The crowd erupted at Kylie's words.Plagiarism? Stealing? If that were true, the Carver family's stocks would plummet!There was only one way out—disown Aria. The banquet had to end early, or the shareholders would revolt if the news spread.This wasn't the first time. Stocks once worth over 20 dollars had dropped to mere cents overnight. With the market in turmoil, no one dared gamble on a company's fate.Everyone, including the major shareholders, turned their eyes to Aria, voices rising in heated discussion. Kylie barely hid her glee.Leon's expression darkened, but before he could speak, Aria smiled and calmly said, "I did design the clothes. But what evidence do you have of plagiarism?""It's way too similar—it has to be plagiarism!" Kylie nearly lost her composure.Mindy, feigning pity, stepped in. "Kylie, enough. Aria just got back. She probably didn't mean to copy. It's just a habit she hasn't shaken yet.""Mindy, after how she'd humiliated you earlier, you're still def
"She's so young. Plus, I heard Lamar is a noble in Nobeeta."It seemed that nobody believed in Aria.Kylie laughed dismissively. "Ms. Carver, if you want to get out of this, you should come up with something more believable."Though Lamar remains elusive, her Nobeetan origins are widely recognized. Her designs are consistently exotic. To convincingly pose as her, you must closely mimic her style."Aria replied calmly, "Have you ever met Lamar, or heard her claim to be from Nobeeta?""Well…" Kylie couldn't retort.Aria grinned. "You haven't seen or heard Lamar make such a claim. The guests mentioned it was all just rumors. I used to design outfits with an exotic flair to attract overseas orders."I didn't anticipate such strong demand from Farshya. The less I produced, the higher the prices I commanded. I only intended to cover some tuition fees, but it seems I have considerable support from all of you."Her demeanor stunned the ladies and made them reconsider. After all, they c
Verona paused, studying Aria's face. "Your eyes are like Fiona's. Rainbow, I'm Verona Ander. I even held you as a child.""You did misunderstand Mindy, but it's not your fault. After all, you've been away from home for many years. I understand that accepting your biological parents will be difficult."As Verona spoke, she reached out to pat Aria's head. "You were quite the troublemaker when you were younger. Mistakes happen, and you can always apologize. But I won't let anyone slander you. I promise. Why don't you let me see your gown?"Verona was trying to earn Aria's trust. Since Aria's return, Jeffrey and Leon acted differently. They should consider Fiona's feelings. After all, Fiona was someone who couldn't bear to see Mindy or Aria get hurt.Verona glanced around the room. "You should believe my words. During my time in Nobeeta, I had contact with Lamar's brand. I know things that most people do not.""Ms. Ander, we all believe in you," one of the socialites said smilingly.
Luke always supported doing anything beneficial to the company."Should I post it now or wait until the start of the month? Larmir Fashion Week will be happening then. We could capitalize on that to boost our visibility. It's your debut using Farshyan elements in gown design. I'm sure it will cause an uproar, especially in Farshya. They're our main—"Luke was a whirlwind of words, his speech punctuated with exclamations. Rarely contacted by Lamar, his excitement had clearly gotten the better of him.Aria, however, cut him off. "Post it now. I want to see it on the company's official website in two minutes. If I don't, you can turn in your resignation."In other words, Aria also owned the company.Few at the banquet were familiar with Nobeetan, and those who were stood across the room. The socialites closer to Aria had no training in Nobeetan. Meanwhile, some of the ladies who had studied in Nobeeta couldn't discern the details of the conversation but noticed Aria directing someone
What else could Kylie say? She was already dumbfounded. She wouldn't be in such an awkward position if she had reined in her arrogance. But she had been harsh with Aria and offended the Carver family in public.Kylie thought she had hit Aria's sore point as the latter kept silent. She never expected Aria to be Lamar! Why didn't she reveal it earlier?Was Aria deliberately waiting for Kylie to make a scene before addressing the issue?The thought terrified Kylie. For the first time, she scrutinized Aria closely. Was she really just a bumpkin?There was no time to ponder further; the room was abuzz with exclamations and discussions.As Kylie had wished, she was now the center of attention at the banquet. But she would have preferred to remain unnoticed. Nervously gripping her sleeves, she wished she could vanish.Kylie glanced at Mindy, hinting at the latter to help her.Mindy avoided her gaze at first, but she soon remembered the Wagner family was backing her. Thus, Mindy held
It was Percy. He shrugged off his plain-looking coat and walked out of the corner.Compared to Jeffrey and Leon, Percy seemed more like a typical corporate elite. He wore a diamond wristwatch and had a stylish backcombed hairstyle. His well-defined face was adorned with a gentle smile."Percy!" Leon's eyes lit up.At this moment, even the company owners made way for him.After all, Percy wasn't merely the Carver family's son. He was extremely famous among the Hemingway Legal Elites in Ludwiten. No business owner dared to offend a lawyer of his stature.Percy glanced briefly at Leon before locking eyes on Aria. He couldn't resist reaching out to brush a strand of Aria's long hair. "With your talent, you should be celebrated. I can't believe anyone would slander you like this."Aria stiffened, feeling uneasy under Percy's touch—the words she had prepared to say suddenly caught in her throat.Seeing her like this, Percy thought it was the Aria he knew best. His smile grew. "This is
