Sam signed at Aria as he pushed her a piece of paper. Aria's gaze darkened. "You're saying that she stole the Whisperwind Herb to treat young Mr. York?" Sam nodded emphatically.Aria propped her chin on her hand and smiled. "Let's see how she's gonna use the herb in front of me."Sam agreed simply. "Yeah!"Aria tapped her finger on one of the name lists, and a smile slowly bloomed on her face. "It's time for things to change in Southbury."The Gunther family had been the most powerful force in Southbury's academic circle for years. If someone was skilled but didn't have the money, they wouldn't have the chance to work as an intern in a hospital.Those who did have the money also needed to be in the know about the existing conventions. Only after joining the Gunther family as a subordinate could they finally be sure that they had a chance. Not only was the Gunther family lying to their patients so that they could make more money from them, but they were also suppressing peopl
"How can you talk about The Bequeather in that way, Aria?" Georgina expressed her disapproval. "He's laying low and not revealing his true capabilities."She then cradled her phone in her arms and kept on exclaiming in admiration while gazing at the screen. Georgina was practically behaving like a fangirl.Aria massaged her temple, feeling helpless. In the many years she'd been a doctor, this was probably the hardest blow to her reputation. "This already looks fake at first glance, Grandma.""Fake?" Georgina pushed her glasses up in a bid to look at the screen more clearly.Aria supported her with a hand on her arm. "Don't worry. I'm not going to cause any trouble.""I'm not worried about that." Georgina sighed. "My bad reputation will affect yours, so don't mention Heartbound Hall if you attend. I'll have the grandson of my good friend show you around too, and the two of you can take care of each other. Also, it's best if you avoid being around the Gunther family…"Avoid being a
Salome craned her neck. "But you know as well as I that the medical industry is most profitable. With how many people there are in the family, we can't let our sources of income be severed.""I'm not asking that of you," Galen said slowly, "Just lay low for a while and wait for things to subside."Salome understood immediately. "Is someone from Janovin coming down here again, Father?"Galen didn't respond to that. He merely closed his eyes.Salome said, "Don't worry, Father. I'll make sure that nothing will be unearthed."Nothing had happened to the Gunther family for more than a decade since then, and they would surely emerge unscathed this time as well!…One night, inside a skyscraper in Janovin, the screens of countless office computers glitched at the same time. In a clinic in Southbury, Aria bit on a piece of fruit candy as she tapped her fingers on the table.Right after that, an identical email appeared in the mailboxes of those office accounts. The invader came and w
Unlike the previous time, the banquet was not held in the city but in a villa in Westwood. Aria didn't ride her Tomahawk bike there this time. She packed her medical kit and invitation card before hailing a taxi. Did she hallucinate it, or did this invitation card look different?Aria was deep in contemplation after getting in the taxi. When the driver heard where she was going, he was surprised. "Not everyone gets to visit Caesar Villa in Westwood. I heard that all the people going today are renowned figures, so what about you, young lady?""I'm just going to make myself more known out there." Aria smiled lightly.The driver chuckled. "That's what I thought. You're just a young lady. It's not like you're going there to treat someone, right?"Aria smiled and said nothing. Caesar Hotel and Caesar Villa were of different levels. Caesar Hotel, which was in the city center of Southbury, was open to everyone. On the other hand, Caesar Villa in Westwood was a villa with a rose yard, comp
People were still gradually entering the outer hall of the villa. Aria was among them, but her attire was obviously unlike what other people were wearing. Clad in a white shirt, jeans, and a maroon baseball cap, she looked like a student who hadn't graduated yet. The bodyguards at the gate stopped her from entering, asking politely, "And you are?"Before Aria could say anything, someone sneered from beside them. "A quack who 'specializes' in traditional medicine; and she has the audacity to show up here."It was Jimmy. He was supporting Salome as they walked over, followed by Karen and Lily. Lily was obviously avoiding Aria because she didn't want anyone to know about the relationship between them. Karen, on the other hand, was glaring at Aria so venomously, that her gaze was boring holes through her face. Aria really was everywhere! Aria raised a brow and said slowly, looking interested, "Oh, I know all of you.""You're nothing but a stranger to me," Jimmy said, "Look at wher
Upon hearing the word "forged", the bodyguards looked at each other and said politely, "Please show us your invitation card, miss."Aria had astutely realized why she had come to get ahold of her invitation card. She had nothing to fear, though. If worse came to worse, she'd just expose her identity as Dr. Whiz. Aria handed the gold-plated invitation card over. As expected, the bodyguards were alarmed.This… This was…Upon seeing the bodyguards' expressions, everyone voiced their speculations, "Is something really wrong with the invitation card?"Jimmy was righteously furious as well. "Not only did Georgina Harris kill a patient, but her student is also a scammer. She's the embarrassment of the medical industry!"Salome was laughing as well. She sounded smug as she said, "If you really want to enter that badly, you can always ask for help from senior doctors such as me. You shouldn't resort to playing these tricks—how inappropriate.""Yeah, how embarrassing!""So is this how
