Chapter 404
Dexter tracked down Aria’s contact and sent a request: [Hello, Ms. Saxon, this is Dexter.]
An hour passed, and Aria still hadn’t accepted. Dexter tried again: [Hannah wants to see you’re willing to meet, you can name your terms.]
Aria set her phone on the dining table, propped her chin on her hand, lost in thought.
Owen came out carrying soup just in time to catch that absent look on her face.
you. There’s something really important she needs to discuss, if
He set the bowl down and accidentally caught a glimpse of her phone screen. He blurted out, “Hannah wants to see you?”
Aria glanced up, her eyes meeting his.
Owen gave an apologetic smile. “Sorry, I saw it by accident.”
“It’s fine.” Aria could guess what Hannah wanted. “She’s probably hoping to use the Culver situation to cut a deal.”
“If you go, record it. Get everything on the record.” Owen said seriously, “I’ll go with you.”
Aria was about to protest that she could handle it herself, but seeing the look on his face, she swallowed her words.
She looked over at Lily. Lily beamed, “I’ll be at home, working on my homework.”
Aria’s lips curled up. “I’ll bring you something yummy when I get back.”
“Okay!”
At the café, Dexter sat first. Hannah turned to him, “I need to talk to Aria alone. You being here… it’s not appropriate.”
Dexter eyed her. “What could you possibly say that I can’t hear?”
Hannah was at a loss for words.
Aria and Owen arrived, walking in at an unhurried pace.
The moment Hannah saw them, her face soured. “Why’d you bring Owen?”
Aria gave her a flat look, not bothering to answer.
Owen moved to the inside seat and pulled out a chair, but before he could sit, Aria had already taken the outside chair for herself.
He smiled helplessly.
Hannah and Aria were supposed to talk, but they sat at/opposite corners of the table.
Dexter rubbed his temples, stood up, and said to Hannah, “Let’s switch seats.”
Reluctantly, Hannah got up and sat directly across from Aria.
Dexter greeted them politely, “Ms. Saxon, Owen
Aria nodded a hello and cut straight to the chase. “Hannah, what do you want to talk about?”
Dexter staying was one thing, but Owen too? Hannah felt humiliated and snapped, “I want to talk to you in private.”
Aria’s eyes darkened. “If you won’t talk now, I’m leaving.”
Chapter 404
Gritting her teeth, Hannah squeezed her hands together and muttered, “Liam and I broke up.”
Aria asked, “Is that the point?”
“Isn’t it?” Hannah’s voice started to shake, her eyes welling with tears. “Now that we’re over and he knows the truth, you two can finally be together You got what you wanted, so why can’t you just drop the charges?”
Aria was speechless for a second. ‘No wonder she faked her research. It turns out she’s just not that bright!
She was losing patience. “Are you seriously trying to solve everything with a breakup? Plagiarism, theft, framing, stirring up the press. You’ve done all this, and you want to wave Liam at me and call it even? Are you still half asleep?”
At the word “theft,” Hannah’s expression shifted. “Can you not use such harsh language?”
Dexter was about ready to lose it, his temples throbbing. He yanked Hannah back down into her seat, snapping, “If you want to negotiate, then do it properly. Stop with this pointless nonsense.”
They needed Aria to settle. Hannah’s princess routine was helping no one.
Dexter, of all people, siding with someone else. Hannah was both furious and aggrieved, shooting him a tearful glare.
Aria watched the two of them, an amused little smile playing on her lips. “So you’re not here for Culver?”
Hannah stared at her, stunned. “How did you…”
Dexter frowned, “What about Culver?”
He did know Culver–a friend of his grandfather’s. If not for the National Doctor’s Seal being lost, Culver would’ve taken over Todd School years ago.
Now he’d found the Seal and quit the Association, set to take over as head of Todd School in mid–May.
Hannah’s heart was racing. She couldn’t believe Aria was so calm about the Seal.
She’d assumed Aria didn’t know its importance. Now it was obvious Aria had known all along.
Hannah asked, “You knew all this time?”
Aria raised an eyebrow. “Knew what?”
Hannah grew agitated. “You said I wanted to talk about Culver, didn’t you?”
Aria let out a laugh. “You’re the one who wants to talk, not me.”
Hannah’s hands tightened on her knees. She had no idea how much Aria really knew. Steeling herself, she finally spoke.
“I saw Culver’s National Doctor’s Seal at your place once. Aria, that Seal is yours–you should be the next head of Todd School. I’m the only one who knows. If you agree to settle, I’ll testify for you.”
A server arrived with their coffee, hesitating at the tense atmosphere before setting down the cups and making a quick exit.
Aria picked up her cup and took a sip, voice lazy. “Head of Todd School. Sounds impressive.”
Hannah pressed on, “Traditional medicine is what you’re best at. If you inherit Todd School, your skills will skyrocket.”
Aria’s lips curled into a frosty smile. “All that sounds nice, but if the Seal was mine, why does Culver have it?”
Hannah forced herself to look composed. “Culver must have gone to Jamelan to find you.”
And, for once, Hannah was right.
2/3
Chapter 404
Culver had indeed gone for her. If she hadn’t rushed back to her clinic, Culver’s people would have succeeded.
“But I hid the Seal well. How did you see it?” Aria’s eyes narrowed.
Hannah’s fingers were bone–white. “It was an accident.”
Aria leaned back, staring her down. “That Seal was hidden under
who took it?”
a
false bottom in my drawer. No one but me knew it was there. The day it vanished
Dexter’s face was slipping, disbelief and dread written all just like that.
Hannah’s lips were pressed thin, but she snapped, “I told you, it
was
or who stole it. Aria, only I can be your witness now.”
Aria’s eyes iced over. “You do realize there’s surveillance, right?
You
Hannah’s face went sheet white. She shot to her feet with a loud ba
didn’t notice the cameras when you were stealing from me?”
Aria looked up at her, voice mocking. “You want to use the Seal you stole from me as leverage for a settlement? Dream on.”
She paused, then her tone turned cold and sharp. “If there’s surveillance, why haven’t you turned it over already? I never stole anything from you. Don’t try to frame me.”
She’s hopeless, Aria thought, rising from her seat. “If you
won
n’t admit it, Culver will.’
Owen stood as well.
Dexter called out, “Wait! Ms. Saxon, can we still talk?”
Aria picked up her phone, stopped the recording right in front of them, and gave a faint smile.
“Talk? There’s nothing left to talk about. But thanks for the evidence.”
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