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Chapter 99

Author: Cozy Season
"What on earth are you talking about, Mr. Lodge?"

Ariana looked at Brian with an innocent expression. "I was in the middle of a perfectly good shower when you barged in. How exactly is that my fault?"

"You..."

Brian's words faltered as he stared at her.

Wrapped in a towel, Ariana's long, slender legs were on full display. Her wet hair spilled over one shoulder, and droplets of water clung to her collarbone, creating an undeniably captivating sight.

Noticing his intense gaze, Ariana tightened her grip on the towel and asked, "Is there something you need, Mr. Lodge?"

"Why did you rip the uniform?"

Faced with Brian's accusation, Ariana feigned innocence. "Rip what? Mr. Lodge, I have no idea what you're talking about."

Brian's voice turned cold. "Don't play dumb, Ariana. What were you trying to prove by tearing the uniform? Was it rebellion? Or were you just trying to get my attention?"

"Mr. Lodge," Ariana replied, maintaining her act of confusion, "I honestly don't know what you'
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Comments (1)
goodnovel comment avatar
Becky Barkdoll
How much longer are these two gonna keep going at each other?! One minute she is a bad ass business executive and then he can turn her into a maid and she takes it?!! It’s getting to be to much. It’s been drug out to long.
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    "Your maid is quite interesting," Ariana remarked. "I was only summoned back by Mr. Lodge yesterday. Why would I randomly disable the surveillance? Even though I stayed at the Lodge residence for three months, I'm not one of your family's maids. How would I know where the main power switch is? Besides, you're practically the only one working here today. Why would I, a young lady from a prestigious family, have any reason to frame you?"Avery frantically explained to Brian, "It wasn't me! I swear! Mr. Lodge, I'm being framed!"Brian furrowed his brow in frustration. "Enough!" He was well aware that his household staff had often bullied Ariana behind his back.He'd simply been too lazy to intervene on her behalf, hoping she would give up and leave.But this time, Avery had gone too far."The Lodge family doesn't need employees who behave like this. Go collect your salary for the month. From today onward, you no longer work for the Lodge family," he said coldly.Seeing Brian's f

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    "Mr. Lodge, can you at least tell me where we're going now that you've made me change into this outfit?" Ariana murmured. "This isn't something you wear to an ordinary event.""Come with me to the charity gala tonight," Brian replied curtly.Hearing this, Ariana frowned. "Why not take Evelyn instead?""You want me to take Evelyn?" Brian asked, his tone laced with irritation."That's not what I meant. I just think Ms. Granger is a better match for you," Ariana retorted."Ariana, are you trying to push me away?""What do you mean, Mr. Lodge? You and I are just doing this as a business arrangement, and a temporary one at that. It's perfectly normal for us to lead separate lives. Everyone knows you're into Evelyn– it's hardly a secret in our circle. So, why bother taking me to the charity gala?"Every word Ariana said seemed designed to test his limits. Brian's expression turned cold. "Have separate lives, huh?" Seems like you and William are having quite the time.""Not as much

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    Evelyn frowned. In the past, she had always accompanied Brian to these kinds of events.This charity gala wasn't just any gathering– it was a major event, and word had it that Victor Smith, the infamous figure from overseas would also be attending.Everyone in Gleaston knew what Victor represented. He had been the undisputed kingpin of underground dealings abroad. Having his support didn't just mean invincibility overseas– it ensured that even within the country, no one dared to stand in your way.Yet, Brian had chosen to bring Ariana to such an important occasion.Bang!Evelyn hurled the glass of water in the hand, her expression dark and stormy."Have they left?" she asked."Yes, Ms. Granger. They've left."Hearing this, Evelyn glanced at her reflection in the mirror. Her makeup was half done, but all she could feel was bitter irony."Ms. Granger, should we… continue with your makeup?"Everyone had assumed Brian would naturally bring Evelyn to the gala. They'd started her m

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    Brian thought to himself that once Ariana had enough of being humiliated, she'd come running back to him.Meanwhile, Ariana lifted the hem of her gown and started walking through the hall. She had barely taken a few steps when she overheard a mocking voice nearby. "Well, well. Isn't this Ariana Torrey? Did she walk into the wrong party by mistake?""Doesn't look like it. Who knows what tricks she pulled to get Mr. Lodge to bring her along? Look—he's already left her alone, not even sparing her a glance.""Everyone knows Mr. Lodge only has eyes for Evelyn. She's just embarrassing herself at this point." The snide remarks were loud enough to reach Ariana's ears, but she had no intention of engaging with them.In her previous life, she hadn't attended this gala with Brian, but she'd heard that Victor had been utterly captivated by Evelyn's dance.Ariana had seen Evelyn's dancing before. She was considered decent within this circle, but far from professional. Ariana, however, had

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    The two guards exchanged hesitant glances, clearly uncertain."Apologies, Ms. Granger. Why don't you give Mr. Lodge a call? If he comes to escort you personally, we'll be happy to let you in," one of the guards said."You…!" Evelyn couldn't believe the two security guards had the nerve to give her attitude. Left with no choice, she pulled out her phone and dialed Brian's number.The phone rang and rang, but no one picked up. Frustrated, she tried calling Emily next, only to be met with the same result.At that moment, a few ladies walked out from the hall chatting loudly. "Wow, Ariana really knows how to put on a show. Did you see how entranced Mr. Lodge looked while watching her dance?" "I thought Mr. Lodge was completely devoted to Evelyn. Since when did he get so close to Ariana?" "Who knows? Ariana must have some serious tricks up her sleeve. No man can resist a woman throwing herself at him like that." …Their gossip hit Evelyn like a slap, igniting a fresh wave of an

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    As Brian and Evelyn turned to leave together, the onlookers who had been watching couldn't suppress their laughter."This is just too funny. Ariana danced her heart out for nothing. Ms. Granger showed up, and she's already out of the game." "I told you. To Mr. Lodge, Ms. Granger and Ariana are worlds apart. Ms. Granger is like a cloud in the sky, while Ariana is nothing but dirt on the ground. She deserves to be treated like this!" "Ariana, do yourself a favor and stop embarrassing yourself!" …Their mocking voices were loud and unrestrained, dripping with disdain for Ariana.Ariana, however, remained unfazed. After all, her performance hadn't been meant for Brian in the first place. Whatever he thought of her didn't concern her in the slightest.Instead, she focused on her real target. She noticed a figure descending the stairs from the second floor. Ariana strolled over to the group of mocking women and asked, "Were you just talking about me?" "Of course we were. Who else

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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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    "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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    "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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    "Ms. Torrey, please enjoy." Victor gestured at the dishes before them.Staring at the T-bone steak with blood seeping out of the meat, Ariana lost her appetite."Mr. Smith, I'm not hungry." Technically, she would never eat dinner. Apart from the few times she had to attend social events, she usually did not take dinner.Victor sat from across her and placed his slender fingers on the table. He gently swirled the contents in the wine glass, saying, "Do you know what happened to the last guy who tried to read my mind?"She remained silent.He went on, "I hate it when people try to read me. I despise those who think they're smart. You should feel thankful that I decided to work with you instead of getting rid of you.""Well, I'm beyond grateful to you." Ariana couldn't even force a smile. She had tried to get Victor to work with Evelyn, but he pulled her into this mess instead.She wondered what Victor saw in her. Although Evelyn was the only daughter of the Granger family, Evelyn

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