Chapter 459
After sorting the herbs and putting them away in the lab, Aria said to Pearl, “Go to sleep now. We’ll start tomorrow.”
“Okay.” Pearl nodded.
Pearl paused, turned back to Aria, and asked, “Aren’t you curious why Olivia agreed to let me stay with you?”
Aria smiled. “As long as things work out, that’s all that matters.”
Pearl said, “I told Olivia that getting close to you would help her. She ordered me to find a chance to poison you, so she let me go.”
“It’s okay,” Aria smiled, but her eyes turned serious. “Until Olivia is dead, don’t go out unless you have to. If you must, I’ll go with you.”
Pearl froze. “Will she hurt me?”
Aria nodded. “Yes.”
<28130
Just two days ago, Pearl wasn’t afraid to die. She was ready to risk everything for a way out. But now that she had felt this warmth, she didn’t want to die
anymore.
Aria reassured her, “No worries. Whenever you need to go out, I’ll be right there with you. We just need to take Olivia down within a year”
Pearl couldn’t help but laugh. “Aria, I’m really not scared. Honestly, I never liked going out anyway. Staying home suits me just fine.”
“Sweetie, go get some sleep,” Aria said gently.
Pearl smiled. “Good night, Aria.”
Aria went back to her room, took a shower, and after a moment’s thought, pulled out her phone to text Silvia.
Aria: [Hey, I have something to tell you. Let me know when you’re free to meet up.]
Silvia replied instantly, [I’m free tomorrow! How about that café near Mayen Garden?]
[Sure, you pick the time,] Aria responded.
[How about 4pm, Aria?] Silvia suggested.
Aria: [OK.]
Aria put down her phone and settled into her chair with a book, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that she was forgetting something.
After a moment’s thought, she just shrugged and kept reading.
Across the room, Owen sat waiting in his chair. By ten o’clock, he’d checked his messages countless times–still, no one had reached out to him.
He couldn’t help thinking, ‘Did she really forget about me?‘
[My queen, have you forgotten me waiting for you? he texted, the message laced with playful teasing.
When Aria saw the message, she quickly replied, [Of course not. I’m coming over now.]
She always kept her word.
Just sleeping somewhere else was no big deal for her.
Besides, it wasn’t their first time sharing a bed.
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09:44 Tue, 24 Jun
Chapter 459
Owen: [Don’t forget to bring the ointment.]
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Aria had completely forgotten about applying the ointment. She quietly picked up the tube and slipped into another room. As soon as she opened the door, she bumped into a warm embrace.
She instantly knew it was Owen and didn’t even try to pull away. In the past, she would have kicked him away without hesitation.
Owen gave her a gentle squeeze before letting go. Just as he was about to speak, Aría covered her mouth and stifled a yawn. “Let’s apply the ointment
first.”
Owen nodded. “Alright.”
Aría slipped naturally into his room, pulled back the thin blanket, and slid under it without a hint of hesitation–her movements smooth and unhurried.
Owen stood by the bed, watching her, and thought, ‘So I’m the only one who’s been shy and expectant this whole time?
‘Aria truly lives up to herself–completely unfazed,‘ he mused with a wry smile.
“Why are you just standing there? Aren’t you going to help me apply the ointment?” Aria asked, puzzled.
“On it,” Owen replied.
Owen went to wash his hands and, just like last time, sat behind her, watching as on her back.
lled down her shoulder strap, exposing a stretch of smooth skin
As he applied the ointment, he asked, “Are you planning to help Pearl with her face?”
