Chapter 320
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The apology she’d prepared caught in her throat .
He was the one who got seen , so why is he the one apologizing to me ? ‘ Aria wondered , bewildered .
She cleared her throat and said , “ Just having soup for dinner isn’t really enough . I came to get you for dinner . ”
Owen smiled . “ Shall we head over then ? ”
“ Okay , ” Aria said , turning to leave .
Owen watched her retreating figure , a faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips .
By the time they arrived , the other three were already seated at the table , which was laden with steaming dishes .
Mono gave Owen a knowing look . “ She went to call you for dinner , so what took you so long ? ”
Owen , without batting an eye , explained , “ I dozed off and missed the doorbell . ”
Aria carefully set a plate of egg custard before Owen . Her usually cool gaze flickered with uncharacteristic embarrassment as she averted her eyes and said hurriedly , “ Let’s eat first . ”
Her words came out a bit rushed , as if trying to brush past what had just happened .
Except for Owen , who knew exactly what had happened , no one else caught the slightest hint of anything amiss in her voice .
Owen gazed at the egg custard before him , his eyes shimmering with uncontainable delight .
That dish was meant for him alone .
Overcome with delight , he forgot his manners and dug in first . Beaming from ear to ear , he took a bite . “ Delicious ! ” he exclaimed .
Mono’s lips thinned into a straight line , and he let out a dry chuckle to himself . ‘ Look at him acting like a lovesick puppy over a simple egg custard . He must think Aria made it herself . ‘
But since Aria ordered it , he figured it might as well have been made by her .
Mono took a bite , his face crinkling with laughter . “ Truly delicious . Aria , you certainly have excellent taste . ”
Lily also dug in excitedly and exclaimed , “ This is honestly the best dish I’ve ever had ! ”
“ Delicious ! ” Gael said succinctly.
Aria was speechless.
Olivia strode into the Aureus Club wearing a form – fitting red mini dress , her high heels clicking sharply against the floor , radiating an air of innate
arrogance .
Rachel trailed nervously behind her , her face almost completely hidden behind a mask – her anxious eyes peeking out , brimming with unease and fear .
Olivia strode straight to the reception desk , rapped sharply on the counter , and demanded , “ I’m here to see Russell .”
The receptionist flashed a professional smile and asked , “ Excuse me , may I ask who Russell is ? ”
Olivia rolled her eyes . “ Russell Nicholson ! ”
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The receptionist froze for a split second at the mention of the name , then quickly composed himself with a professional smide . My apolo de- our extensive clientele , I can’t immediately confirm if we have a guest by that name . Please allow me a moment I’ll discreetly consult with
manager
Olivia frowned impatiently . “ Get a move on . Tell him it’s Olivia Remar . ”
“ Right away , ” the receptionist responded , swiftly turning to consult with the manager .
Inside the private suite , Russell sat on the sofa , his gaze fixed on a teenage boy’s photo displayed on the laptop screen .
Orlando observed Russell’s increasingly stormy expression and said slowly , “ His name was Marcus Payne – the grandson of a Solemnity Guild founder . He died at the age of seventeen . ”
Orlando continued , “ The one who did it was Madelyn Colton – now known as Aria Saxon .
“ Right after Madelyn Colton joined the Solemnity Guild , she crossed Marcus Payne. During a supply run with the team , he tried to kill her by planting explosives – Sara was just collateral damage .
“ Two years later , Madelyn Colton returned alive to the Solemnity Guild – but Sa
gone . ”
Russell clenched his fists so tightly his knuckles turned pale , his eyes blazing with murderous intent .
Orlando continued , “ Madelyn Colton began taking contracts at just fourteen , going by the codename Echohawk . ”
He then said , “ Marcus Payne was found riddled with silver needles – a truly gruesome end . His grandfather , a founder of the Solemnity Guild , discovered that Madelyn Colton had tortured and murdered his grandson . Further investigation revealed she had taken a contract to assassinate Sara , set up others to do her dirty work , and ultimately eliminated Marcus Payne to cover her tracks . ”
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