CHAPTER 483: CHAPTER 483: OUR SCHEMES

Aria Rhodes knew Ronia Ackerly’s intentions. It was extremely difficult to make her divorce Hayden Rhodes.

However, if truly desperate, Ronia might actually do it.

After all, in Ronia’s heart, Julian was her everything.

She couldn’t possibly not save her own son.

Only, she didn’t know what Ronia was thinking; she needed to know Ronia’s thoughts in order to decide her own next move.

Of course, she wouldn’t reveal her own thoughts to Ronia.

Ronia hated Poe Vaughn just as she hated his mother; she wouldn’t allow herself to be with Poe Vaughn.

She could only think for herself, making her own plans.

People are selfish.

This was something Ronia Ackerly taught her.

Ronia didn’t let the driver drive; she just leaned on the seat, her eyes fixed on the deep dark night ahead.

But her eyes were filled with various emotions.

She was calculating things; at this point, she couldn’t stop even if she wanted to.

"What are you thinking..."

Hearing Aria Rhodes’ words, Ronia’s face turned cold.

Of course, she didn’t want a divorce and wanted the Rhodes Family to save her Julian without paying any price.

But, that’s impossible.

This time, she would have to pay something because that old man was in the hospital.

Ha, that old man should have died long ago, why wait until now?

It’s truly exasperating!

Aria Rhodes heard Ronia’s words and observed Ronia’s change in expression, carefully saying, "Mom, I feel you... you could temporarily agree to Uncle’s demand. After... after rescuing Julian, we can discuss it further."

Aria spoke these words cautiously and with extreme nervousness.

Because she feared Ronia might explode at these words. After all, she had just seen Ronia’s expression, and Ronia wouldn’t easily agree to a divorce.

But now, for her own sake, she had to say it, even if she feared Ronia’s reaction.

Moreover, what she suggested made sense, it wasn’t unreasonable.

If she agreed with Uncle, once Julian was rescued, they’d be fine; everything would remain as it was, they’d still have money and status.

Nothing would change, so why not agree?

As for what comes next, if Mom and Dad want to be together, they can be; it wouldn’t affect anything. After all, she didn’t carry the Rhodes name anymore; she carried the Ackerly name, so it didn’t matter.

Everything could be easily resolved.

For Aria Rhodes, this was a happy ending for everyone.

One must recognize the situation and understand what to give and take; at this time, some things must be let go if necessary.

Aria Rhodes was prepared for Ronia’s outburst, but unexpectedly, Ronia didn’t react.

Not only did she not react, she didn’t even make a fuss, as if she hadn’t heard Aria’s words at all.

However, judging by Ronia’s appearance, she clearly heard it. Especially when she said those words, Ronia’s face turned increasingly cold, with emotions surging in her eyes.

But strangely, though Ronia obviously changed, she offered no opposition to what Aria said.

She remained exceptionally calm.

Aria Rhodes felt a slight movement in her heart, a realization crossing her mind, and cautiously continued, "Uncle and they are angry now; no matter what, Julian is a child of the Rhodes Family. They can’t possibly ignore him. But Grandpa is still lying in the hospital; if they don’t do something, they won’t be satisfied."

"I think we can pretend to agree, let them rescue Julian first."

"Right now, for us, Julian is the most important. Nothing compares to Julian."

"As the saying goes, while there’s life, there’s hope. Human life is most important. Although I don’t know where Dad is now and why we can’t reach him, I know that everything should be prioritized to save Julian."

"Before, they didn’t agree, but now they’ve agreed; that’s an opportunity."

"Mom, what do you think?"

This time, Aria no longer hesitated, but she still spoke slowly, watching Ronia’s expression as she spoke, and sharing her thoughts under Ronia’s increasingly calm facade.

Resolve this first, then handle that.

A smile emerged on Ronia’s face, and the smile was full of resentment and coldness.

She curled up the corners of her mouth, "Where’s your dad? Let me tell you, your dad is now under the control of the Rhodes Family."

"They all come to deal with our family; they just want to tear us apart."

"They couldn’t do it before, but now such a great opportunity is in front of them, they won’t pass it up."

"They know very well the importance of Julian to us; they are currently taking advantage of the situation."

What Ronia said made it seem as though it was all someone else’s fault, nothing to do with her.

Aria listened to her words, nodding, "Yes, I know."

"But now we have no way out, do we?"

"Julian is in Las Vegas; we don’t know where exactly or what the circumstances are. The police can’t find him quickly either."

"We now have less than two days left; we don’t know what Julian will go through in these couple of days, if those people will harm him or do something terrible."

"Mom, everything is uncertain. I don’t want Julian to be harmed, I don’t want our family to fall apart over this hundred billion."

"I think we should agree with Uncle now, rescue Julian first."

"Maybe the sooner we rescue Julian, the less harm he’ll suffer."

Upon hearing Aria mention Julian Rhodes, Ronia’s expression changed immediately. The hatred vanished, and thoughts of revenge disappeared, replaced by tension, concern, and worry.

And fear, fright.

Because what Aria said was true, Julian Rhodes was currently in grave danger.

Seeing Ronia moved emotionally, Aria’s heart grew warm, and her pulse quickened.

Yet even with such a significant change in her heart, nothing was revealed on her face.

She held Ronia’s hand and continued to say, "Mom, time waits for no one."

At this moment, Ronia trembled.

Yes.

Time waits for no one.

The Vaughn Family had hated her for so many years, and now she had angered the old man into the hospital. Even though she resented the condition they proposed at this time, she couldn’t act on impulse.

She had to agree.

Her original intention in seeking out the old man was to have the Rhodes Family agree to save her Julian.

Now, the Rhodes Family had agreed but just added a condition.

This condition she would agree to temporarily, and discuss further once Julian was saved.

With her and Hayden’s many years of affection, could Hayden really separate from her?

It’s impossible.

Even if they divorced, they could remarry in the future, and it wouldn’t affect anything. Moreover, even if worst came to worst and they couldn’t remarry, couldn’t they still be together?

Could the Rhodes Family restrict her personal freedom? Restrict Hayden’s personal freedom? Restrict them for life?

Obviously, that’s not possible.

Moreover, they still had the company; separation wasn’t as simple as saying it.

At this moment, Ronia’s heart gradually calmed down, no longer dwelling in boundless resentment and helplessness.

She actually knew how to choose and what to do, but she just couldn’t swallow that anger.

The power of that anger was immense, so immense that she forgot about the severity.

Now, Aria’s reminder was right on point.

But...

Ronia squinted her eyes and spoke up, "They definitely won’t let me and Hayden divorce so easily. They must have a backup plan; I also have to have a backup plan."

Aria paused, frowning, "Our backup plan? Mom... what do you mean?"

Ronia smiled, a sharp glint flashing in her eyes.

After being in the Rhodes Family for so many decades, does she take matters lightly?

Not at all!

...

The next day, Saipan Island.

Seven in the morning.