Aria unbuckled her seatbelt, turned to Owen, and said, “Wait for me here. It won’t be long.”


    Aria followed the guide inside and spotted Russell lounging on the sofa.


    Aria walked over and, unceremoniously, tossed the ring onto the table before taking a seat across from him.


    Russell picked up the ring, verified its authenticity, and then looked at Aria with a smirk. “You’re handing it over so readily- aren’t you afraid I’ll go back on my word?”


    2391 831-2


    The weather in Masmubia was pleasantly mild. Dressed in a trench coat with her hair pulled back, Aria appeared even more aloof. “We’re in the same boat now.”


    “True enough,” Russell said, his gaze drifting toward the barely visible car in the distance. “You never go anywhere without a man these days-not like your old self.”


    Aria said coolly, “Don’t you always have a man tagging along wherever you go?”


    Russell knew she was referring to Ondo. Without arguing, he pulled a photo from his inner pocket and handed it to her. “The one on the top floor,” he said.


    Aria picked up the photo.


    The elderly man in the photo had gray hair and was hunched over, writing something. On his emaciated wrist, faint needle marks were visible.


    Aria’s eyes narrowed in recognition. It was Tristan.


    Russell had always looked down his nose at people, but now, for the first time he really took a good look at Aria’s face.


    Her brows furrowed, her eyes shadowed with a faint trace of menace.


    Beneath that intimidating aura, if she looked at someone with a smile in her eyes, one might easily mistake her for just another harmless, innocent girl.


    Yet, this very person could kill without blinking-swift and ruthless, like a de falling.


    Not even he could handle her.


    “Is this the person you’re looking for?” Russell asked. “Who is he?”


    “Yes,” Aria said, putting the photo away. “He’s Tristan Todd-sort of my mentor.”


    Russell then asked, “When do you want him extracted?”


    Aria looked up. “Before the end of the holiday, I’ll arrange for someone to bring him back to Huthailia within two days. Do you know who the other guards are?”


    Russell replied, “Blood Association. ck Rose is running things this month.”


    Aria thought, ‘ck Rose-the woman the Blood Association sent to kill me. Talk about a coincidence, Lucky me’


    Aria curled her lips into a slight, knowing smile and looked at him. “I’ll be in touch soon.”


    Russell pocketed the ring. “Deal. If you find Margery before I do, let me know immediately.”


    Before leaving, Aria asked, “What’s the progress on getting White Fox out of the Solemnity Guild?”


    09:08 Tue, 1 Jul


    Russell assured her, “Don’t worry, I’ll keep White Fox safe.”


    As soon as Aria got into the car, Owen fired up the engine.


    “How did it go?” Owen asked.


    Aria replied tersely, “Smooth. The man is Tristan.”


    98%


    23


    While waiting at a red light, Owen reached over to smooth the crease between her brows. “Let me handle the extraction,” he said softly. “Those mercenaries just happen to be on a mission in Masmubia right now.”


    Aria didn’t turn down Owen’s offer to help.


    With the Wolfshade Syndicate out of the picture, the rescue wouldn’t be difficult, Aria thought. ‘But I still need to find out what exactly Ivy Hospital is really up to!


    Niks hurried to the inn to meet with Aria at 10 p.m., where the two exchanged their findings.


    Niks burst into tears the moment he saw the photo. “My… my grandfather… he’s still alive…”


    Tristan was still alive, but gaunt and sallow-faced, bearing clear signs of prolonged suffering.


    Niks was overwhelmed with regret-if only he had found Tristan sooner, the old man wouldn’t have had to suffer all these years.


    Niks said, “Aria, I really can’t thank you enough.”


    “No need for thanks-Tristan helped me before,” Aria said directly. “You didn’te alone, did you? Give me the full picture. We need to get him home ASAP.”


    “Understood,” Niks said, suppressing his excitement.


    Aria spread out a map, marking key points as Niks briefed her. “Head back for now,” she said. “I’ll contact you when I’m ready.”


    After Niks left, it wasn’t long before Owen returned from his outing.


    Owen brought back detailed files from Ivy Hospital and plucked the pen from Aria’s hand. “Let me sort through this,” he said firmly. “You go get some rest.”


    “It’s still early,” Aria said.


    Aria didn’t budge, picking up the files he’d handed her and immediately scanning through them.


    Owen let out a helpless sigh, then bent down and scooped her up in his arms.