The newcomer was dressed fashionably, with pale skin and handsome features. With the pair of red headphones around his neck, he didn't look much like a doctor, but rather a rapper.He sat down beside Aria, muttering, "My grandpa also tells me to do stuff like this. Take care of his old friend's granddaughter, hah. Do I look like I know how to do that?"He looked Aria up and down, his gaze sharp. "You shocked everyone just now, young lady. For you to say that you came from Heartbound Hall, you sure are bold."Aria studied his face for a while, and she said, her gaze meaningful, "Malcolm?"Malcolm's eyes opened wide instantly. He wondered why the young woman before him sounded like his boss when she'd uttered his name. He was convinced he had hallucinated it; anything else was absurd!Malcolm looked at his phone. His boss had never said that she'd come to the seminar, and the last message in their chat was still her refusing an order.That was what he thought! His amazing, powerful
"You're leading a team even if you're useless yourself?" The person who'd interrupted Aria was Constantine, who'd come late. His arm was still limp even now, all thanks to Aria.Constantine sneered coldly, looking at Aria. "Your family is absolutely laughable, Malcolm. Did you really bring some random nobody here?"Malcolm was unperturbed. "And is that any of your business?"Constantine didn't respond to that. Instead, he said to Taron, "Don't say that I didn't remind you, Taron. You shouldn't hang out with good-for-nothing like them all the time. Look carefully at her. Who is she?"Taron had never liked how arrogant he was, so he retorted, "Like I give a damn about that. I don't make friends based on their family background.""That's why I said that you're stupid. You can't tell a pill from another, that's fine, but you don't even know that she's your ex-cousin-in-law." Constantine pointed at Aria. "She's the fake daughter who was kicked out by the Kent family!"What?Taron was
Aria hoisted her wooden chair up and went over to another spot. She sat down again, her legs crossed as she said coolly, "Where did this ugly mug come from? You sure do talk a lot."Ugly mug?A dead silence filled the hall. The expression on Christian's face sure was something. Even his lips were trembling as he gaped in disbelief. "What did you just say?""I said you're ugly." Aria chuckled nonchalantly. "Hear that? If you didn't hear me clearly, maybe consider getting your ears treated.""You little…" Christian's chest heaved in anger. Almost everyone wore expressions of shock. Lily was especially taken aback. Her hands were clasped together as she frowned. What was that?Didn't Aria have feelings for Christian? She'd witnessed how Aria had put herself down just for Christian. So why was this happening now?Lily took a deep breath. Christian looked like a clown still stuck onstage. "Did you forget how you begged me just to look at you for a second, Aria?""No woman i
"Thank you for coming despite how busy you are, everyone. I'm very thankful."Lorelia walked down the stairs, clad in a black evening gown. She raised her head and looked at the people in the hall, her bearing intimidating. Malcolm took a deep breath abruptly. "It's been a long time since I'd last seen her, but she's as formidable as always."Aria raised a brow. "You know her?""She's the eldest daughter of the York family. She joined the army before, but I think she's managing a business now," Malcolm added, "You'd better not let loose in front of her. She can send you flying with just a punch."Aria heeded his advice. She lowered her head and chewed on another piece of candy, looking innocuous. Lorelia was a beautiful woman with sharp and deep-set features. It was obvious that she'd been taught well despite her fierce appearance. "My family has prepared a small gift for everyone." She clapped her hands, and a gift box rose beside everyone's seats. The box's contents were
"Yes, it's elvenroot," Aria said, "When you store elvenroot, you should avoid exposing it to strong sunlight, and the temperature shouldn't be higher than 68 degrees Fahrenheit. It's 75 degrees outdoors now. This is also when the UV radiation is the most intense."I'm storing the herb inside my bag so as to preserve its medicinal value. Does a member of the Gunther family not even possess such basic medical knowledge?"The room erupted in chatter the moment she said that. Constantine was still sneering at her. "As if I'd buy any of that bull—""Be quiet, Constantine!" Salome barked.Constantine was stunned. He turned sideways to look at the expression on Salome's face and also at everyone's gazes that were focused on him. Panic showed on his face. Had Aria really hit the nail on the head?Someone laughed, saying, "I expected nothing less from Georgina's student. She has a good intuition when it comes to identifying herbs." The speaker was Wendell Claude, the head of the Clau
"Please enter, everyone!" Lorelia gestured with a flourish. The walls of the hall seemed to ripple for a moment, then receded to reveal several ornately decorated consultation rooms.The doctors would have to form groups and treat those patients. Salome was the first to make a move. She was eager to show everyone what the Gunther family was capable of, especially to Aria. All the patients the York family had found were difficult to treat. Every group of doctors who had entered the consultation rooms stayed a long time in there and came out looking solemn. The doctors from the Gunther and Short families were the only exceptions; they came out with smiles on their faces. Even Zephyr found it somewhat difficult. Fortunately, he also managed to issue a prescription. Many doctors couldn't even figure out what illnesses those patients were afflicted with. They came out muttering under their breaths like students who'd just been done with their exams."What illness is the third pa
