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Chapter 253
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A Bride’s Revenge: No Longer the Backup Chapter 254
Elise was at least the daughter of the Quinlan family, but Fiona was a complete nobody."Why should I refuse? If she's obedient and would make a good wife, then it's fine. As long as it's not Evelyn, anyone will do."Belinda had originally set her sights on Ariana. However, Ariana refused to behave.In that case, it was better to find someone obedient to replace Ariana. So, in the end, Ariana would regret not holding on to the Lodge family when she had the chance.Meanwhile, Brian stepped out of the conference room. As soon as he entered his office, he saw Elise seated inside.He frowned. "Who told you to come in?""I didn't see anyone around, so I just came in," Elise replied with a smile.She had prepared three dishes and a soup on the desk. They looked quite hearty.Elise said, "I wasn't sure what you like, so I brought a bit of everything. See if anything suits your taste."With that, Elise stood up.She was about to move closer to Brian when Emily stepped in front of her
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The employees whispered among themselves, their tones dripping with sarcasm.Brian glanced at the food on the desk and told Emily, "Clean it up.""Yes, Mr. Lodge."Emily briskly gathered the dishes and tossed them into a trash bin. Then, the security guards carried the bin away.Brian took a seat in his chair. He suddenly remembered how Ariana used to bring him lunch.Back then, Ariana was so timid that she never entered his office. She would leave the lunch at the door, afraid of bothering him, and quickly leave.In the beginning, Brian threw all of it away.After Ariana discovered that, she never brought lunch again, fearing it would trouble him to dispose of it.But thinking of Ariana now...Brian suddenly turned to Emily. "Was I too harsh on Ariana back then?""I'd say you were a bit harsh," Emily said hesitantly.In fact, Brian treated Ariana so badly that even "harsh" wasn't enough to describe it.Brian asked again, "What is Ariana doing right now?""Ms. Torrey... Sh
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Ariana had spent months on leave and was only interested in becoming Brian's wife. There was no way she would pass the Glea College exams."Mr. Lodge, should we help Ms. Torrey somehow?" Emily asked."College is for learning, not cheating," Brian said coldly. "If she can't pass the exams on her own, she doesn't deserve to graduate.""Yes, Mr. Lodge.""Let the college know not to let her use my connections to pull any strings," Brian added."Understood."Meanwhile, gossip was spreading quickly among the students at Glea College."Did you hear the news? Mr. Lodge's new fiancée got dumped.""What? So soon? I thought they hadn't even confirmed anything.""Yeah, yeah, my mom works at Lodge Co. She said Ms. Quinlan left in disgrace.""Does that mean we all have a chance?""Come on, this is Mr. Lodge we're talking about. Even if there's no suitable match for him in the entire social circle, it definitely wouldn't be one of us!"...Several students in the class chattered excitedl
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Thinking of this, Fiona couldn't help but quietly resent Ariana.Ariana could have stayed as Brian's fiancée, but she'd insisted on breaking off the engagement. Because of that, Fiona couldn't even hold her head up at college.Just then, the head of the faculty walked into the classroom, looking around for someone.When he saw Fiona, he immediately stepped forward and said, "Fiona, come out quickly. Someone is looking for you.""Who's looking for me?" Fiona asked nervously.She was afraid it was her parents from the countryside. If so, her classmates would laugh at her."It's someone from the Lodge family. Hurry up, don't keep them waiting."Hearing it was someone from the Lodge family, Fiona's eyes lit up.Her classmates looked at each other, totally confused. They didn't understand what was going on.Ariana had already been rejected by the Lodge family, so why would they reach out to a distant relative of the Torrey family?At that moment, a single thought occurred to every
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"Yes, that's her," Ariana said.Fiona's figure was easy to recognize. The photo was a close-up that made her features very clear.Selena said angrily, "I knew she wasn't trustworthy. She's actually trying to take your former position!""What position?" Ariana asked.She looked at Selena, puzzled. She had no idea what Selena meant."She wants to replace you and become Brian's fiancée! Look! The group chat says Fiona was picked up by the Lodge family's driver before class today! They even have photos to prove it!" Selena said.Ariana was interested now. She took Selena's phone and saw that everyone was discussing Fiona's connection to Brian.Selena added, "Logically, you've already ended your engagement with Brian. Fiona is just some distant relative of yours. Why would the Lodge family pick her up? Now everyone's saying Brian and Fiona have something going on. They think that's why Brian canceled his engagement with you. It's infuriating! This is ruining your reputation!""Ruini
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Selena gave Ariana a desperate look.Ariana gestured for Selena to escape quickly.Earlier, Selena had spread rumors that Brian was impotent. Because of that, her family had already become his target.Selena's parents had told her more than once not to provoke Brian. So, she quickly came up with an excuse to leave. "I have something to take care of at home. Mr. Lodge, I'll leave you to talk with Ari."With that, she dashed off.After Selena left, the room was even quieter.Ariana looked at Brian as though nothing mattered. "Mr. Lodge, did you need something?"Brian walked closer to Ariana. "I had no idea you cared about me so much."Ariana froze. When had she ever cared about him? Did anything she said to Selena just now sound like she cared? She was only worried about herself."What... do you want?"Ariana became more cautious. She was afraid Brian would have other ideas.Brian and Evelyn were like time bombs to her. She would rather keep her distance from Brian forever, bu
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"Do you think everyone is as bored as you are?" Ariana shot back at Brian without holding back.He must be out of his mind. She only wished her injury would heal faster so she could take Glea College's graduation exam.With that thought, Ariana pulled her hand back and said, "My hand is perfectly fine. In another month, I can start rehab, so I won't trouble you.""But I heard you went to the library to study for the graduation exam.""Brian, did you send people to follow me?"Ariana never thought Brian would go that far.Brian looked as calm as ever. "You're overthinking. I don't need to follow you. Someone just tells me your schedule."By then, Ariana understood. It seemed the dean of Glea College was trying to use her to please Brian and fulfill the college's KPI for next year.Fine. So, that was how it was going to be?Ariana said, "I was just bored, so I went to the library. You're overthinking, Mr. Lodge. It's just a graduation exam. I'm not worried about it.""Really?"
