Chapter 410
On the way back, Aria was unusually quiet. Martin could tell she had something on her mind, so he didn’t press her and simply asked the driver to drop her off at Mayen Garden first.
“Aria,” Martin said warmly, “if you ever need anything, anything at all, just let me know.”
Martin genuinely admired her. She was sharp, unflappable, and carried herself with an easy confidence, yet there was something so clear and honest about her heart.
She’d made her way on her own and still managed to shine. She was born to do big things. Being friends with her was all upside, no risk.
Aria nodded with a grateful smile. “Thank you, Martin. It
Martin waved, grinning. “Take care, Aria.”
- it. I will. Take care.”
Meanwhile, back in the Todd School’s side hall, Axton’s face was a mask of rage, finger nearly jabbing i into Finlay’s nose. “Have you lost your mind in your old age? Making Culver the head of Todd School–you’re going to run us into the ground!”
Finlay was unruffled. “I’m just following Father’s wishes.”
“He was confused! And now you’re confused right along with him! Culver? He’s not qualified! You’d be a better head than him, even Nikolas would be
better!”
Axton’s voice wavered, the fight giving way to old pain. “What does Culver have that makes Maverick like him so much?” His eyes glistened.
Finlay’s answer was gentle. “He’s the same as ever.”
Nikolas watched the exchange, the heaviness in his chest nearly making him speak–but he caught Finlay’s eye and swallowed his words.
Finlay said quietly, “Father has his reasons. What’s done is done. Stop fighting the new headmaster.”
Axton scoffed, shaking out his sleeves and stalking toward the door. “If that’s how it is, I won’t set foot in Todd School ever again!”
He stormed off. For a long moment, Finlay just stood there, then sighed deeply and walked back inside.
Nikolas followed him in. Only when they were alone did he speak up. “Dad, I don’t think Axton’s involved in that business. If he was, he wouldn’t have shown up today or nearly ruined the succession ceremony.”
“Should we tell him?” he asked.
Finlay shook his head. “He can’t keep a secret. Better not to.”
He changed the subject. “How did it go, testing Aria?”
Nikolas’s face turned a bit pink as he recalled the pond–side incident. “She figured it all out right away.”
He was supposed to be testing her, but Aria hadn’t bothered hiding anything. She just and the medical book. Instead, Nikolas ended up blurting out everything himself.
right out and said she had both the National Doctor’s Seal
Finlay frowned. “You told her everything?”
“Yeah,” Nikolas said, a little sheepish. “She admitted she has the Seal and the book.”
Finlay was a bit surprised by how frank Aria had been. “And you didn’t try to get them back?”
Chapter 410
Nikolas shook his head. “Dad, honestly, they’re safer with her. And besides, Grandpa gave them to her–we really have no right to take them
grandfather. God knows how he’s doing..
Nikolas hesitated. “Aria asked me for everything we’ve found about the case over the years.”
Finlay went silent, weighing the risks–whether Aria could help without leaking anything. At last, he said, “Give it to her. We’ve come up empty for years.
Let’s see if she can do better.”
Nikolas nodded. “Alright.”
By the time she got home, Aria had received an encrypted file: [The password is my grandpa’s birthday.]
But Maverick’s birthday was public info. Aria doubted it would be that easy. She typed it in. Password incorrect.
She pulled out her computer and sent six dots to Nikolas.
Nikolas: [You don’t know my grandpa’s birthday?]
Aria: [Last time I saw him, I was nine.]
A moment later, Nikolas quietly sent over the correct password. Aria opened the file and scrolled to surveillance footage from that day.
She watched closely: Maverick had still been unconscious, in a Todd family car.
The crash wasn’t serious, but several people were hurt and three ambulances had shown up.
Aria rewound and replayed, then messaged Nikolas: [Did you look into the ambulances?]
Nikolas: [We did. They were legit, all registered to the hospital.]
The Todd family car was in frame the entire time–except when a huge truck blocked the camera, hiding the back of the car. The feed showed no one entering the area.
Nikolas: [We checked those two trucks, too. Nothing came up.]
If nothing was wrong with the trucks, it would mean someone just vanished into thin air. Impossible.
Something felt off. Aria snipped a section of the footage and sent it to Vanessa: Can you check if there’s anything strange with this footage?
Vanessa was an expert at this, even more so than Aria.
Two hours later, Vanessa texted back: [That surveillance was doctored. There’s a blackout from 3:52 to 4:07. Whoever did it is a pro. If I hadn’t done this kind of work before, I’d have missed it. By the way, how’d the trial go?]
Aria froze, smacking herself on the forehead. She’d been so caught up with the footage, she’d forgotten all about the hearing.
Vanessa: [Don’t tell me you got so busy with the surveillance that you forgot to show up at court.]
Aria quickly shut her laptop.
Vanessa: [Aria, that’s just disrespectful to Hannah. If I were her, I’d be pissed.]
Aria replied, a little helpless: [Gotta run.]
She hurried downstairs and drove to the courthouse, arriving just in time to see Owen and Ramon walking out with a few others. Owen was head–down, texting.
Chapter 410
A moment later, Aria’s phone started buzzing.
Ramon spotted her and called out, “Ms. Saxon!”
Owen looked up, saw Aria, and immediately hung up, walking over. “All done on your end?”
Aria gave a small, tight smile. “Yeah, I’m finished.”
Ramon was beaming. “Hannah’s in custody now. We’re just waiting facing real time.”
Aaron, who’d also been at court, waved. “Ms. Saxon! Long time no
sentencing. It’s not the most serious offense, but she’s racked up enough to be
ee!”
Aria smiled. “It’s been a while.”
Helen and a few volunteers hurried over. “Ms. Saxon!”
“Hey, everyone,” Aria said, her ‘smile warm. “You all haven’t eaten, right? Lunch is on me.”
Ramon was quick to agree.
Owen nodded. “Alright.”
The students still had things to handle at school, so they left with the school’s legal staff.
Aria said, “I’ve got my car. Let’s meet at Amour Bistro.”
Ramon headed off with the lawyers, Aaron tagging along. “I’m riding with Ramon!”
Aria turned to Owen. “Let’s go.”
“Yeah.”
“Owen!”
Dexter strode over, eyes dark with anger. “The sentence you’re recommending is too harsh. If the verdict’s excessive, we’ll appeal.”
Owen just shrugged. “Do what you want.”
Aria let out a soft laugh. “Didn’t you see the news today?”
Dexter scowled, “What news?”
Aria’s smile was razor–sharp. “Because of that National Doctor’s Seal, Culver’s inherited Todd School.”
Hannah’s theft charge wasn’t going to carry the maximum penalty, unless that Seal was the reason Culver became head of the school.
Then the stakes were way higher. Three years, minimum. If they appealed, Hannah would only get hit harder.
Aria waved him off, all cheer. “Go ahead, appeal. I’ll be there in person next time.”
Her mood was infectious. Owen grinned, too. “Yeah, I’ll be waiting for Dexter’s appeal day.”
