Gaining full control over the local business circles was crucial to their occupation of Farshya, so they couldn't afford to antagonize Barron.The Krowonians were also keen on staying out of international headlines, as their reputation would suffer if this incident became public.Viktor quickly apologized. "Sorry. It was all a misunderstanding." He spoke in stilted, accented Farshyan, "Please believe us when we say we sincerely want to work with you, Mr. Carver Senior. My subordinates were unaware that this young woman was your granddaughter."None of the intelligence they gathered had mentioned an eldest daughter in the family. She probably left the country early in her childhood, leading to her being missed in the investigation process.Viktor bowed. "I apologize for the terrifying experience, Ms. Carver."Aria replied directly, "I refuse to accept your apology. You were killing people without restraint—it was horrifying."She presented herself as a naïve, innocent young woma
Barron mulled over his thoughts before finally saying, "Tell me about this idea of yours.""Dad!" The Carvers standing nearby were shocked. They couldn't believe Barron would place his trust in this unfamiliar young woman, especially considering how obviously most of her claims seemed dubious.Barron raised his hand, halting the heated discussion around them. He met Aria's gaze. "But you must tell me where you come from and why the Krowonians were tailing you.""Sure." Aria looked at everyone. Barron, who instantly understood her intentions, gestured for everyone to leave save for a bodyguard. Aria bent down and patted Annie on the shoulder, telling her to leave as well. "Put your trust in the Carvers. They won't give you a hard time."Aria then looked up. "I'll have to trouble you to feed her."The Carvers had married good women. They had felt sympathy for Annie from the moment she walked in, so they waved her over.With the door firmly closed and the room soundproofed, no one
"Yes. Everyone is working and going to school. We travel occasionally to relax," Aria said.Barron's eyes reddened. "That's great, truly great!"It was hard for anyone not from this era to understand their commitment to studying and earning money. They just wanted their people to be able to afford food and no longer suffer bullying. It was that simple.Aria trusted herself but also believed in the existence of altruistic people—those who acted heroically to save others.She was grateful to have been born a Carver because Barron was one of those rare individuals. Despite being a businessman, he remained altruistic. "Tell me, young lady, what do you need me to do?" Barron asked, returning the new device he had been holding back to Aria once he had calmed down. He had wanted to inspect it further, but he had more pressing matters to attend to. He needed to stay focused. "I have one condition—I will never work with the Krowonians.""Don't worry. You won't have to," Aria assured hi
Barron would never let the Krowonians succeed, even if it meant sacrificing his life.However, seeing Aria willing to put herself in danger touched him deeply. He began to bow in gratitude, but Aria stopped him. "I'm really a Carver, so we're practically family. If I let you bow, my grandpa will have my head when I get back."Aria was clearly joking—Warren adored her more than any of his grandchildren, and he'd never raise a hand against her.Barron chuckled at her words. "You truly are a Carver!"As the door opened, everyone inside heard laughter. "Really. I have six brothers, and none of them want to inherit the family business. They probably find the massive family fortune intimidating."Aria's words made Barron laugh. It had been a while since the Carvers last saw Barron with a smile on his face. Despite having their suspicions about Aria, they were still thankful to her. Barron looked up. "Tell the embassy we'll attend the banquet. I'll bring Warren home with me too."The
No, this man was probably Landon's previous incarnation. He raised a brow, a knowing smirk playing on his lips. "Are you Mr. Carver Senior's granddaughter who has been studying overseas?"Aria didn't give anything away. "Yes. I've heard of you."The man's smile widened, his voice as smooth as the rustling forest winds. "This is our first meeting. When did you hear of me?""You're famous out there." Aria scanned the face of his partner. She adjusted her posture and added quietly, "I prefer the reincarnated version of you."He'd tarnished himself now, something that Aria minded. She wasn't sure if he heard the latter half of her sentence, but he chuckled softly and coughed a little. "The way you look at me is interesting.""Is it?" Aria was waiting for whoever was in the study to come out. Barron hadn't invited those people here before heading to the embassy just so she could meet them. He probably had something he wanted to pass out to these men in advance.Aria had guessed ri
As fog blanketed the windows, Viktor stood outside the embassy, awaiting Barron's arrival. He had been waiting for quite some time, intending to extend a courteous welcome. However, seeing Aria with Barron caught him off guard."Care to explain this, Mr. Carver Senior?" Viktor asked, his curiosity piqued."My granddaughter is fluent in Krowonian, so she'll interpret for me. Why? Do you have a problem with that?" Barron replied. Viktor couldn't refuse to show Aria in. "Of course not. After you."Aria, her arm looped around Barron's, remarked imperiously, "This place is tiny, Grandpa.""It is not that big compared to Carver Residence, for sure." Viktor liked Aria in terms of her appearance and family background. If only she wasn't problematic. "Please follow after me."They made a turn, which took them to a vast building connected to a soccer field."This is where the school will be. The students can play soccer after school. The classrooms are over there. We plan on hiring teach
