The market share was already limited, and if the Carvers entered, they would certainly claim a portion of it. Moreover, Fiona's greatest wish was to reconcile with the Grishams. Aria's trip to Ludwiten would only heighten the sense of crisis, and someone was definitely trying to drive a wedge between the families. After expressing these concerns, Stephen continued, "Ms. Carver, though your suspicions go beyond this, outsiders will definitely seize upon this point and keep feeding suggestions to the Grishams." Stephen poured tea for everyone before continuing, "Mr. Grisham was famously devoted to his daughter. Both families supported Mrs. Carver's marriage without much objection since she wanted it. The fact that Mr. Carver offered some company shares at that time put the Grishams at ease too. "Later, as you know, the Carver family's shares were diluted. After you were kidnapped, Mrs. Carver fell seriously ill. The Grishams visited many times, especially Mr. Richard and Mr. Waymon
"Why the rush?" Stephen believed Aria would understand the delicate situation he had just explained and that it did not have to be so urgent. As she threw a glance at Philip, Aria was clearly reluctant to speak in his presence. Phillip looked confused. "Aria, are you sure you won't visit my family first?" "I will, but we'll follow Stephen's planned sequence." After arriving in Janovin, they would visit different families to avoid revealing their actual purpose. Visiting relatives in Janovin before seeing her uncles in Ludwiten would seem natural. Aria suspected that Yonah did not know about what Barron had left behind. With that thought in mind, she moved closer to Stephen while touching her amethyst pendant. She lowered her voice. "There's something I've never found." It was something Barron had left for Aria, and he had even advertised it twice in the youth paper. But Aria did not tell Stephen about this. The less the Earthbound Manifestation was revealed, the clearer she c
Aria wouldn't refuse. Landon was too valuable an ally in dealing with manifestations to leave behind. With him present, their combined arcane and fortune would make her practically unbeatable, especially against those who practiced dark arts. Aria had a feeling that going to Ludwiten would resolve all the mysteries. Though the regrets from the previous manifestation were settled, the root cause remained unsolved. If the opposing forces continued to nurture evil through social media, the manifestation's power would keep growing. Aria worried that this was not an isolated case. There could be a second, or even third. Since the reputation of the Hendricks family had been affected, it had broken their cultural heritage line. After all, someone like Paxton was unworthy of succeeding Don. This was Aria's first encounter with such manipulation. She had not expected that a morally corrupt mistress could destroy Don's life's work in an instant. Paxton's actions would surely affect Don's
"Aria has us, and that's all that matters," Fergus said protectively. With their worthless father Owen's history hanging over them, he remained anxious as the eldest brother. Fergus totally understood their uncles' feelings. The family could easily provide for Aria. If the Carver shares weren't enough, he could transfer all his Parker Street investments to her name. She should not marry this early. Few brothers would ignore a broken engagement, and Landon had broken two. Fergus was there whenever Landon had discussed canceling the engagement with Warren due to poor health. Coughing softly, Landon's gaze was fixed on Aria when he looked up. His pale, handsome face looked so delicate, and his lashes fluttered. "I want to go as your fiancé. With me there, the Grishams won't immediately turn you away. It is their niece's first time bringing someone home, after all." His face made him seem incredibly persuasive as if it would be cruel of her to not bring him along. Aria had always b
Social gatherings had become rare among their circles, which limited resource sharing. The Carvers used to host regular parties from time to time. With Mindy being such a gracious hostess, everyone had envied Owen then. Even if Owen had made mistakes, did he deserve such a terrible ending? Surely a father couldn't be that cruel. Ever since Aria's return, the Carvers had been busily handling all sorts of affairs, leaving no time for parties. They predicted she would eventually slip up. However, they had to admit she was pretty good at managing a company. At first, they had assumed the Carver Group's long-standing issues would persist even under Warren's leadership, and that she would barely make waves after taking over. Who could have predicted that in just one month, she would transform it into an untouchable enterprise? This disrupted the power balance the other families had cultivated for years. They had almost caught up to the Carvers and needed just that final push. Whether
As Ignatius was about to sit down to collect himself, he overheard his uncle, Edmund Furler, telling his father, "Dad's condition hasn't improved. The doctors say there's nothing serious and he just needs rest. Should we mention this to the Carvers?" At the Furler residence, Maxwell Furler, Ignatius' father, was usually the decision maker. "We should, but we can't refuse the visit. Just explain that Dad can't come downstairs due to his health. The Carvers won't mind, but something's definitely off with Dad." "I agree." Edmund whispered mysteriously, "It's like there's another person in Dad's body. Maxwell, last night was frightening; he kept demanding to see Philip. Maybe we should use this opportunity to have Ms. Carver take a look at him." Maxwell frowned. "You and your superstitions. I told you before—" "It's not just me. Remember how she saved Ignatius? We all just treat it as a coincidence but think about it, Maxwell. Ms. Carver had just arrived in Janovin then. Even if sh
