"There's no need for all that trouble. Those scumbags won't get off easily," said Aria. She was holding a notebook and some documents. She scanned through everyone's faces before settling in the living room. "Mr. and Mrs. Pollard, I'm here to fulfill my promise."Libbie couldn't believe what was happening. She was already in a stupor from her neighbor's discussion. However, her mind cleared up after seeing Aria. With a trembling hand outstretched, as if to confirm the reality before her, she said in a shaky voice, "Please… come in."The rest of what Aria had to share was far too sensitive to be aired publicly, and she could already sense Draco's simmering resentment from the hallway. He must have woken up.All of Draco's neighbors wanted to follow her inside. It was not because they wanted to gossip but because they truly wanted to help. Aria didn't stop them—this was a truth that needed to be revealed for the Pollard family's suffering to be understood.Spotting Draco awake, Lib
Draco sat motionlessly, entangled in strings invisible to ordinary eyes. The Emperor Coins he wore clinked softly, their sound resonating strangely. His eyes, veiled in a dark mist, betrayed no emotion. Aria watched him in silence, choosing not to interrupt his thoughts. Instead, she calmly returned Shirley's diary to him."Shirley is a very smart girl. She must have excelled in biology and chemistry." Aria chuckled before continuing, "She mentioned a game you used to play with her when she was younger. She wrote words in a certain way only you can see."When she said that, Draco suddenly looked up.Draco thought of Aria's other identity and realized something. "Ms. Carver, can you see Shirley?"The neighbors had begun to doubt Draco's sanity, attributing his behavior to a feverish delirium. But Libbie, his wife, stood by him. She knew how capable Aria was.When Libbie turned toward Aria in anticipation, the latter faced the neighbors and nodded slightly to the couple.Aria l
Aria's fingers glided over the diary. "She loves to help the weak. She wrote in her diary that girls should help other cute girls."Aria mimicked Shirley's tone in the final sentence.A crowd was listening outside the door, but they could hear nothing, only Libbie's choked sobs. Draco opened the diary and took a water bottle from the coffee table. Then, he sprinkled some water on the coarse white paper.Soon, some writings in light purple ink appeared on the paper."Dad, I saw an online interview today. Those children you saved at the border are all grown up, but they still remember you. Dad, you're amazing! They even learned how to ride a horse and archery!""To me, Dad, you've always been a hero.""With you here, Dad, I'll never be scared. Once I'm done with my finals, can you visit? I want to see the rocket launch and go horseback riding.""Dad, I encountered something and almost gave up.""In an interview, a woman said that they used to prohibit girls from studying, but a
Right after Aria did that, a bolt of lightning streaked across the sky. The people gathered outside were too absorbed in Shirley's heartfelt words to notice anything unusual. Only when a deafening clap of thunder echoed did they glance toward the window in shock.How could there be thunder if there wasn't even a hint of rain?A few murmured that the constant rumbling felt like someone was undergoing a divine trial. Unbeknownst to them, they were right. Pahana was thrashing within the coils of a dragon, desperately evading the strikes.Landon, meanwhile, was bending the rules, using his immense heavenly fortune to breach the agreement. Not a soul would dare question him for it.Because of this, the fury of the heavens was redirected entirely toward Pahana.Suddenly, Pahana recalled the cunning fortune teller.Pahana had been content in his underwater prison. It was the fortune teller who had shattered the seal, releasing him. True, confinement was stifling, but at least Chaos
Aria immediately released Landon's hand when the thunder stopped. Landon glanced at her, his gaze unreadable, as if lost in thought. Smilingly, he absentmindedly rubbed his fingertips. The rosary beads on his wrist seemed to shimmer with a mysterious luster. With his demure, restrained demeanor, the gentle flutter of his thick, dark eyelashes added an air of indifference to him.Aria was just the same as before. She was proactive when she needed him; when she didn't, she quickly discarded him. Landon reached out and grabbed Aria's hand again. Although she couldn't quite grasp his intentions, Aria was in high spirits. Once the trial concluded, the Pollard family's life would be smooth sailing. The ominous creatures lurking beneath the riverbank would no longer surface.Pahana was merely the beginning. Nurtured by the resentment of the sacrifices, the suppressed malevolent beings would only grow stronger. Aria had never seen the seal Tobias had mentioned, but she understood its
The seven soldiers stood in formation, saluting Draco. Draco blinked in disbelief. "I-It's you guys."The leader's eyes turned red. "Mr. Pollard, it's been a long time. Do you remember Dennis at the back? You carried him for 12 miles so that he could live."Dennis Nichell had a scar at the corner of his eye. He stepped forward and hugged Draco. "Mr. Pollard, it's me. I-I always thought you were doing well. You've never contacted us all these years…"His voice wavered. They had assumed Draco had cut ties, but it was only now they understood someone had deliberately isolated him from them.A soldier with rank insignia approached. "Captain Pollard, we're all aware of your situation now. Mr. Sterling has assured us that the organization will not forsake its heroes. The Daley, Meyer, and Karken families will face due consequences."Shirley's wish will be honored by Recruit Camp 071. From today, she is officially recognized as our youngest soldier."Although this wouldn't be formally
