Chapter 229

Aria Bennett pushed open the door to the wooden cabin.

Evelyn Bennett sat on the couch, cradling her pale son Theo in her arms. When she saw her daughter enter, a flicker of pain crossed her eyes. "Aria, come check on Theo."

Aria hurried forward, her fingertips brushing against her brother's icy forehead. Her heart sank.

"Sis..." Theo managed a weak smile. "I'm fine..."

"Don't talk." Aria cut him off, swiftly retrieving cinnabar ink and talisman paper from her bag.

Rebecca Reed wrung her hands anxiously nearby. "He suddenly fainted earlier—scared us half to death."

Pressing her lips together, Aria's brush moved with practiced precision. As the talisman completed, a golden light flashed.

"Keep this close." She tucked the charm into Theo's collar.

His breathing gradually steadied as he drifted into deep sleep.

"Those people outside..." Aria suddenly looked up.

Evelyn met her daughter's gaze. "I called them."

She pulled a silver emblem from her bag. "After you mentioned the Whitmores might hire assassins, I reached out to an old friend."

Aria took the emblem, its surface engraved with a soaring eagle—the insignia of the international mercenary group "Argent Wing."

Rebecca slammed her palm on the table. "The Whitmores have gone too far! Targeting a child!"

"Don't worry, Aunt Rebecca." Aria's smile turned icy. "They'll pay for this."

She produced three ancient ritual blade coins, rubbing them between her palms. These were artifacts she'd been cultivating with her Wraith Dagger, originally meant for later use...

"Mom, I'm visiting the Whitmore family cemetery tomorrow."

Evelyn nodded in understanding. "Be careful."

Just then, raised voices carried from outside.

"Sir, you can't go in—"

"I'll wait right here!"

Aria massaged her temples—she'd almost forgotten about her persistent shadow.

Opening the door, she found Tristan Cole squared off against a black-clad mercenary. Spotting her, his expression instantly softened. "Miss Bennett."

Nolan Reed stood glowering nearby like a bristling cat.

"Mom, Aunt Rebecca, this is Tristan Cole." Aria made brief introductions.

Tristan bowed courteously. "Pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Bennett."

Rebecca studied the handsome young man, then glanced at her sulking son with a silent sigh.

"Theo needs rest. Let's head back," Evelyn said.

Nolan immediately stepped forward. "I'll carry him to the car."

Throughout the drive home, Tristan's vehicle trailed behind them. At the apartment complex, he rolled down his window. "Need any help?"

Before Aria could decline, Nolan had already charged into the elevator with Theo in his arms.

"Thanks, but we're fine," she said politely.

Undeterred, Tristan exited his car. "Let me see you upstairs."

Inside the elevator, Nolan stared fixedly at the ascending floor numbers, jaw clenched audibly.

"Tea?" Aria offered absently after entering the apartment.

"The honor would be mine," Tristan smiled.

Nolan nearly dropped Theo.

Once her brother was settled, Aria stood on the balcony, her gaze fixed coldly on the distant Whitmore Group headquarters.

Her phone vibrated with a message from an unknown number:

«Package ready. Green light whenever.»

She deleted it, her expression neutral as she turned around.

In the living room, the two men were engaged in "friendly" conversation, tension crackling between them.

Rebecca whispered to Evelyn, "That Cole boy seems decent."

Evelyn smiled without comment.

When Aria entered, both men abruptly stopped bickering.

"Thank you both for today." She poured tea. "But I have matters to attend to..."

The unspoken dismissal was clear.

Tristan rose gracefully. "Another time, then."

Nolan lingered until his mother's sharp glare dragged him out.

Alone at last, Aria took out her compass and ritual coins, a dangerous glint in her eyes.

"Whitmore family... your reckoning has come."