Preston ignored Aria's attempts at conversation twice and merely walked ahead. Meanwhile, Landon paused his long stride, clearly waiting for Aria. With an elegant profile, he looked so refined and noble as he reached to help her down the steps. He appeared more like a beautiful but deadly godfather than a gentleman. Now that he was away from the Carver residence, the lethal pressure of his presence was on full display. Only when Preston noticed Landon's manner did he finally acknowledge Aria and put on a smile. "I didn't know Mr. York and Aria were so close to each other." Judging from the contrast in addressing Landon and Aria, Preston was clearly pulling rank to pick on an easy target. Clearly, some people in their circle never learned. Landon barely lifted his eyelids, but even that slight movement radiated so much coldness. Anyone who worked with him would recognize this as the precursor to destruction. Though Preston had met Landon several times, the huge gap between the
After Aria's final words, all color drained from Preston's smiling face. He had been looking down at Aria while trying to curry favor with Landon. But now, he looked flustered as he lowered his gaze and took a sip of tea to cover his discomfort. "These... These are just rumors. Surely you don't believe them, Aria." "Rumors?" Aria's elegant fingers rotated her teacup with casual indifference, but her words sent chills down their spines. "The construction workers worked so hard for a year just so that they could take their wages home for New Year's. Are those who jumped to their deaths because of your debt collection also just rumors? Mr. Lawrence, if you don't want others to know what you did, perhaps you shouldn't have done it. "I know exactly what kind of projects you consider worthwhile." This was not just a warning. She was practically declaring that she would destroy the Lawrence family. Lucy, however, missed the implications. She only wondered how a young woman like Aria d
"Seeing Aria like this brings me so much joy." Georgina set down her fan and took a pill, her breathing gradually steadying. Landon observed her condition without surprise. He certainly saw more than Aria did. But fate's secrets were not meant to be revealed; everyone had their own path. All he could do was ask, "Should we tell her about your condition?" "And have her worrying about me while handling everything else?" As she spoke, Georgina waved dismissively. "Managing the Carver Group means there are countless employees depending on her. "Last time I saw her, she was falling asleep sitting up. She already worries too much about me, and I know why. It's because of my granddaughter Lily." Georgina lowered her gaze, smiling. "You know the situation with the Kents. I couldn't survive in Southbury then with everyone pointing fingers and calling me a wicked mother-in-law. They said I had blood on my hands. "But Aria stood by me without judgment. Only then could I come to Janovi
No one really knew how pitiful Sam had been back then. Nobody would have connected that filthy, weak, and skinny child to Chaos. Even now, only the skillful arcane seekers could recognize Sam as Chaos. That's because he had not fully awakened yet. Besides, his round, childish face showed no hint of threat. When Georgina first found him, it was raining. He looked less like a child and more like a stray cat, huddled miserably in a corner. He did seem fierce since he was watching everyone with dark, suspicious eyes. Some even suspected he was mentally ill and called the police. The police confirmed he was an orphan, with no records in any database. They planned to handle it as a case of missing a child since no orphanage would take him. Sam hadn't always been like this. He appeared quite dangerous and could not speak a word. He would stare people down intensely, so it was understandable that people would be afraid of him. He even bit the police officer who tried to take him. If
Aria glanced at Landon, impressed. His lie was far more polished than hers would have been. His face alone made the story believable, and she noticed how he showed no signs of deception at all. He even gave her a casual glance, showing how he was totally at ease. Sure enough, Georgina believed it. "I've heard of Mr. Bond. Sam is so lucky! Tell him to study well up there. I'll visit him in a few days!" "Of course. I'll go with you later." Aria did not want to upset Georgina. With her upcoming trip to Ludwiten, Aria insisted on having a meal at the mansion. She only provided occasional guidance on the clinic's direction now. She had left daily operations to professional managers. Even when she had lost her senses, Georgina had never given up on her. Even when she had not been herself, Georgina had not abandoned her. Aria knew the Kent family wouldn't change, especially Marshall, with his greed. She just wanted to ensure Georgina's twilight years weren't spent worrying about unw
