"Didn''t you say you haven''t given up on your art design and even started your


    own studio? Let''s head over there. I want to see if you''ve lost your touch over the years," Jade said, always one to dive straight into business as soon as she got in


    the car.


    "Sure," M agreed, starting the engine and driving off.


    As they pulled onto the road, M noticed two dark cars following them in the rearview mirror.


    "Don''t worry about those. They''re just my staff''s cars. They have to follow us," Jade exined casually.


    M nodded and decided to ignore them.


    Silence settled in the car again.


    Jade had never approved of M''s marriage or her decision to sideline her talents, and with both of them having stubborn streaks, they hadn''t spoken for nearly


    seven years. Now, neither knew quite how to break the ice.


    ...


    After a few moments of driving, Jade broke the silence.


    "What''s the deal with you and Rnd?"


    M was caught off guard by her aunt''s question. She hesitated for a few seconds before exining about the dress.


    "He ordered a custom gown from me once. I attended a family dinner at his


    house, but we haven''t had much contact. We''re not close."


    "Good, it''s better that way," Jade replied, her tone serious.


    Feeling uneasy, M asked, "Is there something wrong with him?"


    Jade nced at her and decided not to beat around the bush. "It''s not him, per se. It''s the whole Lockwood family that''s problematic."


    "Really?" M''s surprise was evident.


    "Why do you think Rnd has spent so many years abroad?" Jade scoffed. "The Lockwood family''s history is riddled with shady dealings. Most of their wealth is tied to illicit activities. It''s only thanks to a capable younger generation that they''re trying to clean up their act. Rnd''s been quietly transferring their dubious operations overseas, slowly turning their domestic businesses legitimate."


    M, unfamiliar with these intrigues, was taken aback by the revtion.


    She recalled the faint scent of blood she''d noticed on Rnd when delivering his custom dress a while back, and she shivered at the memory.


    Her thoughts were interrupted by Jade''s continued warning, "He''s back in the country now, likely nning something big. The Lockwood family''s ventures here are still a mess-an outright ticking time bomb. Stay away from him. People like that can drag you into a world of trouble, and before you know it, you''ll be in deep with thew."


    "I understand, Aunt Jade," M responded obediently.


    ...


    After a pause, Jade spoke again, broaching the topic she was most curious about. "What''s going on between you and Lysander?"


    Their falling out years ago had been over M''s marriage to someone from the Montgomery family. M had abandoned her artistic aspirations to delve intoputer science because of Lysander, leading to a fierce argument and their subsequent estrangement.


    Jade had been so upset by the Montgomery family that she''d avoided returning from her overseas work with Splendid. M''s stubborn nature meant she wouldn''t have given up onputer science so easily unless something significant had happened between them.


    With nothing to hide from her aunt, M calmly replied, "I''m preparing for a divorce."


    Jade was momentarily taken aback. She had no fondness for Lysander and was about to express her relief when M added, "He cheated on me."


    Jade''s face darkened instantly. "What did you say?!"