Aria was the one who proposed the school's restructuring. Prolonging immoral practices would inevitably warp the students' values. Without proper education, they would grow into a blight on society. Even if Radley, Tiffany, and Krissa were dealt with, others like them would inevitably emerge. To truly address the issue, they had to strike at the roots.Summers International School had ceased its operations. All of the higher-ups were held accountable by the police, causing a massive uproar in the education community. Suddenly, everyone feared for their jobs. Many people had long awaited such action. The internet erupted with joy when the authorities announced a thorough crackdown.The Daley family faced severe punishments for their crimes. Just as Aria predicted, those who didn't receive death sentences would wish for it. Meanwhile, Draco appeared in an interview, this time with newfound confidence. Libbie sat beside him, proudly holding a photo from their daughter's recent birth
Back then, those fortune tellers were blind to Landon's true identity and insisted on sealing him away underground. Landon must be seeking revenge for what happened back then.That explained his pursuit of Aria.To Pahana, Aria was an enigma. Her skills were average, yet she possessed undeniable talent and a unique approach that defied the traditional Decatorian methods he knew.Fortune tellers were rarely bound by the conventional, their minds trained to think in ways others could not fathom. Pahana could also feel the hidden strength within Aria, a power she kept buried deep.Landon must have noticed that and sought to consume her soul.Yet Pahana found no trace of a binding contract between Landon and Aria.There were rumors, however, that Landon had once made a pact with a woman who was as infamous as she was beautiful. She was a woman of no redeeming qualities, a heartless temptress who reveled in tormenting others. Her disrespect for people was unmatched, yet Landon had
Today, Clyde felt that his illness must be affecting his mind. This young doctor was far too young to be his daughter, Fiona. How could he actually think that Fiona had returned to life for a moment? Clyde shook his head gently. Their looks were also different. Fiona possessed a delicate beauty reminiscent of ancient paintings, while this young lady had an ethereal coolness about her, though not off-putting. She seemed composed and professional. Clyde found himself unusually calm, which was probably because of the acupressure points she had massaged. "This treatment approach is different from the usual." Though Clyde's breathing remained labored, his eyes showed no trace of illness-induced cloudiness. They still reflected the refined gentleman of his youth. No wonder Warren had said, "Your grandfather was the most scholarly gentleman I'd ever met." Indeed he was. Aria smiled softly. "Dr. Woody practices modern medicine, while I practice traditional medicine. Our approaches
It was sunset at the Grisham residence. The Nobeetan wooden door opened. Aria's first impression was one of waning vitality. The interior was cozy with embroidered tablecloths, ornaments, and strategically placed wall sconces in every corner. Still, Aria sensed the room's declining energy. It was an unsettling feeling. Poor air circulation mixed with faint traces of rose fragrance. Then she heard coughing—deep, heavy coughs with labored and raspy breathing. It sounded like an infection in the trachea, bronchi, and lungs. Unlike her usual ease in examining patients, Aria felt tense. This patient was her grandfather, whom she had never met. Once a titan of industry, Clyde now required care in his illness. His condition was severe. Before checking his pulse, she could not be certain if there was still hope. She had kept Sam outside. Chaos' dark energy would harm someone chronically ill. Besides, Aria could tell Clyde's condition had not developed overnight. It would be fine
Meanwhile, Orion was in high spirits after his call with Waymond. There had been too many issues recently—the medispa, the club, and, for some reason, the Sloanes' insistence on inviting the Carvers to the Chamber of Commerce—which had put him in a difficult position. But now things were looking up. That old fool from the Grisham family was getting weaker, desperately needing Lennox's treatment. If Waymond wanted to keep his father alive, he would have to obey Orion at the Chamber meeting! Another point of pride for Orion was Lily, the expert introduced by the Wagners. He had never won so dramatically in the stock market before. Everything he bought doubled in value. Most importantly, he had been nervous when the so-called "New God of Parker Street" from the Carver family arrived. He had feared Warren might give him trouble in this unfamiliar territory. But looking at the banquet now, there was clearly no room for the Carvers and Grishams. Orion, wearing a bespoke suit, strod
