《Hate To Love You My Billionaire Lover》 Chapter 1: This Guy Is A Legend Arianna frowned at herself in the mirror. She carefully removed her clip-on earrings and gently kneaded her earlobes afterward. She thought theyd done enough damage to her ears for the day. This luxurious hall even had decorations in its bathroom. She nced at the purple orchids by the sinks. She began to fix her hair with some water and reapplied ayer of lipstick. A shawl originally apanied her white dress; however, she gave it to her colleague, Melissa, to cover a stain on her dress. Unfortunately, this left her thin shoulders and back exposed in her deep V-neck dress. Arianna took out a small perfume bottle from her handbag and sprayed her hair, neck, and wrists. She took a deep breath, pushed the door open, and stepped out of the bathroom. The main hall was illuminated with golden lights and was filled with beautiful dresses, melodic music, and noisy chatter. She scanned the crowd, hoping to find Melissa. But, themittee affairs leader called her, Arianna, we could use a little help if you dont mind. This was the annual banquet organized by Ariannas business association. As staff members of the investment department, she and Melissa were recruited to be the interpreters for the evening. However, many foreign guests brought their own interpreters, leaving the two women with lots of free time. Arianna saw thepany president speaking to a European guest as she approached them. She joined the conversation, facilitating trantion and ensuring everything was properly understood. She bowed elegantly before stepping away when she felt that she was no longer needed. But before she could do so, the guest suddenly grinned, softly picked up her wrist, and slid his hand underneath her fingers. His rugged beard was rough on her skin as he ced a kiss on her hand. Arianna blushed in embarrassment as she turned to leave. She could only take a couple of steps before someone stepped out in front of her and said, Dear Arian. Her heartbeat ramped up for a moment. It had been many years since someone called her that. She lost contact with her old friends a long time ago. Standing in front of her was a young, shining woman in a red dress. A heart-warming smile on her face, Arianna, it really is you! Hello, Janie. Arianna responded without the same excitement, Long time no see. What are you doing here? I thought your entire family had moved away! Nope. Ive been here all along. She responded tly. Arianna was about to say goodbye, but Janie began to beckon to someone. Arianna ced her hands on her hips. A man turned his head away from the group of people he was talking to and looked at Janie. He politely excused himself and strode over to the two women. The man was in good shape and had a deep, booming voice. On his fourth finger was the same ring style as Janies. He said, Arianna, you havent changed a bit! Neither have you two. Congrattions on the wedding! Arianna said with a fake smile and left. **** During the first few hours of the banquet, Arianna had nothing to do. She sat at a table with Melissa and observed the people. But now, people have recognized her and given her things to do. Was it because her gown was more revealing now and drawing more attention to her? When Arianna finally found Melissa, she was talking to an official. She stepped back and waited for them to finish their conversation. However, the official caught Ariannas eye and called to her, Arent you Arianna Jenkins, the granddaughter of Franco Sanchez? How is he? He is well, thank you. Arianna was a little coy. She knew who he was but did not remember that they had ever officially met. This was not Ariannas scene. She didnt expect to encounter acquaintances one after another. After the man left, she let out a long sigh. Melissa raised one eyebrow at Arianna and asked, Whats up with you? He seemed nice. He knows my grandpa. And that couple you were talking to over there? We were ssmates back when we were kids. Well, theyre making negotiations with the city. She pulled Ariannas arm and continued, Anyways, stop hiding yourself. You dont need me to tell you that any man here packs a fortune. Wed make a nice score if any of them fell for us. Melissa winked at her, Lets go. Dont look down; hold your chest up and smile. Arianna was surprised by Melissas behavior. But she did have a point. Melissa helped ensure that neither of them was having a wardrobe malfunction, but her eyes widened, and she said, Nice! Following her eyes, Arianna only saw the side profile of a tall man. His head was slightly lowered to speak to a group of shorter men. The man had a modest expression on his face, but he still appeared to be above the others out of their league. He turned his head sideways towards the girls as if they were watching him. Both Melissa and Arianna looked away when they saw his head begin to move. Melissa said under her breath, This guy is gorgeous. He could be a Greek God if you ask me I havent seen a real man like that in a while. The corner of Ariannas mouth twitched as she fought her smile in response to Melissas words. She looked back at the man and could see that they were saying goodbye.Content held by N?velDrama.Org. His eyes briefly met hers once more before she quickly lowered hers to the floor. Melissa asked, Do you know him? Arianna, Hello? Who is that guy? At that moment, the music dipped to a quieter rhythm, leaving Melissas questions echoing through the room. Before she could answer, someone nearby stated, That is Travis Cooper, the president of Transcendent Jewels. Melissas mouth dropped, Transcendent Jewels? Wow. Word has it that he owns diamond mines in South Africa. I thought he would be super old! She continued to babble, People say hes out of the state most of the time and rarely appears in public. He doesnt like to be interviewed or photographed. This guy is a legend. Melissa finished with a hair flip. Chapter 2: When Did You Come Back? After the meal and closing speeches, the banquet was finally over. However, Melissa and Arianna had to stay until all the guests had left. They were required to assist with any goodbyes and ensure all guests had a ride home. The women were so relieved once the final guests were waving goodbye. Melissas ride had been waiting for her for over half an hour, so she left immediately. Arianna sighed and smoothly took off her high-heeled shoes and casually looped them through her fingers to carry them. She grabbed her bag and headed for the door, but a waiter informed her, Miss Jenkins, someone left a note for you. He reached into his vest pocket, pulled out the folded piece of paper, and ced it in her hand. She thanked him and shoved the note into her purse. Once Arianna was out of the building, she opened her bag and drew the note back out. Written in ck pen, the note simply stated, Hillside. She could tell that this was a mans writing.Text content ? N?velDrama.Org. Hillside was a leisure club that was open all night. It was only ten minutes away from here, she thought. Arianna decided to go back into the building to check her appearance. She took her hair out of the tight bun she wore for the banquet and shook it loose with her fingers. Arianna sprayed herself with some perfume once again before slipping back into her heels. She then left the banquet hall for good. Once in her car, she checked the time; it was already 12:30 a. m., and she took a sip of water. The night was still young. After parking and entering the club, she was directed through several corridors before reaching the back. It was a secluded parking lot with no lights. Few members could enter here. A ck car was parked in the middle of the lot, blending in with the night. The driver got out and opened the door for Arianna. She got in without saying a word and slid across the ck leather seats. The driver firmly closed the door, and she could feel the engine vibrate through the car, though it didnt make much sound. The person next to her suddenly asked, Do you mind if I smoke? It was not a request but rather a polite announcement that he was about to smoke. Travis Cooper took out his cigarette case and drew one out. Arianna effortlessly found the car lighter and lit the cigarette for him. In the flickering light, they briefly looked at each other. His eyes showed no emotion. She quickly put out the me and put the lighter back in its ce. As the car grew dark again, the only light was the reddish glow from the cigarette and a faint cloud of smoke. The smell of tobo was making her throat a little itchy. She couldnt help but lean forward and cough a bit, breaking the silence. When she leaned back into her seat, she felt his arm behind her shoulders. His muscles were very strong, though far lessfortable than the car cushions. Her shoulder des began to ache. To get morefortable, Arianna turned towards him and leaned back into his body. Travis slowly lifted his arm and embraced her shoulder. He briefly ran his fingers through her hair before resting his hand on the side of her neck. Arianna held her breath. He continued to slide his fingers down her body and gently stroked the skin on the front of her chest. Though it was midsummer, his fingers were cool. They spread the cold through Ariannas body, giving her chills. Lights from other vehicles shed through the window, illuminating the drivers eyes in the rearview mirror. Nheless, the young driver was focused on the road. Arianna whispered in his ear, When did youe back? Last week. He turned his head to look out the window. His voice had a metallic texture, pleasant but cold, just like his fingertips. His fingers continued to linger around her neck and chest. Finally, he asked, Why didnt you find something to cover here? What about your ne? Arianna answered lightly, Its a little too shy for me. Travis smiled quietly in the dark. **** Arianna finally woke up inplete darkness. She had night blindness and could not see in the dark. This made her afraid of the dark. She usually left a light on when she slept alone. Though squinting her eyes never helped before, she couldnt help but try. She felt powerless, as if trapped in a nightmare. Between her spastic heartbeats, she heard someone breathing deeply next to her. Relief washed over her. She fumbled for the switch on the tablemp. When the soft light brightened the room, her body was rejuvenated. Travis was on the other side of the bed, lying on his stomach. He seemed to be in a deep sleep. He looked very innocent, Arianna thought. Melissa was right; with his thick eyebrows, long eyshes, crisp jawline, and strong figure, he looked like he was from a heroic myth. But he was too intense for her to appreciate his looks while he was awake. Arianna gently made a beheading gesture across his neck with her fingers. She had always wanted to know if someone ever tried to harm him while sleeping and if he would wake up instantly. This game would be no fun if he took it seriously, so she did not dare to try with a real knife. Then, she put her hand into the shape of a gun and pointed it at his temple. He did not move. With a small sigh, she slowly got out of bed to take a shower. The water was hot and began to make her skin red. She didnt care and continued to shower for a long time. Arianna looked at herself in the foggy mirror. Her chest and corbone were bruised. Her shoulders had some hickeys and bite marks. Since her skin was so pale and delicate, these markings looked even more defined. Traviss ancestors must be beasts, not apes, Arianna thought to herself. When lying under him, she always felt like he was out of control. In her dreams, he often transformed into a wolf and swallowed her whole. Though his forey was soft and made her melt slowly like an iceberg, afterward, he did not stop until she was pushed to her limit. Before, when she had more courage, she clenched her teeth and refused to do as he pleased. She would bite if he pushed her too hard. But in the end, she was always the one who suffered more. Chapter 3: Is She Your New Lover? She learned to follow his lead as much as possible. Obedience, though degrading, could yield moments of thoughtfulness from him. Even this past night, she wasnt sure if she fell asleep due to extreme fatigue or passed out in a massive impact of his carnal desire. Arianna dried off her body with the bath towel before wrapping it around her body. She unlocked the door and stepped out of the humid bathroom. Travis was sitting on the sofa by the window, wearing a silk bathrobe. He was reading a stack of papers with a cigarette in his hand. When he saw her, he gestured for her toe and sit next to him. Arianna strode over to the sofa and took a seat on the armrest. As Travis realized he was sitting in the middle of the couch, he slid over to give her a spot. She slipped off the armrest and onto the couch; however, she was sitting tightly against him now. Traviss cigarette-holding hand moved from the back of the sofa to her bare shoulder. He hooked her neck and pulled her in as he went for a drag of his cigarette. Holding her breath, Arianna fought the urge to bite his arm to free herself. She remained motionless. Her body was exhausted. At least in this position, he wouldnt touch her with the cigarette. She hated it when the glowing ashes dropped on her body. She believed he never felt guilty about hurting her. He finally finished reading the paper and put out his cigarette. Grabbing a magazine, he flipped through the pages with Arianna. They were looking at beautiful advertisements for expensive jewelry. Travis suddenly asked, Which one is your favorite? Ariannas body stiffened as she leaned away from him slightly and said, None of them. He pointed to one image, How about this one? The picture showed arge diamond-encrusted square emerald. It was crystal clear and translucent. It looked gorgeous and elegant on the young womans back. The model is pretty. Is she your new love? Travisughed mildly, No, but I should consider it. Arianna remained silent but slowly sunk back into him. Travis was warming up, Do you like this one, though? You were looking at it for longer than the rest. I was looking at how the jewelry doesnt match the models personality. It doesnt reflect well on the brand. Youre right. This model is nowhere near as charming and sexy as you. He turned to her, Arianna, you know that I like you being obedient, but are you just trying to please me right now? She ignored him and rested her head on the armrest with her eyes closed. Travis folded the papers and threw them in the garbage can. He turned on the TV with its remote before lighting another cigarette. Arianna was tired of the smell of smoke and said, Give me one. Without his consent, she leaned forward to take his cigarette case. Her arms had to stretch across his body to ce her fingertips on the case. But before she could capture the box, he slid the case further away from her and said, A smoking woman is not charming.Content held by N?velDrama.Org. As she was bringing back her arm, she snatched the cigarette from his mouth and sucked on it hard for two seconds before cing it back in his fingers. She blew a ring of smoke and said, You used to say you wanted to see the real me. But I dont think thats true. Travis moved his body backward a little, peering at her like she was a stranger. Arianna looked back at him without fear; her eyes were focused. They confronted each other like two martial arts masters. It seemed peaceful on the surface, but two invisible forces were raging between them. Arianna lost her momentum first. She stood up and tried to step away. However, when she stood up, he held the hem of her bath towel. The towel was torn off as she tried to get away, and she fell into his arms. Using his strength, he turned her over and pinned her body down on the sofa. His lips pierced through the already injured skin on her chest. She whimpered in pain. The sofa was very small, though particrly soft. Arianna was like a small bug trapped in a cobweb with nowhere to escape. She pointed to the bed and spoke weakly, There. But her request was totally ignored. **** When Travis stepped out of the bathroom, wiping his hair dry, he noticed Arianna was already dressed. She wore a light blue cotton shirt and jeans. Her hair was tied into a ponytail, and she did not have any makeup on. A folded pile of clothing caught her eye. It was one of the pantsuits she wore for work. She forgot she left that here. It must have been there for over a year by now. Arianna rarely stayed overnight, and when she did, she tried to make sure that she never left anything behind. Whatever she needed was always delivered to her while she was there. Surprisingly, she had never found any other womans belongings. She sometimes wished that Travis would have affairs with many women, so he would torture her less often. Travis Cooper must have other women. Arianna was not extremely stunning physically, nor was her personality amazing. It must have been fun for him to y these games with her. The torture must be his form of pleasure. In fact, Arianna remembers one night when he received a phone call from another woman while he was in bed with her. Though his response was brief, his tone was gentle and patient. When Arianna saw Travis approach her, she stood upright inadvertently. Travis looked at her for several seconds and said, You are still young and energetic. Just like when I first met you. Her expression softened a little before she recovered. She remained quiet while scooping up her white dress from the floor. The cor and hemline were shredded. She kneaded the dress into a ball and threw it into the garbage can. What a waste, Travis said slowly. Im not the one who tore it up. Are you going home tonight? Youve been full of energy recently. That energy was a dangerous topic. Arianna responded with caution, I have to finish a work file thats due tomorrow. Let Ryan drive you home then. Just take me to Hillside so I can pick up my car. Let Ryan drive you home. Chapter 4: Do You Need Me To Drive? Ryan Cooper was Traviss bodyguard and driver. He was several years younger than Travis and was handsome and tall. But he had a cold temperament and usually carried a dull expression. Ryan Cooper was not his original name. It was said that Travis paid for his education and his mothers medical expenses. Later, he changed both his name and surname to show gratitude to Travis Cooper. Arianna sat ufortably in the back seat. She said to Ryan, Take me to Hillside, please. As usual, he didnt respond and kept his eyes on the road. Once the car stopped, Ryan opened the door for Arianna. They were pulled up next to her car. Arianna said, Im going to go to the spa. You can leave. She ced her old clothes in her car before entering the clubhouse. The staff was familiar with Arianna as she was a frequent client. But today, she did not want a massage or any other treatment. She simply asked them to prepare the bath and give her privacy. She spent over an hour in the water. Her body rxed in the fragrance and music. After slowly putting on her clothes, Arianna sleepily left the facility and headed toward her car. Ryan was still waiting for her. If I slept in there all night, would you still be waiting here in the morning? She asked him sarcastically while gesturing back to Hillside. Mr. Cooper asked me to drive you home. Ryan spoke without any emotion, Do you need me to drive? Arianna ignored him and got into her car. She didnt like others to touch her things. She rarely drove people around in her car. Travis Cooper had never been to her house yet. Ryan was driving directly behind her in his car. Arianna rolled her eyes. They soon reached her apartment building, where she skilfully reversed into her parking spot. Ryan parked in the visitors parking lot. Without a word, he got out of his car and lit a cigarette on his way over to Arianna. He followed her upstairs and watched her enter her apartment and turn on the lights. He then left quietly. Arianna was listening for the engine to turn on and fade away from below, but it never happened. She looked out her window and spotted Ryan leaning on his car door. He seemed to be looking at his own shadow. Ryan noticed her from afar and waved to her. Then he finally started his car and left. She didnt wave goodbye to him. After preparing her clothes and food for tomorrow, she habitually went to take a bath before going to bed. Though she had just taken a bath, the hot water didnt fail to soothe her aches once more. Her skin wrinkled all over. She has always loved taking baths ever since her childhood. Its where she felt the safest and most rxed. Aside from smoking and drinking, Arianna led a very healthy lifestyle. She rarely stayed upte and was a vegetarian. She only wore light makeup and used minimal products most of the time. She went on jogs every morning. Though she returned hometest night, she woke up at the same time as usual. She got up to brush her teeth and wash her face before going on her morning jog. Arianna usually followed the same route every morning. There was a lovely green path in the garden-style residential estate that she never got bored of.Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024. Mornings were usually misty during this time of the year. Nothing was very visible. It was her favorite time of the day. When she was young, Arianna lived with her family in a vi on the side of a hill. If the weather was clear, she used to watch the sunrise with her mother. At first, the sky was navy in color. However, over to the east, it was vast and pale. A bright light slowly broke from the horizon and entered the sky. The sun was the color of a salted egg yolk. It lit up the whole sky with millions of beams of light. Some mornings were so beautiful that she could be moved to tears. But today was not one of those days. The fog was so dense that Arianna could barely see a couple of meters ahead of her. In fact, it has been a long time since she has seen a sunrise. With high-rise buildings and heavily polluted air surrounding her, she was always in their shadows, never able to see the skyline. Arianna learned to love the fog, too. She enjoyed watching it slowly reveal her surroundings as the minutes passed by. The outlines of trees and buildings began to take shape before fully revealing themselves. Maybe Arianna learned to appreciate the mornings as they changed in the same way as her life. She was a beaming child, always full of energy, just like the sun. Now, she wasid back and liked to be alone, just like the fog. The fog was thinning as Arianna was returning home, and she could smell the pleasant fragrance of flowers blooming along the path. She stopped at a small caf to pick up some breakfast and carried it back home in a brown paper bag. As she reached her apartment building, she ran into the old couple that lived a few floors below her. Arianna greeted them and held the door open for them. She was envious of the couple. They were in their 70s and still spoke to each other like young lovers. They always went for a walk, hand-in-hand, at this time in the morning. The couple stepped out the door and thanked Arianna. The man said, We dont see young people like you anymore. You get up and exercise, then eat a healthy breakfast and help us old folks out. You are such a nice girl. The old woman chimed in, We met your boyfriend downstairsst night. Such a handsome guy he is, a perfect match for you! Noticing the confused look on Ariannas face, the woman rified, The man who often drives you home. Weve only seen his car before, butst night we caught him. He was a bit shy seeing us smile at him. Arianna realized she was talking about Ryan. She chuckled and exined, Hes just a friend. The old man gave her a wink, and the woman alsoughed as they walked away. Chapter 5: A Gift From Him? A gift arrived for Arianna before her lunch break at work. The security guard carefully handed it to her. Her eyes dazzled after opening severalyers of packaging. A huge emerald pendant was lying peacefully on a pillow of dark blue velvet. It was embedded with diamonds on its retro-style pedestal. It was the pendant from the advertisement she and Travis discussed yesterday. She felt belittled, as usual. This jewel seemed more like a payment than a gift. He always sent her a present the following day after spending a night with her. Travis always felt like he owed her. She wouldnt spend his money or live at his house, which displeased him immensely. This was his way ofpromising. Arianna hung the ne around her neck. It matched her expensive work clothes perfectly. Though she did not like receiving gifts from Travis, she felt delighted. At lunchtime, Arianna met up with Melissa in the break room. She stared at Ariannas ne and said, Knock-off jewelry is looking more and more real nowadays. This looks almost genuine. Arianna just sighed as Melissa picked the pendant up off her chest to take a closer look. It looks so real. Look at that craftsmanship and detail. Melissa moved her gaze to look Arianna directly in the eye, This must be expensive. It wasnt so bad, Arianna answered vaguely. Another female colleague sat down at their table. She had repeatedly been trying to set Arianna up with a friend of hers. He was very handsome, and Arianna was exactly his type. Arianna decided to shut down the idea once and for all and casually mentioned, Actually, Ive had a boyfriend all along.Text content ? N?velDrama.Org. Last time I asked, you said you didnt have one! Melissa quickly interjected. Hes been abroad, so its been on-again-off-again, Arianna said carefully. So you guys are on again right now? And we can assume this ne is from him? Arianna smiled at the two women as confirmation. They finished their lunches and turned their attention to the TV. The news was broadcasting a newly built orphanage. The host said that Transcendent Jewels funded it and that thepany president, Travis Cooper, declined to give a full interview. They showed a clip of him saying, Giving back to society is the obligation of everypany. Then, he could be seen getting into his car outside of the orphanage. Melissa said to the girls, That Travis Cooper seems like a really great guy. Hes so attractive and even has a good heart. She gestured to the TV, Dont you agree, Arianna? Arianna just sighed in agreement and leaned back in her chair. The women decided to use the rest of their break to go to a nearby shopping mall. Arianna lingered by the perfume counter while the other women headed for the clothes. Melissa stepped up beside her and noted, How many perfumes do you buy in a year? You could literally open a perfume shop. Arianna pointed to a cologne before Melissa could drag her away and asked the clerk, Could I get this one, please? Thanks! Oh, a cologne for the mister? Melissa asked slyly. The bottle is nice. I like to collect them, you know. Melissa raised an eyebrow. She didnt believe her. **** After dinner, Arianna scrutinized the bottle under amp. The thick, transparent bottle resembled the shape of a bottle of whiskey with blue liquid glowing in a demonic light. She opened the ss door of her cupboard, which held three shelves fully upied by perfumes. There were various shapes and materials of perfume bottles: ss, ceramic, metal, and so on. Some were nearing empty, while others were barely used. Arianna sprayed the new cologne around the room before cing it into her case. Though she had many perfumes, she didnt like them. She didnt tend to smell them until she got home, leaving many of them unused after the two test sprays. The scent of the cologne gradually spread through her apartment. It was a little too heavy, so she had to open the windows for some fresh air. The new ne glimmered under the lights of her apartment. This reminded Arianna to put it in the safe. The safe also held her familys treasures. There were many heirloom pieces from her mother and grandmother. The rest of the jewelry was from Travis. She had never exactly examined what or how many items she had in the safe. Arianna didnt have too much interest in jewelry. And she seldom had the chance to wear them as she rarely attended banquets or formal asions. Travis did not request herpany that night. She was relieved. Arianna grabbed the box of cigarettes from the drawer and sat down on her terrace. She turned on some soft music and slowly inhaled the toxic air into her lungs. Travis didnt like to see her smoke despite teaching her how to smoke many years ago. Back then, Travis was in his first year of postgraduate studies. He was young and sharp. He politely asked her, Do you mind if I smoke? Even then, he used the saying as a notice that he was about to light a cigarette. Arianna nodded nicely. She watched him gracefully light his cigarette, thinking it was beautiful. She asked, Can I have one too? He was slightly surprised, but he handed her a cigarette and lit it for her. She sucked on it before coughing to the point of tears. Heughed gleefully. After calming down, he gently started hitting her back and handed her a ss of water. Travis exined how to avoid being choked by the cigarette and how to blow smoke rings in between his chuckles. Being the quick learner she was, Arianna had mastered it by the time she finished the first cigarette. Travis stopped grinning and sternly said, But its better than girls dont smoke. Its harmful to your body. And, a smoking girl isnt attractive. Arianna still remembered this moment clearly. Not that she really listened to him, though. When she went abroad to study in Europe, she smoked like crazy. But then, she stopped for a while because her lungs were so damaged she could barely run anymore. She even had to spend a few days in the hospital. But once she recovered, she began to smoke again, just much less than before. Arianna lit another cigarette but didnt smoke. It sat between her fingers as she looked over her terrace. She took the asional puff to help it burn out quickly. Chapter 6: Still Hate Me? Her other hand was ying with a pocket-sized perfume bottle. It was opaque and in the shape of a heart. This was the first bottle of perfume she paid for with the money from her job. She was still full of hope for the future when she bought it. But after only a few years, she defeated herself. She always believed that everything would work out as long as she was willing to let go of the past. She took a deep puff of the half-burned cigarette before putting it out. She set a limit for herself, one cigarette per day. The hospital was not a ce she wanted to spend her time. Ariannaughed at herself. She did not like to recall the past, but today, she couldnt stop reminiscing. She never wanted to think of the first time she met Travis Cooper. She had a hunch that she would always hear from the person she remembered if she thought of an old memory. Arianna hated how urate this usually was. The music had stopped, and Ariannas sixth sense kicked in. Her cell phone rang loud suddenly as if supporting her superstition. After ncing at the disy screen, she discovered it was a strangers number calling and sat back down. She took out the soft piano disc and reced it with a British Rock disc. But now, her phone was receiving text after text. She tried her best to ignore it, but the sound of the notifications was interrupting her music. She tapped the screen and saw texts from two unfamiliar numbers. One read, Arianna, its Janie. I had no idea you were still in town until I saw you yesterday! How are you? Still hate me? Arianna sighed before moving on to the next message, Hi, its Bain. I want to apologize. Her lips twitched as she replied to the two messages, I wish you two happiness. You dont need to apologize. After deleting their messages and ignoring the other ones, she shut down her phone. Arianna prayed that they would leave her alone after they read her message. But she never hated the two of them. It was a little tough for her when she saw themst night. It was all in the past now, though. **** If a graph represented life, most peoples graphs would be wavy lines. There are ups and downs, but it is smooth and continuous.Content held by N?velDrama.Org. Janie and Bain were a source of sadness and disappointment for her then. Perhaps she wanted to hate them before, but she couldnt. The Jenkins family nanny once told her, Dear Miss Jenkins, do not hate anyone with your heart and soul. Even the worst of us possess some good qualities. Do not poison your soul and waste your energy in anger. This was after the nanny overheard her pray for heaven to punish her friends after they got in a fight when she was a child. Though she did not understand the meaning at the time, she now lived by this philosophy. Life was too short to be lived in hatred. Therefore, even if she had a reason to hate, she always tried her best to see the good in all people. When Arianna thought of her nannys words, her life curve emerged in her head. It was the most beautiful upward curve until she turned seventeen. Back then, it was like she ruled the world. She had a great family and was always thin and beautiful. She loved her parents and friends. Beyond this, Arianna was intelligent and outgoing. She could get along with anyone. Her nanny always told her someone in heaven was sending her all of their blessings. However, her curve took a steep dive downward at seventeen years old before falling into a straight line. It resembled the ECG of a patient whose heart had failed. The beginning of that year was an omen of this downfall. On New Years Eve, Arianna carelessly broke her beloved ss bottle. Her father had taken her to a handicraft workshop thousands of miles away, where she was able to make the bottle herself. Hourster, Ariannas nanny suffered from a major heart attack and passed away. She was as important to her as her own family. Arianna only viewed the two incidents as an unfortunate coincidence. She never expected more hardships toe. That year, she took the college entrance examination and was under a lot of pressure from her family to do well. She had a nervous breakdown and became depressed due to intensive studying. Additionally, she experienced more deaths in the family. Her grandmother passed away before her grandfather became extremely ill. Then, her father was in a major car ident. A few yearster, she and a friend made a falling domino course. She couldnt help but think back to her seventeenth year. The domino effect was the perfect way to describe the chain of events. Her memory of that year was split into several vivid moments, none of which she wanted to remember. Even in his recovery, Ariannas father could see how distressed she was about everything. He arranged for her to go abroad to rx. However, when she returned early to surprise her family for the summer holidays, she discovered that her parents were having affairs. This made her absolutely hysterical. However, it was even before she discovered the truth about her birth. She was not her fathers daughter by blood. The marriage between her parents was no more than a mutual benefit transaction. These were secrets that were kept from everyone. Arianna snuck out one night to see her old boyfriend. He imed to love her forever, but she soon found out that he was now dating her best friend. Miseries were hitting her one by one. The universe did not want to give her a break that year. She feltpletely alone in the world. If life had been better for her, she would not have met Travis Cooper. She thought she had met the archangel. He shone like a lighthouse in the rough seas to her, extending safety in her most desperate times. She desperately followed the light with all her trust. When Arianna thought of that year, she reminded herself that none of those events made her different from anyone else. People die, people cheat C it was that simple. But sheughed at her luck often. Before she was seventeen, she never experienced any setbacks. That yearpletely ruined her and was the fuel for her self-destructive behavior. She went to nightclubs to drink and dance. This was done to forget the world, but she could also exhaust her brain and body in the process. The home was thest ce she wanted to be. She often left notes iming that she would be out for several days so that her family would leave her alone. Chapter 7: What鈥檚 Your Name? Arianna was the perfect daughter and student all her life. She didnt know that the world was so broken when she first started leaving home. But this was something she learned quickly. One night, when she was leaving the nightclub, some men backed her into a corner. They wanted both her money and her body. Her thoughts drifted away while she struggled. She noted that tragic novels were not far from reality. A poor, ignorant girl would usually fall into the hands of demons. While both drunk and exhausted, her resistance was as weak as an ants. She noticed people walking past the alley, but they overlooked it. It was definitely safer not to get involved. Maybe God finally pitied her. Just as she was getting desperate for help, the hands of the two gangsters loosened. She saw a thin figure in a white shirt in her peripheral vision. Arianna shoved their hands off her and tried to run toward the figure in white. But her legs quickly gave out, and she fell to the ground before losing consciousness. When she woke up the next morning, her eyes were stinging, and her head was pounding. She did not forget what happened to herst night. She began to move. Her body was sore, and she was still wearing the same clothes she had worn the night before. She even had her shoes on. Sitting up slowly, Arianna looked down at herself. Her clothes were stained with dirt, and her jeans were scratched open. There were several bruises on her elbows. The white bedding was stained with mud and a little blood. Arianna began examining the room. It was very small with only a single bed and a chair ced in the corner. But it was very clean. It was silent in the house. She got up cautiously and opened the door. The furniture in the next room was simr, all white. There was a sofa by the wall and a big bookshelf below the window. Someone was lying on the couch, leaning against the armrests. His body was half-covered by a thin sheet. He must have slept there. Arianna continued to move forward. She wanted to get out of the house before the man could wake up. However, with her second step passed the door, the floor creaked and awoke the man. He turned to look at her. The sun from the window was shining directly on him, so Arianna could only see the outline of his body. The man continued to quietly watch her. Arianna swallowed her saliva. She knew she looked atrocious, but she said to him in a dignified tone, Thank you for saving mest night. The man was silent for a moment before he snickered. His voice had a smooth texture, and his tone was sweet. Even in the heat of the morning, he was cool. He said, How do you know Im not in the gang? Arianna frowned. It was a little too soon to joke about the event. After yawning and stretching his arms, the man stood up and poured a ss of water for himself. With his back facing her, he mentioned, If youre awake enough, you can feel free to leave. She finally got a clear view of his looks. He was very tall with wide shoulders and had a slim back. He was wearing dark blue trousers and did not have a shirt on. The outline of his face and jaw was very firm and distinct. Arianna asked, Can I wash my face? Without speaking, the man mindlessly gestured in the direction of the bathroom. Though she knew he couldnt see it, Arianna quickly bowed her head in gratitude before heading towards the bathroom. It seemed like the bathroom had been vacant for a long time. Though everything was clean, all the products were new and unused. She sshed the cool water on her face and rinsed out her mouth before gently dabbing water on her bruises. She grabbed the pure white towel to dry herself off with some hesitation. Compared to her conditionst night, she was not embarrassed at the moment. She saw that the top three buttons of her shirt were gone, so she covered her chest with her hands as she walked out of the bathroom. Arianna was now facing to face with her savior. She noticed his thick eyebrows, thin lips, and lush dark hair. He seemed like he was a few years older than her, she thought. After several moments of silence, Arianna gave a small smile and said, Thanks again. The man turned and entered the bedroom with no response. He returned and threw her a white cotton shirt and said, Help yourself to a drink if youre thirsty. She went to the bathroom and put on the shirt. It was a mans shirt and was way too big for her. She tied the bottom hem into a knot.All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org. The man was indifferent but good-natured. When she returned to the main room, he was no longer there. Arianna stepped out the front door and was surprised to find that the house was an old-style cottage. Though it was small, it had a courtyard. There was a stone table with matching stone benches. He was sitting at the table reading a magazine. On top of the table was her purse. She assumed she lost it inst nights event. Check if anything is missing. He ordered. She subconsciously touched her neck and could feel that it was empty. She shook her head anyway and took her bag. The ne from her grandfather was gone, but she didnt want to talk about that with a stranger. How can I thank you? She asked sincerely. Theres no need. He said absently without looking up from his magazine. Well, Im Arianna. Whats your name? Cooper. It was obvious that he did not want to establish a rtionship with her. How can I get your shirt back to you? Unnecessary. Arianna paused for a moment before continuing, I also ruined your bedsheets. Are you going to wash them? She could sense the ridicule in his words. Her cheeks began to blush, and she decided to stop speaking. She bowed her head to him once more and quickly left. As she was leaving the property, she realized she had never been to this part of town before. She was walking down the street quickly before spotting a taxi. After telling the driver where to go, Arianna sank back into the seat. She closed her eyes and let out a deep breath. Chapter 8: He Didn鈥檛 Seem To Recognize Her Ariannas first encounters with Travis were anything but ordinary. Though she hated thinking about it, she remembered it like it was yesterday. **** She slowly opened her eyes and looked out the window of the moving taxi. It was a beautiful day, but her mood was just the opposite. A hangover and the memory ofst nights assault werent necessarily the recipe for a happy person. At a stoplight, Arianna began to sift through the contents of her bag. She found her wallet, keys, lipstick, and perfume. Nothing was missing besides her ne. The first stop was at a boutique. She bought new jeans and a long-sleeved shirt to cover the bruises on her arms. She shoved his shirt into her purse and wore her new clothes out of the store. The final stop was at her house. Her family members greeted her pleasantly as she trotted up to her room. She slept for the rest of the day and all through the night. She got out of bed in thete afternoon the next day. After taking a long bath and getting dressed, she decided to go into the city. Arianna took the bus to get rid of the security that usually followed her around. She rode it until she was unfamiliar with the streets. Her bus stopped to let some people off, and Arianna spontaneously decided she would get off, too. After taking two left turns on her walk, she was on a winding road surrounded by many darkly colored buildings. She passed by the alley where she was drunk and surrounded by gangstersst night. But in the daytime, the area was quiet and peaceful. Feeling thirsty, she entered a caf. It had soft music and a strong smell of coffee beans. She was surprised to find that it was filled with people who appeared to be students. They were all hunched over aptop or textbook, meticulously studying. Arianna knew that there were two universities in the area, but the campus was usually empty during the summertime. She decided to do as the students were doing. Next door was a bookstore where she picked up a fresh mystery novel. To avoid returning home, Arianna went back to the caf and ordered arge tea before finding afortable couch to read on. Arianna sat on the couch for several hours while she finished the book. As she was picking up her things to leave, she noticed a familiar figure passing by the door. After quickly tipping her waiter, she rushed outside. He was in stark contrast to her male ssmates. They were into hip-hop style these days, so they were often found in graffiti T-shirts and fat trousers, not to mention their strange hairstyles. It was satisfying to see a well-dressed man. He was like an early autumn breeze, cool but refreshing. The man was about ten meters ahead of her. She could easily catch up in a few steps. Arianna paused for a moment. She remembered how indifferent he was to her the morning after saving her. What would she even say to him right now? She dropped her gaze to the sidewalk for a moment. He was gone when she looked up, and she felt her heart drop. In the following few days, Arianna was haunted by the missed opportunity. She went to the street every day and repeated the same activities. After purchasing a novel, she went to the caf and took a seat facing the window. She read the books and kept an eye on every person who walked by. Some of the students who studied at the caf began to recognize her. She started exchanging smiles with many of them as the days went by. Though she never saw him, she had something to look forward to every day. Spending time at the caf always puts her in a good mood. Even her family noticed it when she returned home. One day, she arrivedter than usual. Her seat by the window was already upied by someone else. She scanned the caf, looking for anotherfortable seat. Her heart nearly stopped. Seated in the back corner was the man she was waiting for. He was looking down, reading his book intently. Arianna sat down in another corner where she could see him from afar. She kept her head down and didnt dare to look up at him again. But after a half-hour of struggling to focus, she gave up on the ridiculous romantic novel in her hands. What if he had been here every single day? She always went directly to her seat and was barely conscious of her surroundings. But she did not think this was possible. The man had a strong presence, too obvious to go unfelt even when he was seated in the back corner. After ying with her fingers for several minutes, she reached for her tea. But to her surprise, her cup was empty. Arianna nced toward the counter, getting ready to get a refill when she noticed the man looking in her direction. He was too far away for her to see his facial expression. She turned her head from side to side to see if he could be looking at someone around her, but she was all alone. So she smiled at him politely through her rosy cheeks. However, he immediately lowered his head and continued to read his book. He didnt seem to recognize her. In his defense, her look now was very different from how he found her in that alley when he saved her. A pleated skirt reced her torn jeans, and she had strappy sandals on rather than sneakers. Her hair was delicate and neat rather than a sweaty mess.Content held by N?velDrama.Org. No matter how hard she tried, Arianna couldnt focus on her book. She finished another tea and only read about two sentences at that time. Another cup was calling her name. This was the only caf in town that offered ck licorice tea, and Arianna had be addicted to it. As she looked back towards the counter, she couldnt help but look at the man. But as soon as her eyesnded on him, his gaze moved from his book to her. Ariannas face started to get hot. Chapter 9: Buy Me A Coffee First On the one hand, she feared that the man did not recognize her and thought she was just a weird stranger staring at him. On the other hand, she was worried that he had already recognized her. Did he think she was rude for not saying hello? After several seconds of contemtion, Arianna decided she would walk over and greet him. She knew he might be cold to her, but she took the chance anyway. This was the moment she had been waiting for. She packed away her things into her purse and slowly approached him. His eyes rested on her the whole time. Arianna thought about what she would say if she ever came face to face with her nonchnt savior again. But her mindpletely forgot the casual greeting she came up with. So instead, she said, Nice to see you again. Then she smiled like a bad actress. As a child, she seldomughed or smiled. Her teeth werent perfectly aligned, making her smile look like she was insecure. However, over the years, she started working on it. She even used to practice smiling in the mirror. Despite feeling awkward and unsightly, Arianna started to feel happier. He did not return her smile, though. But as he gestured to the seat opposite him, he said softly, No one is sitting here. Arianna didnt understand what he meant. She continued to stand awkwardly before him. With a sigh, he continued, Its very difficult to look up at you when youre standing there. My neck is starting to hurt. Her cheeks grew even redder. She quickly pulled the chair out from under the table and sat down. She didnt know what to say, so when she saw the big book lying on the table, she asked, Are you preparing for the entrance examination for postgrad? She instantly regretted it; she didnt want to seem nosy and had too much interest in other peoples business. The man closed the book gently and spun it around on the table so Arianna could read the title. The book was an original geological magazine. He then looked at the book in her hands. She reflexively tried to hide its title with her arm, though she knew she was toote. A mocking facial expression shed across his face for a brief second. Arianna continued to feel embarrassed. She tried to change the subject, I thought you were a student. I am. Geology major? Correct. How are you finding it? Its alright. Arianna couldnt think of any more questions to ask. They sat in silence. My name is Travis Cooper. He said suddenly. Oh. Her answer was short. You wanted to knowst time. Well, if you forgot, my name is Arianna Jenkins.Text content ? N?velDrama.Org. I didnt forget. He said with a grin. There was a quick pause before Arianna noted, Your name sounds like a mash-up of two superheroes. Seeing his puzzled look, she continued, Do you not know the movies Im talking about? I havent seen them. Something about men being able to fly or havingser vision is unrealistic to me. He said jokingly. Arianna gave a genuine smile. When she smiled whole-heartedly, she never thought about her teeth. This made her look very na?ve but also lovely. Travis looked at her for a moment. Then, he pulled something out of his pocket and spread it across his palm, Is this yours? His fingers were long, and his palms were wide and thick. Her ne rested peacefully in his hand. A small, glimmering ruby surrounded by a gold frame was on the thin gold chain. It was a birthday gift from her grandfather. He said it was crafted in the ancient years. Ariannas face lit up instantly. She instinctively began to reach for it and asked, Where did you find it? Travis swiftly closed his hand around the ne before she could touch it. He said teasingly, Buy me a cup of coffee first. Arianna quickly asked, What kind of coffee would you like? She was focused on his ne-holding fist. Whatever. After leaving the table, Arianna quickly skimmed the coffee menu. Everything had student-friendly prices, which told her that the quality might becking. None of the options were good enough for her savior. She didnt want him to think she had bad taste, either. She returned to the table and said, I know theres an interesting coffee shop not far from here. Do you want to go there instead? Unexpectedly, Travis agreed without hesitation. The other caf was just one street down with a bus stop in front of it. She remembered clearly that it took three stops to get there. Arianna would usually just take a taxi, except she was worried that he would get a bad impression of her style of spending money. He was inly dressed and looked like a student. She didnt want to scare him off. So they hopped on the bus and waited for the third stop. The caf was a newly opened artisan coffee bar. All the coffee was handmade. The young barista skilfully poured the coffee and milk into various beautiful cups and created patterns in the foam. She was also the owner of the shop. Ariannastte had a delicate rose on its top, while Traviss cup had several hearts of different sizes. The barista was casting flirty looks at Travis, which he ignored repeatedly. Usually, the owner was cold and made the coffee without much emotion. Arianna found it hard not to startughing at how she was behaving with Travis. After looking around, he asked yfully, Is this a womens only coffee shop? He had a point. The employees were all women, as were the customers. I guess the boys havent realized whats good around here. Travis smirked at herment. They took a seat side by side at the bar area in front of the windows. He ced her ne down on the table and said inly, You shouldnt have been at that kind of ce at night. Not to mention alone and drunk. She felt like she was being disciplined. She argued, That was my first time there and my first time drinking wine. Travis stared at her quietly. His eyes were deep blue. They reminded her of the ocean with an attractive, magical power. Arianna didnt like exining herself, especially not to strangers. But she didnt want him to see her as a frivolous girl. Chapter 10: I鈥檒l Take You Home She told him what had happened to her that year. As he listened intently, she spoke about the deaths of her grandmother and nanny and the betrayal of her first love and a good friend. But she did not reveal the truth about her parents; she just called them liars instead. Arianna rarely talked this much. She mostly spoke to her nanny, grandmother, Janie, and her boyfriend in the past. But they were all lost now. Her parents were so busy that they barely talked to her as a child, so she didnt have much of a rtionship with them. Now, she had found someone who could listen to her. Though he was a stranger, she trusted him unconditionally. Travis was a good listener. He was focused and would not interrupt her or be impatient. Though she jumped between topics and was a little teary-eyed, hepletely understood. After Arianna finished speaking, they sat in silence for several minutes. These things all be trivial in two years. My dad died when I was in elementary school, and my mother passed away when I was in high school. Both of them were orphans, so I have no other family. They essentially made me an orphan, too. He continued, My former girlfriend married my teacher. The scammers from my childhood are now rich in my familys money. You see, am I not more worthy of sympathy than you? As he said this, his voice was rxed. It almost sounded like he was joking. Arianna could not tell if he was being serious or if he was just trying tofort her. She said, You dont seem like you have the slightest need for sympathy. Travis said, Of course not. And people are not likely to be sympathetic to me anyway. My father was a criminal before his death, and my mother She had a nickname, La Traviata. Do you know the story of La Traviata? Ariannas eyes narrowed, and she looked at him quizzically. She replied, Youre teasing me, right? You think I am not the son of a criminal and social butterfly? He held her stare. Well, I mean Arianna was at a loss for words. She deemed that there was no optimalment to the situation and said, Your parents must have been very good parents. Once again, she saw his beaming grin. It was so warm, she thought. When the barista brought them the bill, Travis began to dig through his wallet. Arianna interrupted, No, its okay, Ill get it. Travis slightly rolled his eyes. Okay, here. Its like you paid the bill. He said as he slid her a hundred-dor bill. He hailed a taxi and got in with Arianna. He asked, Where do you live? Ill take you home.All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org. Arianna rarely went home so early in the day. She always ate her meals at restaurants and returned home in thete evening. Her family was ustomed to it. Her home on therge hill was very well known. It was a picturesque vi surrounded by fields of grass overlooking the city below. People loved to marvel at the architecture and its cement on the hill. She didnt want to tell Travis that she was the one who lived there, so she remained quiet for a moment, unsure of how to answer. Do you not want to tell me, or do you not want to go home? He asked patiently and tilted his head sideways. I can get out anywhere youd like. Im not going home just yet. She replied. It was only three in the afternoon. She needed to spend five or six more hours out of the house. A young woman should not say any so easily. That can be dangerous. Travis made a gesture to the taxi driver to begin driving forward. He continued, If you have nothing to do, you can help me wash that bedsheet. Arianna began to giggle. Her cheeks became rosy again as she remembered him teasing her about the bed when she woke up at his ce. But this time, Travis said it in a serious tone. When she turned to look at him, she noticed that he stretched out his other hand, the one that did not hold the ne. This hand had the same slender five fingers, but there was a long gash on his broad palm. The wound was new and had notpletely healed yet. Arianna couldnt stand looking at wounds. When she saw broken skin and blood, her knees usually began to buckle, and her face became pale. She clenched her jaw and quickly looked out the window after seeing his hand. Ouch. She said softly. The taxi driver took them to Traviss house. As the driver looked at the winding and bumpy path on the property, he hesitated. He wasnt sure if his car could make it down the path without getting stuck or getting damaged. To his relief, Travis requested to be let out at the side of the main road. After paying the driver, they got out of the car and began to head towards the house. Arianna followed him step by step. She vaguely remembered the path. The morning she walked out of there, she was too lost in thought to pay attention to her surroundings. But now, she was able to take it all in. The path was long. Trees were densely packed on either side of them. Birds were chirping, and squirrels were chasing each other between the trees. Travis was moving fast. There were about ten meters between them, and Arianna was in no hurry as she looked around. But Travis walked in a special way. He didnt hunch his back like most tall men, nor did he swing his arms from side to side like most young men. His back was straight, and his steps were steady. He did not look back until they reached the front door. Travis paused and turned around to Arianna. She also stopped when he did, though she was still several meters away. The sun shone into her eyes. She could not see his face again, but she heard him ask, Do you really want toe in? Arianna squinted her eyes and hesitated. He reminded her very gently, Youve already been here before, and I dont bite. Good point. Youre a very nice person. Arianna mentioned. Character takes time to establish. Several seconds passed in silence before Arianna asked, That story you told me earlier was a joke, right? Travis replied, I think it sounds like a joke too. Arianna didnt know yet that Travis Cooper wasnt a liar. If she ever thought he was lying, it was only her wishful thinking. Travis was too arrogant and self-righteous to lie, especially when speaking to her. Chapter 11: A Bitter Pleasure Arianna was the only one left in therge office by eight in the evening. It was dead silent except for the sound of her tapping the keyboard of herptop. The security guard had already patrolled the floor for the second time. She could hear his steps growing louder as he walked towards her again. Miss Jenkins, are you still doing overtime? Its definitely safer if you head home now. He said nervously while scratching his beard. He sounded so concerned for her safety. She smiled at him and thanked him for his concern. He walked away, feeling like he had received a gift. Arianna was doing well in thepany. She had excellent business capabilities and a good work ethic and never scrambled or gave up. Her colleagues enjoyed working with her, too. But she seldom attended parties held by her colleagues, nor did she reveal any personal details about her life. Moreover, she never signed up to take on extra work or projects, so she never got promoted. She also took a lot of vacation time during the year, sabotaging her own chance of winning Employee of the Year. However, Arianna didnt mind such an award. She liked keeping a low profile at work and was happy that people left her alone for the most part. She was a mysterious, low-key, shy, and unthreatening woman in the office. She didnt have any close friends, nor did she have enemies. The office phone suddenly began to ring. She waited several seconds before picking it up and politely stated her name and department. The call was from her boss. He was promoted only several weeks ago, but she thought he was doing a great job. He said to her kindly, Arianna, youre still in the office? Is anyone else there with you? She pondered the thought a little and replied, Nope. Just me and the security guard. Mike and I are still here too. Do you want toe with us for dinner? We are going to wait for you here. Mike was his secretary. Arianna kindly declined his offer, saying that she had already eaten. But she was rather afraid of gossip. If people heard that she had dinner with the boss and his secretary, all sorts of rumors would make their way through the office. She doesnt like to be in the spotlight or gossip. The only reason she was doing overtime was that she requested the next day off. Her boss told her it was no problem as long as the days work was done before. She thought that was fair. Plus, her coworkers would be mad if she didnt do her part of the project. She was working in the boardroom so she could spread the papers across therge, wooden table. She was pleased that the work was straightforward and could be done quickly. After an hour of good work, someone knocked gently on the door of the boardroom. Arianna looked up, expecting to see the security guard again. Instead, she found Mike. He stepped over to her, passed her a take-out box, and said, Hi Arianna, the boss asked me to order you one too. I hope you like the one I chose for you. He also said you can go home now. Youve done enough work for the day. Arianna stood up and thanked Mike. When he left, she opened the box and found it was filled with fried rice and vegetables. It smelled delicious. She hoped that Mike would pass along her, thanks to their boss, as she thought it might be toote to call now. After eating half of the food in the container, Arianna was full. She packed up the rest, thinking it would make a great lunch for tomorrow. But she decided to ignore her bosss request to send her home. It bothered her to leave work undone even though she was beginning to feel tired and sick. She felt slightly sore on her back, too, but she had to endure it until she could finish her work. As she continued to work into the night, her cell phone rang. The sound filled the entire office space, echoing off the walls. Arianna was very keen on numbers. Though she didnt have it saved, she instantly knew it was Ryan Cooper calling. She stamped the final page of the report before picking it up. Ryan always spoke with a respectful tone, Miss Jenkins, are you home now? No, Ryan. Im working overtime tonight. Shezily responded to him while looking at the report file in her hand.Content held by N?velDrama.Org. Ryan hastily says, ignoring her response, Mr. Cooper would like me to pick you up. I will wait for you downstairs? She sighed heavily, Ill be home in half an hour. Got it. The call ended like that. She badly wanted to refuse this time, but she knew Travis would not ept rejection. Arianna began to pack up the papers in the boardroom. She organized them into neatlybeled files so her coworkers could easily find them tomorrow in the filing cab. She ced herptop on her cubicle desk and sat down in her chair. Her eyesnded on her bulky desk calendar. She raised her hand and gently ran her fingers on it. Her colleagues usually kept a weekly or monthly calendar, not a daily one like Arianna did. She loved the satisfaction of ripping off a page day by day. It was like throwing away yesterdays memories and beginning every day fresh. She longed to forget her bad memories; however, being with the man she hated the most was like a bitter pleasure that kept poking her painful past. Travis was also good with numbers. He could effortlessly recite the phone number to a billboard ad he had only seen once. He took pleasure in reminding Arianna of some dates she would rather forget. Arianna walked slowly to the parking lot and stood still for a few seconds next to her car. She closed her eyes and felt like her body was moving. She did not feel well. Chapter 12: Does The Place Remind You Of Your Childhood? When Travis entered the drivers seat, Arianna automatically put on her seatbelt. She was tired and ufortable, but she was always a little afraid when he drove. Travis wasnt the best behind the wheel. Though he looked like a movie star when he was driving, he took crazy turns and was spastic when it came to breaking. His driving was very inconsistent with his elegant yet extravagant persona. One time, she and Travis went on a couple of hours drive together. After enduring his erratic driving for so long, Arianna threw up as soon as they stepped out of the vehicle. She figured this was why he didnt usually drive himself. Travis took a narrow route with many detours. As he took another sharp turn, Arianna fought the urge to vomit. She opened the car window and let in the cool air of the night. Car sickness? He asked her teasingly. Im not feeling well today. Could I go home and see you another day? Arianna was having a hard time admitting defeat. Just a meal together, you surely cant be that sick. His tone was a little cold but flirty at the same time. This made Arianna extremely annoyed.Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024. She mumbled, I already ate. Then have it with me again. She quietly observed his cold expression. Did he think he ate dinner with her boss? Arianna hated rumors and misunderstandings. She firmly stated, I ate dinner in the office alone. Travis didnt say anything. He turned and stared at her face but was interrupted by the honking of an oing vehicle. He quickly swerved back into hisne. Ariannas palms were sweaty, and her heart was racing. Her eyes were wide open as she looked back at him in bewilderment. He smiled at her as if nothing happened andughed, So youre afraid of death, too? Im not afraid. But I just hope I die looking my best. Why does that matter when youre dead? Well, if you die ugly, you might scare yourself in the mirror when youre in hell. You believe in heaven and hell? Dont you? He let out a cold grunt and stopped talking. They were in the old town district now. It was lined with quiet bungalows that were hidden among the neon-lit buildings. The rest of the city had been renovated beyond recognition; however, this end of the town remained untouched. It brought back many unpleasant memories from her childhood. Her old friends lived around here. The nausea worsened. Travis pulled into a small parking lot before stopping the car. He looked over at her in the shadows for a moment. Seeing that she wasnt ready to get out yet, he stepped out of the vehicle and walked over to her side. He opened the door for her and presented her like a true gentleman with his hand. She slid her hand into his and slowly got out of the car. Arianna looked at the shop in front of them. It was uncharacteristic and straightforward. She could see the walls were white and had no decoration through the window. There were original wooden tables and chairs and coarse curtains. This was a ce that Travis would never visit on his own. He asked her with great interest, Does this ce remind you of your childhood? Arianna said dryly, I dont think so. Ah, I forgot. You were essentially royalty. You probably never experienced a day like an ordinary person. Although he was being sarcastic, he wasnt wrong. She never had to worry about a single thing as a child, and she always got what she wanted. When other kids were eager to get new clothes for Christmas, she was packing away clothes she only wore once or twice to be donated. When other girls were bragging about their first Barbie, her closet was already full of them. A middle-aged man came out and greeted them, Good evening, Mr. Cooper and Madame. Please take a seat anywhere youd like. Travis led Arianna to the patio at the side of the building. It was lit with strings of light bulbs, giving a warm glow. There was one other couple off to the side, but they were already finishing up their dessert. After pulling Ariannas chair out from the table for her, Travis sat down across from her. Seeing her admiring the lights, Travis said, Well, I hope youll like the food as much as the dcor. Here, you eat ording to what the chef prepares for you. No menu, no choice. Arianna smirked, You were able to find someone who is more arrogant than you are. Well, you have to book a week in advance beforeing here, but luckily, people dont eat thiste, so they agreed to seat us when I called this morning. He took a sip of his water before continuing, I hear they have the best cabbage and bean curd dish here. Have you always been a vegetarian? Arianna wasnt much of a chef. Her meals usually consisted of steamed or raw vegetables and some sort of pasta, bread, or rice. Though she knew there were many amazing vegetarian creations, she was toozy to even try them. The waiter began to serve them their courses. It was obvious that the chef was extremely skilled. But Arianna had no appetite. She still felt sick to her stomach. She had a few bites of each course before pushing the food around the te with her fork. But Travis seemed to be enjoying the food. Hemented on the main course, This tastes like what my mom used to make. Arianna listened to him rave about the food repeatedly. Though Travis didnt mind that Arianna wasnt eating, the waiter couldnt help but ask, Is the dish not to your satisfaction, miss? Travis interjected, She is not well today. The food is delicious. Well, in that case, is there anything I can get you, miss? he asked politely. Actually, could I have a green tea, please? Arianna requested. At your service. After he left, Travis finished chewing his food before wondering, Interesting that he is giving you such special service. Why is he treating you like somebody? The other women you bring here arent given this special treatment? Travis looked into her eyes, No. Chapter 13: Smile, Little Girl Arianna felt terrible. All she wanted to do was go home, get in the bath, and then go straight to bed. She scrutinized Travis as he ate. He was the slowest eater on the, she thought. Since Arianna was sick and grumpy, she had no extra strength left to please him. Travis said with a little pity, You really dont want to try the food here? The chef is moving the restaurant across the country. You wont have a chance to eat itter. I dont have the chance to eat many things. He ignored her sass and responded calmly, You look very pale and ufortable. She kept silent as she leaned back in her chair. Smile, little girl. Dont you think that today is a memorable day? Arianna finally cracked, Travis Cooper, can you spare me the nostalgia? No more memories, okay? He smiled softly and sighed, The past really is unbearable, isnt it? Would you want to be constantly reminded of your stupid and innocent past? She asked bitterly. Stupid and innocent. He repeated before continuing. I dont remember if I had this kind of past. But if I did, I would love to always remember it. His mocking smile made her want to grab him by the shoulders and shake him. Arianna looked back at the lights to calm herself. But Travis was just getting started, Arianna, maybe you were stupid and innocent, but you were lovelier than you are now. The arrival of her tea saved Travis from her attack. A slice of lemon cake apanied it. Travis asked her, Would you like to add some honey? She did, but since it was his idea, she sternly declined. She would not be taking any of his suggestions right now. The waiter bowed to her, which astounded Travis. He knew the workers to be stone-cold to everyone. Arianna drank the tea slowly. It instantly made her feel better. With a clearer mind, she reminded herself not to be too stiff with Travis; otherwise, she would sufferter. She met his gaze and studied his face. How much did she offend him today? However, he seemed to be more tolerant than usual. He never once took offense to any of her childish remarks. He told her, Today is my birthday. Arianna raised her eyebrows in suspicion. Do you want to check my ID? She shook her head. It was possible. They had known each other for ten years now. Aside from their first year and this year, they never spent his birthday together. Arianna replied sincerely, Well, happy birthday. Thats it? She got up from the table and swiped the box of matches from the waiters station. After lighting the match, she stuck it into her lemon cake and pushed the dish towards him. I would have gotten you a cake if I knew. As cheesy as this gesture was, Travis enjoyed it. He blew out the match without anyints.All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org. Arianna didnt expect him to be so cooperative. She thought he would mock her. Can you guess what I wished for? He asked her. She was frightened by the innocent look that suddenly appeared on his face. Arianna had no idea what to say. Fortunately, a timely phone call rescued her from responding. Travis left the table to take the call. He didnt say anything important on the phone, aside from the asional ah and okay. He still carried his pleasant attitude, though. Even his cold voice had a little warmth. Arianna didnt want him to think that she was eavesdropping, so she started to swirl the remaining of her tea with a spoon, giving the asional clink. However, her hearing was too good. She could hear that it was a womans voice on the line. Additionally, she heard Travis tell the woman of his whereabouts. At the end of the call, the woman seemed to say, Travis, I miss you so much. Then Travis replied softly, Get some good rest. I will see you in a few days. Arianna was satisfied with what she heard. She sincerely hoped that it was a female confidant. This would mean her days of freedom were near. Arianna hoped the confidant would soon be taking over her role in Traviss life, especially if he trusted her with his stories and secrets. Like in the misty mornings, she just needed to wait for the fog to clear up before the sun appeared. Travis returned to his seat and was surprised that Ariannas expression was very soft now. She even looked a little happy. He looked at her strangely, as if infected by her sudden mood swing. **** Instead of taking Arianna to her apartment, Travis took her to his vi. He owned many different properties. This ensured that their dating venue was never fixed. Theyve stayed in apartments, hotels, cottages, and so on. Wherever he decides to take her, it always depends on his mood. They usually mette at night. Sometimes, they had dinner, but they always had wine. Theyd return back to his residences a little drunk before performing the act of lovers. She slept with him until morning and always left soon after waking up. Sometimes, if the venue was convenient and she had enough energy, she would leave at night. She rarely paid attention to where he lived, nor would she remember the appearances of the servers at the houses. This vi was likely Traviss main residence in the city. She came here more frequently. It was spacious with a simple interior design. Though there were little signs of luxury, every piece of decoration had a story and a notable price. But at first nce, this house was too empty and in. Itcked a human presence. It was more like an art gallery than a residence, but that was consistent with Traviss style. Travis greeted his butler graciously when they entered the vi and gave him some instructions before leaving. The old butler led Arianna up the stairs courteously. He seemed to be familiar with her, but she didnt recognize him. She assumed that the butler would first take her to a separate room, but instead, he took her directly to the main suite. He politely asked her what she needed for her stay. She held her breath and scribbled the necessities on a sheet of paper. She asked for some painkillers, a hot water bag, and a long list of other things. Chapter 14: A Nightmare The butler bowed and shut the door behind him. Arianna took a long hot bath. She closed her eyes and let her body melt into the water. Once the water lost its heat, she dried off with a bath towel. Not wanting to put her work clothes back on, she exchanged her wet towel for a dry one before leaving the bathroom. Traviss employees were very efficient. When she stepped out of the bathroom, the items she requested were ced on the desk. There was even a pot of hot water, which she didnt ask for. The main bedroom wasrge and empty, with too little decoration and monotonous colors. She studied the cold-colored abstract painting on his wall before shifting her gaze elsewhere. The deskmp, ashtray, and textbooks had not moved since thest time she was there. Besides flipping through the channels on the TV, Arianna was struggling to kill time. She did not want to go to bed. Firstly, she didnt like to sleep in his bed. Secondly, it was rude to fall asleep before Travis returned. Sitting on the floor with her back pressed against the bed, Arianna mindlessly continued to flip through the channels. As time passed, she began to grow tired. She quietly tucked herself in under the covers of the bed and continued to watch TV, though her mind was drifting to another dimension. The only light in the room wasing from the TV, and it was not enough to keep her from drifting to sleep. Arianna dreamt about her childhood birthday party. She was wearing a bubble skirt with severalyers and a matching top. All of her rtives and friends were there to celebrate. The table was full of colorful gifts. She tore through the wrapping until her hands began to hurt. The final gift was a small gold tiara embedded with diamonds from her grandpa. He ced the crown on her head and smiled, Our little princess is one year older now. She leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. An intimate gathering instantly reced the scene. The people looked at Ariannas adult age and sat around a fancy wooden table. The hosts face was blurry, but his voice was clear, Today is my birthday. She whispered under her breath, What should I do? I didnt bring a present. Though she spoke quietly, the host turned to her and told her not to worry. Nevertheless, she felt ashamed and anxious. Later, somehow, a gift appeared. Arianna went to give the gift to the host, but she found out that the gift was herself. She was wrapped in ribbons so tightly that she could not move. She said carefully, Do you like it? The host remained silent as he smiled and reached out to touch his gift. He tried to untie the ribbon, but it tightened around Ariannas chest and neck. She couldnt breathe. She tried to break free, but she had no strength. Then she heard the host say, Yes, I like it very much. It was obviously a dream, but her suffocation and pain were so realistic. Who could wake her up and save her? After a long struggle in the nightmare, Arianna woke up in shock. She sat up, gasping for air until her breathing became stable. Nothing changed in the room. The TV was still on, shing different colors at her. But the same show was still on, meaning Arianna only slept for a couple of minutes. As she waited for her pulse to return to normal, she wanted to know the time to determine whether she should wait for Travis or just go to sleep. But her phone was in her purse, which she left on the desk. Arianna slowly got up and looked out the window. Her heart skipped a beat. There was a man in the room looking at the sky. The moonlight shaped his outline. She knew it was Travis, but her physiological response was faster than her brain function. Even though her fear was gone, her heartbeat was still pounding in her ears like a gong. Without turning around, he casually said to her, On the evening of such a peaceful full moon, a nightmare is thest thing you should be having. He seemed to be pleased with her suffering. Arianna quickly thought that full moons were directly tied to werewolf transformations and vampires. But before she could say it, she swallowed the words and simply said, Im going to take a bath. The bathroom is wet. Didnt you already take one? Travis asked. Im a little sweaty now, so I want another one, Arianna replied. If you take too many baths, your skin may never lose the prune texture. He said with augh. Arianna shut the bathroom door behind her. All night she had been trying to keep away the memories of her past, but Travis wasnt letting her. The nightmares proved she had limited self-control anyway. She knew most people did stupid things when they were young. But she envied the ones who were lucky enough to be able to forget. Travis was a constant reminder of hers. Arianna let another memory y in her mind. When she was following the young man home, she thought she knew him, but he was actually a total stranger-she already realized she was doing something stupid.Text content ? N?velDrama.Org. But at the time, she was so eager to do something deviant and retaliate against those who hurt her. She threw away her self-respect that day. Arianna did not think of this memory often, so the details were not as clear. She didnt remember who seduced whom, but she was certainly willing. Although their intimate time together was apanied by pain and guilt, she also felt pleased. The secret happiness wasnt physical pleasure but more of a psychological effect. But during those hours, he taught her many new things. She yed chess for the first time and learned how to smoke. The smoking stuck with her much more than the chess. This was likely because he told her that girls should smoke less for their health and that ying chess would improve her intelligence. So, she deliberately did the opposite of his advice. Chapter 15: Can You Find Me? That day, wearing only his big shirt, Arianna washed the blood out of the bedsheet. They sat outside in the night together and watched the sheet float in the night breeze. She smiled shyly and said, I really washed the bedsheet. I thought it was your way of flirting. Travis tucked her blowing hair behind her ear, sliding his fingers down her neck from her ear to her vicle. He fiddled with her ne. Her body trembled slightly. His voice was like a whistling wind, I dont lie. I like to be honest. I even said to myself, if I had the luck of meeting you for a second time, I would not let you go. Arianna thought more than once about whether she was too stupid or if he was too clever when she believed his words as a genuine confession of love. It was also a full moon night when Arianna spent her first day with Travis. The moon spotted the ground with the shadows of trees, which kept moving in the wind. She suddenly felt uneasy. Arianna stood up and said, I should go home. Alright. She changed her clothes and wanted to say something but didnt know what. Finally, as she was leaving, she stated, Im going to college in a few days. Can I see you again before I leave? Travis Cooper gave her a devilish smile, Can you find me? Arianna nodded naively. A young girl who was unfamiliar with the real world could not be expected to differentiate between the truth and flirtation. Not to mention, she had met a master in romantic affairs. **** When Arianna left after her first time with Travis, she had transformed from a girl into a woman. She didnt dare to look at his face, nor did she make any physical contact with him as she said goodbye. At that time, cell phones were new and extravagant. Arianna figured that he probably couldnt afford one since he was a postgraduate student. And because she didnt see andline in his home, she didnt bother to ask for his number. She deeply felt the ridiculousness and rashness of her behavior. Although she did not regret it, the lessons she was taught about being cautious with men were thrown out the window. Arianna sat in her room for the whole next day, holding back her desire to see Travis again. There was heavy rain that day, which was umon in the area. It continued for the whole week. The citys old drainage system failed miserably. After years of dry weather, this colossal downpour took the unprepared city by surprise. Arianna could hear the servants discussing how many houses were flooded and damaged by rain. Some homes were evenpletely destroyed. She tried to leave the house several times but never made it off the property. The family servants were ordered to keep her in the house, as she appeared sick the day after she was with Travis. Plus, the city was dangerous because of the flood. Feeling like a bird trapped in a cage, Arianna paced around the house. However, her rtionship with her parents was improving. Both of them were usually busy; one was always working, and the other was always at the casino. They rarely spent time with her. When the truth about her father was revealed, Arianna reacted fiercely before bing silent. She never responded when her parents spoke to her, so eventually, they stopped trying. In their eyes, Arianna had always been an obedient girl. She never cried or made trouble in her early years. If she were ever unhappy, she would simply remain calm and quiet for several days until it passed. Her unhappiness would fade even sooner when she found a new goal. Her parents assumed she would do the same after finding out the truth about her heritage. During the days of house arrest in the rain, Arianna began addressing them again as mom and dad. After two weeks of silence, it seemed that the family dispute was ending. At the end of the day, they were the ones who raised her, and she did love them both. But it was likely that their distant rtionship, coupled with all of her material gifts, diluted the impact the truth had on her. The weeks rain had finally ended, and Arianna was in a great mood. Though the ground was still wet and the sky was overcast, small beams of sunlight shone through the holes in the clouds. She slipped out of the house around two in the afternoon. She knowledgeably switched between buses before taking a taxi the rest of the way. Fortunately, the rain did not destroy the tranquility of the property; instead, it filled the path with puddles and filled the air with an earthy scent. Arianna lightly knocked on the door. Unsurprisingly, no one answered it. The young man probably left his house too, as it finally stopped raining. And it was the middle of the day, not an optimal time for an uninvited visit. After waiting for several minutes, she decided to head to her usual coffee shop and read a book. But when she arrived, the shop was closed. On its door hung a wooden sign saying Shop for sale. She went into the neighboring bookstore, where the bookkeeper said, The owner of the caf is going abroad. Hes been nning to sell the business for a while.Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024. It had only been several days, but the area was totally different. Arianna had a feeling that this was not a good sign. The sky grew dark again with rain clouds as she returned to Traviss house. She sat on the stone bench in the courtyard and waited. Arianna sat there for about an hour and a half before giving up. She sighed, tore off a piece of paper from her notepad, and wrote Where are you? in blue ink. She slipped the paper into the crack of the door and went home feeling disappointed. She returned the next day, hoping to find a note addressed back to her. But the original paper was still jammed in the door, untouched. Chapter 16: You Look Like That Woman, A Little Bit Despite feeling foolish and na?ve, she tricked herself into making excuses for him. Maybe he was too busy studying for school. Perhaps he was out of town. Maybe he had a demanding job. Though he was probably going to think that she was desperate, she decided to leave another note. On the third day, Arianna went back to the property, expecting it to be empty once more. Even if he was home and they did meet again, she didnt know what exactly she was looking to get from him. She knew one-night stands were typical and were even considered normal nowadays, but she still felt she was acting in confusion and impulsiveness. Looking back on the memory now, Arianna knew she wanted closure then. But when she got to the house for the third time, it was all different. Many flowers and bushes surrounded the house as if grown overnight, and the grass was freshly cut. The tree where she tied the string to dry the bedsheet had disappeared. The door to the small cottage was left open. Arianna quietly stepped inside. There were heavy curtains on the windows, and the sound of the radio filled the house. Arianna thought the home was beyond recognition. How could everything change so quickly? Arianna dully stood in the doorway until someone emerged from one of the rooms. It was a strong man dressed in shorts and a T-shirt. He asked, Can I help you? It was not Travis which made her heart drop. She replied with mncholy, What happened to the yard? The man was surprised, Have you been here before? The house has been vacant for a while. Who owns this house? There was a pause. Who are you? The man asked cautiously. Arianna paused again.All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org. Why was the tree cut? Its not a good sign to nt a locust tree in the yard of a house. The man scrunched his eyebrows. He scanned her from head to toe, Do you want toe in and see the renovation? He stepped sideways to create a path for her to enter the house. Arianna shivered; she did not feel safe. She quickly turned around and headed down the path to leave. This was not what she expected at all. Once she reached the road, she spotted an old woman across the street with white hair and deep wrinkles on her face. She sat in the shade of a big por tree and was holding a ck cat. Arianna could see herrge house through the trees behind her. She was out of breath from running down the path, and the hot sun was stinging her eyes. The olddy called out to her sweetly, Little girl, the sun is scorching. Come sit here in the shade. After crossing the street, Arianna saw thedy pull a mat out from behind her back and ce it next to her. Arianna thanked her but shifted the mat further away from the woman and her cat. Thedy didnt seem to care. She continued to stroke her cat absentmindedly while admiring the trees. Without looking at her, she asked, Ive seen you walk down that path every day since the rain has stopped. Did you find who you are looking for? Ariannas eyes jumped wide open. This is not the right ce for a girl like you. You should go back to your home and study. The woman rested her gaze on Arianna. Why is it bad to have a locust tree in the yard? Asked Arianna. The tree is too big too thick and dark like a huge ck umbre. It overpowers the yard. Especially in that house; no one has lived there in ages. It could really feel like a haunted house. Who is the owner of the house? Ariannas voice trembled a little. The owner diedst year. Arianna leaned in towards the old woman. She continued, Now that was a beautifuldy, even beautiful when she was dead. They found her in the yard, looking like she was asleep. Her whole body was covered with white locust flowers. It was a woman? Arianna asked confusedly. Of course, it was a woman. Everyone who lives in this area is a woman. The olddy smiled. Whos the man working on the house right now, then? Im not sure, dear. After the woman died, the property had been unused. Sometimes, youd hear a bit of noise, but we all just suspect its haunted. Arianna was beginning to feel ufortable. She stood up and handed the mat back to the woman, Thank you. I should go now. Though it was the hottest time of the day and the sun was glistening, Arianna was ice cold. Suddenly, the cat jumped out of the womans hands and fled. He brushed the corner of Ariannas ankle on his way, and she screamed. The olddyughed before asking in a serious tone, So if you didnt know the woman, who were you waiting for? I I think Ive been going to the wrong address. You look like that woman, a little bit. Ariannas body froze. You dont look like her up close, but at first nce, you do. She continued, I was startled when I first saw you. You had a white dress on, and your hair was in a ponytail. You looked like her when she was younger. I thought I saw a ghost then. The woman wasnt old when she died? Not old, and her looks made her look even younger. But she was probably old enough to be your mother. The more the woman talked, the more relieved Arianna began to feel. She spoke in disorder but was serious and authoritative despite her stories beingpletely unbelievable. It was probably hard for her to find someone to talk to, and she was likely lonely in her big house. Arianna stayed with the woman out of courtesy. She entertained herself by guessing if the story was true or false, though she did not say it aloud. But she discovered that the old woman once had a son. He was a beautiful boy who died in an ident in his teens. The woman said it made her lose her mind. Chapter 17: I Only Have One Dad That night, Arianna had a strange dream. She woke up with cold sweats and could not go back to sleep. She woke the family maid and asked her to make her tea. They sat in the kitchen together as Arianna drank it, then they headed back to bed. Arianna asked the family driver to take her to church the following morning. The driver was surprised. Her parents were not religious people, but herte nanny was a devoted follower. Arianna had usuallye up with excuses to get out of going to church with her nanny. She didnt believe in God. But in the chaos of her mind, she needed to find some sort of release. After spending a full hour sitting in the church pew, her mind gradually became clear. She thought of the new people shed met. She med her misfortunes on her destiny. She contemted heaven and hell and even supernatural beings. Arianna was much calmer. Her parents began to believe that their daughter was moving in a good direction. She was no longer a mute zombie wandering the town. As per her request, the driver or maid apanied her everywhere she went. She went to church two times a week and often asked the driver to escort her into climbing a mountain that was dozens of kilometers away. She read books quietly and sometimes sang with the door closed at home. Arianna had never had such a positive attitude, even at her peak. But her parents barely knew her. They believed her earlier behavior was normal as she found out the truth about her birth and was deceived by a boyfriend and friend. This obedient child didnt need much from them aside from money and food. They had never personally tended to her problems, nor did they show her much support in her sesses. They did not know how to care for her. However, the family servants did not believe this was the normal Arianna. The driver, Louis, said, Thedy went to the church yesterday. I took her to the temple on the mountain to burn some sticks of incense and donate money. On the way back, she asked me if I knew the special regtions for her visit to a mosque. The nanny, Winnie, replied, Maybe she is studying religion? Today, when I was dusting her room, she was reading The Bible. Louis, do you remember that she was afraid of the dark when she was young? Well, she has no problems with it now. The young maid, Sharon, said, I disagree. She does not sleep well at night. She oftenes to my room at two in the morning to get me to make her tea, saying that she has nightmares and cant sleep. They all looked at each other and sighed. Louis mentioned, A lot has happened in the house this year. She threw herself into the study to escape from her sorrows. He continued, I dont think she can escape it now. She loved her grandmother and nanny very much, but she had shed the least amount of tears. Yes, she is strong on the inside, with her outside beauty easily masking any upsets she may have. Any young girl would have cried for days when losing both a friend and boyfriend. Our girl did not cry, nor did she even tell anyone. Said Winnie. I only found out when I bumped into Janie at the grocery store. Added Sharon. She sighed, But she doesnt seem sad, though. Just now, when I entered her room, she was dancing around in her robe with her hair in coils. She was singing very wonderfully, too. It was my first time seeing her sing old love songs. Winnie raised an eyebrow in disbelief, Old love songs? The girl had never been into popr love songs, not to mention old ones. She typically listens to operas and symphonies. Sharon responded, Im not kidding. She even asked me to sing along with her. Louis looked at the ground before nervously saying, Something is not right with Miss Jenkins, and Im a little concerned. I agree. We should go talk to Mr. and Mrs. Jenkins about this. Replied Winnie. Despite the concerns from the servants, Ariannas parents did not see anything wrong with her behavior. She was quiet as usual. The only difference now was that she liked to sing, which was not a strange thing to do. Arianna never brought anxiety or anger to her parents. They presumed she always handled her problems on her own as she never came to them for help. She always digested her sadness or fury rather than letting out the emotions. When she was younger, Arianna participated in dancepetitions. She passed one level after another but broke her foot when she entered the final. After working so hard and being a promising candidate, it should have been difficult for a ten-year-old to suffer such a blow. Even her dance instructor wept several times for her, and her family members took her loss with a heavy heart. The only optimistic person was Arianna herself. On the final day of thepetition, she invited her family members to watch with her and apud the otherpetitors. After her foot healed, she began to practice piano. As a youth representative of the city, she performed at an important celebration ceremony at the end of the year. Her old nanny often said, Such a resilient character is good, but not when ced on such a young girl. A child should be allowed to be a child. So whenever Arianna did something wrong, the nanny was particrly pleased to cover up for her. But her mother and grandmother disagreed. In their opinion, Arianna was perfect when she acted like an adult. They were pleased with her temperament and her natural talents. Since Arianna spent more time with the family servants than with her actual parents, they were able to get to know her better. They understood what she went through and believed that her behavior was justified. When Arianna began speaking to her parents during the rainstorm, Mr. Jenkins said, Arianna, I want you to know that in my heart, I never thought of you like someone elses child. Yes, Dad, I understand. Arianna, I Thanks, Dad. Arianna, do you hate me? Asked her mother timidly. No, Mom. I get it.All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org. Do you want to know who your biological father is? I only have one dad. Her mothers eyes were welling up with tears. Arianna said patiently. If you need to get it off your chest, then okay. He died before you were born. Im sorry, Mom. Without further interruption from her parents, Arianna continued to immerse herself in her own world. Chapter 18: Let Me Talk To Him The rest of the summer continued to be unusually rainy. There were only three clear days in August. Aside from her trips to the church, Arianna confined herself to her room. If the rain lightened or let up for some time, Louis took her to the flea market. She collected music albums and various versions ofic books. Arianna herself knew that there was a cause for her abnormal behavior. She was trying to escape from something. As the summer drew to an end, she received an invitation to a high school ssmates party. She had received many party invitations in the past month, but she turned them down one by one. Arianna didnt usually participate in group activities, so no one was really surprised. However, this was thest party before she and her ssmates left town to attend their respective universities. They would be scattered worldwide and would maybe never see each other again. The host tried to persuade her by calling her home phone and sending multiple invitations. Arianna debated whether to go for a while. Maybe she should return to the normal world and start a real life for herself. She carefully observed herself in the mirror, hoping that no one would notice her physical and mental changes. To make herself look fresh and energized, she applied face powder and put on light-pink lipstick and a simrly colored shirt to match. Arianna followed Louis to the car. She sat in the front seat beside him while he drove. She was having trouble identifying how she felt about attending the party. Was she anxious? Was she excited? Was she relieved that this part of her life was ending after tonight? **** The party venue was in the entertainment area of town. The ce usually heldrge adult parties and gs and even doubled as a hotel; it was not meant for high school students. However, the hosts rtives owned the property and were weing of the teenagers. After passing through the grand lobby and going up a flight of stairs, there was the ballroom. On one side of the room were tables of food and drinks ready to be consumed. On the other side was arge dance floor illuminated by colorful shing lights. A DJ sat on a raised tform overlooking the dance floor. He was already ying loud, upbeat music. Arianna sat with some friends at a round table. A boy came up behind her and squeezed her shoulders gently, I want to spend my life loving you. She rolled her eyes and passed him a paper towel to wipe away his wine stains. Another boy came and grabbed her hand, I have loved you since we were kids. But his words were so slurred that Arianna could barely understand him. She sighed. All the students were let loose. The girls, who usually acted likedies, were dancing wildly with the love-struck boys cheering them on. Arianna was the only person who was not drinking. Her head began to ache due to the loud noise. The air in the room was getting more and more humid by the minute. Arianna decided to go outside to get some air. She had to dodge another boy on her way out.Content held by N?velDrama.Org. This new entertainment area was recently built. The building itself still smelled like fresh paint. Arianna walked down the grand staircase entrance and looked up at the sky. There was even a rooftop patio in this building. When she stepped outside, she was on a terrace that wrapped around the entire venue. It was lit with white wallmps. She walked over to the edge of the terrace and rested her elbows on the railing. She looked out at the empty street. There were shops lining the street that were closed for the night, except for the odd convenience store or bar. Arianna turned around and ced her back on the railing to look up at the party. She could see everything going on up there through the big windows. Two men were taking their jackets off aggressively by the food with a crowd surrounding them. The dancing girls had not lost any momentum and were still moving like crazy. The DJ had one hand in the air and was bumping along to the beat of the music. A group of young men walked past Arianna on the terrace arrogantly. They seemed to be very wealthy and did not attend her school. Stumbling out of the building came a boy with his arm draped over the shoulders of a pretty girl. They were quietly giggling together. Arianna stood there and looked at her surroundings. She knew that peeping was not something ady should do, but she didnt want to go back inside yet. However, her headache was beginning to ease, so she figured she should return. She returned upstairs, where she was persuaded to drink two cups of beer and was invited to dance by a boy she had never talked to. Probably because she didnt sleep regrly, Arianna was already feeling tired. It was only 9 p. m. She wondered how her ssmates could keep their energy up for so long. She began to say her goodbyes and thank the host before heading home early. Immediately, several boys volunteered to escort her home. Arianna kindly declined and exined that a family member wasing to get her. Arianna entered the lobby, where she noticed a beautiful woman. She was leaning on the side of a table, smoking a cigarette while speaking on her cell phone. Her body was wrapped in a long, patterned, pastel-colored dress. In contrast to her dress, her posture was not elegant; she seemed like a carefree spirit. As she walked by the woman, Arianna could hear that she was upset with the other person on the call. Though her voice was crisp and sweet, the annoyance was apparent. The woman noticed Arianna looking at her and gave her a charming smile but lowered her voice. Arianna felt a little embarrassed and walked faster. However, the womans words caught her attention, fuck off, idiots. Where the hell is Travis Cooper? Let me talk to him. Chapter 19: What Are You Looking At? Arianna froze when she heard his name. The woman continued, The man is hiding from me. Find him immediately and tell him Im waiting here for him. Room 225. I wont leave if he doesnt show up. Arianna didnt know how she got to the terrace. Her mind was not registering her surroundings. Nevertheless, she knew that the woman could easily speak about someone with the same name. It was impossible for this to happen. But she couldnt manage to slow down her heart rate. After dialing her home phone number halfway, she canceled the call. She did not feel like she was fit to see people at the moment. She went back inside and poured herself a ss of ice water from theplimentary refreshment table in the lobby. She drank it slowly. The more normal she seemed when she got home, the fewer questions would be asked. Her second ss went down faster, and she felt a little better. But she now had a dilemma. Should she go home and continue to hide away from all her miseries or wait here to see if Travis would show up and answer her questions? Perhaps leaving was the best choice, but she couldnt bring herself to pull out her cell phone again. **** He arrived only fifteen minutes after Arianna decided to stay. Travis Cooper was still the neat and tidy man in her memory. He walked forward quickly, not noticing Arianna at all. Arianna quickly found out that theory and practice were two different things. She knew what she should do to handle it better, but she couldnt bring herself to do it. A waiter working at the party noticed the miserable look on Ariannas face and headed over to her. She asked, Are you okay, miss? Is there anything I can do for you? She shook her head, Thank you, Ill be fine in a moment. Some relief washed over her. Though she was young and na?ve, Travis gave her his real name. Arianna sat down at the table behind the refreshments. After several moments, she called her home phone number but found that the line was busy. She couldnt wait any longer. Without being fully aware of what she was doing, Arianna began heading upstairs like a wandering spirit. Some unknown force drove her to the doorway of Room 225. Her heart was beating fast, feeling like daggers stabbing her chest from the inside. The soundproofing in the walls was not very good. On her way down the second-floor hall, she could hear many different conversations from inside the hotel rooms. When Arianna got to the door, she didnt have to try very hard to hear what they were saying. The womans voice was still melodious, though she sounded clearly upset, I know youre a hotshot now. You can ignore me all you want. There was no response, or perhaps he was speaking with a very low voice. She continued, You need to go back to school and finish your studies.Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024. Still no sound. You know, Id rather ruin everything myself. I dont want you to be involved in this. She sighed loudly before adding, Travis, everything I do is for you. I dont have any family members left. I cant afford to lose you Ive put all my hopes on you. I need you to be serious with your future and dont let me down. Her tone was getting lower and lower, from the initial firecracker-like yells to sounding as gentle as a stream of flowing water. But the voice of the man was still absent. Arianna almost forgot the situation and began to sympathize with the woman. Suddenly, the woman raised her voice again, Okay, fine! If I ever start caring about your business again, Ill be damned! Travis Coopers voice suddenly flooded the room with deep bass, Since we met, Ive heard you say this at least one hundred times. Arianna knew it wasnt right to eavesdrop, so she was about to leave. But after hearing his voice, her feet were nailed to the floor. However, the door suddenly opened. Travis was walking out with the same empty expression, and nothing changed on his face when he saw Arianna. A ss of red wine exploded below his feet. The shards of ss and wine covered his shoes and hit Ariannas hand. She winced in pain. The woman in the room said hoarsely, If you walk away like this, you are walking out of my life forever! Travis finally turned his head and said calmly, Youve said this one hundred times, too. The woman threw another ss at him, but Travis instinctively ducked. The ss struck Arianna right in the chest with force sorge that it pushed her back a step. When she heard Ariannas cry, the woman headed out the door as well. But at that moment, Arianna was staring into Travis Coopers eyes. His eyes did not evade, and he let her calmly watch him. Travis didnt say anything, and he still carried no expression. The woman came up to Arianna and asked with great concern, Did I just hit you? Are you hurt? Her tone was very mild, the pr opposite of how she spoke to Travis just now. She looked from Arianna then to Travis and asked, Do you know this woman? He was silent for two seconds and replied, An acquaintance. So you know each other? She asked tly. Travis chuckled, I feel I am acquainted with those who seem normal. Ariannas feet suddenly regained the ability to move. She said, Im sorry. I was just passing by. She got to her feet and was about to turn and leave. The woman grabbed Ariannas arm and said, Hey, didnt I see you down in the lobby? She squeezed Ariannas arm tightly, causing her a little pain. She tried to shake off her grasp but failed. Arianna said to her, Please let me go. Travis looked around like he was an outsider. He, too, was about to leave when the woman grabbed his sleeve with her other arm. She yelled sarcastically, Dont go. This little girl seems to have something to say to you. He turned backzily and gave the woman a sly look. She spoke back preemptively, What are you looking at? Am I intruding on your business again? You know I like to be a bitch. The woman finally rolled her eyes and let them both go before entering the room and mming the door behind her. She quickly reappeared with a coat draped over her left arm and an opened bottle of wine held in her right hand. She stormed off between the two of them and disappeared down the hall. Chapter 20: It鈥檚 None Of My Business Travis casually strode into the room and waved Arianna in to follow him. He stood by the window and pulled a cigarette box out of his pocket. He lit the cigarette and then brought it to his mouth. After a leisurely inhtion, he said, What a coincidence, we have met again. Arianna stepped into the entrance of the room and just looked at him. He passed the cigarette box to her, Try one. She caught the box, but he noticed he did not get a reaction out from her. He shallowly smiled, What? Did you forget how to smoke? Arianna spent a lot of effort speaking, Why? Travis looked coldly through the smoke of his burning cigarette. More forcefully, she repeated, Why? He slowly put out the half-burnt cigarette in the ashtray on the windowsill. He still spoke very casually, You need to read some useful books instead of your nonsense love stories. You dont learn anything practical from those books. Snickering, he continued, They only make you look more and more stupid. His indifferent attitude finally drove Arianna into tears. She let her tears slide down her cheeks, holding back her sobs. What an innocent girl. Will it really help if Ie up with some bullshit exnation for you? The truth could be more torturing than you imagined. Arianna couldnt hold her sobs back anymore. She knew continuing this conversation would only cause her to suffer more. Travis lit another cigarette, sat down, and continued to watch her cry. When she finally realized that the more she sobbed, the more pleased he became, she gradually stopped crying and stared at him through her bloodshot eyes. A smirk reappeared on Traviss face. Finally, he said, Fine, let me tell you why. Given much more than others, a rich girl like you still feels like the world owes you everything. A little dissatisfaction is a catastrophe. He continued, You always do as you please, regardless of the thoughts of your family. So Im willing to step up and teach you a lesson about the real world. But youve realized all of this by now, right? She bit her lip until she tasted blood. Her ears were buzzing. She had not, in fact, realized what he had done to her. Neither of them spoke a word for a while. He started to walk towards her, but she suddenly began to speak, making him stop in his tracks. That night then. Did you set up those two men in the alley to attack me? You actually learned to think. Great progress. Travisughed mildly, But remember, the second time, it was you who came back to me, remember? I even reminded you not to trust anyone so easily, but unfortunately, you were too caught up in your own world to listen. Ariannas tears spilled over her bottom eyelid once more. He said to her more gently, If you think your luck is terrible, I might as well say a few more words. The night I met you, I didnt n to do anything. That was the day of my mothers death, and you reminded me of her. After taking a puff of his cigarette, he said, Thats why I took you home and left you alone. But you didnt realize your luck then. It could have been anyone else. I didnt make youe find me after you left that morning. Arianna was stunned and struggled to make any sound when she said, Why didnt you just leave me to those two? Travis looked at Arianna and tried to keep his patience, I also regret that a bit. Leaving you to them might have taught you a better lesson. It would have left you unable to yell at me as youre trying to do right now. He sighed, Well, okay, if theres a next time, I will be sure to remember your wishes. But for now, you better wash your face and go home to bed. He then opened the door and left without turning his head. Arianna could see the woman from earlier outside the door standing over a pile of cigarette butts. Travisughed at her, You have no morality. The woman gave Travis a yful punch to the shoulder, fuck you! I only damaged the carpet a little bit. Its not a problem. She finished, And what you did was the real demonstration of ack of morality. Watch yournguage, Travis tly said as he stepped on a glowing cigarette butt. He took out a cigarette of his own and grabbed her cigarette-holding hand to use her cigarette to light his. After smoking for a couple of seconds, he asked, Were you eavesdropping for my sake? Take it easy. But Johnny went crazy. I cant take care of him anymore. You better go see him. Travis wanted to leave, but the woman kept saying, Hey, did you take care of her inside? No. Dont you worry she mightmit suicide in there?Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024. Its none of my business. The woman shouted, Goddammit, Travis! Cant you ever do something right? All men are damned! Travis Cooper walked away without another word. **** The woman sighed as she took thest inhtion of her cigarette. She tapped it out on the metal railing before adding another to the pile of cigarette butts on the ground. She began to walk towards the room before turning around to scoop up as many cigarette butts as she could. She tossed them into the garbage can nearby. Seeing that her hands were speckled with nicotine, the woman had no choice but to enter the bathroom. Arianna was sitting there on the floor with her hands wrapped around her knees. Though she had stopped crying by now, Arianna was shivering rapidly. The woman calmly stepped over to the sink and began to wash her hands. She said to Arianna, Dont be afraid. Im not with him. Arianna lowered her head to her knees and did not speak. Raising her eyebrows, the woman said to her, Go wash your face. Ill arrange a ride to take you home. She shook her head slowly, I can leave on my own. Please leave me be, miss. You can call me Helena. Arianna looked up to meet Helenas eyes. What a beautiful little girl you are. Dont put horrible men in your heart. She put her head back on her knees and tried to hold back her tears. Helena handed her a ss of water and remained silent for several minutes before telling story after story. Chapter 21: How Did You Get Over It? All of the stories were about her misfortunes with men. She kept repeating, Women can depend on no man. After a while, Arianna began to tune her out. She had her own thoughts and did not interrupt Helena, though she wasnt listening much either. The womans stories became more and more outdated and unconnected. Helena spoke about the unfaithful man she was involved with at Ariannas age. Then she exined how she went on a hunger strike for an unrted cause. Helena said, You see, Ive felt despair in my life at times. But look at me now, no big deal. Arianna suddenly asked, How did you get over it? Well, after the hunger strike, I realized that the most tragic thing in the world was hunger, not being dumped by a man. As for that unfaithful cheater, I believe a mad dog bit him. Her lips cracked when she smiled. Arianna said, Thank you. Helena replied, I know its not easy. But it gets better. After several moments of silence, there was a knock on the door. A man peeped into the room at the doorway and said, Helena, my bro Travis said you are drunk. Let me take you home. The gentlewoman suddenly turned into a witch, No one is allowed to mention that assholes name to me tonight. Get out! Helena convinced Arianna to get into her car by the end of the evening. Arianna made several assumptions: first, Helena was probably a close lover of Travis; second, she was likely going to kidnap her and have her family pay ransom for her release. Though Helena acted tough in front of the men, she was empathetic and precisely knew what Arianna was going through. She handed Arianna a phone and instructed, Call your family and have someone wait somewhere to pick you up. Now Arianna felt bad about her assumptions. After all, she had kept herpany for nearly half an hour and tried very hard tofort her. She could see Louis waiting for her from afar. When Helena parked, Arianna took her small mirror from her pocket and quickly checked her face and hair. Her eyes were still a little red from her tears. Arianna figured shed tell her family she had cried tears of goodbye for her ssmates. Seeing the glimmer in the mirror, Helena suddenly asked, Your pendant is lovely. Where did you get it? My grandfather gave it to me when I was a kid. Arianna opened the passenger door as she was speaking. After thanking Helena, Arianna shut the door, but the window was quickly rolled down. Helena called out to her, Good luck, little girl. Arianna watched Helenas car pull away and disappear into the night. Then, she quietly got into Louis car. **** At present, Traviss house. Ariannas internal clock was always very urate. She set the rm for 5 a. m. to leave Travis early, but her body woke up several minutes before the rm went off. She rested in the bed for a moment and then grabbed her phone to silence the rm before it could ring. Though Arianna usually woke up early, this was still a little too early for her. She got up slowly, avoiding any contact with Traviss body. Arianna didnt feelfortable seeing Travis first thing in the morning. The two didnt usually sleep together. They got togetherte, sometimes, Arianna would leave without sleeping or leave very early in the morning. Sometimes even Travis would be gone before she woke up early. But they didnt do anythingst night. She was soberly aware of his arm draped across her waist when hey beside her. Later, he slid his hand under her pajamas and stroked her body until he passed out. She counted his breathing several hundred times to make sure he was really asleep. After gently removing his hand, she moved towards the edge of the bed, out of his range. However, Arianna couldnt get back to sleep. She had a fear that he would force her to do something. After all, he usually only looked for her for one thing. But the night passed peacefully. In the bathroom, Arianna washed her face and brushed her teeth as quietly as she could, but the sound of running water awoke him. Travis turned on the bed and spoke in a sleepy tone, Why are you up so early? Cant sleep? His voice was so soft when he was half awake, though she didnt hear it often, it reminded her that he was kind. It waspletely opposite from how he usually spoke to her. She casually replied as she brushed her hair, Duty calls. I need to leave now. Go back to sleep. Travis answered with a simple oh before falling back into a deep sleep again. The diligent butler was seated at the kitchen table, drinking a coffee. When he saw Ariannae downstairs, he immediately stood up straight and said to her, Good morning, Miss Jenkins. She greeted him back kindly. He asked, What would you like for breakfast? Or are you waiting for Mr. Cooper? No need to cook. Im on my way out, but thank you. Absolutely. I will arrange a car to drive you. No trouble. Just a taxi will do. But of course, it was not a taxi waiting for her outside the home, but rather it was Ryan Cooper. He seemed to have just gotten up as his eyes were barely opened, and his hair was a mess. Arianna thought he must be as bad as his boss when getting up early. Good morning, Miss Jenkins. Thanks for picking me up, Ryan. You are most wee. He replied with a yawn. Arianna smiled at him before opening the car door. It seemed to have rained overnight as the ground was wet and slippery. The air was crisp and carried the scent of fresh rain as well.Content held by N?velDrama.Org. She needed to go to her office to pick up her car, but Arianna asked Ryan to take her to her apartment first. She did not take long to get changed. Ryan nced over her body while opening the door for her. His eyes flickered a bit, then returned to normal. Arianna wore a white short-sleeved blouse and a sky-blue pencil skirt with t shoes. She had a clip in her hair while the rest of her hair was loosened. Chapter 22: You Look Like Audrey Hepburn Ryan couldnt help paying another nce in the rearview mirror to see her when he was driving. Arianna had very different looks between day and night. At night time, she often wore a rich color on her lip and a perfume fragrance to match. Her dull expression showed a monstrous beauty. Ryan would not look anywhere he wasnt supposed to when Travis was present. But when he was alone with Arianna, he observed her. He watched her spray perfume on her body and applied lipstick in the small car mirror. Arianna felt his eyes on her and said. politely, Try pretending like you didnt see it, thanks. Since then, Ryan has paid attention to Arianna and discovered one of her secrets. The color of her lipstick and the scent of her perfume were always ever-changing. They were rarely repeated when she was with Travis Cooper. Arianna raised her head and lifted her hand toward Ryans neck. Her fingertips brushed his skin, and he jerked the wheel. Dont move, theres long hair on your shoulder. She told him. He froze, waiting for her to take the hair off, but the soft hand still rested on his shoulder. Arianna said softly, Youve been watching me this morning. Why? Does my look today remind you of someone? He nodded stiffly. She continued, Do I remind you of your first lover? You look like Audrey Hepburn. I watched her movies a lot as a kid. Ryan stuttered. Ariannaughed, What are you nervous about? Are you afraid I will seduce you? Ryan discreetly tried to shrug her hand off without sess. Eventually, she pulled her hand back to herp. Arianna continued her fantasy excitedly, What do you think Travis would do if we got together? He didnt find the topic amusing in any way. Ryan said calmly, Please dont try it. It doesnt matter if its with me or anyone else. Has it happened before with someone else? She gushed. I do not know. Ryan kept his mouth shut. He did not reply when Arianna asked him to stop at a bakery for some breakfast. Do you want anything? Ill just be a minute. She asked sweetly. Ryan shook his head. Okay, then you will just wait for me here. He gave her a single nod. After five minutes, Arianna returned to the car with two croissants. She began to eat hers and passed the other one to Ryan. He ignored the gesture. The croissant is really good. You sure you dont want to try it? Ryan remained silent. Are you afraid Im going to drug you? He snorted but still did not say a word. Arianna finished her croissant and then continued to eat half of the other one. She felt more normal with a full belly. She sensed that Ryan was upset with her, so she said, I was just joking about waking you up. I know youre tired at this time in the morning. Ryan nodded, but he felt like something was wrong. He dropped her off at the office and drove away without waiting for her to get into her own car as he usually would. He realized that Miss Jenkins seemed to have assimted into Travis Coopers world. She was beginning to speak like him and pull on peoples weaknesses without a second thought. He needed to mind his own business, he reminded himself. **** Arianna drove away from the office and out of the city. The roads were covered with deep water, and a few sections of roads under construction were muddy. Her car was not the best for such road conditions. At least it began to rain again, washing the mud off her car. She was by no means a professional driver. Arianna had to pay lots of attention to the road and its bumps so she wouldnt damage the car. Despite the messy roads, the drive was still boring. She loaded a rock and roll disc into the CD yer, and the car was instantly filled with guitar and loud drums. She made a quick stop at a coffee shop right off the road. This was where she usually stopped whenever she made this journey. Arianna got herself atte and a water bottle forter. She would get a snack too, but she was still full from the mornings croissants. After burning her lips on the hottte, she sighed and took the lid off for it to cool as she continued to drive. When she reached her destination, her CD was only halfway done ying the songs she had put on it. She got a parking pass from the machine and drove into the parking lot. She looked at herself in the rearview mirror and practiced her smile. She tried several times until she was satisfied. Then she unclipped her seat belt and got out of the car. At first nce, the ce appeared to be a hospital. It was located on a hillside with nice scenery. But in fact, it was actually a famous medical research institution. Arianna checked in at the registration desk and received a visitors badge, which she ced around her neck. She first went to see the attending doctor, an energetic man in his mid-forties. He said kindly, Your grandfather has been mentally stable for a while. He talks with nurses about his memories. Did he mention me? Im sorry. His most recent memories are at least ten years old. He does know who you are but still thinks you are a child. Arianna looked down, and she bound her fingers together. But dont be discouraged. He has made much improvement over the years. You know that before, he could only remember his twenties and younger. Now he can recall that he taught you how to fish when you were a child. He finished, Just be patient. He will get better. Thank you, Dr. Lynch. Can I see him now?Text content ? N?velDrama.Org. Ill go with you, but dont get too close to him. We dont know when one of his violent outbreaks will ur. Especially when he sees you, it could trigger memories and emotions that may put you in danger. The corridor was long-doors of steel-lined the hallway on both sides. Chapter 23: Your Appearance Reminds Me Of My Daughter There could be a dangerous patient behind every door. Though it was a senior sanatorium, it also looked like a prison. The hallway seemed to go on forever. Arianna was starting to get nervous. Every time she came with hope, only to leave with disappointment. She slowly took a deep breath at the door. Dr. Lynch smiled in encouragement, Dont worry, he was very stable this morning. Smile, just like that. You look stunning today, blue and white are good colors. Arianna fought hard to keep her smile. She said, I hope my grandfather will like it too. These two colors used to be his favorite. When her grandfather fell ill, Arianna took it upon herself to take care of him. She quickly realized that it was beyond her capabilities, though. It was with a heavy heart that she made the decision to put him in professional care. Though the doctors had several different diagnoses and werent exactly sure what it was, Arianna remained hopeful for her grandfather. He had been steadily improving over the past year. She was his only visitor. But she wasnt sure that he was even aware of her visits. It was hard for Arianna. Her grandfather was one of the few people who knew how to talk to her. Arianna always made sure he could see the pendant ne he gave her. **** Arianna used to have cyclical dreams. A heavy iron gate opened slowly, with the harsh screeching of metal ringing through the air. Although she was afraid of the dark, she still entered courageously because her only rtive was there. Finally, she saw a glimmer of light. She looked right at the source of light and could see the back of an old man underneath it. She ran forward with joy, and the old man slowly turned around. Then she usually woke up in a cold sweat. The reality was already much better than the dream. Behind the door was not darkness but rather a very warmly decorated room with elegant colors and bright lights. The well-groomed old man sat in a chair and looked out the window, watching the rainfall. When he heard the sound of the door opening, he slowly turned around. Franco Sanchez did not look like a mentally ill patient. On the contrary, he had a calm, put-together look. Though his hair was white and his face was full of wrinkles, he had a schrly grace and firm eyes, unique to sessful people. He kindly said, Good morning, Dr. Lynch. The weather is great today. The doctor smiled as he strolled to him, Dear Mr. Sanchez, how are you feeling? Im okay. I wanted to go for a walk, but they said I need your consent. Of course, you can go. But we will just wait until the rain stops. Dr. Lynch stepped aside to put Arianna into Mr. Sanchezs full view. Thisdy came to see you. Dr. Lynch announced. Mr. Sanchez gave her a loving smile, Hello, Miss. You are very beautiful in your dress. Arianna suppressed her emotions and shed the smile she had been practicing. Miss Jenkins has visited you several times. Do you remember? Asked Dr. Lynch, hopefully. The corners of his smile dropped in disappointment. He replied, My head was in chaos. I cannot remember things. Please dont mind me.Text content ? N?velDrama.Org. Arianna shook her head sweetly. As long as you agree that I can see you next time. As long as Dr. Lynch agrees, you cane, right? The old man said excitedly. Mr. Sanchez looked at Arianna more closely. Your appearance reminds me of my daughter when she was young. She nced at Dr. Lynch with a little surprise. But he made a gesture, telling her not to speak. My daughter is very beautiful and obedient. She always listened to me. I had a son too, but he left us when he was very young. I dont remember what he looked like. The man focused on his memory but gave a sigh at the mention of his son. Miss Jenkins, I bet you arent a mother yet. But I even have a little granddaughter. She was such a cute little thing when she was born. So tiny. He showed a measurement with his hands and continued, She was the most beautiful baby in the world. Arianna began to tremble. Dr. Lynch patted her on the back to calm her down. Would you like to see her again? Dr. Lynch asked slowly. She is dead and will never being back. Youst said she went abroad to study Dr. Lynch tried to correct him. No, she is already dead. She doesnt want me. The old man suddenly began to sob lightly. Arianna didnt know what to do. My wife, my son, and daughter-inw are all dead. I had only my precious granddaughter left in this world. She was so young. Its me who should have died! The old man began to hit himself. Before Dr. Lynch could do anything, Arianna rushed forward, grabbed his hands, and said, Dont do this, please. Her tone was low and desperate. Then she suddenly screamed as her grandfather firmly gripped her neck and yelled, Tell me why! Why is she dead and not you? Arianna looked into his eyes. She could only see madness and misery. She did not struggle against him. She did not even have the slightest desire to resist. Her grandfather was the only rtive she had left in the world, and he could not even recognize her. A strong set of arms pulled her away. Several people were holding down her grandfather and the scene was in disarray. Someone quickly gave an injection into his arm. After the chaotic moment was controlled, the old man was quiet. He was looking out the window again, allowing the nurse to inject a variety of medicines into his veins. Arianna followed Dr. Lynch out of the room. He simply checked her neck and said, I told you not to go near him. How are you holding up? She shook her head but remained silent. Ill go back and check on him. Ill meet you in the waiting room. I just need to go on a quick walk to calm down, Arianna said, her voice filled with sadness. Dr. Lynch just nodded and left her. Chapter 24: I Have No Urge To Cry Arianna rubbed her neck with her hand, resisting the impulse to look in a mirror. She could feel the marks of her grandpas fingers around her neck. She walked along the corridor and went to the top floor of the building without any emotion. Though the building was rtively new, its style was old. There were only four floors, each with a different floor n that only the staff knew. The rain began to pour and made a slight buzzing noise on the roof. A lightyer of fog surrounded the distant mountains. It looked like a painting. The top floor was lined withfortable chairs byrge windows. Arianna sat down, leaning heavily into the chair, and lit a cigarette. She took a deep puff and closed her eyes. Old memories came like a flood into her head, worsening her emotion. **** When she was a child, she hated the rain because her clothes would always get wet, and her shoes would be ruined by mud. But her grandfather loved rainy days. He taught her many sayings rted to rain and taught her to admire famous paintings about rain. He always bought beautiful raincoats, rain boots, and umbres for her. In order to be able to use these gifts, Arianna had to embrace the rain, eventually causing her to love the rain too. When her cigarette was nearly finished, she quickly found that there was no good location for her to put it out. Everything was too clean. She had to use the metal railing to put it out and throw the butt into the trash can. As Arianna reached into her purse for another cigarette, a gentle male voice came from behind, Smoking is harmful to your health. Arianna turned around to see Dr. Lynch in a whiteb coat, standing a few meters away from her. She smiled apologetically and tossed the cigarette back into its package. Theres no non-smoking sign here. She said defensively. Yes, you can smoke here, and you do it well. But its still better not to smoke. Dr. Lynchs voice sounded like he was disciplining a child. How is my grandfather? She ignored his words. He is quiet, just as he is most of the time. Is he only loud when Ie? He hates me. Even in his subconscious mind, I am dead to him. Sadness filled her voice. How can you think like this? You know he is mentally ill. He rejects everything he does not know. Arianna gazed at the misty, distant hills and touched her forehead. There was a shallow scar that was covered by her hair. When her grandfather recovered from unconsciousness, she threw herself into his arms in tears three years ago. But to her surprise, he grabbed the nearest bottle and hit her on the forehead, leaving her with a scar. If you need to cry, you should. I can pretend like I havent seen it. I can leave you alone, or you may cry on my shoulder if you like. But its not good for your health to withhold your emotions. Arianna looked him straight in the eyes and said, No, thank you. I have no urge to cry. Something must be wrong with yourcrimal nd. Probably not. When I watch funny movies, I oftenugh to the point of tears. Arianna mentioned casually. She smiled at Dr. Lynch, Is it possible for my grandfather to recover? Im not entirely sure. But we are trying our best. You have to believe that miracles do happen in this world. They stood in silence for a long time. Arianna finally formted her next question, Dr. Lynch, I need you, to be honest. You are an expert in psychiatry. You must see many family cases. Before continuing, she took a breath, Is mental illness rted to gics? Did I ever tell you that my uncle and mother bothmitted suicide? My uncle died before twenty, and my mom before fifty. As for my grandfather, I always thought he was the strongest out of all of us. I often think of what will happen in my future. Will I end up like my mother or my grandfather? You are the toughest woman I have ever seen. We dont wee your kind in this ce. He said light-heartedly. Arianna smiled slightly and said, But I like it here very much. The scenery is beautiful, and the staff is great. If I reserve one seat in advance, would you receive me if something happened to me one day? Dr. Lynchughed, If you really like it here, I need an assistant. Im just worried you deserve better than this. Give me your hand, and I will tell you your fortune. She raised an eyebrow, I thought scientists were not superstitious. Arianna still gave him her hand. Who said that? Newton and Darwin believed in Godter in their lives. Dr. Lynch looked at her palm and said, Please dont think too much about your future. Your lifeline is very long. Text content ? N?velDrama.Org. Grinning, he continued, You will live up to eighty years old. And your palm lines are smooth and clear, which says your life will be smooth in the future. Dont move. Let me take another look. You will have two children, a boy, and a girl. Can you tell me how many husbands I will have? Arianna joked to ease the heaviness inside her heart. Ah, how many do you want? Dr. Lynch was amused. Arianna felt her mood lighten, and she stood up. She shook Dr. Lynchs hand and bowed her head, Thank you for today, Dr. Lynch. Dont worry. Everything always has its way of working out in the end. She shrugged her shoulders and smiled, I need to head down to the finance office. I havent received any bills for a long time. Dr. Lynch tilted his head in confusion, An organization recently donatedrge sums of research funding to our institute and promptly asked to cover any medical expenses for several patients with certain conditions. That included Mr. Sanchez. Did no one tell you this? Chapter 25: My Presence Means Nothing To Him The sanatorium director did not tell Arianna any details about the funding that covered her grandfathers medical expenses. She was hoping to redirect the money to another patient and cover her grandfathers expenses herself. The director was an old friend of Ariannas family. He told her, Dont take this so seriously. Its a blessing. The donor has a family member with a simr condition to your grandfathers. Theyve requested to cover the cost of simr individuals in the name of research. He continued, If you wish to decline the support, the money will be withdrawn and not used by other patients. So, Arianna, if you have a burning desire to spend your money, you can save up to help others. The only thing I can do for my grandfather is paying his medical bills. Now Im not even needed for this. My presence means nothing to him. She responded sorrowfully.Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024. Ariannas sry was average for any white-cor worker. It was more than enough to support herself, but it could not cover the expenses of her grandfather simultaneously. Fortunately, her family left her with a deposit. She had used this money to pay for Mr. Sanchez, but there was not much of it left. She was not very good at financial management. She had some stocks in her name, but she did not know how to work the market. The stock was now the only connection between her and her once-famous family business. She didnt want to sell that connection anyway. As for the money from Travis Cooper, Arianna decided she would never use it. After some time, Travis began to know her and stopped giving her money. He instead reced it with fine jewelry. Arianna didnt have the guts to say no to those as well. She took the director up on his suggestion and inquired if there were any families struggling to support a loved ones expenses. She was more than willing to make a contribution. Arianna usually rated herself with the following terms on days like this; using a nice word, she is tough; using a neutral word, she is numb; using a mean word, she is emotionless. She feels like she has been through a lot and is afraid of nothing. But it took a long time before she was like this. From the outside, she never seemed to have changed. When Arianna went to university far from home, she lived and studied like other students. She did well in school, had good looks, and an excellent charisma. However, she never participated in group activities, did not be friends with fellow female students, and rarely spoke to boys. Typically, she ate and studied alone. She rarely did anything for entertainment. Nevertheless, this cold-beauty style of hers caught the attention and curiosity of many boys. Many tried hard to date her, and none seeded. Arianna found peace gradually. The boys began to leave her alone, realizing there were other beautiful girls at the university too. However, there was a handsome and talented boy who managed to stay. He came from a good family and was essentially a celebrity on campus. He tried everything he could to figure her out and evade her defense mechanisms. After a few months, they eventually began dating. At that time, Arianna had issues getting along with others. Though she tried hard to ovee it, she was too different from others to fit in easily. She was beginning to get lonely. But the boy was patient with her. She was willing to give him a chance, though it was really herself getting the chance atpanionship, despite never being in love with him. Except the boy got carried away with his victory over the other boys. He kissed Arianna with intoxicated breath and touched her body up and down. She didnt want the rtionship to develop so fast. She had to stab him with a hairpin to free herself when she failed to get out of his grasp. Though the wound was not deep, the hairpin was sharp. The situation escted for several months after that. Herwyer insisted that she was acting in self-defense, but the boyswyer argued that she deliberately wanted to hurt his client even though she was the one who called the ambnce and police. The matter was finally settled, but Arianna didnt want to go back to school. She didnt want to face the rumors and dirty looks shed get from people who had heard the story. And she especially didnt want to get close to men. Her family was developing thoughts of their own. They now believed that she was mentally different from ordinary people. Her parents pushed her to receive a long period of psychological treatment, where the psychologists insisted that Miss Jenkins is anything but normal. After several months and endless psychological treatment, Arianna returned to school. She slowly recovered in a well-known womens college with a strong religious atmosphere. She enjoyed going to a womens college for that reason. There was no harassment from men looking to date her and no pressure to figure out which of them werent spoiled. Additionally, many of the women at the college were like Arianna. They minded their own business and were not big partiers. She even joined a world religions club. With each passing day, Arianna became more and more calm and quiet. Her parents and grandfather would visit her every few months. They could see that she was returning to her old self. But Arianna was noticing things too. Her grandfather was bing senile. The vertical stripe between her fathers eyebrows was growing deeper. Her mother was looking duller and duller. Though their conversations were light and meaningless, she was beginning to be concerned. The family business never needed her help, and her new degree was very unrted to it. She knew her future mission was only to marry a man chosen by her family. She had no ns to resist. Despite their visits, Arianna was disconnected from her family. When the news of her parents death arrived, she did not even cry. She was too afraid to shed a tear as she did not know what this meant for her and her future. However, by this time, she had earned her degree and was working for the college. Chapter 26: Signature Of The Familiar Name She immediately resigned and returned home to her grandfather when she heard the news. Her father died in a car ident when he was on his way to negotiate with a shareholder. His death pushed his mother to overdose a few dayster.Content held by N?velDrama.Org. It was ironic. Her parents were bound to each other in a marriage based on finance. Arianna wondered when they became so loyal to each other. She never saw real love between them when she was a child. But now, when it came to this ident, they were behaving like Romeo and Juliet. If they were not for her parents, she probably would have gotten a goodugh out of the story. The once glorious family business was now a lost cause. It was under scrutiny by the government and was in jeopardy. The stockholders and business partners quickly abandoned the corporation. The business of three decades was nowing to an end. It could copse at any time. When Arianna returned home, she found her grandfather was lost in worry and grief. She organized quiet funerals for her parents and kept them simple. To her surprise, there was arge turnout at their joint funeral. Neither of them brought friends over to the house often. Arianna also had meetings withpany officials to discuss finances and projections. She did not understand economics, but she quickly understood that some people wanted to destroy thepany founded by her grandfather. Their method waspletely legal and had no loopholes. They made calcted attacks on Mr. Sanchezspany. After it recovered from the previous assault, they would attack again, even harder. But Ariannas grandfather took pride in his fighting spirit. He valued the loyalty of hispanions, subordinates, and customers. However, amidst the peak of this economic war, those he trusted had betrayed him in order to protect their benefits. This attack on Mr. Sanchezs business was not a quick shot but rather ongoing torture. Nevertheless, they enjoyed watching him struggle to save his lifes work. Arianna feared the shame it would bring to her family. However, she was not afraid of poverty nor afraid of ridicule. Her only fear was her family members being hurt. When the business was beyond saving, her grandfather had be emotionally distressed. She had to take over the closing deals in addition to caring for him herself. Louis, Sharon, and Winnie did not abandon the family through the process. On the contrary, they supported Arianna and often helped her take care of negotiations that were out of her league. After reviewing mountains of paperwork, she reached thest page of the acquisition chain. At the bottom was the signature of a familiar name, Travis Cooper. She didnt expect to find Travis Cooper again so easily. Though Arianna was an obedient girl, loyal to her family, she never hesitated to cross a line or push someones buttons. When she saw that Travis was behind the demise of her familys business, she immediately decided that she would try to reach him. She was ready for war. However, when she dialed the number provided by her private investigator, she was surprised to be chatting with Traviss pleasant secretary, who put her right through Travis. He talked casually to Arianna, sounding like the war had already been won. After all, he likely would have stayed anonymous if he thought her grandfather had a shot at fighting back. Arianna examined herself in the mirror. Her youth faded in the summer when she was seventeen years old. Since then, she had never cared about makeup or clothing, unlike most women. But for the first time in years, Arianna paid attention to her appearance. She was very new to the world of fashion and had a lot to learn. So naturally, she did not do the makeup and clothing selection herself C she needed professional help. In fact, after so many years, she could only apply powder and lipstick. Arianna would end up looking like a circus clown if she tried something moreplex. She hired a high-end stylist/makeup artist to prepare her. Arianna told her that she wanted to look bothdy-like and girl-next-door-like, an effortless, put-together beauty. She wanted to be able to stimte a mans sympathy, protection, and satisfaction. Arianna felt like the demands were difficult to meet, and she did not have high expectations. However, she was very pleased with the end result. The woman had her work cut out for her in terms of makeup. Arianna looked like she had not slept well in weeks. Her face was so pale that it was almost transparent. And in contrast, her eyes were dark and bloodshot, while her lips were chapped and raw. The dress that was chosen for her was an elegantbination of pure white and navy blue and had more of a retro style. In Ariannas mind, this was exactly the style in which Travis dressed. Her mirror now reflected back the image of someone totally different. Ariannas expression was solemn and dignified as she examined her new look. If she were a man, she would be proud to have her on his arm. However, she was not Travis Cooper; and his mind was not one she could predict. The stylist picked up her things and left Ariannas home after wishing her good luck. In order to avoid her grandfather or family servants finding out where she was going, Arianna called a taxi after Louis dropped her off at her usual caf. He did not say anything about her new look, though he noticed it immediately. The taxi took her to Travisspany. Though she was calm on the outside, she was trembling on the inside as she waited outside of his office doors. Traviss secretary was very warm and friendly. She notified Arianna that she was ten minutes early and that Mr. Cooper always stuck to his schedule. He was with another business associate at the moment anyway. She kindly offered Arianna a cup of tea, which Arianna epted but did not drink. She did not know what to think of thepany. She fiddled with the bead chain on her wrist like a religious disciple. Every second tormented her as she sat there, but she also hoped that time would stop so she would never have to enter that room. Arianna was expecting embarrassment and shame to greet her as soon as she was in the building, but so far, it was peaceful. Chapter 27: You鈥檝e Ruined His Life鈥檚 Work Before Arianna had left her house, she took off the ne her grandfather had given her. She used to think of it as a lucky charm, but time taught her that theres no such thing as luck. The bead chain on her wrist was her mothers. It was thest gift she had ever gotten from her. Arianna felt like her mothers soul was with her when she wore it. Though her mother was weak and frail, the strength of two would always be greater than one. And Arianna definitely needed courage right now. She thought back to the summer when she met Travis. If she had the guts to tell her family what happened back then, would her father and grandfather have looked into his identity? Would her family have been prepared for the attack on the business? Arianna then began to remember some surveys from her schooling. Even in developed countries, women who were suppressed would choose silence in order to keep their lives from bing more embarrassing. They would rather leave criminals free than speak up. However, in Ariannas case, she was the one to suppress herself, and she was foolish to fall into her own trap. She could notin to her family about her own conduct. Arianna stared at the clock on the wall. It was silent, but her heart was beating loudly with each tick of the second-hand. The office doors were still tightly shut. She could not picture how Travis would look after all those years. The only information she knew about him was that he had a huge amount of mysterious money. Within a few years, he created both a business and media frenzy. He rarely appeared in front of the public, and his identity and whereabouts remained a secret. Travis was known as a big jewel dealer. He had powerful forces and funds supporting him. Compared to jewelry, though, he preferred to take overpanies and disassemble them into little pieces for sale rather than operate them. The media often called this his hobby. Ariannas family was not his only prey, but it was the one most tormented by him. His typical negotiations and operations were quick and seamless, but it was prolonged and painful in her familys case. As the second hand struck the twelve on the clock, the office doors swung open. A middle-aged man with a staff badge hanging off his chest stepped out of the room without closing the door. He nced at Arianna, made a gesture for her to enter the room, and said, Pleasee in, deardy. Mr. Cooper is waiting for you. Arianna thought her face would be blue with anxiety or green with sickness by now as she was simultaneously experiencing both. However, when she nced at her reflection in the office window, her appearance was still in perfect condition. It helped her rx. She didnt have time to practice her smile, so she decided to keep her face neutral. Arianna stood quietly in the doorway. The lighting in the room was so bright that her eyes stung when she looked in. Her eyes focused on Travis Cooper standing across the room from her. While taking a seat in his ownrge leather chair, he said to her, Please sit, Miss Jenkins. After five or six years, she finally heard his voice again. It was smooth enough to belong to a radio show host- very ssic and enjoyable. Though his voice always had a twinge of cold emotion. She slowly walked to the chair across from him and took a seat. Hisrge oak desk rested between them. Travis Cooper did not look much different from before, only his personality seemed different now. He was a businessman, standing on top of the food chain. He had a meticulous hairstyle, was clean-shaven, and wore a crisp navy suit. There was a sneering smirk on his lips. He radiated sess and confidence. Arianna noticed that his shoulders seemed wider, making his face look darker and thinner than before. His eyes did not change. As Arianna studied him, he seemed to be doing the same to her. Finally, she moved her eyes and looked at the decorations in his office to distract herself. Travis finally spoke to get her attention back, You cut your hair. You appeared lean now. I mistook you for someone else for a second. Before she began her negotiations, Arianna silently agreed it would be best to have an open dialogue between old friends. She looked at him and tried to smile, People change with time. Travis looked at his watch, then looked back at Arianna. He leaned back into his big chair and said, I only give fifteen minutes for every visitor. You now have fourteen minutes and twenty seconds left. Miss Jenkins, please state your business. Arianna was taken back by his abruptness. It looked like the small talk was over. Humbly, she replied to him, I want the originalnd transfer agreement signed by Franco Sanchez five years ago. She used her grandfathers full name to distance herself from him. She wanted Travis to see her as a professional as well. The sneer at the corners of Traviss mouth became more obvious. He said, Amazing. You are ying the victim here. I thought you wanted me to spare the lives of the tens of thousands of employees who rely on your family business. Youre right, Im not a hero, and there are other jobs for those people. But Mr. Sanchez is old and in poor health. Youve ruined his lifes work, yet you insist on giving him a final stab? Putting the old man on his way to the grave into jail will not make you any more aplished. Everyone is equal before thew. Miss Jenkins, you said this once yourself. Arianna could not remember that. They had only met three times before this business meeting. During the afternoon she spent with him, they only discussed topics such as literature, art, and geography. He then seduced her that day. Since then, Arianna has tried to erase those memories from her brain. Mr. Cooper, you know better than me that no one is clean when they are very sessful. So Arianna looked straight into his eyes, pretending to be weak and helpless but frank and fearless at the same time. But she was uneasy, not knowing if she was impressing or irritating him. So, Mr. Sanchez just ran out of his luck! Travis Cooper added politely.All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org. Chapter 28: What Can I Do? Ariannas heart sank. He didnt seem to be feeling very sympathetic today. She dropped her gaze in disappointment, then looked back at him with sorrow in her eyes. Arianna said, Your father died because he was in trouble. My dad died in nearly the same situation. My mother shemitted suicide right after his death. My uncle did the same, just many years before her. Arianna took a slow breath before continuing, Now, my grandfather, Mr. Sanchez, lost his son, daughter, wife, and son-inw in histe years. He is all alone, and the family business he devoted his life to is crumbling before him. Im the only one he has left, and I need to help him. Is his situation not enough to lessen your hatred? Her voice began to shake, I know theres an immeasurable amount of resentment between our families, but please, just let him be. After all, he didnt take his share of the takeovers and liquidation over the years, which is also why you got the chance to sit here today. Several moments of silence passed before Travis smiled. His face softened, but his words were just the opposite. Are you enlightening me? Are you suggesting the resentment between two families shoulde to a stop for a dying old man? What a pity. Your honorable grandfather didnt seem to think that mattered a few years ago. He added, Now, to avoid being in the same situation as him someday, I need to neglect any risks, including you, Arianna. Her face grew paler and paler as he spoke. She was not good at arguing and did not have wittyebacks. Usually, she used silence to get her way, but in this case, it was nowhere near enough. She crossed one leg over the other to help hold herposure. Arianna squeezed the beads on her mothers bracelet against her palm. She wished her mothers soul could give her some courage and strength. Her tension seemed to be pleasing him. Traviss eyes appeared gentler, and his tone eased, You were so prepared before you came. You probably even practiced your speech, didnt you? He chuckled before condescendingly continuing, You know about my family, nice work. It seems like youve made progress over the years. Thanks to you, Arianna mumbled automatically. Her words seemed to please him once more. He was the one who decided the life or death of her family. Travis pushed the tissue box across the desk to her. Arianna self-consciously dabbed the tears out of her eyes. In the meantime, he had gotten up and started to boil some water. Arianna lowered her head and rxed her shoulders to ease the tension. She should show him gratefulness to make him happier, she thought, but she just couldnt do it. How would you be willing to leave my grandfather alone? He casually poured her a cup of tea and ced it in front of her before replying, I think the correct person to ask is the judge, no? The offenders are usually punished. This is a matter of justice, isnt it? He was sincere and patient. Arianna was beginning to grow tired of his mood swings. He is old, and his body is failing him. He would notst long in prison. Arianna continued to try to sway him. Im sorry that I was not strong enough to confront Mr. Sanchez when he was younger and energetic. Travis said with an innocent smile and leaned forward, Miss Jenkins, I am no hero either, but I will try to be fair. Since you pre-paid me many years ago, I will not touch you and the belongings under your name. Travis continued to exin, Those stocks written in your name will be discounted to you at normal price, and you can continue your current manner of living. I dont need those. I dont mind losing anything. I wouldnt dare ask someone to let go of their family, though. I only ask for the peace and freedom of my grandfather in his final years. Please dont make him spend them in jail.Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024. Arianna was begging now, and she hated herself for it. What can I do? I always admire devoted children. His voice carried some ridicule, But Im not a charity. I only do transactions with interests. What would you do in exchange for the freedom of your grandfather? The Sanchez Group will soon be in your possession. Every piece of it is yours. What do you need above that? Travis intertwined the fingers of his one hand with the other and rested his hands on his stomach as he leaned back in his chair once more. His expression was a bitzy, Since you entered this door, Ive been waiting for the drama of you selling your body and soul to me in order to save your family member. He looked at his watch once more and added, Miss, you are not meeting my expectations, which is really disappointing. So, if you have a trump card youd like to y, now is the time. Arianna couldnt speak. This was not how she wanted this meeting to go; nevertheless, what he just secretly told her would save her grandfather. After a long break, she said to him, You used to tell me not to read the sappy stories written in popr novels. You said theyre deceptive and are unlike the real world. Ive always remembered that. A sly smile appeared on Traviss face. He said, How do you know if you dont try it? I thought that with your taste, you wouldnt be interested in a member of the hostile family. When Arianna didnt reply, Travis explicitly said, Maybe Im just bored. Id like to try something fun. Ariannas stomach felt like it flipped. She looked at the handsome face that was now showing evil. Her brain went empty. She could not believe what he was saying to her. He would stop all actions imposed on her grandfatherspany in exchange for her indefinite freedom. Trying to negotiate, she said in a faint voice, Im not asking for much, just my grandfathers peace You wouldnt be interested in me for a long time. So you can set a deadline. Miss Jenkins, I am Party A. I am the rule maker. Either you ept my terms or leave. I am not worth that much money, Mr. Cooper. And I dont needpany either. Her heart was slowly breaking. Chapter 29: Visiting Time Is Over Do you mean you are happy to let your grandfather watch hispany get dismantled into pieces and sold like scrap metal? To let him see his old partners, whove worked with him for decades, lose their jobs? And then to go to prison on top of that? Dont you think thats worse than what Im asking of you? Arianna bit her lip. She knew every word he said was a fact. All of this would be worse than death for her grandfather. But Travis was not finished, And, Mr. Sanchez offended more people than just me in his prime. Hispetitors, who were once driven to despair by your grandfather, would surely have more uncivilized negotiations for you too. Do you really think he can live peacefully if I let him go? And what about the thousands of families you would leave without an ie? Arianna snorted and said, Wont you be the one putting them out of jobs? But Travis Cooper was right. Nearly half of the Sanchez Groups first-line employees followed her grandfather for over twenty years. They dedicated a lot of their time to thepany, for which they were rewarded with high sries and welfare. If thepany copsed, the majority of these people would be abandoned. Her grandfather should have protected them better. It would be reasonable and legal if I dismiss them. And you could have avoided such a problem, including the imprisonment of your grandfather. Travis replied to her coolly. For years, you were nning to take down my family business. How could you give it up so easily? Arianna suspected he had a new plot behind this deal. I didnt expect the Sanchez Group to be so vulnerable. There is no sense of aplishment when it is in ruins. Im tired of ying this game. Travis looked at her with a mischievous expression, You should give me an answer before I change my mind. Arianna took a sip of the tea. Her palms were sweaty and slippery on the handle of the teacup. The clock was ticking. Travis held his smile and was looking at his watch. Arianna was totally lost. Half a minute left. When Traviss voice rang through the air, Arianna became scared. The teacup slipped through her fingers and shattered on the ground. Tea sttered on Ariannas legs and the carpet. It stained the white parts of her dress but did not burn her legs, as it was only lukewarm. Travis said, You have one week to think about my proposal. Next Friday night, I hope to see you here. I wont do anything in the meantime, and neither should you. If you must try to pull some tricks, then be smart about it. He pressed the call button and said, Visiting time is over, and who ising next? The secretary stepped in and reminded Travis, President Cooper, your meeting begins in three minutes. Travis stood up and straightened out his suit jacket, Yes. Could you get the janitor to clean this up, please? And find someone to send Miss Jenkins home safely. He left the room with a powerful stride. The two of them did not look at each other. **** Arianna was very good at self-deprecating when she was bored. However, she always thought of herself as an animated heroine or superwoman when she was young. She was a beautiful and proud girl, possessing flowers, gifts, and everything else she could ever want. But when she was about to enter adulthood, she turned from the heroine into the victim. All the bad things in the world came to her, and she could not save herself from them. Now she resembled a lead character in the ridiculous love novels she used to read. Then, she encountered shameless coercion from a powerful, evil businessman. In order to save her family, she had to be thrown into the thorn bush. While she was drinking her coffee and making fun of her life, she had goosebumps all over. She could not even swallow the coffee because she was so disgusted. Travis Cooper told her not to y tricks. But in fact, she knew little about ying tricks anyway. In the days following her meeting with Travis Cooper, she had been sleeping day and night and was having shes of the same dreams repeatedly. A little baby was lying in the arms of a strong man; a girl was dancing slowly on a stage; an elegant young woman was holding a bouquet in her white wedding dress; a white-haired old woman was sitting and watching the sunset peacefully Each frame of the dream was a beautiful picture. Yet, despite its tranquility, Arianna always woke up with her body covered in sweat. She felt like those dreams were what she couldnt achieve if she took Traviss deal. She hated herself for being so fragile. Sleeping did not alleviate the pain either. While she was awake, she felt like she was losing her mind. That week, she watched dozens of porn videos C male and female, homosexual, gang bang, bestiality C all kinds of postures and scenes. She swallowed her repulsion and watched them all. Even if she couldnt learn skills, it could be considered a vination for her impending fate. In the middle of the night, she often felt as if someone had crept into her room and pinned her down. She could not scream or escape. But when she woke up, she found that it was her arms across her own chest, squeezing her tightly. Travis Cooper was a man who stuck to his promise. In that week, she did not receive any warnings or harassment. Her grandfather was looking tired but peaceful. Arianna knew Travis eased on thepany so her grandfather could have a chance to breathe. As the deadline of the deal approached, Arianna calmed down. She told her grandfather to go abroad and visit an old friend. She made sure he stayed the night. Arianna took a shower and washed every inch of her body vigntly before putting on lotion. She put somefortable clothes into a bag. She carefully studied the properties of the contraceptive and took some pills before going out. She threw the box away a few miles from her home. She also rented a car for the asion.All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org. Chapter 30: Did You Eat? The address left by Travis was in a new district on the outskirts of the city. It was a very expensive location. Many buyers of the estates were from other cities, and the upancy rate was low. When she got there, no one was in the vi. The building was exactly what she expected. It had luxurious corridors, and the rooms were elegantly decorated in white, ivory, crme, and ck. It gave a sense of freedom and silence. The sober and clean environment made her feel like she was in a hospital orboratory. She suspected the ce was equipped with a surveince system. Travis probably would ensure his own safety. But Ariannas perceptive skills were poor, and she could not find any signs of a system. Continuing through the home, she inspected every inch of each room. To her relief, she did not find any of the legendary props from the videos she watched. Instead, she found several unpacked pajamas in the closet, some food in the kitchen, and a new set of wash supplies in the bathroom. She also found a few books in the study. Travis arrived around 10 p. m., and by this time, Arianna was flipping through an economics book, sitting cross-legged on the sofa, trying to control her breathing. She was hungry. She was beginning to suspect that Travis was noting at all. But the moment the door unlocked, Arianna jumped off the couch in anxiety and surprise. Travis did not change his expression when he saw her. He acted like they saw each other every day. He pulled off his tie and released his cor, and asked inly, Did you eat? Im not hungry. She responded, but her empty stomach let out an embarrassing sound at the same time. The sneer she was waiting for finally shed across his lips. He dialed a number on his mobile phone and turned to Arianna, What would you like? Macaroni? Pizza? Arianna wanted to say anything, but she changed her mind and said, A veggie burger, mashed potatoes, and in yogurt. Thanks. Travis paused for two seconds and looked at her with his head tilted to the side to express his contempt for such a meal. But he put in her request without saying a word. He walked further into the house and changed clothes. Wherever he ordered from was extremely efficient. It only took five minutes before the doorbell rang, and someone yelled, Food delivery! Before Arianna could get up and pay the bill, Travis was already bringing the food to her. He said, Please finish this before Im done with my shower. She scarfed down the burger and mashed potatoes. She nearly choked a couple of times because she didnt give herself enough time to chew. By the time she started drinking the yogurt, Travis had walked out of the bathroom in a bathrobe. He was rubbing his hair dry with a towel. Though she ate fast, she did not expect him to shower even faster than her. She felt her heart flutter. Her hands began to shake, and a few drops of yogurt spilled on her hand and pants. She smiled shyly and wiped the drops away with a tissue. Travis walked silently behind her. As she went to wipe the yogurt off her hands, he suddenly grabbed her hand and licked off the few drops. Arianna was instantly overwhelmed. He bent down to her and kissed her on the lips. The fragrance of grass-scented shower gel, yogurt, tobo, and alcohol was mixing together, floating into her nose. Arianna felt something stir in her stomach. Arianna forgot that she had been unable to ept other peoples touch for so long, regardless if it was from a male or female. No matter how close she got with someone, she would always reject them. But she had to push him away. Though it was rude, it was better than throwing up on his face. She whispered, I just had a meal, and my stomach is so full. Could we just watch TV for a little while? Of course, Travis said very graciously. He even helped her turn the TV on and sat down next to her. However, there was no escaping the inevitable. Arianna even regretted wasting time and missed the best way to escape. If she threw up all over him, he might have lost interest in spending the night with her. When the TV show became dreary and boring, Arianna was still watching it like it was a thrilling action movie. Travis decided that he should not continue waiting. He turned off the TV, pressed her down on the sofa, and slowly took her clothes off before cing them on the floor. Arianna did not dare to resist. But Travis didnt attack her as she imagined. Instead, he was terribly patient with her. His fingertips and lips moved on her skin bit by bit from head to toe, hitting every crevice and curve of her body. His fingers and lips were cold. Arianna kept her eyes shut, feeling like several cold snakes were sliding on her body. A small cluster of mes ignited whenever his presence was absent, burning her skin. Arianna was terrified. As he passed down her body, she trembled slightly, biting her tongue, fearing that she would shout. Travis moved slowly. His breathing was even, but his fingers made their way up her inner thighs to reach their final destination. Arianna felt like she was electrocuted. She bent her body and tried to evade his touch, but he fought her defense and held her body down tightly.Content held by N?velDrama.Org. He continued his in-depth invasion, making Arianna feel like her internal organs were stirring. Her body was now twisted in convulsion, with tears streaming from her eyes. Her fingers were trying to climb the back of the sofa but slipped off time after time. Travis took no further action, only watching her in torture, waiting for her to ask for mercy. Arianna bit her lips. When they could no longer bear the biting, she started gnawing on the back of her hand; she did not want to make any sound. In fact, she would prefer him to act rough and directly upy her in the most savage way. But he was acting gently, trying to make her surrender. He wanted her to lose all the dignity she had. She felt like she had been beaten and roasted in the interrogation room. She felt both hot and cold at the same time. Arianna tried hard to hold back her tears, but other parts of her body were not governed by her will. Chapter 31: He Was A Professional Actor She was soaked wet with sweat like she had juste out of a pool. Her body fluids covered his entire hand. He removed her hand from her mouth and reced it with his fingers. She tasted her own body fluid and was ashamed. She bit his finger indignantly until another salty taste came into her mouth. Travis Cooper was calm the whole time. Ariannas breathing was heavier than his. He used his other hand to squeeze her face and force her mouth open. He rubbed his bleeding finger on her cheek and wiped all the blood on her face. Now, heughed, It looks like you are very rebellious, Miss Jenkins. Should I respect you? After a few moments of silence, Travis decided not to torture her further. He tossed her a bathrobe and said, Wash away your sweat. You look like someone who drowned. Arianna stood up on shaky legs and put the bathrobe on quickly, only to find it was the same one he wore after his shower. The clock showed her that only about fifteen minutes had passed. The night was still long. Arianna was buying some time in the bathroom. She did not want to go back there. She turned the shower on to the hottest temperature and highest pressure. She needed to wash his touch off her body. Hoping that theck of oxygen and excessive steam would be enough to knock her out, she sat in the shower and held her breath with her eyes closed. She did not want to endure the torture waiting for her outside the door. However, she did underestimate her physical strength. She withstood his assault for so long. Although she was having difficulty breathing, she was still thinking clearly and decided to stand back up. When she wanted to suck in the steam again deeply, fresh air suddenly came in. Travis opened the door to the bathroom. She looked at him in fear. He pulled off his bathrobe and said, I thought you fainted in here. Arianna turned and looked at the shower tiles. She refused to see his naked body. Travis put his hand on the back of her head and said softly, Please grow your hair out. I dont like short hairstyles. His fingers followed the water down her body, sliding from her neck to her waist. The water was so hot that she could not feel his hand. Then he unexpectedly pushed her against the wall. The hard tiles hurt her chest. He grabbed her hair with one hand to prevent her head from hitting the wall. Then, in a humiliating manner, he entered her body like a storm. She clung to the wall, trying to gain some support, but the tiles were so slippery with water. Travis grabbed both her arms and ced them on her back, and held her waist with his other hand. Ariannas body was so sensitive now. His body,bined with the hot water, felt like knives cutting her skin open. She could not bear it. Travis reached one hand out of the shower and turned the fan on to cover the sound of Ariannas groaning and crying. She could no longer abuse her lips as they were bitten raw. However, after a few minutes, Ariannas wish finally came true. She fainted right in the shower. **** Arianna thus started a new page in her life. She went through stages of humiliation, endurance, and indifference in that order.Content held by N?velDrama.Org. Sometimes she even felt lucky that Travis had limits on his perversions. She didnt have to suffer inhumane abuse and embarrassment like in the porn videos. But it seemed like Travis only regarded her as a toy rather than a sex partner. The difference between the two was huge. In the beginning, she was not so open-minded. She rather wished she would die and regretted not killing him herself to bring it to an end. Travis did not have to do much. With only a kiss and a touch, Arianna would sweat all over. He was always trying to challenge her limits. He liked to see her suffer from her own thoughts. Arianna tried hard to resist the fear she felt. She tried her best to prevent herself from vomiting and to anger him. She also tried to prevent herself from crying so as not to please him. It was her own way of retaining her remaining self-esteem. When Travis found he could not get what he really wanted from her, his patience ran out. He then usually pinned her down and yed very rough until the end. However, Travis was not exactly a yboy. He did not call her often, potentially because her cold reactions reduced his fun and pleasure. But whenever he did call her, no matter howte at night it was, he always did the full process, including eating, bathing, and forey. He never brought her straight into the bedroom. This could be counted as lucky; Ariannaforted herself with this thought. But there was something positive about Travis that Arianna could not deny. He never turned back on his words. He promised that he would no longer take action against Ariannas grandfather, and he followed through. Although the Sanchez Group was heavily damaged, with her grandfathers efforts, it stopped bleeding and was on the road to recovery. Meanwhile, when Arianna began her rtionship with Travis, her only request was to hide their story from her grandfather. He did not directly agree or refused her, and he actually seemed to be cooperating inter days. Travis never personally called her, and his invitations forpany were made in advance too. It gave her enough time to make excuses for leaving home. If she could not fulfill the invitation, he would not mind changing the time, but she would have to pay a little price for it. Additionally, though the city was not small, she would inevitably encounter him once in a while. And no matter if she was with or without her grandfather, Travis always pretended she was a total stranger. He was a professional actor. Arianna didnt live in the house he left for her, nor did she spend the money from him. Travis rarely made a fuss about it. Travis never forced her to stay overnight, so as long as she had enough strength left in her, she would crawl out of his bed and drive home. Chapter 32: I鈥檓 Not Interested In Sick Women Many of her habits developed during the first few years of their rtionship. She began to shower with both hot and cool water in turns, she applied too much perfume, and she started jogging in the morning. Over-applying perfume masked the manly scent from her grandfathers and family servants. The morning jogs concealed her abnormal cheek color. It was also a good distraction for her and a great way to forget what happened the night before. The only thing that stayed steady was her baths. She bathed more frequently than ever before. The water now helped soothe her aching muscles and damaged skin after a night with Travis. In order to make her various disappearances more reasonable, she found a temporary volunteer position at a charity to help make her seem busy. At that time, Ariannas grandfather was suspicious that she had a secret boyfriend. He always smiled at her and asked her to bring him home for family inspection. She denied his sweet usations but began to act more cautiously. She didnt know whether topare herself to a mistress or a prostitute. The mistress was usually a woman of desire, used to cheat on a significant other, which Travis did not have to her understanding. Meanwhile, a prostitute was a profession, and though he tried giving her money, she always declined them. Travis was careful in some ways too. He would frequently change their meeting ces. He never needed her for anything beyond sex. It was a good thing for Arianna. But she also felt like Travis was very afraid that she would murder him in his sleep. She liked this idea, even though she was probably making it up. He was cold to her most of the time, which was exactly what she wanted. Sometimes, they could make it for twelve hours without saying anything when they were together for a while. But Travis had moments where his actions betrayed his intentions. Once when Arianna had a high fever, he insisted on seeing her, but he only wanted to watch a movie after dinner. It was in a grand VIP cinema, and they were the only two audience members. The movie was long and boring. Arianna was falling asleep throughout the film, and she vaguely heard him say, Thedy is not interested in this movie. Please put on a different one. The new film was even worse. The plot was messy and loud. Arianna felt dizzy and quickly passed out after only a few minutes of watching. She then woke up on a soft bed covered in a thick quilt. An ice bag wrapped in a towel was resting on her forehead, and someone changed her into pajamas. The clock told her it was early in the morning. Under a soft yellow light at the other end of the room, Travis was also wearing pajamas and was sitting on the sofa, holding a magnifying ss. He seemed to be looking at a few mineral specimens. He wore a pair of ck-rimmed sses and a very attentive expression. Even his facial lines and features seemed to have softened, very different from his usual style. Arianna sat up and looked at him. His softness and schrly look reminded her of the first time she met him. It was only the sses that were out of ce, like an oil painting that became blurry with age. Although she did not make any sound, Travis looked at her as soon as she moved. He asked without lifting his head, How is the fever? There is a thermometer on the table. Ariannas temperature had returned to normal, which was rare when she got a cold. She was usually sick for days. But she suspected she was given some medicines while she was sleeping.Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024. She did not dare to pretend to be ill to avoid him. He would know instantly. She felt very guilty that he didnt get to finish the movie because of her. Arianna turned on the bedsidemp, grabbed the book on the nightstand, and began reading. The book was obscure and difficult to understand. She reluctantly skimmed through more than a dozen pages, not taking any of the information in. Then she heard him ask, Arent you going back to sleep? She replied, Arent we going to do this? Arianna reckoned that President Cooper took a day off from his busy schedule to call her, and he didnt just want to watch a movie together. She was feeling very fatigued, so she hoped he could finish what he needed to do quickly so she could go to sleep in peace. However, Travis did not take the opportunity to agonize her, instead, he said, You just go back to sleep. Im not interested in sick women, and Id rather not get infected. *** Over time, Ariannas double-identity lifestyle reached a normal state. During the day, she was a role model working a low-profile job and was involved in charity work. Her familys business did not require her assistance. She felt like her life was best represented by her ne C low-key and elegant. On some particr nights, she was like a wandering soul, weeping and sweating underneath a mans body, regardless of her reluctance. Fortunately, this was not a frequent event, which made it bearable for Arianna to do so on asion. The interval between their meetings was long enough for her to repair her broken self-esteem and recover strength. At that time, Ariannas spiritual support was her grandfather. She watched hime back to life and push the Sanchez Group to a whole new peak. Even though she, herself, was not confident, seeing her grandfathers smile again made her feel like what she was doing was worth it. When Travis did not show up to the final negotiations, thepany stayed under Franco Sanchezs control. Arianna thought he was a good guy because he followed his promises. Travis was also into charity, however, Arianna suspected that he might be doing it for fame. There were other good things about Travis that Arianna would not admit. For example, he was not as perverted as she pictured him to be. She even had a few nice orgasms under him. This made her think of herself as a client and Travis as a pimp. This self-deception was pleasant, and she no longer feared being with him. Chapter 33: She Was Exposed However, her body had seen some minor repeated injuries that needed regr treatment and review. When the doctors applied a heating or chilling treatment, Arianna always counted numbers to distract herself from the pain. She used this technique sometimes when she was with Travis. Arianna gradually epted her rtionship with Travis Cooper. And maybe because of the change in her attitude, Travis also softened his attitude towards her. Travis did not hurry to bring her to bed on one particr evening. Rather, he asked her to try on a few dresses he picked out for her. The dresses were one-of-a-kind, handcrafted evening gowns. Although she grew up like a princess before she was seventeen, she never had the opportunity to wear something so elegant and mature. In front of Travis, Arianna had lost her sense of shame. She was not afraid to move her body when she waspletely naked around him. She simply tried one dress on and waited for his feedback before sliding it off and putting on another one while he watched. If any other woman did that, it would usually be in seduction. But Arianna did it out of contempt. It turned out that being a fashion model was difficult. After trying on a handful of dresses, Arianna was feeling tired. Travis enjoyed watching her change from dress to dress. However, his facial expression didnt show it. He was leaning back in a chair by the window, smoking his cigarette indifferently. Travis didnt even look at her when Arianna changed into thest white silk gown. He waszily leaning on the windowsill, watching the shadow of the trees move on the water in the pool below them. The moonlight shone through the window beautifully. The breeze blew through Traviss hair and over his face from time to time. He was wearing a white vest over a white shirt and loose beige trousers. His shirt was unbuttoned, leaving his bare chest also exposed to the wind. Arianna thought he looked like he was from a scene in a movie. The breeze pushed up the hem of his shirt, giving him white angel wings. The moonlight outlined his beautiful facial features. She thought she was silly for thinking of him as a pimp. Sheughed aloud at the thought. Travis had never heard herugh like this before. He invited her to watch a funny movie on their next few dates trying to hear it again, but unfortunately, it never happened. *** Arianna didnt know how her grandfather discovered her rtionship with Travis. They took many measures to keep it a secret from everyone. But now, suddenly, she was exposed. Though Travis disrespected her in bed, he was a gentleman on all other asions and did respect her wishes. They set their meeting times and locations with caution to keep her grandfather from finding out. She felt grateful that Travis was very cooperative with the secrecy. However, he enjoyed the look on her face when she worried about the discovery of their affair. Arianna was extremely vignt with her dates with Travis. Her grandfather rarely questioned her personal business and epted her outings as part of her growth, but when he asked about her boyfriend for the second time, Arianna was caught off guard. Franco Sanchezs expression integrated disappointment, anger, sadness, resentment, and humiliation all into one. With all of these negative energiesbined, they pierced Ariannas soul like flying swords. She stuck to her usual excuses for being outte, such as working overtime or charity events. But he threw a few photos at her feet. She shook as she squatted down to see them. A series of photographs were on the floor. The film was not clear. At a nce, she could tell the photos were shot with a high-power lens from a long distance. The appearance of a man and a woman in the photos was ambiguous. However, her grandfather could easily tell that it was her. The photos were a sequence of continuous actions: Arianna leaned in Traviss arms like a supple kitten in a lounge bar; they walked out of ce with his arm draped over her shoulders; she was lying on hisp as the driver closed the car door. And thest photo was of the car, and the license te number was clearly visible. Ariannas heart was getting cold. She remembered the evening in which those photos were taken. That was the only time she let her guards down. She typically limited her close contact with Travis to the bedroom. She preferred them to look like strangers outside of it. But that night, she had dinner with several colleagues in the restaurant. Coincidentally, she met Travis in the hallway when she excused herself from making a call. Unsurprisingly, a waiter gave her a note on her way out with an address on it. This was his usual style. Arianna felt extremely insulted. He usually coordinated their meetings with her rather than summoning her for sex upon meeting by coincidence. Travis always had his way of humiliating her; his methods were infinite. Although she clenched her hands and teeth, she obliged to the request. ****Text content ? N?velDrama.Org. Travis was not particrly interested in her body. After a meeting, it was usually a week or two before he contacted her again. Arianna eventually began to realize that the more she pleased him during their time together, the longer she would be free from him. On the anniversary date of the death of her old nanny, Arianna was in a sad mood. She didnt sulk over the deaths of her parents or grandmother anywhere near as much as her nanny. Arianna thought this was because she loved her the most and she was the first one ripped away from her. The nanny had spent much more time with Arianna than anyone else in the household. And Arianna med herself for her death sometimes. She thought if the nanny didnt work so much and had rested instead, maybe she would not have gotten sick. Ariannas eyes were sullen. She did not have the energy to do anything that day. But when she looked at her phone, she saw a text from the new girl at work, Melissa. It said, Hey, what time do you want to go for dinner tonight with the girls? Chapter 34: Arianna, I Am So Disappointed She rolled her eyes. This was thest thing she wanted to do, but she knew they would bother her about it if she did not go. With a sigh, she replied to the text message and went and prepared herself a hot bath. Arianna was so rxed that she nearly fell asleep in the water. She lost track of time and had to rush to get ready. The restaurant they were going to was very high-end, so Arianna wore a look that she would usually save for Travis. At the restaurant, Arianna had a sd and some sparkling water. She remained quiet as the women gushed about office gossip and their personal lives. These topics of conversation never interested Arianna. She excused herself from making a phone call in the hallway, but she simply used this as a reason to leave the table and get some peace. However, it was the opposite of peace that found her in the hall. As Arianna leaned against the wall and was taking deep breaths, Travis Cooper casually walked by her. Though his eyes flickered towards her, he did not break his stride or turn his body. He really was a professional actor. After receiving his note, it turned out that he wanted to have some wine with her at a lounge bar. Arianna figured she might as well get their meeting out of the way for the week. The bottle he chose was an expensive red wine with a smooth texture and bitter taste. Arianna drank one ss after another, letting him refill it repeatedly. Arianna quickly became drunk. She felt like she didnt have control of her limbs, and the room was spinning. She probably would have panicked on other asions, but when she was with Travis, she knew her situation couldnt get worse. However, Arianna also knew that she was safe. Arianna closed her eyes and leaned back in the chair. She was d that Travis didnt require her to be talkative. She had lost her sense of reality at this point. When she woke up, she found herself lying naked d in Traviss bed and had a pounding headache. He certainly would not let her go so easily, so Arianna bit her tongue as she tried to endure her headache and stomach ache while epting his aggression. However, she couldnt hold it back anymore and threw up on the bed. Travis had suspected she was going to be sick and dodged the vomit just in time. Though she felt good about vomiting on his bed, she was still embarrassed. Arianna did not want to recall the evening. She never expected the night to be re-presented to her by her grandfather in such a way. Franco Sanchez, once so calm and poised, could not hide his trembling voice as he said, Arianna, if the result of my investigation was correct, the owner of this car is Travis Cooper. Please swear on my remaining years and tell me that you do not know this guy and you have nothing to do with him. Arianna could see the tears welling up in her grandfathers eyes. **** At the sound of his request, Arianna remembered a childhood experience. When she was walking in the woods, the winds suddenly began to rage, and dark clouds quickly rolled in. She was in the middle of nowhere and could not find a way to escape. Even though panic spread through her body, all she could do was wait for the storm to arrive. Arianna felt like she was having the same experience now. The anger and frustration were raging in her grandfathers eyes, and she could not contest a single word. The tears she thought she saw in his eyes were made up by her imagination. Her ears started to buzz, and she didnt know what to say. Do you have any idea who he is and what this means? She lowered her head. She did not dare to lie to her grandfather. Ah, so you do know. His mother basically killed your uncle. And your own parents died because of him. You knew this all along, yet you still kept hispany. Arianna, I am so disappointed. Grandpa, its not like that. She sounded like there was a fishbone jammed in her throat. She struggled to pronounce each word. Not like that? So your uncle didnt die because of his mother? Your father didnt die because of him? And yet, you are so content to be with him?Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024. Her grandfather was outraged. Arianna could see more lightning shing in his eyes. He had always been kind and polished before her, but that did not mean she had never seen his angry side. Franco Sanchez was not an easily irritated man; however, when he was livid, his fury could burn down a forest. But he was right about the facts. The legendary uncle that Arianna had never met was said to beposed of only exceptional qualities and bore all hopes from her grandfather. He died very young. The only stain on his short life was said to be falling in love with a beautiful but vicious woman. He tried to elope with the woman when the family opposed their rtionship. And when she refused him, he was driven to suicide. Ariannas grandfather mourned the loss of his son. He tried any method to seek revenge on the woman and everyone around her. He was a nightmare. And Ariannas father died because a business deal went south. The Sanchez Groups existence was embedded in the deal, so her father was forced to go to a meeting in the middle of the night. He and his driver died in a car crash on a muddy mountain road. They were going to meet with the members of Transcendent Jewels. When Arianna put all the pieces of the story together, she felt sadness rather than hatred. As a man sows, he shall reap. Her uncles death sounded more like an ident in Ariannas mind. That woman may have truly loved him at a time, or maybe she was taking advantage of him, but she did not seem like she meant to harm him. However, her grandfather tried every measure to hurt the woman. Chapter 35: I Still Can Feel Betrayal She had to sell her body to survive. Her new husband was gone, and she had lost her mind. And Ariannas grandfather did that to her deliberately. Therefore, Arianna could somehow understand Travis Coopers current revenge, even though she could not forgive him.Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024. As for her father, Arianna didnt know if Travis was working for Transcendent Jewels at the time of his death, but he was so closely associated with thepany now that her grandfather automatically put the me on him. Travis took advantage of the greedy nature of humans and was a master of deception. People always cheat on one another in every corner of the world. Some were lucky enough to dodge the misfortune, while others were prone to bad luck. Those who survived became strong, and those who could not be weak. In Ariannas eyes, her father was the unlucky type, and her mother was one of the weak. But Arianna knew her grandfather was a paranoid old man. He always twisted the truth to make him and his family look like the victims. And though Arianna did not agree with what he did, she loved him almost as much as she loved her nanny. He also adored her as well, making this quarrel even more difficult for both of them. However, she could not imagine what he would say if he knew the full truth; if he knew she was forced to give up her body and soul to the enemy in order to protect him and hispany; if he found out thepany was not saved by his efforts, but rather her immoral agreement. His self-esteem would be damaged beyond repair, so she remained silent and had him misunderstand the situation. The old man said with deep sorrow, Arianna, Ive lost a lot of hope in my life, but now, youve made me lose whatever I had left in me. I never asked you to be excellent or outstanding, and Ive never pushed you to do anything you didnt like. But I never thought you would betray us in such a way after all we have given you! Why the hell are you with this man? Are you so scared to join me in poverty and start a new life? This man is trying to do that to us! You are well educated. You should know that it is gone forever once your dignity is lost. Ive never been hurt so deeply by my own family before. I did not expect this from you. You were my dearest one and have always been my pride and joy from the moment you were born. How could you do this to me, Arianna? I may not have many years left, but Im still alive! I still can feel betrayal. Ariannas heart was hammering. She thought about her grandfathers perspectives on the situation, but she never considered this one. In his heart, he now saw her as an ignorant girl without loyalty who was willing to trade her family to continue living her carefree life. Her tears finally spilled over her bottom eyelid. She tried to hug her grandfather, but he began backing away as soon as she approached him. She yelled, Grandpa, its not like that at all. Listen to me. Please listen to me! She was desperate for her grandfather to understand that she was not a traitor. But at this moment, someone knocked on the door and said, President Sanchez, the car has been waiting for a while now. His eyes were suddenly glowing. She knew that he had a project argument that day, and he devoted a lot of energy to the project. He even bet his entire worth If he won, the Sanchez Group might see its glory return, but if he lost, the business would likely copse immediately. He looked back at her impatiently and said, What do you want to exin? Did you sell your body to that scum, not because of vanity and greed? Then for what? Because he is handsome? Because he treats you well? Or because you love him? He smirked. Arianna suddenly lost the courage to admit the facts. She was worried that the truth would crush his enthusiasm for work and would ruin his project argumentation. She was concerned for his dignity. She finally spoke, I met him a long time ago, and I really liked being with him. I was nevermitted to him for other reasons. I only knew about his horrible ties to our familyter, but I was so obsessed with him that I couldnt leave him at the time. But I will leave him now, Grandpa. Really, I will. Please trust me! Franco Sanchez turned around and headed for the door. He seemed to be less angry than before, but he spat the word Cheap at her before leaving. This was thest word she heard him say to her before he became mentally ill. Arianna wandered around the house like a walking corpse, waiting for her grandfather to return. Her tears gradually dried up, and her heart had cooled down. She felt lost. She felt like she wasnt doing anything wrong for more than a year. In fact, she felt like she had made the correct decision. She began to question everything. But her grandfather did not make it back. Instead, she found herself in a car on the way to the hospital. It turned out that during the project argumentation, he had a heart attack and copsed on the spot. If his confrontation with his granddaughter was a nightmare, then the meeting must have been even worse. Franco always took pride in his partners, but the argumentation was a disgrace and a scam. His partners turned on him and set him into a trap. He never saw iting. He had been working so hard for months and saw great sess, which was instantly destroyed. The original Sanchez Group would have been able to withstand such andslide, but now, a bit of wind could have easily destroyed the business. The moment he figured out what was going on, Franco Sanchez copsed with his empire. In the following days, Arianna felt like she was in a nightmare from which she could never wake up again. There were shadows in front of her every day, murmuring spells and strangling her and her grandfather. Chapter 36: You Can Still Lock Up Like Crazy Her grandfather was a tough leader in business, but he treated his people well. Unfortunately, these people that were brought up by him step by step had the audacity to stab him in the back in the most critical moment in thepanys history. Miss Jenkins, I am sorry. Mr. Sanchez was good to me, but I am responsible for my wife and children. This was the honest type. Miss Jenkins, please sign here. You have no choice. This was the sinister type. And there was the negotiating type who said, Miss Jenkins, we understand how you feel, but please cooperate with us, it will only get harder for both of us if you dont. Arianna felt hopeless. She could not find a single person to trust or confide in. Everyone seemed to have Judas stamped across their foreheads. But the most devastating blow was when her grandfather woke up from hisa. When he awoke, Arianna was at his bedside, beaming like a child on Christmas morning. However, he could not recognize her or anyone else, nor did he remember anything from thest two decades. As Arianna tried to hug him with tears running down her face, her grandfather grabbed the ss bottle from the bedside table and hit her across the head with it. To him, she was not his only living rtive anymore, she was not the granddaughter he had loved dearly, but instead, she was a random stranger who seemed like she was going to attack him. Despite this, Arianna stayed in the hospital with him. But she was in a groggy state now. She did not want to eat or drink, and she stopped paying attention to what time it was. After a few days, Arianna has admitted into the hospital as a patient herself. People came to visit her and her grandfather, both always saying the same things over and over again. She heard a discussion when she appeared to be sleeping in the armchair, Do you think shes going to die before the old man? Arianna didnt care anymore. She lost all concern and only wished that she and her grandfather could pass away together soon. The only one who shed tears for her was the new family nanny, Winnie. She said, Miss Jenkins, please dont do this to yourself. The master still needs you. What if he healed and discovered that you are gone? How could he survive? But the words did not resonate with Arianna. And as a result, the nanny eventually stopped visiting. She was lethargic all day, and when the doctor gave her an injection, she felt the pain but did not have the energy to make any sound. She was in a state where she could not live but also could not die. Did the blow from her grandfather knock her into this state? Arianna tried to reflect on her short life. She really did not do any bad things. Although shecked apassionate heart, she always gave money to the homeless people on the road when she was young. And she would secretly help pay the textbook fees of her poor ssmates in high school. And when she went to college, she was involved in volunteer charity work. The most shameful thing she had done in her whole life was giving her body to Travis Cooper when she was younger. The most sinful thing she did was stab a man with a hairpin before he could rape her, and she didnt even do any real damage. She thought she had enough punishment for these things, but why did her bad luck seem so endless? **** She didnt know how long she actually spent as a patient in the hospital, but her surroundings finally quieted down. Even the nurses who changed her medicine did not try to speak to her. She rested quietly, imagining the drama TV shows she watched as a child. The protagonists were in heavy snow or dense wilderness, stumbling around alone. Why did they keep walking? They were in the middle of nowhere. Wouldnt it be easier if they died? Then she felt violent shaking and refused to open her eyes. She thought it was an earthquake, butter she found out that she had been moved to a different ward. Through her eyelids, she could see that this ward was brighter, and the unpleasant odor was not hard to miss.Content held by N?velDrama.Org. What do you guys do for a living? You cant even cure the simplest of diseases! She is normal. Everything about her is fine. Why is she still lying in bed? I dont give a fuck what method you use. Just let her wake up. If she died, shed be haunting you by now. Though it was rude, it was the most caring conversation she had heard during her stay. It taught her that it wasnt her fault that she couldnt open her eyes; it was whatever medication was being pumped into her. And she also learned that someone was looking out for her, but she couldnt figure out who it would be. The voice was unfamiliar to Arianna. She even swore to herself that she had never heard it before. She tried to open her eyes and look at the person, but she could not move. Maybe it was a really long dream. She did not know how much time had passed before she heard someone whispering in her ear. This time, she could recognize the voice. It was the man who gave her the greatest shame. She could never forget that voice. Arianna, between you and your grandfather, one of you is crazy, and the other is going to die. But Im not sure which is which. His warm breath blew across her ear and face, making her skin a little itchy. There was also a faint smell of tobo floating in the air. She tried to push him away, but she only had the strength to wiggle her fingers. He then continued, You can die if you want, you know. But if you unterally tear up our agreement without my permission, guess what I will do to your sweet grandfather. You can still lock up like crazy. Traviss voice was colder than usual. Each word felt like an electric shock to Arianna. How could he be so ruthless when they were in such poor health? She tried hard to open her eyes, and if she could, she would have pped him endlessly. Chapter 37: You Always Get What You Want Arianna felt the breath leave her face and heard the footsteps moving away from her. Straining her heart, she mustered up the energy to open her eyes. She slowly turned her head to the side. The sun was setting outside her window, and it was beginning to be dark in the room. Someone was sitting on the lounge beneath the window, stretching his arms and legszily. She tried to open her mouth and speak, but only inaudible sounds came out. Finally, she stuttered, Get me a ss of water, please. In the light of the dusk, Travis casually met her gaze. His expression was lost in the light, and Arianna could not tell whether he was surprised or mocking, but he slowly stood up. Themp above her head suddenly turned on, and her eyes burned under the light. She closed her eyelids. She heard his footsteps walking to her bedside and the sound of a cupboard opening. He ced an opened bottle of mineral water into her hand. Her limbs were shaking, and she squeezed the bottle tightly. She didnt know why her arm wouldnt lift the bottle to her mouth like she was trying to do.All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org. Then, a series of gear sounds came from under her feet. The bed under her torso gradually folded forward, pushing Arianna to sit in an upright position. It was Travis who clicked the buttons on the bed to help her. Arianna did not say thank you but found it much easier to bring the bottle to her lips. She hadnt eaten for many days and was surprised at her sudden bout of strength. She drank the whole bottle of water in one go. The mineral water flowed softly down her throat. Her cells seemed to be activated immediately by the water. She looked around to figure out where she actually was. The room had white ceilings and walls and white bedsheets and furniture. Even the liquid that was flowing from a bag through the needle in her arm was a milky white color. Apparently, that was the nutrient solution that kept her alive. If it werent for Travis wearing a business suit instead of casual clothes, she would have thought they were at one of his new residences somewhere, not at the hospital. His suit was dark gray, matched with a light gray dress shirt and a navy tie. His hair was neatlybed. He looked like an elegant gentleman who had just returned from a banquet. In Ariannas memory, she only saw him in ck, gray, white, and navy. So his appearance now was average for him. Her eyes examined him for a long time before resting on his face. They looked at each other, neither of them showing any emotion. Arianna opened her mouth first. After drinking the bottle of water, she did not struggle to speak. Instead, she clearly said, Congrattions, Im d you always get what you want. Ariannas mind was dizzy. She could not tell whether Travis smiled or not and heard him say, Do you want to hear the truth? Ive waited for so long, longer than half my lifetime. Ive paid so much and have devoted myself to everything Ive got. I thought I could enjoy the fun of taking revenge on an enemy. But I didnt expect Mr. Sanchez to be so fragile. Im almost wondering whether its even worthwhile. I never take revenge, so I dont understand how you feel, Arianna said tly. And this time, she finally saw it. He really was smiling. A faint smile shed past his lips, looking like an evil lotus. When he did not respond, she added, You will be damned. You will learn that karma is a bitch. But Arianna was weak, and the powerful tone she hoped would back up her words was not there. Travis was quiet for a moment before pulling a chair over to her bedside. The shadow of his body towered over Arianna, covering the sunlight in her eyes. She quivered and worried that he would beat her, but he just slightly leaned towards her and whispered, Ive spoken to your grandfather. Weve waited for more than a decade to see his demise. If you want to see my downfall, you need to be capable of surviving many more years. Dont you worry, Ill be there! She whispered. Laughing out loud, Travis said, You know, youre a much better conversationalist when youre not half dead. Arianna turned her face away from him. She wanted to tell him to fuck off, but herdy-like side stepped in and prevented her from doing so. Travis seemed to be utterly oblivious to the wards ban on smoking. He lit a cigarette and brought it to his lips. The familiar smell of smoke quickly drifted past her nose. When she turned back to stare at the cigarette between his fingers, he thoughtfully asked, Do you want one too? She angrily turned her head away again. Perhaps she turned too hard or was being choked by the smoke, but she coughed heavily for several seconds. Travis put out his cigarette and suddenly said, Whether you believe it or not, its not me. As in what? Arianna watched him alertly. Everything. Although this dialogue sounded mysterious, Arianna fully understood. Yes or no, I dont care. Arianna paused for a moment and added, Travis, you got what you wanted, even if it wasnt as perfect as you expected. My grandfather and I have nothing to lose anymore, so please, just let us go. Travisughed loudly, All Im saying is that I didnt break the contract. How about you, Arianna? You might as well think with your beautiful little head. What are you going to do? Are you and your crazy grandfather going to beg on the streets? Or were you nning to hang yourself with a rope? No matter what will happen to us, Id prefer it to happen without you. All this speaking was exhausting, Arianna. She had to cough again after she finished. But she knew Travis could push her bottom line and drain her energy easily. He was, in fact, enjoying her madness. Im afraid it would cause you to believe in miracles if you got by peacefully. Did you think that all your problems would automatically disappear since your grandfather lost his sanity and you stayed in bed for a week? Unfortunately, the world isnt peaceful just because youve been in a hospital for a few days. Chapter 38: How Do You Think I Survived All These Years? Travis continued, The Sanchez Group is a real mess now, and they need someone to take the me. You and your grandfather are the best choices. Arianna, I tried to warn you of your interests and risks when you signed our agreement, but it appears that the situation has worsened. The people your grandfather trusted are attacking him harder than I ever would have. He took a deep breath, And I dont think you can deal with them. Where were you nning to take your grandfather to hide? And with what money? Plus, arent you afraid now that he would kill you in the middle of the night?All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org. Ariannas eyes widened in panic. She could not speak and simply looked at him with a hopeless expression. He confirmed every worry she had about the future. As for me, Im not a good person, and I know you think that too. I prefer those who are looking to end an agreement early to fulfill their payment responsibilities. So if you do choose to end early and leave the withstanding payments, my n is to throw Mr. Sanchez in prison for the rest of his crazy life, further ruining his reputation. Do you think he is crazy now? Just wait until the humiliation kicks in. Arianna cried, Are you human? Do you even have a soul? What can an old, crazy man on his deathbed do to harm you? Many years ago, I wanted to ask your grandfather the same questions. Why was he so inhumane? That woman lost everything because of him, and he still would not let her go. If he can answer me, I will answer you. Travis said calmly. But what did I do wrong? What have I done to you? Why dont you just let me go? Arianna was choking on her tears. She tried to hold them back to avoid drawing unwanted attention. Miss Jenkins, if your memory still works, please think carefully. You threw yourself into my office. I gave you a deal, and youter epted it. You are the only thing keeping me from imprisoning Franco Sanchez. Arianna knew this was true. She did not respond but instead cried quietly until her tears dried up. He put a warm, wet towel on her palm for her to wipe her face. But she immediately threw the towel back at him, or so she thought. She forgot that her energy was low, so the towel simply fell to the floor right beside her bed. Her stubbornness was irritating Travis. He picked up the towel, grabbed her jaw with one hand, and wiped her face with the towel in the other hand. It felt like he was using excessive force to mock herck of strength. Her jaw felt like it was bruising, and her skin felt like it was getting peeled off with each swipe. When he began rubbing her lips, she seized the opportunity and bit the back of his hand with her remaining strength. Travis stopped moving and watched her without trying to break free. Arianna bit hard, but there was no blood. She only felt pain in her teeth. She opened her mouth and leaned back, closed her eyes, and stopped talking. The tears that dried up a moment ago were back, streaming down her cheeks and into her neck and mouth, tasting salty and warm. There was no sound in the room. She sat on the bed for a long time without moving. She had almost forgotten that he was there. But his voice came again, causing her brain to start throbbing. Arianna, do you think you are the first to be innocent yet experience suffering? My mother was innocent too. She was even younger than you when she met your uncle. Her only mistake was falling in love with your family member. Dont be so na?ve and blind that you cant see what he did to her. She lost your uncle too, you know. Just because she wasnt ready to elope didnt mean that she didnt love him. Didnt she pay that same price when he died? But your grandfather would not let her go because she didntmit suicide to follow your uncle into the underworld. She was pushed so hard that she could not live or die. Even if my mother owed a life to your family, then what did I do wrong? What did my father do wrong? We were poor. We werent even worthy of washing your grandfathers car. Why couldnt he just let us live a simple life? And you think now that you have your own situation to deal with is a good enough reason for me to let you go? When my father died, and my mother was losing her mind, your grandfather didnt let us go. Maybe I should be grateful to him. If he had let us go, I wouldnt have had that vengeful drive. Maybe I would just be a chef or a mechanic. I would never have had this opportunity without him giving me a reason to fight. The old man hit you once, and you dont want to live anymore. Try to get some perspective, for Gods sake, Arianna. I lived with my mad mother for ten years. I didnt dare, nor could I afford to send her to a psychiatric hospital because I was worried Id lose her forever. Do you know what it was like for her to act normal around others and only be unstable with me? Presumably, my existence guilted her into staying alive, so she put all her hatred on me. I was ten years old and grew up with a suicidal mother who resented me. How do you think I survived all these years? When youre with me, you may feel disgusted. And every time youre under me, do you feel like you want to die? If I told you that in order for me to be qualified to take revenge on your grandfather, I would have to have done much more disgusting things than you. Would that make you feel any better? It was the first time Travis had said so many words to her. Arianna knew some of his stories before, but now she learned the missing details. Travis narrated his story smoothly and coolly as if he was reading out instructions. Arianna was shocked by both the story and hisck of emotion. Chapter 39: At Your Service, My Lady She was overwhelmed by the story. It was hard for her to believe that her grandfather could have done such terrible things to other people. To her, he was the kind old soul that loved the rain and spending time with his granddaughter. Arianna looked at his calm face and started, My grandfather, but she lost the courage to finish her sentence. Do you see why I cant just let you two go? I would have torn him to pieces if I wasnt afraid of blood. I dont care if he is old, mad, or a corpse in a coffin. He is still the man who destroyed my family. Travis finally finished his speech. I used to think I hoped.. Arianna was stumbling for words, I sometimes wished you were my uncles child. Travis replied with a mocking smile, Isnt it surprising? You had that in mind after our first meeting? At that time, did you want to persuade me as a family member to let him go, or did you want topensate for the abuse I had to endure with your own life? But fortunately, Im not a member of your family. Arianna kept her mouth shut. She knew anything she said now would seem like she was insulting herself. Travis, however, seemed to be enjoying the aftertaste of his speech. He said, Dont regret it. Although we dont have the same bloodline, dont you think we are simr in some way? You have a mentally disordered grandfather, just as I had a mentally disturbed mother. Your father died in a car ident, as did mine. And both our mothersmitted suicide. But you never met your biological father, and you probably dont even know who he is, and Im the same with you. Arianna looked at him in surprise. She was shocked that Travis shared all of these things with her. At the same time, she also felt sad because she knew she could not escape from him, so it didnt bother him to tell his secrets like jokes. Fatigue washed over her body. She felt depressed with the thought of living under Traviss thumb for the rest of her life. Im tired, please leave. This time, Arianna lowered her own bed to lie down. She did not want to ask any more of him. But as she did so, the needle in her arm was pulled out. She could feel the pain but only clenched her teeth. She wanted to wait for Travis to leave before calling the doctor for help. From that moment on, Arianna never wanted to show him weakness ever again. But instead, Travis removed the tape on her hand and used a soft cloth to press on the wound. She looked up at him. He smiled back at her and said, Press on it yourself. She reced his hand with hers and gave him a dirty look. Please get out of here, Arianna emphasized. Does our agreement still stand? I dont really have a choice, do I? Of course, you do, as long as youre willing to ept the consequences. Arianna tucked herself under her quilt and hid her head. She was afraid her tolerance would fail again. She had already lost control of herself once, and she did not want to please him by doing it once more. Now that our agreement stands, you can attach preferential terms as long as I find them reasonable. Arianna lowered the quilt and looked at him cautiously. She suspected he was plotting something again. I will handle the current situation. No one will bother you or your grandfather. Besides that, do you have any other requests? Travis asked patiently. She was not ustomed to his kindness. She could not think of any such requests at all. Ill give you fifteen minutes to think about it. Travis took off his watch and handed it to her, The countdown has begun. Arianna sat in silence for a while, but she wasnt thinking at all. Her mind waspletely nk. She wanted as little from him as possible. I would like an expiration date for our agreement, Arianna shouted just before her time ran out. Thats fair. Lets wait for Franco Sanchez to restore his mind or die. Only then will the agreement expire. Her face went pale. She said, If As long as he is mentally ill and alive, our agreement remains valid. However, ording to my many years of research, these diseases are not easy to recover from, so the termination of our agreement will likelye when he is dead. Travis added nicely as if she wasnt offended enough. If she was not out of strength, Arianna might have broken something. Her hatred for Travis rose again. This viin made her freedom and her grandfathers fate be a contradiction, and she was taking pleasure in doing so. When she was free, she would be all alone. Travis gently took her arm and pressed hard on the wound. Arianna whimpered in pain. You dont seem like youre satisfied with the additional terms. You can add another one. He said with a grin. Do you know who framed my grandfather? Yes. The same man who told him about our rtionship? The same group of people, yes. They need to pay for that. I dont care how much they got for betraying my family. I want them to pay double the price. Arianna was witnessing her pure and white soul make a deal with the devil. She knew that it would not vent her grief and resentment, but she needed some sort of an outlet before shepletely lost herself.Content held by N?velDrama.Org. However, the moment she said it, she realized she sounded like Travis. She could not believe that she had sunk to his scummy level. Travis studied the wound on her arm now. It was swollen and gray. He nced at it lovingly and lowered his lips to give it a kiss. His lips were usually cold, but this time his kiss was dry and moist. At your service, mydy. He seemed tough as he spoke. No one could tell what he was hiding behind his chuckles. Arianna pulled back her arm and closed her eyes again. Travis pressed the call button at the bedside and said, Miss Jenkins is awake. He then began to walk out of the room smugly. The moment he opened the door, Arianna said, I hate you. The man stopped in his tracks. She stressed again, Travis Cooper, I hate you. Noted, Travis replied inly. Chapter 40: Completely Unexpected In the weeks following Traviss birthday, Arianna won a lot of sympathy. At the beginning of the year, Ariannaspanyunched a set of assessment ns for the employees to redeem bonuses. Many of them were unreasonable, and everyone protested the difficulty but tried anyway. For the first half of the year, she was following through on a project under the instruction of her supervisor. Arianna was in charge of the trivial matters before the project was stopped because of various barriers. And since the assessment n required the projects to be finished, Arianna basically lost her bonus for the first half of the year. She was expecting it to be a big one too. All of her colleagues tried tofort her. She felt like she had just been robbed after winning the lottery. Though she did notin to her superiors, the department director said to her, Arianna, you have to understand that this is a business. And her boss told her sincerely, While it is not my decision, I just want you to know that Im sorry. Arianna was at a crossroads. She wanted to exin that she wasnt upset, but others; would think that she was acting. So instead, she simply epted thefort of the people around the office. The paycheck from work was only meant to feed her, so she wasnt counting on that bonus to survive. Maybe it was topensate for the loss that the annual blood donation quota, or the sympathy award, as the employees called it, was given to her. The award resembled employment welfare, where she received around four thousand dors and an extra weeks vacation. The role was as popr as Employee of the Year. But she did not want to anger the crowd. She spent the money on the employees, buying everyone lunch one afternoon. However, she did take the extra week off. She counted this as lucky. Arianna had repeatedly visited the blood donation vehicle that stopped outside the office building. She was always rejected for the past several years because she was underweight or her blood pressure was too low. This time, she actually passed the physical examination and donated blood. However, the phlebotomist advised her to see a medical professional about a hardness near her uterus. She suspected that it was a cyst of some sort. Arianna went home and rested for the day with a chaotic mind. She called her doctor and was told there was an openingter in the afternoon. Arianna happily booked herself in and headed for the hospital. After the long, thorough examination, she was told that she waspletely healthy and there was nothing to be worried about. On her way out, Arianna stopped by the hospital garden. The sunflowers were blossoming under the sun. She thought they were so beautiful that she couldnt help but pull out her phone and take pictures of them. Suddenly, she shuddered and turned around. Arianna never doubted her sixth sense, which she always said helped her avoid several catastrophes as a child. But she wondered why it didnt warn her in her adolescence to stay away from trouble. But the ability seemed to be back, stronger than ever. When she looked back, she noted two people were walking. Ones face matched the picture of the hospital director she saw in the hallway, and the other was a familiar man in a suit. Even with sunsses on, Arianna could recognize Travis Cooper anywhere. Arianna immediately hid in the sunflowers and didnt dare to look back again. Coincidentally, she wore a yellow top and green trousers, making this her ideal hiding ce. The two men seemed to be talking very seriously, and there were a lot of prettier, more expensive flowers in the garden, so they would not notice her. She first assumed that Travis thought it was too degrading toe to a public hospital, but she saw him talking to the hospital director very respectfully. She was sure it had to do something with money and investments. If that was the case, she was not going toe to this hospital anymore. After a few minutes, Arianna could no longer feel their presence, so she quickly evacuated the flower plot. She cut through the hospital lobby and briskly walked to the parking lot. She turned the air conditioner on and closed her eyes for a couple of minutes. It was warm outside, and she was hot from walking so fast. Once her body temperature returned to normal, she drove away from the beautiful but now tainted hospital. She was unlucky. And just when she thought she was safe, she caught a glimpse of Travis and the hospital director walking out of the building in the rearview mirror. She saw them shake hands and take a bow.Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024. Arianna hit the throttle and rushed out of the parking lot. She was a few hundred meters away from them in just a few seconds. Her car was quiet and ordinary, so she hoped that she left unnoticed. She passed through the hospital gate and the first traffic light. She felt safe now. But as she breathed her sigh of relief, her mobile phone began to ring, and there was no caller ID or number on the screen. The ringtone sounded scary on this asion, even though it was her favorite song. She rarely answered the phone while driving to avoid getting in an ident, so she decided to do the same now. Finally, the ringing stopped, and Ariannas breathing eased. But to her dismay, the phone began to ring again. She silently counted up to twelve and decided to pick up the phone. She held the steering wheel with one hand and answered the phone with the other on speakerphone. The callers voice was deep and emotionless. He simply said, Arianna, before hanging up. Arianna suddenly recalled the monsters described in horror films. What kind of a prostitute do you need to be to get horny in a hospital! Arianna yelled in frustration and pped both hands against the steering wheel. This waspletely unexpected. She met him right before she began her time off from work, meaning that she would be free for at least half a month. So she thought she would enjoy the serenity on this vacation. Chapter 41: I Won鈥檛 Drown You The frequency of their meetings was corrted to her physiological cycle. She had irregr menses before and began to take the pill to regte it. Eventually, Travis figured out the weeks were convenient and often nned ordingly. This meant she usually enjoyed three weeks free of him. Therefore, she equated him to a medicinal dose as long as he did not show up unannounced. Arianna pulled into the nearest za and waited in her car with her arms folded across her chest. Without surprise, Traviss ck car pulled in only minutes after her. She locked her car and got into the back seat of his. She yed with her fingers while Travis read a file during the drive. What were you doing at the hospital? Travis asked without warning, his eyes still looking at the file. I I went to visit a friend. Arianna made an excuse. She did not like having to exin herself to him. She was surprised to find that it was not Ryan Cooper driving. She did not want to tell either of them that she was at the hospital to check her womb. Are you going back to work this afternoon? Im on vacation today, Arianna said honestly this time. Well, since you have no problems with your body, lets go swimming in the afternoon, Travis said cheerfully, still keeping his eyes glued to the documents. Upon hearing that, Arianna went soft from head to toe. She could already feel the water rushing up to her nose to her brain. Travis looked like he was having trouble with something. His eyes had not left the document, and she rarely saw this concerned look on his face. She hoped that he would not actually be interested in their interaction this time. Arianna forgot why he insisted on teaching her how to swim. Perhaps it was because she was afraid of deep-sea movies, or perhaps it was because he thought it was funny that she loved baths but hated pools. Nevertheless, Arianna was not a good student when it came to swimming. But he was not a patient teacher either. He caused her to choke on the water several times and get leg cramps. But she fought back, leaving countless scratches on his body. The only benefit she gained from their lessons was how to hold her breath efficiently underwater. That afternoon, Arianna clung to the railing on the side of the pool and would not let go. Travis said, Come on, its the same as a bath, just without the soap and more water. Nope. They are twopletely different things. As she answered, Travis grabbed her ankle and yanked her into the water. She hated the feeling of him holding her ankles. The hair on her body stood up, and her muscles twitched as if he was holding her heart rather than her feet. In bed, he did the same when she tried to evade him. He pulled her back like a boomerang, which was humiliating.All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org. Now that her life was at stake, she turned around and clung to his neck. When he tried to remove her hands, her legs wrapped around his body as if he was a piece of driftwood. The pool was very deep, and there was a motor that could create artificial waves and currents. She felt faint just looking at the pool. She rested her head on Traviss chest and tried to calm herself. Travis smirked and said, If you were this enthusiastic in bed, I would be much more ttered. Arianna realized the implications of her body. She immediately released her legs. But before she could stabilize herself, Travis picked her up and threw her across the pool. Luckily, Arianna was prepared to hold her breath before she wasunched. She breathed very carefully around the pool in order not to choke on the water. Once she couldnt talk for a whole day and her ears hurt for three days because she choked so hard. She much rather preferred the savage torture in the bedroom to the abuse she received in the water. Arianna held her breath as her body floated in the water. It felt weird being held by liquid, very ghostly, she thought. It was like floating in the boundless cosmic wilderness, gentle yet terrifying. However, her body started sinking. Arianna took a few strokes in panic and found that she was actually moving forward. Travis called to her, Yeah! Just like that, keep going. Arianna got nervous and tried to stand up. But, due to herck of skills, she did not know how to anchor herself and ended up going further underwater. Pool water flooded her mouth, nose, and ears. After struggling for some time, Travis pulled her up by her swimsuit strap. The pressure on her chest was relieved, and she inhaled heavily once above water. Then came the coughing. Are you trying to drown me? Arianna used Travis in between her coughs. She was sitting by the edge of the pool now. While she was upied with her breathing, Travis was drifting around in the water effortlessly. His posture looked elegant, and his figure was strong. Arianna stumbled onto the pool deck and covered her body in a towel. She then blew her nose into the middle of his towel. Traviss servant brought iced drinks and fresh towels. Arianna drank the beverage and discovered that her throat was still scratchy and dry with chlorine. She started drinking Traviss drink too. But before she knew it, he dove across the pool and was running at her. He swiped the drink from her hand and finished it off. Ignoring the reddish appearance of her eyes and nose, he said, Come back in the pool, or youll have to start over next time. He put his arm around her waist and easily picked her up. There was nothing she could catch on the edge of the pool. Arianna clung to his shoulders and refused to get into the water. Her nails were digging into the back of his neck, making him slow his pace. I dont want to drown! Arianna said tensely. I wont drown you. I love this pool and spent a lot of money on it. If you drowned in it, I wouldnt be able to use itter. Chapter 42: You Haven鈥檛 Done Enough Yet? To everyones surprise, Arianna finally learned how to swim that afternoon. She suddenly mastered this new skill, which was a rare event in her in life. Something about the motions finally clicked. So, for the rest of the day, Arianna swam back and forth in the pool for more than a dozenps. When she was younger, she always insisted onpleting anything she began doing. Over the years, she had be so suppressed that she lost the quality. This was the first time that Arianna realized that she was beginning to lose herself.All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org. The artificial wave effect of the pool was turned off, so she did not feel dizzy anymore. Finally, she climbed out of the pool with heavy breaths. Someone helped her stand steady and wrapped her in a towel. They led her to a chair and handed her a refreshing drink. Arianna looked up at the well-worn middle-aged woman who was being so gentle with her. The woman said, Mr. Cooper left for business. He asked me to take care of you in the meantime. So, Miss, if there is anything you need, do not hesitate to ask me. Her face was both strange and familiar to Arianna. Perhaps she had been working when she was here before. Arianna never deliberately remembered things that she was not interested in. No wonder she could swim sofortably now. The annoying man had left a long time ago. The water was cool, and the air was fresher than before. All she remembered was a servant bringing the phone to Travis and him disappearing to take the call. Maybe he really was afraid of her corpse ruining his pool, so he found someone to look after her. Arianna fantasized about Travis stumbling across her dead body in his beloved pool. She knew the thought was twisted and sick, but it made herugh. The woman stared at Arianna for a long time and said, Miss Jenkins, yourugh is very beautiful. You should always smile andugh, but you never do. It keeps young girls healthy, you know. Dont worry about the wrinkles. She was surprised; Traviss servants were usually mute. After all the swimming, Arianna became very tired. It was already dinnertime. She let herself air dry for an hour and a half, but Travis was still not home. The servants cooked her a vegetarian meal, and she ate it all before lying down and falling asleep. The room was dark when she woke up. Arianna felt pain all over her body as if she had been hit by a truck. She tried to move her limbs, but the pain in her muscles resisted her motion. Her toes and her fingers could still move, so she knew she was awake. In the darkness, a cool hand groped her vicle, chest, and ribs and then slid all the way down her naked body. The man must have been holding his breath because she could not sense anyone elses breathing in the room. Travis seemed to be like a ghost haunting her in the middle of the night. She did not know what he did to her while she was asleep, and she did not have the energy to care. But it was strange that she did not wake up earlier. The cold hand was still moving all over her body. It was a hot summer night, and though the air conditioning was not low, his hands were still cold. He might have been a cold-blooded creature in his past life. When Arianna thought of the mostmon cold-blooded animal, the snake, she immediately felt like four or five of them were slithering across her body. One fell onto her chest, another was spiraling around her arm, and a third was biting her corbone her body suddenly began to shake. Her recent situation was not good. When she pictured Travis in her head, she was both numb and afraid at the same time. Travis stopped touching her body. He lowered himself and opened her legs. Although her eyes were not adjusted to the darkness, she could feel his hot breath. Not today. When he tried to enter her, Arianna suddenly pleaded. Huh? You havent done enough yet? Arianna asked. Why didnt this guy get enough when she was asleep? Why did he have to do it again when she was awake? She felt so ufortable lying in his bed. I havent done anything yet. He answered. It looked like he just figured out what she meant. Alright. Arianna reluctantly responded. Her body already hurt so much from the swimming. She was lying calmly, hoping that he would finish quickly. She was tired and had no interest in pleasing him. Travis lowered his voice and asked in wonder, So were you dreaming that we were having sex all the time? Arianna gritted her teeth. The terrible scenes that floated through her imagination scared her so much that she asked him to let her go again. But he would not let go of her that easily. In fact, he seemed to be especially interested in this exhausted version of Arianna. He treated her like a puppet as if he was putting on a show. Even though pain washed through her entire body, she did not have the strength to push him away. Her sensory nerves were abnormally sharp. He sucked on her neck and shoulders as usual, but it felt like he was tearing her apart with pointed teeth, sucking her blood. She worried he was eating her flesh and bones. Arianna remained motionless and silent, hoping that Travis would see her as the corpse in his pool, so he would lose his appetite and leave her alone. Actually, she would rather be a corpse. At least a corpse could not feel anything. The spots on her body where he sucked and licked her were burning hot. She had to begin counting numbers again to kill time and ignore her torture. One, two, three one-hundred and seven she had counted to the five-hundreds on a couple of asions before. But Travis suddenly turned her over. When she crashed, she forgot which number she was on and had to start all over again. Arianna became so focused on counting numbers that she forgot why she was counting in the first ce. She discovered Travis had stopped his endless pursuit. He lowered his head to make contact with her forehead. She could feel his lips moving on the top of her head while he said, Two-hundred and fifty, what? She immediately bit her lips so as not to make any mistakes. She should not have been saying the numbers out loud, but she couldnt figure out why she said them. Sheep? Stars? Travis guessed. He listed a dozen more things, waiting for her response. Arianna wouldnt care if he continued to guess one hundred more things, but Traviss body was pressing down on hers, emptying the air from her lungs. With a wheezing breath, she said, Mushrooms. He should be satisfied. Travisughed and lifted himself off her body to continue doing what he did not finish. Chapter 43: Is It Good? The next day, no one came to wake her up. Arianna slept until noon, and all the bones in her body seemed to have copsed. Arianna usually showered when she was at Traviss, only using the bathtub when she was trying to evade him for some periods of time. But since she did not have the strength to stand up, she had to use his bathtub. There was no sign of Travis in the house. Arianna was toozy to even change into her pajamas. She spent the day with a towel wrapped around her. She ate the lunch prepared by the servants before going back to sleep. When she got up the second time, it was close to evening. She had stayed in Traviss residence for over twenty-four hours now, which was extremely rare. Arianna felt a little annoyed with herself. She wasted a precious day and night of her vacation. Although it likely would have been spent at home watching movies or surfing the, there was a difference between being free and imprisonment. She changed into her clothes and decided to leave. But when she was only two steps down the stairs, a courteous butler. approached her and asked, Can I help you with anything? Yes, could you call me a car to take me home, please? Mr. Cooper has invited you to dine with him tonight. He is at thepany now. If you are feeling bored, you can see the flowers in the greenhouse, or take a swim in the pool, or maybe read a book in the library or go online. *** When Travis came back, Arianna was practicing yoga on the ground in front of the window of his study. She was in a deep lunge to try to stretch out her sore legs. Some light music yed from theputer on the desk in the study. Arianna spent quite some time in the pose before she entered into a nk position and put her other foot into the front of the lunge. In the beginning, she was struggling toplete the most basic poses, but when she finally stretched out her limbs and torso, the pain in her body temporarily vanished. It was her first time in Traviss study. There was a floor-to-ceiling bookshelf along one wall, with a desk made out of the same dark wood. There were chairs and couches in various ces in the study. The bookshelf was densely packed with books, and the room was naturally lit through the big windows. There was no smell of any mildew from the books, and there was no dust anywhere in the room. The room was again decorated ording to Traviss taste. Arianna didnt like being in ces that resembled Travis too much, but she couldnt go to the greenhouse because the flowers were blooming, and she was allergic to pollen. And she felt dizzy again the moment she saw the pool. This only left the study as the ce where she could get out of the bedroom but still have privacy. When she heard the sound of the door, she immediately dropped her pose and turned around. Traviss tall frame stood in the doorway. She couldnt see because her eyes were blurred from the bright light from the window, but judging from his motionless structure, he was looking at her. No one liked when someone walked through a door unannounced. Arianna sat down on her mat, looking at him through her squinted eyes. Arianna asked, Why didnt you knock on the door? She wanted him to disappear immediately. She was usually polite with him; however, his unexpected call from the day before limited her patience with him. This is my study. He said firmly, walking forward as he spoke. Arianna turned her head to look back out the window. She decided to ignore him,y down on the ground, and closed her eyes. But when she heard him move again, she opened her eyes just as he spoke, Your outfit reminds me of a movie I watched long ago. It was about a python. The words hit Ariannas ears. A snake! A serpent! Her body jerked. She hated everything about those creatures, and Travis was now one of them in her eyes. So, you really are afraid of snakes. Traviss tone sounded like he had discovered a juicy piece of gossip. When she looked over at him, he was sitting in the desk chair looking at theputer screen. Maybe he wanted to know what music she was listening to, but the screen was filled with many web pages she visited, and it was a book website that she was onst. Arianna did not want him to know what she had been looking at. She immediately said, Dont look at that! This is myputer, Travis answered as he left the desk. Arianna didnt know how much he saw.Text content ? N?velDrama.Org. After struggling to move her limber muscles, she scrambled to theputer and closed all the web pages. Then, when the music stopped, Travis asked, What was the name of that song? I dont know. What novel were you reading? Arianna rolled her eyes and said, The boring story of a neurotic man and woman who got married, then divorced, and then married again. Is it good? Not at all. Then why were you reading it? I was bored. Arianna finished erasing her history and shut off theputer. She wanted to get out of there. If youre so bored, then why dont you apany me on a trip for a few days? Travis suggested as she walked towards the door. Arianna was stunned. Their agreement never included her going out or traveling with him. When she was about to speak, Travis interrupted her since he knew she was going to refuse him. You wont need to entertain anyone, and I have things to do most of the time. Youd be free to do as you please. After this trip, Ill be gone for two and a half. months. Two and a half months without living under a shadow! The temptation wasrge indeed. Arianna hesitated, I must be back by the end of my vacation time. Where are you going? No problem. And India. She was pleased with his response. Arianna asked, Are you nning to sell me when we get there? Travis Cooper smiled, A good businessman like me only does transactions with top-quality merchandise. Are you top quality? Her cheeks blushed a little, and she replied, Whatever. She returned to the living room, where one of the servants notified her that Ryan was ready to take her home. When she reached her apartment, she took her suitcase out from underneath her bed and packed some clothes away. Afterward, she drew herself a nice hot bath with salts to help soothe her body. She spent an hour in the tub, lying back with her head on the pillow, trying to clear her mind. Though thepanion was her least favorite person, she was excited to go to India. She went to bed, but before she knew it, the sun had risen, and Ryan knocked on her door to take her to the airport. Chapter 44: I Never Did To Arianna, traveling was usually a process of disappointment rather than amazement and rxation C especially on this trip. When she was in close contact with the ancient and mysterious country of her dreams, it felt like watching the defects of the moon through an astronomical telescope. The city was crowded, messy, and disorderly. It was far from her beautiful expectations. Maybe because Travis was by her side, she was in a bad mood. If she had traveled alone, she might have actually enjoyed it. Travis was there for business, and he often disappeared for hours. When there were no official duties, he tried to y the part of a goodpanion. He took her to a few ces that he thought Arianna might have wanted to see. Arianna didnt mind his disappearances. She would rather watch TV in the hotel room every day than be close to him in crowds and be hugged by his arms as if they were true lovers. She also assumed that Travis questioned the safety of the country. Whenever he was away, Ryan Cooper followed her closely. He usually kept at least a meter between them but was ordered to stay with Arianna instead of being with Travis. However, this added to Ariannas bad mood. She couldnt help but feel like she was being babysat. On the day they went to the Holy River, Arianna was having a really hard time. The sacred river water was said to be able to grant peoples wishes. All kinds of people came here to make their dreamse true. But all Arianna saw were dying people by the riverside and floating garbage and animal carcasses in the water. Out of respect for the exotic culture, she endured her difort and touched the river water like others. And after returning to the hotel, she was so sick that she vomited all night. No wonder she was unlucky. Even the river that was supposed to help people had rejected her. Maybe she was toocking in faith and was not respectable. Travis Cooper, however, remained healthy because he immediately sanitized his hands after shaking hands or touching things. He was such a neat freak, Arianna thought. Hemented to her, This would not be a good ce for you to live. Arianna had a few pimples the next morning. They were swollen and painful. She sat before the makeup mirror and squeezed the pimples to try to tten them out. But she would rather have had more of them to make her look uglier. Maybe Travis would lose interest in her then. She used a tissue to wipe away her blood carefully. Travis left the bathroom for a moment and returned, pressing a cotton swab on Ariannas face. She immediately cried, What are you doing?Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024. Alcohol, to disinfect it. He replied. On the following day, Arianna put on the traditional clothes of the local women. She didnt mind if other people saw her pimples, but Travis seemed to have a special interest in them. He looked at them from time to time, making her feel queasy. She decided to put makeup on to help hide her bumps from him. She thought she could easily blend in with the locals when she looked at herself in the mirror. This way, she could escape from the crowds. However, most of the women in traditional dresses were plump, and she was thin. So her n would not work. Arianna noticed that everywhere they went was clean that day, but it was very windy. The strong gusts constantly lifted the hemline of her clothes. Travis handed her over to Ryan again and said, Watch Miss Jenkins. Make sure the wind doesnt blow her away. They went to a movie productionpany in the morning. When Travis left for the business meeting, Arianna and Ryan were allowed to watch the filming of a movie scene. They sat for an hour in VIP chairs and were allowed to eat off the gourmet refreshment table. The exquisite music and dance scenes were much more eye-catching than the so-called tourist attractions in the city. Arianna even recognized two of the movie stars. Between takes, she leaned sideways to talk to Ryan. She said, The lead actress is one of the best three dancers in the world. But the male lead is still a rookie. Ryans attention was not on the actors but rather was on the surroundings. Upon hearing the sound of Ariannas voice, he caught the end of her sentence and replied honestly, I havent seen many movies from here. Travis approached the two of them, followed by an older-looking man. The other man was the productionpany owner and smiled at them. He greeted Traviss acquaintances and kept referring to Arianna as his honorabledy in a strange English ent. The days trip was not so distasteful, but the journey was long. Finally, Arianna asked Travis in a humble tone, Are you investing in movies here? She thought he was probably doing it to score female stars if he really was investing here. Movies didnt make extreme amounts of money anymore. He nced at her and read her mind. Then, he slowly said, Didnt you ask a movie star for an autograph just now? Arianna wanted to simply answer no, but she felt like Travis was trying to discredit her intelligence. So she attacked him. Didnt you do such a thing when you were young? I never did. And I am still very young now. After answering her in a strange tone, Travis lowered his head and began reading the local newspaper. Arianna was surprised he was able to keep his eyes steady on the words in such a shaky car. **** In the afternoon, they went to a quiet temple. Arianna was surprised and asked, Why arent we going to the famous ces like weve been doing? There are too many people there. Im sure you noticed. Like at the river C how can the gods remember and grant the wishes of so many people. They must have constant headaches. She did not expect Travis to pay tribute to local gods and be up to speed with the culture. And she remembered him distinctly telling her that he did not believe in gods or heaven, so what was he doing at a temple? Chapter 45: Why Do You Look So Happy? After acknowledging the gods and making his wish, Travis turned and asked her, Arent you going to make a wish? The respectful expression on his face had not disappeared. He seemed very serious in his actions and his question. Arianna lowered her voice, trying not to offend the gods and prevent Ryan from eavesdropping. She whispered, My wish will probably contradict your wish. I worry the gods will face a dilemma. So I think it might be better not to make one. Travis didnt ask any more questions, but he put his arm around her as they walked out of the temple. When they headed back down the mountain, he said to her, I really cant see you being anti-governmental or anti-societal. I just prayed that our state would be strong and flourish. When he said this, Arianna choked on the mineral water she was drinking. She coughed for quite a while before her breathing returned to normal. Arianna couldnt believe that he was talking to her about this. If only the charities and agencies he worked with knew about what he was doing to her C they would be as disgusted as she was. Seeing the expression on her face, Travis asked, Why are you frowning? If our nation is strong and flourishing, it will be easier for us to make money. By the way, I also prayed for you to stay healthy and beautiful. I hope that didnt contradict your wish. Now, Arianna felt like she was going to puke. She took another swig of the water bottle and said, Thanks for that. Although I know you only wished that, so I wouldnt be sick and ugly when you act on our arrangement. As she was speaking, she stopped paying attention to her feet. Arianna nearly fell off the stairs and down the mountain, but Travis grabbed hold of her arm to steady her. He smiled and whispered in her ear, If you were this smart before, you might not have ended up in this agreement with me. **** After the temple, they went to a street market. It was full of both locals and tourists, and there was a strong smell of spices that filled the air. There were stalls on both sides of the street filled with colorful merchandise. And from time to time, everyone had to step aside to let a cow and its new owner pass by. Arianna was looking around. She had never been interested in shopping C besides for perfumes C but this culture waspletely different. Plus, it was much better to be wandering around in crowded ces than in the hotel room facing Travis. With so many people around, she could dilute the presence of such a nasty person. Down the street, she noticed a couple of street jugglers and stopped to watch an enchanting dancer perform. After the song waspleted, the beautiful flute melody sounded through her eardrums. The next show was the traditional snake dance. Ten meters separated her from the cobra, andyers of people filled that space. However, she felt like the snakes eyes was staring at her, warning her of unspeakable danger. She felt a chill down her body and wanted to look elsewhere, but she could not move her eyes. The noisy market sounded like it had quieted down, and it was only her and the snake left under the sun. As if someone had shouted to her from a distance, she tried to answer but was unable to move. But someone pulled her hand and dragged her forward, releasing her from the magic snakes stare. After being dragged ahead for a while, she realized that Travis Cooper was pulling her, so she quietly freed her hand from his. Arianna felt like her soul was wandering in another realm. She felt like she was oblivious to everything going on around her, and she didnt mind. She could not hear what Travis said to her, only seeing his lips move very slowly. Then, watching him stop to take out his cell phone, she noticed something in the corner of her eyes on the roadside. She was still absent-minded until a runaway calf was rushing at her at full speed. Someone shouted at her, Watch out, Miss Jenkins! Ariannas reaction time was slow, but her thinking was fast. She knew what was going to happen, but she just closed her eyes since she couldnt move. Travis pushed her out of the way before another voice shouted, Mr. Cooper! The noble and graceful Mr. Cooper took the hit from the calf in order to save Arianna, the seemingly averagepanion. Though he was knocked down, he got straight up calmly, as if he was just swept over by a big leaf. Although he did wince in pain, he still looked perfect. However, when the bright red blood wet his light-colored shirt, his face and lips finally turned white. Their trip to the market was definitely over. Ryan rushed over to him, and Travis exined that he felt fine and nothing was broken. He had to keep declining Ryans suggestion of visiting the nearby clinic to check his wound. They simply epted the calf owners apology and decided to drive back to the hotel. The wound was bandaged with a loose fabric from Ariannas outfit in the meantime. Everyone was silent in the car, but Arianna had something on her mind. Why do you look so happy? Travis asked her suddenly. I was just thinking about thew here. Cattle are sacred, so I highly doubt it will be punished in any way. She said carelessly and stopped herself from saying, even if it killed you, it would have been given dinner and had a good nights sleep.Content held by N?velDrama.Org. However, regardless of whether she said it or not, Travis guessed her true thoughts once again. He said coldly, I was hit because I wanted to save you. Could you at least show a little care or gratitude for what Ive done? Arianna kept her mouth shut. She didnt show concern or gratitude to him because she couldnt do that for her abuser. However, this was the first time she had spent a day getting along with him since they knew each other, and she couldnt stand it. She did not ask him to save her, and she did not want to be grateful to him. Chapter 46: Come Help Me A doctor was waiting for them at the hotel. Though his wound bled quite a bit, it wasnt deep and should heal withoutplications after the doctor cleaned it and bandaged it. In the evening, Travis came out of the bathroom wearing only pajama pants on his body. Arianna nced at him doubtfully, wondering how he was taking a bath. He gestured to her in a nasty way and said, I could use a little help. Arianna stumbled to the bathroom and asked like she cared, Should I ask them to find a massage therapist for you? Travis gave her a look from the corner of his eye. They were in the presidential suite of a five-star hotel. The bathroom was magnificent, and the bathtub was massive. She turned the tap water on and wondered if Travis didnt like other people touching him. If anyone was getting too close, he would step aside or let others stand before him to avoid contact. And he always washed his hands after a handshake. Why didnt he mind her touching him? Travis used his own body to take revenge on her family and make her suffer. She felt like he also sold his body to her. This made Arianna feel a little better. But Travis was, in fact, having back and shoulder pains. The masseuse he called was very young and pretty. Even Arianna thought the woman was attractive. But Travis sent her away after ten minutes and asked Arianna to massage him for the next half hour. Arianna was dehydrated, so she did not have the strength to take revenge and hit his back hard. Her hands were aching by the time she was finished. She then realized something; maybe Travis had the desire to conquer her because shecked initiative when they were having sex. She always grabbed the bedpost or bedside to avoid touching his body. Maybe he liked that she did that. Arianna thought next time, she might hug him and pretend to enjoy it to see if thats what would get him to leave her alone. While her mind was wandering, Travis tested the water temperature and said to her, Come help me. What are you doing? Huh? Arianna looked up and found that he was throwing a towel at her. It turned out that Travis, the neat freak refused to use a hotel bathtub, even if it was in a five-star hotels top suite. Arianna had to help him shower. She had never even bathed a cat or dog, so this was way out of her league. Extremely embarrassed, Arianna avoided the wound and his genital area. Her clothes were quickly soaked. Though he had seen every part of her body, she did not want to tempt fate by taking her clothes off. However, the thin white fabric was wet and sticking to her skin, making her appear naked and sexy. She had to avoid eye contact with Travis. They could not see each other clearly as the shower filled with steam. She pretended that she was scrubbing a human sculpture. Finally, he told her that he was clean and her job was over. Arianna hoped that the days exhaustion and injury made him tired, causing him to fall asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow. But when she was applying lotion to her face in the mirror, Travis appeared behind her like a ghost. He took a small towel and wiped the lotion from her hand. He told her, I dont like this taste. You should try a different brand. Travis then embraced her and kissed her lips. Arianna broke away and looked at him through the mirror. She pointed at her face and said, Dont you think Im ugly now? There was a new pimple on her face by now. Her skin was white and delicate, so these bumps were very obvious. They made her whole face look dirty. She hoped that Traviss meticulous need for cleanliness could override his need for sex. It doesnt matter. You cant see them when the lights are off. He said as he dragged her to the bed and turned off the light. They were trapped in endless darkness. Perhaps Travis Coopers energy was consumed by his wound. Arianna felt his movement was gentler than usual, and she was not in pain. However, the night became unbearable as usual. He spent a long time on forey so Arianna could not pretend to be an unresponsive puppet. The metal pirs were carved with a strange spiral texture on that foreign bed, reminding her of the snake she felt wrapped around her arm. She immediately released her hand and did not dare to touch the pir again. The cold and slippery bed sheets made her unable to ce her hands anywhere properly. She felt like she was a bottle floating on the sea, worrying about sinking to the deep, dark bottom. The illusion was so terrible that she grabbed hold of his shoulders. Arianna did not worry about the wound or his pain. But when she touched the bandage on him and detected his wincing, her heart softened. Nevertheless, she decided to act carefully, not wanting to cause further injury to him. When she heard her low, groaning sighs, wheezing in time with his thrusting, she wanted to kill herself to stop making noise. But even Travis wanted to defeat this part of her privacy. He kissed her deeply and opened her mouth so as to hear her wheeze, groan, and screamter on. After everything subsided, Arianna wept silently in shame. She turned her body towards the bedside to be as far away from him as possible. She was not able to fall asleep. By contrast, Travis fell asleep quickly, breathing calmly and steady.Text content ? N?velDrama.Org. Arianna counted his breath. The more she counted, the sleepier she got, and she turned her body over hatefully. Although she did not touch his body, Travis was awakened, and his gentle, rhythmic breathing suddenly broke. Arianna immediately held her breath and closed her eyes, but after a while, Travis asked, You were scared by the snake, right? She was frightened in the dark upon hearing that word. Her body temperature dropped, and she couldnt help but move towards his side. Many women are afraid of snakes, but none of them are like you. Has a snake bitten you before? Chapter 47: The Trick Of The Little Girls Various breeds of snakes popped into her head. Arianna opened her eyes and saw the darkness, but the illusion did not disappear. She slowly moved towards him, and the images of snakes slowly disappeared until she touched his skin. Everyone has a couple of fears. Have you always been afraid of