Chapter 732

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Cathy shot it down immediately. “Sorry, I can’t. I’m heading to Hogford City for Gerald’s wedding,” said Cathy.
She thought, ‘Clearly, neither of them had any interest in the State Security Bureau.
‘What if Owen holds it against me when I manage to trick Aria into joining the Bureau?
‘I would never do such a thing.”‘
Aria fell fast asleep in the passenger seat.
Owen stopped the car safely. He unbuckled his seatbelt, stepped out, and walked around to the passenger side.
He pulled open the door and leaned in to pick Aria up when her eyes suddenly opened. “Are we there yet?” she murmured sleepily.
Owen said gently, “We’ve arrived. You just sleep. I’ll carry you up.”
Aria grabbed Owen’s arm and shook her head. “I’m fine. I’m not that fragile yet.”
Owen smiled and said, “I just want to hold you.”
Aria reached up and ran her fingers through his hair. “Let’s go back first,” she teased.
Aria stepped out of the car while Owen headed to the back seat to grab the medical kit.
As they walked forward, a shadowy figure suddenly lunged from the darkness, heading straight for Aria.
Owen’s gaze sharpened. In a flash, he grabbed the man’s wrist, struck his chest hard, and drove him back several steps.
Cassian didn’t take Owen seriously and never expected him to strike back.
Cassian thought, ‘No wonder Aria is untouchable. She is under Owen’s protection.’
“Cassian, you got a death wish?” said Owen coldly.
“I don’t want you. Where’s Margery?” asked Cassian as he stared at Avia.
Aria drawled, “Why should I tell you?”
Cassian bared his teeth in a menacing grin and said, “Aria, I gave you a chance. You harbor a fugitive. Arressto will come after you.”
Aria lifted her eyes and said, “Will they? I’ll be waiting.”
Cassian hadn’t expected her to be this tough, and his face darkened. “Do you think joining the State Security Bureau will absolve you? If you don’t give me Margery, you will never join it.”
Aria responded coolly, “Hmm. Finished? Then get lost.”
Cassian sneered, “I’ve already bought a place in Mayen Garden. I’ll keep an eye on you. Let’s see how long Margery can stay
hidden.”
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Neither Owen nor Aria spared Cassian a glance. They turned and walked away.
20
Aria woke up four hours later and headed upstairs to find Margery.
Margery opened the door with a smile and said, “There you are.”
Margery stepped aside to let Aria in.
Aria cut straight to the chase. “Have you contacted Calla?”
Margery nodded. “Yes, I have. But all the evidence she submitted was suppressed by Arressto’s higher-ups.”
Calla had been hiding for nearly a decade. She was tormented by guilt while she gathered evidence of Alaric’s crimes.
But she underestimated human nature.
All the evidence she had gathered was confiscated.
She told everyone that Margery had accidentally killed Alaric while trying to save her, but no one believed her.
Some said she hadn’t told the truth. Margery had made her say those things.
Calla regretted it bitterly. If only she had cleared everything up immediately, it’s probably not gonna come to that.
But Margery didn’t blame Calla.
Margery thought, ‘Even if Calla had cleared everything up back then, it wouldn’t have made any
difference.
‘Alaric’s case involved too many influential figures. For the greater good, the higher-ups had no choice but to sweep the case under the rug.
‘And Arressto had no choice but to sacrifice her.’
Pearl walked out of the room and said with concern, “Then will you always be watched? Will you never be free?”
Margery fell silent, then walked over and gently patted Pearl’s head. “Don’t worry. They’ll try to mess with me, but they won’t cross the line.”
Aria asked, “Did Calla tell Cassian the truth?”
Margery said with a wry smile, “She told him, but he didn’t believe her.
“Alaric adopted Cassian, and he was nice to him.”
Aria said calmly, “I see. I’ll handle this.”
Margery protested, “Cassian is dangerous. He might redirect his anger towards you instead of me.
“Aria, don’t worry about this. I’ll handle it myself.”
Aria looked at Margery and said, “After we get through this, I’ll have a favor to ask.”
Margery said immediately, “I’m ready to help. Just tell me what to do.”

Aria looked into Margery’s eyes. “If we don’t deal with them, nothing you do will matter. Rest assured. I’m not someone people can mess with.”