Bound by the restaurant's century-old traditions, the owner himself brought the wine to Landon's room. Although unfamiliar with the York family personally, Oliver Richton knew enough about their customs to realize Landon's future brother-in-law should be aware of Landon's limited tolerance for alcohol.Therefore, it was questionable why he would send a bottle of alcohol over to Landon's room.Yet, it was a rare opportunity for Oliver to meet Landon, who was known for avoiding dining out due to health concerns. Accustomed to interacting with the Wagner and Layne families, Oliver knew they would never send alcohol to Landon. Instead, they would respectfully greet him. Given Landon's prestigious background, the other wealthy young men never dared to pressure him to drink when he declined due to health concerns. Holding the bottle of red wine, Oliver couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. However, Christian seemed confident in his intentions.Oliver knew that refusing
The head chef turned to Oliver in surprise, astonished by the sight of a child with such a voracious appetite.Aria smiled. "Go ahead and roast one for him. He's a big eater."Landon fiddled with his rosary bracelet. "One leg might not be enough. If Mrs. Carver heads to Ludwiten alone, Aria will be worried. Let Sam accompany her. He can bring a leg of lamb to eat on the way."Sam studied Landon as if trying to understand him, but he eventually gave up. Landon still seemed dangerous to him.Upon seeing this, Oliver instructed the head chef to prepare the leg. Sam wasn't a picky eater. After gathering the meat from the table, he approached Fiona happily. They were bound to get hungry during the walk, so he might as well bring some food.Fiona found his innocence endearing and led him away with a smile.Now that Fiona was gone, Landon changed his demeanor. He tugged on his collar with one hand and tousled Aria's hair with another.Then, he whispered in her ear, "I have too many r
"They want to flaunt their wealth?" Aria couldn't understand the logic behind using wine to show off their riches. Seeing her disgusted expression, Landon leaned on her shoulder with a smile.Aria didn't understand why he was so amused. She tilted his chin to meet her gaze, her eyes filled with confusion. "Could you explain how sending a bottle of wine shows off their wealth?"Oliver wished he could disappear. Even though Aria was a Carver, Oliver doubted anyone would dare to treat Landon like this. In fact, it felt like Landon was a handsome gigolo Aria kept around.Oliver shook his head to dismiss his absurd thoughts.As a man, Landon understood Christian's intentions. That's why he'd reacted so strongly."They sent the wine to taunt us for not opening a bottle. Hence, as your brother-in-law, he gave one to us as a gesture." Although Landon's tone carried a touch of amusement, his gaze was cold. Aria raised an eyebrow. "That's all?""That's all." Landon chuckled, twirling h
Oliver's choice of wine was intentional. "Ms. Carver, this bottle of red wine symbolizes luck. It has a smooth finish and isn't too astringent.""I selected this specific bottle since this is Mr. York's first time bringing you here. I didn't want it to seem like a gift from someone else, nor did I wish to accept your money. I simply want to share in your joy as you embark on this new chapter."Aria knew he was merely trying to ingratiate himself with Landon. Oliver was undeniably skilled at business.Landon rose and admired the bottle. "You're too kind, Mr. Richton. I will accept the wine. Please attend Aria's and my engagement party.""Of course!" Oliver replied excitedly.Landon smiled and continued, "However, my fiancée would also like to receive a bottle from the other party. Could you select another one?""The quality isn't crucial, and it's acceptable if you double or triple the price. After all, you are in business, and we are your customers. We won't be drinking the wine,
As soon as Oliver finished speaking, Timmy said, "How expensive can a bottle of wine be? It's nothing much to Christian."Timmy said that to protect Christian's image. After all, it wouldn't look good for Christian to openly flaunt his wealth.Everyone turned their attention to Christian, eager to see if the rumors of his affluence were true. The wine delivered personally by the restaurant owner was expected to be worth at least tens of thousands.None of them had ever tasted such an extravagant wine, considering they were still students dependent on their families. Yet, high qualifications did not preclude a desire to compete.Two people out of the group wanted to discourage Christian from opening the bottle. As students dependent on their families, it felt inappropriate to spend lavishly without having earned any money themselves."Maybe we should forget about it," Mary whispered.Lily shot her a glance. The others, however, laughed mockingly. "You're such a scaredy-cat. What's
Oliver, clad in white gloves, handed Christian the wine for inspection. "It's unopened. Here are the details on temperature, origin, and vintage."With that, Oliver expertly uncorked the bottle, ensuring no wood shavings fell into the wine.The wine glasses had been slightly chilled to preserve the wine's delicate texture, and the gold-trimmed decanter had been prepped in advance.As the wine was poured out, its subtle fragrance filled the air. Most had never tasted such a refined red wine, and their experience was limited to nightclubs and overpriced, diluted cocktails.Being served by the restaurant owner and manager, who carefully poured the wine and presented it on a cart, made them feel superior."It's all thanks to Christian that we're able to enjoy such fine wine today. Cheers, everyone!" Timmy exclaimed.The restaurant's manager resisted the urge to laugh.Christian swirled his wine glass with an air of sophistication. "A toast is fine, but red wine should be savored s
