Re-entering the job market was a challenge, especially for a long-term homemaker like Fiona.Fiona sat surrounded by fresh university graduates, some even high-performing students returning from overseas.Operations Management, particularly Network Operations Management, was a booming field. Even top celebrities had to be marketed, and advertisements about them were published everywhere to amass support further and attract attention. One of the candidates gave Fiona a dismissive look before turning to chat with another candidate. Fiona overheard snippets of their conversation."Seriously? She's practically ancient! Why is she even here competing with us?""They won't hire her. I peeked at her résumé—she was just a housewife."The term "housewife" had somehow become a derogatory term despite the immense contributions these women made to their families. It was disheartening that these young women themselves disregarded Fiona. After all, everyone would grow old eventually, and no o
Clary interrupted the interview. "Are you willing to start working as an assistant?" she asked Fiona decisively. "If that's fine with you, you can stay."From what she had read about Fiona, it was clear that her marriage had devastated her life. Clary's decision to offer Fiona a position wasn't solely based on empathy for a woman in a similar age group. She saw a spark in Fiona, a potential that transcended the limitations of an ordinary housewife. If she proved inadequate for the job later on, Clary would handle it."Yes, please." Fiona smiled. "I'll prove to you that I'm not just a housewife."Fiona had asserted her position without being overly arrogant or humble, which was an extra point in Clary's book.They had made an exception for Fiona, so instead of sending her home to wait, they told her to report to the office the next day.Meanwhile, Evelyn Charters, the elite student who'd mocked Fiona earlier, emerged from another room. She was on her phone, grumbling, "Mom, I don
Abraham was worried sick. "It's almost time for everyone to choose their schools. We must first transfer her formally so that she can enroll as soon as possible."As a medical professional who devoted his life to saving people and helping the injured, it was rare that he'd come across someone like Aria. She'd given him hope that the younger generation could take up the reins of traditional medicine.No matter what Aria was doing right now, she must continue her studies, and Abraham was worried that she'd fall behind.This was what Aria heard the moment she walked in. She knew that Abraham was truly worried about her. "Mr. Lowe Senior, I can just study by myself at home. I'll still be a student in your vocational high school and take the SATs there.""This won't do, Aria. With how excellent you are, you should find a better school to prepare for SATs," Abraham insisted. He didn't want his school to hold Aria back. "How about this?" Abraham proposed. "I'm meeting someone at Janovin
Dorothy and Mindy remained unaware that the hotel's manifestation had been dismantled. Aria considered interrogating them, but after some thought, she decided it wouldn't be productive. She opted to let the suspects act freely. This would make it easier for her to discover the full extent of the truth.Aria handed Philip a blackened hair clip. "Help me return this to its owner—leave it in the unit."Philip had no clue where the hair clip originated until he reached the neighborhood and met a property agent. A chill ran down his spine as he ascended the stairs. Even the agent found the coldness strange. "Perhaps you could take a look around the unit yourself, sir? Just lock the door behind you when you leave."Philip stood in the corridor, keys in hand when the door of the adjacent unit opened. He heard the sounds of a couple fighting. Argus Ratcher, clearly intoxicated, screamed at his wife, Polly Wells, "Why did I hit you? If you can keep working, do it! If not, just fucking resi
Inside the Special Cases Unit's conference room, officers huddled around a screen, studying Philip."Did the boss send him here?""Yeah. She said that he's special and can help with solving the case.""When is she coming back? Has she said anything about that?""She said after everything at school is settled.""Settled? Who are you kidding? What does she need an education for?""You don't believe me? Take a look at this."Everyone in the room fell silent as they pored over the chat records on the screen. What could make Aria decide to go to school? Her good manners, of course. …Aria and Abraham had been waiting at the bookshop near the academy from early on. Abraham's friend had agreed to meet him at 2:00 pm, but he had yet to show up even though it was currently a couple minutes to four.Abraham finished his tea and was about to message his friend when a group of academics entered the store. One of them, a scholar named Xavier Shepherd, was bragging about his student, Li
"Time sure is unforgiving. Abraham was such a stickler for rules, and yet he's having a difficult time at this age," Xavier said as he patted Abraham on the shoulder. "We've both become older, Abraham. My memory isn't what it used to be. I forgot we agreed to meet. Uh, this shop isn't the best place to discuss your friend's transfer to the Academy, is it?""She wants to transfer to the Academy?" Lily exclaimed in surprise. "She can't, Mr. Lowe Senior. Not with her abysmal grades. She's always been a student in your vocational school, hasn't she?"Many of the academics present turned to look at them. However, Xavier didn't stop Lily.Abraham, understanding the situation, felt a deep sense of resignation. He looked apologetically at Aria, for he had repeatedly assured her that everything would be alright—this wasn't the Xavier he remembered."Mr. Lowe Senior," Aria, ever perceptive, recognized the potential humiliation Abraham would face regardless of his response. To steer the conve