Aria didn't let the bodyguards help. "You don't need to go to the trouble. This bag holds my medical equipment, so I'll just carry it myself. You can do whatever you need to do."She had to meet the grandson of her grandma's old friend, too, and it would be inconvenient if she went around with such a high profile.The bodyguards knew what they should do. "Please come with us, then."Salome couldn't watch this unfold any longer. She bit out, "Are you sure that the invitation card is real?""She's right! Maybe you made a mistake!" Karen yelled louder than anyone else.Karen knew best about Aria's situation. She would never receive a real invitation!Lily bit on her lower lip and pulled on her mother's sleeve. "Mom, this is the York family's villa."Only then did Karen regain her rationality, and she didn't get into an argument with the bodyguards. Her daughter was right. They were at the York family's villa, and she mustn't cause a scene. Jimmy thought otherwise. He'd always l
"Ah," Karen said.Salome sneered. "As if she could get the invitation card anywhere. I had someone deliver it to her.""You did?" Lily was confused. Salome felt a bad headache come on. "My family received three invitation cards. I wanted Constantine to deliver a fake one to her, but he must've gotten it wrong and sent her a real one instead.""That damn girl benefited from this, then!" Karen said vehemently, "You should've given it to me instead, Dr. Gunther."Salome lost all her patience. "I can bring you in with me, so it's the same anyway!"She walked toward the bodyguard and pushed her invitation card forward haughtily. After inspecting the card, the bodyguard stood aside and let her in. Only then did Salome feel like she'd regained some of her dignity. However, her mood plunged soon after, as Karen shouted, "Dr. Gunther, Dr. Gunther! They're refusing to let me in!"Salome turned back and looked at the bodyguard who'd stopped Karen from entering. "What's going on here
Ordinary people understood the harshness of reality. Brent, having lived in poverty for most of his life, had been looked down on more times than he could count.Poor people like them could die unnoticed at home, and no one would care, let alone offer help without expecting something in return.If something really happened to Eden, Brent doubted he and his wife could do anything to save her. Judy was a prime example. Her father, Alec Lanez, had even given up selling bread just to look for her.Every time Alec went to the school, he was met with the same cold response."It has nothing to do with us. Your daughter ran away and refuses to acknowledge you. So why are you coming here? Peasants like you should know your place. Without us, people like you could only dream of going overseas. How filthy!"Brent had heard the school's representative say those exact words when he accompanied Alec. Both of them could only stand there, humiliated and speechless.Alec's back was sore from how m
Eden immediately opened the windows after hearing that. "Did Ms. Carver send you here? Is she in any danger? I'm really worried about her. Should I call the police? I'd feel horrible if anything happened to her."Weston remained calm and indifferent. "Calling the police will only make them suspicious. My boss is amazing, and there's nothing she can't handle. She has a plan. Right now, my priority is to bring all of you to Heartbound Hall in Janovin so your grandfather can receive treatment."The respect in Weston's voice when he spoke of Aria was unmistakable."Pack up your things and come with me," Weston ordered.Their team had already checked the surroundings and ensured nothing would go wrong. Anyone watching would think Eden's grandparents were simply collecting bottles and preparing lunch as usual, not leaving the house until the afternoon.Without wasting time, Weston picked up the elderly couple's luggage. His most important task now was to get Eden and her grandparents to
"We followed the address, so this must be the place. Sir, isn't that the girl?" It was the same group of people as before. After failing their last mission because of Aria, they were being extra cautious this time."We can't afford any more mistakes. Treat her kindly so that she won't suspect anything.""Yes, sir."When they saw a young woman in a school uniform appear right on time, they were convinced she was the right person. After all, Aria looked exactly like Eden.They rolled down the car window and waved. "Ms. Bohmer, over here."Aria looked up and recognized several familiar faces. She grabbed her bag and walked toward the car."Ms. Bohmer, we meet again," The driver greeted Aria warmly. "Let's go."The team had prepared for a difficult encounter. They'd even been authorized to use force if necessary, as long as they avoided surveillance cameras. But to their surprise, Aria simply opened the car door and got in without resistance.Aria glanced at their puzzled expression
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