Fiona opened her mouth, hesitating. "I…"Aria patted her shoulder. "You have the freedom to choose your own path. Look. You brought such a gifted daughter into the world and surrounded her with brothers who adore her. Without you, none of us wouldn't even be here."Fiona laughed softly, dismissing her words. "That's nonsense."Aria leaned in closer. "I'm serious. I was lucky to be born into this family. My stars might not be the brightest, and I can't read my own fate, but I realized something recently. If you weren't my mother, I would've already cut ties with the Carver family."Aria met her gaze. "You've been lost in a fog long enough. If you're willing to act, then do it. I'll take care of those who oppose you."Fiona's eyes glistened with emotion. "I know my daughter is the best in the world.""Mom, did you meet Mr. Sloane on your own accord?" This was the only thing Aria cared to ask.Fiona nodded. "I did."Aria chuckled. "That's all that matters. I believe in your judgme
Society's expectations toward women were inherently unfair because they demanded them to be everything all at once. Women were expected to be perfect mothers and corporate elites. Upon marriage and motherhood, the world often expected them to abandon their careers and stay home.Even if they didn't regret their choices, others would regret it for them. People would claim the woman was only fooling herself and that regret would come sooner or later.And it was true. Eventually, most would regret their decisions.But they made those sacrifices out of love. Even knowing the possible regrets, many mothers chose to become full-time housewives.Were they certain that they'd find happiness for the rest of their lives. Of course not. But they did it willingly anyway.There would always be some who, years later, might say, "I didn't divorce because of you."People said many things. For some reason, the success of a woman's marriage became a measure of her worth, an ironic yet undeniable
If one were to describe it simply, Alaric was a playboy on the surface. But in reality, he might still be holding onto his first kiss, a gift reserved for Fiona.Aria pondered this as she looked over her phone conversation once again. The more she examined it, the clearer it became. Despite the attention from his girlfriends, they never grew too close. Though surrounded by women, he often drank and smoked alone.The photos might have been old, but they sparked an epiphany in her. Alaric had once nearly entrusted his entire family to Fiona, still worrying that she'd see him as less than pure.Aria thought it was all rather intriguing, rubbing her chin in contemplation.Meanwhile, Fiona couldn't quite understand Aria's sly smile, attributing it to a generational gap.Aria grinned. "Mom, don't mention our conversation just yet. Let me meet Mr. Sloane at tomorrow's meeting.""Of course," Fiona replied, always ready to indulge her daughter's wishes.A thought struck Aria. "By the w
Aria shared the story with Landon about a person who, in their youth, had many friends but only truly cared for one.Landon's response was nonchalant. "I spend a lot of time online too. When someone says they're asking for a friend, it's usually for themselves. What does this have to do with the Sloane family?"Aria realized that Landon was skilled in many areas, except for his lack of imagination. "Just pretend the person with unrequited love is you."Landon's thoughts shifted suddenly. He remembered a time on a mountain when she always seemed to prefer men who were lean and fair, unlike himself.With a snap, the quill in his hand broke. The two men standing beside him stiffened at the sound.Landon sneered, and Aria was puzzled by the sudden cold laugh. "I should've figured you've never experienced unrequited love," he muttered.Realizing Landon struggled to empathize with Alaric's situation, Aria decided to provide some clarity.Landon adjusted the ring on his thumb and glanc
Landon glanced at her face, his brow furrowing slightly. He couldn't tell what she was dreaming about. Reaching out, he gently guided Aria's lips to his neck. Without thinking, she instinctively drew nourishment from his body. The soft bite of her teeth, delicate as it was, gave the impression that she was hunting for sustenance.He let her tug at his collar, feeling the slow drain of blood from his body. With one hand on her waist, it appeared as though he was composed, unaffected by temptation. But deep down, his Adam's apple bobbed, and his breathing grew heavier.Aria, meanwhile, seemed completely indifferent to the situation. If it had been anyone else, she might have woken up, but Landon's presence held her in place.Her eyes narrowed slightly. She was caught between the haze of dream and reality, struggling to understand what was happening.Her eyes moved to her disheveled robe, then to the familiar face beside her—one that, despite his unwillingness, she recognized as her
The frosted shadows stretched across the bed, their movement rippling across the vast lake. Yet, aside from Landon, only Aria remained in the room. A faint ringing echoed from Aria's ankle, the soft chime of the bell attached to a gold chain that bound her. Every movement she made caused the bell to tremble.Despite her frantic efforts to escape, the chains held tight, offering no freedom. Her breath came in shallow gasps, dragging her deeper into helplessness.The man's voice, low and seductive, whispered in her ear. "Relax a little, master." His tone was smooth, but his grip on her waist remained firm, unyielding.His warm breath traced a path up her spine, sending a shiver through her. Aria's brow furrowed almost instinctively in response.Their reflections danced on the lake's surface, distorted by the ripples. Aria's eyes, tinged with a faint red haze, gazed back. Her fair skin contrasted sharply with the disarray of her clothing—a robe slipping loosely at her waist, giving
