Chapter 398
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Owen had already checked – Maverick was no longer in the Kanit City rehab center .
The Todd family had taken him away , but to where , no one krew
Whenever anyone tried to ask about Maverick , the Todds shut them down.cold
Maverick had a former apprentice , too a falling out over the handover of Todd School left him on his own , running a small traditional medicine clinic in some quiet little town , completely removed from the world .
Aria had spent years with that old doctor , and he always sow through people there was no way he wouldn’t notice Culver’s true motives .
Aria herself had dug into Culver’s past he’d studied modern medicine in Masmubia , picked up traditional medicine as a second degree , stayed to work in Masmubia after his PhD , then came home five years later to take up a local post
Eventually , he became Maverick Todd’s disciple .
Thanks to his time abroad , Culver had stayed in close touch with his old hospital in Masmubla .
Ramon sighed , “ It’s a pity – he found the National Doctor’s Seal but not the ancient medical books . The Todds are pretty disappointed . ”
Aria suddenly asked , “ Is Culver really going to resign ? ”
“ He is , ” Ramon nodded , using Culver’s name directly . “ He’s not really a Todd , you know . The only reason he’s allowed to take over is because they value the line of succession – there are strict rules . Culver has to leave the Provincial Traditional Medicine Association before he can take over Todd School ”
Aria nodded , weighing her next move . “ Thank you for telling me all this . ”
Ramon smiled gently . “ You don’t need to thank me . ”
The Todds must’ve examined that seal closely . They’d never mistake a fake .
Publicly announcing Culver’s succession might be part of another plan . Maybe they were medical books , too .
Either way , Aria was content to wait until they made their next move .
still waiting for the real seal to show up , and those three last
She glanced at Owen , then , right in front of Liam , asked directly , “ Any news on Hannah’s case ? ”
The air instantly changed – especially for Liam , who looked like he’d been slapped .
They’d just been discussing Culver , and suddenly the topic had twisted back to Hannah .
Aria did it on purpose .
She claimed not to care , but obviously she did .
Aher the flash of anger , Liam couldn’t help but feel a strange flicker of hope . Maybe Aria still cared about him .
Owen paused a second , then replied , “ The Gibson family is just buying time , but it’s only a matter of time before she’s convicted . She’s not getting away .”
Aria nodded , almost thoughtful . “ Let them stall The longer this drags out , the more charges there’ll be
Ramon was a little lost , but Owen understood right away .
After all , he’d engraved that seal himsel
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still need to get my things back , ” Ain added quietly .
Owen’s lips curled into a faint smile – she’d called it “ my things ”
Now Ramon was really starting to catch on .
The topic had gone from Culver taking over Todd School , to Hannah , to extra charges , to Aria saying the needed her property back .
Ht thought , “Wait . Could Hannah have taken something hom Arial The seal ? Was that seal actually Aria’s ? ”
His eyes went wide as the realization hit .
Liam , thoroughly confused , finally blurted , “ What do you mean , more charges ? What did Hannah do ? ”
olly . “ It’s none of your business . ”
Aria looked at him coolly .
Owen’s smile deepened , “ We should go . ”
“ Yeah ” Aria tumed to Ramon , “ See you , Ramon . ”
Ramon was still reeling , but managed a wave . “ Take care . ”
The group split up .
Liam looked back as they
ty walked away , sunlight tracing a perfect outline around Aria and Owen .
He couldn’t help but think , ‘ They really do look good together . Whatever he’d been hoping for quietly dissolved .
Aria wasn’t the type to take back what she’d left behind .
She had her own life now , and so did he
Liam forced himself to move on , but Hannah’s strange behavior that night lingered in his mind .
A whip
pcracked through the air , landing hard across Russell’s back , leaving bloody stripes .
He knelt , every muscle rigid , lips pressed tight , eyes blazing with suppressed rage
“ Russell . ” Olivia tried to rush forward , but the man next to her caught her arm , smirking , “ Olivia , the more you beg , the worse it gets for him . ”
She ignored him , shouting toward the front , “ Father , that’s enough ! ”
But the whipping continued . Russell never made a sound .
After ten lashes , the punishment was over .
Tyree Remar coiled up the whip and said coldly , “ Do you admit your mistake ? ”
Russell released a breath . “I do . ”
Olivia immediately hurried to his side , crouching to hug him – her hands pressing the fresh welts , making the pain worse .
“ Dad , you went way too far , ” she snapped , though her face showed no trace of real concern for Russell
Truth was , after their trip to Huthailia , Olivia was pissed at Russell .
She wanted him to realize – only she could truly help him .
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sy sister , But … she was murdered . ”
Russell pushed her away and turned to Tyres . Hound my
He stared straight at Tyree as he spoke .
Tyree howned , then went silent , finally saying , “ It’s been years – the chances the survived were always slim . If you get caught screwing up again , don’t bother coming back . ”
With that , Tyree strode away
The man who’d held Olivia back gave thissella steering look and followed Tyree out , not even glancing at Glivis
Olivia helped Russell up , all concem . “ Russell , what’s going on ? ”
He coughed , face blank , “ Ludon’t know . ”
She tested , “ Could it be Aria ? ”
“ Don’t know . ” Russell replied flatly .
A hard glint flashed in Olivia’s eyes – here , even in her own territory , he still refused to tell her anything .
Russell met her gaze . “ You’ve traveled a long way : Go rest . ”
She pouted , “ Let me at least help with your bandages .”
“ No need . They’ll handle it . I’ve neglected you lately . I need time to sort out what happened to my sister . ”
Olivia tried to hide her unease . “ If you need anything , Russell , promise you’ll tell me . ”
Henodded “ Yeah , ”
Back in his rooms , Russell finally had a moment to text Orlando : Aria’s keeping quiet for now .
Orlando : [ But you got punished because of her
Russell ( Aria knows a hell of a lot more than any of us realize . Cross her and we’ll all pay for it .
In his car , Orlando slammed the wheel in frustration , setting off the horn and scaring Rachel in the passenger seat .
He quickly apologized , “ Sorry . ”
Rachel shook her head , her voice barely above a whisper . “ It’s okay. ”
“ They could come back any time . Only ten days left till break . Want to come stay at my place ? Anywhere you want to go ? ”
“ Car … can I stay at Mayen Garden ? ”
“ Of course . Don’t want to go out ? ”
“ I’d rather study ”
The light turned green Orlando started the car , and a few minutes later stopped at the school gates .
Rachel got out , heading inside .
Lily , arms full of study guides , spotted her and called , “ Rachel ? ”
Rachel turned , her eyes brightening and they walked in together . Watching from the car , Orlando Fowned He recognized that gir
09-52 FM ,
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Orlando thought , “ Two girls from different grades . How do they know each other ? Did Aria send Lily to get close to Rachel Has she discovered who
Rachel really is ? But if so , why is Aria so calm ? ”
Orlando decided to ask Rachel more next time ..
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