Chapter 12

Chapter 12 – Daniel’s Disappointment

The car carrying Ariana and Vincent cruised through the dimly lit city streets. Ariana rested her head against the window, her mind still replaying the scene in the parking lot.

Daniel must be losing his composure right now.

Vincent glanced at her from behind the wheel. “You look satisfied,” he remarked in a casual tone.

Ariana turned to him, her gaze meaningful. “Of course. I just watched Daniel lose control for the first time.”

Vincent chuckled. “But you do realize this isn’t over, right?”

Ariana raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean?”

Vincent slowed the car as the traffic light turned red. “Daniel isn’t the kind of man who accepts defeat easily. He’s going to find a way to strike back.”

Ariana clenched her hands on her lap. “I expected that. But I’m not backing down.”

Vincent smirked. “Good. Because I have something for you.”

The car started moving again, and minutes later, they pulled up in front of a luxurious skyscraper. Vincent stepped out first, opening the door for Ariana.

“Come with me,” he said.

Ariana followed him into the building. The elevator took them to the top floor, and when the doors opened, Ariana was stunned.

The vast room was filled with computer screens, maps, and neatly organized files spread across a large table. Several men in suits were working inside, the atmosphere heavy with seriousness.

“What is this?” she asked, her brows furrowed.

Vincent walked over to the main desk, picked up a file, and handed it to her.

“I’ve been digging deeper into Daniel,” he said. “Turns out, he’s not just a man who dumped his wife for a rich woman. He’s involved in something far worse.”

Ariana opened the file and scanned the contents. Her eyes widened. “Investment fraud?”

Vincent nodded. “Not just that. Several of his projects are funded with dirty money. If this gets exposed, he won’t just lose his reputation—he could end up in prison.”

Ariana looked up at Vincent sharply. “And you want me to use this against him?”

Vincent leaned against the desk. “No. I want us to work together to destroy him in a way that hurts the most.”

Ariana slowly closed the file. “I’m interested. What’s the plan?”

Vincent’s satisfied smile deepened. “First, we make him believe he still has a chance to recover. Then, we pull the rug out from under him.”

Ariana studied Vincent in silence. Something inside her hesitated—not out of fear, but because she realized just how far she had stepped into this game.

But there was no turning back now.

“I’m in,” she said at last.

Vincent looked at her with admiration. “Welcome to the real game, Ariana.”

---

An Unexpected Meeting

The next morning, Ariana received a message from an unknown number.

“Meet me at the café near your office at 11:00 AM. I know you want answers. –Evelyn.”

Ariana frowned. Evelyn? What did she want?

Without overthinking, she got ready and headed to the location.

When she arrived, Evelyn was already seated in a corner, wearing a red coat and dark sunglasses. She looked uneasy, her hands gripping the coffee cup in front of her.

Ariana approached and sat across from her. “You wanted to talk to me?”

Evelyn removed her sunglasses, revealing tired, slightly swollen eyes. “I know what you’re doing,” she said bluntly.

Ariana stared at her, unfazed. “And?”

Evelyn exhaled heavily. “I want to warn you.”

Ariana scoffed. “A warning? From the woman who stole my husband?”

Evelyn bit her lip, visibly uncomfortable. “I never wanted this to happen, Ariana. I never meant to hurt you.”

Ariana let out a bitter laugh. “Oh, so you just accidentally fell in love with someone else’s husband?”

Evelyn hesitated for a moment before finally saying, “I was deceived too.”

Ariana frowned. “What do you mean?”

Evelyn looked at her with deep regret. “Daniel isn’t the man you think he is. I thought he loved me… but I was wrong. I was just a tool for him. Just like you were.”

Ariana held her breath.

“He used me to gain connections with my family,” Evelyn continued. “But once he got what he wanted, he started changing. He became colder… more manipulative. And now, he has another plan.”

Ariana tensed. “What plan?”

Evelyn swallowed hard before whispering, “He wants to get rid of you.”

Ariana’s heart pounded.

“What do you mean ‘get rid of me’?” she asked sharply.

Evelyn looked at her with fear. “He knows you’re trying to destroy him. And he won’t let that happen.”

Ariana froze. She knew Daniel was ruthless, but she never imagined he would go this far.

Evelyn reached for her hand. “Please, Ariana. I know you hate me, but I don’t want this to happen to you.”

Ariana took a deep breath. This was no longer just about revenge. This was about survival.

She looked into Evelyn’s desperate eyes. “Can I trust you?”

Evelyn nodded firmly. “I’ll help you. I’m done with all of this.”

Ariana remained silent for a moment before finally saying, “Alright. Then we’ll take him down together.”

Evelyn looked surprised but then nodded in agreement.

And right there, in the corner of a small café, an unlikely alliance was formed.