Chapter 540
Aria followed Owen up the creaking wooden stairs, arriving in front of a small inn.
Owen made a quick call, and moments later, the door swung open.
A man in a baggy T-shirt appeared at the doorway. His face lit up when he saw Owen. “Owen, it’s been a while!” he exclaimed.
With a slight smile, Owen said, “A while indeed. Hope you don’t mind me crashing here for a few days.”
The man waved his hand. “No big deal. That’s what inns are for.”
His gaze quickly landed on Aria, his eyes lighting up with curiosity. With a teasing grin, he asked, “So, is this your girlfriend?”
Owen nodded gently.
“Hi there, I’m Carlos Jenkins.” Carlos extended his hand enthusiastically. “I’m Owen’s best buddy here in Masmubia.”
Aria gave a polite smile and said, “Hi, I’m Aria Saxon.”
Just as Aria was about to extend her hand, Owen intercepted and shook Carlos’s instead. “Let’s head inside,” he said.
Carlos pouted in mock annoyance and grumbled, “Can’t even shake her hand? Owen, you’re as possessive as ever.”
Owen drawled, “You’re the very first friend I’ve ever introduced her to.”
Carlos instantly broke into a grin. “Knew it! I really am your best friend!”
He stepped aside to let them in, then led the way upstairs to the second floor.
The narrow stairwell was plastered with faded movie posters. As they climbed, Carlos casually asked, “So, what brings you here all of a sudden?”
Owen chuckled. “We got tracked staying at a hotel. Your place is the safest.”
Carlos chuckled happily again. “Of course! My inn might look a little run-down on the outside, but inside, it’s just as good as any fancy hotel.”
He opened a door and said, “Your old room-I’ve kept it just for you. Never let anyone else stay here.”
Owen looked around the familiar room and said with genuine gratitude, “Thank you.”
Carlos said, “Cut the formalities, man. I owe you my life.”
As Aria was putting down her luggage, Carlos leaned in close to Owen’s ear with a mischievous grin and whispered, “I’ve stocked up plenty of condoms for you in the nightstand. The soundproofing here is great, so have all the fun you want.”
Carlos gave Owen a playful pat on the shoulder, shot him a knowing grin, and then headed out.
Owen chuckled helplessly, then turned to Aria and said, “Madelyn, why don’t you go take a shower first? Let’s turn in early tonight.”
Aria was just about to leave when her phone rang. She checked the caller ID and said to Owen, “It’s Russell. Go ahead and take a shower first.”
“Alright.” With a slight nod, Owen headed into the bathroom.
1/2
Aria stood by the window and answered the call.
Russell asked, “You’re in Masmubia?”
“Yeah.” Aria had already guessed why Russell was calling. “Is that ring from the Wolfshade Syndicate?”
Russell said, “Yeah, it was stolen by an outsider and somehow ended up with you.”
Aria cut straight to the point. “What’s this ring for?”
After a long pause, Russell said, “That’s the heir’s token of the Wolfshade Syndicate. The serpent pattern belongs to Damon Remar. I had people impersonate you two.”
“Thanks,” Aria said. “Want me to give you the ring?”
“Would you really hand it over?” he asked.
Aria asked coolly, “What’s in it for me if I do?”
Russell asked, “What do you want?”
“I don’t need anything for now, but I need this ring,” Aria said. “Any progress on the person you’re investigating?”
Russell asked, “She vanished without a trace after leaving the Wolfshade Syndicate. Arressto is also investigating. Is she the defector they’re hunting down?”
Aria replied, “Yeah.”
Russell seemed to have guessed what Aria was planning to do with the ring. He said, “Hand it over. I’ll take care of it.”
Aria said calmly, “You can have it-on one condition.”
“What is it?” Russell said.
Aria said, “There’s someone being held on the top floor of Ivy Hospital, with some of the guards from the Wolfshade Syndicate. Find out who it is. If it’s the person I’m looking for, help me get him out.”
After a short while of silence, Russell said, “I’ll send you the address. Come to see me at 4 p.m. alone-just you.”
Aria nodded. “Deal.”
The next day, Russell sent over the address, and Owen drove Aria to the meeting spot in Carlos’s car.
