted to Aria. "Dr. Genius," Mindy said, her tone laced with condescension, "you may be skilled at manipulating people, but you underestimate the depth of my father's love for my mother. Don't make baseless accusations. The whole company knows how much he loves her."Aria, unfazed by Mindy's attempt to discredit her, turned to Fiona. "Does he love you?" she asked directly.Fiona stared into Aria's eyes, a flicker of recognition sparking at the sight of the familiar beauty mark. A surge of unexpected strength coursed through her. "So-so."Everyone sucked in a deep breath when they heard her answer.Owen's expression turned grim. He reached out to take Fiona's hand, but Aria intercepted him. "Mr. Carver," Aria said coolly, "I believe you heard what she said."Owen glared at Aria, his disgust evident. "What tricks did you use to bewitch my wife? She's clearly mental
Owen's expression froze in an instant. His head throbbed, and a buzzing filled his ears as he stared at Aria.Meanwhile, the managers standing behind him were in an uproar."It's Mr. Carver Senior!""What does he mean by calling her Rainbow?""She's Ms. Carver?"Philip and Ignatius were stunned upon hearing that. They couldn't believe their ears. The country bumpkin the Carvers had taken in, the one they'd been gossiping about, turned out to be Aria?Ignatius wanted to slap himself for talking dirt about Aria in the group chat, even comparing her to Mindy. He wondered if it was too late to take them back.Philip was also at a loss. His first reaction was to look at Will. However, by his calm demeanor, it seemed the latter already knew all along.When Philip considered it further, Will had always been alone. He never mentioned any distant relatives, and he treated Aria with obvious deference. Ignatius had initially assumed Will's special treatment stemmed from Aria's talent. N
Owen's head throbbed, his expression etched with pain. He stammered, "Rainbow, I never meant for things to turn out this way. I only spoke harshly because I never met you. I didn't know it was you. I—"Aria cut him off, her voice firm. "Mr. Carver, your daughter is standing right next to you, not me."Owen faltered, blurting out, "Rainbow, how can you say that?"She raised an eyebrow, amusement dancing in her eyes. "What else am I supposed to say? Should I embrace you as my father with open arms?"Owen's brow furrowed. "Rainbow, you can't hate me for a minor misunderstanding. I am your father."A smile graced Aria's face. "I'm afraid you'll be disappointed then. Holding grudges is one of my strongest suits."Panic flickered in Owen's eyes. He finally understood that Aria had no intention of acknowledging him.Taking a step forward, he poured out his heart. "I know I messed up. I've been searching for you ever since you returned. But no one told me your identity or whereabouts. I
Fiona wondered if she was dreaming. After all, she often had dreams like this. Aria would show up as a grown-up in all her dreams. She would assure Fiona she was doing well and tell her not to worry.But no mother wouldn't worry about their child. Fiona couldn't bear the thought of Aria disappearing again.Despite her wish, Fiona's dreams about Aria had become less frequent.Now, however, Fiona knew this wasn't a dream. Aria wouldn't talk like this in her dreams. The young lady who had saved her from the streets turned out to be her daughter! Fiona could barely believe it."You're not a jinx," Fiona said, her voice thick with emotion. "You're a gift from heaven. When you were born, all the nurses remarked on how chubby and happy you were. It's my fault for not protecting you well."Tears streamed down Fiona's face as she clenched her fists. "It's not your fault I'm sick. I'm just weak. Rainbow, honey. Why didn't I go and search for you? Why? I remember…" Fiona's thoughts were
Warren's words sent shivers down the managers' spines, especially those who had been disloyal. They kept their heads bowed, fearing Warren's gaze."Mr. Carver Senior, please don't worry. We'll cooperate fully with Ms. Rainbow!"Warren corrected the manager directly. "Call her Ms. Aria. My granddaughter's name is Aria Carver.""Grandpa." Aria only wanted Warren to know what happened, not to take over the company as its CEO. Warren's tone was doting. "You don't need to feel uneasy there. It's our hotel. You can do whatever you want. Rainbow, remember that we're the ones who owe you. Now that you're back, feel free to do whatever you want. I'll support you as long as I live."Warren's declaration had the managers rethinking their allegiances. They began to see Owen in a new light.Owen, filled with regret as he looked at his wife and daughter, realized the gravity of the situation. He wondered what he could do to mend things.Suddenly, the idea of seeking help from his sons crosse
Mindy stiffened, panic etched on her face. "Aria, you've misunderstood. I would never prevent you from coming back. You're my sister—""Sister?" Aria grinned. "You can call Mr. Carver your father as long as he agrees. However, didn't you say we had a conflict before? Why are you calling me your sister now?"The Carver family hadn't officially adopted you if I remember correctly, so you're not my sister. Let's talk about something else."Aria grabbed Dorothy with one hand. "How many of your dirty errands has this old hag done for you?""I didn't!" Mindy cried, tears staining her face. "I don't know what you're talking about."Owen also spoke up. "Rainbow, don't be so harsh on Mindy. Let me explain—""One claims to be my father, while the other declares herself my sister." Aria tossed Dorothy unceremoniously at Mindy's feet. "Let me remind you both, I have little tolerance. Don't try to flatter me."Aria's air of authority was so strong that even Owen hesitated before speaking, es