Orion originally intended to use Clyde's health to pressure Waymond and secure his influence in the Chamber of Commerce. However, Waymond unexpectedly claimed that Orion's connections were unnecessary.This meant the Grisham family could not be swayed and would reject his terms, completely derailing his plans.Logically, no doctor in Ludwiten should be able to treat Clyde—Orion had already confirmed this with Lennox. Lennox had assured him that he was the foremost expert in the field, with no one in Farshyan's medical community able to compete with him, thus making him the authority in the matter.So Orion wondered who had replaced the doctor assigned to the Grisham residence and convinced them to change their minds. He racked his brain but couldn't come up with a solution. There were always those in Ludwiten who thought they could challenge him, like the Hawke family, who had previously opposed him but were now begging for mercy. Beyond that, no one dared cross him. Only the Ca
Back then, Orion had no means of contacting the Royal Hotel. Yet, his achievements in Ludwiten over the years had earned him a rightful place in the Chamber of Commerce. With its storied past, the Royal Hotel was the most enigmatic establishment in Ludwiten. Not even the powerful York family or the Chamber of Commerce could influence its operations. The force behind the Royal Hotel was undeniably formidable.It was whispered that only Barron could enter the hotel's inner circle. However, he kept all matters to himself, never revealing a word to the outside world.This secrecy weighed heavily on Orion. Despite his prominence in Ludwiten, many in the Chamber of Commerce looked down upon him.He had overheard people say it would be better if Barron were around. It struck him as odd that a man who had been dead for years could still hold such influence.Orion would never forget the Carver family's near fall from grace, nor how they had manipulated Owen upon his arrival in Ludwiten. H
A young woman in a gown fanned herself, momentarily stunned by her boss' reaction. She raised an eyebrow. "Boss, what happened? Did you get killed again? Or did someone steal your treasure?"She had worked with him for years, yet this was the first time she had ever seen him so unsettled. He was always indifferent—unbothered by the Chamber of Commerce holding a meeting in their hotel. To him, the game he was playing was far more exciting than watching political maneuvering. No one would expect the owner of the Royal Hotel to have such a childish hobby, but she had long figured that he was simply too lazy to engage with people. Any prestigious family in Ludwiten would seize the chance to establish a connection with him, yet none dared to approach. His presence alone was enough to intimidate. He exuded an effortless allure, dressed in an immaculate suit with a sleek watch on his wrist. His dark hair framed a gaze that seemed to pull people in. And yet, she couldn't shake the
The deeper one ventured into the Royal Hotel, the more they realized its vastness.The hotel had three floors, its decor untouched by time, preserving the elegance of the war period. Rather than modern designs, it retained a vintage charm—even the waitresses dressed in traditional gowns, adding to its old-world allure. Beyond the grand banquet hall lay the renowned Moonlight Tower—the very heart of the establishment. At its center stood a 16-foot-high stage, where only the finest operas were performed. Even the waiters pouring wine might double as performers. This was what set the Royal Hotel apart. Items auctioned onstage were introduced by experts, and transactions at the bidding tables often exceeded billions. Once upon a time, the Royal Hotel was the secret ground where foreign dignitaries and royal attendants conducted discreet dealings. Strict formal attire was required for all who stepped inside. To the common folk, the Royal Hotel remained an enigma. They only knew
Lily wasn't naïve. She had climbed to her current status through sheer agility and sharp instincts. At Orion's words, she immediately pressed a hand to her temple, her expression shifting. "I've revealed far too many secrets today. My head won't stop aching… Perhaps it's due to my condition." Her explanation was enough to settle those around her. "Oh, Ms. Kent is having a headache.""You should rest, Ms. Kent. Predicting the future must be exhausting.""You've been working tirelessly, especially in the stock market lately."Their respectful words soothed her irritation. Why had she let a mere waitress get under her skin? It wasn't worth her time. Lily refocused on the reason she was here. She turned to Orion and spoke smoothly. "I only befriended all of you because I'm fated to meet Mr. Draycott. He's someone I deeply respect. Under his leadership, I'm certain the Chamber of Commerce will thrive." Orion clasped his hands together humbly. "Ms. Kent, you flatter me. I'm si
