"You're all taking her way too seriously." Kenny loosened his tie as he settled on the couch. "Sure, she knows a thing or two about fortune-telling, but bringing all of us down? That's not impossible."He then lowered his voice. "Mr. Carver Senior is the one teaching her all of this."Those around him shifted uneasily. "But she's Lamar! You saw how she carried herself at the reunion banquet—she's not someone to mess with."Leon's backing her, and even Percy and Jeffrey defend her. I'm not about to cross the Carvers, especially Percy. My dad says he's an exceptional lawyer."In the past, no one would dare question Kenny's words, especially in a close-knit setting like this. But today was different—nobody backed him.As the illegitimate son, Kenny always craved the upper hand, even in small circles like this. He clenched his fists. "What's Mindy supposed to do with all of you acting like this? She's too scared to even go home."Everyone went silent upon hearing that.They all had
When Ignatius entered the car, he observed Philip briefly and whistled. "Philip, this is the first time I've seen you publicly stand up to Kenny. But what did you mean when you said it would be the last time you refer to him as your brother?""It's nothing," Philip responded, sounding distracted. Ignatius had heard about the tangled mess within the Wagner family and the strained relationship between the brothers. Philip, however, had never intended to inherit the company from the beginning. "It's odd how your brother is still fixated on Mindy," Ignatius remarked, changing the subject. "He's stubborn enough to challenge Aria, but if she decides to act, your brother doesn't stand a chance."Philip suddenly asked, "Do you think he's doing all this for Mindy?""Who else would it be for?" Ignatius was somewhat naïve. Philip lowered his gaze. "Perhaps I'm overthinking it. My brother always…""What?" Ignatius couldn't make out the rest. Philip had no intention of letting Ignatius
However, not everyone shared Mindy's confidence.…Inside the villa, Ian stared at the chess piece on the table, unmoving. Recent incident reports lay tucked beneath the chessboard.Aria was just a country bumpkin. How could she be so capable?Ian had spent years perfecting the art of concealing his emotions. He wouldn't let anything slip."Investigate what happened in Uludon. If she really saved Jeffrey, we need to tread carefully."The butler beside him, unusually young for his role, seemed to hold Ian's trust. "Are you worried she has something to do with the Layne family?" "Her appearance couldn't be any more timely," Ian said, placing his chess piece down. "Go and tell your boss there's no way I will cross the York family."Landon made his position clear at the reunion banquet. So, the only way our partnership succeeds is if we find a way to control Landon."The young man poured Ian a cup of coffee. "I'll pass along your message. No need to worry—my boss knows how to han
Leon immediately understood after Percy's explanation. With a glint in his eye, he pulled out his phone. After mentioning Aria in the group chat, he entered his password to initiate a transfer. Meanwhile, Aria's phone began buzzing as she wrapped up her tasks."Leon Carver has transferred 100 thousand dollars to you.""Leon Carver has transferred 100 thousand dollars to you.""Leon…"Leon sent her the first three transfers, and soon after, Elijah, Percy, and Jeffrey followed suit. However, unlike Leon, their transfers had an extra zero at the end.Aria took off her helmet and raised her eyebrows, showing her phone to the butler who came to welcome her. "Mr. Warsaw, what is going on here?"Stephen Warsaw smiled knowingly. "They're competing for your attention."Aria was completely confused. Holding a lamp, Stephen chuckled and explained what had unfolded in the living room just moments ago. "It's been a while since the Carver residence has been this lively. Mr. Leon is stil
The incident involving Leon in Aria's dream left her deeply troubled. While she couldn't predict the fate of those close to her, she knew Leon faced significant challenges. Additionally, the appearance of the wooden doll prompted her to issue a warning.Just as Leon was about to respond, his phone rang. It was Clary, reminding him about the upcoming variety show."What variety show?" Aria asked. She was worried the director would pick a spot with Earthbound Manifestation again.Leon, in his element, seemed every bit the celebrity. Though he had hesitated to bring it up, he now beamed at Aria with enthusiasm."It's a knowledge-enhancement variety show," Leon explained. "My company arranged it, and they allow a family member to join. How about coming with me, Aria?"Elijah interjected, "I could accompany you instead. Why ask someone who's not a celebrity?"Leon was quick to respond, "I want to promote the Carver family since we're trending. The Farshyan TV network caters to all age
Despite being one of the most popular actors, Leon found the comments online weighed heavily on him. At night, he often questioned the meaning of his path. However, he turned to Aria today and asked, "Do you think it's right?""What do you mean?" Aria asked, lowering her gaze to look at the score sheet. Leon averted his gaze. "Being an idol and not considering my future."Seeing Leon's timid expression, Aria was reminded of his final moments in her dream, causing her heart to ache.She wouldn't feel this way if she had not encountered Leon in her dream and learned more about his struggles. He was a vibrant young man who overcame numerous challenges in pursuing his passion. Despite his considerable effort to make it onto the world stage, a conspiracy ultimately brought him down.Moreover, the vile Owen had consistently belittled Leon."You are a shining star," Aria said as she looked at him dotingly. "Leon, you were born for the stage. You're incredible. How could you doubt it?"