them? Travis added. Ariannas teeth were chattering from cold and anxiety. She fought hard to keep herself from hitting him to stop his talking. Of course, Im afraid of them. But Ive been afraid of so many things. You can always ovee fears in the end. What are you afraid of? Arianna was curious about him. Poverty, hunger, cold, discrimination, intimidation, and blood; but not snakes. My family raised some snakes when I was a child. You should get a pet snake to ovee your fear. He chuckled in the darkness. She felt bad for him when he listed his first few fears. Although they had nothing to do with him now, she knew that he had suffered through them once before. Arianna didnt respond to him. She was bing sleepy, and she couldnt keep her eyelids open any longer. After leaning on his chest, she gradually fell asleep. ***** When Arianna woke up the next morning, Travis was still sleeping quietly. She carefully removed his hand from her chest, afraid that he would awake in a good mood and be horny again. After taking a shower and brushing her hair, she found that Travis was still asleep, which was strange. The sun was shining through the gap in the curtain, brightening the room. His lips looked redder than usual. She touched his forehead and found it was really hot. He looked strong and seldom got a cold, but perhaps the wound caused this fever. Hopefully, the heat damages his head, Arianna cursed him in silence. Nevertheless, she woke him up and put pajamas on him like he was a baby. She even wiped his face with a wet towel before asking Ryan to call for a doctor.Content held by N?velDrama.Org. The doctor was the same one as the day before. He carefully opened the bandage on Traviss arm and said, Didnt I tell you not to get water near the wound? Looking at Arianna, the doctor was indirectly ming her. He probably wanted her to take responsibility for not taking good care of her master. The doctor, nurse, and the hotel concierge were both looking at Arianna shamefully as well. She did not like to be stared at by people, especially when her face was riddled with pimples. She was annoyed by their scornful expressions. Last night, she tried hard to prevent soaking the wound while helping him shower. She was sure not a single drop sshed in the area. Travis finally helped her out. He said, I was coldst night when I went to sleep, so I didnt turn on the air conditioner. I probably sweated while I slept. Though it was questionable, the doctor epted his exnation. He then inserted an IV into his arm and hung a bag of fluid. The doctor and nurse gave them instructions for further treatment, and the doctor wrote him a prescription for antibiotics. The crowd of people left the room, leaving her alone with Travis. She figured none of them knew who she really was to him; otherwise, they would be concerned that she would take the opportunity to poison him. Travis looked up at the bag hanging from the bedpost and said, Thest time I received an IV drip was in high school. How time flies. Arianna smiled and looked up at the bagged solution. She pictured snake venom dripping into his veins. At least she could take her revenge mentally this way. Although he spared her from the calf, Arianna was not grateful. She was not a child who could easily forget pain for some sugar. She needed more than just mental infliction of pain. She sat in the chair beside the bed, switching through the TV channels as her mind roamed to different dimensions. After two hours, the nurse returned to remove the IV, and she brought his prescribed antibiotics for him. While the nurse was working, Arianna didnt seem to notice her presence. She kept flipping through the channels. She didnt understand the localnguage, and their English ent was just as iprehensible. Finally, she settled for a channel that was selling spices. She paid attention to the screen. Do you usually watch infomercials? Travis broke the silence after the nurse left. Im looking at the bottles, Arianna replied honestly. She had no interest in the spices, but the bottles they came in were exquisitely painted. No wonder you always smell different. Do you collect perfume bottles? Arianna nced at him but did not answer. He figured out her little secret so easily she hated it. The trick of the little girls, Travis said contemptuously. Little girls dont use perfume, Arianna responded, and her eyes were still glued to the screen. Little girls dont know much about perfume, so they spray anything on their bodies, Travis said inly. He seemed to beparing her changing scents to a little girlsck of taste. Arianna was quiet again. She changed the spice-selling channel to a noisy rock music channel with a poker face. By early afternoon, Travis had fallen asleep. Arianna took the opportunity to go to another brighter room and do some yoga in the sunlight again. She had not been practicing yoga for very long, but it quickly became her new favorite thing to do. It rxed her both mentally and physically. But when she changed into her yoga clothes, she suddenly remembered when Travis told her she looked like a snake. She wore shiny grey leggings and a sports bra to match. Though she didnt deny it, she immediately lost her desire. That guy was a real prick. He knew how to ruin everything without even trying. Arianna prayed that his infection would worsen. After all, Travis always seemed indestructible. Now that he was weak, Arianna hoped she could take the opportunity to have her revenge. But then again, she hesitated. He was injured because of her. Even if she was not grateful to him, she probably shouldnt curse him. In fact, she did not usually hate Travis that much. She preferred to bury him in the back of her brain and never think about him. Being indifferent was the best way to deal with a foe. She always knew that. However, after being with Travis for a couple of days straight, she was reaching her limits. She had to refrain from exploding on the spot. Whenever she felt herself getting fired up, she focused on her breathing and tried to tune out the noise around her. When Arianna was lying on the floor, enjoying the warmth of the sunlight, a gentle knock on the door interrupted her. It turned out that Travis was awake and wanted to go out. He required herpany. Chapter 48: Do You Like It? This time, they went to a special ce. It was a gem-processing workshop. Though it was a small and old ce with a few workers, the environment was clean. There were lots of security measures in ce. Arianna guessed that the workshop would use machines in a production line fashion, but it turned out that the workshop still maintained the oldest handicraft tradition. As a result, the employees only used small and simple tools for their craft. Noticing her doubts, the staff member showing her around the shop exined, We have top technicians and top gems here. She was very interested in gem polishing and iying. After all, she never had the chance to witness the process personally. However, her opinion slowly changed as she took the tour. Arianna began thinking this ce could be a high-end processing point in Traviss business. She tried to resist her curiosity as much as possible. Travis said, I believe all women like jewelry. Though some love it, while others just generally like it. Arianna liked beautiful things too. She was not that different from other women, but when the beautiful things were rted to Travis Cooper, she couldnt help but to despise them. She was told that Travis made his fortune starting in this industry. It was the most sessful piece of his, causing Arianna to lose interest in the vain and impractical industry immediately. And since Travis had a degree in geology, she not only disliked gems but also hated ordinary stones like granite and marble. As they passed through many doors in the maze-like building, Arianna was dizzy. When they entered the final room, a dark-skinned obese man took a small box out of a safe and handed it to Travis in a respectful manner. Travis examined the content of the box before putting it into the pocket of his suit. Travis asked Arianna, Did you see anything you like? Arianna was no longer interested in anything here. She did not care about his kindness. Perhaps she should be ttered like other women would be, so he would think of her as ordinary and leave her alone. But this man was not predictable, and she could not guarantee her sess. Herck of response made the other man smile in embarrassment. She did not mean to insult him or his products through her hatred for Travis. But Travis was ustomed to this kind of reaction and spoke to the man in a differentnguage. Arianna assumed he reassured him, saying that she had a bad taste or something to make the man happy again. The fat man nodded and dialed his phone immediately. A momentter, a young man carried some delicate boxes and put them on the table. He then took a bow and left without saying a word. The fat man opened the boxes one by one, and the room was suddenly illuminated. There were small, delicately shaped bottles in each box, looking as if they were carved out of a whole gem. There was a finely textured goldyer covering the outside of the bottle. The fat man turned his eyes to Arianna, smiling with anticipation for her response. Arianna took a quick look at the pile of expensive bottles and felt her body fill with annoyance. She would probably lose interest in collecting perfume bottles now. Travis really liked to destroy everything she had. Because of her indifference, the fat man was embarrassed again. Arianna knew she was being rude; she should express some praise. They really were beautiful bottles. But she didnt know whether this man was a friend or a client of Travis. Not that it mattered to her. She didnt have to be nice to anyone who was close to such a monster. To break the silence, Travis said to the man, Thedy is lost in the selection. Please pack them all for her. Arianna wondered why they kept switching betweennguages. The fat man was smiling happily again. She was not pleased. She did not need all these bottles. Arianna raised a finger and said, Wait a minute.Text content ? N?velDrama.Org. Pointing to a single bottle, she looked at the fat man with a pleasant smile. *** Later in the car, Travis said to her, The bottle you chose is meant to hold curry powder and pepper. Arianna felt like he was teasing her. She tried hard to open the lid of the gorgeous bottle and found several small holes in the bottles mouth. It really was used to hold seasoning. This was ridiculous. Although she wasnt poor, she never understood the luxury in which jade and gold were used to make a bottle for seasoning. Her eyes were looking out the window, fixed on the ragged beggars on the side of the road. She loathed this corruption. Travis tried tofort her and said, Of course, it can be used to hold bath powder. As he spoke, Travis was ying with a transparent stone with irregr angles and colors. He noticed her looking at the stone andid it out in his palm to show her, Do you like it? Arianna guessed that the stone must be expensive, though he was ying with it so carelessly. Is it ss? The color is very strange. Arianna said innocently. Their driver did not speak English, but Ryan Cooper suddenly burst into a cough in the front passenger seat. This is a tourmaline. You used to wear a bracelet made from this stone before. I thought you knew. Travis exined professionally, You see, its very rare for such stone to achieve this rity and weight, not to mention there are nine colors on this stone. It is extremely peculiar. It looks like stained ss. Compared to a diamond with the same weight, which is more expensive? Travis suddenly lost his patience with continuing the geology lesson. He sighed and lowered his head to study the ss-like stone. Arianna noticed that he cherished the stone, so she continued, Hey, tourmaline, I remember it now. Is it the legendary magic stone that can be used to pray or curse someone once it is stained with human blood? Travis frowned, What the hell are you talking about? Have you ever seen the famous fairy tale? A princess stabbed her enemy before he imprisoned her. The mans blood left a stain on her tourmaline ring, and after she escaped, she made a wish on the ring every day. Chapter 49: Bad Wine She stopped talking. What happened next? After a long pause, Travis asked out of curiosity. Even Ryan Cooper was listening to her story. Of course, her revenge seeded. She cursed him with the ring, and he suffered the retribution in the end. Arianna finished her story. You made that up, right? Travis nced at her. He read her mind, but he was not angry. Or he did not want to get angry in front of Ryan. Travis lost interest in ying with the unique stone in his palm. He slid it back into his coat pocket. But after a second thought, he took it back out, put it in its box, and handed it to Ryan. Arianna looked out the window again in a good mood. The sky was clear, the pedestrians were elegant, and thendscape was beautiful. Travis Cooper mentioned that he was afraid of blood. And Arianna noticed that his face turned pale as soon as she described the bloodstain on the ring. It was a pleasure to tap into the weakness of others. He had so easily caused her to lose interest in collecting bottles and practicing yoga. She might as well cause him to lose some of his pleasures as well. **** An uneventful evening passed, and Arianna counted the days before returning home. She felt very unhappy with every extra hour spent in the exotic country. When she calcted that she still had sixty hours there, she felt depressed. But Ryan quickly lightened her mood, Mr. Cooper has something to take care of. We are going back tonight. This was a pleasant surprise for Arianna. She could not wait to be free from him for two and a half months. She began to pack her bags immediately. Around lunchtime, Ryan came and said to her, Mr. Cooper would like you to join him for some food. Two local women brought her some clothes, and Arianna was confused. The two women did not speak English and seemed to be indifferent to her mood. They put makeup on her face and braided her hair. Finally, Arianna was stripped down to her underwear before she put on the clothes of the locals again. She wore a white, tight-fitting top with baggy trousers that were cuffed at the ankle. The clothes were decorated with beautiful embroidery and were beaded with pearls. Her makeup was particrly different from normal. Arianna could hardly recognize herself in the mirror. The few pimples on her face seemed to have been erased. But there was one left on her forehead, so the two women gave her an essory that hung from the top of her head to cover it. Arianna felt like a ve being prepared for auction as one of the servants led her to the restaurant.Content held by N?velDrama.Org. The restaurant could only be described as marvelous. There were crystal cups, gold-ted jade bowls, ivory utensils embedded with colored gems, and delicately decorated linens that glittered under the light. Arianna could hardly believe her eyes. Every dish was beautifully shaped with various ingredients. Arianna felt strange eating these meals. She had no idea what was in them. In this extravagant environment, Arianna felt like her new look matched the dcor perfectly. The only thing inconsistent with the atmosphere was Travis in his usual dark suit. He looked uptight and ufortable sitting at the table, waiting for her. When she approached him, he stood up and helped her sit in her chair. After returning to his seat, Arianna asked him, Are you celebrating a big deal you just pulled off? I was sick yesterday and didnt eat much. Now Im better, and Im hungry. He replied. Through the dazzling ssware and chandeliers, Arianna could see that he looked awfully happy. In her memory, he only smiled like this when Arianna made a fool of herself. What are you looking at? Travis asked her when he noticed she was not eating. Instead, her chin was resting in her hand, and she was obviously preupied. I was thinking about how these shimmering things could bring an appetite, Arianna said. It turned out that Travis ordered people to dress her up in the same style as the dining environment only to bring more appetite to him. Travis was eating slowly and elegantly. Hepletely finished each meal and was in no hurry to leave. The more he ate, the less appetite Arianna had. She tasted the food in front of her, and once it lost its vor, she stopped eating. Whats wrong, Miss? Asked the waiter. Im not hungry. I ate too much at breakfast. Arianna said while wiping her fingers on the gorgeous napkin. Wine can be an appetizer, Travis said as he raised his ss to his lips. The wine had a clear and thick amber color. It was very beautiful and had a fragrant smell. Arianna tried to drink the whole ss in one swig, but the sweetness rushed straight to her throat, and she could not swallow it. She looked around and found that there were no waiters nearby, so she spewed the wine back into her cup. Travis stopped eating and stared at her. Arianna looked back at him fearlessly. It seemed that her actions disgusted him. But Arianna didnt care about being rude, especially in front of Travis. She always tried to make him sick so he would leave her alone, but she never seeded with those ns. He turned his attention back to his food and continued eating, taking a drink of wine from time to time. It appeared that his appetite was not affected, and Arianna was disappointed. She brought her ss of wine back to her lips and took a small sip. The extreme sweetness soaked her taste buds again, and she said, Bad wine. It is the noble rot of the year you were born. He said without looking at her. So what? That year, the worlds noble rot wine production was very small. Some of the most famous wineries in the world didnt even have a bottle. Now, there is even less. Travis patiently exined the value of the drink she spewed. Its not good to drink anyway. If you wanted to make something unique, you could use the gems you sell to make a bottle of fine wine. Arianna said as she stuffed a fork full of food into her mouth. She did not dare to look up and see Traviss expression at the moment. Arianna, you were born rich. How could you be acting with such poor table manners? It is notdy-like. Chapter 50: It鈥檚 Too Embarrassing Thement was insulting to her family members. Her grandmother taught her such things from a very early age. She had been the pride of her grandparents. However, since Travis has been in her life, she threw everything she knew about poise and elegance out the window. And you always emphasize that you were born poor. When did you develop such aristocratic qualities? Arent you supposed to be naturally noble? Arianna retorted. I thought you knew me. I studied in the so-called noble schools. While other children yed basketball, I learned horsemanship, archery, and golf. Travis said inly. Arianna was a little surprised. She knew all about his life but knew very little about his education. Are you surprised? My mother sold herself to the rich so that I could study in the best schools. She didnt say anything, as she was lost in thought. Now, she finally had the missing piece of the puzzle. Traviss mother was exceptionally beautiful but lost her mind when she was still young. And since she was able to appear normal publicly, she sold her body to send him to school. But he also had to take care of her. When shemitted suicide, she left him enough money to travel and go to university. Arianna mulled over the story for some time. Only recently did she realize why Travis kept his home so in and hospital-like. It was what his childhood home was like for his mother. Perhaps he felt safe that way, where nothing was threatening. But she was not the one responsible for the misery in his life, yet he has taken revenge on her for years. Why should she feel sorry for him on her grandfathers behalf? Travis scrutinized her for remaining so quiet. Arianna didnt want him to ask about what she was thinking, so she tried to redirect the conversation, Oh, now I remember. The noble rot wine is a type of white brewed with moldy, rotten grapes, right? As she was speaking, their waiter came and delivered more food to them. The waiter heard what she said, and his hands shook, spilling a few drops of wine as he refilled Traviss ss. He apologized to Travis repeatedly. Travis looked at Arianna and saw her covering her face with a napkin. He could not tell what she was doing. The atmosphere at the table suddenly became very tense. Arianna asked, I have a question for you. Is it more stylish to drink red or white wine? You seem to drink both, but most people usually have a preference. She had been curious about this for a long time but never had a chance to ask. When they ate, they usually had white wine, but in the evenings, when they just had drinks, it was usually red. My family used to have a small vine garden in our backyard. Every time the grapes were harvested, there were too many to be eaten, so my mom brewed white wine with the grapes. We always drank it at the table, and Ive simply continued that tradition. He added, As I became older, I learned to appreciate red wine as well, but never with food. As she absorbed this information, neither of them spoke for a while. But a thought jumped into Traviss mind after a few minutes, Also, please do not say moldy rotten grape in public. Its too embarrassing.All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org. Fine. She did not care that he was disciplining her. However, Arianna noticed that when he spoke about his mother, Traviss expression softened, as did his voice. It was like he was trapped in a beautiful memory, which was surprising to her. Arianna thought he would not talk much about his mother as she did not give him a happy childhood, but it turned out that she did her best. Perhaps that stunning woman did hurt her son but also gave him the most precious tenderness and thoughtfulness. Arianna tried to remember her own mother, but her memory was vague. She rarely sat with her mother for over an hour. Her mother never beat her, scolded her, or asked about her affairs. All she did was shop and gamble. Thinking of that, Arianna almost felt jealous of Travis. She wanted to smile and recall the memories of her mother like he was doing, but she did not have such memoirs. When Arianna learned that she was not her fathers child, her mother said, Arianna, Im so sorry we lied to you for this long. And thest time she saw her mother, she said to her, Im sorry I wasnt a good mother. A few dayster, she received news of her mothers suicide and was not shocked, as if she knew it was going to happen. Did you choose to study geology because you wanted to work in this field? Arianna tried to change the conversation as she saw that Travis was deep in thought, and she didnt want to talk about his mother any longer. But mentioning his major did not divert his attention. He said, No. I studied geology to prove a point to my mother. She believed it wasnt a promising major. So you took the major and identally discovered the gem mine? Everyone has their lucky day. He casually mentioned. When he started getting good luck, her familys luck started running out, Arianna thought to herself. She suddenly felt extremely depressed. She ate a piece of bread and then spat it out because it was too spicy. She took the cup, forgetting that it was wine, and took a drink. Arianna had to spit it back into the cup once more C she was expecting water. Travis was watching her again, but she did not care. Her mouth was on fire, and she needed to find something to put out the me. After some mental preparation, she tried to drink the noble rot wine again, hoping the sweetness would dull the fire in her mouth. Arianna had never loved sweets, but this time it tasted even worse. She swallowed half of the wine in her mouth before she felt stomach contents rising back up her throat. She spewed the remaining wine back into the ss for the third time. But she could not throw up in front of him in such a beautiful ce. So she used the napkin to cover her mouth and walked to the washroom quickly. Chapter 51: Are You Pregnant? Arianna spat into the bathroom sink for a long time but did not throw up. She wanted to wash her face but found that her makeup was much thicker than usual. If she got water on her face, she might end up looking like a roon. Instead, she had to settle for rinsing her mouth before returning to the table. But Travis was standing outside the bathroom, scaring her a little bit. He grabbed her body to prevent her from hitting the wall. What are you doing? Arianna asked when she recovered. His face was a mix of emotions. Are you pregnant? Travis asked as he grabbed her arm. His palm was cold. No. Arianna tried hard to get rid of his hand but failed. She was angry. Regardless, their fancy and expensive dinner were cut short because Travis insisted on taking her to the hospital for an examination. Im not pregnant! I dont want to go! Travis dragged Arianna back to their suite, got her to change and wipe off her makeup, and now was trying to get her to leave. But she clung to the doorframe of the bathroom. We will find out when we get to the hospital, Travis replied. Ryan Cooper was summoned urgently. He rxed after seeing that everyone was okay and asked, What can I do for you, Sir? Travis said, Find someone to make an appointment in the biggest hospital with the best gynecologist around. Ryan epted the order and left the room. Youre crazy. I had my period three weeks ago, and Ill be getting my next one soon. There is no way I am pregnant. Finally, she let go of the doorframe and shoved Travis off of her. She had enough. He had treated her like a toy this entire vacation, and when it wasing to an end, he found a new trick to y on her. Perhaps your body is different from ordinary peoples. Travis frowned and pressed his arm. Arianna had shoved him directly on his wound. She forgot that he was injured but fought the urge to apologize. He deserved the pain. They didnt end up going to the hospital. Arianna escaped into the sunny room and locked the door. She refused to open it. Originally, she did not worry about getting pregnant because she meticulously used protective medicines. She even ate foods that were supposed to decrease the likelihood of conception, despite hating the taste. However, Traviss words terrified her. She was afraid that her body could, in fact, be different from everyone elses. Travis did not give up easily. One hourter, a doctor came. Out of guilt and pity for the doctor, Arianna unlocked the door and allowed for the medical examination to ur. The doctor told Travis on his way out, Your wife is not pregnant. But she looks like she could use some rest. Travis looked at her with questioning eyes, Are you hungry now? If you dont like the food, I can ask them to cook something else. Im not hungry, and I dont want to eat. You can go back and finish it. Travis didnt return to the restaurant, but he asked a servant to bring the noble rot wine up to their room. He poured himself a ss and drank it slowly by the window. They returned to the bedroom. He smirked at Arianna, Are you sure you dont want more of this? Its a now-or-never situation since its the only wine from your birth year from this winery. She could not handle the taste. Looking at the ss in his slender fingers, she felt something spinning in her stomach again. She said, The taste of mildew and rotten grapes does not appeal to me. You should be careful, it might infect your wound again. He choked on his expensive wine. Finally, he said, Between your pimples and nausea, I was sure you were pregnant. But now that we know you arent, Im beginning to wonder if you have an endocrine disorder. Ariannas heart stopped again when she heard the word pregnant. She wished his wound would be infected again, the worse it was, the better. She replied, Have you ever gotten a woman pregnant before? Why do you sound so experienced? You can rest assured that I will not threaten you with a child. Travis watched her through the transparent cup, observing her expression. He remained quiet for a while and said, You would have a fortune if you really were pregnant. If you gave birth to my child, then all debts between us would be canceled. I can even promise to meet any of your additional requests, as long as they are reasonable and within my capabilities. What do you think? I am not selling you, my child! I did not ept this in our agreement. Please be a man of your word! Arianna shouted at him and shut the bathroom door behind her. **** Travis Cooper was a man of his word. He meant it when he said he wouldnt bother Arianna for two months. Arianna was happy to return back home because of this. She would be able to live her own life for two and a half months. His suggestion about having his child left her feeling confused. Travis did not dare to mention it again after she locked herself in the bathroom for three hours after that conversation. She thought he was out of his mind and tried to forget it, but it would have also meant that she would be free after, and her grandfather would be allowed to live. When they got to the airport, it waste in the evening, and there were only a few people in the departure lounge. Most of the passengers, including Arianna, were drowsy and spoke with low voices. But there was a pair of five or six-year-old twin boys chasing each other around the chairs,ughing happily. Travis was reading the newspaper. When the boys ran past him, he looked up and stared at them. His eyes remained glued to them from then on. Some of Traviss assistants noticed his gaze, and they began speaking to each other. They lookpletely identical. So how do their parents distinguish between the two of them?Content held by N?velDrama.Org. Chapter 52: Let Me Have It Another person responded, They probably had them marked with tattoos to know which one is which. The two of them chuckled at the suggestion. Ariannas fatigue had vanished. Nevertheless, she could not help but look back at the genius who proposed the idea. Upon noticing Ariannas eyes, the young man lowered his head immediately and whispered to the others. There are probably differences in their bodies. Maybe birthmarks or something. Travis Cooper let out a cough, and his followers became silent immediately. He stared at the two children, watching them y carelessly with each other. When Arianna noticed his creepy smile, she had a shback to his suggestion earlier that day. Her back instantly became damp with a cold sweat. The two kids continued to y for quite a while. Their guardians were nowhere to be seen. Suddenly, one of the twins began crying, and his brother tried tofort him. But the one that was crying pushed the other to the ground. Both of them were weeping quietly now. Arianna stood up instinctively, nning to wipe the tears off the childrens faces and cheer them up, but she withdrew and sat back down immediately, thinking of Travis. She could never let him see her go soft on children. But Travis continued watching the children as if he was watching a show. His followers were puzzled by him. After a minute, Ryan went forward and helped the children stand up and gave them a pat on the head. He took out a tissue to wipe their tears and asked them toe over to Travis. Now Arianna could take a good look at them. The two boys were thin with ck curly hair, honey-colored skin, and deep dark eyes. They were very beautiful. They looked exactly like each other; even their expressions were indistinguishable. It turned out that the first boy cried because the woodcarvingmemorative badge that was hanging on his chest was broken. He was unable to put the two pieces back together. That thing was not expensive. Arianna had a simr one stored in her handbag, so she pulled it out and gave it to the boy. He instantly switched from quietly sobbing to smiling with glistening eyes. The other boy checked his brothers new badge and said in poor English, We had the same badges. Now this one is different from mine. Upon hearing this, Ryan quickly ran to the airport shop and bought the same badge as Ariannas. He returned and handed the badge to the boy. The twin boys saluted the group with a strange gesture. Then, they switched their old badges and put the new ones on. The second brother gave his old badge to Arianna before running away with his twin. After a while, someone finally came to supervise the two children. The twins followed after the man, but he did not look like the boys. Travis turned to tell Ryan something quietly. Ryan and one of the assistants went forward to stop them and asked the man a few questions. Ryan did not let them go until the stranger took out the supporting documents. They came back, and Ryan said to Travis, I think they are fine. The man is the uncle of the boys, and they are heading back to Mexico. Arianna did not expect this kind of care and kindness from Travis Cooper. She watched the children walk away. They even turned and waved to her. When she couldnt see them anymore, she looked down and examined the badge that one of the twins gave her. Her hands suddenly felt like they were burning when she saw the carving on the badge. She instantly threw it away. Travis caught the badge in the air.Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024. The two badges that were given to the children were carved with flowers, but this badge had arge serpent on it. Arianna was very embarrassed to take it back from Travis. She did not know what to do with it. It was genuine kindness from a sweet child, but she knew it would bring her nightmares if she kept it. But Travis held on to the badge and said, I like this one. Let me have it. She nodded instantly. Relief washed over her body. **** Their ne was dyed for fifteen minutes. After the children had left, Travis lost his interest in reading the newspaper. He asked Arianna, Which one do you think is the elder of the two boys? The one that gave me the badge. She replied. I think so too. Have you heard of this before? When someone is born, there will be another person in the world who looks exactly the same as him or her. The two might not have the chance to meet each other, though. Twins are a special case in thisw, seeing as they spend their whole childhood together in most cases. Ive never heard of such aw. And it soundspletely unscientific. I know that twins are rted to gics, but what you told me isnt. Are you saying that having twins runs in some bloodlines? I think so. I have a colleague that has a family full of twins. And she is a twin herself. After saying that, Arianna felt it was awkward to discuss her daily life with Travis. Especially doing it in a foreign airport with all of his followers around. Earlier in the day, she had decided that she would not respond to him on any topic whatsoever, but she also worried that he would take revenge on her for not being pleasant. Traviss phone began to ring. He stepped away from the group and answered, Dont worry. I will be there soon. Dont think too much and have a good sleep. Ill be back by dawn. When he returned, Arianna took the newspaper he was reading to hide her surprised look. She nced at him before burying her face in the paper. Once more, she didnt expect Travis to show such patience and gentleness to someone. The person on the other side of the phone must have been someone important to him. She thought she could see the tenderness on his face, but he looked normal at the moment. Travis did not say a word after he returned. Chapter 53: Is Your Boss Married Yet? Finally, they started boarding the ne and took off right after. To Ariannas surprise, when they reached the airport of their connecting flight, Travis and his two assistants took a different ne than her. Ryan was told to escort Arianna home and that he would be her contact person if necessary while Travis was away. When the ne took off again, Ryan sat beside her. Although Arianna didnt like most of Traviss employees, she liked having Ryan sitting beside her instead of Travis much more. She felt happy to be free from Travis. But she soon thought of a serious problem, so she couldnt help but ask Ryan, Is your boss married yet? Arianna had always just assumed that Travis was not married. He never mentioned it, and no one said anything to her about it. But after he answered that phone call, she began to suspect that there might be a poor woman waiting for him in a different country. It was easy for Arianna to admit that her rtionship with Travis Cooper was very embarrassing. However, everything would be totally different if he had a wife. She could participate in this arrangement and degrade herself with this single man, but she would never want to hurt another innocent woman because of it. Although Travis was likely to have many women like her, she would not want to be the home wrecker. People had to do what they had to do, though. When she was in college, she had a female ssmate who worked as a stripper every night to make a living. That ssmate insisted on wearing high heels every time, thinking that the shoes meant that she was notpletely naked. This helped her retain her remaining dignity. Arianna once judged this ssmate, but now she understands that life gets difficult. A variety of thoughts were spinning in her mind. Travis Cooper was not a man easy to get along with. But judging from the sincerity during his phone call, he was capable of respecting and cherishing someone other than himself. She could probably use this as a bargaining chip to negotiate their agreement, and maybe her freedom woulde sooner. Ryan responded to her in a bit of confusion, Mr. Cooper is single. Oh. Arianna didnt give up, What about a fiance? As far as I know, he is not engaged.Text content ? N?velDrama.Org. Arianna felt a bit lost. She tried to divert the topic, Are you going to meet him after I get back home? No. Im staying to handle thepany affairs for Mr. Cooper. Ryan answered. She had only thought of this young boy as a driver and bodyguard for Travis, but it turned out that he was also apetent assistant. With a sigh, Arianna gave up questioning the man and picked up a magazine. But Ryan continued to answer the questions he knew she had, Mr. Cooper is traveling to support a friend through surgery. He refers to this friend as hisst family member remaining. He had known the person since he was a child. He hasnt been in a good moodtely. Since when did you be so talkative? Did I ask you about his mood and reason for going away? I dont care about these things. Arianna replied. Ryan had always shown respect for her, but she didnt want to admit it. Arianna suppressed her frustration and tried to find something else to talk about, How long have you known him? Eleven years and seven months. When I met him, Mr. Cooper was still in school and was working on a project. My parents were both dead, and my foster mother was in poor health. Mr. Cooper used his schrship to pay for my education so I could continue in school. I have remained in contact with him since then. When I was in college, my foster mother fell seriously ill. By that time, Mr. Cooper was running hispany. He helped me pay for the medical care, so I came to work for him after I graduated. Ryan had spoken to her more now than he had in the past year. His eyes showed gratitude and admiration for his boss. Oh. Arianna could not say anything more. The man she considered to be a demon was an angel in the eyes of others. After a few moments of silence, Ryan continued, When I was in college, there was a professor who studied theology. He always said people with a simr fate would be more likely to meet one another. Do you believe that, Miss Jenkins? Before she could answer, the pilot requested that the passengers put on their seat belts immediately as they would be experiencing some turbulence. But before he could even finish his announcement, the ne began to jerk up and down. Arianna gripped the armrests of her seat tightly. Finally, she said to Ryan, Are you suggesting that the two of us, who dont have any parents left, will die together in a ne crash today? **** After the nended safely, Arianna felt like she had lost some of her respect for Ryan Cooper. This guy was kind and honest on the outside but was just as bad as Travis Cooper in his flesh and bones. Arianna went to visit her grandfather before returning to work. She did not hold high expectations, nor did she dress up carefully to impress him. Maybe she was still suffering from jetg because her body was weak, and her eyelids were swollen. The weather was cold and rainy when she visited Franco Sanchez. She was only wearing a short-sleeved shirt and a knee-length skirt. There was only a couple hundred meters between her car and the entrance of the building, but it was enough time to make her nose start running and give her Goosebumps. Surprisingly, her grandfather was gracious this time. Even though he could not remember anything, he said to her kindly, Dear, its so cold outside today, and you did not wear enoughyers. I understand that looks are important, but so is your health. Arianna was so surprised that she could not speak. He continued, You look a lot worse than thest time you were here. Are you not feeling well? Chapter 54: There Are Always Miracles The blood in Ariannas heart rushed to her head. Even though her grandfather still didnt recognize her, he spoke nicely and showedpassion. She couldnt have even dreamt of such a scene in the past two years. She cautiously exined that she was suffering from jetg after returning from India. Upon hearing where she vacationed, Franco Sanchez said he had also traveled there a few times many years ago. As a result, he knowledgeably talked to her about the local customs. Arianna cried tears of joy in Dr. Lynchs office. She did not expect to be so lucky during this visit. She asked, He will be fine, right? He will remember who I am, wont he? Dr. Lynch was also happy for her, That is wonderful. But you have to be patient. In a few days, we will do aprehensive examination of Mr. Sanchez to check his status. There were a few things that concerned me from hisst one. However, if there are some noticeable improvements, we may be able to lift some of his restrictions and change some medication.Text content ? N?velDrama.Org. Arianna stopped by the church on her way home to worship the gods. She prayed and hoped that she still had a chance to reunite with her grandfather, and she would do anything in return. It was the first time in years that she began seeing the dawn. With hope for the future, Arianna felt that every minute of life was a gift, even at work. When her boss saw her, he smiled and said, It seems that you should have been given vacation time a long while ago. Melissa suddenly approached her and asked mysteriously, Did someone propose to you? Are you going topete for Employee of the Year? Why do you look so happy? A weekter, she received a call from Dr. Lynch asking her toe to the sanatorium to discuss her grandfathers condition. He had the same tone on the phone as usual and exined nothing. She prepared for their meeting the night before and went to bed early, but it was a restless night. The images of Travis at the airport came to her head. Ryans words about simr fates were echoing in her ears. Why did she think about them? She tried to ignore Traviss world at all times. Arianna woke up in a sweat and took a shower. Then she took two sleeping pills and turned the air conditioner a few degrees down before covering her body in a thickforter. When she finally fell asleep, her dreams took her back to when she was seventeen years old. Her misfortunes ran through her mind one by one, like a movie. She saw her first time facing death, her first time facing deception, her first real temptation, and the first time she waspletely desperate. *** During their meeting, Dr. Lynch exined that there was a malignant tumor found in Mr. Sanchezs brain. The preliminary scans showed that the tumor had been there for a few years. Additionally, his heart attack caused a small stroke, leaving an irremovable blood clot in his brain. The prolonged existence of the tumor meant that his nerves had been oppressed for years, likely causing his madness and memory loss over the years. Recently, because of the sudden growth of the tumor, the pressure in his brain had shifted, and his condition had been slightly alleviated. Dr. Lynch tried to keep his expression indifferent to keep Arianna from getting scared. She was listening to his words as if she was listening to the evening news broadcasting a natural disaster in the corner of the world. She felt sorry, pitiful, and very emotional, but the problem was far away from her. At the moment, she felt like a persons destiny, and experiences were determined by fate the moment they were born. Yesterday she was still hoping for a future with her grandfather, but now it felt like it was never even an option. He saw her eyes repeatedlynd on the small pot holding a green nt. It was sprouting on the windowsill. He called to her, Miss Jenkins! Miss Jenkins! Sorry, Dr. Lynch. Is it possible to transfer my grandfather to another hospital? Ariannas voice was surprisingly calm. Dont apologize, I understand. In my experience, a general hospital environment is not ideal for the recovery of the elderly. If he is emotionally impulsive, the consequences can be very serious. But this is not a surgical hospital. Our testing equipment is state of the art. And Mr. Sanchezs condition is not suitable for surgery. Only medicinal control is rmended for now, so there is no advantage in going to a general hospital. There will be several neurosurgeonsing to consult on Mr. Sanchezs case, of course. They will be here by the weekend at thetest. With my research and experience with your grandfatherbined with their skills, you can rest assured he will receive the best treatment possible. They are willing toe here for an old man? Mr. Sanchez is a key patient for those who are funding the research in his condition. The donor thinks his case is very special. Additionally, the neurosurgeons will be examining other cases as well. Doctor Lynch, how long will my grandfather live? He let out a deep sigh before saying, There is no way of knowing. But dont stop praying. A miracle happens every day, Miss Jenkins. **** A few dayster, the neurosurgeons concluded that Franco Sanchezs tumor was indeed inoperable and could worsen severely at any moment. Even with the use of drugs, he would only have half of a year to live at best. However, there are always miracles. They repeatedly reminded her about it. Arianna smiled as she watched the experts leave. She was proud of herself for being able to keep it together and seem professional. The next day, Arianna began the paperwork necessary to quit her job. Melissa said, You are insane. I was recruiting one person for the position below us, and do you know how many applicants there were? Three hundred people! Arianna, its going to be impossible to find a job! My grandfather is seriously ill, and he is all alone. Chapter 55: New Chapter Of Her Life Why dont you just take a long vacation or something? If he is in the area, you could apply to work for half days only. Youve never bargained for a raise or promotion, Im sure theyd give it to you! Melissa, I want to be with him as much as possible before I lose him forever. I dont want to work. Hey, its up to you. Im just trying to get you to consider reality. When she first entered her contract with Travis Cooper, she used to be a teacher in a charity-run school in order to hide her whereabouts from her grandfather. By selling her body to protect her grandfather, she thought she was acting nobly. And when her grandfather became sick and the family business fell apart, she took revenge on her grandfathers betrayers with Traviss help. The mastermind of the backstabbers lost everything. Since then, she could no longerbel herself as the victim with a pure mind. She did not have the courage to monitor the fate of the Sanchez Group because she did not want to see the names of the familiar faces and hear their stories. Arianna could not even continue to work in the charity school because she feared ruining the innocence of the children. Thus, she had to find new employment. It was likely her academic standings, in conjunction with her work experience at home and abroad, that helped hernd this job so easily. Her beautiful appearance probably also yed a role in passing through thepanys horrible application system. The reason for her resignation was vague. She would rather pay the fine to leave thepany as soon as possible than waste another second away from her grandfather. Her young boss, Charles, tried to persuade her to stay but failed quickly. He asked her if she needed a letter of rmendation from thepany; however, Arianna declined. Then he smiled and asked, Are you going to marry someone? Arianna chuckled and shook her head. Well, I hope you take care, Arianna. Charles signed his name at the bottom of the resignation paper and personally called human resources toplete the procedure as quickly as possible. When she left the office building, Arianna suddenly had a bit of regret. Although she had no enthusiasm for the job, it was her shelter and habitat after all. If not for spending dozens of hours in this ce every week, who knows what she would have been doing to make her money. It was not impossible to take several months off, but there was a little superstition in her heart. There were always end dates for vacations. The day her vacation time expired could be the day her grandfather passed away. And once she thought about it that way, she became afraid of the phrase taking leave. Now that she was unemployed, she would be able to spend as much time with her grandfather as possible before he died. Arianna applied to work as a volunteer in the research center where her grandfather was staying. This would allow her to be there for long periods of time every day. The hospital was very strict with family visits otherwise.Content held by N?velDrama.Org. Dr. Lynch offered her a position as his assistant, doing a little work every day, but enjoying much more free time than the volunteers. She was afraid of appearing in front of her grandfather from time to time, but she stayed in a ce not far from him. Arianna watched him walk with a stooped waist in the morning and then y chess with his ward-mate. Arianna got to know a lot of the patients at work. Some of them regarded her as a close friend, sharing lots of personal stories with her. She had not been a sociable person in her teenage years, and her social skills were even worse in adulthood. However, in this abnormal environment, she felt like she was truly integrating into it. These men and women with mental illnesses had their own little worlds, and Arianna could actually understand them. One patient was an old woman who used to be a dancer when she was young. She taught Arianna several dance moves every day. Arianna had mastered the essentials of a few exotic moves in a short period of time. Another male patient asked her to talk to him about anything. Arianna mixed her memories with fairy tales to make it easy to talk, but also she avoided reliving them this way. There was an adorable little boy who was only seven years old and was admitted into the ward. He was scared because he had witnessed his parents death in a car ident. Arianna went to see him every day. He had no words or any expression, but he would cry for hours when she left. Later, she changed her visits to nighttime and talked to him for half an hour. When he became sleepy, she read him bedtime stories so he could fall asleep. Every day there were also four or five old people who gathered together to sing songs with the apaniment of an ordion. But one day, the ordionist was sick, and the others were worried and restless. Then all of the others seemed on the verge of falling seriously ill as well. Luckily, Arianna happened to know how to y the ordion, although she was not very skilled. She yed for them for thirty minutes every day and actually enjoyed herself. **** Arianna was getting more and more adapted to her life at the sanatorium. She felt like she had even be a member of the little band she yed ordion for. The advantage of blending into this group was when she was still maintaining a safe distance from her grandfather. He actually approached her proactively. The first time, he said to her, Did you transfer to work here? This nurse uniform looks good on you. The second time he noticed, Your eyes are swollen. Did you drink water before going to bedst night? The third time he eximed, Girl, you are losing weight again. Later, her grandfather found her under the dark sky after sunset, so he invited her to watch the sunrise with him the next day. Arianna filed an application so she could apany her grandfather outside in the morning. This was a formality required by the hospital to cover liability policies and ensure the safety of their patients. Dr. Lynch was kind enough to agree to oversee the little journey. Chapter 56: He Knows Who He Is Paying For But the mornings were foggy for the first couple of days. They woke up early every day until finally, they saw a real sunrise seven dayster. When the little sun, looking like an egg yolk, gently jumped out from behind the horizon and reflected on the old mans face, a bittersweet feeling washed over Arianna. Her face was covered in tears, and she didnt even know it. But in a couple of minutes, the sun was hidden behind some ck clouds. Everywhere was dark, quiet, and peaceful. There was no sign of a hopeful future. In fact, ording to Dr. Lynch, when the appearance of her grandfather improved, it meant that the destructive effect of the tumor was getting worse. The old man was now no longer violent or explosive. He had never even shown such calmness and grace when he was fully healthy. Arianna almost missed the situations where her grandfather attempted to attack her several times. Back then, she was just sad, not desperate. She often thinks about her old memories with her grandfather now. The countless walks they used to go on after the rain was her favorite. She remembered how both of them used to jump straight into the puddles and would go home with their clothes soaked. Then they sat by the fire to warm up with some hot chocte that her old nanny had prepared for them. She saw Ryan in the hospital the other evening, but he walked away quickly like he was avoiding her. She thought she saw things. While she was staring in Ryans direction, her grandfather asked, Do you know that boy? Huh? He has been here once or twice before. When you werent looking, he had been watching you for a long time. Oh. Does he like you? I dont know Probably not. With a girl like you I woulde after you myself if I were a young man.All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org. Arianna choked on air. Do you have a boyfriend? Sort of. She was suddenly scared, so she lied. That night she called Ryan Cooper. Thank you, Ryan. The other end of the phone remained speechless. Thank you for all youve done. Covering the cost of my grandfathers medicine and the special care of Dr. Lynch. Its just. She was not very good at thanking others, and the proper words were noting to her. The donor is Mr. Cooper. He and Dr. Lynch were ssmates back in high school. He is taking the initiative to support the foe who killed his parents. Even for that, I will not be grateful to him. Mr. Cooper does not need anyones gratitude, Miss Jenkins. He just wants to help some patients who have the same illness as his mother. After a while, Ryans tone became harder, Okay, I ept your gratitude. It is indeed me who is behind all this. So please, dont refuse. Otherwise, I will take the funding away from the other patients as well. Ryan, why are you saying this? Arianna had long suspected her grandfathers fees were being covered by an acquaintance. But, though he was her primary guess, it was hard for her to learn directly that it was Travis who was paying for him. He knows who he is paying for, Ryan said before hanging up the phone. **** Arianna was surprised to see her former boss, Charles, in this remotely located hospital. Charles was with a little boy who was discharged two weeks ago. The child had gradually recovered against all odds. And now, apparently, the boy was going to be in the care of his family that lived out of the country. When Arianna was helping Dr. Lynch sort out some data, someone told her that a previous patient would like to see her. Turning around, she saw the cute little boy standing there with his arms behind his back. He was standing next to Charles with a big smile on his face. But Charles was also surprised to see Arianna here and said, Kevin will be leaving with his aunt and uncle the day after tomorrow. Im not rted to them, but I went to university with Kevins uncle. They werent able toe today so I took him. I didnt expect you to be the Arianna he was talking about. Arianna smiled and winked at the little boy. Kevin still did not say a word and was now hiding behind Charles with a sly smile, peeping at her. Back when Charles was her boss, she did not speak to him much. They usually simply greeted each other in a formal manner and went on with their own business. She only had a vague impression of Charles as a young and promising man who was pleasant to be around but knew how to get things done. In most womens minds, men were divided into different sses-the jerks, the funny ones, the nice ones, the yboys, etc. However, Arianna had long lost these smaller categorizations. All men were included in the group male to her. At this time, her former boss was slightly smiling at her under the soft afternoon sun, and he said, I really thought you resigned because you were going to marry someone. It turned out that you came to work here. Is this more interesting than the old job? Or more meaningful? Maybe. Arianna looked down at her shoes and did not want to exin more. Sorry, I didnt mean to invade your privacy. After I filed away your resignation form, I found your registration form and remembered something. So I took a look Arianna kept silent. In her file registration, her grandfathers name was written in the family column, marked under retired with no more information. After merely two to three years, people were forgetting the mighty Franco Sanchez. Unfortunately, Charles was able to put the pieces together and connect Ariannas grandfather to the Sanchez Group. You and I had been working together for a long time. As your superior, I was unaware of your situation. I am very sorry. If I knew, I would have given you more time off to be with your grandfather. Thank you. But you dont need to be sorry. Arianna replied quietly. She was unable to process this concern from someone who was basically a stranger. Chapter 57: I Am Getting Forgetful The form said you have no other rtives. If you ever need anything, please call me. Thank you. Aside from this, Arianna did not know what else to say. She took the kindness from Charles as a formality. It was very unlikely that she would call him, and she even questioned whether or not he really meant it. Speaking of Franco Sanchez, his body was deteriorating at this point. But his spirit was still doing well. He was sleeping longer hours during both the days and nights and did not have much energy when he was awake. The doctors did not think the extended periods of sleep were a good thing, but there was nothing they could do. Keeping him awake would be just as bad. When the old man was asleep, Arianna sat quietly by his side, counting her grandfathers breath while staring at his wrinkles and white hair. She tried to evade any unpleasant memory, leaving only nk space in her brain. She finally got more time to apany her grandfather by working at the research facility. She helpedb his hair, held his hand, and shaved his beard. But she had to do this all while he was asleep. He did not like to be touched when he was awake. Likewise, Franco Sanchez struggled against everyones touch when he was awake, preferring to try to do things for himself. A few hours before her encounter with Charles, Mr. Sanchez was asleep with Arianna sitting at his bedside. She stood up to stretch her legs when she noticed a few dead leaves on the green vines that framed the window outside. Sticking her arm out the window, she picked the dead leaves off. But when she finished and jumped off the chair, her legs lost their supporting power, making her whole body stumble forward. She almost fell to the floor and knocked over the chair. A loud crash echoed through the room. Arianna quickly stood up and straightened herself out. She then carefully put the chair back in its ce. Suddenly, someone behind her said, J, why are you still so careless? Turning around, there was a shocked look on Ariannas face. J was her mothers name. She could still remember the moment in her childhood when her mother fell off a chair while trying to hang a curtain. It took a long time for her to recover from her injuries. Franco Sanchez was wide-awake. He focused his eyes on Ariannas face and said, Oh, its you, Arianna. I thought it was your mom judging from your back. Arianna was glued to where she was standing and could not move. Then her grandfather continued, Look at me, I am getting forgetful. It doesnt seem like your mother and father have passed away. It just feels like they are on a long vacation. When did youe back? You are much thinner than before. Though his words sometimes make Arianna believe that he was healing, his memory, in fact, was not restored. Instead, memory fragments were flipped, twisted, and jumbled together in chaos. He sometimes even took someone elses story and imed it as his own. His brain was not sober enough. He never asked why he was in the hospital, what was happening to him or hispany, what pills he was being told to take, or why he was given IV fluids. He was not thinking logically. Franco Sanchez did not realize his memory and sanity were lost. Nevertheless, one thing was certain. At this moment, he recognized Arianna and admitted that she was his granddaughter.Content held by N?velDrama.Org. **** The days in the hospital did not change much. Franco Sanchez was able to hold onto his recognition of Arianna to some degree. Though he treated her the same as before he recognized her, he called her Arianna now. His thinking was very slow, and his actions were full. There were rarely any emotional responses that rted his mental state to a more serious condition. The drugs used to inhibit his brain activity in order to control his condition were also ying arge part. Arianna was not very emotional either. One of her wishes came true, but at a very high price. Her mental world had long been as empty as a desert. A huge countdown was ticking in her head, taking away all the pleasures in her life. She was losing time with every passing second. Perhaps the countdown was not there to mark her grandfathers remaining days but instead was marking her return. The old mans time asleep was still steadily increasing. He could remember fewer and fewer things when he awoke. He refused to go outside constantly, so he always sat in his bed staring at nothing through his gloomy eyes. At these times, Arianna sat next to his bed and said nothing. Franco Sanchez did not look at her though she stared at him the whole time. Dr. Lynch still couldnt do much about his condition. Ariannas only request was to alleviate her grandfathers pain as much as possible. She wanted him to spend hisst days in as much peace as he could. Sometimes Mr. Sanchez reads newspapers and magazines. But his vision was worsening, and the stories upset him asionally. He often had to let Arianna read to him, but she also had to be careful and choose stories that he would like. One day he wanted to read a thick hardcover book. He read a few pages before asking Arianna to take over for him. The book was One Hundred Years of Solitude. Arianna loved reading that book in high school. But in the past ten years, she hadnt thought of the book once. When she saw the book for the first time in a decade, it felt as if she saw a poisonous snake. Her grandfather never liked reading such novels when he was still sane. The book pages were yellow and musty. She did not know where he found it. Franco Sanchez fell into the tenderness of past memories, This book was your grandmothers and mothers favorite. They rmended it to me many years ago, but I havent had the chance to read it until now. Arianna read the novel to the old man slowly. She enunciated every word and took deep breaths. It was so slow that it was hard for her to even follow along. The words became meaningless, and it was like torture. Chapter 58: This Is My Final Wish For some reason, she felt like once the book was over, her grandfather would pass away. She read as slowly as possible. If what she felt in her heart was true, she wished she could keep reading this book forever. But she also worried that her grandfather could pass away before he could hear how the book ended. Would it be a lifelong regret for him? It was his wife and daughters favorite book, after all. Arianna read the book aloud with such emotion that her voice became hoarse only after a few pages. Mr. Sanchez told her they could continue the next day.All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org. Reading the book became her only way to connect and get along with her grandfather. After a few days, the pages left in the book were decreasing at an rming rate, and Ariannas voice could not return to normal. This made the sophisticated words even harder to understand. The old man said, Lets take a break. Arianna stopped and inhaled deeply, like an ex-smoker taking a drag of a cigarette. He added, Howe Im not seeing your boyfriend these days? Arianna was stunned by the question but was interrupted before she could deny his words. Mr. Sanchez said, You said you had a boyfriend a few months ago. Dont tell me you broke up with him because I was pulling your leg. She vaguely remembered admitting she had a boyfriend to deny her acquaintance with Ryan Cooper in front of her grandfather. She regretted it. I would like you to introduce him to me. I dont think I have much time left. I want to meet the man my granddaughter has chosen. Arianna was embarrassed. At that time, she wanted to admit that she had lied, but her grandfathers expression stopped her. My dear, are you still mad at me for that time? Is this why you are hiding your boyfriend from me? Squinting her eyes, Arianna tried to understand which memory her grandfather was referring to. She continued to give him a confused expression. I told you to break up with that man and hit you You were so angry and ran away from home for years. Do you remember? That memory was not one that actually happened, or he was getting separate memories confused. Arianna rxed a little and said softly, I know you only meant the best for me, but I Or, you havent broken up with that man yet? Take it easy. I understand. Although he doesnt deserve you, its alright as long as you love him. Bring him to me so I can take a good look at him. This is my final wish. Her grandfather also told her how terrible it was for a woman to stay single in this world and that though the times were different now, she should know better. Arianna hoped that her grandfather would forget this matter by the next day. The thought terrified her. **** Her grandfather was particrly persistent in this matter and did not forget his wish to meet Ariannas boyfriend. Franco Sanchez mentioned it once every day. This way, neither of them would forget about it. In a few days, it would be her grandfathers 84th birthday, probably thest birthday celebration before his final breath. Arianna pondered the thought for a while before deciding to satisfy her grandfathersst