Chapter 21

Chapter 21 – The Truth That Changes Everything

The black car sped down the nearly empty city streets. The streetlights blurred into vague silhouettes outside the window, but Ariana barely noticed. Her mind was too chaotic to process what Richard had just said.

"I don’t believe you," Ariana’s voice was tense, her eyes locked onto Richard with suspicion. "I’m no one. Just an ordinary woman trying to survive."

Richard chuckled, turning to her with an unreadable expression. "Do you really think so, Ariana?"

She clenched her fists. "I don’t know what kind of game you’re playing, but I won’t be a part of it."

Richard leaned back in his seat, his posture relaxed, but his gaze remained sharp. "Do you think everything that has happened to you was a coincidence? Meeting Vincent, the betrayal you suffered, even my presence in your life—do you really believe it’s all just fate?"

Ariana felt a chill run down her spine. "If it’s not a coincidence, then what is it? A conspiracy? I’m not a character in some thriller movie, Richard!"

Richard chuckled again, this time darker. "You’re right. This isn’t a movie. But it’s far more dangerous than you realize."

Ariana took a deep breath. "I won’t believe anything without proof."

Richard studied her for a moment before pressing a button on the side of his seat. A small screen emerged from the front dashboard. A video began playing.

Ariana tensed as an older man appeared on the screen, his expression serious, his gaze calculating.

"She must never know who she really is," the man said in a grave tone. "If she finds out, everything we’ve built will collapse."

Ariana felt the air leave her lungs. "Who is that man?"

Richard’s gaze remained fixed on her. "The one who has controlled your life from the shadows. The one who decided you had to remain in the dark."

Ariana bit her lip. "I don’t understand... Why would someone hide my identity from me?"

Richard exhaled slowly, his voice low but filled with tension. "Because you’re not just an ordinary woman, Ariana. You’re the heir to something far greater—something that could shift the balance of power."

Ariana gripped the edge of her seat. "You keep saying that, but you’re not giving me a clear answer!"

Richard leaned forward, his gaze intense. "Because I want you to see the truth with your own eyes. I’m taking you to someone who can explain everything."

"Who?" she demanded.

Richard’s lips curled into a slight smirk. "Someone who was supposed to be dead."

Ariana’s heart pounded faster. "That’s impossible..."

Richard watched her closely. "Brace yourself, Ariana. Because your life is about to change forever."

Suddenly, the car swerved sharply, throwing Ariana against the door. She turned to look out the window and saw two black SUVs trailing them.

"What’s happening?" Ariana’s voice wavered.

Richard glanced at the rearview mirror, his smirk unfazed. "Looks like they don’t want us to reach our destination."

Ariana’s stomach twisted. "Who are they?"

"The people who don’t want you to know the truth."

In an instant, their car sped up. Ariana clutched her seatbelt, her heart pounding wildly.

"We have to get out of here!" she shouted.

Richard pressed another button on the dashboard, bringing up a digital map with an alternative route.

"We’re almost there," he said. "Just hold on a little longer."

But then, one of the cars behind them accelerated and rammed into their rear bumper. Ariana gasped as she was thrown forward, only restrained by her seatbelt.

"Shit!" Richard cursed. "They’re serious."

Ariana struggled to steady her breathing. "What do we do now?"

Richard shot her a quick glance, his expression deadly serious. "Do you trust me?"

Ariana hesitated. But as she saw the other car preparing to strike again, she realized she had no choice.

"I don’t have much of an option, do I?"

Richard’s smirk returned. "Hold on tight."

With a swift motion, he pulled a lever beside his seat. Suddenly, a small section of the car’s floor slid open, revealing a hidden mechanism.

"What is that?!" Ariana asked, half-panicked.

Richard’s grin widened. "Our escape route."

Before Ariana could protest, Richard pressed another button. Within seconds, their seats retracted backward, as if connected to a hidden rail system. In a split second, the car’s undercarriage fully opened, dropping them through a concealed exit.

Ariana let out a strangled scream as she tumbled onto a grassy slope. She rolled several times before finally coming to a stop.

Her breath came in sharp gasps, her chest rising and falling rapidly. She forced herself to regain her senses, then turned to see Richard already standing, watching her with a victorious gleam in his eyes.

"That was insane," Ariana growled. "You’re absolutely insane!"

Richard merely chuckled. "I just saved your life."

Ariana glared at him, but before she could retort, he extended his hand. "Come on. We still have a lot to uncover."

She stared at his outstretched hand, hesitating. But as she heard the distant hum of car engines above the bridge, she knew she had no choice.

With a heavy sigh, she reached for his hand and pulled herself up.

Ahead of them, a narrow path led into a dense, shadowed forest.

"Where are we going now?" she asked.

Richard smirked. "To the truth that has been kept from you all this time."

Ariana swallowed hard.

Whatever lay ahead, she knew one thing for certain—

Her life would never be the same again.