Lily scoffed at the notion that Aria could commune with spirits. Under Georgina's tutelage, Aria had merely scratched the surface of basic medical knowledge, leading Lily to think that Aria's supernatural ability was merely a farce. After all, if Aria had any real skill in the esoteric arts, she'd have demonstrated that back in Southbury. Lily was unconvinced by Aria's skills because she'd asked Marshall about them. Marshall was doing quite well in Janovin. Thanks to Lily, he'd gotten to oversee many construction projects.Marshall said on the phone, "You're saying Aria's skilled in some esoteric arts? Hardly. She failed every subject when she was at school. As if she'd be any good at that stuff!"Marshall's voice rose in disbelief. "Did you say that she's also here in Janovin? How dare she show up in front of you!"Marshall and Lily had transformed since their days in Southbury. Lily, especially, had ascended into the ranks of Janovin's elite society.In contrast, Marshall initi
Did Leon not fear the possibility of his biggest fans turning their backs on him?Leon didn't care about that. His fans could do as they pleased. Nothing mattered more than his sister.In the aftermath of his declaration, the atmosphere among his fans shifted. Someone released a series of images online, urging, "Look closely, Leon's fans. Don't let yourself be misled by those with dark intentions. Player No. 5 was the true star of the episode, wasn't she?""From start to finish, she held the narrative together. Without her, the truth would have stayed buried. She stands on her own merit, needing no borrowed fame.""You're right! As someone who isn't a fan of anyone, I gotta say that Yoyo seems suspicious. Why is she suddenly bringing Player No. 5 down through these ambiguous photos? Something doesn't seem right.""It's not just that. Her claims are so biased. We could all see that Player No. 5 carried everyone else in that show.""Player No. 5 spent a lot of time talking to that
"Everyone wants to meet Aria, but they're not exactly friendly about it," Keith reported honestly. "Some have seen her as a country bumpkin from the start and think she's not sophisticated enough for their socialite gatherings."Warren's expression darkened. "Yonah called me just now. While he sounded congratulatory, he was actually implying that Aria would embarrass herself at these banquets.""Aria doesn't try to ingratiate herself with them, so they're behaving this way," Warren mused, then suddenly had an idea. "Let that scheming York kid know about this.""Are you referring to Mr. Landon?" Keith asked cautiously.Warren nodded, frowning. Landon was set to marry Aria in a few years, and Warren wanted to ensure that Landon was genuinely committed to protecting her. Despite his many years of experience, Warren still found Landon difficult to read and wanted to be certain of his intentions.…After all the celebrities finished recording their statements, they were taken home by
"Landon?" Aria raised a brow, surprised. She had long been aware of the enigmatic aura encircling Landon. Was there something more?"What's going on with him?" Aria gestured for Nyx to continue. Nyx swayed slightly, a hint of unease in his posture. "The twins can explain better than I."Aria glanced down at the amethyst pendant she toyed with. Soon, a soft voice echoed, "Angie, are you taking the lead, or should I?""You handle it," Angie replied. "You're better at discerning such things."The pendant glowed faintly as Abbie mused, "I feel like I've seen him before... in the depths of Netherrealm. Your fiancé stirs a primal fear within us, my lord.""Yes, he does," Nyx added, "I thought I was gonna be done for when he walked in."Aria chuckled. "Is it that dire?""Yup." Nyx nodded, sucking on his pacifier.The twins shared Nyx's concern. "Nyx is right, my lord. There's something profoundly unsettling about your fiancé, and we're too weak to see through his skin.""But you ca
Aria had never encountered anyone whose true essence harbored such a stark dichotomy. Landon's true form revealed a destiny marked by great fortune yet marred by the weight of innumerable sins.What could such a paradox possibly signify?Before Aria could unravel the enigma, Landon, coughing weakly, spoke, "Leon lacks the courage to face you himself, so he asked me to inquire if there's anything you desire. As your brother, he'd procure anything for you."Behind them, Leon lurked, stripped of the confidence that typically defined him on stage.Clary had feared a confrontation between Leon and Landon, so she refrained from mentioning the buzz that had taken place online.Unexpectedly, Leon addressed the matter himself, which was commendable, considering the public witnessed the events unfolding during the show. Critiquing his partner immediately after the performance would have been poor form.However, Clary couldn't shake the feeling that Leon was overly invested in this stranger
Landon noticed Aria's gaze lingering on him and raised an eyebrow. "When you look at me like that, it feels like you're about to demand payment from me again.""Payment?" Aria seemed puzzled until Landon gestured toward his neck. He coughed lightly before chuckling, his laugh music to the ears.Only then did Aria notice the mark beneath Landon's collar. It was a string of glyphs in an ancient, cryptic tongue. It might seem like an ordinary tattoo to the untrained eye, but it was, in truth, a soul-binding sigil. Beside it was a mark in the shape of a belladonna flower. The flower, positioned just below his neck, had remained hidden by Landon's preference for high-collared shirts. Now, drawn by curiosity, Aria tugged him closer and pulled his collar down.The belladonna flower, known for its poisonous nature, symbolized danger and death. Yet, in certain myths, it also guided lost souls toward peace, embodying the paradoxical gentleness of a demon. It was not a symbol an ordinary per
