Chapter 408

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At the Gibson house , Hannah hurled her phone at the wall when Liam didn’t answer – plastic and glass scattering like shrapnel .
“ Why does this have to happen to me ? ” she choked out , voice trembling with rage .
Dexter watched her coldly from the doorway . “ Just sit tight and wait for court . ”
As he turned to leave , Hannah panicked , rushing after him and grabbing his sleeve , tears streaming down her cheeks . “ Dexter , please help me . I can’t go to jail . I can’t do it . ”
But it wasn’t just Aria who had filed charges . Heffner Hospital’s Ramon and Mandino University were also suing .
Aria had hit her with accusations of slander , theft , defamation , and unlawful use of information networks .
Ramon had her for intentional injury and embezzlement .
Mandino University , representing its student volunteers , had piled on charges for patent fraud and commercial secrets .
Jail was only the beginning .
“ Dexter , we have money . If Aria won’t settle , what about Mandino University and Heffner Hospital ? Can’t we buy them off ? ”
He stared at her , disappointment etched deep in his face . “ You think I haven’t tried ? You almost caused Ramon’s daughter to lose her child – if Aria hadn’t acted fast , you’d be looking at a minimum of three years .
“ As for Mandino University ? Their students don’t want money – they want justice . How exactly do you think we’re going to settle that ? ”
Dexter had thought it was just Aria’s case . Maybe two years , worst – case . But every layer he uncovered was uglier than the last . All those years in school , wasted .
He shook her off and barked at the butler , “ Don’t let her out of your sight . She’s not to leave this house . ”
“ Yes , Mr. Gibson . ” The butler bowed .
Hannah slid to the floor , her voice hollow , “ Dexter , why are you giving up on me too ? ”
The day of court happened to be the same day as the Todd School inheritance ceremony .
Aria signed a power of attorney , sending Owen as her legal rep to court , while she headed to the gates of Mandino University .
Martin was already waiting for her . Seeing Aria , he broke into a warm smile and walked over . “ Aria , long time no see .”
She returned the smile , polite but reserved . “ Hi , Martin , It’s been a while . ”
“ Let’s get in the car , ” he said .
“ Alright . ”
Martin wasn’t planning on putting Aria on teaching duty ; her strength was hands – on research and project work .
He’d bring up young teachers for regular classes , so Aria could focus on what mattered most .
“ There’s a student – Helen Larsen , in the same class as Derek . Hard – working , top GPA , but weak with practicals . She was a volunteer this year . You probably remember her . ”
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Aria nodded . “ Yes , she talked to me about finding a mentor . ”
They’d first met at Amour Bistro , where Helen worked part – time .
After Trenton was arrested , her family business survived .
Her father needed surgery , so they considered selling – but the Stars Group bought the company and made sure her dad got paid , with future dividends wired straight to his account .
Hélen had been the first to add Aria’s contact , saying she wanted to keep learning from her .
Martin chuckled , “ She’s quick , that one – knows how to pick a mentor . One or two more like her and you’ll have a little team .”
Despite Aria’s reputation , some Mandino University students still doubted her – she was almost the same age as them , after all .
The top students often gravitated toward more “ senior ” professors .
“ There are two more students coming in from other majors , ” Martin went on , “ One from pharmacology , also a volunteer ; his transfer request came straight to me . The other’s from organic chemistry , didn’t do so well in grad school admissions . The other professors are full – I fought to get him placed with you .”
Aria had no objections . “ That’s fine . Whatever works . ”
They chatted as the car wound through the city and finally stopped in front of a stately old building : the Todd Manor .
The inheritance ceremony was held in the great hall . Candles burned on an altar at the center , names inscribed on spirit tablets . Rows of chairs stretched
out behind it .
Despite the modest crowd , the air was heavy with prestige – these were the elite of the medical world .
The moment Aria stepped inside , she felt a gaze fix on her .
She ignored it , walking with Martin to their seats .
Along the way , Martin spotted an old friend and stopped to chat , leaving Aria to sit quietly .
She glanced up – and immediately locked eyes with a young man across the room , his round face breaking into a sheepish grin .
He approached , his every step radiating harmless energy .
He stopped in front of her and said politely, “ Are you Professor Colton ? ”
Aria nodded , “ I am . ”
“ Would you mind if we talked ? ”
“ Of course . ”
“ After you .”
She rose and followed him around a rock garden , pausing by a koi pond . The incense and murmurs of ceremony faded behind them .
He introduced himself first : “ Ms. Saxon , I’m Nikolas Todd , Maverick’s grandson .”
Aria nodded , “ Nice to meet you . ”
He smiled so wide his eyes nearly disappeared . “ Ms. Saxon , you really are as young and beautiful as they say . ”
She replied , cordial but cool , “ Thank you . ”
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“ I heard you’ll be joining Mandino University . At your age , that’s a remarkable achievement . I hope to learn from you !
She had no interest in small talk .
Nikolas pressed on , “ Your expertise in traditional medicine is exactly what Todd School needs . Have you considered joining us
She looked at him , her patience running thin . “ Not at the moment . Is this why you asked me to come over ? ”
Nikolas knew his innocent look was deceptive he always started with flattery to put people at ease . It worked on most , but clearly not on Arta .
He sobered up . “ It’s not just that . You must’ve heard – Culver found the missing National Doctor’s Seal and is about to inherit Todd School ”
Aria gave nothing away . He continued , “ The seal went missing along with three ancient medical books . Now the seal’s back , but the books are still gone Doesn’t that strike you as strange ? ”
She arched an eyebrow , smile cool . “ What’s that got to do with me ? ”
Nikolas smiled , gentle but relentless . “ Didn’t you file a police report ? How could it not ? ”
When Hannah stole the seal that night , Fryderyk had seen her , and Aria had filed a report just to have something on record . f
he fact Nikolas knew this much meant he was well prepared .
She cut to the chase . “ I want to see your grandfather . ”
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