Seeing everyone around egging her on, Fiona had no choice but to greet Brian. After all, she had been bragging to her classmates that she was Ariana's cousin and had ties to Brian.Her classmates mostly came from well-off families, even though they weren't on the same level as the Lodge and Torrey families.They didn't look up to her much. If she didn't go greet Brian now, they would know she was lying.Fiona mustered her courage and took a small step forward. Brian happened to glance her way, and her heart skipped a beat.Moments later, Emily stepped up to Fiona. "Ms. Piper, is it? Mr. Lodge would like you to come over."Fiona was both shocked and flattered.Her classmates looked on in amazement. Could it be Fiona wasn't lying? Maybe Brian really did help her get into Glea College.Sensing all those stares, Fiona straightened her back and put on a proud look. "Alright, I'll go."She followed Emily over to Brian, drawing even more curious looks from bystanders. Because Fiona's
"Is this how rich people live?" Fiona thought.Seeing that Fiona still hadn't told him where Ariana was, Brian grew impatient. "Where is Ariana?"Noticing Brian's expression, Fiona immediately said, "I… I'll tell you, Mr. Lodge. Just don't be angry.""Go on.""I just saw Ariana leave with Victor."Fiona embellished her story further. "Honestly, Ariana's behavior at college was so inappropriate. How could she have been flirting with Mr. Smith like that? So many people saw them, and now everyone's talking. I just wanted to spare you the embarrassment by telling you privately. Please don't be mad at her. She's just a bit thoughtless sometimes... But she really does care about you."Hearing this, Brian's face darkened.Cared about him? If she really cared, how could she have walked off with Victor like that? She even flirted with Victor in public?Just picturing it ignited his anger.Did Ariana even understand her position?Fiona noticed Brian's grim expression and knew she'd ach
"Hunter, search her."Ariana stood rooted to the spot. Hunter stepped forward to frisk her.Ariana frowned. "I'm Brian's fiancée. Shouldn't you have someone else to do this?""Good point," Victor said nonchalantly.Ariana thought he would fetch a female staff member. Instead, he walked toward her and said, "I'll do it myself.""You..."Before she could finish, he began checking her for anything suspicious. Only once he confirmed she wasn't carrying anything problematic did he allow her into his presidential suite.Once inside, Ariana took a look around the luxury suite. It was probably the most basic presidential suite in all of Gleaston. The place was oddly simple. Even the bed seemed little more than a wooden plank.Not to mention Victor, even an average middle-class worker wouldn't want to stay here. The facilities were old, the furnishings were crude, and worst of all, it was absurdly overpriced."Have a look."Victor got straight to the point. He tossed a stack of docume
Ariana said, "That plot is only worth about 100 million. If you want to buy it, I can arrange it for you. How about that?"Sooner or later, Victor would fall for Evelyn anyway. It was better for her to help him win Evelyn over.No matter how Brian and Victor fought over Evelyn, Ariana would remain on the sidelines. If Victor became Brian's rival in love, it might divert Brian's attention away from her.Victor seemed intrigued. "How exactly do you plan to arrange that?""I'll arrange to meet with Evelyn. I'll promise to leave Brian, and in exchange, you can name your price for the land.""Oh?"Victor said, "Ms. Torrey, sacrificing yourself to help me? How selfless of you. Too bad I'm not exactly the noble type.""Come on, Mr. Smith," Ariana said. "As long as you agree, I can contact Ms. Granger right now. Then, I'll give you two a chance to talk privately and get to know each other. How about it?"There was a sly spark in her eyes.Victor took a sip of his coffee. "I heard you
"Mr. Lodge...""Just drive!""Yes, sir."Emily didn't dare say another word.When they arrived outside the Gleaston Grand Hotel, Brian practically jumped out of the car.A staff member hurried over. "Mr. Lodge, may I...""Scram!"Frightened, the staff member backed off.Emily rushed after Brian. "They're in Room 8302 on the third floor."Brian took the elevator up and looked for Room 8302.He stood in front of the door but didn't go in right away.Emily was about to swipe the key card when Brian took it from her hand.He stood there for a while, unable to bring himself to open the door. Finally, he steeled himself and swiped. The door unlocked with a beep.They saw a perfectly tidy room."Where is she?"Brian's brow furrowed.Emily looked confused. "She must be here. I checked. She's definitely in this hotel.""Find her!""Yes."Emily went downstairs to ask the staff to investigate further.Inside another room, Ariana was still trying to reach Evelyn when she couldn
"Who saw it? I'd like to meet with them," said Victor, looking both intrigued and slightly murderous.Be it abroad or in Gleaston, most people were scared of Victor.Brian knew very well that, even if he asked Fiona to come over, Fiona wouldn't dare accuse Ariana and Victor of having a one-night stand at the hotel.Meanwhile, Emily approached Brian from the side. "Mr. Lodge, we've looked around but couldn't find Ms. Torrey anywhere.""Keep looking until you find her," Brian instructed coldly. "The hotel is not even that big. She must be hiding somewhere.""Will do." Emily immediately increased the manpower in the search for Ariana.Victor, looking uninterested in the manhunt, said, "Mr. Lodge, take your time. I'll leave now."With that, Victor swiped the card and entered his room. At the same time, Ariana had slid out of the Gleaston Grand Hotel when no one was watching, wearing a cap as a disguise.Once again, Brian called her, but she hung up upon seeing the caller ID. Pickin
