Chapter 492

Owen’s gaze lingered on the woman momentarily before shifting to the crying , fussing boy .
Eileen Graham clutched her son tightly , turning sideways defensively as she asked warily , “ What do you want ? ”
With a faint smile playing on his lips , Owen said calmly , “ So , he’s Tom’s son ? And you’re his wife ? ”
Eileen realized this was someone formidable . ‘ He dared to address Tom by name , after all ,’ she thought . A sudden pang of regret struck her . ‘ I shouldn’t have recklessly provoked them .’
Eileen nodded with forced bravado . “ Yes . My son wants your gold pendant now . I’ll give you 30 thousand dollars . Tell that masked girl to hand it over immediately . ”
Owen took a step forward , and Eileen instinctively recoiled .
Owen asked coldly , “ Tom’s wife is Mabel , a distinguished physicist . Are you claiming to be her ? ”
‘ He knows the Shaw family well , ‘ Eileen thought .
Eileen’s face instantly betrayed her panic , but she forced herself to appear composed . “ So what if I am ? So what if I’m not ? ” she retorted defiantly . “ If you don’t want to sell it , then don’t . Like I care . ”
With that , Eileen scooped up her son and rushed away .
The little boy kept wailing until a quick smack on his bottom finally quieted him down .
“ Mom , put me down . I can walk by myself , ” said the boy .
Eileen’s arms were aching from carrying her son , so she promptly set him down .
Immediately after the boy’s feet touched the ground , he suddenly spun around and charged straight at Pearl , shouting at the top of his lungs , “ Give me the gold pendant . I want it now . ”
Owen reacted instantly , stepping sideways to shield Pearl . The boy couldn’t stop himself and crashed straight into Owen’s leg , losing his balance and tumbling to the ground before bursting into loud sobs .
Seething with anger yet intimidated by Owen and the others , Eileen dared not raise her voice . Teetering on her high heels , she hurried toward them in small , anxious steps .
Aria stepped forward , crouched to the boy’s eye level with a playful smile , and asked , “ So , you want that gold pendant , huh ? ”
The boy stopped crying and nodded . “ Yes , I want it , ” he said .
“ What a pity , ” Aria said with a mocking smile . “ That gold pendant was handcrafted by the man here . It’s truly one of a kind . No matter how rich your parents are , you’ll never get it . ”
“ No … ” the boy wailed loudly . “ You’re a bad woman . You’re a witch . An idiot . ”
Without hesitation , Aria slapped him right across the mouth . “ Try saying that one more time , ” she said coldly .
Eileen shrieked and rushed forward desperately / Aria grabbed the boy by his shirt collar , stood up , and swung him aside . Eileen lunged but missed , her foot twisting beneath her as she nearly fell .
“ Let go of my son ! ” Eileen screamed .
Aria shot her an icy glare . “ Scream again , and I’ll toss him out . ”
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11 , 27 Jun
492
The chubby boy dangled in her grip like a ragdoll , completely at her mercy .
The boy shrieked in panic , “ Mommy , help ! ”
Aria glared at him and said coldly , “ Say that again . ”
The little boy was terrified into silence . He apologized , his voice trembling with sobs . “ I’m sorry , Miss . I was wrong . I don’t want the gold pendant anymore . Please , please let me go . ”
“ Keep cursing like that , and I’ll sew your mouth shut , ” Aria said .
The little boy stammered fearfully , “ I – I won’t do it again . ”
Aria flung the boy straight toward Eileen .
Caught completely off guard , the mother and son toppled backward onto the ground .
Clutching her waist , Eileen spat venomously , “ You’ll pay for this . Mark my words .”
With his mother shielding him , the little boy glared at Aria and mimicked his father’s menacing tone . “ You evil woman ! I’ll have my dad torture you to death , break every bone in your body , drain all your blood , and have you preserved as a display specimen . ”
‘ At such a young age , for him to say something so vicious , it’s obvious he learned it from his parents , ‘ Aria thought .
Aria crossed her arms defiantly . “ Go ahead , try me . I’ll make sure your wish comes true . ”
Eileen yanked her son away and stormed off .
The little boy turned back , glaring daggers at Aria , his eyes full of malice .
AD