There was no denying Dorothy's eloquence. In a flash, she managed to brand Aria as unreasonable and undeserving of her status.Fiona, once a prominent socialite, understood the future implications of such labels on her daughter. Public speaking had become a distant memory for Fiona, who feared uttering the wrong word.Today, however, Fiona decided to take a stand. "How can you expect Aria to be polite to someone who labels her unreasonable and rude? I haven't been involved in family matters for a long time."Apparently, being polite to a household staff is now a requirement to earn a title in this household? The Carver family is your employer, Dorothy. If you're unhappy, you are free to leave."Dorothy stiffened. "Mrs. Carver, I—"Fiona didn't even bother looking at her. Instead, she looked toward Mindy. "Dorothy has been serving you all this time. I'm sure she's only acting like this because you permitted it. Look at her. Do you think we're blind to your intentions?""Mom, I don
Aria flung the pillow at Dorothy. "You're responsible for my mother's basic needs. The Carvers trusted you completely."You said you know nothing about the effects, so why is there lemon and mint inside my mom's pillow? It's clear you knew exactly what you were doing."The evidence was irrefutable, presented swiftly. Aria's words stung like a slap.Panic seized Dorothy when Aria yanked away the scented sachet. She hadn't anticipated anyone discovering the pillow.Dorothy's legs felt weak, and her eyes darted around nervously."Will you confess your accomplice now, or at the police station?" Aria pressed.Dorothy bit her lip, refusing to say the truth. "I'm loyal to the Carver family!""You've chosen to go to jail, then." Aria looked away, then suddenly smiled. "Honestly, it doesn't matter if you speak up or not. Your precious Ms. Carver will still be held responsible."Mindy felt suffocated under the weight of scrutiny. All Mindy could do was grab the hem of Owen's clothes and
Cold sweat broke out on Paxton's back as realization hit. Percy was here. Judging from Aria's attitude now, could Percy be handling the divorce case? Panicking, his earlier confidence crumbled. Paxton hurried toward the parking garage. Daisy yelled at him from behind. She was crying so hard she lost a shoe. "Dad! Dad!" Paxton suddenly exploded and said, "Stop following me, you useless waste! You can't even repeat simple instructions! All that money on your education, and this is what I get? Where's your brain?" Daisy froze, her face draining of color. She had never seen her father like this. Though rarely home, he always brought her dolls and chocolates from abroad. Her classmates envied her, and Amara called her Daddy's princess. As she uncertainly reached for his shirt, he shoved her away. "Go find your grandmother! Idiot!" Daisy stood stunned. Paxton had not even noticed her scraped foot bleeding. Her eyes widened in recognition. This was just like how things were with Ama
"I... I..." Daisy faltered as she was unprepared for Aria's words. Paxton and Daisy had come hoping to manipulate Lettie as they always had. In marriages, visible violence might draw outside sympathy. But such psychological torture of exploiting Lettie's maternal love, pushing her boundaries, and destroying her self-worth was far more terrifying. As a doctor, Aria's expertise went beyond healing bodies. She specialized in psychology. Lettie's condition wasn't just trauma; it was long-term emotional abuse. Aria had seen Lettie's sleeping pills. With her pregnancy affecting hormones, they needed to address her emotional pain. If not, Aria worried Lettie might break. Aria touched her amethyst pendant. Sometimes, abandoning all illusions was the only way to start over. For mothers, children were their deepest attachment. It was better to see clearly now than suffer endless emotional manipulation. "I'm not going back with you two. I want a divorce, and I will get one." Lettie's ha
Indeed, Lettie hesitated. She looked at her daughter instinctively. After all, blood ties could not be easily broken. Paxton seized this moment to step forward and hug her. "Lettie, I knew you couldn't give up on our family. I've really learned my lesson. We'll move out and keep Mom from interfering. Please?" His movements were too quick for Lettie to react. Aria sat there with a smirk, her gaze drifting to the window. It was a great photo spot indeed. It would be a perfect picture of an adorable daughter, a caring husband, and a forgiving wife. This would become a narrative of quick reconciliation that would betray the public's support. Aria had even thought of headlines for Celestia's post. Too bad she hadn't come inside. If she had, seeing Aria's face might have shaken her confidence. Lettie didn't let Paxton's embrace last. Once she recovered, she shoved him away. Then, came the slap. "You're absolutely shameless!" Lettie could not believe his act, even now. Glancing a
