Chapter 143

Damian Cross rubbed his temples as he watched Roman Vale's antics.

"Aria Bennett's expertise in metaphysics even impressed my grandfather," he said sternly. "You'd better take her words seriously."

Though Roman was only a few months younger, he acted like an overgrown child. By family hierarchy, all their childhood friends had to address Damian as "uncle," so he'd always treated Roman like a younger brother.

Roman hated when Damian lectured him with that serious expression. He quickly forced a smile. "Got it, got it."

"It's just my first time dealing with something like this," he scratched his head. "Next time I'll listen to Master Aria for sure."

He then scooted over to sit opposite Aria, eyes sparkling. "Master Aria, how did you predict that bottle would hit me?"

It was downright eerie. He'd made a last-minute decision to visit the restroom when Julian Valmont happened to be walking by with a bottle. No one could've planned that coincidence.

After experiencing it firsthand and hearing Marcus Sterling's accounts, Roman was now utterly in awe of Aria.

Aria took a sip of tea. "Your face shows signs of a peach-blossom hex. A simple divination revealed tonight's blood calamity."

"Peach-blossom hex?" Roman's eyes widened.

"Yes," Aria nodded. "The person who hit you—does he fancy someone who's pursuing you?"

"Incredible!" Roman slapped his thigh. "You can even tell that?"

He had an obsessive admirer who'd followed him from abroad. Only today did he learn Julian had a crush on the same girl—no wonder he'd been causing trouble.

He'd told no one about this, yet Aria saw right through it.

Damian frowned. "Watch your language."

Roman: "..." Since when did this guy care about his swearing?

Truly, even heroes falter before beauty.

"Right, right," Roman mimed zipping his lips. "I'll behave."

Aria suddenly asked, "You said the attacker was Julian Valmont?"

"Yeah," Roman sneered. "Thinks he's hot stuff because his family's loaded."

Their circle preferred keeping low profiles. Roman had recently relocated his overseas business back home. Julian had no clue about his real background—otherwise he'd never have dared lay a hand on him.

But this grudge was bookmarked. Payback would come.

Aria's gaze turned icy. "The grandson of the Whitmore Group?"

Roman gaped. "You can divine that too?"

He explained, "The chairman's grandson through marriage—but," he lowered his voice, "a stepdaughter's baggage."

"That old bastard's no saint either," Roman said disdainfully. "Married a widow right after his first wife died, even made the stepdaughter take his surname."

"Worst part? Twenty-some years ago, his biological daughter's fiancé got stolen by that stepdaughter. Soon after, his real daughter vanished. The Whitmores claimed she eloped."

"Disgusting," Roman spat. "What a vile family."

Aria's smile was frosty. "Utterly repulsive."

"Right?" Roman agreed. "Heard the old man's dying now, suddenly wants to find his real daughter again."

Aria's nails dug into her palms. "How dare he?"

"Probably wants to pass the business to his bloodline," Roman shrugged. "Since the stepdaughter isn't family."

"Hah," Aria's eyes glinted coldly. "He deserves that?"

Roman suddenly realized: "You have history with the Whitmores?"

Aria met his gaze and slowly nodded.

"Perfect!" Roman slammed the table. "The enemy of my enemy!"

He reached out to clasp hands, but Damian's glare froze him mid-motion.

"I mean," Roman chuckled awkwardly, "we're clearly fated to meet."

Marcus Sterling and Elias Vaughn facepalmed in unison. Could this idiot not see Damian was jealous?

Aria laughed. "Quite fated indeed."

"Want me to help you get revenge?" Roman offered eagerly.

Damian's voice turned arctic. "That won't be necessary."

Aria's vengeance was hers to claim. As for him...he'd ensure nothing stood in her way.

Roman suddenly felt a chill down his spine and hastily waved his hands. "Forget I said anything!"