Lucien POV
The photographs haunted me.
Not because they revealed anything important.
But because they proved one thing.
Someone was watching Aria.
Following her.
Studying her life.
And I knew exactly who had the power to make that happen.
My mother denied everything, of course.
When I confronted her, she didn't even blink.
"You're accusing me without proof."
"You had her investigated."
Beatrice calmly sipped her tea.
"Many people investigate those who enter their lives."
I clenched my jaw.
"She isn't a business rival."
"No," my mother replied. "She's much more dangerous than that."
The conversation ended before my temper could.
But the warning remained.
Something was coming.
I could feel it.
---
Two weeks later, Aria attended her fashion school interview.
I wanted to
