Heiress Unmasked: Shaking the World With Geomancy novel Chapter 1006

Benjamin's sudden appearance caught the attention of many present, but some were more concerned about Alaric who'd transformed into black smoke before being destroyed by purple lightning.

Kai, who'd leaped far away the moment the purple lightning stuck, wasn't spared from witnessing the scene.

As he watched the last bit of black smoke vanish in Shannon's hands, he finally found his voice to ask. "What… What kind of monster was that?"

Wasn't Alaric supposed to be human? How had he turned into black mist? And how had he gotten obliterated just like that?

Shannon pulled her attention away from Benjamin and explained to Kai, "That was a substitute."

Speaking of Alaric, a trace of solemnity crossed her face. She hadn't sensed anything usual when he'd been hiding behind the protective barrier, and it was only after breaking it did she faintly realize something was off.

This Alaric was just a puppet substitute created by the strange black smoke. The real Alaric had never appeared.

"...Just a coward hiding in the shadows!" Shannon muttered under her breath. Her gaze drifted to the collapsed Ziva, who was still struggling to speak.

She'd assumed the two were in cahoots, but now it seemed Ziva had simply been manipulated for Alaric's schemes.

Hector waved and signaled the bodyguards to detain Ziva now that the threat from the black smoke had been eliminated.

The bodyguards were well aware of the peculiarity of her power of words. They immediately gagged her with a napkin before escorting her away.

Benjamin's gaze followed the tied-up Ziva and knew that she was the woman Shannon had mentioned as having the power of words. A hint of regret flashed through his squinted eyes, and he regretted not having dealt with her before this.

As the bodyguards walked past him with Ziva, he suddenly reached out and gave the latter a light pat on the shoulder.