COMMENT 

Chapter 178 

Valerie was deep in thought. Let’s go see Ms. Powell to explain the situation. We don’t want to delay our progress, and it’s in the company’s best interest” 

Just as Valerie was about to leave, julia stopped her. 

“I have a feeling Arya is nearby, I need to confirm whether she has returned to Cromont City. If we directly tell Kathy that Arya is the troublemaker, it might alert her prematurely. I’ve already contacted a private investigator to trace the IP address from the phone call. We should get results soon,” she said. 

Valerie understood immediately, “You’re quite resourceful. If Arya comes back, it could be serious, but I’m sure Harry will send her away.” 

“Why do you think that?” 

Julia didn’t believe Harry would just send Arya back, given how he had always defended her. 

Even when Arya nearly killed Lucia, Harry had still safely sent her to Mestoura. 

She didn’t think Harry would be so kind to Arya merely out of respect for a deceased friend’s wish. 

“Didn’t you and Harry have a more personal encounter last night?” Valerie found Julia’s words amusing. “I saved the photos. So romantic! It’s true. Rich people have a different view from their vantage points.” 

Julia suddenly remembered everything from last night. 

“That was just staged for the photos,” Julia explained. 

“Alright. When will the private investigator find out where the other IP address is?” Valerie asked. 

Julia pondered. “It should be within a few days. In the meantime, let’s work on other jewelry designs and put this client’s request on hold.” 

Meanwhile, in a small villa on the outskirts of the city. 

“Julia really suspects me and is even tracking my IP address. Let’s see if she can actually find me.” Arya sat on a chaise lounge, with Marlon standing by her side. 

“Do you think I should leak a bit of information to the private investigator? That way, Julia might fall into my trap. Do you think Julia, once tainted, can still win Harry’s favor?” 

Arya became increasingly agitated, her red–painted nails digging into the back of the chaise lounge. “Arrange it so that even if I can’t appear in front of Harry, I’ll make sure Julia’s reputation is ruined.” 

Later that afternoon, Julia received a call from the private investigator. 

She took an hour off and went to a studio to discuss the findings 

It was the same studio where she had previously requested help with tracing the IP address. 

undetected.” “Mrs. Wright, we have the results for the IP address you asked us to investigate. It’s located in a rural area in the northern suburbs. It’s quite remote, so someone hiding out there is likely to go 

‘Could it be Arya?‘ Julia wondered. 

Julia pondered. “Is there no other information besides the address?” 

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“No, that’s all we have, the private investigator replied. 

Julia decided not to press further. 

Knowing the address was a start. 

She could send someone there to check if it was indeed Arya. 

“Alright,” Julia said as she left the studio. 

Back at the company, Valerie pulled her aside. “So, Julia? Did you find any information about them?” 

“The IP address is indeed in Cromont City. The location is within Cromont City, but the misleading international details make me even more convinced it’s Arya.” Julia shared her suspicion. 

Valerie was immediately upset. “If we have the address, we should just go find her!” 

“Just the two of us?” Julia hesitated. 

Although Arya didn’t know her whereabouts had been exposed, going with just the two of them might alert Arya prematurely. 

It would be better to have a man accompany them. 

Julia struggled to think of someone who could join them. 

At that moment, Otis approached. “Valerie, Julia, I’m resigning. I’d like to take you all out for dinner tonight as a farewell meal.” 

Julia looked at Otis. He was tall and robust, perfect for providing protection and cover. 

Valerie considered refusing, as she needed to search for Arya with Julia. 

But Julia spoke up. “Otis, we’re friends, right? How about you come with us on this little adventure? Afterward, we’ll go out for that farewell dinner together.” 

A fleeting, barely noticeable glint of excitement flashed in Otis’s eyes. He patted his chest confidently. “An adventure? No problem. I’m ready anytime.” 

So, the three of them set off in a car toward Desolat 

Village in the northern suburbs. 

Valerie didn’t hide her concerns. “Julia, why would Arya be in such a remote place? Could it be a trap?” 

As they drove further into the increasingly desolate route, Valerie grew more anxious. 

Julia, however, remained unfazed. “We’re just checking Arya’s whereabouts. It might not even be her.” 

Otis chimed in. “I’ll make sure to keep you 

both safe.” 

Valerie reluctantly settled down, but as the car continued, her signal with her boyfriend was lost. 

She gasped. “Julia, we’ve lost all signal. What kind of place is this 

Julia took out her own phone and confirmed that, just as Valerie had said, there was no signal at all. 

With dusk approaching, the surrounding scenery grew even more eerie. 

Valerie inched closer to Julia. “Julia, I’m starting to regret coming here. We should have come during the day. Maybe we should turn back?” 

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Chapter 178 

Julia was at a loss for words. They were almost at the designated location. 

“Don’t be scared. We’ll just take a quick look and then head back Julia reassured Valerie, 

A few minutes later, the car stopped in Desolate Village. 

Otis was the first to get out and opened the rear car door. 

Despite her fear, Valerie mustered the courage to get out with Julia. 

Before them was an incredibly rundown village, almost unimaginable that anyone still lived here. 

Julia carefully scanned the surroundings. Her initial reaction was that the private investigator had tricked her. 

However, the investigator had made accurate reports in the past 

She couldn’t figure out where things might have gone wrong. 

“Valerie, if you’re scared, you can stay in the car. Otis and I will go in.” Julia offered. 

Valerie, indeed frightened, grabbed Julia’s hand. “Julia, let’s go back. This is obviously a scam by the private investigator. 

Julia shook her head firmly. “I need to find out the truth. I have to know if Arya is really in Cromont City 

Reluctantly, Valerie got back into the car. 

Meanwhile, Julia and Otis proceeded further into the village. 

As they pushed through reeds taller than half of themselves, a shadowy figure of a woman darted into a thatched hut. 

“It’s Arya!” Julia called out and hurried into the hut. 

At that moment, the thatched hut had already been set up as a trap. 

Julia felt a cloth being placed over her face from behind. Despite her efforts to close her mouth and nose, she still caught a faint whiff of a chemical odor. 

Soon, dizziness overcame her, and she collapsed to the ground. 

Otis, however, remained unharmed, revealing himself to be an accomplice. 

Next to him was Otis, holding the cloth and tossing it into a nearby fire. Otis patted his own shoulder with an evil grin. 

“Looks like you’re getting your wish. Tonight, Julia is all yours. Make sure to take plenty of pictures.”