Chapter 409
409
Aria made her way back inside just as the inheritance ceremony began .
A middle – aged man stood in the center of the hall , solemnly announcing , “ Today , Todd School officially holds its inheritance ceremony . On behalf of my father Maverick , I hereby pass on the responsibilities and legacy of Todd School to his disciple , Culver . ”
Culver rose , facing the crowd , and bowed deeply before making his way forward .
Out of the corner of his eye , he caught a glimpse of a familiar figure , and his pupils shrank – he stumbled , nearly losing his balance .
Finlay Todd quickly steadied him , shooting a subtle glance at Aria as he whispered , “ Careful . ”
Culver regained his composure , but inside , his thoughts were a raging storm .
He thought , ‘ What is Aria doing here ? Does she know the seal is the real National Doctor’s Seal ? ‘
Even if she does , what of it ? If the seal hadn’t mysteriously gone missing , he would’ve inherited Todd School ages ago . The seal belongs to him , period .
Culver took a steadying breath , then bowed to Finlay . “ Fintay , you’re Maverick’s son . Please accept my bow on his behalf . ”
Afterward , Culver approached the altar , paying respects to the ancestral masters as Finlay recited the family rules and traditions .
Aria strode right over and sat down next to Martin .
Finlay noticed her , his voice faltering just a beat as he recited , but he quickly regained his rhythm .
Martin leaned over , lowering his voice , “ What did Nikolas want with you ? ”
“ We talked about Maverick , ” Aria replied .
“ I see . ” Martin sighed . “ Maverick was a hell of a loss . ”
Aria glanced at him , “ Martin , did you know Maverick personally ? ”
Martin nodded . “ We saw a lot of each other when we were young . As , we got older , we drifted apart . ”
Finlay finished the family rites , then lifted a sandalwood box from the altar and opened it for all to see . “ This is the National Doctor’s Seal of Todd School . Today , I hand it over to you . ”
Culver knelt , holding up both hands . “ I will not let you down .” /
Finlay withdrew the seal . In the sunlight , the deep red jade glistened like blood .
Suddenly , a harsh voice rang out , “ That National Doctor’s Seal is a fake ! ”
Everyone froze , turning to the doorway .
A middle – aged man stood there , glaring at Culver with raw resentment . “ He’s not qualified to inherit Todd School ! ”
Culver stood , meeting the man’s icy gaze . “ Axton , you were expelled by Maverick . You have no right to be here . ”
“ Finlay has already verified the seal is real , ” Culver shot back , but Axton sneered , stepping further into the hall . “ If you look closely in the sunlight , the true National Doctor’s Seal shows the word ‘ Todd ‘ inside . This one is too clear , too perfect – it’s a forgery , and an obvious one at that . Finlay , how could you be so blind ? ”
Culver’s gaze flickered to Aria in the crowd – she wore a lazy , mocking smile .
409
His heart dropped , fists clenching tight .
He thought , ‘ Is the seal really fake ? Is the real one still with Aria ? ‘
He’d quit his position at the Association for this inheritance . If it turned out the National Doctor’s Seal was fake , his career would be destroyed ,
She set me up . She’s been waiting for me to walk right into her trap .
Culver’s face darkened , his eyes glinting with menace .
Martin noticed the murderous look and whispered , “ Aria , why is Culver staring at you like that ? Has he lost it ? ”
He thought , ‘ Could it be … Was that fake seal originally with Aria ? ‘
Martin’s mind raced . No way , is Aria actually the true heir to Todd School ?
Aria’s voice was soft and calm , “ I have no idea . Maybe he’s sick or something .”
Her tone was so relaxed that Martin’s suspicion faded. “ Yeah , must be . ”
After all , Aria and Culver had been rivals ever since Jamelan .
Culver collected himself , fixing Axton with a death stare . “ There’s no way the National Doctor’s Seal is fake . You’re just jealous and trying to sabotage the succession . ”
Finlay considered this , then spoke up , “ Very well . We’ll examine the seal right here and now . ”
Axton smirked , “ If it’s real , I’ll admit Culver is the rightful heir . ”
A bead of sweat trickled down Culver’s spine . He glanced at Aria , gritted his teeth , and declared , “ Real or not , Maverick has already handed Todd School to me . The ceremony is done .”
Axton glared , “ What are you so afraid of ? ”
Finlay stepped into the sunlight , holding up the seal for everyone to see . “ Silence , please . ”
He rotated the seal , letting the light pass through the blood – red jade – on the shadow it cast , the word “ Todd ” was faintly visible .
Finlay announced , “ The National Doctor’s Seal is genuine . ”
Axton’s eyes widened in disbelief as he marched up for a closer look . “ Impossible . Finlay , give it to me . ”
It really was real .
Culver’s entire body relaxed in relief .
Finlay pulled the seal away from Axton’s outstretched hand . “ My father made his decision . Todd School is Culver’s now . Let it go . ”
Axton shook his head . “ I don’t believe it . ”
Nikolas hurried over , practically dragging Axton out . “ The inheritance ceremony is over . ”
And just like that , Culver became the thirteenth head of Todd School .
Martin stood , frowning . “ Something about this whole thing feels off . ”
Aria’s smile was cold . “ Well , Culver’s the head of Todd School now . ”
Half an hour earlier , by the pond , Nikolas had confirmed it : “ So you really knew my grandfather . ”
09:59 Sat , 21 Jun
409
Maverick had only ever accepted two disciples : Axton and Culver .
Todd School valued blood ties over all ; it was unthinkable that an outsider would inherit .
Yet Maverick had promised the school to Culver .
Axton hadn’t understood . He’d argued with Maverick .
The rest of the family didn’t get it either , but no one dared make it public – they couldn’t let outsiders see Todd School’s dirty laundry .
Nikolas had asked , “ Where did Culver’s National Doctor’s Seal come from ? It’s a priceless heirloom , Ms. Saxon . Please , you must know . ”
Aria’s expression didn’t change . “ I need to see him first . ”
Nikolas’s shoulders slumped , his hands curling into fists . “ My grandfather is missing .”
Aria froze . “ What ? Didn’t you say your family brought him home ? ”
Nikolas ‘ face filled with guilt . “ It’s my fault . Four years ago , I was supposed to bring Grandpa home , but on the way there was a car accident . When I finished dealing with it , Grandpa had vanished . The authorities locked down the whole area , searching everywhere – but he was gone . ”
It was only after Maverick disappeared that the family began to suspect maybe there was a deeper reason for wanting Culver to inherit .
Aria asked , “ You all knew the National Doctor’s Seal was a fake , didn’t you ? ”
Nikolas nodded . “ We knew . ”
Aria said , “ The real one’s with me . But I can’t give it to you . ”
Nikolas wasn’t surprised – if the forgery was that perfect , only the real National Doctor’s Seal could have served as its model .
Nikolas pressed , “ And the medical books – are they with you , too ? ”
Aria replied , “ They are. And I’m not giving them up either . ”
“ Good , ” Nikolas said quietly . “ Maybe it’s better that way . ”
Only a few people had known their route that day . Despite all the security , Maverick had still been kidnapped .
Whoever’s been watching Todd School isn’t simple .
Aria asked , “ What was the real purpose of this inheritance ceremony ? ”
Nikolas replied , “ To put Culver in the seat of power . ”
AD
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