wish as a birthday gift. She thought of the men she knew. There were only a few on the list. After excluding those who were married or in a rtionship, she could only think of two. But even if those two men would go along with her charade, her grandfather would probably be able to see right through it. Arianna even looked online and read about blind dates or paying someone to y the role. Her main condition was to meet them at the hospital. She didnt dare to leave for too long because her grandfather was losing time. Arianna promised herself that she would stay beside him as much as possible. Her other requirements for the role emphasized the personality and appearance of the man. She didnt care about their ie or family background, as it would only be the one date. However, only a few people responded to her ad. She soon found that her idea was really boring. The men who would satisfy her requirements would nevere to such an event. They wouldnt even find her advertisement. Those who did meet with Arianna had strange motives. They were trying to look for excitement or surprise. One candidate was a pretty boy, one was very rugged looking, and the third looked like he had just escaped from jail. Arianna had to reject all of them. Franco Sanchezs birthday was approaching quickly, and she still had not found a suitable man to present to her grandfather. She even considered Ryan. She thought as long as shepiled a good story, her grandfather would not suspect it was a lie. However, Ryan was with Travis Cooper. She was unable to refuse their help previously because it would have put her grandfathers life at risk. They had money and a strongwork of rtionships. Refusing them would have ended Mr. Sanchezs life quickly. But when it came to this asion, she did not want to ask for their help because it would be a direct insult to her grandfather. Suddenly, she thought of Charles. Arianna didnt intend to have anything to do with him, but she was out of options. And to her surprise, Charles agreed instantly. He came to the hospital the next day. It was very windy and rainy that day. His suit was covered in beads of water from the rain. They spent five minutes going over their story before heading into her grandfathers room. Charles was elegant andposed. He also brought a gift for the old man. It wasnt expensive, but it was thoughtful. He patiently answered every question Mr. Sanchez asked. After an hour, Charles even yed a game of chess with the old man. Though Mr. Sanchez often broke the rules of chess, Charles still managed to defeat him. Franco Sanchez smiled a little. Arianna knew her grandfather was really happy with her boyfriend. Her grandfather held Charless hand and asked, Are you going to marry my little Arianna? Chapter 59: I鈥檓 Back Charles said inly, If she agrees, will. My little Arianna has been brought up in happiness since she was born. You cannot let her down in the future. You can rest assured that I will love her deeply. When their day finally ended, Arianna walked Charles to the parking lot and said, I dont know how to thank you. Dont worry. It was a piece of cake. Charles said gently, You should get back now. Dont let him wait for too long. But you can take me out for dinner when you are avable. After meeting Ariannas boyfriend, Mr. Sanchez was very happy. Even though he was asleep most of the time, he woke up and murmured, Is Charlesing to see you today? He is on a business trip. He has to go away a lot. Arianna answered calmly. The old man asked again in two days, Is Charles back? Why arent you calling each other? Arianna didnt want to make things moreplicated, and she didnt want to ask Charles for another favor. But she could see the doubt in the old mans eyes, so she was struggling to resist contacting Charles again. When she finally made up her mind, her determination was useless. Franco Sanchez fell into a deep sleep for twenty-four hours and still would not wake up. Dr. Lynch said, Im sorry, Miss Jenkins. Arianna asked calmly, How long does he have? **** When Arianna got a call from Travis Cooper, she was reading the unfinished pages of One Hundred Years of Solitude to her grandfather at his bedside. The room was quiet. Only the soft buzz of the medical machines and her low, gentle vocal sounds could be heard. After her grandfather had fallen into his deepa, Arianna became a walking corpse. All she did was eat, breathe, and sleep. She didnt think about anything. Suddenly, her phone rang, and she was dragged back to earth. To her surprise, the caller was Travis Cooper. He said, Im back. Is it okay if we have dinner tonight? Arianna was stunned because this was not his usual dialogue. Moreover, he used the word if rather than stating his request. It seemed like he was giving her room for choice. Subconsciously, Arianna nced at the calendar on the wall and looked at her grandfather, who was sleeping peacefully. It has been two and a half months since theirst meeting. She had lost her sense of time recently. She instinctively wanted to decline his request. Arianna was reluctant to leave her grandfather even for a moment. She was afraid that she would never see him alive again if she left, even though the doctor said thisa wouldst for some time. After hesitating for a while, she agreed. Ryan will pick you up at seven tonight. See you then. Travis hung up without saying any unnecessary words. Arianna smeared the foundation across her face before applying lipstick. She put on a soft-colored dress and tied her hair back before sprinkling herself in perfume. She had been indoors most of the timetely. Her skin looked dull, and her lips were pale. Even her hair seemed to carry the scent of disinfectant. It had been a long time since she was so dedicated to her appearance. But when she thought of Travis as her indirect helper, she believed a little respect for him was due. However, she did know all the consequences here rted to him, and she would never forgive him for that. Although she couldve avoided this date, somehow, she still insisted on the appointment. Perhaps she knew that her rtionship with Travis would end the day her grandfather passed away, which was soon approaching. So, now she would rather continue this tainted rtionship with him to pretend that her grandfather was not inching toward death. Ryan Cooper greeted her seriously when he saw her. He drove the car with an expressionless face as usual. The look ofpassion she sawst time was long gone. Arianna thought it was normal, though. He wasnt beingpassionate to her; it was because she was mentioning Travis. The car slowly descended down the mountain road and gradually left the mental illness research center. Arianna kept looking back at the buildings until they finally disappeared out of her view. She felt like she was returning to the world from heaven but was also worried that she could not find her way back. She thought Ryan was taking her to a hotel or one of Traviss residences, but he stopped at the foot of the mountain and opened the car door for her. There was a ck car parked three meters away from them. Arianna got out of the car and saw that the front and rear doors of the ck car were opened. The stranger driving the ck car watched Travis climb out of the back seat and open the door himself for Arianna. He made a gesture of invitation. She did not expect Travis to be waiting for her in such a close ce. Arianna looked back at Ryan in surprise. Instantly, Ryan understood and said with a low voice, Im staying here. If anything happens to Mr. Sanchez, I will inform you immediately. Arianna could not turn and thank him. His kindness washed warmth across her heart. She lowered her head and walked quickly past Travis, and slid into the back seat of the ck car. They drove along a road without lights or pedestrians in a quiet manner. No one spoke in the dark space of the car. There were only two beams of light ahead of the vehicle, illuminating the road. After a long time, the car still did not reach its destination. Finally, there came a sound of friction from the back seat. Arianna turned and focused her eyes. She could see Travis lighting a cigarette. He instantly noticed her watching him. Travis turned to her while smoking and silently handed the cigarette case to her, holding the me of the lighter with his other hand.Content held by N?velDrama.Org. Arianna quickly pulled out a cigarette in the weak light of the fire. Travis leaned over and lit it for her. He then put the me out, causing the small space to fall into darkness once again. The smell of smoke was bing heavier and heavier. Arianna felt very sorry for the driver. She opened the window halfway to try to clear the air. But outside the car, it was raining. A few big drops of rainnded on her face. She quickly closed the window. The raindrops slid down the corners of her eyes, looking like tears. Chapter 60: Anything Is Fine There was a slight humming of a machine that rang through the car. The in-car air cirction system seemed to have been turned on. Arianna put out her cigarette and wiped her face with a tissue. Then, Travis whispered to her, What do you want to eat? Anything is fine. After a long silence in the car, Arianna felt she could not breathe and had to say something to ease herself. She thought for a long time and asked, Is your sick friend getting better now? Arianna did not worry that Travis would be mad at Ryan for telling her such things. ording to Ryans loyalty to Travis, anything he said to Arianna was with permission. Travis lifted his eyebrows and said, They have been stabilized, and the operation was a sess. Wonderful, Arianna said sincerely. Her grandfathers image had popped up in her mind. If their fates had to be so simr C even theirst rtives were sick at the same time, she wished Traviss friend could live forever. Both of them remained silent for the rest of the drive. When they arrived at the restaurant, the dinner was served quietly. Arianna didnt even know what she was eating, but she ate a lot, and her appetite was much better than it usually was when she was with him. Perhaps it was the white wine they served there that was particrly appetizing. This time, the dry white had no sweet taste. Instead, it was fresh and a little bitter. Arianna kept drinking until the bottle was empty. Then, she swayed her ss and asked Travis, Are you going to let me have another drink? Travis gged down a waiter and said indifferently, Could you get her a ss of brandy? The brand I drink, please. After the waiter left, Arianna said, I dont like brandy. If youre looking to get drunk, brandy is better. The white wine isnt good for intoxication. Arianna was drunk by the end of dinner. One sip of the brandy made her head spin. She was still conscious, but she had to focus on keeping her body steady while she walked. Do you want a drive back to the sanatorium? Travis asked her. She shook her head. It would be disrespectful to return to the sanatorium in such shape. While her agreement with Travis was still in effect, she tried not to enjoy the special treatment. This way, she could not be tempted toe back in the future when she was freed. When she was drinking, she didnt think Travis was going to send her back, so she indulged in the evening-being drunk reduced her difort when he touched her. So, she was taken back to his residence instead. She was already sleeping in the car, and her head was pounding now. When she reached the master suite, she spent a whole hour in the bathtub. She soaked in hot water and soap. The heat progressively spread through her entire body. Arianna was helpless to find that the alcohol she used to crazy her mind seemed to gradually dissipate in hot water. As the water grew colder, her brain became less dizzy. Arianna debated filling the tub with hot water again or just getting out and getting dressed. But she was toozy to move until the water waspletely cold. When her teeth began chattering, she had to try hard to stand up. The bathroom door swung open at that moment. She fell back into the tub in shock. Travis was standing at the bathroom door, wearing a bathrobe, and had slightly wet hair. There was something in his eyes that she could not identify, and Travis did not take another step forward. I didnt drown, Arianna said, keeping her eyes on his. Need some help? Travis looked down at the water on the floor. No, thank you. She straightened up in the water, trying not to make herself look too weak and helpless. Then she found Traviss gaze was transferred from the water on the floor to the bathtub. She looked down and saw her body showing a strange, deformed shape in the water. Arianna changed her posture to cover her private domains, hoping that Travis was going to leave. But when the water fluctuated with the change of her position, she felt like she was seasick. She removed her hands from her body and gripped the edge of the tub before slowly getting out. He had seen every inch of her body, after all. She dried her body off with a towel before him and then wiped her wet hair. With her back facing him, she slipped into a bathrobe. She was afraid to confront him face to face. She hated seeing him. But looking through the mirror on the wall, she could see that Travis had not moved and was staring at her. He was not going to leave. Arianna briefly met his eyes through the mirror before turning around to see him directly. What was he going to do? Travis turned away after holding her gaze for several seconds. While walking, he said, Get some sleep. I will send you back tomorrow morning first thing. Feeling like ants were crawling across her heart, itching, Arianna called after him, So is this a gesture ofpassion for me? He turned and nced at her. His lips moved slightly, but he didnt say anything and walked away.Text content ? N?velDrama.Org. Arianna felt ridiculous. The remaining alcohol in her body rushed up into her head. She blurted, Do I need your pity? The whole world can pity me. Every single person can, except you! Travis turned back and said, You drank too much. Ill tell them to get you something to help sober you up. Thats so nice of you, huh! Now you must be a happy man because your wish is about toe true! Travis sneered aloud, Yes, the pleasure is all mine. Franco Sanchez deserves all the consequences he has been given. You shouldnt feel too hurt. The suffering youve been undergoing is just paying off the interest in what your family owes me. Then, he opened the door of the room. You dont n to collect interest today? Did you just want to see how miserable l am? No, Im not going to touch you today. Are you disappointed? Chapter 61: Lock The Door Arianna turned her back to him. She was really prepared for today. Maybe she really was expecting Travis to remind her their agreement still had a long way to go, just like in the past. Or maybe she wanted him to prove that she was still alive, still capable of feeling pain and shame. She felt like she had lost all her senses in the past few weeks in the hospital. Arianna thought of herself as just a soulless body. She growled, Thanks for not touching me today. Please leave and lock the door for me. Then she began to take off the thick bathrobe but found that the knot was very tight because of her carelessness. Arianna struggled with the knot and had to use a lot of force. When she finally got it untied, she heard the click of the electronic lock, and she thought Travis was gone. She dropped the bathrobe to the floor. The pajamas that were prepared for her on the side of the bed had fallen down during her struggle with the knot. Arianna bent down to pick the pajamas up off the carpet when she saw the legs and ankles of Travis nearby. She paused, straightened up, and hesitated whether to ignore him or not. While she debated the best solution for the situation, a great force threw her to the bed and pinned her down. The bed was soft, but her chest still hurt as the air in her lungs was pushed out. She was lying on her stomach with her face buried in a soft quilt, making it difficult to breathe. She tried to turn over but failed. Finally, the pressure on her back vanished, allowing her to breathe, but his body was still in close contact with hers. Arianna managed to flip over and took a big breath of air. They watched each other as if seeing the others soul. The air in the room seemed to be still. Though his pupils were steady, a wild storm was growing behind them. Arianna felt uneasy and depressed. She held her breath and closed her eyes. Her chest violently shook under his weight as oxygenpsed her lungs. Travis suddenly pressed his whole body onto her again, with his mouth biting on her slender corbones. When she opened her eyes in panic, his bathrobe was already opened, and he was already entering her body. It was the pr opposite of before. He usually enjoyed torturing her slowly with forey. Arianna couldnt adapt to such a direct invasion. It was as if she was suddenly pushed off a cliff. She embraced his neck as if she were hanging on for dear life. But she felt like this pose was too inviting and wanted to grab the sheets instead. Before she could do so, pain spread through her pubic and hip area. Reflexively, her fingernails sunk deep into the skin on his shoulders and back. Burning pain flew up to her nerves. Travis was being ruder than ever before. Every time he struck back inside her, she felt like she would die in the next second. He also must have been hurt by her nails when he pumped. That must be it. Although he did not say anything at first, she took her hands off his body and pressed them to the sides of her head, preventing her from doing that again. Arianna had another illusion this time. Whenever the motions became repetitive, she would have hallucinations. Sometimes she felt like a lonely boat out of control on a sea of deadly waves. She could be capsized by a single wave or swallowed down to the bottom of the sea at any time. Sometimes she felt like a cactus that had been uprooted and abandoned under the desert, sun-roasted and tormented C with her water gradually evaporating, only leaving ayer of dry skin on the surface. But this time, she felt like a sinner back in the Roman era. The executioner was nailing her to the cross with a nk expression. He was putting holes through her whole body, making her feel empty but pained. I am still alive. Every cell of mine is still so alive She thought, But it might be better if I just died. I wont have to face anything this way. In this stormy moment, her soul could stand on the heights and calmly look over herself. She did not have the courage to face what may happen in the near future. But she also was not bold enough tomit suicide because she still had responsibilities and obligations. By taking her own life, she might not be able to reunite with her loved ones in heaven or in hell. Then please let my death look like an ident. Unleash me, please. She begged silently. Her mind was wandering to another dimension. Then suddenly, as if sensing the call from God, she felt like she could see a bright light through her closed eyes. However, an illusion was still only an illusion. He was still viting her body when she awoke from her shorta. Her upper body was in his arms, and her arms were limp by his sides. Her body was dripping with sweat, and her throat was sore.Content held by N?velDrama.Org. Then, the smell of a burning cigarette floated through the air. Arianna was a little confused. She could not tell whether it was a dream or reality. She continued to keep her eyes closed and then felt Travis wipe the tears from her face with the quilt. He then leaned slightly and lit another cigarette. His smoking alerted Arianna, so she struggled against him. Travis immediately patted her on the back as if appeasing a child who was beingforted from a nightmare. Ariannas face was against his chest, listening to his regr and powerful heartbeats. She always knew that she was just his doll and pet, but now she suddenly felt furious about this situation. Under his grasp, she suddenly raised her face and bit his corbone. This was like what he did to her a while ago, but Arianna bit with a lot of strength. Travis did not say anything or do anything about her actions. He continued to smoke, letting her bite his corbone in hatred. Two voices were fighting in Ariannas mind. One voice encouraged her, Harder, harder! Break his bones! But another voice reminded her, Ease off. Only you will suffer in the end. Chapter 62: Her Grandpa鈥檚 Death As her mind tangled and the force behind her teeth increased, she finally heard Travis suddenly inhale. He reached out and pulled her chin to the side. Arianna screamed due to his great strength. And then he threw her back down on the bed. After a long while, Travis took her to take a shower. He rubbed every part of her body under the water. Then he wiped her dry and escorted her back to bed. Travis put the pajamas on her finally and stuffed her under the quilt. Arianna was extremely tired now. She felt like her bones were falling apart. When Travis leaned over to turn off the bedsidemp, Arianna reached out, pulled on his pajamas, and said, Are you really going to let my grandfather go so easily? And let me go after that? Have you had enough with this game? Arianna used to wonder if Travis had gone through some special training because he could always mask his expression. Using herst bit of strength, Arianna sat up and clutched his pajamas even tighter, and said, If you are not willing to let us go, please let him live longer if you have not had enough of this game. If he is gone, I will be dying to leave you. In that case, wont you miss having this much fun in your life? Her voice was as light as the breeze outside the window. Arianna could not guess what Travis was thinking. That night, his body was stiff, his eyes were unpredictable, and he was silent. She could barely sleep in the tense atmosphere. Her whole body was beyond tired, but her brain was nowpletely sober. The sound of rain outside the window turned into a huge bottle dripping in her dream. The water of life was rapidly rushing out of its broken neck before vanishing. And on the distant horizon, there was a single eye staring at her with shining pupils. When she woke up, the sun was high up in the clear sky, spreading beams of light across her face. The air was moist with the smell of mud, reminding her of the rainst night. Travis Cooper seemed to have disappeared with the rain. After having breakfast and lunch alone, Traviss new strange driver brought her back to the sanatorium. Her grandfather was still sleeping peacefully. Ryan greeted her at the door of her grandfathers ward and then took his leave. Nothing had changed around here. Two dayster, Dr. Lynch told Arianna that two brain tumor experts were going to be visiting the hospital on academic exchange and would be avable to look at her grandfathers condition. In the following days, Ryan showed up once in a while just to check in. He looked the same as usual and was polite and indifferent. Charles also came to visit once. Noticing Ariannas tired face, he did not stay long. He spoke with the doctor to try to get a better grasp of what was going on. He then sat in the ward for a little while.All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org. Travis, however, did not appear for quite some time. It turned out that the foreign experts could not save Ariannas grandfather. And two monthster, the old man took hisst breath. Franco Sanchez passed away in peace. He never opened his eyes after entering hisa, and his breathing and blood pressure both gradually weakened with time. All the medical instruments connected to his body were beeping until a straight line finally appeared on the ECG screen. At that moment, the doctors were very busy. The old man was just lying quietly with a soft smile on his lips like he had a sweet dream. There was no struggling or painful expression on his face when he departed. Arianna was also too calm in his final moments. She held his hand and nkly stared at the machines that were sounding rms before turning her attention to her grandfather. When he left, her expression was the same as his. She did not cry or scream. She had just witnessed the departure of herst family member. Two hours after his death, a strange middle-aged man brought a few people to the scene in a hurry. Arianna was still sitting in the room where her grandfather had passed away. The man said with a sincere face, Miss Jenkins, I am the current General Manager of the Sanchez Group. Myst name is Jenkins as well. Please allow me to handle the matters regarding Mr. Sanchezs funeral. She listened to Mr. Jenkins exnation in silence. Then, he exined, in a shameful tone, We could not determine Mr. Sanchezs whereabouts for years. We thought he had moved to a different country. If we knew our former chairman had been in such a condition, we would have done everything we could to help. When he saw her indifferent expression, he continued, Please do not turn me down, Miss Jenkins. This is the least we can do. Mr. Jenkins was a man of his word. He immediately organized staff to put everything in order. He whispered to Arianna if he ever had any questions, as if not to scare her. There was respect, pity, and even panic in his eyes. Perhaps it was too abnormal for the weak woman in front of him to be so calm at such a moment. Arianna had no knowledge about nning funerals. It was lucky that Mr. Jenkins and his people came to help. Franco Sanchezs funeral was simple and solemn. It was prepared in a single day. It was easy to n the ceremony because there were no friends or family members to invite. Nobody would be caught off guard by the short notice. The only people close to Arianna were the few former family servants, but Arianna sent them back to their hometowns long ago. She would not bother them with the news. She didnt expect a big turnout; however, some important people in the city came to the service. They were sentimental and were grieving the loss. They called Franco Sanchezs departure the fall of a hero. They expressed their condolences to Arianna, and some were even frustrated that his illness was kept a secret. Arianna stood quietly in the chapel hall, mechanically saluting every stranger. She had to keep her facial nerves intact so she would notugh out loud. She suddenly felt that Travis wasnt the most horrible person she knew. At least he had reason to take his revenge, and he never lied. Compared with these hypocrites, Travis was far better. Chapter 63: Please, Go Away When her grandfather was facing the demise of his business, it was exactly these people who stood aside or even helped destroy the Sanchez Group. They were the ones who pushed him over the edge. After a little boy sang a hymn, the pastor began reading Franco Sanchezs biography to the crowd. He marked him as a man who was fighting for his whole lifetime. Charles and a few of Ariannas former colleagues came for thememoration. Arianna did not inform them of her grandfathers passing, so she did not know how they knew toe. Before leaving, Charles said to her, You really need to get some rest now. If you have no other ns, thepany still wees you back with open arms if youd like to work for us again. She thanked him kindly.All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org. Then, Arianna found Ryan standing in the corridor, wearing all ck. Thinking of his care for her grandfather, she slowly walked toward him. She stood next to him in silence for a while before he asked, Are you alright? Please dont say, Im sorry for your loss, Arianna. Ive heard that one too many times today from people who dont give a shit. Okay. Ryan was quiet again. After a few moments, Arianna turned to face him and said, You are not supposed to be here. Please go away. Ryan did not say anything. Instead, he walked away from her, heading up to the altar. He took three bows in front of Franco Sanchezs coffin before saying goodbye to Arianna and leaving the church. But Ryan did not have any rtionship with her family. And Arianna was not in the best mood seeing Travis Coopers associate on such an asion. However, when she saw Ryan showing respect to her grandfather, she knew Ryan was doing it on behalf of Travis. She thought that Ryan was praying that Mr. Sanchez may rest peacefully in heaven and leave Travis Cooper alone. Arianna wanted tough again. **** The resilience of human beings was amazing. When Arianna was with her grandfatherst night, she once felt that her world had copsed and that she couldnt continue living on in such a way. But today, the sky was blue, and the sun was shining. The green trees and white flowers in the cemetery were elegant and beautiful. This scene was like a pair of invisible hands tickling every sensation in her body. She suddenly felt there was nothing wrong with living on earth. She could keep on surviving. Arianna quietly slipped away for a while after her grandfathers funeral. She didnt have any concerns, and she no longer had to greet the fake grievers. But she invited Mr. Jenkins toe along with her. She told him she wanted toy low for a few days and asked if he could act on her behalf if anything came up. There were not many things to do after Franco Sanchezs funeral. Mr. Jenkins looked honest and reliable. Normally, Arianna was not a person who would trust anyone easily. But she also didnt have enough strength left to doubt people. She had nothing to lose anyway. However, there was someone she needed to deal with. When Ryan came to the funeral, she was expecting him to say something like, Mr. Cooper says youre a free person now or something simr, but he doesnt. Arianna wanted to confront him face to face anyway. Arianna asked Ryan, Does he know? Ryan did not answer her directly, Mr. Cooper is away right now. In theory, as her grandfather had passed away, her agreement with Travis should be automatically terminated. She did not know whether Travis would want to bid her farewell or let theirst interaction be their final one. But now that she had no concerns left, she could simplymit suicide if he went back on his word and continued to force her into this repulsive rtionship. Arianna shut down her phone, leaving all iing calls to be answered by her voice message. She dropped it off at her apartment but did not stay for long. There was a small hotel beside the cemetery road. It was two stories tall and only had six rooms avable in total. The hotel owner was a widowed, middle-aged woman. She said that the hotel was built before the city bought thend around it to use as a cemetery. There were not many people staying there. Her business typically came from mourners eating a meal before continuing onward. Indeed, there were not many customers, so the woman worked as a seamstress as well. She had a daughter in high school who only returned home on weekends. The woman told Arianna that she was usually afraid at night, so it was nice to have her there as apanion. Because Arianna did not want anyone to know her whereabouts, she left her cell phone at home and took a taxi here instead of driving herself. During her first night in the hotel, she worried that she would be murdered. There was no one else around after all. However, it was hard to live and easy to die, so the thought didnt scare her. It would make things a lot easier if she did get murdered. It turned out that Ariannas perception of the world was all wrong. The owner was a simple and kind woman and was very tentative with Arianna. Every day at three or four in the morning, the vegetable market that was two kilometers away began to make noise. There was a vegetable farmer who hand-picked flowers from his farm and put them into a basket for Arianna when she visited. Just after dawn, Arianna walked to the market to pick up the basket of fresh flowers, which the farmer began giving to her for a very low price. The flowers were mostly white, and some were still only flower buds. Then Arianna walked to the cemetery. The mornings were foggy and misty. The rows of gray tombstones looked like sentinels standing quietly under the shade of pines and cypresses. There were no birds chirping or bugs buzzing. It was so quiet that she could hear her own footsteps and each breath clearly. Arianna was a very timid person, even as a child. She did not dare to read ghost stories or enter dark rooms alone, but now that fear seemed ridiculous to her. This cemetery was said to be built when her grandmother passed away. When her grandmothers illness progressed, her grandfather secured the best and most expensive plot in this cemetery. Ariannas uncle was alsoid to rest here. Her grandfather said to their family. In the future, our family can be together here. Chapter 64: The Storm Coming Arianna felt her grandfathers speech was very inauspicious, especially since he prepared everyones ce in this cemetery while they were still alive. Mr. Sanchez bought so muchnd that his fourth and fifth-generation family members could also beid to rest. He never expected the fall of his family. Before she died, Arianna would have to figure out what to do with all the empty positions remaining. She stared at her own spot in the cemetery for a few minutes. Over the next few days, Arianna spent half her time in the cemetery, thinking of nothing. When she was ready, she returned back to the hotel. Sometimes she walked somewhere further away and then came back for a shower. She chatted with the owner and went to bed early so she could get up in the wee hours of the morning. These days, she doesnt have any dreams. **** As usual, Arianna returned to her grandfathers grave early in the morning. Arianna took out the unfinished One Hundred Years of Solitude from her bag and sat beside her grandfathers tombstone. She continued to read from where they left off before. The fog slowly began to clear. Her voice grew coarse again. She could only read ten pages before she could no longer continue. There were only twenty pages left in the book, so she cleared her throat and tried hard to finish the book. Finally, she read thest word when some small raindrops began to fall. The weather forecast did not say that it was going to rain today, but the sky was ck and thick clouds umted above, clearly indicating that heavy rain wasing. It was not fun to go back to the hotel soaked from head to toe. Maybe it was because she wasnt ying in the rain with her grandfather anymore. As she trudged her way back to the hotel, she wondered what time it was. The sky was getting dark, and she couldnt see the sun. She didnt have a watch on her, and her phone was still back in her apartment. The raindrops were small, but the wind was getting stronger. She zipped her coat up all the way and wrapped herself tightly in her scarf. Walking down the steep hill, she met the cemetery administrator, who waved to her and said, You should get going. There is a storming. The hotel was not far, only a twenty-minute walk. But when she was halfway, the rain began to pour down heavily. Arianna started running, but it was no use. Her whole body was dripping wet in just a few seconds. The hotel owner asked, Why didnt you bring an umbre today? The forecast didnt call for rain, Arianna exined as she sneezed. But didnt you look at the color of the sky this morning? It was obvious it was going to rain. The woman said as she looked for a towel. Thank you, I will just go upstairs and take a hot shower, Arianna took the towel and wiped her face and hair before going upstairs. Because it was the weekend, the womans daughter was at the hotel now. She suddenly stepped out of her own room and said, Wait a minute, Miss Jenkins. As Arianna looked back at her in confusion, the girl rushed over to her and said, You have a friend who came to visit you. I asked him to sit in the reception room upstairs. Who? Arianna could not recall such a close friend who was so considerate and would be able to figure out where she was. A real handsome guy. She said with a wink. Arianna was even more confused. The door to the reception room was open. The guest waiting in the room was looking out the window. He appeared to be admiring thendscape in the rain. His neat suit and straightened back in front of the dark window and heavy rain looked like a ck and white picture. Arianna looked for a moment and could not believe her eyes. She took another look and decided that she was not mistaken. Her first reaction was to walk away quickly and quietly. Just as she was about to follow through, the man slowly turned around and stared at her face. Arianna had to stand still. When she was walking upstairs, she filtered through the names of all the men she knew, including Ryan and Charles, but she did not consider this man.Text content ? N?velDrama.Org. Thest time she met with Travis Cooper was three months ago. After such a long time, it felt a bit strange for her to see him again. She thought the worn wooden table and chair, yellowed wallpaper, and cheap decorations in the room were much below his league. He looked like a prince in this ce. The rain outside was getting heavier. The sound echoed through the silent air between them. The air felt cold, but it was probably because Arianna was still in her wet clothes. Travis stood there, expressionless, by the window, silently staring at her. Arianna also had a nk face as she waited in the doorway, carefully looking into his eyes. In the small reception room, the ticking of the clock on the wall seemed to be getting louder and louder. When they stared at each other, Arianna was usually the one who broke eye contact first. But this time, she wouldnt lose because she was no longer afraid. Her throat was still coarse from reading to her grandfathers grave, and her body was now covered in sweat and rainwater. She was not breathing smoothly at the moment. Despite her best efforts, she sneezed and then couldnt help but cough until her throat and lungs burned. Finally, she covered her mouth and turned her face sideways. She was mad at herself for losing the staring contest once again. Then, breaking the silence, Travis asked, Do you need some water? Arianna turned to look at him and spoke with a sore throat, Are you here to inform me that our agreement has been terminated? As soon as she finished speaking, she sneezed again and began digging in her pockets to find a tissue. I think you should go take a hot bath before we speak, Travis said as he stepped forward. Arianna immediately stepped back and leaned against the doorframe. Her eyes were wide open, and she was watching him with caution. She said, The arrangement between you and I hase to an end. Has it? Travis asked coldly. Chapter 65: Don鈥檛 Disappoint Him Arianna took a deep breath before saying, If you think I have not paid off all the interest my family owes you, then take whatever part of my body you like. If thats still not enough, Im probably going to kill myself. I dont have anything anymore. But as long as I am alive, I want to be free. We agreed on these terms. Travis frowned slightly and said in a gentle tone, How can a little girl like you speak in such a bitchy manner? Arianna almost burst intoughter. He was not a good actor. She said, Oh, the bloodless deaths are indeed more noble and elegant. But I, for one, am not afraid of blood. A deadlock of silence came between the two of them again. Excuse me. Someone behind Arianna said. She turned her head and saw the owners daughter peeping from outside the room. I have tea for you. The girl added before entering the room and cing a cup on the table closest to Travis. Arianna, my mother cooked some broli soup for you. Ill bring that up as well. The girl left the room before quickly returning with a bowl of soup. She ced it beside the cup of tea. She seemed to be extremely curious about the confrontation going on between Travis and Arianna. Looking at the two for a few more seconds, she finally waved her hands and said, If you need anything, please let me know. But she seemed to be speaking to Travis mostly. After the girl left, Arianna was a little embarrassed. She didnt want to settle the dirty details between her and Travis in such a warm ce where the owner and her daughter lived a simple life. cing her hands on her hips, Arianna said to Travis, I will be back in two days. We can settle this then. You need to leave now. Her voice was very rough. Ivee this far to see you. Most people would usually show some hospitality, such as inviting me to dinner, no? Excuse me? Ive paid for a lot of dinner bills for us before. Is it too much to ask if I ask you to invite me to dinner for once? Arianna rolled her eyes, Okay, when? Right now. After that, I will do as you wish. Just like that? Arianna thought she misunderstood. She was suspicious. It was hard to believe that Travis had suddenly be so gracious. And his as you wish statement were vague. She did not know whether he meant his instant disappearance after dinner or disappearance forever. However, as long as he was temporarily gone, Arianna would be very content. She could worry about settling the details between themter. Either way, she had no more fears. Arianna quickly took a hot shower and put dry clothes on. She wore a ck sweater and trousers, along with a ck coat. Recently, she had lost a lot of weight, causing her chin to look sharp and her skin to look pale. She had always associated Travis with a total sr eclipse. He exuded a round ck shadow hiding her bright sun. The dazzling ring surrounding his ck aura created a monstrous aura. But she noticed that Travis also seemed a bit thinner than before. When they were about to leave, the hotel owner kindly gave an umbre to Arianna and whispered, Take a long walk. Your boyfriend is so handsome. He even got to you in this bad weather. Dont disappoint him. The owners daughter was also staring at her with a strange smile. Arianna felt very embarrassed.N?velDrama.Org ? content. **** The rain was still heavy when they stepped outside. There was only one car parked in the open space at the entrance of the hotel. Arianna looked around and did not see the driver. What are you looking for? Travis asked. Nothing. What do you want to eat? Whatever. There were very few residents around, not to mention theck of restaurants. They had to drive somewhere else. You drive, Travis said. What? I am not familiar with the traffic around here. And I cant see the road when it rains. How did you get here then? It wasnt raining when I came. Arianna sat silently in the drivers seat and watched Travis sit next to her and buckle himself in. He made a gesture as if to remind her to buckle herself in too. But Arianna was not familiar with the roads around here either, and she was not familiar with the car as well. But she refused to drive towards the city as if not to be hijacked by him. She drove towards the vige area and its surroundings, slowly driving along farnd for a long time before discovering a small, attractive restaurant. How about this one? Whatever, Travis said this word for the second time today. In order to express her sincerity, Arianna ordered arge table of food. Travis watched her order from the menu but kept silent. The waiter was surprised and asked, Just for the two of you? She didnt know that every dish in this restaurant had chilies. She ate from each dish because they were all attractive and delicious. Then suddenly, sweat covered her body, and she could not feel her tongue and lips. Arianna ate without manners. She coughed and wiped her runny nose on the back of her hand while she continued eating. She blew her nose into a napkin and wiped her mouth from time to time. Travis did not eat much. His appetite likely went south because of Ariannas appearance at the table. However, on this asion, she was not deliberately trying to disgust him. Do you not like spicy food? Arianna asked, trying to be a good host. But then she discovered that her voice was nearly gone. She forgot that her throat was not in the best condition, to begin with, and the spicy food likely worsened it. I thought you were a vegetarian with a light palette. Travis nced at her lips and said, Now youre looking very daring; much better than I thought. Traviss expression was weird like he was staring at an alien. Arianna took out a makeup mirror from her handbag and quickly checked her face before him. Chapter 66: I鈥檓 Not Afraid Of You There was nothing there, but her skin was a little pinker, and her lips had a red ring around them. Arianna put the mirror back into the bag and looked at Travis sitting opposite her, Were you expecting me to be drowning in tears? Travis slightly lowered his eyes, I am reviewing my emotions. When my mother passed away, I wished there would be tornadoes everywhere, iingets, alien invasions and hoped the world would be destroyed. Your heart is twisted. You want to drag others to suffer along with you. Arianna made her evaluation of him aloud.Content held by N?velDrama.Org. He ignored her and continued, Iter got a gun and rented a room on the second floor of the hotel that was opposite the Sanchez Group building. Your grandfathers car drove in and out under my eyes every day, only forty meters away from me. He was in the range of my gen. I practiced and calcted every day and wondered when I would have the courage to take him down. His eyes were unconcerned, and his tone was calm as if telling her a casual story about his day. Ariannas mouth hung open for a while. So, are you d I let him live for ten more years? Arianna was speechless. Maybe you are sorry now. If I did shoot him, I probably either would havemitted suicide or would have gone to prison, and you might have had the chance to continue your career as a nobledy from a wealthy family. You would never have met me. She replied, So you decided that destroying his business was a better punishment than ending his life? I didnt. It was just When I was about to pull the trigger, I suddenly realized it was not worthwhile tomit a felony that would cost me the rest of my life just to take down that sad old man. He did not have many days left anyway, but I was still young. Arianna coughed and kept drinking water without saying a word. Travis did not speak anymore either. The two kept silent until Arianna paid the bill. The rain outside was finally letting up, but it was still enough to ruin peoples evenings out. Arianna could not remember how to get back to the hotel. She drove down the countryside again, trying to retrace her steps. Travis stared out the window at the rainyndscape; he did not want to help at all. Then, Arianna drove the car down a narrow road with a mountain on one side and a dark abyss on the other. The rain continued to patter on the ss window. The front windshield was swept clear by the wipers before being blurred by rainwater again. Outside the car was a dangerous road section. Inside the car, it felt like the oxygen was getting thinner and thinner. Arianna was bing upset. Are you afraid that I will drive this car down the cliff? I dont know Why not? Although Travis answered calmly, he was probably worried that Arianna would choose to die with him. So he finally directed her to a road that was safer and was actually the right way home. This so-called safe road was not exactly an easy drive, though. Only a few minutes after they turned onto it, a wheel of the car got stuck in a hidden pothole in the road. The muddy road hid the hole perfectly from Ariannas vision. Is this what you wanted? Arianna asked. Travis, annoyed. You were the one driving. This road is so wide, yet you just had to drive towards the massive puddle. Travis fetched several tools from the trunk and found some stones along the roadside. Eventually, he managed to get the car out of the hole after several attempts. Since he was a poor driver, Arianna did not expect him actually to be handy with the car tools. She watched him for a while and found that the rain outside was picking up again. Reluctantly, she opened the door and went out to hold an umbre over his body. Later, the two of them returned to the hotel dripping in water once again. In jealousy, the daughter said, Oh my god. walking in the rain, you guys are so romantic. Only Ariannas pants were wet, but Travis was soaked from head to toe. The owner and her daughter were redecorating the front entrance when they came in. The woman spoke to Arianna as if she was speaking to a family member, Just bring him upstairs to take a shower, so he doesnt catch a cold. Upstairs, there was only one bathroom that received hot water, which was in Ariannas room. She had to let Travis in and throw him a big towel. Before taking his shower, Travis said, Please help me dry my clothes. You can ask either of the twodies downstairs to help you with that. I dont work here. Arianna, if you were smart, you would hide your emotions. Dont challenge me before I leave. Im not afraid of you, Arianna said fearlessly. Travis snorted before he turned around and entered the bathroom. After half a minute, his shirt and pants were thrown out the bathroom door. Arianna stood there for a while. She didnt bring many clothes. She was only left with her white wool skirt with two wet trousers. She picked up Traviss clothes, wanting to tear them into pieces. However, she didnt want to see him naked ever again, even if his body was gorgeous. She started blow-drying the clothes, thinking it would be the fastest way to dry them. Arianna didnt want to bother the woman and her daughter despite what she said to Travis. They had been very good to her during her stay. When the blow-drying was half-finished, Arianna found iron to dry the clothes offpletely. This was the first time she had ever done such a thing for him. He usually had servants to do such mundane chores. But this would be thest time too. She folded his clothes and put them on a chair near the bathroom door as she thought about this. She then went downstairs to help the twodies. It appeared that they really needed the help anyways, provided they were short-statured. They could hardly reach the nail on which they wanted to hang a picture on, even when they stood on a chair. So Arianna immediately volunteered to do it. While up on the chair, the daughter asked her from below, Is that your boyfriend? Are you guys still fighting? He is so handsome. Chapter 67: She鈥檚 Got A Stomach Ache As the girl spoke, Arianna finished hanging the picture and jumped off the chair without warning. The girl got scared and forgot to keep pressing Arianna further on the topic. Probably because she hadnt been on a morning jog in a while and rushed back in the rain, Arianna felt pain in her lower abdomen. She leaned against the wall with her hands on her belly, her head aching. The woman and her daughter instantly helped Arianna sit on the chair. It was so painful. She spoke in a deep voice with her lips shaking, Its nothing just a stomachache. Ill be better in a while. Arianna always had stomach cramps whenever she ate the wrong foods or had a cold. It easily could have been from the spicy food or getting caught in the rain that morning. However, this was not regr. There seemed to be a direct source of pain in her body, constantly radiating some sort of substance. The pain spread from her lower abdomen to every cell in her body. When the owner wiped the sweat off of Ariannas forehead, a newyer of sweat instantly reced it. Just then, as Travis was walking downstairs, the girl pressed on Ariannas belly. Arianna automatically screamed so loudly that it sounded like the gates of hell had opened. Travis rushed over to Ariannas side and took the girls hand off Ariannas body. The girl looked scared and guilty, I just wanted to ease the pain for Arianna. Shes got a stomach ache. The owner was also scared by Ariannas scream and came running back. Is there a hospital nearby? Travis held Arianna in his arms as if she were a delicate princess. Arianna felt like she had been run over by a heavy truck. She let out a loud groan. Travis picked her up gently and ced her on the sofa so that she could lie down. The girl came over to help. She covered Ariannas legs in a nket and moved her sweat-soaked hair off her face. Then the little girl screamed. As Travis was adjusting Ariannas position, the nket moved off her legs and revealed that her skirt was covered in blood. The hotel owner ran forward and said, Oh my god! Why did you jump off the chair just now? Arianna knew they thought she was having a miscarriage. Although she didnt know what happened to her, it was definitely not what they thought because she had just had her period two weeks ago. Maybe because of her grandfathers death, her hormones were different than normal, causing her to have her period early. She wanted to exin, but no sound came out when she opened her mouth. But whatever was going on was bing more and more painful. She was even a little confused now, gripping someones hand tightly. Though she saw that it was Traviss hand, she didnt dare to let go of it at the moment. **** When Arianna awoke at the hospital, she had no idea how she got there. Finally, someone said, Gentleman, please get out. Her abdomen was so sore as shey on the bed. The doctor kept asking her, Did you know that you had a uterine cyst? Arianna still couldnt make a sound, but she simply nodded. The doctor in the other hospital had asked her to do monthly examinations, but shepletely forgot about it when her grandfathers condition worsened. The cyst has ruptured. Immediate surgery is rmended; otherwise, this can be very dangerous for you. Again, Arianna simply nodded instead of speaking. Only minutes after, her bed was being pushed out of the room and into an elevator. Her mind was bing more and more blurry, but she could not fall unconscious. She still felt the pain and squeezed her eyes shut. Secondster, she was surrounded by many voices. One voice, in particr, was very clear. It was from an elderly female doctor with a bad attitude. She was yelling at Travis, Why didnt you get her here sooner? Who the hell are you? Do you want her to die or let us do the surgery? She will never be able to get pregnant if we dont start operating in time! Get out of my way! Arianna did not hear Traviss voice as the doctor kept yelling. Perhaps her mind had blocked his voice out, but the doctor was clearly talking to him. With a lot of difficulty, Arianna pulled on the doctors scrubs and whispered, This gentleman was just a bystander who sent me here The minimally invasive surgery began soon after. She was injected with an anesthetic but still felt the pain. Cold devices pierced through her skin, forcefully drilling holes the feeling was unforgettable.Text content ? N?velDrama.Org. She wanted to tell the doctor that she didnt receive enough of the drug, but it worked on her face and lips. She could only weep quietly. Arianna had never had a serious injury or illness in her life. She remembered she cut her face once when she was five and got two stitches on her jaw. And there was the time she broke her leg. Her whole family and even the servants came to support her in the hospital. The number of people that came to see her was overkill, but she would never have the chance to be surrounded by family members like that again. She was alone even in her dreams nowadays. During the operation, the doctors removed her intrauterine device, causing Arianna to weep a little harder. Arianna should not have been so hard on herself. On the day Travis brought up pregnancy to her, she immediately felt a sense of crisis. She knew that he would do anything to get what he wanted, so she went to the hospital and had the intrauterine device installed, just in case. She opposed abortion. She believed no one had the right to decide who lived or died, so she could never let herself get pregnant with a child she did not want. There was no alternative for her. The instation of the intrauterine device was simple yet humiliating. It meant that she was willing to have a long-term affair with Travis Cooper. She thought by burying her dignity, she could keep her grandfather in this world for a few more days. However, it seemed to backfire and worsen her condition. Chapter 68: I Got It Her tears flowed into her mouth and ears, but a cloth covered her head, and no one could see her face. The duration of the surgery was very short. The doctors and nurses were soon moving around again. As she opened her eyes, she saw amp above her head, and people were cleaning up around her. Someone helped wipe her tears and held her hand. She asked her, Are you in pain? Arianna recalled her childhood injury experience. At that time, she was in pain, but she didnt say anything, just crying in silence. That day, her mother wiped her tears in the same way and asked her the same question. It felt as if her mother was standing next to her. She tried hard to call her but could not make any sound. Only her lips moved. A strange voice said, Look, she is trying to say something. The woman said, It looks like she is calling for her mom, poor girl. This time Arianna identified the voice. The woman who wiped her tears was the hotel owner. It turned out she was there all along. **** Later, someone else took her hand, but it was colder than hers. Arianna knew who he was without looking at him, but she did not have the strength to get rid of him. Arianna had a long dream. This time she really dreamt of all her loved ones, even including the uncle she had never met. She was first a baby that continued to fail as she learned how to walk. Then she watched others y piano in the house as she studiednguages when she was four years old. Then she was on her tiptoes practicing ballet in her adolescence. She then became an unmotivated young woman, bumming around the streets and avoiding her family when she came home. In each of these scenes, her family members were watching her as audience members. In fact, she was the real audience member in this dream as she watched herself at different ages. It was nighttime when she woke up. There was a dim light turned on next to her bed, and the sound of an oxygen pump filled the room. The electric clock on the wall showed the date and time. She had gone through half her life in just an hour and a half. Travis Cooper sat on a chair beside the bed with one hand on the side of the bed and the other holding his forehead. Again, he seemed to have fallen asleep. This time, he forgot to hide in the backlighting. His shirt was not tucked and had two buttons opened. His hair was a tangled mess. Arianna sighed. In the past decade, she was sick in the hospital only twice, and each time when she woke up, Travis was there. She was in a split room, but the other bed was empty, leaving her alone with Travis. Unplugging the oxygen tube from her nose, she tried to move, but her wound opposed her action. Finally, she took a sharp breath and fell back into the bed. Travis was awakened by this tiny sound. His eyes quicklynded on her but did not show any concern. What do you need? Travis asked in a t tone. Arianna pointed her finger to her lips. She was very thirsty. Sorry. The doctor said no water for twenty-four hours after the surgery. Is there anything else you need? Do you want a doctor? She opened her mouth, but she still could not speak. She could only move her fingers. Travis handed her a pen and magazine so she could write instead. She tried a few times, but she couldnt hold the pen. She held out her index finger and drew something on the back of Traviss hand. He understood what she meant and opened his palm. Ariannas finger traced three words into his hand. Let me go.N?velDrama.Org ? content. The effect of the anesthetic was still there, and her finger positioning was not urate enough. She really had to concentrate and write slowly. She looked into Traviss eyes, but there was nothing to see. Before she even finished the third word, Travis closed his palm around her index finger and slowly said, I got it. **** Arianna didnt figure out at that time whether he was actually going to let her go or if her helpless condition aroused him. But he made a clear promise to leave her alone as soon as she recovered. So, Arianna insisted on leaving the hospital two days after her surgery. Her wound was nowhere close to being healed. Every little movement brought her waves of pain. However, the attending doctor agreed to send her home, giving her contact information of other hospitals and a prescription for pain medicine. She was scheduled for a checkup at her regr hospital. A young nurse kept peeping at Travis while telling Arianna the gossip about the old female doctor. She told her she was an authoritative expert in the country and was transferred here for an unknown reason. She had great skills in her specialty, but she hated men, especially those who were good-looking. Previously, Travis questioned the conditions of the hospital and the doctors expertise and wanted to transfer Arianna to a different hospital, which majorly offended the olddy. The hotel owner came to see Arianna each day, bringing her a beautifully crafted bouquet of wildflowers when she was discharged from the hospital. The gift was from her daughter. She somehow knew that Travis thought Arianna was pregnant at first. But the woman also knew that Arianna was on a contraceptive, and though he stayed with her the whole time, she still referred to Travis as a stranger. Thedy could not stop treating them as a couple and advised Arianna, You both are so beautiful, and he treats you so well. You make an excellent couple. Why dont you forgive him already? Theres still a long way to go in your life. Have a baby. I think it would be very cute between the two of you. Chapter 69: Can I Still Have Children In The Future? Ariannas attending doctor continued to despise Travis. At first, Arianna thought it was fun to watch her piss Travis off, but then she began to pity him. Travis was the one paying the hospitals bill, and that old doctor was treating him like dirt. When Travis was away, Ariannas doctor said to her, Women need to learn to care for and love themselves. Others arent reliable, especially men. From the doctors eyes, Arianna knew she must have pieced together her rtionship with Travis. Arianna thanked her in a little embarrassment and asked, Can I still have children in the future? The doctor pulled out Ariannas file and wrote down a few things. She then showed Arianna a page and said, Your condition is now under control, and only a few things are a little higher than they should be. But if you continue to torture yourself, its hard to tell what the future will hold. On the day that Arianna was discharged, Traviss driver took a longer route to go home, but it was smoother than the direct way. The roads had been damaged by rain in the past few days and were now under repair. Arianna was originally sitting in the back seat with her body stuffed in a pile of cushions to avoid shaking and hurting her wound. She was also tied by a safety belt. She felt like a piece of cargo filed in with other freight items. At least she wasnt in pain anymore. The car kept turning through the forest like it was abyrinth. Looking out the window, she could see a blur of brown and green as they passed by the trees. It did not take long before Arianna felt tired and sleepy. She woke up in Traviss arms. She was sitting on hisp with one arm around his neck. Arianna did not know how this happened, so she pretended to be asleep, focusing her hearing on his heartbeat. At least his body was warm and did a better job heating her than the nket. Someone in the front seat asked, Mr. Cooper, there is another mountain road ahead. Should we continue West? We wont arrive until the evening if we do. She heard a response from the depths of his chest through his clothes. Well, so be it. The drive that normally would have taken two hours ended up taking the whole afternoon with all the detours. At first, the n was to send Arianna to her apartment under the care of an in-home nurse until she was fully recovered.Content held by N?velDrama.Org. However, the nurse alerted them that there was ongoing construction right by Ariannas apartment building, making a lot of noise. ording to the nurse, the construction was predicted tost ten days, which would impede the patients recovery. Arianna initially refused to let Travis designate her caretaker and refused to let him arrange another ce for her to rest. Travis said calmly, Even if a book borrowed from the library is broken, I have to repair the book before returning it. After he said this, she knew that struggling was useless. However, it also confirmed to her that once she was healed, she would be free to walk away. She didnt have the strength to run away for the time being. However, her doctor told her to be cautious, and she didnt want to hurt herself more, so Arianna epted the arrangement. They stopped by Ariannas apartment so she could pick up some of the belongings she wanted to have with her for her recovery. Travis helped her get to the apartment and waited in the living room. He did not even look at her bedroom. Arianna picked up a few personal things with the help of the nurse. When she came out, she found Travis looking at her cab intently. It was a wine cab, but instead of holding bottles of wine, it held her variety of perfumes. Travis admired the cab for a while and said, What a strange preference for the little girl. When Arianna was walking downstairs, she didnt want anyones help. She carefully grabbed the railing and insisted on going down by herself, step by step. **** Ariannas new resting ce was a small two-floored vi nestled in the green mountains and waters. The environment was quiet and serene. The at-home nurse took care of Arianna every day, and there were other workers responsible for the cooking and cleaning. Travis Cooper kept his promise. He only paid her one visit at dusk and would not bother her anymore during the day. Arianna went to bed early and woke upte. She asionally went to the balcony to bask in the sunlight and enjoy the breeze. She lived there for one week, and it was peaceful between her and Travis. Before she left, she wondered if she and Travis had gotten to know each other in a normal way, they might have gotten along well. But if she could rewind time, she wished she never had the chance to know him. On the first day when he came, she was asleep. The nurse had told her that he hade to see her. On the second day, when he came, she pretended to be sleeping. On the third day, she didnt have time to pretend to be asleep, so she had to talk to him. Do you feel better? He asked. Im much better now. She replied. On the fourth day, when he came, she was working hard to restring a broken bead bracelet of hers. The string of the strange colored bracelet was thest gift from Ariannas mother. Each bead was beautifully covered with a marble-style look. Today the string broke, and the beads scattered across the floor. Her nurse bent down and picked them up one by one. When they stopped by her apartment beforeing to this vi, Arianna only had a few minutes to pack her things. She took one item that belonged to each of her rtives as if, in this way, they could protect her. She took this bracelet from her mother, a cuff button from her father, and a gold thimble from her grandmother, which were all put in a delicate silver cigarette case she once grabbed from her grandfather. Chapter 70: You Like The Taste? Since he came into the room, Travis had been watching Arianna insert the two crystal wires into the hole of the bead with a needle tip. No one greeted him. Arianna was working at a lower efficiency than normal. After ten minutes, she had only put two beads on the string. Travis coughed and walked towards the door. Arianna thought he was bored, but Travis said to someone outside the door, Could you get Miss Jenkins a fishing line or something like a couple of inches long should be enough. Shortly after, the line was delivered to him. He folded the fishing line in half, sandwiched the two crystal wires in the