Chapter 17: A Painful Past Revealed

Aria arrived at the park, the old oak tree looming before her. Julian was already there, her eyes fixed intently.

"Julian, what's going on?" Aria asked, concern etched on her face.

"My mother wants to control Liam's family company," Julian said, her voice laced with bitterness. "She's using me to get close to him."

Aria's eyes narrowed. "And what's Project Eclipse?"

Julian hesitated, her gaze dropping. "It's her plan to manipulate and eliminate key players. But I won't help her, Aria. I won't hurt Liam or his family."

Just then, Nova emerged from the darkness, her eyes blazing.

"Julian, you shouldn't have told her," Nova spat, her voice venomous.

Aria stood firm, her voice calm. "Nova, stop. This isn't about us; it's about your mother's manipulation."

Nova's gaze locked onto Aria's, her expression twisted. "You don't understand. My father left. He left me and my mother for yours."

Julian's eyes flashed with anger. "That's not my fault. Your mother wronged my father, wronged me. She married him for wealth and power."

Nova's voice cracked, her words laced with pain. "You don't know what it's like to be alone. To be abandoned."

Julian's expression hardened, her voice cold. "I know what it's like to be used. My mother doesn't care about anyone but herself."

Aria stepped forward, her voice gentle. "Julian, Nova, stop. This isn't about the past. We need to focus on stopping Victoria."

Nova's eyes blazed, her words dripping with malice. "You're just like your mother, Aria. Selfish and manipulative."

Aria's heart ached, her voice firm. "Nova, that's not true. I'm trying to help."

Julian's voice was cold, her words cutting. "Nova, you're just like your mother. Using people for your own gain."

Nova's mask slipped back into place, her smile twisted. "You're too late," Nova said. "Mother's plan is already in motion."

Aria's determination grew, her voice resolute. "We'll stop her, Nova."

Nova's laughter echoed through the night. "You can't stop her. She'll destroy everything."

With that, Nova turned and disappeared into the darkness.

Aria and Julian stood frozen, their hearts heavy.

"What do we do now?" Julian asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Aria's voice was resolute. "We stop Victoria."

Julian's eyes hardened, her jaw set. "I'll do it for Liam, for my father. Not for Nova."

Aria nodded, her smile warm. "We'll do it together."

Their determination ignited, they vowed to bring down Victoria and shatter her evil plans.

As they walked away from the park, Aria turned to Julian. "Tell me more about Project Eclipse."

Julian's voice was laced with disgust. "It's a ruthless plan to eliminate anyone standing in her way. My mother will stop at nothing."

Aria's eyes narrowed. "We need to gather evidence."

Julian nodded. "I have documents, records of her transactions."

Their conversation continued, strategies forming.

We'll gather evidence.

Expose Victoria's wrongdoings.

Protect Liam and his family.

Bring Victoria to justice.

Their resolve strengthened, they forged ahead.