242 You look nothing like her

Edmond smiled satisfactorily and nodded. "That's nice. A friendly face always helps. And I'm deeply sorry for the way my subordinates behaved towards her, it was ungentlemanly and uncalled for."

Aria almost wanted to sneer at his pretentious words, but she had to distract them until Helen was safely back at the Scott mansion.

She took a deep breath and spoke, "Saying sorry won't change anything. But we have more important matters to discuss right now." Her voice was calm and had assumed the business-like tone.

Edmond smiled and nodded. "Of course, of course. I t is so nice to see that you follow upon your words. I do so hate people who go back on what they have said." he said to Aria before turning to look around. "Now, everyone, I would really like to talk to Aria alone." he said.

The people in the room nodded and began to slowly shuffle out. While they were still going, Edmond asked, "Aria, may I inquire as to why you have put up a barrier around Helen?"

Aria's heart skipped a beat in fear but her face didn't show any of it as she said, "So that she won't be disturbed. Your people have already done enough." Edmond nodded with a smile at her reply, but he was looking behind her at the people going out.

While everyone shuffled out, Aria quickly turned her concentration for a few seconds on Helen. Good. She was almost halfway through and was showing no signs of suffocating. Aria's mood improved considerably as she focused on Edmond, who was studying her with a curious gaze.

"Curious as to why I am so calm?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

Edmond laughed. "Not really. I assume you're used to being in trouble quite a lot."

"You have no idea." Aria muttered to herself as she thought back to how she had been declared a devil at barely seven years old. "A little too often for my liking." she said out aloud.

Edmond laughed and got up from his seat. Aria froze. She had just sensed the woman named Meg going towards Helen's room. She barely noticed as Edmond circled her and observed her from all angles. He finally came to a stop facing Aria and spoke with a frown, "You know it's weird. You don't look that much like Amber. I mean the obvious signs are already there, the golden hair, unmistakable beauty, but your features are nothing alike."

Aria sucked in a deep breath. Meg was a little too close to the barrier.

She reached out a hand as Aria spoke, "Maybe my face takes after my father. Who knows." Meg was touching the barrier now. But, wait a minute, she wasn't trying to break in, she was just touching the barrier.

Meg stood there touching the barrier for a few seconds, but it seemed to Aria as though ages had passed before she retracted her hands and walked out of the room.

Aria had been planning to keep a watch on Meg, but her concentration faltered when Edmond spoke, "Nah, you don't look like him at all. Maybe except that scowl."

Aria was shocked as she heard this. By the time she composed herself, Meg was already gone.