Orion slammed his phone onto the table, his fury so intense that it was giving him a headache. "Didn't you say that everything was going smoothly? How did the couple end up getting arrested?"The meeting earlier had already put him on edge. Investors who had previously committed to increasing their funding suddenly claimed they needed more time to decide.Orion couldn't understand it. What other family could possibly compete with the Draycotts? Their discussions had been progressing wellâwhy the sudden hesitation?The reason for his anger was obvious, but what puzzled him more was one investor's cryptic question. "Did you offend someone recently?"Offend someone? If anything, people should be afraid of offending the Draycott family, not the other way around.Of course, there was still the Carver family to consider. Orion had already looked into them.Fergus Carver, the eldest son, was a rising star in Parker Street's investment scene. He was renowned for his unbroken streak of su
In the meantime, Aria had arranged for someone to interrogate the couple. Her identity made it unsuitable for her to appear in the interrogation room. It didn't take long for the Hanson couple to confess. They revealed they had received a call that morning from someone claiming to represent their insurance company. The caller mentioned a policy worth one million dollars and urged them not to miss the claim period.While the policy and the insurance company were legitimate, the person orchestrating the claim was not.The Draycott family's meticulous operations made it challenging for the police to uncover significant leads in a single day.Following Sam's instructions, the technical department restored the call data. Its content was shocking. However, apart from Sky's voice, all the other people used voice changers. Therefore, they had to use soundwave analysis to identify them.The first breakthrough came from a person captured in a videoâCraig Jameson, a prominent member of th
The investigator hesitated. "You want to meet them? They're not easy to meet, though. Shouldn't we apply for an official request first?"After all, these were not ordinary people.Aria held her phone casually, her fingers flying over the screen as if she were texting. "No need. I just happen to have a meeting with them."The investigator was stunned. What kind of meeting would grant her access to people like that?Y and the rest of the team seemed unfazed, used to Aria's uncanny connections. Taking the opportunity, Y adjusted her glasses and asked, "Boss, can you get hair samples from the suspects? That will save me the trouble of tracking them down."Aria slipped her phone into her pocket. "Sure. I'll leave things here in your capable hands. You all know the drill."Y's eyes gleamed with excitement. "Got it. Lock up anyone who tries to bail the suspect."The investigator watched in stunned silence as the Special Missions Unit went about their business. Their methods were brazen
"Mr. Grisham, what are you saying? Fiona and I are practically sisters. I've been visiting the Grisham residence since I was a child, and I've long thought of you as family."Priscilla's voice carried a practiced warmth. "I used to worry people might think I was trying to curry favor. But now that my family has risen in status, I don't have to worry about that anymore."Her words were as smooth as ever, perfectly calculated to tug at heartstrings.Clyde, like many ageing men, had grown to value familial bonds more than ever. Once, his grand home had been filled with the presence of his wife and children. But after the tragedy, it had grown much quieter. Priscilla's remarks stirred a sense of comfort he didn't realize he craved.Just then, Waymond returned home. He looked as though he had something to say but stopped short upon seeing Priscilla.In contrast, Priscilla seemed happy to see him. "Waymond, you're back!"Waymond gave her a brief glance and a faint smile. "Yes.""Way
"Priscilla, thank you. However, I'm already so old. Whether I have much time or not, we should let nature take its course." Clyde smiled kindly, masking his real thoughts. However, his demeanor caused Priscilla to think he was difficult to deal with.Over the years, Priscilla had treated Clyde like her own father, but he always seemed to keep her at arm's length. Though he appeared warm on the surface, he never truly listened to her.Priscilla resisted the urge to roll her eyes. Lowering her gaze, a calculating glint flickered in her eyes. When she looked up again, her face was a picture of sorrow."Mr. Grisham, your health is already so poor. If Fiona comes back, she'll blame me for not taking good care of you. After all, Mrs. GrishamâĶ" She trailed off, her hesitation perfectly timed.Waymond's expression shifted when she touched the sore spot he had avoided for years. He had been avoiding thoughts of his beloved sister for years. After all, Fiona's actions had changed the lives