Viktor was completely focused on Barron. Beyond the conditions he had previously outlined, his goal was clear—consume the Carver family and seize control of the Farshyan Chamber of Commerce.Viktor took his seat and commanded, "Bring young Mr. Carver here so that Mr. Carver Senior can see him."Warren was the family's weakness, and Viktor intended to exploit it to the fullest.Some semblance of emotion could be seen on Barron's face, as expected. Viktor was satisfied and had the staff prepare dinner. …The agents in black followed after Aria. She had entered and left the restroom without anything happening, and she seemed quite innocent. She smoked, too. With a hooded gaze, she asked, "Do you have a lighter?"The moment an agent handed one over, Aria disarmed him by prodding on his acupoints.The agents hidden in the shadows were oblivious to what had transpired. Aria glanced up. Under her gown, a row of silver needles was strapped to her thigh.The agent died instantly, sil
Riley suddenly clutched his head, tears welling up in his eyes. He remembered his mother pushing him into a closet, shielding him as armed men stormed into the room. Her clothes were torn from the struggle, and blood was everywhere.His father, a reporter, lay on the ground with his glasses askew. The study room was in shambles.In the end, the principal found Riley and pulled him out of the closet. He could still hear his mother's frantic screams echoing behind him.With a pale face, the boy muttered, "Mom, n-no!"Nyx covered the Riley's mouth. "Ms. Carver, there's something wrong with him."Aria tapped Riley's forehead, silencing him. Her eyes darkened as she said, "If you have any humanity left, take me to the detention room to find Bree."Riley, gritting his teeth in pain, nodded. Aria remained cautious, making him lead the way as she followed close behind.The detention room was somewhere none of the children wanted to go. The principal made it clear that only those who m
Landon's warm lips brushed against Aria's. The touch was light as a feather yet utterly captivating. His kiss was so delicate it seemed to awaken every memory stored in her body. In that moment, Aria could swear she caught that same sandalwood scent from her dreams. Black mist and countless indiscernible inscriptions appeared, but he paid them no mind, gripping her waist as he whispered low in her ear. When he kissed her wrist without looking away from her face, his presence was impossible to ignore. His black leather gloves lay discarded to the side. To Aria, every place his hands touched felt like it was on fire. The sensation intensified when his fingertips traced the black mark on her neck. Something inside her screamed to take control, which made her grab his hand. He seemed to smile with his lips by her ear. "So, are you ready to pay the renewal fee?" Aria had never thought anyone could enchant her like this. But this was different. It felt just like seeing a fallen g
Landon asked, "You're getting water?" As his gaze drifted down to where Aria's hair fell, his voice turned rich and low. "Then why are your ears turning red?" Aria's hand froze mid-air. "It's hot in here." "What?" He raised an eyebrow. "It's only 70°F here." Aria wanted to tell him to stop talking so much. It was all because of what he had done in her dreams, making her imagination run wild now. Did he think having a handsome face meant he could do whatever he wanted? He even used all that binding stuff on her too. But she couldn't be sure it was even him. And even if it was, it must have been from a past life. As an arcane seeker, Aria knew what recurring dreams usually meant. But she had pushed those thoughts aside. A past life should not dictate their relationship in this one. At the very least, he wouldn't try anything like putting her in chains and locking her up now. That would be illegal. She would have him arrested and be done with it. Besides, her handsome fi
The atmosphere inside the room was totally different from the outside.Aria did sense the strange aura around Seraphina just now. Her beauty was otherworldly, almost supernatural. And there was something familiar about her presence—Aria felt she had encountered it before but couldn't remember where. Given how quickly Seraphina had withdrawn her hostility and turned gentle, Aria saw no point in making an issue of it. Besides, the way Landon was massaging her neck felt too good, making her mind feel hazy. As her blood flow slowed, she started to feel drowsy. The trio hiding in the copper coin did not dare show themselves; they were probably not even there. They had been especially quiet since arriving in Ludwiten, as if something here affected them. This was one of the things Aria wanted to investigate. The Wagners had used some unknown method to hide themselves after reaching Ludwiten. Even the Special Missions Unit failed to track them. All they had was that initial contact
