<b>Chapter </b><b>408 </b>
At the Gibson house, Hannah hurled her phone at the wall when Liam didn’t answer–stic and ss scattering like shrapnel.
“Why does this have to happen to me?” she choked out, voice trembling with rage.
Dexter watched her coldly from the doorway. “Just sit tight and wait for court.<b>” </b>
As he turned to leave, Hannah panicked, rushing after him and grabbing his sleeve, tears streaming down her cheeks. “Dexter, please help me. I can’t go <b>to </b>jail. I can’t do <b>it</b><b>.</b>”
But it wasn’t just Aria who had filed charges. Heffner Hospital’s Ramon and Mandino University were also suing.
Aria had hit her with usations of nder, theft, defamation, and uwful use of informationworks.
Ramon had her for intentional injury and embezzlement.
Mandino University, representing its student volunteers, had piled on charges for patent fraud andmercial secrets.
Jail was only the beginning.
“Dexter<b>, </b>we have money. If Aria won’t settle, what about Mandino University and Heffner Hospital? Can’t we buy them off?”
He stared at her, disappointment etched deep in his face. “You think I haven’t tried? You almost caused Ramon’s daughter to lose her child–if Aria hadn’t acted fast, you’d be looking at a minimum of three years.
“As for Mandino University? Their students don’t want money–they want justice. How exactly do you think we’re going to settle that?”
Dexter had thought it was just Aria’s case. Maybe two years, worst–case. But everyyer he uncovered was uglier than thest. All those years in school, wasted.
He shook her off and barked at the butler, “Don’t let her out of your sight. She’s not to leave this house.”
“Yes, Mr. Gibson.” The butler bowed.
Hannah slid to the floor, her voice hollow, “Dexter, why are you giving up on me too?”
The day of court happened to be the same day as the Todd School inheritance ceremony.
Aria signed a power of attorney, sending Owen as her legal rep to court, while she headed to the gates of Mandino University.
Martin was already waiting for her. Seeing Aria, he broke into a warm smile and walked over. “Aria, long time <i>no </i>see.”
She returned the smile, polite but reserved. “Hi, Martin, It’s been a while.”
“Let’s get in the car,” he said.
“Alright.”
Martin wasn’t nning on putting Aria on teaching duty; her strength was hands–on research and project work.
He’d bring up young teachers for regr sses, so Aria could focus on what mattered most.
“There’s a student–Helen Larsen, in the same ss <b>as </b>Derek. Hard–working, top GPA, but weak with practicals. She was <b>a </b>volunteer this <b>year</b><b>. </b><b>You </b>probably remember her.”
Aria nodded<b>. </b>“Yes, she talked to me about finding a mentor.”
They’d first met at Amour Bistro<b>, </b>where Helen worked part–time.
After Trenton was arrested, her family business survived.
<b>Her </b>father needed surgery, so they considered selling–but the Stars Group bought thepany and made sure her dad got paid, with <b>future </b>dividends wired straight to his ount.
Hélen had been the first to add Aria’s contact, saying she wanted to keep learning from her.
Martin chuckled, “She’s quick, that one–knows how to pick a mentor. One or two more like her and you’ll have a little team.”
Despite Aria’s reputation<b>, </b>some Mandino University students still doubted her–she was almost the same age <b>as </b>them, after <b>all</b>.
The top students often gravitated toward more “senior” professors.
“There are two more studentsing in from other majors,” Martin went on, “One from pharmacology, also a volunteer; his transfer request came straight to me. The other’s from organic chemistry, didn’t do so well in grad school admissions. The other professors are full–I fought <b>to </b>get him ced with you.”
Aria had no objections. “That’s fine. Whatever works.”
They chatted as the car wound through the city and finally stopped in front of a stately old building: the Todd Manor.
The inheritance ceremony was held in the great hall. Candles burned on an altar at the center, names inscribed on spirit tablets. Rows of chairs stretched
out behind it.
Despite the modest crowd, the air was heavy with prestige–these were the elite of the medical world.
The moment Aria stepped inside, she felt a gaze fix on her.
She ignored it, walking with Martin to their seats.
Along the way, Martin spotted an old friend and stopped to chat, leaving Aria to sit quietly.
She nced up–and immediately locked eyes with a young man across the room, his round face breaking into a sheepish grin.
He approached, his every step radiating harmless energy.
He stopped in front of her and said politely, “Are you Professor Colton?”
Aria nodded, “I am.”
“Would you mind if we talked?”
“Of course.”
“After you.”
She rose and followed him around a rock garden<b>, </b>pausing by a koi pond. The incense and murmurs of ceremony faded behind them.
He introduced himself first: “Ms. Saxon, I’m Niks Todd, Maverick’s grandson.”
Aria nodded, “Nice to meet you.”
He smiled so wide his eyes nearly disappeared. “Ms. Saxon, you really are <b>as </b>young and beautiful as they say.”
She replied, cordial but cool, “Thank you.”
“I heard you’ll be joining Mandino University. At your age, that’s a remarkable achievement. I hope to learn from you!
She had no interest in small talk.
Niks pressed on, “Your expertise in traditional medicine is exactly what Todd School needs. Have you considered joining us
She looked at him, her patience running thin. “Not at the moment. Is this why you asked me toe over?”
Niks knew his innocent look was deceptive he always started with ttery to put people at ease. It worked on most, but clearly not on Arta.
He sobered up. “It’s not just that. You must’ve heard–Culver found the missing National Doctor’s Seal and is about to inherit Todd School”
Aria gave nothing away. He continued, “The seal went missing along with three ancient medical books. Now the seal’s back, but the books are still gone Doesn’t that strike you as strange?”
She arched an eyebrow, smile cool. “What’s that got to do with me?”
Niks smiled, gentle but relentless. “Didn’t you file a police report? How could it not?”
When Hannah stole the seal that night, Fryderyk had seen her, and Aria had filed a report just to have something on record. f
he fact Niks knew this much meant he was well prepared.
She cut to the chase. “I want to see your grandfather.”
A