Chapter 23 - Aric's Plan

Aric knew that one of Jarod's main weaknesses was his relationship with Sylvia. To create a rift between them and further undermine Jarod, Aric devised a cunning plan. He intended to exploit Sylvia's emotions and loyalty, turning her into a tool for his own gain.

Aric, now at the peak of the Nascent Soul Realm, knew that his cultivation level was a significant advantage over Jarod, who was still at the Core Formation Realm. The Song family, aware of this disparity in power, began to feel the pressure. They couldn't afford to have an enemy as powerful as Aric, especially after his recent breakthroughs and increasing influence within the Lei family.

Sylvia, caught in the middle of this power struggle, faced immense pressure from her family. The Song family, desperate to avoid any further conflict with the Lei family, urged Sylvia to seek forgiveness from Aric. They believed that mending their relationship with him could secure their own safety and standing.

Aric, always several steps ahead, was well aware of the turmoil within the Song estate. He saw this as an opportunity to exploit Sylvia's vulnerability and the Song family's desperation. His plan was to create a rift between Sylvia and Jarod while simultaneously leveraging the Song family's weakness.

First, Aric decided to sow seeds of doubt in Sylvia's mind. He would approach her under the guise of concern, subtly hinting that Jarod was using her for his own gain. Aric planned to use his charm and intellect to manipulate her emotions, making her question Jarod's true intentions.

To accomplish this, Aric arranged a meeting with Sylvia in a secluded part of the Lei family estate. He chose a serene garden, where the tranquility would make his words more impactful. The garden was lush with blooming flowers, the air filled with the sweet scent of jasmine. A small pond with koi fish added to the peaceful ambiance. Sylvia arrived, her expression wary but curious, dressed in a simple yet elegant blue dress that highlighted her graceful figure. Aric, dressed in a casual yet refined outfit, greeted her with a warm smile.

"Sylvia," Aric began, his voice gentle and sincere, "thank you for meeting me. I know things have been complicated between us."

Sylvia nodded, her eyes cautious. "Yes, they have. What did you want to talk about, Aric?"

Aric gestured for her to sit on a stone bench beside the pond. As they settled, he took a deep breath, feigning reluctance. "I've been hearing things... unsettling things about Jarod. I thought you should know."

Sylvia's eyes widened with concern. "What do you mean, Aric?"

Aric leaned forward slightly, his expression earnest. "I've heard rumors that Jarod has been involved with other women. That he's been using his charm to manipulate them, much like he did with you. I don't want to believe it, but... I thought you should know."

Sylvia's face paled, a mixture of anger and confusion flashing across her features. "Jarod would never do that. He loves me."

"I want to believe that too," Aric said softly, "but I've seen how he operates. He's ambitious, Sylvia, and sometimes ambition makes people do terrible things. I just don't want to see you get hurt."

Her eyes searched his face for any signs of deceit. "Why are you telling me this, Aric? What do you gain from it?"

Aric sighed, his expression pained. "Because I care about you, Sylvia. We may not have had the best relationship in the past, but I don't want to see you manipulated or hurt. Jarod is dangerous, and if he's willing to use you, who knows what else he's capable of?"

Sylvia looked down, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her dress. "I... I don't know what to think. Jarod has always been so kind and supportive. Why would he do something like that?"

Aric reached out, gently placing his hand on hers. "Sometimes, people hide their true intentions behind a mask. Jarod might seem kind, but his ambitions could be driving him to do things he wouldn't normally do. Just be careful, Sylvia. I don't want to see you get hurt."

Sylvia bit her lip, clearly struggling with the information. "But... he's always been there for me. How can I just believe that he would betray me like this?"

Aric looked into her eyes, his own filled with feigned concern. "I know it's hard to believe. But sometimes the people we trust the most are the ones who can hurt us the deepest. I just want you to be aware, to protect yourself. Jarod might have started with good intentions, but power changes people."

Sylvia's eyes filled with tears. "I need to think about this. Thank you, Aric. I just... I need some time."

Aric nodded sympathetically. "Of course, take all the time you need. Just know that I'm here for you, no matter what."

[Ding! Congratulations, host! You have gained +500 Villain Halo and +5000 Villain Points for sowing the seed of doubt in the relationship between Sylvia Song and Jarod Lei.]

His words planted a seed of doubt in Sylvia's mind. Over the next few days, Aric subtly reinforced these doubts through strategically placed rumors and manipulated conversations.