"It's certainly been a long time since we last met in Mr. Carver Senior's office, Mr. Watson." Xavier was trying hard to ingratiate himself with Keith, who he didn't even deign to shake his hand. Keith acknowledged Xavier with a brief glance, but Xavier remained unfazed and continued the conversation. "And what brings you here, Mr. Watson?""I'm here to pick up Mr. Lowe," Keith explained, aware of what Aria wanted him to do. He walked past Xavier and directly addressed Abraham. "Mr. Lowe Senior, Mr. Carver Senior learned about your meeting with an old friend and asked me to pick you up and drive you to the Carver residence afterward. He's been eager to see you after he left Southbury."A hush fell over the room. Keith's respectful demeanor toward Abraham was a slap in the face to Xavier, who was visibly stunned.Oswald, who'd been going on about how Aria and Abraham were lying to make themselves look good, was now flushed scarlet. Keith would deal with Xavier later. For now, Osw
Even Lily, with her exceptional acupuncture skills, couldn't heal every illness. There were bound to be times when her diagnoses were inaccurate.Xavier suspected Abraham was exaggerating Aria's abilities to facilitate her transfer to the Academy. He couldn't resist a sarcastic quip. "While I appreciate your attempt to bolster a young doctor, Abraham, there's no need to let Aria take credit for your work just to help her out.""You think I'm letting her take the credit? Mr. Watson is right here. As if I can do that!" Abraham said righteously, looking at Lily, who was trying hard to stay unnoticed, "Lily was Salome's student. She should know who treated Mr. Carver Senior."Abraham hadn't wanted to cause trouble for Lily, so he'd remained silent when he saw her. However, every word out of Lily's mouth seemed designed to sabotage Aria and paint her as incompetent. He'd had enough.He said, "Aria is the most skilled doctor in Southbury. It's baffling that her vocational background lead
If Percy were here, his reactions would have been even more exaggerated.Everyone in the family had a protective streak when it came to Aria. Even Stephen, who wasn't keen on seeing her marry so early, believed that a man like Landon was indeed worthy of Aria."Ms. Carver specifically mentioned to me that Mr. York's stomach handles noodles better," Stephen said warmly as he placed a bowl of chicken noodle soup in front of Landon.Aria, mid-bite of her braised pork, froze momentarily upon hearing this.Landon turned his gaze toward her, his voice calm but probing. "You specifically told Mr. Warsaw that?"Aria glanced between Stephen and Landon before nodding. "Of course, I mentioned it." Whether or not it was "specific" was up for interpretation, and she decided to let Stephen manage that narrative.A faint smile tugged at the corners of Landon's lips, and he murmured just loud enough for her to hear, "At least you still have some heart."Stephen chuckled knowingly. He understood
Aria didn't notice the subtle shift in Philip's expression. The influx of information was overwhelming, and she needed a moment to sort through it.Philip being possessed wasn't a surprise to her, but Ashton's behavior left her unsettled and full of questions."Leon, contact Ignatius and let him know you're taking me to visit the Furler family," she instructed.Philip immediately grasped her intent. He lowered his head, appearing calm, yet a shadow of unease lingered as though he was hiding something."Now or tonight?" Leon asked.Aria wanted to go right away but noticed Philip's apprehension. "Tonight is fine," she conceded.Assuming Philip was still shaken, Leon instructed, "Mr. Warsaw, arrange for Philip to get some rest."Stephen entered the room carrying a tray of tea. "Leon, no need to worry. Mr. Wagner's room has already been prepared; it's right next to yours."Turning to Aria, Stephen added, "Ms. Carver, you've been busy all day. Please, have some tea. The kitchen has
Tobias had always said Aria was a once-in-a-millennium prodigy in spiritual cultivation, but Leon's ability to effortlessly channel the power of the Five Emperor Coins was both baffling and unsettling.Although Aria had marked the coin with her imprint to serve as a protective charm for Leon, the outcome had far surpassed her expectations.Because he was her relative, Aria had attempted to deduce more about him based on his facial features, but nothing came to her.As she touched the now-charred coin, the lingering heat revealed the intensity of the force that had been exerted upon it.No one knew what exactly had happened.Aria didn't believe Leon was lying to her. He truly didn't understand these matters and had his own dreams and ambitions. Perhaps it was from his past life unless the Leon in this life had tapped into the power of the Five Emperor Coins.Ever since her experience in the manifestation, Aria had been driven by an urge to uncover more about the Carver family's
