Chapter 228

Aria Bennett's brows furrowed instantly.

Her fingers dug into her palms unconsciously. Though she sensed her mother and brother were unharmed, her heart still clenched painfully.

"What happened?" Her voice was tight with tension.

Nolan Reed's voice came through the phone. "Someone targeted Aunt Evelyn. Fortunately, you were prepared—the assassin failed."

"Theo's protective charm suddenly burned up. The chase drained him, and now he's exhausted."

His mother had dragged him to help Aunt Evelyn today.

Who would have expected an ambush? They were forced into the mountains, their energy nearly depleted.

Though they escaped unscathed, the ordeal left them shaken.

After descending, Aunt Evelyn wanted to call Aria, but he volunteered instead.

Aria immediately understood who was behind this.

"Are Mom and Theo hurt?" Her voice trembled with worry.

Nolan replied, "They're fine, thanks to your protective charms. Aunt Evelyn was prepared—she handled the attacker."

Today, he'd witnessed a side of Aunt Evelyn that left him stunned.

Only then did Aria relax.

She knew exactly how that mother-daughter pair operated. Now that her family was exposed, the same hired-killer plot from her past life would repeat.

That's why she had warned her mother in advance, crafted protective charms, and even carved jade pendants infused with spiritual energy—bulletproof and impact-resistant—as a double safeguard.

She just hadn’t expected them to strike so soon.

"Where are you? I'm coming now," she said urgently.

Nolan answered, "Still on the mountain. Hurry."

He hadn’t seen Aria in days, and the longing gnawed at him.

"Got it. Be there soon."

After hanging up, she turned to Tristan Cole. "Take me here, please."

Tristan immediately changed course, sensing the icy aura around her. "What's wrong?"

During the call, Aria had radiated danger.

"Family emergency," she said tersely. "I need to check on them."

Tristan asked, "Need any help?"

In the capital, he had connections.

Aria shook her head. "No, I can handle it."

Dealing with those people wasn’t worth troubling others.

Seeing her resolve, he relented. "Just say the word if you need anything."

Aria nodded. "Thanks."

The car stopped at the mountain's base—the road ahead was impassable.

She unbuckled her seatbelt. "Appreciate the ride."

Tristan stepped out too. "I’ll come with you."

Before she could refuse, he added, "I won’t get in the way."

Aria sighed. "Fine."

After a short walk up the trail, they spotted Nolan waiting outside a wooden cabin—a recent retreat Evelyn had built, fully equipped.

At the sight of Aria, Nolan's stern face brightened. "Aria!"

Then he noticed the unfamiliar man behind her, and his smile froze.

"Who’s this?" He eyed Tristan warily.

Aria introduced briefly, "Tristan Cole, a friend. He insisted on tagging along. Keep him company—I’m going to see Mom."

With that, she headed inside, leaving the two men staring at each other.

Nolan sized Tristan up. "You’re Aria’s friend?"

Tristan sensed the hostility and disliked him just as much.

But he masked it well, remaining polite. "Yes, a close one. And you?"

Nolan straightened. "Childhood friend."

Tristan raised a brow. So that was their dynamic.

No wonder this guy rubbed him the wrong way.

He smiled thinly. "Pleasure." As if childhood friends stood a chance against Damian Cross.

Nolan narrowed his eyes. "What are your intentions with Aria?"

A grown man forcing his way into her business? Definitely shady.

His stomach churned with jealousy. First that scheming Damian, now this smirking fox?

Lately, he’d been brushing up on internet slang—Tristan was practically a male version of a sanctimonious hypocrite.

Tristan saw right through him. Another rival.

But a childhood friend who still hadn’t won Aria over after all these years? Hardly a threat.

He adjusted his cufflinks elegantly. "Intentions? Why so tense?"

Nolan scoffed. "Cut the act. Aria would never go for your type."

Tristan remained unruffled. "You don’t seem like her type either."

The two locked eyes, sparks flying between them.

Finally, Nolan huffed and looked away.

No way Aria would fall for a playboy.

Still, better stay vigilant.