Numerous media outlets gathered outside the Farshya Channel building, eager to capture the latest hot topic before filming began. Their goal was to get a glimpse of the student of a renowned cultural relics expert who had captured everyone's interest online.Owen had anticipated this frenzy, even ordering a custom dress for Mindy. She didn't disappoint him; she embodied the image of an innocent young princess while exuding an air of nobility.Instead of her usual Chanel ensembles, Mindy wore a green and white dress inspired by Farshyan elements, perfectly suited for the occasion. Owen had also leveraged his connections to secure a limited-edition Rolls-Royce, ensuring her entrance was nothing short of spectacular.Owen had nearly drained his savings. Without the support of the Carver family, he encountered obstacles at every turn. Yet, he remained resilient and resolute, confident that some individuals would be willing to collaborate due to their shared interests.He was confident
The latest round of interviews commenced, with every journalist eager to secure an exclusive story.Owen and Mindy beamed with pride, reveling in the long-overdue recognition. Their faces flushed with a sense of accomplishment. They felt no shame in leveraging the Carver family's fame.Mindy found validation in her years of calling Owen "Dad". As he often pointed out, Aria would pale in comparison as long as she made a name for herself in a noteworthy show.Her confidence soared with the increasing support from the audience. Given the audience's fondness for traditional styles and nostalgia, Mindy was determined to capitalize on this trend.With a growing smile, she turned her head to showcase her emerald hair clip, ensuring everyone noticed her carefully chosen accessories.This move ignited a buzz online, propelling the Carver family into trending discussions.The entire Carver Group was baffled by the sudden buzz. Had Leon or Aria inadvertently revealed their identities?Howe
Clary didn't know what Aria planned on doing next. After all, it wasn't appropriate for Aria to reveal her identity on "Exploring Farshya".Those appearing on the show were from the cultural scene, and Mindy held a considerable advantage. Few had the privilege of encountering cultural relics, but Mindy, as an apprentice of a renowned relic restorer, was an exception.Clary felt a twinge of concern for Aria. "Ms. Carver, maybe you should familiarize yourself with these relics beforehand?"Aria appreciated Clary's concern and didn't refuse the suggestion. She casually flipped through the informational booklet, her mind elsewhere. After all, she had uncovered some of the cultural relics, but revealing the unique cases the Special Missions Unit dealt with wasn't appropriate.Aria expertly maintained her composure, making it hard to read her emotions. Owen and Mindy's presence seemed to have no effect on her.…Meanwhile, Leon was far from composed. Although he kept his feelings priva
Aria raised her eyebrows at the text she received. It was quite a coincidence. She texted back, "Is the variety show you mentioned called 'Exploring Farshya'?""Yes! I can't believe you've heard of it. But then again, it makes sense since our country has many cultural relics located abroad. Through this show, I aim to educate young people about our history. You once said that a cultural relic is more than just an object; it carries the culture and stories of the people behind it."The passion of Don Hendricks, also known as "President Clippard", for cultural relics was unmistakable. Once he launched into a conversation about them, he simply couldn't stop.Don continued, "At first, I was hesitant to participate in the show because I thought it might be a gimmick. But after seeing the reactions of the heroic spirits online, I changed my mind. "I have high hopes for the guests this time. I hope they can convey to young people the mission we still need to fulfill. Of course, it woul
The spotlights illuminated the stage, revealing the host, elegantly dressed in a stunning gown amidst the dazzling setting.Unlike other variety shows, this one exuded a sense of cultural richness produced by the esteemed Farshya Channel. The host smiled warmly. "Welcome to our studio audience and everyone watching at home! You're tuned into 'Exploring Farshya'."Today, we honor the brave souls whose untold stories linger on as we present relics steeped in history and timeless romantic tales left behind by the Farshyan people. Let's welcome our guests!"First, we have Professor Hugh Meaux, an expert in poetry with extensive knowledge of the Heoburg and Ponad eras. He serves as the deputy director of the Cultural Relics Museum and will be with us throughout the recording to witness the restoration of 18 cultural treasures."Next, meet Mindy Carver, the youngest cultural relic restorer in the field. Don't let her age fool you. She's already restored hundreds of artifacts and accompan