As Amara stood there trembling, it drew stares from onlookers. She could not believe her son would speak to her this way. It was Paxton who had begged her to help, saying Celestia wanted to meet Daisy. He even asked her to arrange it so the girl would accept them when the divorce happened. That way, Don would not interfere too much. As a mother, how could she ignore her son's troubles? He had gone on about Celestia's background—how cultured she was and how her parents were prestigious lawyers in Ludwiten. Amara had been impressed. A simple housewife like Lettie could not possibly compare to a Ludwiten socialite. Through Amara's investigation, she found out that the Norwoods were renowned in legal circles. Daisy's grandfather was even a senior judge. That was the kind of woman worthy of her son. She had done everything to help him seize this opportunity, but how had she become the villain? Amara clenched her fists. She understood what Paxton meant now. He was making her the sc
"Now more people would hate mothers-in-laws like us." "My daughter says this isn't over. Just wait; she'll get what's coming to her." Amara had planned to go to the supermarket but ended up hiding at home, afraid to go downstairs. Don was still at the university studying his latest archaeological finds, unaware of everything. She trembled thinking about what he would do to her when he found out. Panicking, she grabbed her coat and followed them. "Paxton, let me come with you. I'll make sure you don't get taken advantage of." "Mom!" Paxton's tone became impatient. "Look how many people are outside waiting to mock us! If you come, our whole family will end up all over social media. I could take Daisy to the café unnoticed, but not you. People can't stand the sight of you right now." Amara gritted her teeth. "They can't stand me? These people have nothing better to do than meddle in our family affairs! What's wrong with our family not wanting Lettie anymore?" "Mom! How can you
Celestia still had no idea what awaited her. She had been a bully since middle school, and her family would always clean up her messes. To her, Lettie was just some washed-up housewife who couldn't possibly understand how to harness social media's power, unlike herself, since this was her bread and butter. She knew the online community craved plot twists upon plot twists. Before leaving the car, Celestia gripped her phone, nervous about all her hidden misdeeds. But if she could destroy Lettie's image, she could profit from this viral outrage. Paxton picked up Daisy, who couldn't stop crying. "Dad, is Mom really divorcing you? Everyone online is attacking me. They're saying I'm a terrible daughter and not worth keeping. Even my classmates are laughing at me. Dad, please make up with Mom!" Paxton massaged his throbbing temples. "Daisy, that's why I'm here to pick you up. You have to make up with your mother. To stop the online hate, you need to act in a way that makes your mother
Then, Celestia could immediately post a video claiming she never knew he was married when they met. That would be the best way to shift the narrative. Paxton thought about it and said, "Fine, I'll go sweet-talk her." They needed to reconcile, or the book "Voices" would no longer be his. He could lose his job, but not that book.Nobody in Farshya knew how much money it was making overseas. It had earned 50 million in annual royalties, and film studios were already showing interest. He would never give up this book! Paxton lowered his gaze. "I'll bring Daisy along. Lettie can't stand seeing our daughter suffer, so she'll back down for her sake." But this time, Paxton's calculations would surely prove wrong. Celestia stood up. "I'm coming too. I'll wait outside." She could not stay here anyway. Paxton frowned. "Don't let her see you." "I'm not stupid. I'll take photos of you two making up and post them online. That will make it credible." Celestia knew her game. "Remember, d
In that moment, Paxton felt real fear. His throat became too tight to speak. Kaiden's voice hardened, "I don't care how you do it, but contain this matter. Your personal drama is causing too much negative publicity. You can forget about that promotion. As for Mr. Hendricks Senior, you can explain this to him yourself." Kaiden did not want to get involved, but Don was once his mentor, guiding him when he needed it most. It was through family connection that Paxton's career had advanced so smoothly. His mind was in chaos now. The higher he climbed, the harder he would fall. "I'll explain everything. Don't worry! I'll apologize to my wife right away!" Hearing this, Celestia exploded. "Apologize? What about me?" Her shout drew stares across the hotel lobby. Terrified of attracting more attention, Paxton covered her mouth. "Please, keep your voice down!" Kaiden heard the commotion too. "Who's with you? Where are you now?" "I..." Paxton tried to lie. But Kaiden did not want t
Celestia's face turned white with panic. Terrified that her photos would be screenshotted, her fingers moved faster than ever, but she couldn't keep up. She posted nearly three times a day, and now, the floodgates had opened."What do I do? What can I do?" Celestia was so anxious that she pulled at her hair. "Private account! I'll set it to private right now!" But it was too late. People were already taking screenshots and screen recordings, and within a minute, comments flooded Paxton's page. "I knew I recognized this homewrecker—I've seen her content!" "You've seen her content? What do you mean?" "She's a fashion influencer! She does street style and promotes clothes, bags, and beauty products! Her handle is @CelestiaNorwood." "No way! Didn't she just preach about women's independence and not relying on men? How the tables have turned!" "Wow! Her private account shows quite a different life!" "This can't be true. No influencer would date such an old guy." "Honey, tha