Chapter 11: Ariana’s First Lesson – Surviving in His World

Chapter 11: Ariana's First Lesson – Surviving in His World

The engine's continuous humming broke the awkward void between them. Ariana spent the journey staring at the passing city lights as they transformed into golden and silver streaks.

That room continued to hold her mind captive as she watched Jesse earn respect through silence and realized how inferior she had always been to him.

She battled enemies in the wrong social space.

Jesse Ren went beyond mere gameplay.

He owned the board.

Ariana made tight fists with her hands.

She previously believed Antony stood as her bitterest adversary. Rachel's betrayal represented the most damaging experience of Ariana's life.

How foolish.

The realization burned.

The sound of Jesse's voice interrupted her thoughts.

"You looked like you were drowning back there."

She focused her attention on him while her nails pressed into her skin. "I didn't expect…"

She trailed off.

The extent of his power caught her completely off guard.

The lack of control she experienced surprised her.

Jesse smirked. "Didn't expect me?"

Ariana stared directly at him while keeping her voice firm. My inability to control my own feelings shocked me.

Jesse spent a few moments studying her without speaking. His dark eyes reflected nothing. No pity. No amusement. Just understanding.

Then he said, "If you want to take control of your fate, start by learning how this world works."

The deep breath helped Ariana keep her thoughts focused.

At one point she would simply reject his offer. Jesse Ren would have stopped Ariana from taking anything from him because of her pride.

The events of this evening revealed to her the reality of this world.

Pride wouldn't save her.

Ignorance wouldn't protect her.

She faced him with her arms crossed as she declared "I don't want to play your game."

Jesse moved closer to her ear while speaking with a relaxed tone. His speech sounded relaxed yet his words conveyed the opposite meaning.

You will always remain a person who serves under another person's orders.

This piece of information hit her more powerfully than she anticipated.

Her life had already been defined by this situation.

Antony had dictated her choices. Rachel had manipulated her trust.

She had let them.

She made a decision to prevent the same thing from happening once more.

Ariana lifted her chin. "Fine," she said. "Teach me."

Jesse entered the business world through means other than finance.

He started with power.

"Money is easy," he said. "Power isn't."

Ariana frowned. "Aren't they the same thing?"

Jesse smirked. "Not even close."

He leaned back, eyes thoughtful. "Money buys things. It creates opportunities. But real power? It's built on influence. Control."

Ariana listened, her pulse steady.

Jesse's voice was smooth, deliberate. Deadly.

"People think wealth makes them untouchable," he continued. "But the real elite? They don't just have money. The elite manipulate the way information spreads throughout the world. These individuals determine which people will advance and which ones will decline.

Ariana swallowed.

The event from tonight proved unrelated to social standing.

It had been about control.

All those powerful men and women? They owed Jesse something.

People showed their fear by worrying about becoming indebted to him.

She had been naïve.

Jesse tilted his head. "You understand now?"

Ariana nodded slowly. "Money gives access. Those who maintain influence over others can maintain their position of power.

"Exactly."

She took a moment to let the information absorb into her mind.

It was terrifying.

But more than that…

It was fascinating.

The vehicle stopped in front of her building while maintaining an almost silent operation.

Jesse didn't move immediately. He observed her intently to determine her response to his words.

The mentor warned her against underestimating Antony and Rachel as her main threats during that conversation.

Ariana stilled.

Jesse's tone was too casual. Too certain.

She turned to him. "What do you mean?"

His phone started ringing just as he finished speaking.

His face changed abruptly after he checked his phone display.

The mentor who used to relax and teach power lessons had disappeared.

The man who entered the room after him had a colder personality. Sharper.

A person who methodically plans his upcoming actions.

Something was happening.

Ariana watched his body language as his phone call made him clench his hand tighter and his jaw muscles become rigid.

A single movement took him to open the door.

Ariana's pulse quickened. "Jesse—"

He exited the door while he continued his departure. Just before disappearing into darkness he turned to speak.

"Stay out of trouble."

Then he was gone.

Ariana remained unmoving for several endless seconds.

Her hands curled into fists.

She allowed manipulation to affect her for many years. She remained ignorant about the world system that dominated her.

That ended tonight.

Jesse had given her a choice.

And she had made it.

No more playing the fool.

No more being a pawn.

Surviving within his domain had become his next priority.