Chapter 6

Joanne's eyes reddened as she was flustered, and she shook her head. "I'm sorry, Dr. Lubove. That was rude of me…"

She then took a step back and bowed before Ariana. Not only did she bow, but she also remained in that position for a long time.

Spencer lost his cool immediately. "Why are you doing this, Ariana? Jojo just happened to address you by your nickname. Is there a need to make such a huge fuss?"

"Only my parents and my close friends get to call me that. She's neither." Ariana's lips curled into a disdainful half-smile. "You two carry on."

With that, she turned and walked away.

Spencer wanted to go after her, but he felt a tug on his sleeve. He turned to see Joanne looking at him with tears streaming down her face.

"Spence…"

"Wait here."

After saying that, Spencer hurriedly chased after Ariana.

Joanne slowly clenched her hands into fists, and her nails dug into her flesh. She bit her lip and took a deep breath, reminding herself not to get impulsive. She had to take things slowly to achieve her goal.

Meanwhile, Spencer caught up to Ariana and grabbed her arm. "Why are you throwing a fit?"

"Throwing a fit?" Ariana almost laughed out of sheer frustration. "So, I don't even have a right to express my emotions now?"

Spencer suddenly asked, "Did you do it on purpose yesterday?"

Ariana was confused by his question. "Do what?"

"Letting Jojo see the hickeys on your body," Spencer replied glumly. "Stop playing mind games."

Ariana took a deep breath, her eyes starting to become bloodshot with anger. "If you don't want that happening again, then please don't touch me anymore, Mr. Ulrich!"

Faced with her unyielding glare, Spencer changed the subject. "Did you want to talk to me about something?"

"Not anymore."

"Ariana!" Spencer pulled her into his arms and trapped her in his embrace by encircling her waist firmly. "Don't test my patience."

Indeed, all his patience was reserved for another woman. What did her three years of dedication amount to?

At that moment, Ariana thought her efforts were nothing but a joke.

She broke into laughter all of a sudden. As she laughed, her eyes reddened out of frustration. "Aren't you afraid that your lover will be jealous when she sees you holding me like this?"

Spencer suddenly realized how tightly he was holding her. Their bodies were pressed together intimately. Moreover, this was his office. Many of his employees were walking about.

He released her like she was a hot potato, his expression devoid of the sense of ease he displayed when he was with Joanne. "What's so urgent that you had to come here at noon?"

Ariana had already decided not to bring up the matter earlier. She didn't feel like asking him for a favor when he was constantly doting over Joanne.

But being in the warmth of his embrace had given her some courage.

She spoke up at last, "My dad wants to be involved in one of your subsidiary company's projects."

Spencer's expression remained indifferent. "Since when do you interfere in such matters?"

"He called me and asked me to talk to you."

Spencer replied bluntly, "This project involves core technology pertaining to new energy. Technically, your family's company isn't up to par yet."

His voice was emotionless, and his attitude was firm. His response was swift and decisive, absolutely befitting of a hardened CEO of a large corporation.

Spencer's outright refusal made Ariana feel like a fool. Why did she get her hopes up unrealistically?

She chuckled and replied, "Alright. I understand."

With that, she turned to leave.

But Spencer suddenly reached out and grabbed her arm. "Is that it?"

Ariana gave him a befuddled look. "What?"

"Is this how you ask for a favor?"

"So, there's room for negotiation on this matter?"

"There wasn't initially." Spencer paused for a bit and said, "But if you get one thing done for me, I'll consider letting your family join the project."

"And what may that be?"

Spencer released her before saying, "I want you to talk to Sienna."

Sienna?

It seemed he was bent on getting Joanne that evening gown, after all.

Ariana smiled. "What? You couldn't get Sienna to make her a dress?"

"Don't forget that you need my help right now." Displeasure was evident on Spencer's face. "Watch your attitude."

"If Sienna agrees to make a dress for her, you'll let my dad have the project even if his company's technology isn't good enough?"

Spencer said, "I'll arrange it and make it happen."

Ariana didn't ask further. She lowered her eyes and said, "Okay."

Upon getting out of the elevator on the ground floor, Ariana ran into Spencer's assistant, Weston Lyndon.

Weston was holding a box from a famous bakery. When he saw Ariana, he instinctively hid the box behind him.

This particular bakery's cakes were soft, delicious, and not too sweet. The owner was well-to-do and would only make a very limited amount of cakes each day. On the days when Ariana had a craving for their cakes, she would line up and buy a box for herself.

"It seems you got lucky today. Did you wait in line for a long time?" Ariana made small talk with a polite smile.

Weston thought it was pointless to hide the box since Ariana had seen it. "Mrs. Ulrich, I was just running an errand."

In this company, who else but Spencer could make Weston run errands?

Spencer was never fond of anything sweet. It was obvious who he was buying the cakes for.

Ariana walked out of the Ulrich Group building with her head held high. Only when she reached Sienna's house did she slump her shoulders in exhaustion. She then proceeded to remove her shoes and curl up on the couch.

Sienna was originally a pampered young lady from a rich family. She had been unaware of the commoners' struggles.

After the Jones family went bankrupt, she fell from grace, but a few friends had her back. Now, she was slowly making a name for herself in the fashion design industry.

Despite having experienced such a dramatic rise and fall in her life, Sienna remained a pure and innocent soul.

"What's wrong, Ari?" She handed Ariana a cup of hot coffee. "Are you hungry? Do you want to eat out or order takeout?"

Ariana shook her head. "Sienna, I have a favor to ask from you."

"What favor?" Sienna glanced at her expression and suddenly remembered something. "Are you talking about the dress for Spencer's mistress?"

Ariana gave a light affirmative hum in response to Sienna's question.

"Ari!" Sienna fumed with her cheeks puffing up. "Spencer is awful! Can't you stop loving him?"

Ariana ruffled her hair. "Sisi, you don't understand."

"You're right. I really don't get it. If that's what love is like, then I'd rather never love anyone," Sienna muttered.

Ariana smiled. "Not all relationships are as miserable as mine. I'm okay, Sisi. Just make Joanne that dress."

"I don't wanna!" Sienna huffed. "All the dresses I designed for you are unique—one of a kind. Why should I make one for her?"

Ariana shook her arm playfully. "Well, it's because… You'll make me even better dresses, right? I've already worn this one. What's the harm in giving it to her?"

"That's right!" Sienna's eyes lit up. "I can make you even better ones. But…"

She looked at Ariana with a serious expression. After a while, she pleaded, "Can you stop wearing those clothes that don't suit you?"

Ariana paused for a few seconds and then nodded. "Alright. I'll wear whatever you recommend from now on."

Sienna beamed from ear to ear. "Awesome! I've designed so many outfits that would look great on you. Come on. Let me show you."

And so, Ariana successfully persuaded Sienna to make a gown to Joanne's measurements.

…

A few days later, Ariana received a call from Kieran. He confirmed that their company had secured the project. Spencer had kept his word and acted swiftly.

Yet, Ariana found it all rather ironic. The reason her family got this project was because of Joanne. In a way, it was quite ridiculous.

Just after ending the call with Kieran, Ariana's phone rang again. This time, it was Sienna.

As soon as she answered, she heard Sienna giggling gleefully.

"You sound happy. What's up?" she asked.

Sienna laughed heartily as she replied, "Joanne wore that evening gown you wore the other day. Guess what happened?"