Aria did not come across as a seasoned expert compared to the other guests. Her attire was decidedly modern—a black-and-white biker jacket paired with snug jeans. Her hair was pulled back into a high ponytail, and silver earphones hung casually in her ears.Aria stood backstage with minimal makeup; a mix of innocence and aloofness enhanced her striking beauty. However, not everyone was a fan of her style. Professor Dylan Soller, a guest invited by Mindy, disapproved of the way young people dressed these days, particularly believing that women should dress more conservatively.Despite the modern era, Dylan found Aria's outfit to undermine the elegance of her features. He felt she should have chosen a more fitting attire for the occasion. All the other guests were clad in suits and coats. At the very least, she could have worn something in solid colors. What advantage did her current outfit offer?With a dismissive glance at Aria, Dylan remarked, "You must be here on Leon's invita
At that moment, the audience engaged in lively discussions."Can anyone tell which ones are real?""I can't. They all look genuine to me."The host had mentioned that there were counterfeits among the items, suggesting there were several to choose from.After all, differentiating genuine cultural relics requires more than just a few books. It demands a deep familiarity with authentic artifacts. Perhaps only a few heirs from elite families had the privilege of that experience. For ordinary folks like them, distinguishing the real from the fake was nearly impossible."I doubt Leon would know the difference either.""He's just a celebrity who sings and dances. It'll be hard for him.""Only true experts can identify these relics. What's a celebrity like him doing here anyway?""It all depends on who he brought along."Celebrities might not have the expertise, but they could afford to hire professionals. Still, even Leon's wealth paled in comparison to Mindy's."Exactly. She's the
Don's reaction was opposite to the audience's, evident in the trembling of his ceramic cup. "It's her. It's really her!"Aria radiated an even greater charisma than she had a year ago. Though still young, her eyes possessed a calming quality that drew people in.Don could still vividly recall their first meeting. He had been at the border of Janovin, examining some rough emeralds. He was merely browsing, hoping to find something worth taking back to Farshya.Finding a relic would have been a stroke of luck. Yet, he hadn't expected to see a young woman standing nonchalantly beside a stone, instructing someone to open it with a sense of calm authority.As an expert, Don recognized instantly that the stone was worthless. There was no chance it would yield anything valuable.Cracking open stones was a gamble; the outcome was either a useless piece of rock or something precious. Even seasoned professionals relied on luck to discover rare finds. Sure, one might uncover a clear emerald
From the revelation of Leon's true identity to the announcement of his new project with Elijah, it was clear he was about to join an elite production team—a dream for any actor.This team's success stemmed from its screenwriter, a highly skilled individual whose works consistently became massive hits, not only domestically but also internationally. However, the screenwriter was known for their strong opinions and high standards. They weren't swayed by money or connections, making it impossible for capitalists to influence casting decisions.In short, the screenwriter held absolute authority over their work, which made it all the more surprising that Leon, a relatively inexperienced actor, had been chosen.Clary found herself reflecting on this peculiar situation. She had always believed that Leon's priority was to complete his current project, yet she had been easily swayed by the opinions of others. Perhaps it was because she had long been curious about the person who had made Leon
