Chapter 20: The Fallout

After Ariana left through the door Antony stared at the spot without moving. His hands trembled next to him as his breathing remained erratic. He thought he would confront someone who fought back yet nobody reacted the way he predicted. He sees his organized strategy turn against him without causing disruption.

He had meant to expose her. To catch her in a lie. Antony remained motionless to prove she dated another person.

During this confrontation his mind filled with skepticism.

Rachel released a strong air from her lungs then walked toward Antony with her high heels tapping the marble floor. "Are you seriously going to just stand there?" she snapped, her voice laced with irritation. "She played you, Antony."

He barely reacted.

Rachel's patience snapped. "Antony!"

His facial expression shifted to black as he faced her. "I know."

Rachel hesitated. She anticipated his reaction would be a passionate response that included organizing fresh plans for revenge. Instead, he looked… lost.

That wasn't part of the plan.

She wanted him to save their love but used gentle encouragement instead of yelling at him. "The person Ariana showed her love to before is no more. The moment you release Ariana from your grasp will mark your permanent loss of her."

Antony rubbed his head as his tense posture made all his actions obvious. "She's hiding something," he muttered. "I know she is."

"Then you need to act now," Rachel urged, stepping closer. You need to take action right now since she plans something secret against you.

The new idea that Rachel presented settled into Antony's thoughts making him grind his teeth. As he started to respond a phone alert buzzed in his hand. He watched the unknown phone number appear on the display.

With a sigh, he picked up. "Who is this?"

A badly heard voice emerged from the phone. "You're being watched. And so is Ariana."

He clenched the phone harder in his hand. "What the hell are you talking about?"

"The game you're playing?" The voice chuckled darkly. The person on the other line communicated his own experience with shifting players around.

The line went dead.

Antony's expression hardened. He didn't like being played. At this crucial moment he required full knowledge about what Ariana was doing.

Jesse Ren studied his tablet screen from inside the hotel lounge while swirling his drink under the faint lighting.

The investors lost confidence in Antony's operation according to his intended plan. His actions made small changes that put stress on Antony without leaving any trace behind.

He glanced at the confidential message that arrived only several minutes ago.

She knows.

Jesse smirked.

Of course, she did. Her observational skills and intelligence showed her when the change started. She wondered what her next decision would be.

From her bedroom suite seat Ariana tapped her phone while handling personal business. The secret message continued to display its threatening warning on her phone.

"They're making their next move. Your family company matters more than you as an individual. Be ready."

She rested her lids before inhaling calmly. She assumed her opponents would strike back eventually but not so fast. Even though Antony and Rachel failed to hurt Ariana they shifted targets to attack her business enterprise instead.

Her father's company.

She wouldn't allow it.

She took her feet off the ground to open her laptop for access to company network data. She opened her laptop and checked the current financial records for possible imbalances.It didn't take long.

Antony Raymond organized multiple shell companies to buy company shares even though all actions traced back to him.

Ariana showed a dark line across her lips.

He wanted to control the board members through his purchases.

And if he succeeded? He would force her father to resign completely.

Throughout the task she clicked rapidly on her keyboard to access vital company records and compare them with other documents.

She needed a counterattack.

Her phone rang. Without looking, she answered. "I was expecting you to call sooner," she said smoothly.

A low chuckle greeted her. "And I was expecting you to be more surprised."

Jesse Ren.

She relaxed her shoulders while shifting her head. "You've been interfering, haven't you?"

"Interfering is a strong word," Jesse replied, his tone amused. The term "I hate poor method execution" perfectly represents my thoughts.

Ariana held her phone tighter in her hands. "And what do you want, Jesse?"

A pause.

Then, his voice, lower now. "To see what you do next."

Her heart skipped only a tiny beat. But she didn't let it show.

Instead, she smirked. "Then watch closely, Mr. Ren. My approach to this task will lead to success.

On the next day Ariana entered the exclusive resort lounge while searching the space.

A second unknown source directed her toward this destination.

Rachel and Antony kept their conversation quiet as they sat in a separate booth.

She stepped nearer while staying in the dark areas.

Rachel voiced her determination emphatically when she told him, "We need to protect her from this development." Brokers will complete their choice before the person of interest can intervene.

Ariana's blood ran cold.

A board vote?

So, that was their plan. Antony did not only purchase shares for profit because he organized a takeover attempt.

The quickening beat of her heart stayed hidden behind her peaceful expression.

She stepped forward. "The statement made me reconsider my assumptions."

Rachel and Antony reacted abruptly to her words.

Ariana returned their stare with a calm smile. Your secret revealed itself to me.

Rachel's face twisted in anger. "You..."

Ariana looked at them with her peaceful expression. "I hope you both enjoyed the little game you played here," she mused. "Because now? It's my turn."

Antony's expression darkened. "Ariana.."

She left the room while keeping quiet.

She had work to do.

She completed her mission at that moment.

She would make them understand they never should have competed for her possession.