Chapter 404

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Dexter tracked down Aria’s contact and sent a request : [ Hello , Ms. Saxon , this is Dexter . ]
An hour passed , and Aria still hadn’t accepted . Dexter tried again : [ Hannah wants to see you’re willing to meet , you can name your terms . ]
Aria set her phone on the dining table , propped her chin on her hand , lost in thought .
Owen came out carrying soup just in time to catch that absent look on her face .
you . There’s something really important she needs to discuss , if
He set the bowl down and accidentally caught a glimpse of her phone screen . He blurted out , “ Hannah wants to see you ? ”
Aria glanced up , her eyes meeting his .
Owen gave an apologetic smile . “ Sorry , I saw it by accident . ”
“ It’s fine . ” Aria could guess what Hannah wanted . “ She’s probably hoping to use the Culver situation to cut a deal .”
“ If you go , record it . Get everything on the record . ” Owen said seriously , “ I’ll go with you .”
Aria was about to protest that she could handle it herself , but seeing the look on his face , she swallowed her words .
She looked over at Lily . Lily beamed , “ I’ll be at home , working on my homework .”
Aria’s lips curled up . “ I’ll bring you something yummy when I get back .”
“ Okay ! ”
At the café , Dexter sat first . Hannah turned to him , “ I need to talk to Aria alone . You being here … it’s not appropriate . ”
Dexter eyed her . “ What could you possibly say that I can’t hear ? ”
Hannah was at a loss for words .
Aria and Owen arrived , walking in at an unhurried pace .
The moment Hannah saw them , her face soured . “ Why’d you bring Owen ? ”
Aria gave her a flat look , not bothering to answer .
Owen moved to the inside seat and pulled out a chair , but before he could sit , Aria had already taken the outside chair for herself .
He smiled helplessly .
Hannah and Aria were supposed to talk , but they sat at / opposite corners of the table .
Dexter rubbed his temples , stood up , and said to Hannah , “ Let’s switch seats . ”
Reluctantly , Hannah got up and sat directly across from Aria .
Dexter greeted them politely , “ Ms. Saxon , Owen
Aria nodded a hello and cut straight to the chase . “ Hannah , what do you want to talk about ? ”
Dexter staying was one thing , but Owen too ? Hannah felt humiliated and snapped , “ I want to talk to you in private . ”
Aria’s eyes darkened . “ If you won’t talk now , I’m leaving . ”
404
Gritting her teeth , Hannah squeezed her hands together and muttered , “ Liam and I broke up . ”
Aria asked , “ Is that the point ? ”
“ Isn’t it ? ” Hannah’s voice started to shake , her eyes welling with tears . “ Now that we’re over and he knows the truth , you two can finally be together You got what you wanted , so why can’t you just drop the charges ? ”
Aria was speechless for a second . ‘ No wonder she faked her research . It turns out she’s just not that bright !
She was losing patience . “ Are you seriously trying to solve everything with a breakup ? Plagiarism , theft , framing , stirring up the press . You’ve done all this , and you want to wave Liam at me and call it even ? Are you still half asleep ? ”
At the word “ theft , ” Hannah’s expression shifted . “ Can you not use such harsh language ? ”
Dexter was about ready to lose it , his temples throbbing . He yanked Hannah back down into her seat , snapping , “ If you want to negotiate , then do it properly . Stop with this pointless nonsense . ”
They needed Aria to settle . Hannah’s princess routine was helping no one .
Dexter , of all people , siding with someone else . Hannah was both furious and aggrieved , shooting him a tearful glare .
Aria watched the two of them , an amused little smile playing on her lips . “ So you’re not here for Culver ? ”
Hannah stared at her , stunned . “ How did you … ”
Dexter frowned , “ What about Culver ? ”
He did know Culver – a friend of his grandfather’s . If not for the National Doctor’s Seal being lost , Culver would’ve taken over Todd School years ago .
Now he’d found the Seal and quit the Association , set to take over as head of Todd School in mid – May .
Hannah’s heart was racing . She couldn’t believe Aria was so calm about the Seal .
She’d assumed Aria didn’t know its importance . Now it was obvious Aria had known all along .
Hannah asked , “ You knew all this time ? ”
Aria raised an eyebrow . “ Knew what ? ”
Hannah grew agitated . “ You said I wanted to talk about Culver , didn’t you ? ”
Aria let out a laugh . “ You’re the one who wants to talk , not me . ”
Hannah’s hands tightened on her knees . She had no idea how much Aria really knew . Steeling herself , she finally spoke .
“ I saw Culver’s National Doctor’s Seal at your place once . Aria , that Seal is yours – you should be the next head of Todd School . I’m the only one who knows . If you agree to settle , I’ll testify for you . ”
A server arrived with their coffee , hesitating at the tense atmosphere before setting down the cups and making a quick exit .
Aria picked up her cup and took a sip , voice lazy . “ Head of Todd School . Sounds impressive . ”
Hannah pressed on , “ Traditional medicine is what you’re best at . If you inherit Todd School , your skills will skyrocket . ”
Aria’s lips curled into a frosty smile . “ All that sounds nice , but if the Seal was mine , why does Culver have it ? ”
Hannah forced herself to look composed . “ Culver must have gone to Jamelan to find you . ”
And , for once , Hannah was right .
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Culver had indeed gone for her . If she hadn’t rushed back to her clinic , Culver’s people would have succeeded .
“ But I hid the Seal well . How did you see it ? ” Aria’s eyes narrowed .
Hannah’s fingers were bone – white . “ It was an accident . ”
Aria leaned back , staring her down . “ That Seal was hidden under
who took it ? ”
a
false bottom in my drawer . No one but me knew it was there . The day it vanished
Dexter’s face was slipping , disbelief and dread written all just like that .
Hannah’s lips were pressed thin , but she snapped , “ I told you , it
was
or who stole it . Aria , only I can be your witness now . ”
Aria’s eyes iced over . “ You do realize there’s surveillance , right ?
You
Hannah’s face went sheet white . She shot to her feet with a loud ba
didn’t notice the cameras when you were stealing from me ? ”
Aria looked up at her , voice mocking . “ You want to use the Seal you stole from me as leverage for a settlement ? Dream on . ”
She paused , then her tone turned cold and sharp . “ If there’s surveillance , why haven’t you turned it over already ? I never stole anything from you . Don’t try to frame me . ”
She’s hopeless , Aria thought , rising from her seat . “ If you
won
n’t admit it , Culver will .’
Owen stood as well .
Dexter called out , “ Wait ! Ms. Saxon , can we still talk ? ”
Aria picked up her phone , stopped the recording right in front of them , and gave a faint smile .
“ Talk ? There’s nothing left to talk about . But thanks for the evidence . ”
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