Aria knew, better than anyone, how arduous it was to remain true to oneself while trapped in the Earthbound Manifestation's grip. Fiona had sacrificed too much for the family, and Aria was determined to prevent any more fraying ties.…When Leon learned of Aria's wish for him to accompany her to a meeting, he concealed himself in a cap, a face mask, and sunglasses before finally showing up in front of her. Though still tense in her presence, he moved with purpose, handing her a black card. "This is for you, Aria."Leon had never been so open with his emotions before. He was known among his peers for his aloofness. He'd only lost his temper twice, and both times, he beat up the offenders with a straight face.Everyone knew that he was not to be crossed. He was also the reason Kenny and his friends only discussed Aria behind closed doors and never in public; he'd won countless fights since childhood and always made his displeasure known. Yet now, his voice was gentle. "There's 50
Leon instinctively took a step back. He hadn't returned home for years, fearing the confrontation with her.He had once hoped to lift Fiona's spirits by excelling in his studies and bringing home a report card with high marks. But by then, Fiona had already succumbed to an illness that left her moods mercurial and unpredictable.He had braced himself for Fiona’s wrath—he would have preferred it, in fact. But Fiona merely stared blankly out the window, as lifeless as a doll, and asked in a hollow voice, "Why didn't you pay closer attention? Was it necessary to buy that bag of rock candy?"Fiona had then begun to cry, her despair deepening into acts of self-harm. The doctor diagnosed her with depression and warned them to avoid provoking her. She needed to be shielded from any triggers that might exacerbate her condition.As Fiona's condition deteriorated, her hair thinned, and her body grew gaunt. Jeffrey and Leon, heeding the doctor's advice, tried to stay out of her sight.When O
A young woman in a gown fanned herself, momentarily stunned by her boss' reaction. She raised an eyebrow. "Boss, what happened? Did you get killed again? Or did someone steal your treasure?"She had worked with him for years, yet this was the first time she had ever seen him so unsettled. He was always indifferent—unbothered by the Chamber of Commerce holding a meeting in their hotel. To him, the game he was playing was far more exciting than watching political maneuvering. No one would expect the owner of the Royal Hotel to have such a childish hobby, but she had long figured that he was simply too lazy to engage with people. Any prestigious family in Ludwiten would seize the chance to establish a connection with him, yet none dared to approach. His presence alone was enough to intimidate. He exuded an effortless allure, dressed in an immaculate suit with a sleek watch on his wrist. His dark hair framed a gaze that seemed to pull people in. And yet, she couldn't shake the
The deeper one ventured into the Royal Hotel, the more they realized its vastness.The hotel had three floors, its decor untouched by time, preserving the elegance of the war period. Rather than modern designs, it retained a vintage charm—even the waitresses dressed in traditional gowns, adding to its old-world allure. Beyond the grand banquet hall lay the renowned Moonlight Tower—the very heart of the establishment. At its center stood a 16-foot-high stage, where only the finest operas were performed. Even the waiters pouring wine might double as performers. This was what set the Royal Hotel apart. Items auctioned onstage were introduced by experts, and transactions at the bidding tables often exceeded billions. Once upon a time, the Royal Hotel was the secret ground where foreign dignitaries and royal attendants conducted discreet dealings. Strict formal attire was required for all who stepped inside. To the common folk, the Royal Hotel remained an enigma. They only knew
Lily wasn't naïve. She had climbed to her current status through sheer agility and sharp instincts. At Orion's words, she immediately pressed a hand to her temple, her expression shifting. "I've revealed far too many secrets today. My head won't stop aching… Perhaps it's due to my condition." Her explanation was enough to settle those around her. "Oh, Ms. Kent is having a headache.""You should rest, Ms. Kent. Predicting the future must be exhausting.""You've been working tirelessly, especially in the stock market lately."Their respectful words soothed her irritation. Why had she let a mere waitress get under her skin? It wasn't worth her time. Lily refocused on the reason she was here. She turned to Orion and spoke smoothly. "I only befriended all of you because I'm fated to meet Mr. Draycott. He's someone I deeply respect. Under his leadership, I'm certain the Chamber of Commerce will thrive." Orion clasped his hands together humbly. "Ms. Kent, you flatter me. I'm si