The more one cared about someone, the less one would want to know about them. After all, as long as one pretended the person didn't exist, it wouldn't hurt.Watching Fiona walk away, her figure growing distant, Alaric made a call. "Tell the Draycott family I'll be at the Chamber of Commerce tomorrow."The voice on the other end sounded surprised. "Yes, boss."Alaric smiled, his tone shifting. "On the condition that they invite the Carver family."The person hesitated, clearly stunned. "I-Invite the Carvers to the Chamber of Commerce?""Is that difficult?" Alaric asked coolly, his slender fingers absently twirling the ring with his family crest. "The Carver family is arriving soon, isn't it? It shouldn't be hard for the Draycott family to extend an invitation.""Well... Boss, I don't think it's a good idea to invite them. Many of the members are opposed to them. The Draycott family—"Alaric interrupted before the person could finish. "If the Draycott family doesn't agree, forget
When Alaric suggested having a meal with Fiona, the driver was astonished. It was completely unlike anything he had ever known about Alaric over the years. Even more unbelievable to the driver was the fact that there could be a woman in Ludwiten who would reject Alaric.When the car came to a stop, Fiona responded to Alaric, "I don't understand why Owen is involved in this. I'm sure we both know why you approached me."She continued, "I know the Sloane family wields enough influence to shape many things. The market in Ludwiten is small, and many people don't want the Carver family to have a share. But I'm not the weak link you're looking for. You've got the wrong person."With that, Fiona swiftly exited the car. The driver was taken aback. Despite Fiona's delicate appearance, she acted with decisive resolve, without hesitation.The car remained stationary after she left. Although Alaric appeared indifferent, his eyes betrayed his displeasure, as if the meeting he had carefully
"Soup?" Fiona hesitated, realizing Alaric was serious. After a moment, she replied, "I'm afraid I don't have time today. I need to pick someone up from the train later."Upon hearing that, Alaric smiled. "Who's so important?""My daughter." Fiona's tone softened as she mentioned Aria, her gaze turning gentle.Alaric studied her intently before saying, "You really do seem like a mother. It's almost unthinkable."Fiona chuckled, finding his comment odd. "Well, I am a mother."Alaric looked away indifferently. "I never expected you to adapt to motherhood and marriage so well. My impression of you was that you'd never let yourself be held back by trivial matters as such."Fiona frowned. "My daughter isn't a trivial matter."Her voice carried a trace of displeasure. Nobody could truly understand what Aria's return meant to her. She felt a deep sense of responsibility—not just toward her daughter but also toward her sons.Alaric glanced at his hands, a faint trace of mockery in his v
Contrary to the driver's expectations, Fiona remained unnervingly calm, as though everything was perfectly normal. Her beauty was striking, paired with an air of delicate indifference that belied her age. Especially her eyes—pure and unguarded when her gaze lingered. Yet, temperament was not so easily concealed. The driver could tell that Fiona was no naïve woman. She was a sheltered, affluent woman from a prestigious family. But didn't Alaric disdain women like her the most? Why, then, had Alaric asked him to stop the car from a distance?Perplexed, the driver kept glancing at Fiona.Her hair, still damp from the relentless rain, clung to her neck. She turned deliberately, avoiding Alaric's side. "Is there any tissue in the car?""Yes." Alaric chuckled, pulling out a few tissues and handing them to her.The driver frowned, finding Alaric's obliging demeanor uncharacteristic.As Fiona wiped her hair, she inadvertently exposed the curve of her neck—graceful, like a swan's. Its
Alaric Sloane's figure remained as fit as ever, especially compared to his peers. However, he had traded his signature red suit for a more mature dark gray. His demeanor had shifted too—there was an air of indifference in his gaze, a far cry from the carefree man he once was.A laptop rested on his lap as he worked. The light illuminated his sharp features, making him appear serious and composed. He no longer resembled the reckless man of the past.Fiona froze. The last time she saw Alaric was at her wedding. That day, the free-spirited man had called her during her wedding banquet, standing amidst the crowd. His voice had been teasing, laced with the unmistakable slur of alcohol."Hey, listen to me—don't marry him. Look at me. If you agree, I'll stop the wedding right now."At that time, Alaric still wasn't that fluent in Farshyan. Having grown up overseas, his accent gave him a polished, foreign charm. His classmates used to joke that it made him seem like a gentleman from abro
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