Lily stood there with her fists clenched. Heavy taxes on alcohol and tobacco products were commonplace, yet the students couldn't help but be shocked by the sheer magnitude of those levies.Christian, in particular, was deeply distressed. 1.7 million dollars for a bottle of wine? That sum could have bought him a luxurious new car!Christian couldn't bear the thought of paying that amount. Pain shot through his cheeks as he bit down hard. Desperate for a solution, he turned to Timmy, hoping for a lifeline. Unfortunately, Timmy was too overwhelmed to register Christian's silent plea.A surge of contempt washed over Christian. Timmy had been silent despite all the encouragement earlier, making Christian feel like a fool.The room was deathly silent.Oliver prompted, "Sir?"Determined to salvage his dignity, Christian tugged on Oliver's sleeve. "Why is this wine so expensive?""Expensive?" Oliver flashed him a big smile. "Sir, didn't you say it was just a bottle of wine and wouldn
The disdain on Oliver's face dealt a blow to Lily's dignity. Not wanting to be brought down even more just because of a bottle of wine, she said, "That's enough! It's just a misunderstanding. Christian, pay for everything with your credit card."Her gaze, fixated on Christian, was emotional. She and Christian were similar, so he would definitely know that this incident would only harm his family's reputation if he let it snowball further.If word of this were to spread on campus, if everyone else heard about how Christian, the scion of the Short family, couldn't even afford a bottle of wine, he'd never get to join the elite social circles in Janovin. Christian understood what Lily meant. Gritting his teeth, he said, "Hand me the reader."The restaurant manager walked over. Christian gripped his card tightly, which made his reluctance to pay obvious. However, he decided it was fine. He would just have his father give him more money later."I'm sorry, sir, but this card isn't worki
"I'll ask Boss if she needs a bellboy!"Harry hadn't changed a bit. With his flashy gold chains and oversized watch, he was always quick to jump at any opportunity to make money. If Aria invited him to meet other businessmen, he'd be on board without hesitation.Everyone who did business with Aria shared a common trait—they would get addicted. Every entrepreneur dreamed of growth. The longer they toil in the market, the stronger their desire to expand. It was a universal truth among business leaders.For these dreamers, an investor like Aria was a godsend. She thrived on improvement, making her an ideal partner.Harry, as enthusiastic as ever, bombarded Aria with messages. Aria had planned to visit Ludwiten before, but things kept happening, delaying her trip. Her frequent nightmares and the unresolved tension between her mother and uncles weighed on her mind. Now, with Barron leaving some important items for her in Ludwiten, she had no choice but to go. Sneaking there was neve
"Honestly, you shouldn't let Boss go to Ludwiten. If she insists on going, at least send me along! It's not as if you're unaware of how messy their business circle can be. This isn't Janovin we're talking about!"Harry's voice rang loud and clear as he slammed his palm on the CEO's desk, a bold move no one else at Grand Construction Corp would dare attempt. The employees outside exchanged curious glances, whispering among themselves. What could have dragged Harry back from his vacation in such a state?Harry was worried. "We have plenty of employees. How could you let a lady like her go over there by herself? What if she gets harassed? At least here, our influence can protect her. People would think twice once they know who she is. Stop sipping that coffee and answer me already!"Tavian Montague, the vice-CEO, sighed and powered off his computer. He removed his glasses, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "Harry, calm down. Do you really think Aria got this far on luck? Don't let her lo
The eight figures sat together, ostensibly discussing Aria's arrival. In truth, their agenda was far less noble—they were determined to keep the items they had long appropriated, refusing to return what rightfully belonged to others. After holding onto these possessions for so long, they had convinced themselves they were entitled to them.Their plan was to maintain a façade of respect toward the Carver family to avoid public scrutiny. However, they were equally resolute in protecting their own interests. They intended to demonstrate the influence of Ludwiten's business elite on Aria. It would be much better if she could be persuaded to invest billions in their ventures.It was a strategy they'd employed before, notably with Owen, and found it amusing.Yet Percy, despite his youth, was not so easily deceived. His calm demeanor and precise legal arguments left little room for manipulation. The Carver family's resilience, after all, stemmed largely from their grandchildren.Sti
