The Love From Vengeance

310: NO RESPECT

ARIEL’S POV

Not someone I expected to see, but what could I say? God was just showing me things. And by the way, I couldn’t let this woman continue to walk around freely. Who knew what she had in mind? Who knew what she was cooking up? Her schemes are to ruin me. I couldn’t let her get out of my sight, no.

Still sitting in my car, I watched Harriet, her figure shrouded in a black hoodie, trudging along the road with an air of secrecy. My curiosity piqued. This was how the idiot was going to keep living her life. Moving here and there, hiding from the people of New Haven. What a life that was! Once a famous actress, now look at how she was ruined.

Instinctively, I felt the urge to drive in her direction, to uncover the mystery veiled beneath her cloak of anonymity. But was there actually a mystery? I could ask myself that, but the thoughts were technically kind of messed up. I knew what was going on in her mind right now. Seeking vengeance, she tried to follow through with her evil deeds. But apparently, I wasn’t going to let that happen. Well, if I had the chance, Hold on; I have the chance right now. Things could be really messed up, probably.

So, right now, it was all about following her, and just as I was about to shift gears. my phone interrupted the moment, buzzing insistently with an incoming call from Janice. When my daughter’s sweet voice called, I sighed and replied, “Why hadn’t I spent the night at home?”

“Oh, sweetheart,” I chuckled. “I’ve just got some things to take care of. But I promise, I’ll join you soon.”

Our conversation was brief but filled with affectionate exchanges, leaving me with a warm feeling in my heart as I ended the call.

Turning my attention back to the road, I became frustrated when I realized Harriet had vanished from sight. I slammed my palm against the steering wheel, cursing my luck.

Fuck! Why did that good–for–nothing idiot have to vanish like that? Now, where the hell had she gone? If only I could spot her right now. I’d start the car without

310: NO RESPECT

thinking twice.

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But I couldn’t let myself get wild by that. I couldn’t think too much or get upset. about losing her. If she wanted to do something bad, she should go ahead. I wasn’t scared of her, but I was fully prepared for anything that was about to come.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing thoughts. And then I started driving.

LUKE’S POV

the lobby of my company, the weight of responsibility

feeling. I didn’t know, but things were just different. Everyone was great–same

reach. my office, Jack hurried over, his expression a mix of concern and urgency. Crap, on the way I could actually guess that.

was filled with worry, as if we were supposed to depend on this company that had come to

I replied tersely, all because I had to. Thoughts of the impending meeting were moving around in my head, but

glanced around, searching for representatives from the Stark company. But before Jack could respond, they approached us, their

them stated bluntly, his tone. dripping with disdain. “It’s becoming increasingly difficult to work

behavior and tendency to avoid meetings and responsibilities. I knew I needed to do better. But, you see, it has been all about family lately. It was all about Ariel, and I would do everything I could to put her first. She deserved all the attention, so losing anything just to still have a hold of her was worth

But it was something I had to do. To maintain the

314 NO RESPECT

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barrage of insults, which

company to you in the first place. You clearly do not deserve it,” one of them

have to admit; the old man was a fool for

such a decision.”

dare speak ill of my grandfather, “I growled, my fists clenched at my sides. “He believed in me, and I won’t let you

that face of yours. We’re saying nothing but the truth right here. Your grandfather was such an idiot to hand Reynold’s company to you. It’s definitely

in a lifetime.”

company,” I commanded, my voice low and menacing. “I don’t need your worthless project, and I certainly don’t need

yelling at us, Luke Reynold. We’re just telling you the truth. We

truth

with you and your

to act now, Luke? Getting angry and terminating

professional? You coming to my own company to throw insults at me and mock my grandfather’s name?”

that how you