The patrol guard met Mindy's gaze and gave a subtle nod. But a closer look would reveal an unmistakable respect in him for Mindy. This was not surprising since certain powers had their fingers everywhere. And the Furler incident was just one example. "Is that really what the Furlers said?" "Yes!" The visitor pushed aside the beaded curtain. Morlock wore wooden sandals, his eyes cold. "Everything was settled. Did that old fool from the Furler family decide he didn't want to extend his life?" "The arcane seems to have failed." The attendant frowned. "A Farshyan arcane seeker must have discovered it. In his condition, it would've been noticed eventually. The priests of Mount Dracotigris aren't so easily fooled." The visitor laughed. "No matter how powerful they are, they're still beneath you. Once Morwenna emerges and souls unite, our power will be limitless. Mr. Grimalkin, as you told me—Farshya's vast territory and population are both an advantage and a liability. "With so
June pulled out her phone after Mark left, eager to reconnect with her social circle. When she finally got into the group chat, she tried finding a hot topic to discuss. But she realized the entire conversation revolved around ways to connect with Aria. June froze. She had to private message her friends and ask about it. "What's going on here? Aria Carver is much younger than us—should we really be giving her so much attention? When Clare came back from Aralia, I didn't see everyone acting like this." Her friend caught the bitterness in her words and stopped her. "Heavens, keep these thoughts between us. Don't ever mention this in the group!" June's face reddened. "I just don't understand what's happening." "Mrs. Shobert, we've known each other long enough, so I know what you mean. As your friend of many years, let me warn you. Ms. Carver is both capable and kind. She understands the struggles of us housewives. "You better not think Clare's been overshadowed, and don't undere
"There's no need for us to meet anymore. I've made my decision. Yes, we won't have any collaborations with your team." After hanging up, the weight that had burdened Maxwell's shoulders for days suddenly lifted. His heart remained heavy. No one could stay unmoved by a family member's death. Yet Ashton's true nature, revealed at the end, left them all cold. Though other elite families remained unaware of the Furlers' situation, everything appeared calm on the surface. The ladies were particularly warm when seeing Aria out. The Janovin socialites who had waited to mock her now found themselves speechless. While they were still gossiping at their parties, their so-called "country bumpkin" had reached heights they could never attain. She did not need to socialize with them. With one move, she had brought the Lawrence family to their knees. Moreover, the high-society wives they desperately tried to please now treated Aria with so much warmth. They were practically worshipping her!
Aria's voice remained neutral. "We're not exactly friends. The Kents took me in once, and she tried to hurt me a few times back then. Let's just say we're well-acquainted." Maxwell's smile vanished, swallowing whatever he had planned to say next. "Don't worry." Aria's smile held hidden meaning. "I'm just curious how someone with mediocre medical skills suddenly became known as a genius doctor." Maxwell understood now. "But she is skilled. She cured my wife's illness." "Did she?" Aria probed further into the topic. From Maxwell's account, she pieced together the situation. Lily could indeed perform acupuncture, though with inconsistent results. Aria had not visited the mansion recently. Still, she doubted Lily's techniques came from Georgina. Moreover, according to Maxwell, Lily had once said, "The Wagners and Furlers will both prosper. Rest assured, Mr. Furler Senior will be fine." Her words revealed two things. Mentioning the Furlers made sense, but why bring up the Wagner
With that thought in mind, Landon's gaze drifted over. His mesmerizing eyes turned cold and distant. Ah yes, the boy did look rather pitiful with that fair skin and those innocent doe eyes. He remembered how Aria used to prefer men who looked just like that, unlike himself. She had commented on how Landon looked so delicate, easy to bully, and carried an air of fragility. Fragile? Hah. Landon's eyes darkened, his emotions masked behind his perfect façade. Lost in his grief, Ignatius had not even noticed how his constant hovering around Aria might be misinterpreted. After such events, it seemed inappropriate to continue their visit. Maxwell had already begun preparing the funeral arrangements. Ashton's service would need to be handled with proper dignity. But Landon stopped him. "Don't announce it today." "Why?" Maxwell looked confused. Though irritated by how Aria always softened at the sight of pitiful young men, there were important things Landon had to say. "It wouldn't
The true mark of maturity came with a bitter realization. Not all parents would love their children unconditionally. Some cherished only the status their children brought them. Others craved control, while some favored certain children over others based on outdated beliefs. Many struggled to understand why, but life rarely offered simple answers. Even the most devoted love for one's children could sometimes become stifling in its intensity. However, Ashton's relentless pursuit of immortality had eclipsed all else. Aria told everyone not to touch Ashton's body, and she wrote a talisman on the spot. "The body should be cremated this afternoon. And Ignatius, this room should remain vacant for now." Ignatius lifted his head at her words, his face marked by suffering. "Keep wearing this Charm Token." Aria eyed his shoulder. "Take medicinal baths more frequently. I'll write down instructions for you. The fastest way to remove the mark is through beneficence—good deeds often overcom