Chapter 153
Owen had just settled into his office when his phone rang.
He turned off the audio recording on the surveillance system before answering the call.
Allen said, “Owen, long time no see. Been keeping busy?”
“Allen.”
Whenever Allen asked if he was busy, it was never just small talk–it always meant he had a favor to ask
And it wasn’t just Owen he needed; Allen often required a whole team to get things done.
Owen opened the case records on his computer. “Pretty busy.”
There was a brief pause before Allen chuckled, his tone teasing. “Don’t think I don’t know–you’re on vacation. What’s keeping you so busy?”
Owen said, “Being on vacation just means there’s a pile of things waiting for me to deal with.”
Allen ignored his comment and continued, “I’ve got something I’d like your help with. It’s not urgent, so it won’t interfere with your work.”
Owen sighed, already resigned. “What is it this time?”
Allen explained the situation briefly, leaving out Aria’s identity. Owen, however, quickly caught on. “Allen, are you saying the person scammed out of nearly one hundred million dollars is Aria?”
Allen sounded surprised. “You know her?”
“I handled her divorce case.” Owen had already guessed Aria would be involved. “I’ll have my team assist with this.”
Allen hesitated. “About the fee…”
“Don’t worry about it. I’ll take care of it for free,” said Owen.
Worst–case scenario, he’d just buy everyone a gift.
Allen was pleased. “You’re as dependable as ever, Owen. If I find a nice girl, I’ll set you up with her.”
Owen nearly choked. “Allen, maybe try setting her up with my brother instead.”
Allen said, “Noted.”
Hospital.
Elena finally regained her voice. The moment she saw her son, she demanded, “Where’s Aria? Did you call the cops on her yet?”
Since yesterday, Elena had been blaming Aria. But after reviewing the surveillance footage, her son discovered the truth–it was Elena who had thrown coffee at Aria first. Startled, Aria accidentally deflected it, causing Elena to spill it on someone else.
Liam explained, “Mom, if you hadn’t thrown that coffee, none of this would’ve happened. It was an accident, not Aria’s fault.
“You two used to get along just fine. How did things end up like this?”
Frustrated, Elena said, “You’re my son! Why are you taking her side?”
“Mom, Aria’s head over heels for me. She wouldn’t deliberately target you,” he said, trying to calm her down.
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11:02 Wed, 4 Jun M
Chapter 153
Oddly enough, Liam had sent people to investigate the assassin who had come after him, but they found nothing
Elena squinted at him, utterly baffled.
She had lived long enough to see through people. There wasn’t even a shred of romantic connection between her son and Aria. If there had been, she wouldn’t have been under Aria’s thumb for the past two years.
She wondered when Aria had ever been “head over heels” for her son.
Skeptical, she asked, “Are you seriously telling me Aria likes you?”
Glancing at his phone, Liam quickly changed the subject. “Mom, Hannah’s here. Don’t bring up Aria liking me it might make her jealous.”
Before he could continue, there was a gentle knock at the door. Hannah entered, carrying a fruit basket. She sat down with a warm smile and began
chatting with Elena, showing genuine concern.
Yesterday, Hannah had already explained the side effects of Aria’s treatment to the other ladies, so Elena no longer held a grudge.
“Yesterday, a professor from Mandino University contacted me. Martin invited me to join as a graduate advisor,” Hannah said.
Liam’s eyes lit up in surprise. “A graduate advisor? Really?”
Hannah nodded modestly. “I didn’t expect them to value me so highly.”
Martin was a leading figure in the medical field. He was highly respected for dedicating most of his earnings to research and student aid.
Anyone recognized by him was a genuine researcher with no history of academic fraud.
Becoming a graduate advisor at Mandino University was far more prestigious than being a team leader at KY.
Elena, who had lost her standing in the socialite circles, immediately pulled out her phone to share the news in her group chat.
At first, no one believed her. One lady even replied: [Martin is indeed looking for professors from KY to join Mandino University, but Hannah is just a team leader. She’s not qualified.]
Elena shot back: [Funny how you all doubt it–my daughter–in–law is the professor you’re talking about.]
The group chat fell silent.
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