Chapter 393
393
The mood in the room snapped . Every gun instantly swung toward Aria .
Without hesitating , Aria raised the gun and shot herself in the shoulder .
Mood bloomed across her shirt .
“ Arial ” White Fox’s eyes went red on the spot .
Aria pressed her lips together , handed the gun back to Olivia , and said flatly , “ is that enough for you ? ”
Olivia stared at her , utterly shocked , “ You …
Russell watched it all in cold silence before letting out a short , scornful laugh , “ Funny , I don’t remember giving my approval . Who said this deal was done ? ”
Aria turned , a mocking smile tugging at her Eps . “ Doesn’t Olivia spook for Mr. Nicholson ? always thought .. in the Wolfshade Syndicate , her word was law . Isn’t that right ? ”
After all , Olivia was the only daughter . Her status in the syndicate was second only to her father ,
Russell narrowed his eyes and stepped in front of Aria , raising his hand and digging his thumb into her fresh wound …
Blood poured out , running down his fingers and soaking into his sleeve .
Aria gripped his wrist , voice tight with pain and anger . “ Russell , that’s enough . “ .
“ You’re the last person who gets to do this . ”
She hadn’t forgotten … It was Russell who failed to protect Sara , who let her end up in the Solemnity Guild in the first place .
Aria squeezed his wrist harder , her fingertips digging in as if she wanted to break bone . But Russell barely seemed to notice .
After a tense beat , he finally let go , and Aria released him at the same moment .
They locked eyes under the cold white light , tension thick and dangerous between them .
ing the two stood on opposite sides , the sight sent a strange shiver through Olivia .
Even knowing
Olivia hurried forward , latching onto Russell’s arm with a sweet , persuasive voice . “ Russell , I keep my promises . Aria just shot herself for this – let them go . White Fox is still useful to us . ”
Russell turned to Olivia , and in the shifting light , the darkness in his eyes melted away . “ Since Olivia asked so nicely , let’s let them go
He said it softly , almost like a lover murmuring sweet nothings .
A smile of triumph flickered across Olivia’s lips . She turned and barked at the others , “ Didn’t you hear Mr. Nicholson ? Let them go ”
She glanced at Aria , her expression hardening . “ Next time you pull something so reckless , he might not be so lucky .”
The guards released White Fox . He stumbled toward Aria , tears streaming down his face . “ Aria … ”
Aria just turned . “ Let’s go . ”
White Fox hurried after her .
He looked a mess , but his wounds were mostly superficial .
303 .
Aria’s gunshot , though , was another matter .
He’d been sure he’d die tonight , but once again , Aria had saved him
Just before they disappeared into the shadows , White Fox couldn’t help but look back meeting to south’s pos
For Russell , the grudge over Sararan bone deep . White for knew he had to get his hands on that diary
Sant B
He got into the driver’s seat and sped off .
In the back , Aria shumped , pale lipped .
She tumbled open the glovebox , pulled out some gauze , and began to staunch her bleeding shoulder
White Fox caught a glimpse of her in the rearview , quilt twisting his gut . “ Aria , this is all my fault . I’m so sorry ”
Aria was already tying off the gaure , cleaning her bloodied hands with slow precision . “ Yeah , it is your fault . Why didn’t you | asked ? ”
tell me the truth when t
White Fox sniffled . “ I’m sorry … ”
Ania’s eyes drifted closed , voice drained . “ Pull over at a hospital . Get yourself patched up and get back to the Solemnity Guild if Curtis asks , tell him ( . saved you , if he presses , say you overheard me and Russell making some deal , but you didn’t catch the details . And tell him you’re quitting the Guild . ”
White Fox sped up , his tone hopeless. “ He’ll never agree to that . ”
“ He will ” Aria’s answer was sure . “ If he wants to keep this game going , you have to officially quit before you can get close to me again . Only when it’s all done and dusted will we be able to move forward . ”
White Fox’s eyes stung again . “ Okay , Aria . I get it . Just – stop talking . We’ll be at the hospital soon . ”
“ It’s a gunshot , not a death sentence . The cops will show up if I go in . Don’t worry I’ll make it home . ”
She’d avoided anything vital , and as long as she got care soon , she’d recover . Still , White Fox’s hands trembled on the wheel . He hated himself for dragging Aria into this .
He said , “ I’ll drop you at the hotel first . ”
Aria looked up at him . “ You never intended to kill Russell , did you ?
White Fox hesitated , then shook his head . “ He’s Sara’s brother.7
Aria pulled out her phone , one hand typing away .
White Fox peeked in the mirror , worried . “ Aria , what are you doing ? ”
Aria replied , “ Sending the Wolfshade Syndicate a little gift …
“ Russell , is your shoulder alright ? ” Olivia looked at him with concern .
Russell’s face was cold , his voice calm . “ I’m fine . ”
White Fox’s shot had only grazed him . But Aria..she’d gone farther than he’d expected .
Olivia relaxed a little , but then noticed the blood on his hand and reached for it . “ Russell , you’re bleeding … ”
Russell pulled away before she could touch him , staring off into the darkness . “ It’s late . Let’s go . It gets cold out here at night . ”
Feeling the chill herself , Olivia nodded quickly . “ Okay ”
09:51 P1,20 Jun
393
Russell called for his top lieutenant . “ Hake ture Olivia gets back to the hotel safely . ”
Olivia clung to his sleeve . “ Aren’t your coming with me ? ”
“ I will . I’ll rest a bit first , ” Russell said
Sensing his displease , Olivia didn’t press , just said , “ Okay , tell the diver to go slow ”
Russell just nodded .
In the car , Russell gripped the steering wheel and dialed a number .
Orlando’s voice came through , “ Did Arla get White Fox out ? ”
“ She did , ” Russell answered , his tone dark . “ Any news ? ”
There was a pause .
Orlando finally said , “ Russell , it’s not that simple . I looked into those two nannies who used to work for Olivia . They both died – accidents
When Sara had gone missing , Olivia had nearly killed them in her fury .
Back then , Russell’s power was limited . If Olivia had gotten blood on her hands over his mess , he’d have lost all standing in the Wolfshade
He’d managed to save the nannies , but after Olivia had taken out her rage , she’d kicked them out .
Russell had dug into both nannies ” backgrounds and everyone Sara ever met .
0
if he hadn’t eventually traced
Sara
to the Solemnity Guild , he might have believed it was just a string of bad luck .
Now , Russell’s hands tightened on the wheel , his knuckles turning white . “ It’s connected to Olivia , isn’t it ? ”
Orlando confirmed , “ Yeah . ”
“ Look into Rachel , ” Russell said .
Orlando got it immediately . “ I’ll pick her up at school tomorrow morning ”
Russell hung up and glanced down at his hand .
A deep crescent was gouged into his skin , cazing blood and surrounded by angry bruising . The mark left by Aria’s grip was sharp and unfinished
AD