As soon as Percy spoke, everyone in the banquet thought there was something wrong with Kylie.Aria couldn't help but raise her head and look at Percy. His words had been sharp, leaving no room for the Wagner family to retreat without humiliation. They would openly admit their lack of decorum if they refused to apologize. The tension only deepened.Sure enough, Agnes became anxious. "Percy, it's just a misunderstanding."She turned to Kylie with a steely tone. "If you don't apologize today, don't bother coming back home!"Kylie, now realizing the gravity of the situation, felt a wave of fear. Agnes wasn't bluffing."I-I'm sorry." Tears welled up in Kylie's eyes. Though she harbored resentment toward Aria, she had no choice but to bury it. With trembling hands, she bowed slightly, head lowered in submission. "I shouldn't have assumed things without knowing the full story. Please forgive my ignorance and foolishness."Aria, unmoved, glanced at Kylie and spoke coldly. "From what I've
Unexpectedly, as soon as the young Aria opened her eyes, she spat at Agnes, leaving her utterly disgusted. The grown-up Aria was even more insufferable than before. The Carver family should never have brought her back.Though her thoughts were venomous, Agnes maintained a look of regret.She knew she had to say something today. Otherwise, the Wagner family's reputation would be damaged. So, she turned to Owen with calculated concern. "Owen, please speak on behalf of the Wagner family. We truly mean no harm. Mr. Wagner Senior has always reminded us of the Carver family's kindness.""I know that," Owen responded, trying to be benevolent. "Do we even need to clarify how close our families are? Aria just returned, so she's just overthinking things. But Kylie should still learn to control herself." Although Owen appeared to scold Kylie, he subtly downplayed the situation."Kylie, you speak without thinking about the consequences. You're lucky I'm here to smooth things over. I'm sure Ari
Priscilla twirled her long hair and took a sip of her coffee. "I didn't have much confidence back then. I always followed you, never daring to try things on my own. It's only now, after trying for myself, that I've realized some things."She added, "Opening a medispa has always been my dream, and that's how it all started. Now, all the wealthy women in Ludwiten come to me for fillers and anti-aging treatments. If you're interested, you should come by. I can even fix your nose a little."Priscilla smiled. However, her smile was a little off, perhaps from a recent treatment. She pressed her fingers to her eyes. "I can't smile too much, or I'll get wrinkles. I envy your flawless, youthful face, Fiona. What's your secret?""Probably just staying indoors and avoiding the sun," Fiona replied, carefully omitting the fact that her soul had entered a manifestation.Priscilla's expression darkened, her voice tinged with frustration. "It's all Owen's fault! How could he be so cruel? You're no
Leon typed so quickly that Aria suspected it was a result of his experience arguing with his online haters. Aria couldn't get a word in as Leon flooded the entire group chat. She was speechless—his typing was even faster than a hacker like her. Celebrity Carver: "I'm worried about Aria. I should have gone on the train too!"Aria freed one hand to reply, "No need to worry. Fergus is with me."Celebrity Carver: "Fergus has never been in a relationship himself. What does he know?"Boss Carver: "Leon, aren't you getting too full of yourself lately?"Leon kept his head down, continuing to type. He was filled with worry for Aria.Unbeknownst to anyone, a mysterious person watched Leon with intense focus. The gaze was unsettling as if the person were ready to explode with hatred at any moment.The person only looked away when Leon entered the VIP lounge. Then, they went to the washroom, and standing before the mirror, revealed an eerie smile. There was no rush. After all, there wo
Their positions were reversed in an instant.Landon was pinned down, a few stray strands of hair falling over his face. His long, dark eyelashes gave him a somewhat coy expression. Aria, on the other hand, appeared dominant, with one hand pressing down on his wrist and the other on his shoulder. This was the scene the attendant walked in on. She cleared her throat slightly before speaking, "Sir, here are your fruits."The attendant's voice caught the attention of Fergus, who was seated in the last row. He put down his tablet and glanced over. What he saw was Aria playfully pressing down on Landon's wrist. Fergus couldn't help but rub his temples, unsure how to express his current feelings.When Leon mentioned that Aria was pursuing Landon, Fergus hadn't thought much of it. However, seeing for himself, he could only think of ways to keep Landon around for Aria.But Aria couldn't be too forward as they weren't married yet. At the thought of that, Fergus deliberately coughed.
