"Of course." Joel also had a sharp eye.Kreil shuddered and spilled their entire plan in a panicked torrent. While he was clueless about the ordeal online, he confessed to arranging Carol, who claimed that her grandson had fallen into a coma after consuming medication prescribed by Aria. The mastermind, however, was Karen. She'd exploited Heartbound Hall's livestream to frame Aria publicly, ensuring many witnesses. Thus, even if Aria were innocent, her reputation would be tarnished. Kreil saw Aria as a powerless nobody. Fighting back would be seen as resisting arrest. Once detained, Kreil would deal with Aria based on her attitude. Otherwise, she could grovel before Karen until she was pleased. No matter her response, they were confident they'd strip her of her reputation. Yet, Kreil hadn't anticipated the secretary-general's involvement when they took Aria in.Without Joel and Lucas around, Kreil's plan would have succeeded. Upon hearing that, Frances grew furious. Having wo
Every like, every share on a post or video about StrawberryShortcake lined Ninemyth Entertainment's pockets. The more people discussed or berated her, the more money Ninemyth Entertainment made. StrawberryShortcake got involved in this mess without doing anything. Although she sued them for defamation, it was futile. It was impossible to track down the real person behind the fake IDs. Moreover, there were too many people insulting her. The law couldn't catch them all.In the end, StrawberryShortcake broke down and asked if they would only believe her if she died.At that, Ninemyth Entertainment seized this opportunity and intensified the rumors."She's just all talk. I bet she won't actually kill herself.""She can't take it, so she's putting up this act.""Go on and die, then."These comments, a relentless torrent, crashed down on her.Her parents were left bereft, mourning the loss of their daughter. Meanwhile, Ninemyth Entertainment reveled in their ill-gotten gains—unsca
For some reason, the front desk failed to recognize Karen. Karen couldn't believe she had to ask permission to enter her own company.However, Karen was still happy. She finally got her hands on such a popular livestream account. She could earn money without even doing anything. Thus, she didn't take such a trivial matter to heart."You were too nice to that brat before. How could you give Aria money after chasing her out? Using this tactic, she'll realize she's nothing without our family," Karen said excitedly, placing her coffee cup on the table. However, Marshall was only concerned about one thing. "What did Georgina say when you went to see her?"Karen replied nonchalantly, "What else could she say? Of course, she wants to bail Aria out! The livestream account will be ours in an hour."Marshall refilled her coffee and further probed. "Then?"Karen sneered. "It's entirely up to us whether to release her. Whether she leaves with a police record depends on her attitude. If Aria
When Marshall saw police officers and Labor Bureau officials at his office, he nearly dropped the phone. He wondered what could have happened to bring them there. Trying to remain calm, Marshall walked forward. "Officers, you…"However, the police officers ignored him and flashed Karen their badges. "Are you Karen Layne?""Yes.""There's a case that requires your cooperation for an investigation. Please come with us."Karen thought they were referring to Aria's case. After all, Kreil did say someone would come looking for her as part of the procedure.Thus, Karen was not worried at all. She replied calmly, "Chief Thompson asked you guys to come over, right? Come and sit down. I'll get you some coffee. Thank you for all of your hard work. If it wasn't for you—"The police officer interjected with a straight face. "Let's talk about the case at the station. You have the right to remain silent."Only then did Karen realize that something was off. "Are you guys from Waterfront Poli
Karen had seen everything through the glass partition. Her head was in a mess. She could barely walk a straight line, only wanting to take a clearer look.However, the two police officers who brought her inside refused to let her look around. Instead, they brought her into another interrogation room. With a click, they secured her to the interrogation chair.Karen's face had turned pale. However, she remained resolute. "I want to see Chief Thompson."She knew what awaited her in the room. Thus, she continued, "If he doesn't show up, I won't say a word."To her surprise, the officers complied with her request. They exchanged glances with the surveillance camera as if waiting to receive instructions."That's an easy request. She wants to meet Chief Thompson, right? Let's bring him to her."Karen felt a sudden wave of fear when the door closed. Still, she reassured herself that everything would be fine as long as Kreil appeared. In the worst-case scenario, there was Jacob. He couldn
The lawyer was responsible for the Kent Corporation's business litigations. He only came over at Marshall's request to check on Karen. However, upon learning about the case, he immediately gave up. Politely bidding the police officers goodbye, he called his law firm to advise severing ties with Kent Corporation."It's not just a business conflict. This incident has the potential to ruin the entire Kent Corporation. Mrs. Kent provoked someone she shouldn't have, but I can't go into the details…"Usually, the stance of a law firm could predict what would happen next. It was just that nobody had caught onto it.Marshall remained oblivious to the urgency, focusing solely on taking control of the livestream.Before the Labor Bureau could complete its investigation, he hid in the washroom to call Georgina. His call was laced with thinly veiled threats. If Georgina continued refusing to sign the contract, he would ensure Aria paid the price."Mom, look at what the netizens are saying.
