Aria smiled as she watched Seth walk down the stage. Her mind buzzed with suspicion—someone high up must be behind the Uludon kidnappings. Birth certificates and DNA reports were very difficult to legitimize without the overseeing efforts of the relevant authorities.However, everything seemed perfectly normal under investigation, and this was why many people found it extremely difficult to search for their children and verify the relevant information.When the HOU tried to investigate who among the higher-ups would be behind this, they failed to uncover anything. So Seth was from the Layne family in Janovin, huh? Did he just basically serve his family to her on a silver platter?Aria's gaze darkened as she held her trophy in her hands. To Seth, she was nothing but an ordinary citizen with the audacity to disrespect him. The Layne family had been among the most powerful in Janovin for too long. They could dictate how an ordinary citizen's life would go with just a single order
With every word Aria uttered, Norman's face grew thunderous. Though she never directly mentioned his family, everyone understood the target of her scathing remarks.Norman felt suffocated under the weight of their collective scrutiny. He had underestimated Aria's eloquence. In just a few sentences, she had brought the Short family to a profound humiliation.Given her feelings for Christian, Norman had assumed Aria would be easily manipulated. According to Christian's account, Aria had harbored resentment since their annulment and had been relentlessly pursuing him. Besides, Christian also mentioned that what had happened in the manor back then was nothing but an act. Hence, Norman had attempted to flaunt his family's closeness to Kenneth's student. But Aria's ruthlessness caught him off guard.Aria coolly said, "Mr. Short, your son made it clear he wanted me ousted from the hall. Yet you were there, dismissing it all as a misunderstanding. Does this overconfidence run in your fami
The Short family found those words insulting, but they dared not retort. They had no choice but to leave with their tails between their legs.The Short family had employed many underhanded methods to ensure that Christian and Aria's engagement was broken off. They meticulously chose Lily as Christian's fiancée, believing a well-educated daughter from a wealthy family like her could match Christian. They'd made that pact with the Kents years ago to accumulate more power, and since Aria couldn't contribute to that, they called off the engagement. However, no one anticipated Aria becoming Kenneth's student.The news left a bitter taste in the Shorts' mouths. They tried so hard to hide their regret that they looked like they'd swallowed a lemon.Oblivious, Christian approached his uncles, Darren and Herbert. "Why do all of you look like you've eaten something sour?""It's all thanks to you! And yet you have the nerve to ask this question!" Darren Short, Norman's eldest brother, gritt
"Lucas, please order a roasted pork knuckle for us."Kenneth was the only person who could give Lucas such an order. Everyone feared Kenneth—this was not just a rumor.Even now, Lucas would be wound up whenever he met Kenneth, and he dared not act out of line. Aria, on the other hand, spoke to Kenneth naturally, as if he was family. "The pork knuckle is too greasy. You have high blood pressure, so you should order another dish in place of this.""We'll listen to Aria—change it to another dish." Kenneth had Aria sit down beside him. His gaze was filled with relief and worry. "You accomplished a great feat during your visit to Perry Town."Aria poured a cup of tea for Kenneth. "It was merely a coincidence. I was looking into my background at that time.""That wasn't a coincidence. Lucas here told me everything. You had someone pass a note to him before you left." Kenneth pointed at Lucas. "He's fortunate to have you, a fellow student of mine, who's more than meets the eye. "You ta
On a rare occasion, Kenneth's voice boomed with excitement. "You're going to Janovin too?""Yes. I haven't told you yet, but I found my biological parents. They're from Janovin." Aria poured Kenneth another cup of tea. "I wanted to introduce them to you formally after I arrived in Janovin. Heartbound Hall is planning to open more branches there too."Kenneth's smile widened. "That's a good idea. After opening these branches, you can help patients who find it hard to visit the clinic physically and those who live too far away from the clinic.""It's what my grandma wanted." Aria didn't take any credit for the idea. The more time Lucas spent with her, the more he admired her. "We'll meet again in Janovin, then!"Aria picked up on the meaning behind his words. "Are you returning to Janovin too, Lucas?""Not immediately, but it's definitely on the horizon." Lucas chuckled, not keeping it a secret. "My family and Mr. Kane have a plan. After three years in Southbury, I'll be moving so
Lucas finally understood why the elderly residents of Elmer had taken a liking to Aria. Despite her young age, she was perceptive and never brought up what she'd noticed. She appeared cold and aloof, but she held a burning passion.Lucas couldn't help but wonder what legends Aria would create after going to Janovin. He was very eager to see everything unfold. Some, however, remained oblivious to the current situation. …Mindy was barred from entering the Carver residence once again. Holding a bowl of hot soup, she pleaded emotionally, "Mr. Watson, this is soup is beneficial for Grandpa's health. The doctors approved it, knowing it wouldn't harm him.""I'm sorry, Ms. Carver," Keith said mechanically, "Mr. Carver Senior's health is highly unpredictable. A specialist has advised careful monitoring of his diet, and it's best he avoids anything outside what's prescribed."Mindy was on the verge of tears. "What do you mean? Are you saying this soup isn't allowed? Mr. Watson, do you u
"What misunderstanding could possibly warrant you handling it alone, Mindy?"It was Owen, looking impeccable in a crisp suit. Beside him were his doctor and secretary, all three of them dragging suitcases, clearly just off a planeMindy laughed, her face alight with surprise. "Oh, you're back, Dad! Where's Mom?""Long-haul flights are extremely tiring, and you know how frail Fiona is. She didn't want to come back to the villa, so she's staying the night in a hotel." Owen set his bag on the couch. "Did your grandpa give you a hard time again?"Mindy shook her head. "No."Dorothy couldn't hold everything in anymore. "Mr. Carver, Mr. Watson has gone overboard. Ms. Carver worked so hard to make a bowl of soup for Mr. Carver Senior, but Mr. Watson said that Mr. Carver Senior shouldn't drink it, and he barred Ms. Carver from entering the Carver residence.""Dorothy!" Mindy uttered brusquely.Dorothy muttered, "Ms. Carver, you always keep everything to yourself and never tell your fami
Warren was happily shopping online in his study. He wanted to liven up the house, especially with Aria's homecoming. Her room, in particular, deserved a cheerful makeover.Just as Warren was on a spending spree, Owen arrived. Warren used to get furious with Owen, but now he simply let him be. Warren sat silently, listening to Owen's lengthy monologue. Only when Owen's mouth went dry did he look up and say, "I won't agree to it."Owen frowned. "Why? Why can't you acknowledge Mindy after all these years?" Mindy said demurely, "Dad, please don't argue with Grandpa. It's okay if the adoption doesn't happen. He isn't feeling well, so maybe we should discuss this later."Owen was barely containing his anger. "Dad, you need to give me a reason!""It's been so many years, you say. Have you forgotten about your biological daughter?" Warren said coolly.Mindy was bewildered. This was the first time Warren had reacted this way to the topic. Usually, it ended in a heated argument. Why was