Not giving Fiona a chance to turn her down, Ariana held Fiona by the arm and hauled her away as their classmates gossiped away in hushed voices."Is Ariana jealous of Fiona because Fiona has been hanging out with Mr. Lodge?""Ariana must be here to confront Fiona. Did you see her face?""Ariana thinks too highly of herself. She has no right to envy Fiona for winning Mr. Lodge's heart. Anyone knows that Ariana is just his fiancée on paper!"Selena glared at the people who were badmouthing Ariana. "What did you guys just say? Repeat that again?"Knowing that Selena was the daughter of the chairman of a newspaper agency, those around her immediately apologized. "Sorry, Selena. That's all nonsense.""Right! It's all nonsense. Don't take it seriously.""I'm warning you—speak ill of Ariana again, and I'll make you suffer." Selena sounded cold.Everyone fell silent. They were afraid of offending Selena.Unlike Ariana, who only had a stepmother, Selena had the backing of her parents
"It's fine. You were just telling the truth, weren't you?" Chuckling, Ariana stated, "I never said I was mad at you.""Ari, how could you not be mad?" Selena was fuming. Even an outsider like her could tell that Fiona was up to no good. How could Ariana be blind to it?Ariana said to Fiona, "Too bad you have a simple mind. If Brian suspects that I'm cheating on him with Mr. Smith and calls off the engagement in a fit of rage, do you think you'll still enjoy his backing, as a student who only got admitted because he pulled some strings for you?"The piteous expression on Fiona's face turned into one of shock.Ariana stated, "Brian pulled strings and got you admitted to Glea College for my sake. If he calls off our engagement, he has no reason to care for you."A scowl formed on Fiona's face. Ariana went on, "Students in Glea College are from high society. The girls here have high standards when it comes to making friends."You're nothing but a distant relative of the Torrey family
The guests present all took in the scene before them. It was well known that Brian had always despised Ariana, but this time, he appeared visibly anxious about her in front of everyone.Ariana seemed unsurprised by the reactions of the guests around them. She withdrew her hand and said, "Thank you for your help, Mr. Lodge."Brian quickly realized that Ariana had just used him.Due to Lodge Co.'s stance toward Torrey Co., many had assumed that there was tension between the Lodges and Torreys. As a result, few corporate partners had been willing to initiate business dealings with the Torreys.Now that they have seen Brian and Ariana on better terms, many would likely approach the Torrey family."Ariana, did you just exploit me?" Brian had never realized just how cunning Ariana could be. He had always assumed she was clueless, but it was clear that he was the foolish one now."Didn't you say it yourself, Mr. Lodge? Mutual exploitation isn't a bad thing for either of us." Ariana shru
Ariana didn't refuse. After all, spending more time with Brian in public would be beneficial for the Torrey family."Mr. Lodge, I never expected that just one word from Mrs. Lodge Senior would be enough for you to put your pride aside and come see me," Ariana remarked.Her words dripped with mockery, and there were even some traces of disdain toward Brian. It was the same attitude that he'd used to have toward her.Alas, their roles were reversed."Ariana, do you really think it's a good thing that Grandma has taken an interest in you?" Brian asked.Belinda's intentions were clear to anyone with a sharp eye, and Brian knew that Ariana could tell as well.His eyes roamed over Ariana. Tonight, she was meticulously and elegantly styled in a long, gold-embellished gown. She was the very image of grandeur.When he looked at Ariana from the side, he frowned. Her appearance at the moment overlapped with the image of Susan in his mind.Suddenly, Brian halted in his tracks and firmly
Hushed whispers filled the surrounding area. Everyone wanted to know why Ariana had been invited to the Lodge family's gala.Inside the Royal Hotel, Emily knocked on the door of the second-floor break room. "Mr. Lodge, all the guests have arrived. We should head down now.""Got it," Brian replied and rubbed the bridge of his nose. The moment he closed his eyes, he could hear Ariana's words from the day before echoing in his mind.If it weren't for Belinda's insistence on hosting this gala, he wouldn't have wanted to see Ariana at all.…Meanwhile, downstairs in the banquet hall, all eyes were on Ariana the moment she appeared.It wasn't because of how extravagantly she was dressed, but rather the fact that she was now the sole heir of the Torrey family. Whoever married Ariana would stand to inherit everything she owned.If anything were to happen to Ariana, all of the Torrey family's assets would go to her husband, so every man in attendance had their eyes locked on her."Arian