Philip added, "Aria had warned me to be careful because of my constitution. That's why I didn't reveal myself. I pretended not to notice anything. If Ignatius hadn't been hogging the bathroom, I wouldn't have had to use the restroom in the Furler residence's family hall."The strange thing was that it wasn't even very late, but there wasn't a single servant in sight at the Furler residence. It was as if they had all been deliberately sent away. I was already uneasy, but after I finished in the restroom and came out, I saw that scene."The memory of that moment was seared into Philip's mind.He had tiptoed back, heart pounding as though it might burst, terrified of being discovered.When he returned, he immediately asked Ignatius if Ashton had been acting strangely lately.Ignatius, still engrossed in his game, barely looked up. "What could be strange about my grandpa? The old man just keeps nagging me to hang out more with the Carvers boys. Do you think I'm cut out for that? Oh, r
At that moment, it felt as though something had seared his hand.Philip's eyes flickered wildly with disbelief as he stared at Leon, the one who had thrown the copper coin."How could this ordinary man—mediocre in both fortune and fate, even marked for a short life—know how to wield the power of the Five Emperor Coins?" he thought.The black mist clouding Philip's gaze retreated swiftly, recoiling in fear. He realized that the Five Emperor Coins would incinerate him beyond recovery if he lingered even a second longer.It had been years since he had endured such agony.This wasn't just any force. It was unlike anything he had ever encountered before. Not even the Dracotigris Order had delivered a power so unrelenting, so consuming. If he stayed, he wouldn't merely suffer—he would be obliterated.The Carvers weren't as straightforward as they seemed.Even someone he thought he understood, someone as seemingly inconspicuous as Leon, could wield the Five Emperor Coins.Leon, who ap
It was as if Philip had sensed a shift, a hostile energy directed at him. His neck twisted sharply, and his gaze snapped to Leon.Philip's eyes locked onto the copper coin in Leon's hand, filled with a peculiar mix of hatred and wariness. His fists clenched tightly as though restraining himself.Fergus noticed the tension immediately, his brow furrowing.Leon raised an eyebrow, unperturbed.The two brothers exchanged a glance, their silent understanding unspoken but clear.Fergus was the first to move, stepping slightly forward.Philip's expression remained unnervingly stiff, but the corners of his mouth curled into a sinister smile."Even if it's one of the Five Emperor Coins, you'd still need to know how to use it, and do you know how to use it?""One of the Five Emperor Coins?"Fergus' eyes widened slightly. For the first time, he realized the significance of the coin in Leon's hand.He had seen such items at exclusive auctions, where their rarity and historical significan
Leon found Philip's demeanor deeply unsettling.Having spent so much time by Aria's side, Leon had witnessed how she handled truly sinister situations."Fergus, I think Philip might be dangerous," he murmured.Fergus was in the middle of a meeting. He had one earbud in and was busy issuing orders in his usual concise and precise manner.Leon arrived just as Fergus finished his conversation with the marketing department head. "Inform the Norwood family that the Carvers operate with integrity. If they're unwilling to collaborate, we don't need them."Ever since Barron's urn had been unearthed, Fergus had been contemplating expanding into Ludwiten.The Carvers had originally risen to prominence in Ludwiten before relocating to the north. For Fergus, Ludwiten wasn't just strategic; it was a city he had always admired.His expertise in finance would flourish there, offering him greater opportunities. More importantly, it was a critical move for the future of Carver Group.Among the
There was an uncommon steadiness and openness in Don's voice as he spoke. "Actually, this is a good thing. Amara and I have talked it over, and we've decided that wherever I go, she'll go with me."She has some deeply ingrained views that won't change overnight—her husband had been her everything, and her son was her entire world."I'm not trying to excuse her actions. She was definitely wrong—outrageously so. But I believe that if I provide her with enough security and patiently show her a better way, she will eventually understand."The real challenge is Daisy." Don hesitated, his words caught somewhere between shame and frustration. "I don't mind admitting this, even if it sounds ridiculous—I can't communicate with her at all. But I know it's not her fault."She was raised to be this way, and the blame lies with me, Amara, her father, and even Lettie to some extent."Don's words rang true—family education was complex and intricate. "The main responsibility lies with me." Don
Celestia's words weren't completely truthful. She glanced around as she spoke. Aria chuckled. She picked up her pendant and made to leave. Celestia knew that she would be done for if Aria left just like that, so she shouted, "Some of them are from families that got rich early. They'd visit Ludwiten and Chershia from time to time, and many of them had properties overseas. They're capitalists, the real deal! They were the ones who asked for the goods!"You know how men are—some of them are obsessed with children of this age. They also tend to prefer Ignisian faces over Glacian ones."Celestia glanced at the camera subconsciously after saying that, as if worried about something. When she noticed that Aria had stopped in her tracks and was currently looking at her, she continued, not brave enough to lie this time, "I'm not the only one they recruited—there are also other influencers. One of them is a famous influencer with some of the highest traffic on the site, I heard. "This isn