Priscilla was only adding fuel to the fire. How could a daughter neglect to visit her father? She had purposefully hidden the fact that Fiona had sought her out. Worse, she ensured no one else would reveal it by spreading the word to keep the truth buried.The Draycott family wouldn't openly discuss the matter either. Their response was measured and cautious."This is a private affair of the Grisham family. Itâs best we don't involve ourselves or risk blame falling on us. Family disputes are difficult to judge as outsiders. Besides, if our comments upset the Grishams, it could harm our relationship."With the Draycotts steering clear, no one else dared intervene. It wasn't worth jeopardizing their ties with the Grishams or the Chamber of Commerce. And truthfully, none of the families wanted Fiona to reconcile with her estranged family, given the current power dynamics.In reality, Fiona had visited the Grisham residence once, but internal family tensions had kept it under wraps. Wa
Clyde nodded in acknowledgment, though his eyes betrayed deeper thoughts as he looked down. Priscilla stayed in the Grisham residence for coffee and some pastries before leaving. She arrived with several bags and left with just as many, a routine she was accustomed to and handled with confidence.The Grisham family was at the mercy of the Draycott family when it came to finding a doctor, and Priscilla had an inkling that the Grisham residence might one day be hers.Before getting into the car, Priscilla glanced back at the rose-covered walls. Her face, entirely altered by plastic surgery, was filled with longing, though no one noticed. âĶOn the second floor of the Grisham residence, in the vintage study, Clyde had been sitting by the window since Priscilla's departure.He needed his medication. Without it, he wouldn't be able to eat, given his current condition.Waymond could tell Clyde was lost in thought, perhaps reminiscing. His wife had mentioned that Fiona seemed differ
After his thoughts were laid bare, Waymond didn't try to hide them. He looked up and spoke firmly. "Dad, I can't bear to see you coughing up blood. And even if we don't agree, Orion will still get what he wants. The Draycott family is too powerful now.""Are you going to let him have his way?" Clyde's voice was sharp, his chest heaving as he coughed violently. "I've told you time and time again what the Chamber of Commerce was meant to be."It was founded to provide for our people during times of national crisis, to help those in need!" He leaned heavily on his cane, struggling for breath.Waymond couldn't help but respond, "Times have changed, Dad. Look around. People's lives have improved. They don't need our help anymore. Businessmen have always sought profit and looked out for themselves."If I go along with the Draycott family's suggestion, I know the Chamber will fall into the hands of outsiders."But they've made their choice. They think we're blocking their path to profits
With a loud bang, the woman's warning was abruptly cut off.The HR employee, Natalie Ferguson, entered the lounge with a well-groomed man in a white coat and gold-rimmed glasses."Ms. Ferguson," Dave Lloyd said, "this employee's mental health condition makes her unfit to continue working. You may want to consider terminating her employment. I'm concerned she could harm someone."Natalie hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Alright, Dr. Lloyd. I'll take your professional advice. But go easy on her. She's still one of our own. I don't want our company's reputation to suffer.""Yes, of course," he replied.On cue, two bodyguards rushed in and forcibly escorted the distressed woman out of the lounge.Natalie turned to the group of students with an apologetic smile. "I'm terribly sorry about that. We didn't expect her to come running in like that. She used to work in HR. Ever since something happened in her family, she hasn't been the same."She often says strange things to student
No young woman would be able to resist such a lovely lounge. Soft cushions adorned every chair, and the entire space had the feel of a place where princesses might gather for afternoon tea.The dÃĐcor was predominantly pink, and fresh flowers were placed throughout the room, making the food on the table look even more tempting.Anyone with corporate experience would know that most companies didn't offer such a beautiful lounge. At most, it would be plain and practicalâunless it was an entertainment company or something similar.But the students had no such experience. And now, the dream they'd long imagined was unfolding before their eyes. Of course they were enchanted.One student jogged around with an excited look on her face before turning to the others. "This place is just like what I see on TV! When I grow up, I want to work for a company like this.""Me too!" another chimed in.The girls were visibly thrilled, though a bit anxious as well."Can we really eat the food here?"
