Chapter 78

Aria Bennett remained unfazed by the skeptical glances from the group. Some things were simply beyond explanation.

She shrugged at Cole Turner. "I used a special method to predict this. Believe it or not, it's up to you."

Cole pondered briefly. "Alright, we'll trust you. Let's find a cave to shelter from the rain."

Since Aria suggested it, they might as well try. There was nothing to lose if they couldn't find a cave.

The exhausted group raised no objections.

After thirty minutes of hiking with no cave in sight, everyone was panting heavily.

Serena Blake suddenly spoke with a sweet smile. "Ms. Bennett, since you can predict things, why not divine where the cave is? I'm sure you can do it."

Her intention was clearly to put Aria on the spot.

The group exchanged uneasy glances. Locating a cave was far more challenging than predicting weather—this was obviously a setup.

The audience held their breath, eager to see how Aria would respond.

Aria saw right through Serena's scheme. She could have refused, but she refused to give the satisfaction.

"Fine." Calmly, she pulled three ancient divination coins from her pocket. "Let me cast a reading."

The coins clinked crisply as she tossed them in her palm.

"Northeast direction. There's a sheltering cave." Aria declared with certainty.

Everyone stared in disbelief. Seriously?

Cole and Tobias Kane exchanged glances. This was beyond bizarre.

"Then we head northeast," Cole decided. It couldn't hurt to try.

Serena's lips curled. "I'm sure Ms. Bennett's prediction is accurate."

Aria scoffed. "That might be believable if you could wipe that smug look off your face."

Serena's smile froze. She hadn't expected Aria to call her out so directly.

"Why are you targeting me like this? I genuinely believe in you," Serena said tearfully.

Aria couldn't be bothered. "Say whatever you want. The results will disappoint you regardless." With that, she helped Audrey Lane forward.

Damian Cross followed without hesitation. Pausing beside Serena, he remarked, "Your expressions are painfully transparent. Consider hiring an acting coach."

His words outright mocked her poor acting.

The audience suddenly understood—Serena had been performing all along.

Serena paled. "I wasn't—"

But Damian had already walked away. Nolan Reed approached coldly. "Do you think everyone's stupid?"

Tears welled in Serena's eyes. "Why won't anyone believe me?"

Nolan rolled his eyes. "Suit yourself," before catching up to Aria.

The others exchanged awkward glances and hurried after them, leaving Serena alone wiping her tears.

Clenching her teeth in fury, she reluctantly followed the group, secretly marking trees along the way, her eyes flashing with venom.

Aria observed this discreetly, frowning. Serena was definitely up to something.

Twenty minutes later, a cave materialized before them.

The entire group stood stunned.

Cole and Tobias locked eyes in utter shock. This was downright miraculous!