Solo had never seen Landon looking so furious before. The moment Landon answered the phone, his eyes held a chilling indifference.As Landon strode toward the car, the atmosphere around him seemed deadly.His hushed conversation remained a mystery, his words inaudible but the intensity palpable. Even from a distance, those trailing him shivered under his oppressive bearing.They silently questioned the events that had triggered this rare display of raw emotion from the usually stoic Landon. Landon was on the phone for more than 10 minutes. Nobody dared to get near him. They could sense his oppressive bearing even through the glass.After ending the call with Moderator 007, Landon dialed Frances' number.Frances was still at the police station. The more he investigated, the more furious he felt. When he saw Landon's incoming call, anxiety and guilt gnawed at him.Maintaining a polite tone, Landon got straight to the point. "I apologize for disturbing you, but I've learned some t
Frances understood what Landon meant—only professionals could turn such a large-scale public opinion around. Thus, Frances reached an understanding with Landon.Meanwhile, Moderator 007 got the confidence he needed at the headquarters of Shark. Recognizing the urgency of the situation, he bypassed Harley and directly consulted his superiors. They didn't dare to disagree; after all, this was an order from Landon.As time passed, the tide of negative comments online continued to swell, and Marshall remained convinced Georgina would cave and reach out to him. Numerous influential accounts manipulated public opinion, fueled by information left behind by Ninemyth Entertainment. Although these accounts likely weren't privy to the truth, they sought attention amid the buzz surrounding the issue.Many netizens commented on the issue. "Just wait and see. Shark will soon make a statement and freeze Heartbound Hall's livestream account.""This issue is way too serious. They have to addres
Priscilla twirled her long hair and took a sip of her coffee. "I didn't have much confidence back then. I always followed you, never daring to try things on my own. It's only now, after trying for myself, that I've realized some things."She added, "Opening a medispa has always been my dream, and that's how it all started. Now, all the wealthy women in Ludwiten come to me for fillers and anti-aging treatments. If you're interested, you should come by. I can even fix your nose a little."Priscilla smiled. However, her smile was a little off, perhaps from a recent treatment. She pressed her fingers to her eyes. "I can't smile too much, or I'll get wrinkles. I envy your flawless, youthful face, Fiona. What's your secret?""Probably just staying indoors and avoiding the sun," Fiona replied, carefully omitting the fact that her soul had entered a manifestation.Priscilla's expression darkened, her voice tinged with frustration. "It's all Owen's fault! How could he be so cruel? You're no
Leon typed so quickly that Aria suspected it was a result of his experience arguing with his online haters. Aria couldn't get a word in as Leon flooded the entire group chat. She was speechless—his typing was even faster than a hacker like her. Celebrity Carver: "I'm worried about Aria. I should have gone on the train too!"Aria freed one hand to reply, "No need to worry. Fergus is with me."Celebrity Carver: "Fergus has never been in a relationship himself. What does he know?"Boss Carver: "Leon, aren't you getting too full of yourself lately?"Leon kept his head down, continuing to type. He was filled with worry for Aria.Unbeknownst to anyone, a mysterious person watched Leon with intense focus. The gaze was unsettling as if the person were ready to explode with hatred at any moment.The person only looked away when Leon entered the VIP lounge. Then, they went to the washroom, and standing before the mirror, revealed an eerie smile. There was no rush. After all, there wo
Their positions were reversed in an instant.Landon was pinned down, a few stray strands of hair falling over his face. His long, dark eyelashes gave him a somewhat coy expression. Aria, on the other hand, appeared dominant, with one hand pressing down on his wrist and the other on his shoulder. This was the scene the attendant walked in on. She cleared her throat slightly before speaking, "Sir, here are your fruits."The attendant's voice caught the attention of Fergus, who was seated in the last row. He put down his tablet and glanced over. What he saw was Aria playfully pressing down on Landon's wrist. Fergus couldn't help but rub his temples, unsure how to express his current feelings.When Leon mentioned that Aria was pursuing Landon, Fergus hadn't thought much of it. However, seeing for himself, he could only think of ways to keep Landon around for Aria.But Aria couldn't be too forward as they weren't married yet. At the thought of that, Fergus deliberately coughed.