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After all, Gleaston was Brian's territory. Most people who came here would show him respect.Emily didn't believe a young woman from overseas would dare refuse an invitation from Brian.Brian simply replied coldly, "She's not worth it.""Yes, Mr. Lodge."As they were leaving, Brian said to Emily, "Keep an eye on Ariana. Don't let her run around.""Yes."Meanwhile, Ariana looked out the window from her room. She saw that Brian had already placed people around the apartment.The Lodge family's bodyguards were easy to recognize with their matching uniforms. They were taking turns stationed at the entrance. Was Brian trying to control her movements?Ariana frowned. Wasn't he going too far? They had already broken up, but he still acted like he owned her.Ariana was upset, but there was nothing she could do. He held all the power in this city, and even the smallest move from him could make everyone tremble.She must have been out of her mind in her previous life, thinking she coul
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"What? This..." The principal looked troubled. This had never happened before!Brian's voice dropped. "Is there a problem?""No… Of course not." How could the principal dare to say otherwise? He wouldn't risk offending the college's financial backer.Since Brian had spoken, the principal had no choice but to quietly instruct the invigilator to escort Ariana to a separate exam room.Ariana frowned. What nonsense was this?When they reached the adjacent exam room, the invigilator gestured for Ariana to sit.Standing outside the classroom window was none other than Brian."Ariana, read the questions and tell me the answers. I'll write them down for you." The invigilator was unexpectedly kind, probably because she had never seen a student receive such special treatment and get an entire exam room just for her."Miss, I can take the exam in the original classroom," Ariana replied."This is the principal's decision. Your hand is injured and it would affect your ability to graduate,"
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Upon hearing that a guest would be inspecting the exam, the students around the room tensed up.Since when were guests allowed to observe exams?A few students who had been preparing to cheat quickly stashed away their notes since they would face immediate expulsion if they were caught cheating at Glea College."Why wasn't there any prior notice about this? Who is coming today?""Who knows? The school has been in chaos recently."A group of girls in the back row whispered among themselves, but a sharp glare from the invigilator silenced them.Ariana paid no mind to them and was focused entirely on her exam.Suddenly, gasps and murmurs from the female students rippled through the room.Ariana was startled by the commotion and instinctively looked up, only to see Brian standing at the door.His gaze swept across the classroom as if searching for someone.The principal assured him, "Our examination process is fair and impartial. There is no room for cheating here."Brian's eyes
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Brian's face fell.Emily stepped forward and hesitantly asked, "Mr. Lodge… Ms. Torrey… left.""I'm not blind. I can see." Brian found the warning tape in front of him annoying at that moment. His tone sharpened. "Take all of this down. It's an eyesore."Emily pouted to herself. Didn't Brian order them to put these up? Why was he now acting like it irritated him?"Oh, right. Have you investigated where Ariana has been staying recently?" Brian asked."Mr. Lodge, didn't you say you wouldn't concern yourself with anything related to Ms. Torrey? So, I…" Emily trailed off. Brian glared at her. "Just because I didn't ask doesn't mean you don't need to know. No matter what, Ariana was once my fiancée, and her matters are tied to Lodge Co.'s reputation! From now on, you should report everything about her to me!""…Yes, Mr. Lodge." Emily had no choice but to comply.With final exams approaching, Julia was quickly expelled from the university and wasn't allowed to take her graduation exa
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At Glea College, Ariana walked to the restroom and looked at the slap mark on her face. She clicked her tongue and muttered, "Did she hit me this hard? Serves her right to be expelled."Julia's expulsion was a done deal.If taking a slap meant getting Julia expelled, then it was worth it in Ariana's eyes.After checking the injury on her face, Ariana turned and exited the women's restroom, only to bump into Brian.Her eyes widened. How could she run into Brian right outside the women's restroom?Ariana wanted to pretend she hadn't seen him, but Brian wasn't going to let her escape."Why didn't you tell me when you were being bullied?" His words made Ariana stop in her tracks.Outside, a bright yellow warning tape was stretched across the hallway, along with a "Do Not Disturb" sign.Ariana turned back and laughed. "Wow, what a coincidence, Mr. Lodge. I didn't even see you just now.""It's not a coincidence. I was waiting for you." Brian had instructed Emily to clear the entire