Aria had never met Fergus before, but Percy mentioned that Fergus wanted to come back for the reunion banquet. Unfortunately, the overseas partner refused to sign the contract if Fergus wasn't around.Aria had heard that Fergus was quite renowned on Parker Street. Everyone talked about Fergus Carver, a Farshyan known for his remarkable intelligence and who was acclaimed as the best CEO for managing the company.If Aria's dreams were indeed glimpses from her past life, she wondered why the brilliant Fergus hadn't helped Warren to save Carver Group. After all, Fergus was overseas overseeing Carver Group's subsidiary.As Aria pondered this, Stephen led Fergus inside while pushing two suitcases.Perplexed, Leon's brows quirked when he noticed the two suitcases. There was a breeze when the door was pushed open. This was the first time Aria laid eyes on her eldest brother, Fergus. He looked every bit the elite businessman in a meticulously tailored suit, with short, tousled hair and
Worried that Aria might be out of the loop, Leon leaned in and whispered to her. "She is Fergus' first love, Poeta Summers. They were madly in love but broke up because Grandpa disapproved of them.""I can see that," Aria whispered.Leon looked surprised. "You can tell?"She could. Body language revealed a lot, and their conversation made it even more apparent. But what really caught her attention was Warren's demeanor.Noticing their quiet exchange, Fergus asked, "Leon, what are you whispering to Aria about?""Nothing much," Leon replied casually, sliding a hand into his pocket with the grace of a celebrity. "We were just talking about how flowers can still bloom, but we can't be young again."Peota couldn't help but say, "Leon, you're as funny as ever."Leon smiled politely, and from that, Aria could tell Poeta was familiar with him and his brothers."I was so surprised to see your posters overseas," Poeta added, her eyes brightening. "Your fans really adore you. Who would've
The entertainment industry was a place where people could rise quickly. It was a world where words could be tailored to suit different audiences, where alliances were formed with the popular, and enemies were kept in check before they could make a name for themselves.On the surface, everyone seemed friendly, but beneath the smiles, subtle rivalries festered.Back then, Fiona wouldn't have noticed such dynamics. She had never been interested in competing with other women, even in school. The term "female competition" hadn't existed in her vocabulary. Fiona simply wasn't concerned with who stood out in the crowd, so she remained unaware of the unspoken tensions around her.But now, things were different. After years of observing the entertainment industry, Fiona had become attuned to the subtle games people played. Every word Priscilla had spoken earlier had an underlying agenda.It was then that Fiona realized how much time had changed everyone. She could barely recognize the wom
Priscilla, it seemed, embodied the capitalist archetype that online critics often despised—one who saw people as mere tools for profit. Her approach to problems was straightforward, ruthless, and without compassion.She had used unapproved injections to boost her earnings, and now, when things went wrong, she wanted to shift the blame onto unsuspecting individuals.The girl's parents, though devastated, were not asking for much. They simply wanted their daughter's suffering to end and for Priscilla to cover the basic medical costs. But Priscilla wasn't concerned with such matters. The success of her medispa in Ludwiten wasn't due to any sense of ethics—it was built on ambition and exploitation.If Priscilla agreed to treat one person's botched surgery, it would open the door to countless others. She couldn't afford to make exceptions; these "victims" would only try to take advantage of her.At that moment, Priscilla reclined in the lounge, a face mask on, preparing for a full-bod
Back then, a rumor circulated that everyone desired the Grisham family's daughter. Audriana had thought it was an exaggeration. After all, no matter how beautiful a woman was, she would inevitably age. Fiona, no matter how stunning, would eventually face the same fate.However, Audriana had come to realize that some people could indeed look like fairies. Yet, she couldn't show her envy, as Priscilla was still watching her."Why do I think she looks so average? She's not nearly as ladylike as you, Priscilla," Audriana flattered her.Priscilla merely gave her a passing glance. "You don't have to try to flatter me. I don't care about that. With plastic surgery so common these days, I can have any appearance I want."What's important is for a woman to have her own career. But I have to admit, her face is quite stunning."Otherwise, Fiona wouldn't have remained relevant for so many years. But it didn't matter now. Fiona was already married, with so many children. Once a woman became a
"Who doesn't have a career in this day and age? She's the only one with no achievements to speak of, and she even went crazy. How does she have the nerve to reconcile with the Grisham family? I don't know whether to call her naïve or just plain dumb," Priscilla remarked, her voice dripping with disdain as she spoke to the person behind her. As she spoke, the woman slowly rose, revealing her identity—none other than Audriana."Perhaps she doesn't realize that the Draycott family is almost as influential as the Grisham family in Ludwiten. Especially you, Priscilla. Everyone knows the medispa you operate. "Fiona hasn't kept up with the times. I once thought she was capable, with her title as Ludwiten's Red Rose. But now, it seems she's all show, no substance." Audriana chuckled, clearly taking pleasure in belittling Fiona while subtly praising Priscilla. Priscilla, clearly pleased, took a sip of her coffee. "It's a shame she didn't listen to me and meet Ms. Kent."Audriana raised
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