Chapter 195

195
195
In the outskirts , inside an abandoned factory , thirteen people huddled together , eating a hasty meal .
Suddenly , a beeping sound came from a laptop . The man in the yellow bandana rushed over , scanned the screen , and called out , “ Aria’s phone la online
Aria’s phone interface glowed on the monitor .
Hadson strode over , his gaze sharp . “ Let’s see what she’s up to . ”
The man replied , “ She just opened an app called Notes and typed one sentence : ‘ So , how are you planning to move my money ? “ ”
“ Hudson , is she taunting us ? ” Isaias growled , frustration written all over his face .
Hudson gripped his shoulder , voice steady but grave . “ Don’t forget who she is. We play this smart , or we’re done . ”
“ Got it .”
After sending her message , Aria sketched a giant middle finger on the screen , tossed the phone aside , and moved on .
She picked up her other phone , opened MapleLink , and jumped into a group chat . New messages were popping up every second .
Jack : [ Heard the Thirteenth Sigil headed to Huthailia . That true ? Hudson must have a death wish if he’s messing with Huthailia . ]
The Thirteenth Sigil – that was Hudson’s name for his team .
Yalo : [ It’s true . Apparently , he’s planning something big . One last job before he retires . ]
World’s No.1 : [ Let’s see if he makes it back alive . ]
Echohawk : [ He’s always had a knack for scamming Huthailians . No doubt he’s after another huge payout . ]
Black Rose : [ Echohawk , change your username already . ]
Echohawk : [ Black Rose , heard you botched a hit on a civilian and gave up needles for good . Gonna keep copying me now ? ]
That one stung . This person always knew how to twist the knife .
Black Rose : [ You’ll regret that . ]
Jack : [ Alright, enough fighting . Half this group is using Echohawk as a nickname . Just get used to it . ]
Some used their real names , others preferred aliases .
There weren’t many with the guts to be themselves – Aria was one of them .
But no one in the group actually knew which Echohawk was really her .
A : [ There were four from Thirteenth Sigil in here . I kicked them all out . ]
World’s No.2 : [ Why kick them ? ]
A : [ Because they went to Huthailia and now they’ll drag us down with them . ]
DungMaster : [ Honestly , it’s smart . If they get caught , the Huthailian police will be all over us . ]
World’s No.1 : [ Hey , who developed MapleLink ? Can we ban them ? ]
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− 11:26 FII , 6jun DJ W
195
A : Relax , even if the cops find the software , they can’t get in .
Echohawk: [ Bounty post : capture or kill anyone from Thirteenth Sigil – 70 million dollars . Hudson : 100 million dollars . ]
Aria wasn’t about to do this alone , If money could solve it , she’d spend big . The group chat went dead for a second – then exploded .
DungMaster : [ Wait – who the hell is this big shot ? Are you for real with that reward ? ]
Jack : [ That much money ? I’m in . ]
World’s No.1 : [ Me too . ]
At those numbers , half the underground world wanted in .
Aria exited the app . Her phone rang . It was from Vanessa . “ Aria, let’s meet up . Give me your phone , I’ll see if I can track their location . ”
Another woman’s voice came through . “ Aria , we need to head out
“ Text me your location . I’ll come find you , ” Aria replied.
“ Okay . ”
to
the set . ”
She’d barely stepped outside when she ran into Owen on his way
to
work .
He looked completely unfazed , phone in hand , rideshare app open . Not even last night’s sparring had made things awkward between them .
“ Morning , Ms. Saxon , ” he greeted politely .
“ Morning . ” Out of courtesy , Aria asked , “ Your car still not back yet ? ”
“ Not yet , ” he said .
“ Need a lift ? ” After all the times he’d fed her , leaving him to fend for himself would be pretty heartless .
“ Would that be alright ? ” he asked .
“ No trouble . ”
“ Thank you , Ms. Saxon . ”
Aria dropped him off at Seacrest Law Firm . As she was turning the car around , she spotted Mason , so she rolled down the window . “ Mr. Webb , good
morning . ”
Mason nearly jumped out of his skin , forcing a nervous smile . “ Morning , Ms. Saxon . Is Griffin’s case finally over ? ”
“ Yeah . Thanks for your help .”
“ Just doing my job , ” Mason breathed a secret sigh of relief , then forced a cheerful , “ Well , I’ll head in . ”
Aria nodded , then paused as if something had crossed her mind.
Webb , has anyone tried to contact you lately ? ”
Mason’s heart nearly stopped , his hand trembling behind his briefe
“ No , no one . ”
Realizing he sounded too nervous , he quickly added , “ No trouble from the Palmer family , you can rest easy . ”
“ Good . See you next time , Mr. Webb . ”
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195
“ See you . ”
As her car disappeared , Mason finally let out a long breath – only to look up and meet Owen’s eyes . His heart almost stopped again . “ Mr. Shaw …. morning . ”
“ Morning . ”
Shaken , Mason hurried inside to pull himself together .
Owen watched him go , a thoughtful look on his face .
“ Aaron , is that you ? ” Aaron greeted Owen as he walked up . “ You look so much younger today . ”
Owen was in a long coat and a grey scarf . He raised a brow , amused . “ Do I usually look old ? ”
Aaron’s eyelid twitched as he realized he’d slipped up . “ No , no – you’re young already . Just younger today . ”
Owen let it slide . “ Let’s go in . ”
Inside , Owen hung up his scarf and coat .
As he did , Aaron caught a glimpse of finger – shaped bruises and a scratch around Owen’s neck . He gasped , “ Mr. Shaw , were you … domestically abused ? But you’re not even married – was it a break – in ? ”
“ No ,” Owen replied simply .
But there was no denying those marks were from someone’s hand .
Sensing it was private , Aaron wisely didn’t push , dumping all his accumulated work questions on Owen before leaving .
Owen’s phone buzzed .
Ashen : [ Someone posted a hit on Hudson . Boss , are we getting involved ? Nobody’s motivated without money . ]
Moss : [ Let those rookies try their luck . Good training for them . ]
Officially , mercenaries weren’t allowed to take private contracts . Otherwise , plenty of them would jump at it .
Owen figured Aria had put up the bounty and replied , 15 million dollars each . I’ll pay .
Reaper : [ Knew there’d be good eats following you . Better than yelling drill orders all day – killing’s more fun . ]
Owen left it at that and closed the chat .
Aria arrived at Vanessa’s film set , making her way through the crowd when a voice called out , “ Aria ? ”
It was Tina , surrounded by a group – Maximo , the cameraman , the assistant with a backpack .
Tina stared in disbelief . “ What are you doing here ?
Aria didn’t slow down . “ None of your business . ”
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