"We're done here." Aria grabbed her bag. The patient sounded skeptical. "That's all? You haven't even asked me what other symptoms I have aside from a headache and if I'm suffering from any pre-existing conditions. "You didn't even look at the scans on the table before making such a hasty conclusion. That's a bit ridiculous, isn't it?"Aria returned the pen to the pen holder on the table and smiled. "You're fine. I don't need to ask any more questions."Shiloh pulled her back, though. "Wait, we've only been here for five minutes. You should inspect him for a while longer. Look at the other groups! They spent 20 minutes treating the first patient alone!""That's not important." Aria pressed the bell decisively, confirming that they were done. The people outside the consultation rooms were still discussing the patients' illnesses. They laughed uproariously when they saw Aria's group emerge so soon. "They were in there for such a short time! Did they fail to identify the answer
"Heartbound Hall!" Lorelia announced, looking at Aria with a smile. Upon hearing the results, everyone in the hall fell silent, their eyes wide in disbelief. "Heartbound Hall's in the first place? That's impossible!"Norman's face darkened. Salome couldn't help but lunge forward for the sheet of paper, which she opened only to see the two words "Heartbound Hall" on it.Lily's smile disappeared from her face. She couldn't believe it. Was Aria really a skilled doctor?Everyone's gazes fell on Aria, Malcolm, and Shiloh instantly. As someone decidedly unskilled in medicine, Shiloh had never been the subject of such attention. Startled, he stopped in the middle of yawning.Malcolm was dumbfounded. They placed first? Really?Aria was the only one who remained calm throughout. Salome couldn't handle losing to a nobody under the gazes of everyone else. She crumpled the sheet of paper in her fist and steadied her breathing before asking, "As a doctor, it's probably not appropriate for
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
Now that Miguel, who was an expert in covering up, was gone, the long-standing issues in the school were exposed.The group stood frozen as they watched a cafeteria worker pour something into a large pot. A closer look revealed it was leftover mushroom soup. But that wasn't the worst of it. The soup reeked, clearly spoiled, yet it was still being reheated for the students.Things only got worse when they entered the kitchen. Hygiene standards were appalling. Not a single chef wore a mask, and some were even smoking while cooking.Amos' expression darkened immediately, even before Lucas could react.One of the chefs noticed them and slammed his ladle onto the counter. "What are you doing in here? Outsiders aren't allowed in the school—don't you know that?"Unlike other schools, Oakvale Academy had somehow always slipped through the cracks during routine inspections. When required to present something, they staged it well enough to fool a camera.So, the staff never expected a surp
Aria understood that this was all the person could offer. The real mastermind would never reveal himself so easily—not even to his most trusted subordinates.Those in power never needed to explain themselves. Those who understood them would earn their favor; those who didn't were destined to remain at the bottom.Her thoughts raced. She needed hard evidence to capture whoever was behind Amos. Baseless accusations would only alert the enemy and push them deeper into hiding.Allowing herself to be arrested had been part of Aria's plan. She needed the mastermind to lower his guard. After all, she had been too visible in Ludwiten lately. With eyes constantly watching her, she couldn't make any real moves. But she couldn't let the incident at Oakvale Academy go unresolved. Her instincts told her it was the key to everything.Before Philip found his family, she had to act—and that meant changing her identity to save Even.Just then, the person's phone buzzed. He turned the screen towa
"Boss!" Weston rushed over the moment he finished dealing with the other officers. Aria arched an eyebrow, flexing her wrists. "He's the mole?""Yes." Weston nodded. The Securities Regulatory Bureau, dispatched by the Securities Regulatory Commission, was tasked with auditing listed companies—particularly sniffing out insider trading and market manipulation.While not everyone in the bureau could be corrupt, it was common for a few to be compromised.The officer who had been interrogating Aria was of a minor rank, but the one Weston had just exposed held real power.Aria looked over at the trembling man. His legs had given out, sending him to the floor. His phone lay discarded beside him as he shook uncontrollably.They had met before—at a Chamber of Commerce meeting. To him, Aria had just been a clever heiress with some market luck, thanks to Landon's influence. No one would have expected her to single-handedly bring down the Draycott family.No one would logically believe