<b>Chapter </b><b>505 </b>
Fryderyk paused his pen, looked up at her, and said, “You’re something else.”
Aria arched a brow. “I’ll take that as apliment.”
Fryderyk said, “You gave him the poison pill, and now he’s dead from poisoning. Even when he was dying, he was trying to drag you down with <b>him </b>
“The Huthailia police are so capable. I’m sure you won’t make me the scapegoat. I trust you guys,” Aria said.
Fryderyk rubbed his temples and said, “They might be hunting down the two people who stalked you. Contact me immediately if you get <b>any </b><b>leads</b>. <b>Until </b>that coroner’s report clears you, keep your head down and don’t make waves.”
“Alright. Am I free to go now?” Aria asked.
Fryderyk said, “I’ll go with you. I need to take that toxin pill forb testing.”
“Alright,” Aria said.
Fryderyk gathered his things and returned to Mayen Garden with.
to retrieve the toxin pill.
On the way, Aria texted Owen: [That man died from poisoning. Waiting for the autopsy report.]
Pearl was in the middle of her tutoring session at that time. When she heard <b>a </bmotion outside, she quickly put <b>a </b>finger on her lips, signaling E <b>to </b>stay quiet, then pressed her ear against the door.
“Be extra careful these days,” Fryderyk warned Aria. “We still don’t know what’s happening with those two. They <b>might </be after you again.”
Aria replied, “Got it, Mr. Fletcher. Don’t worry.”
After that, Fryderyk left.
Pearl cracked open the door and asked, “Aria, was that the police?”
Aria smiled reassuringly. “Yeah, just something minor. Go on with your lesson. Don’t worry
Pearl’s hands balled into tight fists as her chest constricted with worry.
Pearl could tell the man sent by the Wolfshade Syndicate was dead.
‘That must be why the police came for Aria and took the pill,‘ Pearl thought.
about
That woman taught Pearl how to defend herself, and Pearl didn’t want to rat her out. But Aria, though not rted by blood to me, had always been there for me, yet I had kept this a secret all along,’ Pearl thought.
Pearl couldn’t help but feel she was being too selfish.
That evening, Pearl sought out Aria. She said, “Aria, the person who taught me hypnosis is a woman in her thirties<b>. </b>And I <b>don’t </b>unk she’s <b>a </b>bad <b>person</b>.”
Aria gently pulled Pearl down to sit beside her. “If you believe she’s not a bad person, then she’s not,” Aria said softly. “<b>But </b><b>this </b><b>woman </b><b>has </b><b>a </b><bplicated </b>background. If the Wolfshade Syndicate traces this to <i>you</i>, they won’t let her go, and they’ll <be </b><b>after </b><b>you </b><b>too</b><b>.” </b>
That woman never spoke to anyone and lived year–round in the warehouse. Pearl found <b>it </b>strange and suspected <b>she </b><b>had </b><b>a </b>hidden <b>past</b><b>, </b><b>so </b>now, <b>she </b>wasn’t entirely shocked.
Pearl looked up calmly, <b>“</b><b>Aria</b>, what should do<b>?</b><b>” </b>
“Tell me everything you know,” Aria said.
<b>“</b>I met Margery three years ago,” Pearl started. “She managed the warehouse for the Wolfshade Syndicate <b>and </b>rarely <b>left </b>the <b>ce</b>. I got dir gred line warehouse once, and Margery was the one who saved me. The man who tried to hurt me ended up hypnotized intomitting suicide
“He was just nobody, so the Wolfshade
le Syndicate didn’t care much. They didn’t bother to investigate further.
“Olivia rarely took me with her when she went to see Russell, so I seized these opportunities to slip away to the warehouse and plead with Margery <b>to </b>let her teach me hypnosis.
‘Every time I went to see Margery, I carefully avoided detection, so no one ever knew about it.”
After hearing Pearl’s ount, Aria felt her chest tighten with concern even as relief washed over her. “You did great<b>, </b>Pearl,” she said <b>gently</b>.
Pearl summed up all the desperate measures she’d taken to protect herself in just a few words.
Aria smiled warmly. “You’re right, Pearl. Margery is one of the
good ones.”
Seeing Aria’s slightly red–rimmed eyes, Pearl stepped forward and wrapped her arms around her. “Aria, I’m so lucky<i>,</i><i>” </i>she whispered.
“We’re both lucky,” Aria replied softly.
‘But Sara wasn’t as lucky,‘ Aria thought. ‘All Sara ever wanted
was to survive.‘
“Pearl, I need your help to sketch Margery’s likeness. She’s already left the Wolfshade Syndicate, and just <b>to </b>be safe<b>, </b><b>we </b>need to find her before anyone else does,” Aria said.
Pearl said quietly, “Okay.”
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