It was the first time Aria had ever felt this way. The sensation made her dizzy, yet she couldn't get enough of it. Every inch of her mouth was filled with Landon's scent, and his fingers felt astonishingly hot. The sounds around them faded, leaving only the rumble of the train as it passed through the tunnel. There was an undeniable closeness between them. His soft kisses and teasing bites on her lips made her feel a little lightheaded. With her eyes covered, Aria instinctively sought something to steady herself. The rhythmic thump of his heartbeat echoed in her ears, its force making escape seem impossible. His kiss, commanding and intense, contrasted sharply with his calm demeanor. It seemed as though he was determined to pull her deeper into his embrace. Yet, despite the overwhelming sensation, Aria couldn't bring herself to resent it. Instead, she found herself surrendering to it. The sounds around them slowly returned as they emerged from the long tunnel, light creepi
Landon raised his hand and spoke calmly before ending the call. "Go and tell your boss that only Farshyans can manage the Chamber of Commerce."When Westin tried calling back, no one answered. For years, foreigners had enjoyed preferential treatment in Farshya. As Westin mentioned, some universities favored foreign students, offering them special care. Foreigners received priority access to events, complimentary ice cream, and exclusive show tickets at car exhibitions. Many Farshyans were thrilled just to exchange a few words with them.Westin's best friend even had a Farshyan girlfriend who was utterly devoted to him. She tolerated their insults with a smile as long as he promised to take her abroad and secure her permanent residency.This sense of entitlement made foreigners like Westin feel superior to the locals. Westin, in particular, had been flattered by Farshyan businessmen for so long that he'd never experienced such outright rejection.Other suppliers and port officia
Despite the shifting tides, some stubborn members of the Chamber of Commerce clung to their cunning ways, refusing to yield.Previously, Westin had assumed that his target, known for being money-obsessed, would agree without much resistance. But upon arriving, he found himself drinking far more than discussing business.Two days and a relentless hangover later, Westin realized he'd been played. That wily old man! Refocusing his attention on the task at hand, Westin addressed the screen with renewed determination. "Mr. York, it's not just Ludwiten's companies interested in partnering with us. Even the Wagner family from Janovin is eager to collaborate. "If there's something holding you back, let me know. But remember, opportunities don't wait. I urge you to reconsider—going solo carries significant risks."As Westin spoke, Landon listened calmly, his expression unchanging. He even shifted slightly to make Aria more comfortable in her seat. Nearby, an attendant whispered with a
Aria lay on her side, with Landon seated on her right. She wondered if the York family would grow uneasy about his prolonged absence from home. Landon was clearly in the middle of a meeting. His deep, pleasant voice carried a hypnotic quality, occasionally interspersed with authentic Nobeetan phrases. He spoke so softly that those further away would struggle to hear him, yet his tone was laced with an understated menace that no one could ignore.The person on the other end of the meeting dared not contradict him. Landon's calm demeanor masked a chilling authority. He wasn't the kind of superior who exploded with anger—those were predictable. The truly terrifying ones were those whose moods were inscrutable and whose actions were ruthlessly decisive."We won't pursue a joint venture then. The York Group will proceed independently." Landon chuckled before continuing politely, "Let me remind you, this is Farshya—not the early days when we were inexperienced and desperate for capital.
At first glance, Kael's youthful face and wide, innocent smile made him look like a naïve fresh graduate. Yet, Aria knew better—beneath that façade was someone exceptionally skilled at navigating the intricate social dynamics of aristocratic families. "Mr. Warsaw has truly entrusted me with his most valuable apprentice," Aria said with a soft chuckle.Kael, ever attentive, refused to let her carry any luggage. "Mr. Warsaw feels more at ease knowing I'm with you. I'll take good care of you when we reach Ludwiten. You've been too exhausted lately."Watching Kael's efficiency, Fergus realized the extent of Stephen's meticulous planning. Kael handled matters with a precision that even surpassed Fergus' own assistant."Ludwiten is complicated. Whatever you do, prioritize your safety," Warren had warned them before their departure. For Warren, nothing was more important than the safety of his grandchildren. The world of high-stakes investments was fraught with hidden dangers. One miss
Those weighed down by darkness find no rest at night.An old cottage in Ludwiten stood cloaked in shadows, its walls overrun with vines and its history etched into the crumbling façade. The oak tree outside swayed in the moonlight, its rustling leaves carrying an eerie whisper that seemed to pierce the silence."Sir, I don't understand why you're hesitating. If we could seize the Carver family's fortune, why not do the same to the Grishams?" The speaker was wearing a black cloak that obscured his face. "We've successfully fooled Mrs. Kincaid, and everything is in place. The saintess is growing impatient—so why are you still hesitating?"The old man responded with a scoff, his cough rasping through the veil of white fabric that shrouded him. "Your flawed information caused me to miscalculate the Carver family's fate. And now you dare to rush me?"The cloaked figure flinched, his fear evident. "You've misunderstood, sir. I meant no disrespect. It's just... opportunities like this are