The woman in the evening gown kept glancing back as she left, words caught in her throat. Though she wanted to say something, she eventually lost her nerve. She had never dared disobey Landon's orders in the slightest. But besides Landon, other men did tend to fall under her spell.Jett had already stood up, clearly recognizing her. He was surprised and excited. "Ms. Virelle, what brings you here?"She was known to be hard to book. Despite working in nightlife, she carried herself with an elegant air. Even when major incidents happened at clubs, no one blamed her. After all, she was above the wealthy heirs' advances, caring nothing for expensive bottles or money thrown her way. She only went out with those who caught her interest.No one had figured out her criteria for choosing men. She seemed to act on whims, operating independently even from the Draycotts' influence. Eventually, everyone came to call her Ms. Virelle.Seraphina Virelle had planned to just walk past. She did n
Landon told Aria, "Rest on the couch while I wrap this up." He really had a way of making his suggestions hard to refuse. Aria hadn't wanted to know too much about the York family's business dealings. After all, it might get awkward if they ever became competitors."Is this appropriate?" Aria was reminding him to keep business and feelings separate. If she heard any good business strategies, she wouldn't let sentiment stop her from using them.Landon caught her meaning, his smile deepening as his voice took on a rich tone, his eyes soft. "There's nothing inappropriate. We're not discussing anything important."He removed his leather gloves and gently touched the dark circles under her eyes as he spoke. His gentlemanly gesture made it hard to believe he had just been in intimidation mode."Then I'll use your computer to work on some files. You two talk; don't mind me." Aria needed to review the Draycotts' recent moves to prepare for her next steps. Landon hummed in agreement,
At those words, the guard did not dare stop Aria anymore, fearing a misunderstanding. This was all Landon's doing; it had nothing to do with him. He could not understand why Landon had brought a woman back today. Their attire made them look rather intimate, and by sheer coincidence, Aria had arrived. The guard, who rarely showed emotion, now had his features twisted in concern. Seeing this, Aria fiddled with the amethyst pendant at her waist, raising an eyebrow coolly. "So, should I go in?" "Please, Ms. Carver, go right ahead!" The guard weighed his options. If Aria left without entering today, he might find himself fired before nightfall. It was better to let Landon handle his own mess. The guard stepped aside with swift decisiveness. Aria found this amusing—so her handsome fiancé could stir up trouble after all. Well, she wouldn't mind finding a new one. Though she would miss that face of his, she had no use for someone who had been tainted. But from what she knew of his
After the incident with the Katz family, the Fitzroys would certainly be restless. After all, not once during the entire event did Aria allow Jett to take any credit. Aria wanted to observe the Fitzroys' intentions and Laura's reaction. Human nature seemed the most unpredictable element, so taking preventive measures seemed wise. As for Jett, it was time for him to grow up. Otherwise, the Grisham family's situation would remain unsolvable. Jett hadn't failed to reflect. Today's events involving the Katz family had shaken him deeply. Before this, he had never truly understood what kind of enterprise his grandfather Clyde wanted to build. The concept of "national brands" had remained unclear to him. Many of the family's decisions had left him puzzled. But today, everything had finally clicked into place. He had even begun doubting himself, wondering if all those years abroad had been worthless. When he voiced this concern aloud, Aria responded, "Having a global perspective is
That was how certain things worked. They would initially seem insignificant until their loved ones brought them up repeatedly, causing doubt to creep in. Laura lifted her gaze. "Mom, I still think you're overthinking it. Clyde wouldn't ignore Jett and hand everything to Aria." "That's debatable." Magdalene glanced away. "After all these years, you must have forgotten. From the moment Aria was born, she stole all of Jett's attention. Even her first birthday celebration outshone the Grishams' eldest grandson. "Your late mother-in-law made poor decisions in her confusion. You can't allow the same here. Look at what happened with the Katz family. More people will support Aria, and where will that leave Jett? "As the Grishams' eldest grandson, how awkward will his position become?" With each of Magdalene's questions, Laura fell deeper into silence. She had never considered these things before. She had been happy that the Grishams and the Carvers were on good terms again. Moreo
Magdalene asked, "So Jett was just taken away without any explanation? They're practically treating him like a Carver family lackey by making him follow someone even younger than him!" She looked displeased when talking about this matter. "You're his mother, so you should be the one having control over his actions. This situation might be causing a stir, but what does it have to do with Jett? "No one even remembers he's the Grisham heir anymore!" The older generation valued reputation above all else. Magdalene selfishly hoped the Ludwiten business circle would remember Jett's success rather than the Carver family. There was nothing wrong with that desire, but the problem lay elsewhere. "Mother, you know the Katz family situation was handled entirely by Aria. Jett doesn't understand these matters, does he?" Jett's mother, Laura Fitzroy, was quite frustrated as she tried to explain things to Magdalene. "The Grishams were facing a huge crisis, yet Clyde never approached me becau