Brian knew exactly what Belinda's words meant. In the past, his engagement with Ariana had been purely due to her suitable family background. But now, marrying her would mean gaining control over the entire Torrey family. At that moment, the things that Ariana said to him earlier today played back in his mind. His sense of pride flared once again. "Grandma, you don't need to concern yourself with this matter. We have already annulled our engagement, and there is no way I'll propose to her again." With that, he turned around and headed upstairs. Belinda was well aware of Brian's character. Her expression darkened. Since he was unwilling to let go of his pride, then she would make the necessary arrangements for him.The next day, the news of Gwen's imprisonment and Igor's expulsion from the Torrey family spread like wildfire within the high society. As the sole heir of the family, Ariana successfully assumed full control of the Torrey family. As the turmoil at school also began
"Ms. Piper, please follow me.""No! Mr. Lodge, I know you're a kind man. For old time's sake, please save Aunt Gwen!""I believe I already told you not to show up at my home again."Brian's eyes were cold. A single glance was enough to send a chill down Fiona's spine.Evelyn had already spoken to him a few days ago, informing him about the rumors circulating at school about him and Fiona. He was no stranger to the games women played, but he was simply too lazy to deal with it. After all, Fiona had nothing to do with him. Anyone in the right mind would recognize the vast gap in their social standing, and there was no chance they would be together. Those rumors were merely stories that Fiona had fabricated. He absolutely despised scheming women like her. Fiona still didn't know that Brian was already aware of her deeds. She cried, "But Aunt Gwen's imprisonment is also related to the Torrey family. Are you really not going to do anything about it?"Ms. Weston, what did I say earl
"Then let me make it clear to you, you aren't the heir of the Torrey family, and you aren't my father's son. From a legal standpoint, you and your mother have nothing to do with our family. You'd better accept the fact, Mr. Igor."Ariana's voice was full of mockery. In her past life, she had foolishly handed over the company Carson left behind to Gwen and Igor. But in the end, the company went bankrupt in less than three years. Worse yet, Gwen had even fled with Igor and John.This time, she swore she would never give Gwen and Igor the slightest chance to entangle themselves with Torrey Co. "Take him away." Ariana's voice was cold.The bodyguard swiftly grabbed Igor and dragged him toward the front gate. Still wearing his slippers, Igor was ruthlessly dragged out of the Torrey residence, unable to resist."Pack up all of Igor and Gwen's things and toss them out.""Yes, Ms. Torrey."To prevent Igor from making a fuss, Ariana deliberately stationed him at the security post by the e
It was already evening, and Igor had been waiting at home for Arian's call, but it never came. It wasn't until he saw a car from Torrey Co. pull up outside the gate that he immediately rushed out. The moment he saw Ariana get out of the car, he immediately snapped, "Why didn't you answer my call? Do you even know what has happened at home? Hurry up and come with me to the police station to bail my mom out!" Igor spoke in a commanding tone as he grabbed Ariana's hand and dragged her in the direction of the police station. But to his surprise, she pushed him away. Caught off guard by her move, Igor stared at her in disbelief. He sneered, "Ariana! Have you lost your mind? How dare you push me?" Igor had always had his way and never expected that Ariana would dare push him away.Just as he was about to grab Ariana again, Miranda stepped forward. With a simple move, she easily restrained Igor, rendering him unable to resist. "Ms. Ziegler! Have you lost your mind too? How dare you
Looking over the money and goods in his possession, Jeremy nodded in satisfaction. He left the Torrey residence with his group of lackeys.Gwen's legs finally gave out and she collapsed onto the floor. She had only borrowed money from the loan sharks just once. She couldn't believe that it would lead her to become completely penniless.Meanwhile, Ariana, who was still at the office, received a call from Jeremy."Ms. Torrey, it has been done. All that's left is to wait for the goods to be exchanged into cash.""I understand. Thank you for your hard work.""You're welcome. We were just following Mr. Smith's orders."Ariana smiled lightly. It was indeed all thanks to Victor's efforts. Without Victor's help, she wouldn't have been able to reclaim all of Gwen's and Igor's wealth and assets so easily. This was the wealth and assets that rightfully belonged to her father.Ariana lifted her head to look at Miranda after she disconnected the call. "It's done. Start the next phase," she s
"Ms. Lambert, this is all so sudden. Did something happen?" Ariana asked.No matter how terrible the circumstance she was in, Gwen would never tell Ariana that she had borrowed money from loan sharks. It was part of the Torreys' principles to never come into contact with them.If word about this got out, Gwen would never be able to live it down. Ariana might even use it against her to kick her out of the family.Ariana knew from the beginning that Gwen would never come clean to her about the loan sharks. She just smiled and said, "I'll send a contract to you. Once you put your signature on it, the contract will immediately go into effect. I'll have someone in the finance department transfer the money to you. "However, Ms. Lambert, please be informed this also means that you and Igor will give up the right to all of the inheritance my father left behind."Being face to face with the terrifying loan sharks, Gwen couldn't even spare a moment to think about the consequences of signin