Rainie hadn't had the courage to get out of the car at first, as this place was the beginning of her nightmare. Even if she escaped this place, she would forever be different compared to her peers of the same age. Why had she been so dumb? Why had she believed the old man's words? Her blind trust had led to her abduction and imprisonment in the mountains. She'd been raped and had given birth to a child while all her classmates had bright futures. Two years of constant fear and diminished self-worth had carved a deep scar on her soul. Yet when Aria looked at her with that radiant smile of hers, Rainie felt a flicker of hope reignited in her heart. "You're right!" she agreed. "A woman's innocence isn't the only measure of her worth!""Then let's go," Aria chuckled. She turned her gaze to the lavish mansion. "They're probably waiting eagerly for me, their future daughter-in-law."…Gregory couldn't bear to imagine what would unfold. Aria's every word would shake the very foundati
Aria agreed coolly, "Sure."She then pushed Ollie to the side and let go of the rope she held. "You should be able to take fair action now, Mr. Barter."Dick immediately helped Ollie up. When he noticed that Ollie's legs were broken, his expression darkened. What wedding? He would just hold a funeral for Aria instead! "Tell me, miss, what did my son do to you?" Dick said with a sinister veneer of kindness on his face, "You should have considered yourself fortunate that he's set his sights on you. However, you weren't thankful at all! How dare you lay a hand on him!"Aria raised a brow. "He wanted to rape me, and you're telling me to be grateful? How is this lawful in any manner?""Here, in Perry Town, the Barter family is the law!" Dick bore down on Aria. "They kidnapped you because you look naїve and stupid—an easy target!"Aria fiddled with her amethyst pendant. "That was what you said when Rainie escaped from the village and asked for help from the town government, wasn't i
Dick failed to register why Gregory had come to Perry Town at first. This was a trivial matter to him, something Gregory needn't concern himself over. Had Gregory come because of the videos online? As Dick speculated, he made his way toward Gregory with a smile. "Mr. Webb, I—""Tell your men to leave! Now!" Gregory hissed as soon as he exited the car.Dick assumed that Gregory was putting on an act for Frank, who was sitting in the car, and so he replied nonchalantly, "Mr. Webb, I can deal with any videos that might damage our county's reputation. Why don't you join me for some drinks? Everything will be water under the bridge after a good night's sleep."Gregory was furious. Dick had just exposed him on a nationwide livestream!Ignoring Dick, Gregory immediately approached Aria. "Don't worry, young lady. You'll be safe in Uludon with me here."Aria's gaze darted between Gregory and Dick twice before a smirk played on her lips. "Really? Considering how friendly you seem to be wi
"Are you worried, Dad? Why are you worried about them?" Ollie had become increasingly dumb due to the drugs; no intellect was left in him, only unadulterated cruelty. "Kill them all! Who dares assert their dominance in Uludon? I don't care if they come from the Carver family or whatsoever. Anyone who dares ruin things for me must die!""What are you running your mouth about, Ollie?" Dick had no idea what was up with Ollie. He covered Ollie's mouth and turned to Jeffrey, whose expression was as cold as ice. He was filled with regret. "We didn't know that it was you, Mr. Carver."He crawled over to Jeffrey and grabbed Frank's legs, begging, "You've come to our town a few times before, Mr. Levin. Ollie and I aren't bad people, truly, and we'd never harm Mr. Carver."The sight of him disgusted Frank to no end. He kicked Dick away. "You took young women—wives and daughters—away from their families, and you're aware of the villagers' human trafficking activities. And yet you claim that yo
Aria's voice was indifferent. "There's a path in your 4 o'clock direction. Lead Rainie and Frank that way. Someone will be there waiting for you."There was indeed a special forces team waiting there.Aria didn't write the note for nothing when she left Southbury.It was just that the Special Missions Unit simply preferred to operate in secrecy. Their actions were always veiled, and not even the HOU could interfere with their decisions.This was because all the cases they dealt with were so unique that the public could never be made aware of them, and Aria was the team's core."Why hasn't Boss signaled us yet? Does she not want us to show up?" A black-haired teenage boy adorned in a long robe stood on the hillside, two big bikes parked behind him.A sweet-looking teenage girl, who was wiping a black knife, glanced back. "You men are disgusting! What do you think you are? How could you ogle the boss like that!"The boy then raised his hand. "Don't lump us together. I'm quite a ha
Landon's black hair danced in the moonlight, accentuating his handsome features. Despite his chronic illness, his graceful landing betrayed no weakness save for his pale complexion. The way he landed on one knee, all while wearing leather gloves, was particularly impressive. The gold-rimmed glasses perched on his nose made him resemble a young medieval cardinal.As soon as Landon touched down, the other plainclothes officers emerged from the mist. They didn't arrive in ordinary cars but in modified Jeeps with red markings.The seven or eight vehicles' engines filled the air with a loud racket."Mr. Barter, what happened?" The townspeople were beginning to get anxious. They had never seen anything like this before.Not only them, but Gregory had never experienced anything like this. He had only seen a large-scale operation like this on TV for cross-border arrests.Dick also had an ominous feeling. Feeling uneasy, he wanted to use the townspeople again.The plainclothes officers
Dick felt himself going numb.Landon knew so much about him that there was nothing he could refute!Meanwhile, the townspeople didn't know who Landon was, nor did they dare to speculate. Witnessing the imposing military aircraft and Jeeps nearby, their hands trembled uncontrollably. Only someone wielding immense power could command such resources. And that someone, it turned out, was Aria's boyfriend.The Barter family even thought of having their way with her!All the townspeople were afraid.The entire Barter family also felt extremely regretful. This was especially true for Sue, who witnessed the whole scene.When she saw her brother being escorted away, her brain was buzzing. Initially, Sue thought Aria was a clueless, gullible student. A carefully orchestrated mix of money and threats, she believed, would eventually bend Aria to their will.Olivia had told her the same thing. Aria was unlike her daughter, Lily, who was now living as a wealthy family's daughter in Janovin.
