Chapter 11

Chapter 11 – The First Step of Revenge

Daniel stood frozen, his gaze shifting between Vincent and Ariana as if trying to decipher what was truly happening.

"What is this?" Daniel's voice was hoarse, laced with anger and confusion. "Are you really conspiring with him?"

Ariana met his gaze with a victorious smirk. "Conspiring?" She let out a small chuckle. "Oh, Daniel, I’m simply learning how to play in the same league as you."

Daniel clenched his fists. "This isn’t a game, Ariana!"

Vincent let out a low chuckle. "Oh, but for me, it is. And I love winning."

The lively atmosphere of the ballroom suddenly grew tense. A few guests, sensing the charged moment, discreetly cast glances toward Daniel, Ariana, and Vincent.

"I don’t know what you’re planning, but I’m warning you, Ariana," Daniel stepped closer, his voice lowered yet dripping with threat. "You won’t win against me."

Ariana didn’t back down. Instead, she closed the gap between them until only inches separated them. "I already have, Daniel," she whispered. "You just haven’t realized it yet."

Before Daniel could respond, the sound of a microphone crackling to life filled the room, drawing everyone's attention.

"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for attending tonight’s event," an older man’s voice echoed through the ballroom. "We are proud to announce that Vincent Hale has officially become the primary partner in the Coleman family's new project!"

The room erupted in applause.

Ariana glanced at Daniel just in time to see his face harden.

"You—" Daniel turned to Vincent, his expression filled with disbelief and rage. "What is the meaning of this?"

Vincent raised his champagne glass with casual ease. "Oh, I forgot to mention one thing," he said, a sly smile playing on his lips. "I just bought a significant share of your new project. So now… I have a say in everything."

Daniel’s eyes widened in shock. "You can’t!"

Vincent smirked. "Oh, I can. And I already have."

Ariana watched in satisfaction as Daniel’s expression shifted from anger to panic. For the first time, she saw him lose control.

Daniel turned to Ariana, his eyes burning with fury. "Did you orchestrate this?"

Ariana tilted her head slightly, her voice dripping with amusement. "I simply let someone more competent teach me the proper way to exact revenge."

Daniel gritted his teeth. "I won’t let this happen."

Vincent took a sip of his champagne. "Too late, Daniel. The game has begun."

---

The Fall Begins

Daniel stormed out of the ballroom, but Ariana wasn’t going to let the night end just yet.

"I have to go," she told Vincent.

Vincent studied her for a moment before giving a nod. "Don’t let him destroy the momentum."

Ariana nodded before following Daniel’s hurried steps out of the building.

"Daniel!" she called out.

He stopped in the parking lot, turning around with his face contorted in anger. "What else do you want, Ariana?"

Ariana approached him, her expression devoid of amusement this time. "I want you to know what it feels like to lose everything."

Daniel’s jaw tightened. "You think siding with Vincent will destroy me?"

Ariana let out a cold, humorless laugh. "Not just destroy you, Daniel. I want you to feel what it’s like to be betrayed, discarded, and abandoned like trash. Just like you did to me."

Daniel exhaled sharply. "Ariana, I left you because—"

"Because I wasn’t part of your plan!" she cut him off, her voice laced with unrestrained emotion. "You chose Evelyn because she was wealthy. Because she could elevate you faster."

Daniel didn’t deny it.

"At least I was honest with myself," he muttered.

Ariana scoffed. "Honest? You betrayed someone who loved you unconditionally just for money and status. That’s not honesty, Daniel. That’s cowardice."

Silence hung between them.

Ariana took a step closer, her voice unwavering. "Did you think I’d cry and wallow in misery after you discarded me? No, Daniel. I will make sure you experience exactly what I went through."

Daniel clenched his fists. "You have no idea who you’re dealing with, Ariana."

Ariana met his glare with unwavering confidence. "Oh, I know exactly who I’m dealing with. And this time, I’m the one in control."

Daniel exhaled sharply, his expression unreadable. "You’ll regret this."

Ariana smiled. "We’ll see."

Without another word, she turned on her heels and walked away, leaving Daniel standing there, his jaw clenched tight.

In the distance, Vincent sat inside his car, watching everything unfold with an amused glint in his eyes.

As Ariana slid into the passenger seat, Vincent glanced at her with a knowing smirk. "Did you enjoy that?"

Ariana took a deep breath. "More than I expected."

Vincent nodded approvingly. "Good."

The car drove off into the darkness, the night far from over.