Watching this scene, even Aria found herself clenching her fists. She had not felt this way even when reuniting with the Carvers. Now that she was at the Grisham residence, how should she break the ice facing her uncle? She had to think of something. Though she only resemblanced her mother slightly, Aria knew both her uncles were sharp. They would not dismiss this as mere coincidence. Just then, Waymond paused his phone conversation, his eyes flickering as he began to turn. Suddenly, Orion's deep sigh from the other end recaptured his attention. "Waymond, what's making you hesitate? We're like brothers who grew up together. Which doctor out there can treat your father's condition? "Let's just minimize his suffering. When I met Lennox recently, he also brought up your father's illness. His advice was immediate surgery; it can't be delayed any longer. "The longer we wait, the worse it gets. You know your father's condition better than anyone. "I know you can't decide about
Following the maid's lead, Aria walked through an ornately decorated hallway. Traditional lamps adorned both walls, casting a gentle glow. They had turned on the lights early as sunset approached. Though partially hidden by large clusters of roses, the place did not seem too dark at all. Instead, they filled the air with floral fragrance. The villa maintained its original architectural style. Sunlight filtered through intricate window lattices onto the floor. The complex yet elegant patterns on the vintage carpets complemented the surrounding décor, which was a clear reflection of the owner's refined taste. During turbulent times, Clyde had studied in Nobeeta. Their mansion showcased masterpieces everywhere. Throughout their walk, the maid kept studying Aria. She had initially expected Aria to be someone unsophisticated. She'd also wondered why Cecil Woody's colleague would dress so casually and bring a child for a medical visit. But now, she appreciated Aria's discerning e
Landon did not say no to Aria's suggestion. In his current state, visiting the Grishams would not be wise, especially not with Sam around. If Landon continued to stay in the car like this, it would only drive Chaos to madness. As Sam got out with Aria, his eyes remained fixed on Landon. Aria noticed this. "What's wrong? Did you see something?" Sam gestured with his small hands. "He's even more dangerous now! Whoever crossed him is going to suffer!" "Others will suffer?" Aria asked. Sam nodded, so Aria said, "Ah, then there's nothing to worry about." After all, others would suffer instead of Landon. After Sam took a few steps, he looked back. He felt that the man's energy was strangely familiar. It felt just like someone he trusted the most and was the closest to. Sam thought he must be going crazy to mistake his boss like this. He shook his head and hurried to catch up with Aria. Even while working the case earlier, she had not forgotten to buy him fried chicken. Now th
Landon hadn't known Aria had investigated him before. Hearing her comment, his gaze shifted toward her. "You wanted to see my photo, right?" Before Aria could respond, he added, "Was it because of our engagement? Did you just want to see if I met your standards?" "Actually..." Landon chuckled softly. "There's no need to look. Your taste might be questionable anyway." Aria was speechless. She wondered who had upset him. No one had provoked him—he simply had some unpleasant memories that had been somewhat enriched by his encounter with Sky. Combined with his soul fragment in Netherrealm, it was natural for him to feel agitated. Whoever borrowed his power must have burdened him with considerable karma. Realizing this, Landon closed his eyes, trying to calm the surging darkness within. Aria wasn't some naïve and dramatic woman who would throw a fit when her boyfriend was upset. On the contrary, as a doctor, she could discern someone's condition from their breathing patterns up
Landon had indeed become a little different than usual. The closer he got to where his soul was, the stronger the evil energy around him grew. Someone in Ludwiten was exploiting the power of his soul fragment, which he had previously lost. How foolishly reckless that person must be. Landon toyed with the rosary bracelet on his wrist, his fingertips almost translucent in their paleness. He could not recall any past dealings with the Draycotts. However, after so much time, certain memories might have faded. Sam sat beside him, visibly annoyed at Aria's arrival. He gestured emphatically. "That talking crow disappeared again! Next time I catch it, I'll skin it first." The crow had actually been Landon's wandering soul from Netherrealm. It wondered if Chaos ought to regain some clarity. Even if the tribulation had scrambled his mind, shouldn't he still recognize friend from foe? Since he was always threatening to eat the crow, it wondered what would happen if he met the Cerulean
Evening fell at the Draycott residence. Orion found himself at his wit's end as everything seemed to spiral out of control. Even the arrangements with the Grisham family had fallen through, and he couldn't fathom what Priscilla had done to cause it. Priscilla felt wronged. "Who knew the Grishams were such two-faced people? I can't believe they actually went back on their word after agreeing so readily! That old fool is digging his own grave!" "If he actually dies, what leverage would we have over Richard and Waymond? Can't you just think before you speak?" Orion gripped his phone, his face flushed with anger. "Also, clean up that mess at your medispa immediately. If it affects the Draycott family, you're finished!" Priscilla's face hardened. "You're always criticizing me, but where would your operations be without my medispa? Don't forget who cultivated those girls' vanity—it was me!" "Fine, fine, it was you. I don't want to argue. Just find a way to get closer to Fiona and