Bellebrook provided the perfect cover for the company. Even if the Special Missions Unit made a move, the company would be alerted the moment they reached the outskirts.By the time they arrived, there would be no trace of evidenceânothing suspicious, nothing out of place.Everything about the company appeared legitimate. Besides the students there to complete their applications, it operated like a proper agency offering overseas servicesâhandling travel visas, work permits, and even providing guidance on choosing study-abroad institutions.They even had access to boarding arrangements at some prestigious schools. It was clear someone with real influence backed the company.Aria worked quickly, gathering as much information as she could before her phone was taken. As expected, the HR employee appeared the moment she headed left after finishing her first-round interview."Eden," the HR employee said, "you'll be interviewed in two different languages later. Due to our confidentiality
The HR employee glanced over at Aria and spoke with a hint of cockiness. "Eden, I called your name twice. You should pay more attention next time. You can't act like this during the interview. Otherwise, you might not even complete the application."The cockier she sounded, the more convinced the students became that the scholarship program was legitimate. Their wariness gradually faded.Noticing the students' reactions, Aria walked over to the HR employee.The woman said nothing more. She looked Aria up and down, glanced at the red mark on the paper, then turned and led Aria to the innermost roomâher heels clicking sharply on the floor.Aria knew she was their real target. Others had arrived before her, but they were ignored until she showed up.Inside, the interviewer was a middle-aged man. He gestured for Aria to sit. Without much expression, he asked, "Eden, will you be able to adjust to foreign cuisines? What are your expectations for your future school? What are your plans af
After entering the building, Aria discovered there were at least ten other students around her age. Some had been picked up from rural areas. All of them believed they were there for a language test in Angladian, and many were busy practicing their speaking skills.The leader gestured for his subordinates to push Aria forward. "Off you go. Try your best to nail it on the first shot."Aria walked inside without resistance. She noted that surveillance cameras had been installed in every corner, even at every hallway turn. It was clear all the students were under strict observation.She had to admitâthe company was much more professional-looking than expected. If she hadn't disguised herself as Eden or known in advance that the company was suspicious, she might have believed this was a legitimate organization."Alright. Next student, come with me," called one of the HR staff.Everyone seemed busy. Employees sat at desks buried under piles of documents, each preoccupied with their ow
Those who dedicated their lives to protecting others didn't care about how people viewed them, because a greater purpose drove them.Just as Brent had said, no one would help people like them without expecting compensation. And if anyone did, it could only be the Farshyan soldiers.At that moment, the train to Janovin began to move.âĶMeanwhile, Aria, disguised as Eden, sat quietly in the car with her eyes closed, appearing to be asleep. She didn't react when the man sitting next to her gently tapped her arm. He leaned closer and whispered, "Sir, doesn't she seem different from usual? Do you think she's car sick or something?"The driver frowned, holding up an ID photo and glancing back at her."Maybe she's just used to us now. Probably has everything figured out by this point. Anyway, our job's just to drop her off. What happens after that isn't our concern. Once they pick her up, we'll get our money."Unbeknownst to them, Aria was wide awake, listening to every word and memor
Ordinary people understood the harshness of reality. Brent, having lived in poverty for most of his life, had been looked down on more times than he could count.Poor people like them could die unnoticed at home, and no one would care, let alone offer help without expecting something in return.If something really happened to Eden, Brent doubted he and his wife could do anything to save her. Judy was a prime example. Her father, Alec Lanez, had even given up selling bread just to look for her.Every time Alec went to the school, he was met with the same cold response."It has nothing to do with us. Your daughter ran away and refuses to acknowledge you. So why are you coming here? Peasants like you should know your place. Without us, people like you could only dream of going overseas. How filthy!"Brent had heard the school's representative say those exact words when he accompanied Alec. Both of them could only stand there, humiliated and speechless.Alec's back was sore from how m
Eden immediately opened the windows after hearing that. "Did Ms. Carver send you here? Is she in any danger? I'm really worried about her. Should I call the police? I'd feel horrible if anything happened to her."Weston remained calm and indifferent. "Calling the police will only make them suspicious. My boss is amazing, and there's nothing she can't handle. She has a plan. Right now, my priority is to bring all of you to Heartbound Hall in Janovin so your grandfather can receive treatment."The respect in Weston's voice when he spoke of Aria was unmistakable."Pack up your things and come with me," Weston ordered.Their team had already checked the surroundings and ensured nothing would go wrong. Anyone watching would think Eden's grandparents were simply collecting bottles and preparing lunch as usual, not leaving the house until the afternoon.Without wasting time, Weston picked up the elderly couple's luggage. His most important task now was to get Eden and her grandparents to
"We followed the address, so this must be the place. Sir, isn't that the girl?" It was the same group of people as before. After failing their last mission because of Aria, they were being extra cautious this time."We can't afford any more mistakes. Treat her kindly so that she won't suspect anything.""Yes, sir."When they saw a young woman in a school uniform appear right on time, they were convinced she was the right person. After all, Aria looked exactly like Eden.They rolled down the car window and waved. "Ms. Bohmer, over here."Aria looked up and recognized several familiar faces. She grabbed her bag and walked toward the car."Ms. Bohmer, we meet again," The driver greeted Aria warmly. "Let's go."The team had prepared for a difficult encounter. They'd even been authorized to use force if necessary, as long as they avoided surveillance cameras. But to their surprise, Aria simply opened the car door and got in without resistance.Aria glanced at their puzzled expression