Chapter 122

Damian Cross and Aria Bennett parted ways with Agent Brooks and his team at the gated community's entrance.

Not far away, in the community garden, a kindly-looking elderly woman sat leisurely beneath the shade of a tree. None of the passing residents noticed the subtle hand gestures concealed within her sleeves.

When she realized the porcelain doll she had enchanted couldn't be destroyed, her expression darkened instantly.

"Strange..." she muttered under her breath, unease creeping into her thoughts. After over a year of clashes with the Special Response Division, she knew their methods inside out. Blocking the spells within her doll and severing her connection to it—this was beyond their capabilities.

Had they enlisted outside help? The old woman narrowed her eyes and decided to retreat for now. Once she dealt with the Blackwell family, she would leave the capital immediately.

Just then, her phone rang abruptly.

After listening to the report, her grim expression softened slightly. She hastily ended the call following a brief agreement to meet in two days, then prepared to find a new hiding place.

Meanwhile, Damian and Aria found a blind spot away from surveillance. After confirming no one was around, they removed their masks.

"The handover is complete," Damian said, glancing at Aria. "Do we take the initiative, or wait for them to make a move?"

Aria calculated briefly, a faint smile curling her lips. "Wait. The fish will take the bait within three days."

"Good. I trust your judgment," Damian agreed without hesitation.

Aria raised an eyebrow. "Director Damian, you're quite comfortable delegating everything, aren't you?"

He chuckled. "It just means we work well together. From now on, you call the shots in the department. I'm happy to be your second-in-command."

"Tsk. Is the great actor Damian Cross turning into a reckless ruler?" she teased.

"Serving Master Aria is an honor," he replied smoothly, unfazed.

Before Aria could retort, her phone rang. The caller ID showed Victor Blackwell.

"Master Aria! Someone's been through our house! My grandmother left something in my mother's and my rooms!" Victor's panicked voice came through the line.

"I'll be right there." Aria hung up decisively and flashed her phone at Damian. "Seems the fish is even more impatient than we thought."

Damian nodded in understanding. "Let's go."

They hailed a cab and headed straight for the Blackwell mansion.

Victor and his mother, Moira Blackwell, greeted them at the door. Aria briefly introduced Damian, and though they were surprised by the actor's presence, their immediate concern was the mysterious objects left behind.

"Where were they found?" Aria got straight to the point.

"The master bedroom and study," Victor said, leading them upstairs. "We didn't touch anything—we waited for you."

Inside the master bedroom, Victor approached the wardrobe. Carefully, he pulled open a drawer and moved aside the clothes, revealing two blood-red stones.

Aria's eyes sharpened. "A vicious method."

"W-what are these?" Moira's voice trembled.

"Miasma stones," Aria said grimly. "Nurtured in places of extreme darkness for at least a year, saturated with resentment. If left here for seven days, the occupants will meet with disaster."

Victor sucked in a sharp breath. "They're trying to kill us!"

"Thank goodness we installed surveillance," Moira said fearfully. "Master Aria, what should we do now?"

Aria examined the stones closely. "There's a seal on these. Moving them carelessly would alert the caster."

"So you mean..." Victor hesitated.

"Let them think their plan is working," Aria said, a cold smirk playing on her lips. "I'll prepare some talismans to contain the dark energy without tipping them off."

Moira still looked uneasy. "But leaving these stones here..."

"Don't worry," Aria reassured her, pulling out cinnabar and yellow paper. "My talismans will not only block the energy but also purify the room. Rather than living in constant fear, we'll draw the snake out of its hole."

Hearing this, mother and son finally nodded in agreement.

Aria swiftly drew three talismans and affixed them to the drawers in the bedroom and study.

"Any other anomalies?" she asked as she put away her tools.

Victor recalled, "The surveillance showed my grandmother searching for something. My secretary also went through my office at work."

A glint of cold determination flashed in Aria's eyes. "They're looking for my talisman."

She handed Victor a newly drawn protective charm. "Go to the office today and make sure your secretary sees this on you."

"You're planning to..." Victor's eyes widened in realization.

"If they want to target me," Aria said icily, "then they'll get exactly what they asked for."

Victor clenched the talisman and nodded firmly. This time, he would stand with Master Aria to end this threat once and for all.