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"Alright, I agree." Brian suddenly agreed to Evelyn's request.The latter froze.Brian continued, "I won't force you to drop out. You can stay and finish your exams. However, Julia can no longer stay at the school. And you will have no opportunity to study abroad in the future. You can stay in Gleaston if you don't regret it. I won't interfere with your life anymore.""Brian…" Evelyn murmured.Brian had never looked at her this way. For a moment, Evelyn realized she was drifting further away from him."Emily, lead Ms. Granger out," Brian called Evelyn by her last name, which showed how distant they had grown."Yes, Mr. Lodge." Emily stepped forward and took the knife from Evelyn's hand.Evelyn never intended to end her life and was merely using the same old trick of feigning suicide to make Brian yield to her every whim."This way please, Ms. Granger," Emily said coldly.Men despised manipulative tactics because they brought them unnecessary trouble and were a waste of time.
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Halfway through Evelyn's speech, a familiar conversation started to play from Brian's computer."Ah! Eve, what are you doing?" Julia screamed in the recording.Evelyn's voice came through the speaker. "That injury of yours looks serious, but let's face it—it's just a minor scrape. We have no choice but to make it look worse so we can convince the dean to make Ariana drop out of school."Julia, I know I'm asking too much of you, but I'm sure you'll understand because we're friends. Am I right?"Evelyn's expression fell when she heard the sounds from the footage. Then, she heard the footage of her conversation with Christopher last evening."Evelyn—our dear president of the student council—I've made the library look into the security footage regarding the trouble Ariana started today, and we confirmed that she had struck first."I've ordered Mr. Stewart to get Ariana to drop out of school. You have nothing to worry about now.""Right. Thank you for upholding justice, Mr. Gail."
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Brian felt irritated at Emily's question."If the problem has gone away, what's the point of clearing her name?"Brian carelessly tossed the document on the table. At the same time, Evelyn entered his office.She put on a faint smile when she noticed his foul mood. She began, "Are you not satisfied with Emily's work again? What's bothering you?"She had hurried over to his office from campus after she got the word that he wished to meet.Yet, she felt uneasy when she saw he was in a bad mood.Soon, he went straight to the point. "What's going on with all the rumors about Ariana on campus? Were you behind it?"He sounded accusatory. In the past, he had never spoken to her in that tone."Brian, are you confronting me over Ariana?" Sounding disappointed, she added, "You've never talked to me in this way."A frown crept onto his forehead. She continued, "We grew up together. Do you not trust me? I'm not the type to pull such an underhanded tactic. Even Brennan trusts me, so wh
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Christopher promised Ariana in all seriousness. She nodded. "I believe you didn't do all of that on purpose. As for my college withdrawal…""What is that all about?" Christopher immediately played dumb. "Nothing like that has ever happened. I'll call Mr. Stewart right away to clear things up."It doesn't matter what your grades are—you can always study and improve yourself. I won't allow our college to expel a student due to baseless rumors! We'd never do that!"She smirked as she listened to Christopher's righteous statements. Derek did not have the authority to expel anyone, as he was just the head of faculty. He wouldn't want any of his students to drop out, except under the orders of the dean.Anyway, Ariana did not call Christopher out. She played along. "All that matters is I get my name cleared. Thanks, Mr. Gail.""Don't mention it! Ms. Torrey, you'll have to buckle up for the exam, though. The questions will be harder this year."Although Christopher coveted a perfect
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Yet, Julia didn't stop kicking up a fuss. Seeing that, Tim slapped his daughter to silence her.How could she throw a tantrum during this important occasion?Tim himself was just an insignificant board member at Glea College, who had to walk on eggshells around the other board members. One could say that Julia had gained admission solely because Tim paid her way in.How could he face the other board members after they heard the outrageous claims and threats made by Julia?"Dad!""Get lost! Right now!" Tim raged. "Scoot back home if you don't want to study! You can't abuse your power in school! Have you forgotten how I raised you?"At the same time, Tim kept hinting at Julia to stop making a scene, but Julia was too furious to think straight. She believed it was Ariana who had set up a trap for her."Dad, it's all Ariana's fault! She set me up!" Julia rambled on, but none of the men present believed in her accusations.Tim was choking on his anger. "Ariana is giving us a tour