Tobias once said that Aria was the most gifted person in the Decatorian way. Yet, for all her supposed talent, she couldn't use the Emperor Coins just by casually throwing them on her first attempt. She had to study them before she could wield them effectively.Thankfully, Leon chose the entertainment industry. If he had chosen to be inducted in the Decatorian way, the disciples of Mount Dracotigris would have been disheartened. "Leon, have you ever considered going into another industry?" Aria asked. Leon shook his head, a rebellious smirk on his face. "Aria, look at me. This face was born to be a celebrity. It'd be a crime to waste it."Aria sighed, accustomed to his narcissism. It was hard to argue—Leon's rebellious charm and striking looks had won over both women and men. Yet, his popularity brought challenges of its own."I still have Emperor Coins with me," Aria said, pulling out a beaded bracelet adorned with the coins and securing it around Leon's wrist. "Take it. For yo
Warren's eyes reddened as he gazed at Fergus, the grandson he had once hoped to raise personally. In that moment, he felt his life had been worthwhile. As one grew older, they came to understand a fundamental truth—if their descendants could grasp their thoughts, rather than dismissing the ways of the past as irrelevant, it was something to celebrate. Warren could now pass on everything to his grandchildren, finally feeling worthy within the Carver family.…Meanwhile, Leon furrowed his brows in the second-floor bedroom. "What are they talking about?""It's probably about Ludwiten. They have some business to settle. Why?" Aria had intentionally given Fergus and Warren some time to talk. As for her, she stayed with Leon in his room, playing games and snacking.When she heard his question, she smiled. "Are you interested as well, Leon?""I'm not cut out for business." Leon couldn't sit still and kept pacing back and forth. His silver hair, falling perfectly, made him look like a
That night, Warren stood before the memorial hall and spoke to his ancestors."Aria will be returning to Ludwiten tonight. Things will be different this time. There will be many obstacles ahead of her, but we must return eventually. Aria will finish what I couldn't. Please protect her."The Carver family was forced to shift their business from Ludwiten to Janovin at the time. And back then, they believed they could return at any moment. Yet, over 70 years had passed since then.Both Warren and Stephen were sentimental individuals, always hoping to return to Ludwiten. However, circumstances had shifted over the years. Moreover, the business landscape in Ludwiten had grown increasingly complex, with rising foreign investments. Their commitments in Janovin, especially after Owen married Fiona, kept them from returning.Warren had expected Owen to stay in Ludwiten, as he had promised the Grisham family. But Owen broke that promise.Warren's greatest wish had always been to return to
Although the crow was unsure of its owner's thoughts, it was indeed afraid of the dagger made out of Oracle bones.In fact, it wasn't made of ordinary animal bones. It was from the Oracle, one of the Four Perils. Most importantly, it carried spiritual energy from heaven and earth.Back then, the crow didn't expect the insignificant sect, which was consistently at the bottom of each tournament, to have the purest spiritual energy. Plus, all of their members were not to be underestimated. The crow would have never believed it if it hadn't come to live in the mountains with Landon. After all, Landon was bewitched to become the woman's boy toy. He stayed behind only because he liked the sect's spiritual energy. At that, the crow shifted its body and didn't continue to disturb Landon. Since Landon mentioned he needed the knife sheath, the crow would go and get it. Apart from the curved dagger in the wooden box, there was also a somewhat inconspicuous emerald and a turtle shell-lik
The box included a protective membrane. Carrying bones around would raise questions in modern days. Even Aria worried about inspections. Sometimes, Tobias acted just like those arcane seekers from Mount Dracotigris. When her fingertips touched it, heat surged through her bloodline. The blade felt like it belonged in her hands; even its tassel was exquisitely crafted. But she remembered something when she entered the manifestation and got the Soul-Summoning Plaque. She had been an arcane seeker in her past life, hadn't she? Could an arcane seeker use a blade? She had mostly seen them wielding swords, just like those TV shows with flying swordsmen. Perhaps she had to use a blade because she came from a smaller guild. As Aria traced the bone blade, her initial attraction grew into fascination. Tobias wouldn't leave her just any blade. Since she'd encountered it in the manifestation, it must be connected to her. "Do you like it?" Suddenly, Landon's voice came close. It was low,
Breaking the Eight Trigrams Manifestation required precision instead of force. The path led from the East Gate of Life through the Southwest Gate of Rest, finally striking through the North Gate of Opening. But this was not just about breaking a manifestation. The lock had eight marks—Life, Rest, Harm, Block, Vision, Death, Awakening, and Opening. These were the eight gates within the manifestation. As Aria studied the corresponding numbers, she was suddenly struck with inspiration. Following the sequence, she pressed them. The lock then opened with a click. She raised an eyebrow, recognizing the familiar combination. "0715, my birthday." Aria casually opened the box. "Typical of Mr. Revelare to choose that date." She knew she was born on Twilight Hallows, a day when parents would urge children home early. Owen had always believed Aria's birth signs were not the best, and he thought this was likely because of this day. People considered it the Day of Spirits. On this day, a