It was the first time Aria had ever felt this way. The sensation made her dizzy, yet she couldn't get enough of it. Every inch of her mouth was filled with Landon's scent, and his fingers felt astonishingly hot. The sounds around them faded, leaving only the rumble of the train as it passed through the tunnel. There was an undeniable closeness between them. His soft kisses and teasing bites on her lips made her feel a little lightheaded. With her eyes covered, Aria instinctively sought something to steady herself. The rhythmic thump of his heartbeat echoed in her ears, its force making escape seem impossible. His kiss, commanding and intense, contrasted sharply with his calm demeanor. It seemed as though he was determined to pull her deeper into his embrace. Yet, despite the overwhelming sensation, Aria couldn't bring herself to resent it. Instead, she found herself surrendering to it. The sounds around them slowly returned as they emerged from the long tunnel, light creepi
Landon raised his hand and spoke calmly before ending the call. "Go and tell your boss that only Farshyans can manage the Chamber of Commerce."When Westin tried calling back, no one answered. For years, foreigners had enjoyed preferential treatment in Farshya. As Westin mentioned, some universities favored foreign students, offering them special care. Foreigners received priority access to events, complimentary ice cream, and exclusive show tickets at car exhibitions. Many Farshyans were thrilled just to exchange a few words with them.Westin's best friend even had a Farshyan girlfriend who was utterly devoted to him. She tolerated their insults with a smile as long as he promised to take her abroad and secure her permanent residency.This sense of entitlement made foreigners like Westin feel superior to the locals. Westin, in particular, had been flattered by Farshyan businessmen for so long that he'd never experienced such outright rejection.Other suppliers and port officia
Despite the shifting tides, some stubborn members of the Chamber of Commerce clung to their cunning ways, refusing to yield.Previously, Westin had assumed that his target, known for being money-obsessed, would agree without much resistance. But upon arriving, he found himself drinking far more than discussing business.Two days and a relentless hangover later, Westin realized he'd been played. That wily old man! Refocusing his attention on the task at hand, Westin addressed the screen with renewed determination. "Mr. York, it's not just Ludwiten's companies interested in partnering with us. Even the Wagner family from Janovin is eager to collaborate. "If there's something holding you back, let me know. But remember, opportunities don't wait. I urge you to reconsider—going solo carries significant risks."As Westin spoke, Landon listened calmly, his expression unchanging. He even shifted slightly to make Aria more comfortable in her seat. Nearby, an attendant whispered with a
Aria lay on her side, with Landon seated on her right. She wondered if the York family would grow uneasy about his prolonged absence from home. Landon was clearly in the middle of a meeting. His deep, pleasant voice carried a hypnotic quality, occasionally interspersed with authentic Nobeetan phrases. He spoke so softly that those further away would struggle to hear him, yet his tone was laced with an understated menace that no one could ignore.The person on the other end of the meeting dared not contradict him. Landon's calm demeanor masked a chilling authority. He wasn't the kind of superior who exploded with anger—those were predictable. The truly terrifying ones were those whose moods were inscrutable and whose actions were ruthlessly decisive."We won't pursue a joint venture then. The York Group will proceed independently." Landon chuckled before continuing politely, "Let me remind you, this is Farshya—not the early days when we were inexperienced and desperate for capital.
At first glance, Kael's youthful face and wide, innocent smile made him look like a naïve fresh graduate. Yet, Aria knew better—beneath that façade was someone exceptionally skilled at navigating the intricate social dynamics of aristocratic families. "Mr. Warsaw has truly entrusted me with his most valuable apprentice," Aria said with a soft chuckle.Kael, ever attentive, refused to let her carry any luggage. "Mr. Warsaw feels more at ease knowing I'm with you. I'll take good care of you when we reach Ludwiten. You've been too exhausted lately."Watching Kael's efficiency, Fergus realized the extent of Stephen's meticulous planning. Kael handled matters with a precision that even surpassed Fergus' own assistant."Ludwiten is complicated. Whatever you do, prioritize your safety," Warren had warned them before their departure. For Warren, nothing was more important than the safety of his grandchildren. The world of high-stakes investments was fraught with hidden dangers. One miss
Those weighed down by darkness find no rest at night.An old cottage in Ludwiten stood cloaked in shadows, its walls overrun with vines and its history etched into the crumbling façade. The oak tree outside swayed in the moonlight, its rustling leaves carrying an eerie whisper that seemed to pierce the silence."Sir, I don't understand why you're hesitating. If we could seize the Carver family's fortune, why not do the same to the Grishams?" The speaker was wearing a black cloak that obscured his face. "We've successfully fooled Mrs. Kincaid, and everything is in place. The saintess is growing impatient—so why are you still hesitating?"The old man responded with a scoff, his cough rasping through the veil of white fabric that shrouded him. "Your flawed information caused me to miscalculate the Carver family's fate. And now you dare to rush me?"The cloaked figure flinched, his fear evident. "You've misunderstood, sir. I meant no disrespect. It's just... opportunities like this are