When Aria heard that, she stopped fiddling with her amethyst pendant.Frank's jaw dropped as he grasped the connection between Aria and the kidnapping. Aria, rarely one to frown, furrowed her brow at his implication."I was switched at birth, not kidnapped."It was indeed what the couple had said. However, their words were obviously unreliable. Yet, Aria didn't elaborate. She felt completely indifferent toward Mindy.Frank mentioned the Carvers doted on Mindy because she resembled their daughter when she was younger. This struck Aria as a cliché plot device from a novel.The heartbreaking reality of a lost child was far more common in the past. Without the widespread internet, facial recognition, or DNA testing, finding them could be a nearly impossible task.Moreover, the human traffickers often held the upper hand, leaving many parents forever searching, even when they had grown old and wrinkly. Still, Aria couldn't reconcile with the Carvers' decision. If every missing chi
The aged voice was filled with indifference. "It seems like she reached a dead end."Amos sneered. "I don't understand why these peasants like staying in the city. Still, it's fortunate for us. Otherwise, it'd be hard to get our hands on them.""Amos," the person cut in sharply, as if reminding him of his place.Amos only dared to speak so harshly when no one was around. If word got out, his image as the perfect secretary would be ruined.He quickly calmed down and fell silent. The caller didn't press the matter, simply saying, "You need to change the way you speak and act from now on."Since she's already agreed, give her the money. Don't treat her requests as a nuisance. The more requests they make, the less likely they are to cause trouble later."After picking her up tomorrow, send a few men to check if her grandparents need any help. Make sure everything is done properly."Amos nodded. "I understand. You always see the bigger picture. We'll continue looking after them."Poo
"I promise it won't happen again!" To an outsider, it might've sounded like Amos was talking about the cafeteria mishap. But the truth was much darker. What Amos really meant was that incidents like this could continue, just never publicly. Once the media's attention died down, they could go back to doing whatever they pleased. But for now, the performance had to be flawless.The man on the other end of the call seemed satisfied. Though his voice was flat and monotonous, there was a noticeable shift; it was now less stern."She's been manipulating the stock market," he said. "It's caused major damage to several of Luwditen's corporations. We can't let her walk free."Amos removed his glasses, a grim look on his face. "That's exactly what I told the Securities Regulatory Department. It doesn't matter who comes to plead on her behalf. Even if she's the late Mr. Barron's heir, she has to face the law."She's confessed. No one's going to let her off the hook now. You know what jail'
At first, Eden didn't understand what Aria meant. But as night fell, Aria lowered her head and started fumbling with something. When she looked up again, Eden was stunned—Aria looked exactly like her.Eden's eyes widened in disbelief. She'd only seen something like this in movies. But now, it was unfolding right in front of her. So there really was such a flawless disguise technique in the world."Aria, you…""Since I'm using your identity, I have to be you," Aria said with a soft tug of her mask, smiling. She had always been bold, yet precise. Working in the Special Missions Unit meant secrecy was second nature to her—this part was routine."Stay home and rest tonight. I'll leave first thing in the morning. Once I'm gone and the coast is clear, take your grandparents and leave."Eden opened her mouth, unsure of how to respond. She didn't even know when the people watching them would leave."My team will come get you," Aria reassured her. "What's important is that your grandparent
Eden nodded. "Okay. I'll do as you say, Aria."She sent the text just like Aria instructed. Moments later, her teacher replied—everything had been arranged. A car would pick her up from home. There was no need to return to school.A cold shiver ran down Eden's spine. They knew where she lived. They'd been watching all along. Not just the school—they were everywhere.Eden didn't linger at school. Outside the entrance, the main topic of conversation was the officials' arrival for an investigation and the school's public exposure.Everyone knew the cafeteria was a mess. Students had complained countless times, but each time inspectors came, the food improved just long enough to pass the checks. Then it would all revert. It had become the norm—something they were forced to accept.Eden was no different. She just wanted to get home. She needed to see her grandparents. She feared something might happen to them next.Every step on the way home, she stayed alert, scanning her surroundings