Orion had nearly destroyed Aria's reputation. After all, no elder should be kept waiting for their juniors.With the Grisham family also present, the situation became even more delicate. If word spread, their family's prestige would take a hit. Orion's goal was clear—he wanted to stir conflict between the Carver and Grisham families. With this growing misunderstanding, he was certain the Grishams wouldn't tolerate the Carvers' tardiness. But what happened next was beyond his expectations. Clyde, walking with his cane, halted upon hearing Orion's words. He spoke calmly, his tone indifferent. "According to the invitation, the Chamber of Commerce meeting starts in half an hour. Alex, you're being too hasty. Orion, you too. The Draycott family plays a key role in this gathering. Act with more maturity."Clyde's carefully chosen words completely dismantled Orion's previous manipulations. The atmosphere shifted. Everyone reconsidered—Clyde was right. There was still half an hour l
Clyde seemed to have noticed their gazes and walked toward them. Orion quickly masked his thoughts and forced a smile. "Waymond, why didn't you inform us that your father is feeling better? I could have prepared a more comfortable chair for him."Clyde glanced at him, clearly drawing boundaries as his elder. "There's no need to worry. You've been concerned about my health for a long time, Orion. However, you don't need to be anymore. Just proceed with the Chamber of Commerce as usual."Orion's gaze darkened. It seemed Clyde was still used to issuing orders as if the Draycott family remained under his thumb.Turning away, Orion shot a meaningful glance at the person beside him.Rex immediately understood. He said loudly, "Mr. Grisham Senior, we can't start just yet. There are still invitees who haven't arrived."Clyde turned to look at him, and Rex smiled. "You might not be aware, Mr. Grisham Senior, but the Carver family of Janovin has returned. Since the late Mr. Carver was one
Aria didn't wake up until around 11:00 am. She felt a lingering grogginess as she glanced to the side. The line between dream and reality blurred, leaving her uncertain of what she had experienced. It had been her first sensual dream, and to her surprise, the person involved was none other than her striking fiancé. The emotions she felt were hard to place, but the dream had been startlingly vivid.Fortune tellers could never see their past life or predict their current life. Aria had never thought about what her past life was about. Even if Tobias had told her a bit about it, she never really wondered about it. Aria figured that reincarnations existed for their own reasons. Besides, she didn't like to dwell on the past and preferred to look ahead. Therefore, she had never been interested in her past life.However, after receiving the Soul-Summoning Plaque, strange memories surfaced, leaving her eager to meet Tobias. But now, she wondered why he hadn't sought her out. Before she
Back then, Orion had no means of contacting the Royal Hotel. Yet, his achievements in Ludwiten over the years had earned him a rightful place in the Chamber of Commerce. With its storied past, the Royal Hotel was the most enigmatic establishment in Ludwiten. Not even the powerful York family or the Chamber of Commerce could influence its operations. The force behind the Royal Hotel was undeniably formidable.It was whispered that only Barron could enter the hotel's inner circle. However, he kept all matters to himself, never revealing a word to the outside world.This secrecy weighed heavily on Orion. Despite his prominence in Ludwiten, many in the Chamber of Commerce looked down upon him.He had overheard people say it would be better if Barron were around. It struck him as odd that a man who had been dead for years could still hold such influence.Orion would never forget the Carver family's near fall from grace, nor how they had manipulated Owen upon his arrival in Ludwiten. H
Orion originally intended to use Clyde's health to pressure Waymond and secure his influence in the Chamber of Commerce. However, Waymond unexpectedly claimed that Orion's connections were unnecessary.This meant the Grisham family could not be swayed and would reject his terms, completely derailing his plans.Logically, no doctor in Ludwiten should be able to treat Clyde—Orion had already confirmed this with Lennox. Lennox had assured him that he was the foremost expert in the field, with no one in Farshyan's medical community able to compete with him, thus making him the authority in the matter.So Orion wondered who had replaced the doctor assigned to the Grisham residence and convinced them to change their minds. He racked his brain but couldn't come up with a solution. There were always those in Ludwiten who thought they could challenge him, like the Hawke family, who had previously opposed him but were now begging for mercy. Beyond that, no one dared cross him. Only the Ca
The frosted shadows stretched across the bed, their movement rippling across the vast lake. Yet, aside from Landon, only Aria remained in the room. A faint ringing echoed from Aria's ankle, the soft chime of the bell attached to a gold chain that bound her. Every movement she made caused the bell to tremble.Despite her frantic efforts to escape, the chains held tight, offering no freedom. Her breath came in shallow gasps, dragging her deeper into helplessness.The man's voice, low and seductive, whispered in her ear. "Relax a little, master." His tone was smooth, but his grip on her waist remained firm, unyielding.His warm breath traced a path up her spine, sending a shiver through her. Aria's brow furrowed almost instinctively in response.Their reflections danced on the lake's surface, distorted by the ripples. Aria's eyes, tinged with a faint red haze, gazed back. Her fair skin contrasted sharply with the disarray of her clothing—a robe slipping loosely at her waist, giving