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Chapter 205

Author: Cozy Season
"Go on."

"I have no clue about any illegal activities you're involved in."

"And?"

"Shouldn't you offer me a safe exit, now that you've dragged me into this mess?"

"Are you saying I have to vindicate you after I'm sent to prison?"

"I'm not guilty in the first place!"

"So, what are you talking about?"

"You—"

Ariana was baffled. Victor was playing dumb and betting on her to not overtly mention the money laundering.

The moment she let slip, she would become an accomplice of his, and she wouldn't be able to defend herself if she got arrested.

Amused at her flushed face, Victor quipped, "Just now, you claimed you were unafraid of me. What's with the sudden fear?

"The higher the risks you take, the higher the returns. Fear will only make you a pawn in the game, and people take advantage of that. It's been a dog-eat-dog world since the beginning of time.

"Ms. Torrey, you need to grow stronger than Brian Lodge if you wish to call off the engagement. Else, you'll get married and be
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    "If that's what you think, suit yourself." She said nonchalantly, "You've always seen me as a gold digger. Mr. Lodge, you described me as a vain and greedy social climber. Of course, I'll go to a richer man. Mr. Smith is a much more compatible candidate than you."At least Mr. Smith loves me and doesn't flirt with other women. And he doesn't have any children out of wedlock."Brian had never clarified the rumor that spread in Gleaston about Evelyn going through an abortion for him. Everyone in their social circle merely assumed that Evelyn was pregnant with Brian's child.In Ariana's past life, she was mocked as the baby-making machine of the Lodge family. She was nothing but a joke compared to Brian's beloved Evelyn."Who told you I had a child with Evelyn? Ariana, you—"Emily immediately went up to stop Brian. "Mr. Lodge, Ms. Torrey is only saying that out of anger. Please stay calm.""I don't care whether or not you and Evelyn shared a child. You love her; that's the truth. If

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    "Look who I've bumped into—Ariana Torrey, who's just been dumped by Brian Lodge!" Lila deliberately raised her voice, attracting everyone's attention in the otherwise silent library.Ariana did not want any drama. She bent over, ready to pick up her books, but Maddie stepped hard on her hands with her high heels. As if that weren't enough, Maddie smugly ground her heel down with a cruel twist of her ankle.A searing pain shot through Ariana's body. She struggled to get up—not that Maddie would let her.Lila smirked. "You've flaunted your status as the future Mrs. Lodge on campus. Now that the engagement has been called off, why aren't you showing off as Ariana Torrey instead?""She is a nobody now. Everyone knows the Torreys are on the brink of bankruptcy. Their family business is on the verge of failing. She's reached her end after Brian Lodge called off all their business partnerships and their engagement. I bet she can't even pay her tuition fees." Maddie put on a mocking smirk.

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    William did not even once look at Evelyn. The words got caught in her throat. She realized that William was not going to be nice to her.If she continued explaining, she would only humiliate herself.William reached out and took Ariana's waist. A frown crept onto his brows when he saw the awful bruises on her skin. "This is serious. You need to go to the hospital."Maddie didn't want to be implicated, and she shot Evelyn a look, asking for help. "I-I didn't step hard on her hand at all!"Evelyn chimed in, "Maddie accidentally stepped on Ms. Torrey's hand. We will pay for her medical fees.""This is not a problem of medical fees," William sneered. "I will obtain the security footage of the library. If you have intentionally hurt Ariana, I shall make a police report. The college will penalize Maddie according to the police's assessment.""Mr. Kingsman, I didn't do it on purpose! I—" The color drained from Maddie's face when she realized the gravity of the situation.Her family had

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    "That works. See you, Mr. Kingsman!" Ariana gave him a grateful nod before leaving campus.Meanwhile, Belinda was throwing a fit at the Lodge residence."Ridiculous! Who gave you the permission to carry it out?" Belinda slammed her fist on the table. Never had she expected Brian to host a press conference to call off his engagement to Ariana when she wasn't paying attention.Brian sat on the couch without a word. Emily chimed in, "Mrs. Lodge Senior, what happened was—""Shut up!" Belinda snapped at Emily. "I made you work for Brian so you could keep an eye on him! But look at you! You're letting him do as he wishes. How could he not discuss such a serious decision with me? "Brian, do you still see me as your grandmother?""Grandma, I've never liked Ariana. She was the one who suggested calling off our engagement. All I did was to grant her wish," Brian revealed in an icy tone.Belinda nearly choked from the anger. Emily hurriedly held her. "Mrs. Lodge Senior, calm down…"It

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    "Um, Ms. Torrey and her peers got into a minor conflict. She went to the hospital to treat a hand injury…" Christopher muddled through.He continued prodding, "Mr. Lodge, Ms. Torrey can't always be taking time off school. The college is a place for studying. Do you think…"All Christopher wanted was to get onto Brian's good side. After all, Ariana must have offended Brian for him to call off the engagement.Anyone in their social circle was keenly aware of the situation. As the college dean, Christopher felt the need to express her stance.With one word from Brian, he could immediately expel Ariana from Glea College."Don't you even care when one of your students was hurt on campus?" Brian's voice was as cold as winter.The remark caught Christopher off guard. He could not wrap his head around Brian's anger. Ariana was the one who offended Brian. Wasn't it normal for everyone to be throwing stones at her?Still, Christopher obliged and said, "That's true. Mr. Lodge, you're right

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    "Are you done yet? I have other things to do later." The academic advisor sounded impatient.Ariana glanced at the academic advisor outside the door. She was painfully aware of her situation. Anyone could push her around as they pleased.She turned to the doctor. "I understand. Doctor, please prescribe the medicine for me.""Alright." The doctor quickly prepared the prescription and explained how to use the medicine. Once everything was settled, Ariana picked up the form and stood up.Outside, the academic advisor impatiently asked, "Are you done? If so, I need to leave.""Mr. Runes, Mr. Kingsman asked me to give you the report." Ariana handed him the injury assessment report.The academic advisor shoved it into his pocket. "If that's all, let's go. Don't waste my time!"The academic advisor walked ahead. Ariana said, "I still need to pick up my medicine. Mr. Kingsman mentioned that it's inconvenient for me to carry it alone, so he asked you to help me. What am I supposed to do

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    "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

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    "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

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    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

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    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

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    "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

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