Eden listened closely, her brow furrowing. Her teacher wasn't speaking Farshyan. School was no longer a safe place, and Eden didn't know who she could trust. Her classmates were too caught up in mocking Aria to notice anything was wrong, all assuming Eden was lucky to have been chosen.She considered calling the police, picking up her phone, but then paused. What could she even say? That there was a mole at school? Her face turned pale as she remembered how close the principal was to influential people. The authorities might not believe her, or worse, they might be involved.Despite the headlines claiming Aria had been arrested, Eden felt a spark of hope. Aria had promised she'd show up if Eden ever needed her. Taking a deep breath, Eden dialed the number Aria had given her.She didn't expect anyone to answer. But then came a cool, familiar voice. "Eden? What's wrong? Did someone give you trouble again?"Eden's heart soared. "You're not arrested! The news is fake, isn't it? I knew
Lucas gave Amos a sidelong glance. "In that case, let's do as Mr. Lune suggested—punish everyone involved."Announce to the public that Oakvale Academy will be used as a test case. We'll be conducting surprise inspections in all middle and high schools."As for why Mr. Kelsey encountered two completely different scenes during his visits—well, that's easy to explain." Lucas' gaze swept across the room. "Someone tipped off the school before your visit. If any other school received advance notice, every one of you will be under scrutiny."Though Lucas spoke with a smile, none of the seven present—including the three officials—could return it. The smile, in this context, was more chilling than rage. This was a warning. Amos, in particular, felt deeply unsettled. He had come intending to redirect Lucas' attention away from Oakvale Academy. Instead, the incident had blown up. With public attention turning toward the school, transferring Eden would soon become impossible.Still, Amo
Now that Miguel, who was an expert in covering up, was gone, the long-standing issues in the school were exposed.The group stood frozen as they watched a cafeteria worker pour something into a large pot. A closer look revealed it was leftover mushroom soup. But that wasn't the worst of it. The soup reeked, clearly spoiled, yet it was still being reheated for the students.Things only got worse when they entered the kitchen. Hygiene standards were appalling. Not a single chef wore a mask, and some were even smoking while cooking.Amos' expression darkened immediately, even before Lucas could react.One of the chefs noticed them and slammed his ladle onto the counter. "What are you doing in here? Outsiders aren't allowed in the school—don't you know that?"Unlike other schools, Oakvale Academy had somehow always slipped through the cracks during routine inspections. When required to present something, they staged it well enough to fool a camera.So, the staff never expected a surp
Aria understood that this was all the person could offer. The real mastermind would never reveal himself so easily—not even to his most trusted subordinates.Those in power never needed to explain themselves. Those who understood them would earn their favor; those who didn't were destined to remain at the bottom.Her thoughts raced. She needed hard evidence to capture whoever was behind Amos. Baseless accusations would only alert the enemy and push them deeper into hiding.Allowing herself to be arrested had been part of Aria's plan. She needed the mastermind to lower his guard. After all, she had been too visible in Ludwiten lately. With eyes constantly watching her, she couldn't make any real moves. But she couldn't let the incident at Oakvale Academy go unresolved. Her instincts told her it was the key to everything.Before Philip found his family, she had to act—and that meant changing her identity to save Even.Just then, the person's phone buzzed. He turned the screen towa
"Boss!" Weston rushed over the moment he finished dealing with the other officers. Aria arched an eyebrow, flexing her wrists. "He's the mole?""Yes." Weston nodded. The Securities Regulatory Bureau, dispatched by the Securities Regulatory Commission, was tasked with auditing listed companies—particularly sniffing out insider trading and market manipulation.While not everyone in the bureau could be corrupt, it was common for a few to be compromised.The officer who had been interrogating Aria was of a minor rank, but the one Weston had just exposed held real power.Aria looked over at the trembling man. His legs had given out, sending him to the floor. His phone lay discarded beside him as he shook uncontrollably.They had met before—at a Chamber of Commerce meeting. To him, Aria had just been a clever heiress with some market luck, thanks to Landon's influence. No one would have expected her to single-handedly bring down the Draycott family.No one would logically believe