Aria recalled Barron's wise demeanor during the manifestation. In those days, someone had to step up and make sacrifices, even if they went unnoticed.Barron had traded his life to safeguard the knowledge and influence behind him, ensuring that everyone believed he was merely a regular businessman.If Barron had anything of true value, he could have handed it over to save his own life. But the Carver family couldn't be sacrificed, and their businesses were far too important.Money was necessary for everything, and although Barron was known for his love of wealth, that same wealth had saved countless youths.Aria stepped closer, her fingertip grazing Barron's portrait. A soft breeze drifted through the room. In the faded newspaper clipping, Barron stood tall and proud."I've been waiting for you. I finally get to see you. Good girl. You didn't deceive me. Farshya is truly strong now. I can rest easy with you here."His words were inaudible to others. Aria knew all too well that th
But Landon had already destroyed the doll at the manifestation. Logically, if the coin could survive to the present times, the doll should have been destroyed. Aria wondered if she had missed something. She couldn't get the full picture from the newspaper clippings alone. Recalling Warren's capture by Viktor, Aria contemplated briefly before showing him a photo. "Grandpa, have you seen this before?"Warren's expression changed when he saw the photo. "Rainbow, where did you get this?"Aria knew she'd hit the mark when she saw how Warren had reacted. "I didn't take the picture. It's being sold online, and even Ms. Ander has one at home.""That doll is pure evil. Stay away from it." It was the first time Warren had shown such strong opposition. He furrowed his brows, continuing, "Why is this doll back on the market? Wasn't it banned for a time?"As a top idol, Leon knew what it was by a glance. "Grandpa, plenty of girls like this doll. Isn't it quite common? Why are you saying it'
Aria studied Landon's face. "Explain," she said simply.Landon’s voice was smooth as he wove the tale effortlessly, "Our tradition of crafting dolls reached Krowo ages ago. These dolls held special significance for a time, especially among Krowonian soldiers' families and royalty."They believed that the dolls had souls, and they could ward off misfortune and boost morale."Though Landon spoke casually, Aria picked up on the critical details. "Why did they come to believe the dolls had souls?""It's difficult to be certain, but there's an old tale," Landon spoke slowly, his voice weighted with the eerie lore. "In the story, an elder brother, fearing his sister's loneliness in his absence, gifted her a wooden doll. The girl cherished the doll so much that she would cradle it every night, set a place for it at the dining table at every meal, and even give it a name."Her devotion bordered on obsession. But soon after, the girl fell gravely ill. Despite efforts to save her, she passe
Leon furrowed his brow, confused. "Why would it be harder for us to deal with the doll just because it's been worshipped?""Guardian spirits are relics of the past," Aria said, her tone indifferent. "A doll steeped in offerings and prayers is bound to become difficult."She continued, her tone steady. "Spirits draw life from belief. The more worshippers they gather, the stronger they become. That same bond holds, even in something as lifeless as a doll."As Aria explained, Percy couldn't help but see her in a different light. "Aria, do you know how to tell fortunes?"Aria didn't hesitate. "A little. I know the basics, but there are some theories I haven't mastered yet. Still, I can handle day-to-day problems."Percy, a lawyer with Hemingway Legal Elites, never imagined his own sister had a knack for fortune-telling. It was both intriguing and unsettling for a non-believer like him. "Well then, I'll just send all my strange clients your way."Over the years, Percy had dealt with p
Perhaps Warren's aversion to Aria interacting with the doll stemmed from his own trauma.After Aria stored the clues, she followed Warren downstairs. Exhausted and hungry, she eagerly dug into the food Landon had prepared.Soon after, she requested some privacy with Landon, leaving her three brothers to pace restlessly upstairs. Warren shot them an irritated look. "Be quiet."He was trying to think of other ways to assist Aria, but his grandsons were making it difficult.Leon wore a mischievous grin. "Grandpa, Rainbow is still too young to be alone with Landon. Aren't you worried at all?""I'm worried, but who among you would be bold enough to call Rainbow back here?" Warren's expression hardened. "None of you would dare, would you? Besides, it was Rainbow who invited him. I'm warning all of you. None of you should ever upset Rainbow."Percy adjusted his glasses. "Aria knows what she's doing."Leon figured Percy's comment stemmed from not witnessing Aria's encounter with Landon
As Aria pondered, the door clicked open, and in trotted Sam. He shot Landon a wary look, his eyes narrowing slightly. Landon remained composed, his gaze steady as he looked up.Sam, seeming puzzled, circled around Landon, sniffing him cautiously. Finally, he puffed up his cheeks and directed a concerned look at Aria, clearly signaling that something was wrong with Landon.Aria raised her eyebrows. "You seem particularly hostile today."Just as Sam was about to gesture to Aria, Landon slipped a credit card into his hand. "Go buy some meat to eat."Sam glared at him as if to say he wasn't someone to be swayed by money. Before he could protest, Landon tossed another item in his direction.The object glittered so brightly that Aria couldn't ignore it. However, Sam's eyes lit up as he bit into the gold bar.Confirming it was real, Sam rolled on the floor with delight as if he had just discovered his favorite toy.Meanwhile, Landon sat gracefully before him. Anyone not privy to thei
Aria's gaze shifted abruptly to Verona. "Ms. Ander, could you provide the specifics of Toto's birth?"Since Verona had become aware of Aria's exceptional capabilities, she had ceased to withhold information from her. She promptly detailed Toto's birth and even handed over Toto's hospital records to Aria, concerned that she might not have covered everything.Aria carefully reviewed the records and remarked, "He is quite fortunate."Yet, she didn't discern anything particularly notable about his complexion. Of course, she wasn't expecting everyone to be cloaked in purple energy like Landon.However, a person usually exhibits some sign of good fortune on their facial features, but Toto displayed none. If Toto hadn't seemed fearful of Sam, Aria might never have uncovered his fortune.It appeared the culprit had chosen Toto not by chance but because of his fortune.As per the lore, Toto would first suffer from illness and slowly lose his life, and his family would likely never suspect
Verona grasped Aria's intent and assured her, "Don't worry, Aria. I won't mention today's events to anyone, including Toto's father.""Thank you. And please ensure Toto doesn't come across such dolls again."Verona nodded quickly, having had more than enough of this experience. She was determined to prevent it from happening again. As Aria prepared to leave, Toto grabbed her hand. "Aria, what's wrong with Starry? Why did you ask Mom to stop me from playing with her?"Children often become attached to toys, especially those who are single-parented like Toto. This gift, given by his father, was particularly cherished.Aria knew she needed to be clear with Toto. She looked him in the eye and said, "Toto, do you remember what happened in the dream?""I do." There was no way Toto could forget about the events in his dreams. Aria gently patted his head. "The wooden doll caused everything that happened in the dream. It came from Krowo, and—"Before she could finish, Toto's anger fla