Chapter 26 – The Cost of Ambition (Part 1)
(Season 1, Episode 17, Part 1)
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Gossip Girl Blast:
"Ambition is a tricky thing. Too little, and you're forgotten. Too much, and you burn. But what happens when someone decides they'd rather set the whole board on fire? Watch closely, Upper East Siders. The game is about to change. XOXO, Gossip Girl."
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Aryan's Opening Move – The Trap is Set
Aryan sat in the executive suite of Jain Global Holdings, fingers tapping against his desk as he reviewed the latest reports. Every detail had to be perfect.
Bart had taken his advice. The trap for Russell Thorpe was in place.
"Sir," his assistant said, stepping into the office. "We have confirmation. Thorpe is making his move tomorrow."
Aryan smirked. "Good. Then let's make sure it's his last."
He picked up his phone and dialed Bart.
"It's time."
A pause. Then Bart's voice, steady. "Understood."
Aryan hung up, his gaze drifting to the city skyline.
By this time tomorrow, Thorpe wouldn't just lose his leverage.
He'd lose everything.
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Gossip Girl Blast:
"Revenge is best served cold, but A? He likes his enemies to feel the burn. Tick tock, Thorpe. You're running out of time. XOXO."
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Serena's Doubt – A Love That Scares Her
Serena sat in the back of a town car, staring out the window as the city blurred past.
She should have been excited for the benefit gala tonight. Instead, all she could think about was Aryan.
She had always loved powerful men—men who knew what they wanted, who could take control.
But Aryan? He wasn't just powerful. He was power.
And that scared her.
Her phone buzzed. A message from Blair.
"We need to talk. Before you do something you can't take back."
Serena exhaled, her grip tightening on her phone.
Because the truth was—
She wasn't sure if she wanted to take it back.
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Gossip Girl Blast:
"Careful, S. When you play with power, you don't get to set the rules. And something tells me A's game is bigger than you realize. XOXO."
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Chuck and Nate – A Friendship on the Edge
At The Empire, Chuck swirled the amber liquid in his glass as Nate sat across from him, arms crossed.
"You're working with Thorpe," Nate said, voice laced with disbelief.
Chuck smirked. "I prefer to call it… strategic positioning."
Nate's jaw tightened. "Aryan warned you about him."
Chuck exhaled. "And when was the last time you made a decision without Aryan's approval?"
Nate stiffened.
Chuck chuckled darkly. "Exactly."
Nate shook his head. "You don't have to do this."
Chuck's eyes darkened. "Yes, I do."
Because this wasn't just business.
This was about proving he wasn't just Bart Bass's son.
This was about becoming something more.
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Gossip Girl Blast:
"Friendship or ambition? Looks like C and N are finally realizing—sometimes, you can't have both. XOXO."
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The Benefit Gala – Where Everything Collides
The ballroom at The Palace was glittering, filled with New York's elite.
Aryan arrived, Serena at his side, both of them radiating power. But even as they smiled for the cameras, Aryan's mind was elsewhere.
Everything was in motion.
Thorpe was about to walk into a trap.
Chuck was playing a dangerous game.
And somewhere in the crowd, his true enemy was watching.
Then, from across the room, his eyes met Blair's.
She studied him, something unreadable in her gaze.
And Aryan realized—
Not all of his enemies were strangers.
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Gossip Girl's Final Blast of the Night:
"The pieces are moving, but who's really in control? A thinks he holds all the cards, but power is a funny thing—it shifts when you least expect it. Sleep tight, Upper East Siders. XOXO."
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[End of Chapter 26, Part 1]
Next: Chapter 26 – The Cost of Ambition (Part 2)