<b>Chapter </b><b>378 </b>
<b>Derek </b><b>nodded </b>with exaggerated seriousness<b>. </b><b>“</b>Good <b>point</b>! The four of us are in the same <b>major</b>. Let’s <b>get </b>this <b>group </b><b>chat </b><b>going</b>!
<b>Vanessa </b><b>was </b>stunned.
Her phone buzzed in her pocket. Aria nced at Derek and said, “I’m not even aputer science major, what’s the point of <b>adding </b>me <b>to </b><b>the </b><b>group </b><b>chat</b>?”
Derek grinned and said, “Family should stick together.”
Aria was speechless.
After the meal, the five of them went their separate ways.
Aria and Vanessa took a cab to the mall and dove into a shopping spree, soon loading up with bags until their arms were full. In the end<b>, </b>they <b>had </b>everything delivered straight <b>to </b>the film set.
On their way back, they noticed they were being tailed again.
Arriving at the edge of the set, Aria stopped and said, “I’ll move somewhere else to see exactly who they’re after.”
“They’re probably after you,” Vanessa said. “How about we set
a
”
She drew <b>a </b>finger across her throat.
Aria shed <b>a </b>confident smile. “Once we unmask the mastermind, I’ll be back tonight.”
Just then, the mall delivery arrived. Vanessa had no choice but to nod. “Fine, be careful out there.”
Vanessa called over the staff and started handing out the shopping bags with them.
Just then, Russell walked over and caught sight of Aria’s retreating back.
A staff member quietly handed Vanessa the mosquito repellent patches she’d bought and whispered, “Ms. Ward, since you picked these out<b>, </b>why <b>don’t </b>you give them to Mr. Nicholson yourself<b>?</b><b>” </b>
Vanessa snatched the items from the staff member’s hand and said firmly, “Don’t give them any. Neither Mr. Nicholson nor Olivia gets a thing<b>.</b><b>” </b>
The staff member could only stare.
‘Ms. Ward… that’s our boss! You don’t have to say it so loudly just because you’re not giving it to him.‘ She thought anxiously.
Russell overheard Vanessa’s remark. He shot her a cold nce before walking away.
Not far away, White Fox stared at Russell’s retreating back, a flicker of worry crossing his eyes.
Inside a private bar.
Under the dim amber lighting, a man in his sixties reclined on the sofa<b>, </b>exuding an air of authority. The woman nestled in his arms fed <b>him </b>pieces <b>of </b><b>fruit </b>with a sweet smile. “Sir, while you were away these past few years<b>, </b>we’ve been running this bar with great care.”
The old man sported a buzz cut<b>, </b>his cor casually open to reveal a thin, bony neck.
He gave the woman’s waist <b>a </b>light pat. “Nice work.”
A ck–d bodyguard entered and reported respectfully, “Sir, Aria is at the film set. She’s heading out.”
<b>The </b><b>old </b><b>man </b><b>lifted </b><b>his </b><b>eyelids</b><b>, </b><b>his </b><b>eyes </b>deep <b>in </b><b>their </b><b>sunken </b>socketa <b>glinting </b><b>like </b><b>vipers </b>lurking <b>in </b><b>the </b>dark “<b>Move </b><b>out- </b>
<b>The </b><b>bodyguard </b><b>obeyed </b>and left at <b>once</b>,
<b>The </b>woman <b>nestled </b><b>in </b>his arms daringly patted his chest and pouted<b>, </b><b>“</b>Who is Aria<b>?</b><b>” </b>
He stroked her hair and said, <b>“</b>Take a wild guess<b>.</b><b>” </b>
The woman pouted coquettishly and said, “You haven’t gone and fallen for another wornan, have you<b>? </b>I’ve been with <b>you </b><b>for </b>fifteen <b>years</b>. <b>You </b><b>can’t </b><b>just </b><b>cast </b>me aside now.”
“Rx. Even if I ever take a liking to another woman, <b>I </b>still wouldn’t leave you behind.”
Aria stepped out of the film set and headed toward a secluded spot.
It wasn’t long before a van came tearing around the corner and screeched to a halt right next to her..
The van door flew open and two men leapt out, wielding towels<b>, </b>clearly intending to use them on Aria as they charged straight at her.
<b>In </b><b>a </b>sh, the girl whirled around and delivered a wless roundhouse kick<b>, </b>sending the man with the towel flying.
The other man’s eyes widened in shock. Before he could react<b>, </b>Aria lunged forward, grabbed his wrist, and gave it a sharp twist. <b>With </b><b>a </b>sickening <b>crack</b><b>, </b>he screamed in pain and dropped to his knees.
“Is that all you’ve got?” Aria scoffed. “And you dared to try a kidnapping in broad daylight<b>?</b>”
The driver had barely scrambled out of the van when, in just three or four seconds, he saw both his partners already sprawled <b>on </b>the ground.
He stood frozen, not daring to even breathe, and slipped into the back seat.
Aria ordered, “Get in. Take me to your boss.”