MasukAria continued, "The Soul Lock Grove is spotless, as if no one has ever set foot inside the forest. The government has assigned me to take charge."She frowned slightly, her fingers tapping lightly against her arm as a sharp sense of unease crept into her mind. "This isn't an ordinary disappearance. No normal person could vanish without a trace. Even the search dogs refused to go any farther."There's only one explanation. A manifestation has been set there, and there may be evil spirits lurking in the shadows. Those young people weren't lost; they were taken. And they may already be dead."Landon remained calm. "We'll know once we see it for ourselves."Aria nodded. Knowing that seven lines were on the line, she wasted no time. She picked up her phone and called the Special Missions Unit. Her voice was crisp and decisive. "Notify all members to gather at Mount Grayburn's Soul Lock Grove in 10 minutes. Contact the local police and seal off all access routes into the mountains. "P
The mist was bone-chilling, unlike any ordinary fog. The instant it touched the group's skin, it seized their nerves, froze their blood, and locked their limbs in place. "Ah! It's so cold!" Lanzo screamed. He felt all the warmth drain from his blood, his limbs turning stiff and numb. His fingers refused to bend. His headlamp slipped from his hands with a clatter, immediately going dark as it hit the leaf litter. Wera immediately reached out to grab Matteo, who was beside her. But the moment she stretched out her hand, she felt a strange pulling force from deep within the white mist. The grip was so strong that it didn't feel human. It was as if an invisible hand had grabbed her soul and was dragging her deeper into the mist. Wera couldn't resist at all. Her body was lifted off the ground against her will, and the world spun around her. Her companions' figures blurred into distorted shapes. "Wera!" Linden yelled as he lunged toward her. But the moment he stepped into the mist,
Elijah's warning lingered in the room, sharp and unyielding. The evening sunlight spilled gently across the floor, yet it did nothing to soften the taut tension between them. Even the scent of sandalwood seemed to fade, as though the very air were holding its breath.Fergus, propped against the soft pillows, made no effort to ease the atmosphere. He merely gazed calmly at Landon. Gentle and magnanimous as he was, he shared Elijah's intensity when it came to protecting Aria.Today's confrontation was the sternest and most genuine test for the man who sought to join the Carver family and win Aria's hand. Fergus waited for Landon's answer—one that could finally put them at ease. Landon remained seated in a perfect posture. Even the way he held the glass between his fingers was impeccably still.Each word from Elijah struck like a blow to his heart, yet not a trace of anger showed on his composed expression. Only his eyes—so deep they seemed to hold an endless galaxy—stirred faintly.
Elijah didn't seem surprised, as if he had already sensed Landon's presence. A faint flicker of understanding passed through his eyes before his expression settled back into its usual calm composure.He gestured toward the chair beside him, his tone even and unbothered, without the slightest hint of irritation at being interrupted. "You're here. Come in, have a seat."On the bed, Fergus had already turned to look at Landon. He lay against the soft silk bedding, the pallor from his long unconsciousness mostly gone.His complexion had returned to his usual porcelain warmth. His lips were faintly defined, and the contours of his brows and eyes carried the striking refinement passed down through the Carver family's lineage. A trace of weariness lingered from his long rest, yet it did nothing to diminish the poised presence he was born with.His gaze moved past Elijah's shoulder and settled directly on Landon. At first, a subtle trace of scrutiny flickered in his eyes—an instinctive ale
Elijah's gentle voice broke the warm silence in the living room. He stood beside the coffee table, his fingers still damp from making tea. His gaze swept over Warren and Aria, who were locked in an embrace, before settling on Aria with concern.Aria lifted a hand and brushed her fingertips across her cheek, where a lingering warmth remained. She took a deep breath, suppressing the surge of emotion within her. When she glanced at Warren again, only warmth lingered in her eyes.Her voice was still slightly hoarse, but every word came out clearly. "Grandpa, you already understand, don't you?"It was less a question and more a deliberate probe. She knew he had seen too much in life not to notice. From the changes in Aria and Elijah after they awoke, to the subtle shifts in Elijah's energy during his three days of unconsciousness, and the connection between Elijah's and Fergus' collapse, Aria was certain Warren could piece the truth together.However, she didn't dare say it outright. Th
Warren's expression was grim. "What exactly happened to Fergus? How did he end up unconscious?" Stephen's face wasn't much better. "We still don't know. Dr. Ludwig couldn't find anything wrong either. When Ms. Carver came back, she had us bring Mr. Fergus up to his room." Inside, Aria and Elijah shared a look, and something moved behind both their eyes. Aria quickly wiped away the last traces of tears from the corners of her eyes. She reached up to smooth a few loose strands of hair, and then gently pulled the quilt up around Fergus, tucking it in with soft, careful hands. Fergus slowly steadied his breathing. The sharp edge that had crept into his expression when the memories came flooding back faded slowly, until what was left looked like the quiet, composed eldest son of the Carver family. The intensity behind his eyes pulled back, and all that showed now was the pale, faint weakness of someone who'd just woken up from a long illness, and the softness that came with being
"Everyone wants to meet Aria, but they're not exactly friendly about it," Keith reported honestly. "Some have seen her as a country bumpkin from the start and think she's not sophisticated enough for their socialite gatherings."Warren's expression darkened. "Yonah called me just now. While he sounde
Upon seeing who called, Christian complained, "You must help me out here, Dad. Someone's looking down on our family—"Before Christian could finish his sentence, Norman roared, "Where are you?"Christian's hands started to shake. "Dad—""Don't call me that! Answer my question! Where are you?" Norman wa
Leon was mischievous but was always fiercely protective of his family. Fiona understood the depth of his pain when Aria was kidnapped.Now that her children were reunited, tears welled up in Fiona's eyes. She'd never expected Leon to forgive her so quickly, especially after her harsh words during her
In the hospital, Lana seemed to have sensed something. She looked up abruptly.Abbie exclaimed, "Someone's here!"Lana's face twisted with a fierce intensity. "A being of heavenly fortune has arrived. You summoned them.""You lied to us!" Lana lost control. "You, of all people!"Fury surged through Lana







