bChapter /bb46 /b

A flicker of cunning shed through Henry’s tear soaked eyes. Still crying, he rasped, “Mr. Cole because of this legno woman would ma

“You and Madelyn are husband and wife. If you give it to me, you can get it back from her. Lonly want 300 thousand dors,” he said.

Liam’s paze turned sharp. “I what you say is true, I’ll pay you.”

“It’s the truth. Every word,” Henry replied eagerly, trying to sound convincing

“Good. Now get out,” Liam sapped.

Liam’s tone made it clear there would be no further negotiation. Henry, recognizing he had pushed as far as he could, mbered to bhis /bfeet

Hannah came downstairs and asked about the visitor. After hearing the full story, her expression softened with sympathy. “I can’t believe she was once a child bride to someone like that.”

She frowned, troubled. “Still. He raised her. How could bshe /bbe so ruthless, crippling him like that for her own gain?”

Liam brushed his fingers lightly along her brow, offeringfort. “I have someone investigate. If it checks out, three hundred thousand dors is nothing–we’ll get it back from Ariater.”

Hannah nodded, but then, her eyes sharpened with resolve. “He’s pitiful enough. I’ll cover another three hundred thousand. Give him sx hundred.”

Liam chuckled under his breath. “Hannah, you’re too soft–hearted,”

She raised an eyebrow. “Owen’s never lost a case. If we go head–to–head with him, our odds aren’t good. But if that man testifies against Ana in court, proving shemitted fraud, she won’t be able to take the shares with her.”

Seeing Liampse into thoughtful silence, Hannah let out a sharp little huff, her voice tinged with jealousy. “What’s wrong? Having second thoughts?”

“Of course not,” Liam said, pulling her into his arms with a lowugh. “We just need more solid evidence. We can’t rush this”

Hannah’s eyes gleamed. “I know a private investigator. Let me handle it.”

Liam didn’t hesitate. “Alright”

Logan bcalled /bAria and pleaded, “Aria, Caleb’s still missing. Your mother’s taken bSilvia /bbto /bba /bneighboring bcity /bband /bwon’t be hack anytime soon. I’m tied bup /bwith work. I’m afraid we’ll have to rely on you.

He’s at Larkridge High School, bMaple /bss. His homeroom teacher is Valerie Gibbs.”

Aria opened her mouth to refuse but Logan hung up without waiting for her reply.

“Problem solved,” Logan said dryly

Micah, looking uneasy, ventured, “Mr. Saxon is it feally bokay /bto send Ms. Sason to handle this?”

Logan nced up with a half–smile, “Tell me what’s the best way to get close to someone?”

Micah paused, then smiled faintly. “see”

Legan

chuckled softly, signing a document with swift strokes. b“/bAria’s determined to leave us. If I don’t tie her down somehow, I might lose her bfor /bgood,

He flipped another page. “Nathan may seem noisy band /btroublesome, but he actually respects strength. And Aria, for all her coldness, is they protective

of her family. Nathan isn’t the type to cause trouble without reason. If we Intervened, we’d just smooth things over queatly. bBut /bA sense of justice”

Micah offered a bootlicking grin. “Mr. Saxon, you truly know them

Logan smiled, a touch of self–mockery in his eyes.

He thought, “But I don’t even know what Aria truly wants…what she likes or what she hates.

His voice hardened. “Send a bodyguard to shadow her. Nathan can take a few punches if he must, but Aria must not be touched, if anyone daresy a hand on her, break them.”

Micah thought, ‘Isn’t the n to avoid esction?‘

“Okay.” Ania nodded.

Aria had no intention of going. She focused on her own tasks.

A message from Alpha popped bup/b.

Alpha: (ck Rose went to Larkridge High School in Mandino City.]

Aria tucked the phone awayb, /ba small smile ying on her lips.

The silver needle had beenced with a slow–acting poison. Symptoms began within five days-

ck Rose, so sure of herself, had timed her strike with clinical precision but she hadn’t dug deep enough into Aria’s true identity.

Logan had just ordered her to clean up Nathan’s mess–and now, coincidentally, ck Rose bhad /bappeared at Larkridge High School.

It seemed ck Rose had been busytely.

Only three days left.

No wonder she bwas /bgetting desperate

Killing

wasn’t hard. Making a murder look like an ident took sk?l

White Fox still hadn’t traced whomissioned the hit within a month.

The only exnation

was that the buyer had paid bat /bleast 150 million dors.

At that price, Blood Association should have assigned a whole team, not just one assassin

And yet, only ck Rose had been dispatched–and she was only now making her move.

Aria didn’t have all the answers yet, but she knew it was time to act

H&Grabbing

her keys, she headed for her next destination–Larkridge bHigh /bSchool.