Disregarding families of similar status, even those lower in rank wouldn't dare to flatter the Wagner family again.Agnes was still contemplating her next move. Both Mindy and Kylie struggled, but the York family's bodyguards were different from those of other prestigious families. They were fiercely loyal and only followed orders from their employer. Owen had failed to prevent their actions and was forcibly pinned to the ground.Red wine splattered onto his white suit, leaving him disheveled.Unable to tolerate the situation any longer, Owen shouted at Fiona, "Mindy is also our daughter. Even if she's not our biological daughter, she has been by your side for years. How can you do this to her?""No, I have never acknowledged her," Fiona retorted with fiery eyes. "Owen, you were exploiting me when I was vulnerable! People may call me heartless today, but I will never tolerate someone who has continuously plotted against Aria and tried to replace her. I'd already held myself bac
When Warren made his announcement, everyone was stunned. The announcement was also the last thing Owen heard before he got dragged away. Surprisingly, no one objected. This was Warren's plan all along. Owen finally understood why Warren had waited so long to announce Aria's return. This wasn't a reunion; it was a trap set for him.If Warren had announced this a month ago, many shareholders would have opposed it. They favored Owen, who had maintained good relationships with them. However, even disregarding the Grisham family, no one would dare to defy Landon or the York family.Warren had hidden his trump card well, using it against Owen. Did Warren not see Owen as his son? Why didn't Warren hand over the company to him? Warren had remained guarded, refusing to step down even when ill. Yet, the moment Aria returned, Warren handed the company to her.It was clear Warren had no faith in him.Even knowing that today's events would completely cut off Owen's chances of inheriti
Aria decided to talk to Verona later.The others present all raised their glasses. "Congratulations to Aria Carver, the new head of Carver Group!"As the host applauded, every spotlight focused on Aria. She was undoubtedly the most striking person in the room. Information about the new head of Carver Group had also become one of the most searched topics. Although no photos were released, news about Carver Group occupied all news sites' headlines in the business segment.Many wealthy young ladies sneered at Aria after learning of her background, assuming she was an unsophisticated country girl clueless about fashion and luxury—nothing compared to them.They were certain she'd embarrass herself at the banquet and that Landon would surely dismiss her.They even schemed a few pranks, eager to ridicule her and enforce the unspoken rules of their social circle.What they didn't expect was that three of her six brothers would attend the banquet solely for her. Even Landon, typically s
Running a company wasn't something to be taken lightly. Most heirs were groomed from a young age or had a business school background.Though they were familiar faces in Janovin's social circles, the socialites and debutantes weren't necessarily equipped to manage a company.Regardless, Warren had publicly handed the reins to Aria. The employees would now have to pledge their loyalty to her.…The hall buzzed with activity as people surrounded Aria, eager to engage with her, especially since Landon was by her side."Are you feeling confident in your management of the company, Ms. Carver?""What's your take on the recent trends in venture capital investment in foreign markets, Ms. Carver?"They peppered her with questions, including those about the ongoing wars overseas that would impact the economy. The corporate crowd often discussed these topics at such events.Aria pulled Landon over and replied politely, "My fiancé will handle your questions."She then moved to leave, but L
Owen had believed that Fiona's discomfort was simply due to her heightened sensitivity during pregnancy.Fiona couldn't pinpoint why Dorothy made her uneasy. Dorothy had been a loyal and efficient worker for the Carvers for years, always attentive to Fiona's needs. Yet, Fiona discovered that Dorothy had been plotting behind her back. This realization strengthened Fiona's resolve to investigate Dorothy further.Her family had never truly approved of her marriage to Owen; their approval came later, only through their benevolence. Fiona had been content after her marriage until Aria's kidnapping and Mindy's arrival disrupted her life.Waymond had advised Fiona to be more cautious, suspecting Owen's involvement. She had failed to control her emotions during their confrontation, much like she had just now when she spaced out.Fiona understood why her family was disappointed with her. Still, she felt regretful and sad when Richard and Waymond didn't show up today. Aria was reclaiming
"We weren't good sons either," Leon said, jabbing at himself. "Do I take after Dad in this? Why did I not visit you even when I thought everything was strange? You were suffering, and yet I let that scheming bitch stay! Not to mention how I was just pitying her moments ago! Damn it! Something's wrong with my genes!"With the businessmen now focused on Landon, Aria glanced at Leon curiously and asked, "You felt sympathy for her?"Leon rushed to explain, "Believe me, Aria, I'm completely on your side!""How did you find yourself pitying her?" Aria asked, indifferent to whose side Leon was on, as she knew him well enough. "Oh," Leon said with the airs of a popular idol. "Rationally, I hate her, but a ridiculous voice in my head tells me that I should do something when she's wronged. It is also telling me that she's pitiful and that I should help her. I can't control it.""She looked like Aria when she was younger," Percy suddenly said. "However, we don't habitually pity someone else
The pendant, a small wooden lotus flower, was unremarkable at first glance. Unlike typical accessories, it was crafted from willow wood, not cherry.Most people would overlook the pendant on the chain. If not for Verona's identity, Aria might have missed it too. Verona, an artist known for her unique style, typically avoided wooden pendants with her attire and preferred Nobeetan art, which rarely featured lotus flowers."Wait," Aria called out after her. Verona looked back immediately, surprise in her eyes. As long as Aria wanted her to stay, she would have cause to hope.Fiona found that strange, though. She knew Aria quite well, and her daughter was not one to have someone else stay without reason. "What's wrong, Aria?" Fiona asked so as to make it easier for Aria who might want to ask Verona something. Aria smiled. Her mother knew her well. "I want to look at the pendant you're wearing, Ms. Ander. It looks great and is reminiscent of period fashion. It will inspire my futur
Aria scrutinized the pendant with a wary eye. Since ancient times, accessories crafted from willow had been deemed ill-suited for human use. The willow's drooping leaves had long been associated with death and sorrow, often planted in cemeteries and featured on gravestones in the southern regions of Farshya.For a lotus pendant, a symbol of peace and purity, oak or mahogany would be the preferred woods, with poplar as a secondary choice if the others were unavailable. Willow was never considered—its use in crafting was said to herald disaster or summon malevolent spiritsThe lotus pattern on this pendant was unsettling, twisted in a manner that provoked unease in those who gazed upon it.Tobias had once told her that there were countless Pristine deities. To follow the Pristine religion, one needed to be certain of their devotion to a genuine, legitimate figure. The Pristine religion and its myths originated from Durin, a land with a deep history, where some illegitimate figures
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