Chapter 145

Roman Vale's eyes widened in shock.

"Wait!" His voice cracked. "That crazy woman is the same little girl from back then?"

Aria Bennett sighed softly, her fingers tracing the rim of her teacup.

"Correct." She met Roman's gaze. "The karmic thread between you two runs deep. That's how I was able to trace it."

She paused before dropping another bombshell. "And that car accident when you were sixteen."

Roman's face paled.

"The one that nearly killed you," Aria continued quietly, "was orchestrated by one of her toxic admirers."

"The man was jealous of your special place in her heart. When he couldn't uncover your background, he hired someone to stage a drunk-driving accident."

Roman's knuckles turned white as his fists clenched.

Aria went on, "Your family later identified the culprit, but he took his secret to the grave—never revealing her involvement. You've been kept in the dark all this time."

A vein pulsed at Roman's temple.

"Goddammit..." he growled through gritted teeth. "I should've let her drown back then!"

That accident had left him bedridden for over half a year—the memory still sent chills down his spine.

"Master Aria," he pressed urgently, "how do I break this peach-blossom hex?"

Aria pondered for a moment. "Do you have a photo of her?"

Roman immediately pulled out his phone and scrolled through the woman's social media.

"All heavily edited," he scoffed in disdain.

Aria took the phone, her fingers gliding across the screen.

Suddenly, her brow furrowed.

"She has blood on her hands," Aria's voice turned icy. "And she's bullied numerous people."

Roman inhaled sharply.

"I suggest you investigate," Aria handed the phone back. "Send her to prison where she belongs."

Roman's eyes flashed with determination. "My thoughts exactly!"

Then a realization struck him, darkening his expression further. "Those two girls who used to pursue me..."

Aria gave a slight nod.

Roman slammed his fist onto the coffee table.

"However..." Aria shifted gears, "even if she's imprisoned, your romantic doom remains."

She produced three divination coins. "Blow on them three times."

Roman complied immediately.

As the coins landed, Aria's frown deepened.

"This is complicated." She retrieved cinnabar and yellow parchment. "First, I'll prepare a protective charm for you."

Her brush moved with fluid precision, leaving Roman and his companions awestruck.

The moment the talisman was completed, a golden glimmer seemed to flash across its surface.

"Keep this on you at all times," Aria instructed, handing him the folded charm. "Do not let it leave your person these next few days."

Roman solemnly tucked it into his inner pocket.

That evening, Aria received a call from Malcolm Rhodes.

"Master Aria!" Malcolm's excited voice crackled through the phone. "We found them!"

Aria's lips curved slightly. "Who?"

"The Blackwell family's adopted sons!" Malcolm spat venomously. "Disgusting bastards!"

Aria wasn't surprised.

The Blackwells had been playing a long game.

"Use the evidence to force the divorces," Aria advised. "If that fails, go public."

Malcolm's laugh was cold. "Perfect timing to drag the Blackwell name through the mud!"

After hanging up, Aria gazed at the moonlit sky outside her window.

This game of chess had only just begun.