A Bride’s Revenge: No Longer The Back Up by Cozy Season

Chapter 9 Ariana glanced down at the newspapers sprawled across the floor. Several words in large font entered her eyes: ” Lodge Co. Terminates Torrey Co. Contract: Investment Withdrawn for 500–Million–Dollar Project“. For a split second, her eyebrows knitted together slightly. If she remembered correctly, this 500–million–dollar project was the Torreys‘ current real estate development. Construction was already past the halfway mark, but now that Brian had withdrawn funding, the project wouldn’t be able to continue. They would have to find another investor. However, with Lodge Co. cutting ties with them, who in Glaston would dare collaborate with them now? At the end of the day, this project was dooined. Torrey Co. was sure to lose a substantial portion of its assets. Ariana bent down to pick up the paper. It was still warm–must have been freshly printed and delivered to them. Brian’s swift actions were obviously intended to send her a message. It was a show of power to make her understand who truly called the shots in Gleaston. “Ariana Torrey, look at you! As the eldest daughter, what’s so hard about doing something for the family? All you had to do was please a man, yet you act like it’s beneath you What good is that pretty face of yours if you don’t know how to use it? Such a waste!” Gwen continued venting her frustration. “Do you think you’re fit to take over the Torrey family in this state? Heed my advice–you should hand it over to your brother sooner rather than later! Your priority should be to please the old matriarch and marry into the Lodge family. That’s the proper way to go about things!” “Have you said enough?” Ariana shot Gwen a cold look. “What I should or shouldn’t do is none of your concern. If you’re that desperate, you might as well marry him yourself. After all, you’re far better at fawning over people than I’ll ever be.” “You! You ungrateful brat! How dare you talk to me like that?” Gwen was downright furious. However, Ariana ignored her, taking the newspaper upstairs. Pulling out of the project… What an unforeseen surprise. She could recall that this project had been immensely profitable in her past life. But since Brian had invested 500 million, he had ended up a major shareholder. This left Torrey Co. with only a small cut of the earnings. Now that Brian had withdrawn his funding, Torrey Co. would become the largest shareholder. If she could find a way to handle this without relying on outside investors, the profits would belong entirely to them. The problem was… she needed to secure enough money from the bank. 500 million wasn’t a small sum. Early the next morning, Evelyn reached out to Ariana and requested to meet up. She remembered that in her previous life, they never interacted much. Evelyn had never taken the initiative to meet her. Probably because her decision to call off the engagement had disrupted Evelyn’s plans. At the café, Ariana spotted Evelyn already seated by the window. The place was empty–they were the only patrons. Evelyn’s delicate features looked pale, perhaps from her recent incident. She set down her coffee cup and began, 1/3 Ms. Torrey, I wanted to meet you so I could apologize.” “I don’t suppose you called me liere just to apologize, did you, Ms. Granger?” Arlana cut straight to the point. Evelyn pursed her lips and replied, “I’m here to advise you not to act impulsively. You and Brian are a perfect match; I won’t interfere in your relationship. I sincerely hope you both get engaged “You hope we get engaged? Ms. Granger, surely you’re joking.” A faint smile was playing on Ariana’s lips as she added, “If you genuinely wished for our engagement, you wouldn’t have slit your wrist on the night of our engagement banquet, would you?” At her words, Evelyn’s expression faltered. “Ms. Torrey, I truly didn’t mean for that to happen. If you blame me, I have no excuse. But only you are truly worthy of Brian. Only Torrey Co.’s resources can elevate Lodge Co. further. You are the perfect partner for him, Ms. Torrey.” As she spoke, she dropped to her knees. “Ms. Torrey, I swear to you–I will never have anything to do with Brain again. I beg you, for the sake of Lodge Co, and Brian, please reconsider. It won’t be of any benefit to your family either if you keep this up!” Evelyn’s words were laced with concern for Brian, while subtly emphasizing that he was only marrying Ariana for her family’s resources. “How touching, Me Granger. But… Why should I care about the interest of Lodge Co. or Brian?” Evelyn froze at her response. Over the past three months, she had seen firsthand how much Ariana adored Brian. She even heard her declare that she would do anything for him. Why had she suddenly become so indifferent now? “Ms. Torrey, if you’re only saying this out of spite, then please accept my apology. I truly hope you and Brian can reconcile. I am withdrawing from this relationship. If you wish, I’ll leave the city and live somewhere he’ll never find me…” Before she could finish her self–righteous plea, Ariana cut her off coldly, “Ms. Granger, everything you’re saying is merely your wishful thinking. Why would I spend the rest of my life with a man whose heart belongs to another? Don’t you find your request a little absurd?” “Ms. Torrey, I know you have a misunderstanding about me. But for Brian’s sake, I’m willing to do anything.” Evelyn fished a bank card out of her bag and slid it toward Ariana. “I know Brian misunderstood you and is targeting the Torrey family. I’m aware of the financial trouble you’re in. Here’s 500 million dollars–I’m offering it as compensation. I hope you can reconcile with Brian and reconsider the engagement.” The sincerity on Evelyn’s face only made Ariana sneer internally. In her previous life, this was the exact same facade Evelyn would put on. She would pretend to push Brian away while secretly keeping him close. The real reason she was so eager for their engagement was that Belinda would never accept her. Ariana, on the other hand, was an ideal stand–in, being the lone descendant of the Torrey family. When Lodge Co. was done exploiting Torrey Co., she could easily be discarded. Moreover, everyone in Gleaston knew Ariana bore a striking resemblance to Evelyn. Rather than risk Brian marrying someone with a powerful background, Evelyn would prefer if he married a publicly acknowledged substitute. 23 +25 BONUS By the time she rekindled her relationship with him in the future, people would only praise their reunion as childhood sweethearts. Now, with Belinda’s old age, all Evelyn had to do was wait for her demise. When that day arrived, she would be able to claim her place as the true Mrs. Lodge. “Ms. Granger, does. Does Brian know you’re meeting me? Evelyn was momentarily stunned by the question. “You’ve been kneeling for so long; your knees must hurt. Let me help you up.” With that, Ariana leaned forward to assist Evelyn. But before she could, the café door swung open, the sound of the wind chime following a second later. Before she could react, Brian stormed in and forcefully showed her aside. “Ariana Torrey! What do you think you’re doing?” +25 BONUS