Orion had nearly destroyed Aria's reputation. After all, no elder should be kept waiting for their juniors.With the Grisham family also present, the situation became even more delicate. If word spread, their family's prestige would take a hit. Orion's goal was clear—he wanted to stir conflict between the Carver and Grisham families. With this growing misunderstanding, he was certain the Grishams wouldn't tolerate the Carvers' tardiness. But what happened next was beyond his expectations. Clyde, walking with his cane, halted upon hearing Orion's words. He spoke calmly, his tone indifferent. "According to the invitation, the Chamber of Commerce meeting starts in half an hour. Alex, you're being too hasty. Orion, you too. The Draycott family plays a key role in this gathering. Act with more maturity."Clyde's carefully chosen words completely dismantled Orion's previous manipulations. The atmosphere shifted. Everyone reconsidered—Clyde was right. There was still half an hour l
Clyde seemed to have noticed their gazes and walked toward them. Orion quickly masked his thoughts and forced a smile. "Waymond, why didn't you inform us that your father is feeling better? I could have prepared a more comfortable chair for him."Clyde glanced at him, clearly drawing boundaries as his elder. "There's no need to worry. You've been concerned about my health for a long time, Orion. However, you don't need to be anymore. Just proceed with the Chamber of Commerce as usual."Orion's gaze darkened. It seemed Clyde was still used to issuing orders as if the Draycott family remained under his thumb.Turning away, Orion shot a meaningful glance at the person beside him.Rex immediately understood. He said loudly, "Mr. Grisham Senior, we can't start just yet. There are still invitees who haven't arrived."Clyde turned to look at him, and Rex smiled. "You might not be aware, Mr. Grisham Senior, but the Carver family of Janovin has returned. Since the late Mr. Carver was one
Aria didn't wake up until around 11:00 am. She felt a lingering grogginess as she glanced to the side. The line between dream and reality blurred, leaving her uncertain of what she had experienced. It had been her first sensual dream, and to her surprise, the person involved was none other than her striking fiancé. The emotions she felt were hard to place, but the dream had been startlingly vivid.Fortune tellers could never see their past life or predict their current life. Aria had never thought about what her past life was about. Even if Tobias had told her a bit about it, she never really wondered about it. Aria figured that reincarnations existed for their own reasons. Besides, she didn't like to dwell on the past and preferred to look ahead. Therefore, she had never been interested in her past life.However, after receiving the Soul-Summoning Plaque, strange memories surfaced, leaving her eager to meet Tobias. But now, she wondered why he hadn't sought her out. Before she
Back then, Orion had no means of contacting the Royal Hotel. Yet, his achievements in Ludwiten over the years had earned him a rightful place in the Chamber of Commerce. With its storied past, the Royal Hotel was the most enigmatic establishment in Ludwiten. Not even the powerful York family or the Chamber of Commerce could influence its operations. The force behind the Royal Hotel was undeniably formidable.It was whispered that only Barron could enter the hotel's inner circle. However, he kept all matters to himself, never revealing a word to the outside world.This secrecy weighed heavily on Orion. Despite his prominence in Ludwiten, many in the Chamber of Commerce looked down upon him.He had overheard people say it would be better if Barron were around. It struck him as odd that a man who had been dead for years could still hold such influence.Orion would never forget the Carver family's near fall from grace, nor how they had manipulated Owen upon his arrival in Ludwiten. H
Orion originally intended to use Clyde's health to pressure Waymond and secure his influence in the Chamber of Commerce. However, Waymond unexpectedly claimed that Orion's connections were unnecessary.This meant the Grisham family could not be swayed and would reject his terms, completely derailing his plans.Logically, no doctor in Ludwiten should be able to treat Clyde—Orion had already confirmed this with Lennox. Lennox had assured him that he was the foremost expert in the field, with no one in Farshyan's medical community able to compete with him, thus making him the authority in the matter.So Orion wondered who had replaced the doctor assigned to the Grisham residence and convinced them to change their minds. He racked his brain but couldn't come up with a solution. There were always those in Ludwiten who thought they could challenge him, like the Hawke family, who had previously opposed him but were now begging for mercy. Beyond that, no one dared cross him. Only the Ca
The frosted shadows stretched across the bed, their movement rippling across the vast lake. Yet, aside from Landon, only Aria remained in the room. A faint ringing echoed from Aria's ankle, the soft chime of the bell attached to a gold chain that bound her. Every movement she made caused the bell to tremble.Despite her frantic efforts to escape, the chains held tight, offering no freedom. Her breath came in shallow gasps, dragging her deeper into helplessness.The man's voice, low and seductive, whispered in her ear. "Relax a little, master." His tone was smooth, but his grip on her waist remained firm, unyielding.His warm breath traced a path up her spine, sending a shiver through her. Aria's brow furrowed almost instinctively in response.Their reflections danced on the lake's surface, distorted by the ripples. Aria's eyes, tinged with a faint red haze, gazed back. Her fair skin contrasted sharply with the disarray of her clothing—a robe slipping loosely at her waist, giving