middle, and handed it to Arianna. She could easily put all the beads on all four lines this way. When she finished, she made several attempts at tying the four strands together. After watching her struggle, Travis said, Put the strings into one group and loop them around each other. Then just pull on the knot to tighten it. Arianna was frustrated. Her face turned hot, and she said, I didnt expect a man like you to be good at this kind of thing. Travis replied, I didnt expect a woman to be unable to perform such a simple thing. She was speechless. When she finally stopped giving him the evil eye, she tried on her new bracelet. She felt like something was off. Arianna bent down to check under the bed, but the movement pulled on her wound, causing her to choke on her breath. Whats wrong? Travis asked. I think a bead is missing. But the length of the bracelet seems right. Its a little tighter than it used to be. It didnt squeeze my wrist before. Do you know how many beads were on the original? No idea. There was a strange expression on Traviss face again, which left Arianna frustrated. She was too embarrassed to emphasize that the bracelet was very important to her. Travis checked the floors and did not find the missing bead. Is this thing important? A gift from an old boyfriend? Travis used a finger to pick up the bracelet from the table and examined it in the light. I got it from my mother, Arianna replied, hoping he would put it down quickly. But Travis continued to look at it casually. He squinted his eyes as if to take a closer look when he heard Ariannas words. She had to grab it back from his hand. I didnt expect your mother to have such a simple thing. Arianna recalled her mothers appearance. Her looks were always blurred in her memories, but she always had an elegant and gorgeous aura. She was not rted to anything simple at all. Before, Arianna had tried to guess the origin of the bracelet, but she did not want to specte about her mothers past life. She said, By saying simple, are you implying that this is cheap? Judging from the abrasion of the beads, she must have worn this bracelet often. Travis ignored her hostility and continued, But strangely, all the beads were cut from a single piece of stone. It is rare. The beads were, in fact, made out of a strange colored tourmaline. And Arianna wanted to ask some questions, but she didnt want to show interest in his expertise. So, sheid back down on the bed and put the bracelet on before covering herself in the sheets instead. **** Arianna spent the fifth day sleeping. She slept for nearly twenty-two hours straight from the night before. When she woke up, her lips were dry, and she was incredibly parched, so she got out of bed to get some water. There was a full moon outside the window, and flowers were dancing in the dark light. It was a silent and beautiful night. Arianna headed out to the balcony in her pajamas. The balconies of the different rooms in this vi are all connected to onerge terrace. When she stepped outside, she saw Traviszily lying on a lounge chair not far away. It turned out that Travis had been sleeping in the vi for the past few nights as well. Arianna stared at the moon for some time as she leaned on the railing of the balcony. She then turned her attention to the flowerbed downstairs. In the early spring, many flowers had bloomed, and the evening breeze carried their scent through the air.N?velDrama.Org ? content. However, there was also the smell of wine. Looking over, Arianna could see a half-empty ss of white wine and a bottle sitting on the table beside him. The two didnt talk. They just went about their own business for a while. But when their eyesight collided, Arianna took a few steps closer to him and said, Are you going to invite me for a drink? Did the doctor say you are allowed to drink? Only a little. You wont like it. Dont waste my wine. Travis said as he remained motionless. Arianna returned to the room and grabbed a cup before filling it halfway with the wine. Travis did not try to stop her. Under his gaze, she finished her drink in two swallows before putting the cup down on the table. You like the taste? A little more than before. Travis smiled and mentioned, This bottle was from thest batch made by my mother before she died. I put a lot of effort into saving it, but the quality seems to have deteriorated, and I cant just throw it away. Do you want some more? A picture of that stunningly beautiful woman dressed in white suddenly appeared in Ariannas mind. The wine in her stomach seemed to be carrying a soul of its own now. Arianna shivered for a second. Isnt it better when the wine is stored for a long time? Arianna broke the silence. Travis looked at her like she was an endangered species. Arianna instantly knew she had probably raised another idiotic question inconsistent with the status of a nobledy. But he was not sarcastic this time. He lowered his eyes to the ss in his hands and exined to her, Excellent wines can be stored for many years under the right conditions. Most wines cannot be kept for a long time, especially white wine. It needs to be drunk when its young. Chapter 71: Did He Tell you To Say That? He added, Most white wines need to be consumed within a year or two before they lose quality. Homemade wines have an even shorter shelf life. So wines have their lifetimes as well. Then the bottle we had in India, which was said to be the same age as me, would be considered ancient, right? You are quite the student. A servant of mine told me a great analogy once. She said a newly made white wine is like a girl, and like a young woman after it is stored for one or two years. She bes an olddy after a few more years. The transition is seamless, but it is noticeable in the taste. This was a fresh speech for Arianna and the change from girl to young woman pulled on her heartstrings. Arianna asked, What kind of woman ispared to the wines that spoil or are made incorrectly. Then Arianna answered in her mind, Women like me, of course. It should be the kind of woman with a miserable fortune. She can pray for a better afterlife in that case. Travis knew that Arianna was thinking of herself. You said you didnt believe in the afterlife. Arianna quickly noted. Did I? **** On the sixth evening when Travis visited her, Arianna had just woken up. Her days and nights seemed to be working oppositelytely. She could not get very good sleep since the surgery because she was still on pain medication that made her hallucinate. She tried to sleep with the lights on at night, but for some reason it worked better in the daytime. Arianna didnt want to trouble anyone, so she kept the situation to herself. The nurse just thought Ariannas body was weak and needed the extra sleep. When she dreamed, it was always of her loved ones. But they never said hello or smiled at her. Instead, they all acted like they didnt know her. She went to the kitchen to pour herself a ss of water and noticed Travis in the living room. She asked him, Have you ever been afraid of the dark or nightmares? Once when I was a child. How did you ovee it? Travis seemed moody today. He pointed to her ss and said, Could you pour me some too? When she put the cup of water in front of him, he told her sincerely that the best way to ovee fear was to watch horror movies C the more horrible, the better. Travis said that reality would seem beautiful after seeing such a thing. **** That night, Arianna was very bored. She went online and found a ssic horror movie in an HD version. Because theputer screen was so small, she wanted to link the movie to the TV screen to make it easier to see and hear. But Arianna had no idea how to do it, so she had to recruit Travis. The film was creepy from beginning to end, and horrible images shed across the screen endlessly. When Travis was about to leave, Arianna called, Hey. What? Does this film have a happy ending? See for yourself. Arianna sat on the sofa with her bare feet up on the table, biting her nails. The woman on the screen suddenly screamed through the speakers. It sounded fierce and real. Travis looked like he was smiling, Are you sure you can handle this? Then he left the room. When she was alone, Arianna grabbed a pillow and quilt from her bedroom and wrapped herself up to feel safer. She was already scared in the first few minutes, but she knew she would be even more scared if she didnt finish it. After a few minutes, Travis came back with a few documents in his hands. He said, I forget what this film is about. I guess I will join you. So, Arianna watched the rest of the movie with Travis on the other couch. She has been staring at the screen intently, not looking at Travis. He had long fallen asleep on his couch. The documents were scattered on the ground. Arianna got up and picked up the files and set them on the table. He frowned slightly and adjusted his position but did not wake up. Arianna stuffed a pillow under his head and covered him with a spare quilt from the cupboard. She told herself this was the first andst time she would do such a thing for him. It would be how she thanked him for watching the movie with her. She headed back to her room and fell asleep quickly. Arianna did not dream of her family members that night. **** On the seventh day, Arianna told Travis she wanted to go home. Travis did not stop her from packing. He took a deep breath and said, If I - Arianna interrupted him, Please dont even try to bribe me. I want nothing except my freedom.Text content ? N?velDrama.Org. The nurse was going to go to the apartment with Arianna and continue to take care of her there. But Arianna politely told her that her services were no longer required. Ryan drove her home, and Arianna never looked back. In the rearview mirror, she vaguely saw a figure in a white suit standing on the balcony of the second floor of the vi. She quickly dropped her gaze to the floor mat of the car. The construction of Ariannas house was still ongoing and was very noisy during the day. Ryan mentioned, You should stay a few more days in the vi until this construction clears. Arianna ignored him and invited him to a meal instead. She wanted to thank him for driving her around for so many years. They stopped at the apartment first so Arianna could change, and she came out carrying a big bag. At the dining table in the restaurant, Ryan said carefully, Mr. Cooper was hoping you could stay. For what? Has he not gotten his hatred out of his system yet? Does he want to make it up to me? Does he feel bad for the loss of my grandfather? Or has he be so ustomed to my presence that he is ufortable when I am not around? Ryan kept silent. He has no reason to hate me anymore. But do I have no reason to hate him? If you hate him and want to take revenge, you should stay with him so that you can get the opportunity to torture him or frame him. Ariannaughed, Did he tell you to say that? Chapter 72: Please Help Me Again Ryan lowered his head. Actually, I dont hate him anymore. Sometimes I think I can even understand him. But if we calcte how long my parents lived, then I have less than half of my life left. There are still many things I havent done before, and there are still many ces Ive never been to. In such a short life, I hope that everything I do in the future will make sense. Arianna continued, I can forgive, but it doesnt mean that I will forget. So I thank Mr. Cooper for letting me go, and I wish him all the best. Please convey this thought to him. I forgot to tell him in person. Ryan sat there for a while, then took a piece of paper from his suit pocket and slowly pushed it to her. It was a check written out to her for a huge sum of money. Arianna looked at the seven-digit number on the check and smiled, What does this mean? Mr. Cooper knows that you arent short on money. He just hopes that you will live better in the future. Ryan said thoughtfully. Arianna slowly tore up the check after Ryan finished talking. With his eyebrows scrunched, Ryan said, I think you are particrly stupid. No one has a problem with money, especially when it is real. She rolled her eyes. Ryan said quickly, Its okay, I have another for you. He slowly took out another check and handed it to her. Travis Cooper signed the check, but the amount was left empty. Ariannaughed and took a pen out of her bag. She thought for a while before asking. Ryan, can you remember how long we have known each other? Four years and two months. She filled in the check for 200, 000 dors. Ryan said, Miss Jenkins, you are insulting Mr. Cooper. In the years you knew me, I only met with Travis once per month on average. So in fifty months, we only met about fifty times. I think five thousand per visit is already a high price, so I applied a fifteen percent discount. Ryan put one hand on his forehead, and Arianna added, Can you apany me to the bank to cash this check? She put the money into her ount in front of Ryan before asking him to apany her to the banks safety depository. Arianna opened one of the safes. There were already many things in it, so she took a few of them out. Then, Arianna took a few small boxes out of her big bag and put them in the safe. The newly added items were all the precious gifts from Travis over the years. She handed the key to Ryan and said, Please help me again. The veins in Ryans forehead were pulsing. He said, Miss Jenkins, did I offend you? Nope. Then why are you doing this to me? Ryan said in an angry manner that she should not do something this outstanding if she really wanted to cut ties with Travis Cooper. All she was trying to do at the moment was leave Travis unable to forget her. His opinion took her by surprise. After all, she did not want to forgive Travis so easily with a simple peace of mind. *** In the following two months, Arianna did a lot of things she had never done before. She shopped in the markets like a housewife and spent many afternoons cooking arge table of food for herself. Arianna binge-watched many TV shows, staying up several nights in a row. She bought flower seedlings and beautiful flowerpots to turn her balcony into an experimental field and then found that the only nt she could keep alive was a cactus. For an entire month, she had been ordering all kinds of things online to enjoy the feeling of signing for packages every day. When her wound was fully healed, she drove her car for a few hours to a new amusement park in the neighboring city. She rode all the rollercoasters, but while others were screaming on the big drops and loops, she kept totally calm. Thepany had called her twice, asking if she wanted to return to work in the office. She turned them down politely both times before visiting human resources to terminate her employmentpletely. Many of her colleagues knew about her resignation, and Arianna worried she might cause gossip if she returned to thepany. In fact, she did not care about this job, even though it was a very good position. After her few months of fun, Arianna began researching on a recruitment website and carefully sent out a bunch of job applications. Her work experience was not rich, but not poor either. Arianna did not have high requirements for the position nor the pay. A few interestedpanies contacted her, but she didnt find any of them to be very promising. A few dayster, Dr. Lynch called to check in on her. After giving some suggestions, he asked, I remember that you said you studied some psychology. Was that your major?Content held by N?velDrama.Org. I only got a bachelors degree in psych. And Ive almost forgotten everything that I learned in the field. I have a short-term job at hand. Im going back to school for half a year, and I can bring a few students out to work on the project. I would love for you to continue as my assistant. The school is good, and the scenery is beautiful, but living there might be a little tough. Dr. Lynch talked about the psychological counseling project vividly, arousing her interest. Arianna asked, Counsel others? Didnt you always say that I am the one who needs counseling myself? Thats why I think you are most suited for the job. The children are like mirrors. You can see yourself in them and understand them better. Arianna epted Dr. Lynchs invitation. She could not exin it, but she felt distant when she was with normal people, yet she was very good atmunicating with people with abnormal psychology. She followed Dr. Lynch and a few young people for a three-month period. They were in a rtively isted mountain range. There were good sun rays, causing Arianna to feel cheerful most of the time. She became a lot healthier during her stay there. Chapter 73: He Is Getting Married Because she participated in that project, Dr. Lynch insisted on rmending her for other jobs. This resulted in Arianna finding a rxing and easy job at the medical school in the city. The job came with a good environment, short working hours, and good treatment. It suited her perfectly. Arianna began wondering if her life had turned around now. But she no longer knew what she really wanted. Her life was routine-working, eating, shopping, reading, watching movies, and exercising. Life was simple and peaceful. This state felt dream-like to her. But before long, Arianna began feeling like she had spent her whole life living this way, and nothing had changed. However, one day she heard that Travis Cooper was getting married. The words dripped into the center of her brain, gradually spreading through her heart, limbs, and skin. **** Arianna heard the news of Traviss wedding when she was at the beauty salon. It was a weekend, and she had all the time in the world, so she spent the whole afternoon there. She got a massage with essential oils. The masseuse was so skilled, and the music was hypnotic. Arianna was getting sleepy. She could hear two women chatting outside her room. Have you seen Travis Cooper in person? The one who owns the big jewelry business? Never. Ive heard that he is very low-key and rarely makes public appearances. Jewels are only a part of his business. Hes also an investor. He is in business with my husband. Ive seen him once. I can say that in a room full of beautiful gems, he still manages to stand out. So, who is the luckydy? You probably know her Its Susan H. Her? Shes still alive? The woman seemed annoyed, Oh god. Was he the quiet, pretty boy with Susan Harris for all those years? She is the same age as me, meaning she is a few years older than him. And she is not good-looking at all! Why would he marry her? Oh, calm down. She stole your boyfriend when you were in high school, and you still hate her? I saw her yesterday, and I could barely recognize her. Shes very proper now and makes a nice match for Travis Cooper. Even if she dresses like a queen now, it doesnt change the fact that she was once a stone-cold bitch. Arianna tried to recall a Susan H. It sounded familiar to her, but she could not remember how she knew of the name. Turning her head, Arianna mumbled to herself, Boring crap. The two womens voices were getting smaller and eventually disappeared in the music ying in the salon. Miss Jenkins Miss Jenkins. Its time to wake up. The masseuse called her. She got up and looked at the time. It turned out that she slept for over an hour, and a thin quilt covered her body. Why didnt you wake me up earlier? Im so sorry. You said you were free all afternoon, and it looked like you were having a good sleep. **** Arianna never liked trouble, but trouble always found its way to her. Two days after hearing the news about Travis, she went on a walk outside in a loose dress. When she returned to her apartment, a tall young man walked out of the darkness unexpectedly. She jumped back by instinct, but the man stood firmly in her way. He said, Miss Jenkins? Keeping quiet, Arianna debated whether to shout for help or call the police. Dont worry, Miss Jenkins. Miss Harris asked me to invite you for a cup of coffee. It wont take long. The man was very polite, and his voice was young, but his tone indicated that he was not going to argue. Arianna screened her enemies in her mind, which was limited. Miss Harris? Susan Harris? Did she wrong the woman in some way? Susan Harris sounded like a person who helped her in one of her most desperate moments. Even though she deliberately ignored anyone associated with Travis Cooper, she still knew who was who usually. However, her identity was about to be Mrs. Cooper, and Arianna was not sure whether Susan Harris would still be nice to a woman who had an affair with her soon-to-be husband for so many years, even if the affair was just an agreement. Sorry, you have the wrong person, Arianna said coldly and turned, wanting to bypass him. But it was a useless attempt. The man quickly blocked her way again and said, Please cooperate with us, Miss Jenkins. I am busy right now. Arianna ran a few steps and tried to stop a taxi, but the man suddenly grabbed her wrist. A taxi stopped in front of her but drove away when he saw the man trying to talk to her. In the end, Arianna walked with the man without further struggle. She knew it was useless to evade. The man still treated her politely. He called another taxi because she refused to get into his car. She studied his face carefully. He looked like a child, reticent with a juvenile handsomeness. Arianna took out her phone and dialed Ryans number secretly in the back of the taxi. Ryan said thest time she was with him, I know you probably wont contact me. But you dont have anyone to protect you, should you need it. If there is anything urgent and there is no one around, just call me. Back then, Arianna did not take it seriously. But she did remember dialing his number several times before. Arianna was not afraid of death, but now she was enjoying a peaceful life, and she did not want to take any chances.Content held by N?velDrama.Org. She called Ryan when the taxi driver turned the radio on in the car. The DJs booming voice covered the dial tone. Arianna asked the young man in the car, Where are we going? I have a date with my friend tonight. Perhaps a little surprised by her cooperation, the young man mentioned the ce. Arianna was also surprised by the guys honesty. She hoped Ryan heard the information on the other side of the phone. In the reserved room of a private restaurant, Arianna was going to meet Susan Harris. Chapter 74: I Really Don鈥檛 Mind She tried to recall the womans appearance, picturing a round face, plump figure with a free and easy manner. Some might have even considered her to be rude. But now, the woman sitting in front of Arianna was hardly the one in her memory. This Susan looked thin and gaunt, with a pale face and weak temperament. Only her eyes were ck and clear, still looking the same from Ariannas memory. Please sit. I twisted my foot earlier today; otherwise, I would have picked you up myself. Susan said nicely. She gestured to the chair opposite her as she spoke. What can I do for you, Mrs. Cooper? Arianna was straightforward. A bit of surprise shed across Susans eyes. She said, I am still Miss Harris for now. But you can call me Susan. So please sit down and ept my hospitality. Arianna was alerted by Susans polite attitude. Travis Cooper also disliked it when the person he was trying to talk to was standing. They really seemed like a couple. Mrs. Cooper, what do you want from me? Arianna sat in the chair opposite her,pletely ignoring her name request. She didnt want to waste any of her freedom associating with Traviss fianc. Susan now smiled happily. The delicate sense of sickness disappeared from her face when she smiled. Susan asked someone behind her, Look at her now. Doesnt she seem like a younger version of Travis? Arianna discovered that there was someone else in the room. A middle-aged man in ck was standing in the corner like an owl observing the night. The man immediately gave a single nod in agreement. Arianna suddenly felt like she was being watched like an animal in a zoo. She wanted tough, but she couldnt. She took out a pack of cigarettes from her pocket and asked, Do you mind? But she lit the cigarette before she got the answer. It was not polite of Arianna, but she knew she needed to remain calm. She took a quick drag and asked Susan, Would you like one too? I quit smoking a long time ago. Susan stared at the cigarette in Ariannas hand with an expression of disapproval. A memory of one of their encounters came to Ariannas brain. Susan was covered in the smell of smoke, and the ground around her was littered with cigarette butts. Actually, I just returned from my travelsst week. I was gone for six or seven years, and I really wanted to see some old faces when I came back. I mostly wanted to see if everyone was as unrecognizable as I am after all these years. But I could not find them easily. Arianna kept silent. Susan took a sip of her coffee and said, Your appearance is the same as before, but your personality seems to have changed a lot. I have nothing to do with Mr. Cooper anymore if thats what youre wondering. Susan smiled again, I just want to see what you look like now. As for your rtionship with him, I really dont mind. Arianna smiled and put out her cigarette. She felt that the current situation was very funny. Mrs. Cooper, I should thank you again for your kindness to me many years ago. However, not everyone likes nostalgia, at least not me. Now that you have seen what I look like, can I leave? You are not as cute as before. Susan sighed in an elegant manner. Arianna tried hard to keep the smile on her face. She was calm on the surface as she wondered if it would lead to more consequences if she walked away. But at this time, someone knocked on the door twice, and a man came in before whispering something to Susan. Susan nodded, and a few secondster, Ryan Cooper came in with an indifferent expression. He nced at Arianna before walking close to Susan and greeting her respectfully. Ryan said, Mr. Cooper is caught up in an unexpected meeting. He might be a few hourste. He sent you to deliver this message to me? What happened to the phone? Susan asked with an unpleasant attitude. Mr. Cooper was very worried when he heard about your foot, so he asked me toe to take you to the doctor. He already made an appointment. With Dr. Wace, I assume? He knows I hate that guy. Does he care about me at all? She whined. Mr. Cooper asked me to remind you that though he is unpleasant, he is the best in the field. Please be sure to go. Susan sighed. Her eyes moved from Ryan to Arianna and then back to Ryan again. He stood at the table with his eyes firmly looking forward.Content held by N?velDrama.Org. Excuse me, can I leave now? Arianna asked politely. She had been ignored for a while now. Why not eat something before you go? Susan offered. I am not hungry, thank you. Arianna stood up. Then let me walk you out. Susan also stood up with her hand pressing on the table. The man in ck followed her but did not help her walk. As Susan limped, Arianna wanted to say, please stay, but she was already on her way. Are you sure you dont want some soup? Susan Harris offered as she walked around the table to Arianna. Arianna stepped back immediately. She stared at the soup on the table with questioning eyes. Susan smiled and drank the soup from the cup quickly. She murmured, Children will be children. Such a nice cup of soup could be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Then, Susan added, Although you are not happy to see me, I am very happy to have met you again. She reached out to shake hands with Arianna. Honestly, the thought of the soup being poisoned did cross Ariannas mind, but she also just didnt want to touch anything here. It seemed like this woman who became noble and elegant in such a sudden manner was trying to teach her a lesson about being proper, which made Arianna very annoyed. She stared at Susans outstretched hand for a while before taking it. Susans palm was unexpectedly dry and warm. She looked weak when she was standing, but her handshake was very powerful. Susan asked, What happened to your hand? Chapter 75: It鈥檚 Not A Big Deal Arianna looked down and found a circr bruise on her wrist. It was probably from the young man grabbing her wrist outside her apartment. I bumped into something earlier, Arianna answered. Susan looked around the room before her eyesnded on the young man who had brought Arianna here. She asked, It was you who brought Miss Jenkins here, correct? The young man lowered his head and stepped forward. Gently, Susan asked, Did you invite Miss Jenkins here or kidnap her? I am sorry, Miss Harris. But before he could finish speaking, she pped him across the face. The man in ck immediately stepped forward to hold Susan steady as she recovered from pping the young man. Now try again. Whom are you apologizing to? Susans voice was still gentle. My apologies, Miss Jenkins. The boy bowed his head in Ariannas direction. Arianna felt like she was in the middle of nowhere. She felt like she was dragged into a y and had no idea what the script was. It was quiet, and everyone seemed to be waiting for her to speak. She quickly said, Its not a big deal. Children do not know the rules. Please forgive me. Susan smiled at Arianna and said to Ryan, Ryan, please drive Miss Jenkins home safely. She specifically emphasized thest word. But Mr. Cooper asked me to take you to the doctor. Ryan countered. Tell him to fuck off, Susan said like an elegantdy. Arianna sighed softly after she got in Ryans car. It was the first time she sat in the front seat next to him. She had always sat in the back seat before. Thank you. Just forget about it, please. Will it be tough for you to face Miss Harris in the future because of me today? Dont worry. I only work for Mr. Cooper. I thought Arianna paused, feeling that there seemed to be no need to say more. In fact, Miss Harris is good in her nature. She just likes to y pranks. When Arianna didnt reply, Ryan continued, Miss Harris probably wanted to tease Mr. Cooper today. But Mr. Cooper didnt know about it. Arianna remained quiet. In fact, neither of them spoke for the rest of the ride. Ryan skillfully drove the car to her apartmentplex and pulled into the parking lot like usual. While Arianna checked her purse and unclipped her seatbelt, Ryan suddenly said, After the strike of a serious illness, Miss Harris became a totally different person. Sincest year, she insisted that Mr. Cooper must marry her before this fall; otherwise, he would not get away with a disaster in his life.Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org. With a sigh, he said, She calls to remind him of this thing every few days. Arianna sat in the seat facing Ryan but did not speak. She had another surgery two months ago. Before they operated, she said if she survived, Mr. Cooper could marry her since he did not have a fiance. So - When are they getting married? Arianna interrupted him. He wasnt making any sense, and she didnt want to hear it either. Maybe next month. Have you always been such a talkative person? Only on asion, Ryan answered modestly. ***** The biggest benefit of working at a university was a long vacation. During the vacation, Arianna took part in a tour group. She switched to different groups in the middle and traveled half the territory of the state until she was really exhausted, and then she bought the return ticket. There were many single men and women in those tour groups. Every time she switched to another tour group, some single young men would show their adoration for her and offered to give her a lot of care on the trip. Arianna refused them politely. She slept on the return flight and had a very empty and weird dream. After waking up, she could not remember the content of the dream. She just felt mentally awkward, so she asked for a coffee and newspaper from the flight attendant. She read a thick pile of newspapers while drinking coffee. It was the morning paper of the city where she lived. When she read the financial column, she saw a big title saying, Mr. Cooper and Ms. Harris were married yesterday. Actually, the entire page of the financial column was mainly the affairs of Travisspany, with only a few words rted to the bride and groom. The general idea was they grew up together and never abandoned each other and were finally legally bound. There were no photos of them on the page. The reportermented beneath, Mr. Cooper remained in his usual low-key style at his wedding. Arianna looked at the full page of advertising and sighed, really low-key. Arianna made a phone call to Ryan after she got home. On the second day of her trip, Ryan called and told her to call him when she returned. Arianna had no reason to decline him because Ryan had helped her out many times. Half an hourter, Ryan showed up in front of her house. Arianna did not invite him to her house as usual. She took him to the leisure hall in themunity and invited him to drink coffee. Ryan solemnly handed her a box that looked very ordinary, Mr. Cooper asked me to deliver it to you. He had gotten married, but why did he send me a gift? The box was delicately small, with nice wood and leather texture, probably holding some jewelry. Arianna was not very interested in it. Mr. Cooper said you may throw it away directly if you dont like it. Why not check it out first? Arianna was suspicious and opened it cautiously. It was actually a small perfume bottle. Its shape was rectangr, the type she collected most. The material of the bottle was the nine-color tourmaline she once saw in Travis Coopers hands, which was said to be priceless. Arianna was in a daze for a while and then asked Ryan, This thing is expensive, right? Is it a pity to throw it away? The technician who cut and polished this bottle said the processing of that stone into this bottle devalued the stone by more than half. Oh, the bottle is still worth a lot of money. Arianna took the small bottle out of the box and found it filled with liquid. Arianna shook the bottle for a second and gave up the intention to open the bottle cap. She asked Ryan, Whats inside? Chili oil? Wasabi? Balsam? Seeing no confirmation from Ryan, she had to say, Is it really perfume? Thats ack of creativity. Chapter 76: How Have You Been? Ryan was silent for a few seconds and asked her, Im wondering about the story you told Mr. Cooper that day about the tourmaline and the curse. Which countrys fairy tale is it? Huh? I spent my spare time in two semesters in a primary school working for the Childrens Library for a student grant. I read folk fairy tales from all countries but never read that story. I made it up, Arianna said frankly. She suddenly sobered up and paid a few more nces at the bottle and asked, Dont tell me its his blood inside the bottle. It seems to be, Ryan said slowly. Prick. Arianna quickly stuffed the bottle back into the box as if the bottle was really hot. Then she saw a piece of white card paper in the box, with a few words written on it saying, I never said sorry to you. Arianna watched the card paper for a long while, checked it carefully upside down, and then ced the paper and that weird perfume bottle in the box and pushed the box to Ryan, I ept his apology. Mr. Cooper said you either ept it or toss it. Arianna finally brought that perfume bottle and the apology note back home. She did not expect that the story she made up could actually trigger this creative inspiration from Travis. She was not touched. But the story was religious, even if she made it up. She had to ept this very expensive gift for the prank she yed. Even though the gift looked very sincere, Arianna felt this was the most amusing thing presented by Travis to her. She said to Ryan, Hold on. I got something for him too. Although there was nothing missing for Travis Cooper, she thought she should give him a wedding gift in return. So, she decided to give Ryan a bottle of white wine brewed by herself. Arianna did some research on wine brewing and started brewing white wine some time ago. The wine brewed by herself was the thing money could not buy, after all. Arianna brewed two bottles and had already drunk half of one bottle. She took the unopened bottle from the temperature-controlled freezer. She did a full set of work before, and she even printed the winebel beforehand. She used a pen and wrote down some congrattory wedding lines on thebel and then wrote the date without signing her name. Then she pasted thebel on the bottle. Arianna also gave Ryan two bottles of jam to thank him for delivering the gift for her. Ryan looked at the two bottles of jam in a daze. Arianna said, If you dont like to eat sweet things, you can use it to feed ants. Arianna often took a bottle of jam to the ant nest in the evening to feed the ants and watched how they rushed out to carry food.Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org. When Arianna came home, she stuffed the box with the tourmaline and blood into the bottom of a cab in the deepest part of her storage room. All the things she had abandoned but could not throw away were in that cab, such as childhood clothes and toys. After watching a long funny movie, she soaked herself in hot water for more than an hour. Then she heard the phone ring but ignored it. When she finished, she wiped her body and put on her bathrobe, and took the phone. There was a missed call on it. It had the area code of a seaside city. The telephone number was called five minutes ago. She looked at the number for a while and dialed back. It was picked up after only two times of ringing. Traviss voice came from a distant ce, Its me. I just received your gift. Arianna was quiet. She once again confirmed the time and the telephone number. It was indeed called from a seaside city several hundred kilometers away. The time was 10:30 pm. She said goodbye to Ryan at 7:30 pm. She drove once between the two cities before, and it took her four hours at the usual speed. Travis said again, You are very talented in making wine, but it will be better not to remove all the grape seeds next time. Arianna finally said, You really drank it? Are you not worried that I put poison in it? I feel that you would not let me die so easily if you really want me to die. Arianna felt that the word die sounded very harsh at the moment. She diverted the subject and said, Congrattions on your marriage. Are you on your honeymoon? Sort of. Then you should go to apany your wife. After a while, Travis said with a low voice, How have you been? Very fine. Arianna also lowered her voice too. Then she added, Its better than before. After a long silence, Travis said, You take care of yourself. Arianna wanted to say goodbye to him, as this call was close to over, but somehow, she had a hunch that it would be theirst conversation. She spoke to him with a self-talking tone, Thank you for letting me go the first time you met me. This time she really meant it. Over the years, besides hatred for this man, she also made a hypothesis. If she didnt meet him at the beginning, her youth would not have been so empty. But when she recalled the night they met for the first time, if Travis did not save her and she fell into the hands of those little gangsters, her life could have been even worse, and she probably would not have made it today. Travis did not speak. She could only hear his breath from the other end of the line. Arianna exined, At that time, you had recognized who I was, and you still saved me and let me go. You were right about one thing. You did offer me the chance to get away. The other end of the phone was silent for a long time. Until Arianna was about to hang up, Traviss voice came again, That was the worst thing I did in so many years. I should have just left you in their hands. Chapter 77: What Do You Like About Me? Ariannas rtionship with Charles was natural and efficient enough. After the death of Ariannas grandfather, Charles personally called to ask if she needed help and asked someone to arrange things for her. She was grateful but declined his kindness.Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g! Shortly after she changed her job, she took the initiative to call him because she had declined his good intentions to arrange work for her. Charles said before she cut off the call, You still owe me dinner. Arianna recalled that she did make such a promise to him, so she immediately agreed. Thats the beginning of the story. She invited him to dinner, then he had the reason to return the favor. Later, when the two were very familiar, Charles admitted that Arianna was very difficult to chase. At first, she refused two times out of three invitations from him. And she was too silent when he sessfully asked her out. He almost gave up after a few defeats because he had never received such cold treatment from a female since he was a child. Arianna thought back and didnt feel that she had been so harsh on him. In fact, because she was respectful and grateful to Charles, she always kept friendly and polite to his approach. She rarely allowed the opposite sex to stay too close to her. They did not often meet, even when they got familiar. Charles often went on business trips, while Arianna did not like to go outdoors with others. But Charles was the type who pursued results with efficiency. He showed his appreciation to her on their first date, admitted that he liked to stick with her on their second date, and on the third date, he directly asked her, Would you like to be my girlfriend? I know you may not be in the mood, but I want to get the number te first. Arianna once asked him, What do you like about me? Charles said that it took a long time to understand a person, but it took only a moment to fall in love. Perhaps he liked her because: She always walked along the wall lowering her head, and sometimes she looked up and smiled at him; she was about to bete for work, but the elevator was out ofmission, so she ran all the way up a dozen floors to rush to the office, and ran into him with a heavy breath and flushed face; when other colleagues were proactively dodging, she patiently apanied a rude intruder seeking trouble with thepany, and showed him the respect. Perhaps there were some other reasons deeply buried in his memory, as early as ten years ago. Arianna euphemistically said that falling in love with someone could be just a moment of confusion in the mood and an illusion of the eyes, and the two people needed to know each other before really getting along and that he did not know her much. Charles said, Then give me a chance to know you. Dont hide from me so quickly. I cannot be confused in my heart over and over again, so the only reason must be I fall for you. In fact, Charles seemed to know her very well, at least more than she knew about him. Arianna seldom exposed her mood on her face, and she even talked little, but he always found his way to perceive her mood from her eyes and small movements. Charles was handsome, eloquent, elegant, and restrained. At first, Arianna didnt care about him. When he showed his affection for her more and more obviously, Arianna found she could not see him through at all. It was because of an ident that Arianna and Charles began to date each other formally. On that day, Arianna encountered trouble she thought to be only existing in the urban news. A pregnant woman with a big belly fell to her knees on the side of the road. Arianna stopped her car to help her, but the woman imed that Arianna knocked her down with her car. There were many ways to solve this kind of incident. Arianna could give some money to that woman to silence her. Or they could walk to the police station or hospital to attract reporters. Of course, before this, she should pay attention to any further tricks that this woman might y There were not many people on the road. Arianna had all sorts of assumptions and consequences in her mind. When she could not decide what to do next, Charles called to invite her to dinner at night, so she told him about her current situation. Luckily, his working location was only a few blocks away from her. Charles told her to do nothing, and he rushed to the scene in three minutes. Without Arianna doing anything, Charles solved the problem instantly. And that pregnant woman had nothing to do but only cry andin about her misfortune and difficult situation. The policeter asked Arianna, Are you suing this woman for fraud? Arianna shook her head. Later, when no one was paying attention, she gave several hundred dors to that woman. Charles said to Arianna, You said that I like you because of impulsiveness, but I know very well what I always like is the stupidity behind your cleverness. Even if people harm you, you never hate them, but you always consider them. A silly girl like you has a story in your eyes, it makes me want to protect you. There have been two examples before. Once, the feasibility reports she wrote became someone elses work; the second time, she bore the result of the mistakes of three colleagues. Arianna did not really want to sacrifice herself for others, just the consequences of those two examples were not severe. She thought it was better to deliver a favor to others rather than fight for some minor benefits in a really loud manner. She did not expect Charles knew that all along. Have I told you about it, I dont like this city, especially the thick fog every morning in this kind of season. I feel bored, as if I was waiting for someone all the time. But when I see you, I feel the sky clear up, and the sun shines upon me. It feels warm and gentle, full of hope. Thats the feeling Ive always longed for. Thats why I do not want to miss you. Charles said very seriously. After the speech, he added, I dont quite have the courage to confess my love to a woman when I am an adult, but what I said is true. Chapter 78: It鈥檚 My Fault Arianna shook for a few seconds for his interpretation of the fog in the morning. From that day on, Arianna and Charles began a formal rtionship. Charless seemingly sincere confession did not necessarily touch her. She just thought that a man like Charles was worthy of trust. It felt good. She had lost this kind of feeling for a long time. Arianna did not believe Charles loved her that much, but she also did not suspect him much because she did not think she had any value in being used. The worst-case scenario was just that he took her as an experiment in chasing girls. She had nothing to worry about. Compared with Ariannas attitude, Charles was much more serious. Soon after that, he managed to let Arianna meet his mother by coincidence. Charless mother was a kind and elegant middle-aged woman. She showed her love to Arianna, gently touching her hands, saying that she had always wanted to have a daughter-inw like Arianna. And her son actually caught one. Arianna was a little embarrassed by the warmth and kindness of Charless mother. She grew up in a cold environment, and even her deceased rtives had not shown this kind of obvious affection to her. Therefore, although she deeply believed no one was qualified to ask her about her past, Arianna still confessed to Charles, I dont think I am that good a girl in Aunties eyes, and do not meet your ideal, not in any aspect. She said implicitly, but Charles seemed to understand, he said, Everyone has a past, so do I. If I cannot overlook your past, I can only me myself for not having met you earlier. When he said this, Ariannas hands were firmly held in his palms. For the first moment in her life, Arianna really hopes they can live happily ever after. Ariannas life had been smooth, no matter her work or passion. She had been looking forward to this kind of life all along. Those bygone memories in her mind felt like a movie she watched long ago. She had forgotten the plot of the movie, with only a few scenes left in her impression.Text content ? N?velDrama.Org. When it came to this stage of her life, its reasonable that she should not take the initiative to recall Travis Cooper. She knew how to keep life easier. In such arge city, countless people had been to the same hotel, the same hospital, the same bank, and they probably passed by each other without knowing each other. Arianna thought she would not meet Travis Cooper again. Or, she would pretend they were strangers even if they met again. Therefore, when Travis reappeared in her field of vision at a close distance, again and again, she almost doubted the probability form. The first time Travis happened to be in the corridor of a five-star hotel. Ariannas University hosted an important academic exchange. She was a member of the conference group because she knew three foreignnguages. She was in charge of the foreign expert group. She also lived in the hotel during the meeting so that she couldmunicate with international friends at any time. One day, Arianna held a thick pile of exchange materials in her arms to deliver them to the experts room. She nned to send materials for an old doctor whose first name was Michael. The old gentleman Michael was knowledgeable and humorous. She just looked up, but the door suddenly opened from the inside, and there was more than one person walking out of the room. Arianna took a step back and gave way to the guests. Then she was surprised to see that the guest who came out of the room with Dr. Michael was Travis Cooper, with a in expression on his suit. She took a bow and said in English, Ivee to send you a copy of the information. Old Michael made a please gesture and said, Im going out at this time. Could you put the data in the room and help me lock the door when youe out? Arianna quickly put the documents inside and got out quickly, closed the door, and lowered her head walking and thinking. If she hade out of the conference group office half a minuteter, or if she had taken her time walking to Michaels room, she could have avoided the encounter with Travis. Then a loud noise came. It was old Michael who said, Miss Jenkins, I want to trouble you again if you dont mind Arianna was over-concentrated on her boring assumptions, and she was scared by the sudden voice from Michael. As her hands were loose for a second, several documents fell down to the ground. Oh, Im sorry, its my bad. I forgot that thedies couldnt adapt to my big voice. My daughter is often scared by me too. Old Michael apologized hurriedly. Its okay. Its my fault. Arianna squatted and tried to pick up the scattered documents on the ground. There were a few sheets of paper drifting far away. When Arianna picked up papers around her, she found Travis had helped pick up those afar and handed them back to her hands. Arianna held the documents in her arms and thanked him. You are wee. The guest replied indifferently and walked back to the old doctor. Arianna stood still watching the oil paintings on the wall and began walking again when she saw the two of them disappear at the corner of the corridor. She vaguely heard old Michael speaking something like, About yourdys condition Arianna knocked at the other door with a knocking sound louder than the voice of Michael, who was speaking at a distance. **** Then there was a get-together activity held at the same time as Ariannas college anniversary celebration was going on. The college invited many famous people from the city and those alumni who had sessful careers. Arianna had read the VIP list long ago, and Travis Cooper and his wife were on the list. He didnt seem to be fond of showing up for this kind of activity, but this time he not only agreed to attend but also donated arge sum of money. Arianna deliberately arranged aplete behind-the-scenes task for herself. She did not think she was hiding from Travis and his wife. She didnt like to dangle in front of many people anyway, which should be in the capable hands of youthful and beautiful girl students. Chapter 79: Please Don鈥檛 Mind It After the celebration, it was a buffet banquet. The guests ate very little. Most of the time was used for conversation and socializing. The weather was so good, not too cold or too hot. Many people walked on campus to relive the students time. When Ariannas work was all over, she ate a little thing in the cafeteria, and then a female colleague dragged her to go to thebyrinth for a walk and chat. That female colleague recently had a little emotional problem and wanted to talk to Arianna particrly; perhaps it was because Arianna was a good listener. Thebyrinth forest was a famous scene on the campus. More than two thousand short trees separated a small space into many small rooms like a honeb, which looked like abyrinth when people came in there. This ce was strictly controlled and monitored by the campus to avoid students doing something indecent here. In fact, students and visitors onlye here during the day. The female colleague hooked Ariannas arm and walked through the forest with her. They sometimes bumped into a pair of little lovers who were very close to each other, doing homework or whispering. The lovers treated Arianna and her colleague like they were trees. Today the college warned students to behave because of the VIP guests, so Arianna did not see something harsh in the eyes. Arianna and her colleague sat on the stone bench and rested. Suddenly, a female voice came from the other side of the wall of trees, Do you still remember that? I wanted to study at this college. I once spent a period of time visiting this campus every day. At that time, this forest did not exist, and there werent so many buildings. Arianna felt the voice was very familiar. Yeah. A man answered. Now Arianna identified the voice as Travis Cooper. It turned out that the woman was Susan Cooper. What a coincidence! My scores were clearly enough for this college, and I was actually transferred to another college to study another major. Those suckers had no idea their rash action had caused the country to lose a good surgeon. I am still very angry about that now. Did you not intend to study medicine because you wanted to stab a knife into someones body legally? Or am I mistaken? Fuck you! I obviously love the medical profession from my nature. Now you see that I work hard to contribute to the medical cause, right? Travis was quiet for a while. Then Susan said, Hey, go home to dinner this evening. In the afternoon, I will go to theke to buy fresh fish, and I will make a nice fish dish for you tonight. Maybe you can spend your energy on something. more creative. I dont want to get gastroenteritis again. If you donte home tonight, you are dead! Arianna walked out of the forest with her colleague after Travis and his wife left. The female colleague said, That sounded like Travis Cooper and his wife. Today I spoke to them. Arianna responded vaguely. Mr. Cooper looks indifferent, and Mrs. Cooper looks elegant. I did not expect they were actually a funny couple. However, their rtionship seems to be very good. I thought couples like them are just looking close to each other in appearance. There are always exceptions, Arianna answered after receiving an expecting look from her colleague. Sometimes Travis Cooper did not show up, but his shadow was around. One day Arianna was choosing a cufflink for Charles as a birthday present in a high-end menswear store. The boss put out many boxes of expensive cufflinks for her choice. Arianna had been a quick buyer. She just took a look at all of them, picked two or three designs, andpared them, and then she chose a square style, not the most expensive or the most special, but simple. The boss praised her for her wise choice and her quick buyer spirit. When she asked the boss to pack the merchandise and was about to pay, somebody behind her said, I want the same type of cufflink chosen by thisdy just now. It was an elegant and gentle voice. Arianna turned and looked back and found it was Susan Cooper. Sorrydy, we only sell one piece for each design in this shop. Please look at something else?N?velDrama.Org ? content. Is it possible to help me with the same cufflink? It doesnt matter if it is expensive. This In fact, this style chosen by thisdy is verymon. This cufflink was picked up by myself from abroad, so I cant necessarily find the same. You see, I have dozens of other designs here. But I only like the design she picked. So, please help me out? Arianna put that set of cufflinks back on the counter and smiled at the boss, Let thedy buy this cufflink. I want to change that elliptical design. Thank you very much, Miss. The boss smiled and sighed, I give the two of you a 5% discount. We dont usually offer that. To take away someones favorite thing, how rude I am. In fact, I am not in a hurry. I can wait for you to help me get this design when you procure goods next time. Susan smiled at the boss. It doesnt matter, I thought it would look great before. But it is just a decoration. There are many decorations on sale, right? Arianna said softly. Oh, really. So, thank you for giving up what you like. I did not. Please dont mind it. Susan insisted on asking Arianna to have a drink. She was sincere and humble, and her attitude was firm and tough. Arianna thought that she was actually rude thest time Susan invited her, so she went with her. There was a cafe upstairs. When they went upstairs together, Arianna saw the man in ck again. This time this man was in a gray suit, looking very ordinary, walking only one meter away from them. The man slightly nodded when he saw Arianna, and his poker face seemed to have smiled for a second, so Arianna returned him a smile for a second. Arianna ordered a rich cappino. Susan said to the waiter, I want the same as hers. The man in gray who kept standing one meter away from Susan stepped forward and said, Miss, the doctor said you cant drink coffee. I like coffee. Coffee is not good for your health. The man in gray insisted. What good does health have if I cannot achieve the basic taste enjoyment? Susan spoke slowly. Chapter 80: Stay Away From Her The man looked helpless and turned his eyes to Arianna. Arianna said gently, With health, you have more opportunities to enjoy yourself. Well spoken. Susan slowly squeezed a smile and asked her loyal guard, the man in gray, to order a drink that was extremely beneficial to her health. You look much better now. How is your recovery? Arianna asked politely. At least still alive. Susan spoke, like talking about the weather, How are you doing? Just like usual. Arianna thought about the wording and narrated. If I could go back to your current age and health, I would make the most of everyday living happily. I am doing very well now. Arianna corrected the previous statement with a positive tone. Thats good. When Arianna and Charles were able to meet face-to-face with Travis and Susan, she finally doubted the rationality of Probability. Charles took her to watch the opera Madama Butterfly. The performance was very formal, and the dressing requirements for the audience were strict. At the end of the performance, they went out of the theater hall along with the crowd. The weather just changed outside. It was very cold with a chilly wind. Arianna was wearing a satin shawl which was still too little for the cold, and their car was parked at a distance. Charles took off his suit jacket and put it on her, held her waist with one arm, and sessfully blocked the cold wind for her. They walked slowly in the wind leaning against each other, and they met another couple who walked in the same style. In fact, Traviss driver was driving toward them, but they managed to meet Arianna and Charles. It was very dark, with no moon. Arianna could have pretended she did not see anyone, but Charles said, Hello, Mr. Cooper and Mrs. Cooper. You guys look good. He shook hands with Travis with one hand, another hand still holding Ariannas waist. Travis said, Hello, too, and there was no more. Arianna had night blindness. She could not see people clearly, so she simply lowered her head. Susan said a few words with Charles in the night wind. The content ranged from the change of weather to the opera and Charless recent promotion. When she was leaving, she grabbed Ariannas hand and said softly, Charles is really picky in choosing a girlfriend. Charles drove Arianna home and didnt talk all the way. Arianna put the newly bought Madama Butterflys soundtrack into the car CD yer, picked the famous aria Un bel di vedremo, and the beautiful female singers voice was scattered in the car. When the female singers voice got to the highest tone, Charles said, Do you know Susan too?N?velDrama.Org ? content. I met her when I was buying something. She looks very interested in you. She is rarely interested in women. You look familiar with her. She was a schoolmate of mine during high school, two grades higher than I. Oh. Stay away from her. That woman is equal to trouble. Okay. After a long while, she reyed the song again. You just like this song? Charles asked. I only have an impression of this one. I cannot remember others. By the way, you are the onlydy who did not cry after watching that opera, in my opinion. Have you watched this opera many times? Charlesughed, I thought you would focus on I watched this opera with many women. Its certainly boring for one person to watch it, and it will be more boring for two men to watch it together, so its normal you were apanied by a femalepanion. Im just wondering, it looks like you did not enjoy this opera at all. Why did you watch it so many times? Did your former girlfriends love this opera? Your way of thinking is special enough. The women I mentioned included my mom, grandmother, cousin, and niece and they all cried after watching it every time. Dont you think the heroine of this story is so pathetic and miserable? She had to take responsibility for the man and life she chose, right? Arianna, havent I told you before that you are so special? I take it as apliment. Sure, it is apliment. Thank you. **** The rtionship between Arianna and Charles was going well. They had studied in the same country with simr majors, as well asmon preferences and topics. In a few months, Charles put a slim ring on her middle finger. Charles was the kind of person with a soft appearance but a tough character to the bone. At that time, he held her hand, and she wanted to pull back gently, but he gripped hard. She tried and failed. In fact, Arianna could use greater strength to get rid of his hands, but she chose to let him put the ring on her middle finger and kiss her hand. Charles said, I know that the timing is not right, and you are not ready. But I ask you to give me a chance to wait. Arianna thought, just let it be. After all, Charles was indeed an ideal partner for marriage. In fact, she never really painted in her mind what the future marriage partner should look like or expected. Its nothing more than a man, not too bad, who had a serious upation, loved her, without any personality issues, etc. And Charles outshined all the aspects of her standard. Arianna once again doubted thew in her life. She could easily lose something normal to ordinary people, and she could also easily get good luck peculiar to ordinary people. Was it a kind ofpensation to her by her destiny? Arianna had been living happily these days. She made friends with some new colleagues and got along well with them. Her old colleagues often called her to party together, and even some of the friends she met while traveling also contacted her online. Her life circle suddenly grew a lot bigger. Arianna found a lot of money in her old ount, which scared her a lot at first. She made a phone call to consult and knew the money was the profit gained with her own shares and the shares inherited from her grandfather. The Sanchez Group had turned from deficits to profit sincest year. She did not expect that to happen. She then resumed the habit of morning jogging and evening yoga, and her physical and mental states were both very good. All in all, her life was now full of sunshine. Chapter 81: Good Question Perhaps, her life should have been like this. The broader ones mindset was, the bigger the world one could prosper in. And in the past, she locked herself in a box. Dr. Lynch returned to the college to give a report. Arianna invited him to dinner in order to thank him for being helpful to her many times. Dr. Lynch stared at the ring on her index finger, I heard that you are engaged. We are still getting along with each other. Look at you, girl. When you hit, you hit the home run. Your boyfriend rocks. Its too exaggerated. He is just a civil servant.Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org. Have you seen his Resume? Did you know how many positions he has changed in the past four years? Every time he changed his job, he got a new promotion! This is the man we are talking about. He has a prosperous future. Alright. By the way, after my wife saw you on the roadst time, she came home and told me that Ariannas face has the look of a person who is bound to be rich and wealthy. She has knowledge of fortune-telling, and she is an expert! Ariannaughed out, You and Mrs. Lynch, two natural science practitioners, actually are good at fortune-telling by observing a persons palm and face! Didnt Mrs. Lynch see that I am really looking like a jinx to everyone near me? Dont say something like that. Your beautiful life has just begun. Now it is like the sun at nine oclock. You still have a long way to go. Dr. Lynch coughed, It looks like you really dont know your boyfriends background, how silly you are. Charles really didnt talk about his family, and Arianna didnt ask. In fact, he must havee from a noble family with his elegantnguage and dress. However, when she did not ask him, soon someone took the initiative to inform her. One day the school organized a faculty outing, and all involved in the activity were young people. In such activities, women had always been a group that was concerned and cared for, whether she got a boyfriend or not. Therefore, there always were people who looked at Arianna or approached her. Ariannas sixth sense had been very keen in recent years. Even if she was standing with her back on others, she could often feel the temperature and gender of the eyes cast on her. Throughout the morning, she sensed a cold gaze on herself from simr sex over and over again, and she felt that it was not from a stranger. Arianna finally found the owner of the gaze. It was a female teacher who had just graduated and stayed in college. She was pretty and arrogant. This female teacher met Arianna a few days ago, took a few more nces at Ariannas name card, put it on the table, and then stared at Arianna for a long while. Arianna believed she was beautiful, but not enough to cause this kind of trouble from the same-sex until this female teacher showed up. In the afternoon, when people took the cable car with two persons on each ride, that beauty found the chance to be in the same group as Arianna. It was a long ride. After being observed by the beauty in the cable car for a long time, Arianna said straightforwardly to her, Do you have something to tell me? The beauty was shocked by Ariannas outspoken attitude. She used a few seconds to regain her decent look and said, I always wanted to ask Instructor Jenkins a few questions. Please, as long as its within my capabilities. Actually, I want to hear Ms. Jenkinss views on marriage and love. What do you think is the premise of marriage? Love, or two persons from two families of equal social rank, or something else? And what is the guarantee of love? Marriage? Time? Arianna almost guessed out the beautys true intentions. Good question, I really cant answer. But I happen to know an old professor of sociology in a neighboring university, maybe I can help introduce you to him. Thats not necessary. I just think that you are currently in love, and you are about to enter marriage. You should be the most eligible person to answer that. The beauty smiled. I cannot have my point of view when I do not see the entire picture. Arianna also smiled. I didnt expect you to be so humorous. The young beauty said, This route is really long. I will tell you a few stories to kill time. There were only two side-by-side double chairs and safety buckles in the open cable car, half-hung in the air. The cable car would swing when blown by the wind. Beneath was the rock of the mountains. It would be a painful death if one dropped out of the cable car in the middle. Arianna looked down at the scene under her feet silently and listened to the ridiculous stories from the young beauty. Story One: Excellent male A and excellent female B grew up together since childhood. They nned to get married and then live happily ever after, but an unidentified female C came in and took the love away from female B and broke the marriage. Story Two: A woman D, who was too ordinary in her status, was trying to marry a good male E. Male E came from the same excellent family as male A in story one. The woman D managed to marry male E, but they still divorced in the end. Story Three: While Arianna was still quiet, the young beauty slowly said, If one person takes away the love and happiness of someone else, would she really enjoy the peace of mind? Arianna smiled, If such happiness has been registered as a property, it can probably be recovered through legal means. Oh, what an outstanding opinion! Then, do you think that the story of Cindere is imusible in reality? The young beauty waited for a moment, and Arianna did not answer, so she continued, In fact, the days of the fallen princess are usually worse than Cindere because Cindere is at least low-profile, and the princesss status is too high. Is that story really called Cindere? Ms. Jenkins is so sophisticated and wise but likes to pretend to be innocent. No wonder someone is obsessed. Chapter 82: What The Hell Do You Want To Do? Arianna took a piece of paper from her carry-on bag and used a pen to write down a phone number, and handed it to the beauty. Ariannas movement was toorge, and the cable car shook for a second. The young beauty screamed and said, What the hell do you want to do? This is the phone number of the sociology professor I said. He will surely be willing to answer your questions. Arianna and Charles had dinner together that evening. Charles looked at her for a while and smiled, Did you forget to apply sunscreen cream? You are looking darker. Really? Im going to do beauty after dinner. Ill find a way toe back white again. No need. Now your skin looks healthier. You were white and almost transparent before. Arianna did not tell Charles what had happened earlier. That young beauty walked gnashing her teeth, and she vented her spleen. Meanwhile, although she didnt know much about Charles, that little girl was not the heroine in the story. She had no need to bother. After two days, Arianna almost forgot about it, and someone came to her again. That person asked to meet her at a small teahouse on campus in the name of sponsoring a college event. This time the person was also a beautiful woman, looking simr to the previous young girl in the eyes and eyebrows, but with very different temperaments. When they met, the young girl introduced herself, My name is Irene Fox. That sponsorship did exist, and the details had already been finalized, and it was not Irenes responsibility. So, Arianna drank the tea slowly, waited for Irene to finish her speech on the business, and talked about her real intentions. The other day, my sister Tanya was rude. I apologize to you on her behalf. Irene said. You thought too much. We just chatted, and the opinions were not consistent with one another. Charles and I its all in the past. So, please dont mind. Arianna was drinking the tea quietly. What Tanya said was true. I have known Charles from a young age. The rtionship between our families is good. We were ssmates from kindergarten, elementary school, and high school. Then we also lived in the same city when we were in college. Later we went to study abroad together. We were both lonely out there, so we had a rtionship and lived together for a time. We originally agreed to break up after returning to the state, but we still contacted each other once in a while. Until one day, Charles said that he met a girl who he really adored, so we officially broke up. She had a tear in her eyes. Arianna looked straight into her eyes and waited for her to continue. I love him very much, but I respect his choice and hope that he is happy. So, today I am here to apologize to my sister and also to see what his dream girl looks like. In fact, I still had some hope at the beginning because Charles had had many girlfriends, but none of the rtionshipssted longer. I really wished Miss Jenkins would be a simr case. But my hope is dead the moment I see you. You are exactly the type Charles has always loved, regardless of appearance or temperament. Many years ago, he had an unforgettable first love girlfriend who died young because of illness, and Miss Jenkins looks really like that girl. Her eyes were still full of tears. Arianna quietly added water for her as if listening to stories that had nothing to do with her. Irene smiled awkwardly, Ill be a little sad whenever I think about the past, and I said too much. Please pardon me. In fact, the main purpose of my visit today is to ask you, Miss Jenkins, not to be affected by my rtionship with Charles once. Stay with him, please. I wont. Arianna said slowly, Your past with him belonged to both of you. And my present with him belongs to both of us. These two things are not rted, so they dont affect each other. Oh, all right. And, Miss Fox, I think you should know something better than I. A man like Charles, if you cant forget him, you can only start by changing his mind. If he doesnt want to look back at all, he will not return to you even if I leave him now. Irene could not say anything but listen to Arianna. But if you have worked hard and you still cant get it, and if I were you, I would choose a way to make the best out of life, but not live in self-torture. Irene didnt look good when she left, but she was still looking decent. Arianna insisted on paying the tea fee and insisted on sending Irene to the parking lot. Then Arianna said to her, Thank you. Irene smirked with her beautiful face, You know that I did note with good intentions, and you pretended to be nice to me. You really resemble him in this aspect. Arianna smiled slightly and sincerely, but it was inevitable to be looking like a demonstration of power in the eyes of others, so Irene continued, You really look like his first love girlfriend, and your smile is even more like her. I admit that my purpose is not kind, but I did not lie. And of course, ording to your logic, thats the business between Charles and his first girlfriend, nothing to do with you. Arianna watched Irene leave. Just now, she swallowed some words back into her mouth not to stimte Irene more. She wanted to say, I really thank you. I always thought that Charles was too perfect and not true. I dont understand what Charles likes about me, so I am not sure. But you came today to tell me his weakness and why he chose me, so now I got a much more secure and real feeling about the rtionship between him and me. Of course, I should thank you. **** In the evening, Charles did not go to the appointment with Arianna because of a temporary business socializing call. Arianna did not cancel the box booked in advance but ordered a lot of favorite foods. She usually had a moderate diet, and she did not have many favorite foods on her list, but she felt she should reward herself at the moment.N?velDrama.Org ? content. She had never been a very aggressive person since she was a child. In fact, the reason why she was like this was probably that shecked the fighting factor in her personality. She would easily get angry in an argument with people, even when she was the reasonable party. As time went by, she would rather give in first. Arianna had no idea when she had grown such a strong fighting power in her words. Chapter 83: As You Wish The development of this kind of her character was probably thanks to the physical and mental abuse from someone in all those years. She even thought she should write a letter to thank him. She felt that she was like a psychopath for thinking of Travis Cooper at such a time. She dug a spoonful of pears from the fruit sd and chewed it in her mouth as if, by doing so, she could swallow her ridiculous thoughts into the belly too. When she was having a good time eating, Charles slowly came in from the outside, looked around, and found her. Then he came over and sat opposite her and said, Its the first time I see a woman eat a lot at night without worrying about weight. I have seen many women not eating anything at night. Will you break up with me if I be a really fat woman? That would be even nicer. You cant run away from me anymore if you are fat. Charles handed the tissue to her, But its good for you to put on a little weight. You are too thin now. From where did you learn such flirtingnguage? A man is born with this gift. What do you want to eat? I thought you wouldnte, so I ordered all my dishes. Dont worry about me. I have already eaten. You look good. What good things are you doing today? Charles was still very precise about her emotional changes. I found out that you are very handsome. Arianna looked at him for a while, smiling. I have always been very handsome. Since childhood, many female students have been chasing after me. I am too annoyed. You just broke my heart! Didnt you find out about it until today? Charles made the expression Im hurt. Are you bothered with every female ssmate who is going after you? No wonder people often say that men dont always cherish the women who voluntarily deliver themselves to their door. You are suggesting that I also voluntarily delivered myself to your door, so you are not going to cherish me? Oh, I am too ttered. How dare I not cherish you? Arianna imitated his strange and funny tone. Arianna did not talk about Irene. Charles once said that everyone had a past. She also believed that everyone had the right to protect their privacy. However, her past life did exist, even if she did not want to recall it. Although Travis Cooper kept his promise and would not disclose it, it did not mean that nobody really knew about their past. On a certain day, Arianna received a call from a strange number. She said, Hello, after she connected. A hoarse male voice said softly on the other end, How are you, dear Arian? Do you still remember me? Although the voice had changed a lot over the years, Arianna still remembered the owner of that voice. Very few people knew or called her nickname Arian after she went to high school, so the one who called her this nickname must be a person very close to her family, once. The caller was Chester Luke, her fathers ssmate, friend, and the most effective assistant to her grandfather. Chester was convicted of a long list of crimes and locked in prison a few months after her grandfather was sent to the hospital. Arianna had been uneasy for quite a long time after she heard it. In the beginning, Chester was a kind and friendly elder to Arianna and one of the core figures with a high reputation in Sanchez Group. At that time, she stared at the newspaper and was in a daze. Travis said, As you wish, and astounded her like thunder. It was her who asked Travis to punish those who betrayed her grandfather. She only mentioned it once. She only remembered that she said, I want them to pay double of what they got, but she did not wish to destroy their lives totally. Moreover, even though she assumed everyone was a traitor at the time, she never really thought that Chester would be the mastermind. In her impression, Chester treated her grandfather as his father and treated her father like his brother and Arianna like her daughter. At that time, her world was once again subverted. While Arianna was still in memories, the familiar male voice wasughing on the phone, I have been released from prison for a while. Dont you congratte me on that? Congrattions, Uncle Luke. Dear Arian, I can still remember once when you were a child, your father and I took you with us on a business trip. We met a fortune-teller who said, this child is blessed, and she will prosper no matter how big a setback she will meet in the future. He was so urate, right? Arianna waited for him to continue. You dont have to do anything. You got everything when you were born. While thepany almost went bankrupt and liquidated, you just sat there, and you could wait for thepany to rise again, and then you could continue your life as a nobledy. After you sold yourself to Travis Cooper for a couple of years, you still can catch a good man and get married into a renowned family. But I worked harder than you by one hundred times, and I ended up in prison. I also worked hard in prison so as to get out sooner, but whats waiting for me outside is that my wife has had a pimp, and my daughter is falling. My little Arian, can you tell me why nobody has the luck that you have? Although his tone was light, his wording was bleeding. What do you want?Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org. I heard that the youngest grandson of the Christopher family loves you so much, and your would-be mother-inw is quite satisfied with you. And the status of both of your families is matching. Chester paused for a while and then continued, But I think the Christopher family would surely reconsider the candidate of a daughter-inw if they knew you had sold your body to the foe of your family for several years, right? And at the same time, that man you had such an infamous affair with is so rich and famous. Chesterughed happily. Chapter 84: The Law Did Not Frame You Arianna smiled at the phone. What was the bottom line of this elder she had respected, like respecting her father since childhood? He had betrayed grandfather and betrayed her. The direct cause of my grandfathers illness was him. And now he came again, trying his luck on extortion. Chester apparently misunderstood herughter. He spoke with a bit of awkwardness, You thought that you had been secretive with him in these years, and I have no evidence in my hand, so nobody will believe me? Travis Cooper had wanted to put an end to Sanchez Group, but he stopped halfway and began helping thepany. The only reason is that you made a deal with him. You must think that I am shameless, but you need to know Franco Sanchez was by no means a good boss or a good person. Thats the only reason why all of us betrayed him. I followed him for twenty years. But when he finished exploiting thest bit of my value, he kicked me off. I just want to get back what belongs to me. Arian, its your bloodthirsty grandfather who pushed me this far! Uncle Luke, please respect the deceased. Arianna calmly interrupted him. Wow, Arian, you are so calm. Has Charles Christopher known your past, so you are not afraid? Do you think a big family like him no longer cherishes their reputation nowadays? But you need to know, on top of all, the force behind Travis Cooper is the old enemy of the Christopher family. They would not bear to ept such a daughter-inw when there are gossipers out there. You may think your deal with Travis Cooper was only meant to save your grandfather and your family business, but who else in the world would believe you? In the eyes of any bystander, you just behaved like a woman of a conquered nation who chose to please the foe so as not to lose everything or suffer hardship from life. Do you have any idea the Christopher family had a lot of war heroes in the history of their n? When I tell the story around, those who like to see the shame of the Christopher family will surely try to verify this information. Maybe Charles loves you more than anything, or maybe the Christopher family could even ept you, but with that kind of history, your life wont be easy in that family. He was speaking with such a high spirit that Arianna did not want to interrupt him. Until he had a break, she finally asked, So, what do you want? Oh, I like a straightforward girl. One million dors, and this story will disappear. Uncle Luke, thank you for overestimating the value of my reputation. Arian, its the reputation of the daughter-inw of the Christopher family we are talking about! And your peaceful life in the future with such an excellent man is worth much more than that, right? Chester changed his tone into cajoling a child. Arianna continued to chuckle on the other end of the phone. Chester was a little angry when he heard herughter, I offer you a 20% discount, thats 800, 000 dors, no less than that. And I need that cash in three days, or you will soon see your name and picture on gossip tabloids. Arian, I have liked you so much since you were a child. I really dont want to push a girl like you into the fire pit. Arianna was really amused, Uncle Luke, you may say anything you want. I cannot undo what I had done before. And I cannot trust you when you say you will let the story disappear. But I will give you 500, 000 dors. Thats all the cash I can raise in three days. You may regard it aspensation for your part in our family business, but not a ransom for my reputation. If you still need more, you will have to find it from other sources. Your family owes me much more than 500, 000! Arian, Franco Sanchez had done much worse things than I did, and yet he could feign madness and happily die in a hospital under the care of his granddaughter. And I have to pay for the crimes hemitted! Uncle Luke, you may call me if you ept my offer. And, ckmailing is a criminal offense. Arianna hung up the phone. Ariannas heart said, Thew did not frame you. You are abandoned by your wife and daughter only because you deserve that. But she did feel sorry for Chester. Just now, he insulted her grandfather and made her unhappy, but ording to her understanding, her grandfather could indeed have owed him a lot. Moreover, the evidence that could put grandfather in prison until he died was destroyed, and the aplice Chester became a prisoner. If it wasnt for Ariannas request to Travis, Chester might not have ended up living in prison these years. Arianna never really intervened in thepanys affairs. She could notpensate for the loss and insult Chester suffered. She didnt think Chester was innocent but only thought it was unfair that Chester did not escape from justice because of her. She could use her own 500, 000 dors in exchange for her own peace of mind. As for what she had done in the past, she could not keep it a secret forever. She never really wished anyone would find out. She only hoped someone could understand and forgive her. Other than that, she was helpless about the situation. Arianna nned to confess all the things to Charles. She did not feel the need to apologize to him. But if her past would bring trouble to him and his family, then she really would be the one to take the me.Text content ? N?velDrama.Org. However, Charles was very busy that day. She dialed a few calls and it showed that the other party was not convenient to answer. He dialed back to her in the evening. He was very sorry and said he had been in a meeting, and the meeting was likely tost till midnight. And he had to get up early the next morning for a long business trip. After saying that, Charles hung up. Arianna did not have the opportunity to speak out. That night, Arianna had insomnia again. In the middle of the night, she drank a little wine and smoked a few cigarettes. She seldom loses her sleep anymore these days, and she had given up smoking for a long time because of Charles. Chapter 85: I鈥檓 Going To Send You Off In fact, what really bothered her was Chesters judgment of her life in the past few years. In the past ten years, she always put herself in the position of a victim and a martyr, and she took it for granted. She once hated Travis Cooper from the bottom of her heart, regarding him as the murderer of her youth. But she did not re-think that she might have another option at that time. She never thought about what she would do if it was an ugly old man with a bald head and a big belly who forced her to sell her body. Following this kind of thinking, when she agreed to make a deal with Travis, she hated him but somehow also was obsessed with him? He was the first man in her life, and she used to be obsessed with him. Since he was a testimony of her first fall, so she easily chose another form of decadence in front of him? Did these assumptions, which she would never want to admit, influence her choice and were hidden under the splendid coat of her own self-righteous noble sacrifice? Meanwhile, although she did not ept him psychologically and did not ept his money with a very high posture, she used him after all. She used him to save thepany and retaliate against the traitors. She used his resources for the treatment of her grandfather. She even put all her dissatisfaction with this world on him so that she could live with a peaceful mind. But she would never admit the authenticity of such assumptions because she would copse mentally. If she had to admit it, then she was not pitiful and innocent at all. Grandfather also used something simr to vanity and cowardice to define her action at that moment. Although she refused to admit it, it sounded reasonable when she thought it over. When she wanted to find someone to hate, to transfer her heavy depression, she found that she did not even have this channel anymore. She sat for a long time and still did not feel sleepy. She got up and went to the mobile phone to see the time, but saw a missed text message on the screen. It was sent by Charles saying, Sleep well. Charles often could not give her a call when he was busy, so he would usually leave a message to her when it waste at night, and Arianna would read it first thing in the morning. The text message was sent ten minutes ago. Arianna looked at the words for a while and called Charles, Its me. Charles was very surprised, Why havent you slept yet? Its sote now. I had a dream. And I woke up and saw your text message. Arianna said, If you are not sleepy, could you talk to me for a while? Charles smiled, I usually want you to say a few more words, but you always refuse. So, you like to talk in the early morning. But I am really sleepy now, and I still have a thick pile of documents to read. I still need to go to the airport several hours from now. Ill probably have to do some sleep on the ne. When this trip is over, can I take two days off to apany you? You just name the time you want by then. Good. What time is your flight? I am going to send you off. The flight is too early, and the airport is too far away. No need for that. Its not my first business trip. Im going to send you off. Arianna forced herself to close her eyes for two hours, took a shower and brushed her teeth hurriedly, and then drove to the airport. She didnt want Charles to sense the smell of alcohol and tobo in her mouth, so she sprayed a strong perfume on her body. She seldom used perfume since she was with Charles. She felt that her behavior was a bit funny. Although she was not frosty, her action looked like what a girl in love would do. She had not done such stupid things for so many years. In fact, she only did it once in the past twenty more years. She suddenly didnt want to say anything to Charles. After a night of self-torture, she was already physically and mentally tired. Before yesterday, she felt that she was worthy of understanding, so she wanted Charles to know. But today, she changed her mind and lost the courage to speak. Charles said that he was on a business trip for three days. She had no idea what Chester would do. Maybe when Charles gets back, its time for them to break up. Since they were with each other, Charles had always been doing all kinds of things for her, and she only needed to wait and ept, so this time she took the initiative to approach him. Probably she would not have a second chance to do so. She does not want to leave too much regret. When she arrived at the airport, Charles and his twopanions were waiting there. Both of them were much older than him but very kind to him. Charles didnt have breakfast. He said hed like to eat on the ne. She bought breakfast for the three of them before she got to the airport. The oldest person smiled when they saw her, Such a nice and stunning girl, no wonder Charles is so serious. Charles smiled at them, pulled Arianna aside, and whispered to her, I am the one who hasnt slept overnight. How do you look gaunter than I? I said that you dont have toe. You dont want to see me? Id rather not see you if you look like a national treasure. Charles covered her eyes with his palm, It seems you had a nightmarest night. Please take a day off today and have a good rest, my dear. Charles kissed her goodbye. ***** The next two days were quiet.N?velDrama.Org ? content. Arianna thought Chester wouldve harassed her if he was short of money, but she didnt hear from him. Maybe Chester found a new buyer. But ording to her understanding of him and her spection about his words that day, she felt he was only bluffing. Perhaps he did not have the evidence of her affair with Travis Cooper. Just when she felt too peaceful, Chester called again. To her surprise, he did not mention the matter of extortion. Instead, he talked to her about the old days, referring to her childhood. Chapter 86: Can I Send It To You? His attitude was more resentful to Arianna than before. She patiently asked, Uncle Luke, do you want cash, or do you want me to wire it to your ount? Arian, I was just joking with you. How could you take it seriously? Ha-ha, what a silly girl. Chesters attitude was totally reversed. Arianna was speechless. I have to go abroad for a while, maybe I wonte back again. I have something here that is useless to me, but it may be very meaningful to you. It is your grandfathers work memo and some of your fathers handwritten notes. You give me an address. Can I send it to you? What do you want this time? Its hard to be a good man these days. Dont you want it? Then I have to throw it into the trash can. Excuse me, have you sold my infamous reputation to someone at a good price? Hey kid, I told you I was just teasing you that day. Well then, I will put these things in the cake shop of the old Jenkins in West Street. Still, remember the old Jenkins in West Street? Thats the shop you often went to when you were a child. You can just go there and get these things. Arianna was silent. You are suspicious enough. The old Jenkinss shop is next to the police station. Are you afraid that I will kidnap you? Listen, that shop is about to be closed soon, and you will never get those things that your family had left by then. Chester hung up the phone. Arianna suspected that this was a trap, but she still got to the perimeters of old Jenkins shop at three oclock in the afternoon. She did have a lot of memories of this ce with her family and her childhoodpanions. And the things Chester said were very tempting for her. She really wanted to keep the writings of her father and grandfather now. She used to ask Manager Jenkins to collect some of the handwriting of her grandfather and father in thepany, but she got nothing except their signatures on files. There was nothing to do in the office on Friday afternoon. The office director saw her in a bad mood for several days, so she gave her a half-day leave. Arianna slowly drove the car out of the campus and bought something at the nearby supermarket. When she got in the car again, she felt she was being stalked. She had the feeling of being stalked these few days. Today the hunch was even stronger. Maybe because she was carrying 500, 000 dors with her now, she transferred 500, 000 dors to a bank card yesterday. Now, this small card made her feel unsafe. She did not find any abnormal phenomena or suspicious people in the rearview mirror of the car, but her sixth sense clearly told her that someone was always near her. She had never been to this old town area since she graduated from high school. Because it was in a very inconspicuous location, it had not changed much in the past decade. Those buildings, street signs, and storefronts were still familiar to her. The road was still narrow and in poor condition. A few guys were ying poker cards on the side of the road. Two dogs were fighting. There were only a few pedestrians on the road at this moment. Then she saw the cake shop with a big sign on its door saying will move soon. The words made her mood a little fluctuating, but she also had a sense of security. She intuitively felt that there was no danger to her here. She stopped the car and got off. She wore a pair of sunsses that could cover most of her face. She pushed open the door of the shop and said to the man looking like a boss who was behind the counter, Are you selling cakes now? The boss said, Still cooking. He looked up, and Arianna stepped back. She did not recognize the ck and thin man wearing a baseball cap standing behind the checkout counter was Chester in person. His looks changed a lot, and she might not be able to recognize him when they met on the road. Dear Arian, you really came. You are more beautiful and braver now. Chester bent over and took arge envelope from under the counter and put it on the counter, The cakes are not ready. Will this do?N?velDrama.Org ? content. What do you want to do? Nothing, just want to send you a small gift. He poured out the contents of the big envelope and turned them over on the counter to prove there was no problem. Then he put the things back into the envelope and smiled at her. Arianna felt the situation was too creepy. She secretly observed the surroundings. There was the noise of some machine in the kitchen. Two waiters of the shop were busy arranging the tables and chairs, and no one paid attention to her and Chester. Arianna held the envelope on the counter, took her bank card out, and pushed it to Chester. These things are rubbish for me, no value, so you dont have to pay. As for that conversation between us that day, Arian, you are worth much more than half a million, why bother to insult yourself. Forget it, I said I was just teasing you. Chester stuffed the bank card into the envelope. Then thank you, Mr. Luke. Arianna returned to her car with a foggy expression. When she was starting the car, she looked around her car, and everything seemed to be just fine. She felt ridiculous. From the rearview mirror, she took another look at the cake shop she had visited many times before. She also saw Chesters shadow shing through the doorway. Some childhood memories came to her mind again: When she was in kindergarten, Chester often hugged and carried her to watch cartoons in the cinema. When she was in high school, Chester gave her thetest version of Barbie. When she was in her freshman year in a domestic college, he went to visit her when he was on a business trip. He was more careful and patient than her parents. Arianna tried to put these thoughts out of her mind because they made her weak. But when she drove farther away from the shop, her sense of uneasiness grew stronger. When she turned a fork, there was probably a car ident in front. The cars on one side of the road were crowded into a pile, and it was difficult to drive. Many cars turned around and changednes. Chapter 87: Do You Want To See This? When Arianna got bored waiting in the car, she picked up the envelope from the co-drivers seat and took the things out, and looked at them. She hadnt seen the writings of her grandfather and father for many years, and they seemed a bit strange to her now. As she was turning over in her fathers notebook, she found a thin piece of paper sandwiched inside. It was Chesters repayment receipt for arge amount of borrowing. This receipt might have expired after many years, but Arianna gave him a call and asked whether he needed her to send it back to him. Chester said, Oh, then please. Arianna waited for a long time before she turned the car around and drove back. She drove slowly and saw that the wholemunity here was about to be demolished and renovated. The doors and windows of several buildings had been dropped, and the small shops along the street were mostly locked. There was a bit of sorrow in her heart. On this early winter afternoon, there were few cars on the road. The guys at the end of the street were still ying poker. The two fighting dogs were gone. About 200 meters away from her, Chester was waiting for her on the side of the road ahead. All of a sudden, two motorcycles roared past her car. They appeared suddenly. She did not even see them in the rearview mirror. She had a bad feeling about it and stared ahead. In fact, the following things only happened for a moment, but everything in her eyes was like slow motion. The first motorcycle ran straight toward Chester and crashed him instantly. When Chesters body flew a few meters away, another car ran him over. Arianna mmed on the brakes and wanted to take out a pen and record the te numbers of the two motorcycles, but she saw they did not have tes at all. The two motorcycles turned into the small alley and disappeared instantly. Arianna dialed 911 and reported the murder, and then stopped the car ten meters away from Chester. She got off and ran to him and knelt down to check his injury. The two waiters in the cake shop and those guys ying poker also rushed over to them. Chester was still awake, his limbs twitching, his right hand struggling in the air, trying to take something out of his pocket. The people around Chester were in a panic. Someone called the police, and someone called the ambnce, but no one dared to move Chester. Arianna whispered to him, What do you want? Need me for help? Chester continued to struggle with his right hand, trying to take something out of his pocket. Arianna gently took out the things in his right pocket. There was only one old wallet, and there was a photo of three family members of Chester in the wallet. Arianna put the photo close to his eyes, Do you want to see this? Chesters eyes were fixed on the photo for a while, then he looked at her again. His lips moved, but he could not speak out. His body continued to twitch with an extremely painful look. Arianna gently stuffed the wallet into his right hand. The sharp sound of a siren came from a distance. Chesters hand trembled, and the wallet fell to the ground. Things came out of the wallet, blown by the wind and scattered. Arianna helped pick up the few pages of cash and some bills on the ground and put them back in the wallet. There was a pool of blood under his body, and an invoice fell on the blood. When she picked it up with her fingertips, she saw a piece of business card-sized white card paper under the invoice document. Her eyes gazed upon that paper. Then she put the wallet back in Chesters pocket. The police blocked the scene, and the ambnce arrived very quickly. Chester took hisst breath on the road and did not leave a word. As the first eyewitness, Arianna cooperated with the police investigation and kept making a transcript until deep into the night. During the period, she received a phone call from Charles. He said he missed her a lot and he would return to the state the next day.Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org. She did not say that she was in the police station, only hurriedly said that there was a little urgent matter and that she would call him back. She had thought that Charless return date was the day of their breakup. She never expected this creepy development. Arianna told the police truthfully that she had known the deceased for many years, why she went to the store to pick up something and why she returned and saw the process of the crime. She also mentioned that she helped take out the family photo from the wallet and showed Chester. Of course, she did not mention the extortion thing. In the face of the polices inquiry, she looked calm and spoke slowly, but her palms and back were sweating. If the police used the lie detector on her at the moment, the test results would probably indicate that she was the murderer. The room was a bit cold. She put her hand into her jacket pocket and took out that piece of white card paper. The blood on the paper had already dried up, but she felt that the paper was still hot with blood. She stared at that white card paper and saw several sets of letters and numbers written with a pen. With her experience, she instantly figured out those letters and numbers were the names of a foreign bank and a pair of ounts and passwords. While at the crime scene before the arrival of the police, she pinned the card paper into the palm of her hand when she was unattended and hid it in her pocket secretly. She could do the whole set of actions to hide the physical evidence among a group of people just because she learned a few magic tricks from a colleague a few days ago. The material and style of that card paper seemed to be foreign, and the letters written on it showed masculine strength. When these elements came together, she only thought of one person at that moment: Travis Cooper. Chapter 88: Please Come Back Earlier That night Arianna really could not sleep. When she wrote the transcript, she asionally heard the discussion of the police officers. For example, Chesters family members were not at home at this time, as they had just set out to go to a small Southeast Asian country; for example, Chesters daughter seemed to be connected with the local criminal syndicate, and she got herself into big trouble and had to flee; if this incident was not a pure traffic ident, it was probably rted to Chesters daughter. She called Charles at dawn. Although she tried to calm down, Charles immediately detected her panic. She told Charles that she had witnessed a traffic ident at close range, and she thought it was an act of murder and that the deceased had known her for many years. Charles said, Dont think too much. Drink a cup of hot milk. If you cant sleep, take a sleeping pill. Take a long sleep now. When you wake up, I may have returned. Charles, I have something to say to you. You have to go to sleep now. We can talk when I get back. Pleasee back earlier. I wish I could be by your side in the next second. I miss you very much. Go to bed early. Arianna couldnt tell him on the phone that Chesters death was somehow rted to her. If she didnte back to send him the old receipt, or if she didnt go to Chesters cake shop to fetch the things of father and grandfather at all, maybe Chester wouldnt have died. Or maybe, Chester would die anyway because he knew something and tried to ckmail someone, but it was also because of her existence. Anyway, Chesters death should be rted to her. She could not say that she had checked the information on the blood-stained card. The time-limited international bill of exchange actually showed the amount of four million dors, provided that Chester could only collect it in a small Southeast Asian country in person. It was the country where his wife and daughter were currently located. ording to her understanding, this bill had been revoked at the moment. She tossed and turned in bed with an unbearable headache, so she had to take two pills. But the sleeping pills did not y many roles, and she struggled into a state of sleep, but she had nightmares. She dreamed of various murder scenes, all happening in the ces she was most familiar with. Those scenes were so clear and real that she could not escape or help anyone. She had to watch the ongoing crimes but could not scream out. After a series of nightmares, she got to the final one. She dreamed of peaceful greennd, with a stream flowing across and a beautifulndscape in the surroundings. But there was no skylight in this ce. Only the demonic lighting was present. The whole picture looked like a giant and illusory stage. In this nightmare, she saw Travis Cooper dressed in white on the stage, killing people one by one with a sword. Then a girl showed up and gave Travis a blocklist scroll. Travis read the scroll and killed another person. Someone in the crowd moved at the back of Travis, wanting to fight back, and he was killed by the girl using a crossbow. As the stage rotated, Arianna saw the girl was herself, just with a pale and indifferent face like Travis. Travis turned and smiled and said nice to her, and she also smiled at him. Then she woke up and went to the bathroom. She vomited in the bathroom and only spat out some water because she did not eat anything earlier. At the end of the vomiting, she even saw some blood.N?velDrama.Org ? content. Then she turned on themp and took a copy of the Bible from the depths of the bookcase. It was the relic of her old nanny. She held it and knelt in front of the bed. And she finally kept the kneeling position before dawn and slept half-squatting against the bed. Arianna took a little more sleep during the day and went to the revolving restaurant of the newly built 49-story building. She had an appointment with Charles to have lunch here. She arrived here more than an hour earlier because she couldnt avoid thinking of the chaos at home. The location is high enough to overlook the entire city. When a person stood at a high vantage point overlooking the mortal beings, everything looked so small and insignificant. Charles called again. He had returned to the state but hadnt reached the city. He apologized and told her that because the airline temporarily canceled a flight, he had to wait for the next flight, and the aircraft could take off after an hour. He would probably be toote for lunch. He suggested that she should eat something first, then take a break or go shopping. Arianna said, It doesnt matter, I got nothing else to do. I am here waiting for you. After hanging up the phone, she felt much better. Since she came out of the police station yesterday, she had been short of breath. Her heart had been very healthy. This bad condition of her only happened because of her conscience and panic. There were several telescopes on the floor-to-ceiling windows for visitors to see the distant scenery. The magnification was not high. When she felt better, she walked over to use one. She turned the observation angle to the sky and watched the changing cloud pattern in the narrow field of view. Five minutes after arriving at the revolving restaurant, she found that the building was only a street away from the Transcendence za. She deliberately ignored this fact and evaded looking at that building every time she turned the telescope in that direction. But that Transcendent Jewels title still got into her eyes from time to time, killing her fun of overlooking the city at high altitude. Sometimeter, Arianna saw the car of the owner of that za driving into the green quarantine area of the backyard of the high-rise building. A curiosity suddenly popped up in her spirit. She was falling apart in her mind. In fact, standing in her position, she could not see the car or see its license te clearly. At that time, she was only attracted by a car that was able to move freely in a crowded car array. Then, through the telescope, she saw it go behind a wall covered with evergreen trees and then stop in front of the za. Two people got out of the car. Although they were as small as pawns on a chessboard in her field of view, she could still feel them familiar to her. And the two were walking into the Transcendent Jewels Headquarters building! Chapter 89: How Can You Insult My IQ? The ce where they parked was not a parking space. The security guard standing near them did not stop them. These two guys must be the management staff of this building. There were only two guys she was familiar with within this building, Travis Cooper and Ryan Cooper! Arianna had not been brainless for many years. When she determined that Travis and Ryan went to thepany on the weekend, she had already taken a step forward. She quickly rushed into the elevator and went straight down to the first floor. Then she ran through the lobby and got in a taxi at the gate. The driver had to ask for her confirmation when he heard the ce she was going. He then crossed a small road and reached the destination after driving for less than one kilometer. The surprise on the drivers face did not disappear even after she paid him and got off the taxi.Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g! Arianna naturally encountered the guards due diligence. The guard was polite but said Mr. Cooper was not seeing any guests on the weekend. Even on normal working days, guests must make an appointment before they can meet Mr. Cooper. Moreover, the general secretary of Mr. Cooper did not go to work today, and ording to the regtions, he could not directly report to Mr. Cooper. In short, the young guard resolutely refused all her requests. He looked at her as if he was looking at an unreasonable shrew. All kinds of thoughts were on his face, including sympathy, sighs, and possibly a little contempt. Arianna knew that her performance might seem like an abandoning woman who did not know the rules. But she was supported by some courage or anger, so she took out the phone and dialed Ryans number in front of that guard. She only said one sentence, I have something to look for, Mr. Cooper. A few minutester, the young guard was stunned to see Ryan appear in front of him and personally bring Arianna into the elevator. Ryan pushed the button to the 19th floor. Then he took her through the corridor until she entered the suite of arge office. Arianna had been here once a few years ago. She only remembered the security was heavy, but this time it was smooth. Because today was the weekend, the whole building was quiet. The office door was open. Ryan stopped at the doorway and made a please gesture to Arianna, Mr. Cooper is waiting for you. Then Ryan reached out and tapped twice on the open door and whispered inside the office, Mr. Cooper, Miss Jenkins has arrived. Then he took a bow to Arianna and left. Arianna suddenly had the urge to escape. Some unpleasant memories in this office came to her mind. Before even seeing Traviss face, she had already begun to regret her rash move. But apparently, there was no way back now. She had to take a deep breath and then straightened her waist and walked into the office. Travis Cooper was not sitting behind hisrge desk but standing sideways in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, holding a cigarette in his hand. When she stepped closer, he turned and pointed at the sofa in the reception area to let her sit down. He also walked over and picked a seat, and put off the smoke in his hand. In this process, Travis did not say a word, his face indifferent. Arianna also sat down on a sofa that was farthest from him. Then she saw that he wore a light gray casual dress today, his hair not as neat as usual. He seemed to have juste back from a casual asion. Unlike the pale look on her face, he looked refreshed. They were both silent, as if they were waiting for the other party to speak first. As the office got more and more silent, Arianna looked down at her bag and tried to search for something in it to alleviate the pressure she felt. It was still silent in the office. They seemed to be ying in a dumb show. The card paper was stained with blood. Last night she wanted to tear it apart, but she stuffed it into the deepest part of the handbag after a second thought. Perhaps deep down in her heart, she believed she would confront Travis Cooper sooner orter, if not today. Travis paid a nce at that paper, and her pupils shrank a little. Why is this thing in your hands? Traviss low and masculine voice broke the silence and thest hope of Arianna. Arianna opened her mouth and could not speak. She didnt want him to be so frankly confessing that it was rted to him and her. She would prefer if Travis denied everything. She didnt care if he was guilty, but she hoped she had no sin. You dont have to take this kind of thing alone. You can tell me and let me solve it. Travis said calmly. Arianna stared straight at him. He is bothering you again? Is that blood? Yes, Chesters blood. He wont have a chance to bother me anymore. Arianna finally made a little hoarse noise. Oh. Travis said, Need some water? Obviously, the death of Chester didnt mean anything to him. Arianna said angrily, Travis Cooper, even if he is guilty, it is not up to you to pronounce a sentence to him. It is human life! Could you act a little bit more like a human being? Human life? Travis frowned slightly. He took out the phone and dialed a button and said to the handset, Ryan, check the whereabouts of Chester. I heard that he is dead. Arianna sneered, No need. He should be still lying in the morgue now. I saw him take hisst breath. I have known him for twenty years and wont mistake another person for him. Travis paused for a while and then said, Do you think his death is rted to me? Arianna bit her lips with strength. Miss Jenkins, do you mean that I ordered someone to take him out and leave the kind of evidence by which even you can find out I am behind the scene? You are entitled to question my morality, but how can you insult my IQ? Chapter 90: Believe It Or Not Maybe you think that no one can doubt you in this way. You are not a predictable person. I am d that the police are not as smart as you. Travis said indifferently, If this is the case, you should hand it over to the police station instead of asking me here. Are you not afraid of me killing you too? And hiding the physical exhibit is also a crime. If I am guilty, you are an aplice. Since you have promised him the money, then his family should have the right to inherit the money. But now, no one can take the money, right? Arianna looked at him with an expression saying, Unless you give the money to his family; otherwise, you are a murderer. Travisughed out coldly, Arianna, what is in your mind? This person betrayed you, ckmailed you, and you came to me to do justice with this man and worry about his family? You can y like an angel; just count me out of it. So, you didnt intend to give him four million at all because you know that he cant get it, right? The so-called eptance bill is just a joke from you to him. In fact, I intended to give him five million, one million for him to pay his domestic debt and send his wife and daughter to go abroad. The rest of the money is to make sure he neveres back and never mentions this matter again. So, he would only receive that four million after he left the state. He already got one million from me. The fact that he could no longer get that four million is none of my business. In short, I didnt go back on my words, and I couldnt care more. Meanwhile, his death has nothing to do with me, believe it or not. Very well, please exin to the police that you have nothing to do with his death. Arianna grabbed the crumpled paper on the table and stood up. Travis moves quicker than her. He grabbed her wrist across the coffee table all of a sudden. Arianna was frustrated, but she could not get rid of him. Until he suddenly released her hand and she fell back to the sofa she sat on previously. When he let go, he controlled his strength to make sure she fell on the sofa, but that crumpled card paper fell into his hands.Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org. Travis Cooper sat back and lit the paper up with his lighter and watched it burn out slowly. Then he found a pack of wet tissues from under the coffee table and pulled out one piece, and wiped clean every finger of the hand that had just grabbed that stained paper, and then he tossed the pack of tissues in front of Arianna. Arianna did not move. Travis lit another cigarette and then pushed the lighter and cigarette case to Arianna. Rx. Come smoke one. Arianna ignored him, but her breath was heavy. Travis said with smoke in his mouth, Because he reminded you of a good childhood, so you decided to help him once? Or what did he ask you to do before he died? If he did ask you, then I really appreciate this guy. If I was not the highest bidder to him, do you know who he was nning to sell your little story to? And what would have been your situation now? Your look of a self-righteous angel is very, very fucking funny. Arianna lost control of her breath and heartbeat. Travis got up and used a water dispenser to pour her a cup of freshly heated water. When he saw Arianna did not move at all, he took a chilled bottle of water from the small freezer, unscrewed the lid of the bottle, and stuffed it into her hands. Let me tell you onest time, his death has nothing to do with me. That kind of person is not worthy of such a crime from me. But you cant expect too much from my morality either. For a big aplice who harmed my family in those years, do you think I am obligated to take care of the future life of his wife and daughter? I did everything I promised to him. And I would not like anything else outside my promise. I love doing charity, but not this kind of charity that can raise my blood pressure. In those days before my grandfather passed away, you must have been taking powerful antihypertensive drugs every day. And when you were ready to give Chester five million, it must have been really hard for your blood pressure. Travis was speechless. Oh, you did all this for me. Im sorry. I did ask you to save my grandfather, but I did not ask you to settle the thing between Chester and me. Your charity is a bit inexplicable, right? I thought that you always wanted a quiet life. As long as you are not involved in my life! Arianna said loudly. Arianna, please tell me a little truth. Who is the one who took the initiative today? I just came to thepany today to fetch a thing and stayed for a quarter of an hour, and you suddenly jumped out from the middle of nowhere. I did not ask you toe, did I? Arianna was silent. Even in this office a few years ago, when you talked to me about the conditions, it was you who insisted oning to see me, and I did not force you. Travis said indifferently, If you are willing to recall the past, you can also think about the first time we met. I walked that night and wanted to go home to sleep early. And you just showed up suddenly and fell to my feet. Am I correct? Arianna was biting her lips. Have you ever thought about it, you asked for it the first time I touched you and the first time you reached a deal with me? Because it was not in my n at all. In that coffee shop a long time ago, if you didnt run to me at that time, I wouldnt have had an intersection with you; if you didnt take the initiative to appear in this officest time, I wouldnt have temporarily raised the ridiculous idea of signing a contract with you. It was you who came out in front of me again and again, challenging my endurance and morality, and you always thought I put you into trouble and you were totally innocent. In fact, you dont want to see me, and I dont want to see you. My life is very peaceful when you dont show up. Chapter 91: I Will Call You When I Need It Arianna was mad at him and felt a sudden rise in her blood pressure. She blushed and said, Yes, I asked for it every time. I took the initiative to provoke you, so you cant make a false apology because we are even. But please promise me to stay out of my business in the future. It would be best if you remembered that I am the granddaughter of your greatest enemy. If you have to put your nose on my thing, I will not care if you get a sudden cerebral hemorrhage because of a rise in your blood pressure! Travis went soft a little bit and said, Arianna, we are not kindergarten children. Why should we not quarrel like this without logic? Okay, Ill take back my words just now. You know clearly, everything I do is just topensate for your loss. Why do you deliberately distort my kindness? I dont need your kindness at all. You always said that my family deserved everything. Why do you need to dopensation for me? Yes, I still think so. Your family owed me. The only thing that makes me uneasy is that I shouldnt have brought you into this chaos. If I had a chance, I would have chosen to avoid you. Although I am not a good person, I am not willing to hurt the innocent. You dont have to be upset. I am a member of the sinner family. I deserved what I got as a member of my family. Isnt this what you said before? And I asked for it too! Because I took the initiative to run in front of you and provoke you repeatedly. How can you forget what you just said in a blink of an eye? Travis stood up for a moment and then sat down again, with the look of controlling himself to the extreme. Arianna, you have enough reason to hate me. I dont expect you to really let it go, but I really hope that you will have a good life in the future. Thank you. No need. Arianna, I dont want to be nostalgic, but today, you make me recall the moment I first met you. I should take all the me for shaping you into this character, so I feel very sorry. I really hope you can restore your old self, even if you dont appreciate it. Until a long timeter, when Arianna recalled this conversation again, she was still skeptical that at that moment, her mind was reced by another soul deep in her heart. For the past many years, she had never been out of control like this day. She had always been best at wrapping her emotions into shackles and blocking the prying of outsiders. In the foreseeable future, she would never let anyone have a chance to face her ignorance and ecstasy. Such a private emotion should only belong to her, hidden in the deepest and darkest corner of her heart. Meanwhile, at that moment, when she thought she was insulted and abused, she was still able to calm down. But when the man gave her the best kindness, she trampled this kindness deliberately. This was the most erratic thing she had ever done in her life. But at the time, she was not so rational, so introspective and restrained. She said to him coldly, Let everything go back to normal? Are you going to introduce a famous doctor to me and repair or renovate some part of my body so that we can pretend you have never touched me? Travis finally ran out of patience. He regained a cold look and said, If you feel it is necessary, be my guest. Thank you in advance then. I will call you when I need it. Arianna stood up, but shepletely forgot why she came here as if she hade here only to quarrel with Travis. She hurried forward a few steps, intended to open the door and go out. But Ryan was outside. At this time, she must be looking really ugly. She would not like Ryan to see that look of her. There just happened to be a special direct elevator inside Traviss office. Arianna did not care if she was rude or not anymore. She just pressed the button and wished the elevator door would open quickly. After a while, the elevator door opened, and she was about to walk in. But Travis suddenly raised his voice and shouted, Dont take that elevator! Arianna would not care about him. She just began walking into the elevator. Suddenly, Travis rushed to her side, grabbing her arm and trying to pull her back. She used all of her strength to get rid of his grasp and was pushed back by the counterforce. She just retreated into the elevator and almost hit the elevator wall. Arianna quickly pressed the ground floor button, but Travis held the elevator door open for thest few seconds before it closed, then he squeezed in from the gap of the door. As the elevator door closed silently, the elevator descended quickly and smoothly. Arianna was alerted, What do you want to do? This elevator will fail when it descends, and it has not been repaired yet, Travis said with a tone like talking about the weather. Despite Traviss serious look, Arianna certainly didnt believe it. She only stared at the LCD number and ignored the man standing a meter away from her. The elevator slowly descended, the 14th floor the 11th floor, the 10th floor Everything was good in the beginning, but it got jammed when it reached the ninth floor. Arianna was stunned. She pressed the door button, but there was no response. Then she pressed the call button again, and the elevator slid down for a while and then suddenly stopped again, which scared the hell out of her. She turned her head angrily and screamed at Travis, What the hell did you do? I didnt do anything. Travis showed his empty hands to her to prove himself innocent, I reminded you. Now you believe me? What the hell is wrong with you? Why didnt you lock the elevator if it didnt work? The situation was like pouring oil on a fire. Arianna was outraged. This is a dedicated elevator that goes straight to my office. Except for the top floor, every other floor requires a password. And today is the weekend, and no one is at work. I dont see any need to lock it.Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org. You knew it wouldnt work, and you still got it? Chapter 92: Arianna, Breathe Miss Jenkins, I tried to stop you from entering the elevator, but I failed. So, of course, I had to apany you. Once the elevator fails again, it is not right for the guest to be trapped in the elevator alone. When you just stuck the door, you couldve told me that there is a problem with the elevator. You didnt have to wait until the door was closed. You are right, genius. Why didnt I think about it? Travis was infinitely sorry. Arianna angrily turned her head and pressed the bell button, but it did not respond at all. She took out the phone, and the phone had no signal in the elevator. She stared at the elevator control panel and muttered, This building looks so luxurious from the outside. Its morous. Who would imagine that the presidents specialdder is broken? And there is no signal inside the elevator! Only got the look, huh? People can get sick, and the elevator can, of course, be broken once in a while. In fact, it had a failure for the first time yesterday evening. This is the second time. I can only me you for having such bad luck. Arianna was furious. She pressed her anger and said to Travis, who looked sofortable, Are you not going to call for help? I am not in a hurry to go out. If you are in a hurry, call yourself. How can you let your guest call for help? Guest I just talked about it. Do you really regard yourself as a guest? Were you not looking for trouble with me? Arianna was speechless. She kicked the elevator door a few times, hoping someone could hear it. Travis did not pull her back this time but directly blocked her in front of the door, forcing her to retract her feet, If you got the door broken, we would not be able to go out. This is the ninth floor. You make a big noise, and still, no one will hear it. If you are willing to be trapped here for a hundred years, suit yourself. But I am not willing to stay here for a minute more! Arianna eximed angrily. She spoke so loudly that she choked herself. Travis took a half step forward and wanted to help her, but he gave up. When she got better, he said softly, When Ryan finds the elevator is stuck on the ninth floor, he will find someone to open the door. This is just a small glitch. Arianna retired to the farthest corner away from Travis and said, How long will it take before he finds out? Travis took a look at the watch on his wrist, Up to twenty minutes. Because I have other arrangements in a while, and he will remind me. When the phrase twenty minutes fell into her ears, Arianna lost herst bit of strength. Yesterday she almost didnt sleep all night. Now she only felt exhausted. And she was wearing high heels. At this point, she could not even stand up steadily. She stood leaning against the wall. Travis nced at her and said, If you feel tired, you can sit on the ground for a while. No one will see that. Arianna had wanted to fight back and say, You are here, but she gave up. The light in the elevator just disappeared at this moment, and it was dark all around. It turned out Travis did not lie this time too, which she still could remember he said to her a long time ago. Now, if she sat on the ground, there was really no one who could see her. Travis kept his mouth shut at this moment.Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g! Arianna gradually couldnt hold it. She simply listened to Traviss suggestion and slowly sat down at the foot of the elevator wall, holding her legs and burying her head in her arms. In the darkness and silence, she was sleepy and tired, and she fell asleep. She fell back into the nightmare scene she had yesterday. Back to the stage where there was no skylight, the man dressed in white was gone. There was only herself, lonely and lost, surrounded by a destendscape. There were people getting close to her, their faces covered with masks that only revealed their eyes, and they were holding swords that were radiating a cold light on the tips. Then suddenly, all of their faces changed into Chesters face. Arianna wanted to shout but lost her voice. She could not move her legs, and even her arms holding the bow and arrow became heavy and stuck. Then she awakened from the nightmare with cold sweat all over her body. The surroundings were still dark. She could not remember where she was and why she hade here for a moment. She woke up again because someone tried to pat her face and press her chest. While still lying on the floor, she gradually remembered being stuck with Travis in the elevator. Traviss voice was very anxious, Arianna, breathe! Hey, you are just pretending, right? Dont you think its too exaggerated? Dont you be so scary! She didnt want to pay attention to him. She had no energy to bother. But his movement was so big that she wanted to punch his hands and shout, You are the one who is pretending! She thought she was full of momentum, but her hand just raised in the air and then fell back to the ground. Her breath was getting weak, looking like a dying person. Then she felt dazed, and loud noises were raging in her ears. She could vaguely hear Traviss voice in her ears, Do you have heart disease? Asthma? Or just because you are afraid of darkness? You are the one who got a heart attack! You got asthma yourself! She wanted to say that, but she could not. Soon she fell into a semi-conscious state. When she woke up again, she had already copsed into Traviss arms. She pushed him, but she had not a bit of strength left. She was like a big piece of sponge now. With a little movement, the sweat would spring upon her body. Her forehead, neck, back, palms, and feet were all soaked in sweat. There suddenly was a little light in the small space. It was Traviss mobile phone, not very bright. It was very close to Arianna. She nced at the LCD screen and could not believe what she saw. The time she entered the office room of Travis till now only took twenty minutes, but she already felt she had passed through several life cycles in the process. Chapter 93: Elevator Stuck Arianna was lying still in Traviss arms, and the water in her body continued to drain with her strength. His strong heartbeat and her weak heartbeat filled the space, and gradually their heartbeat frequencies echoed with each other.N?velDrama.Org ? content. He also sat on the ground, carefully holding her. Maybe he was afraid that her breathing would be more difficult with a little force from him. He held out a hand and gripped her hand, which was soaked together with sweat. She looked up and saw Traviss face pale and transparent under the light, just like in the dream ofst night. Seeing her open her eyes, Travis didnt look surprised. He only wiped the sweat on her forehead and whispered, Dont be afraid, lets hold it together. We will be able to go out soon. She did not know what kind of measure Travis took. In short, Ryans voice came from outside the elevator, Mr. Cooper, the door will open soon. Please stay away from it. Call an ambnce, and call a doctor. Right now! Arianna didnt end up being moved on a stretcher and sent to the hospital for emergency treatment. She refused to go. In addition, when the elevator door opened, although Travis immediately caught her eyes and blocked the bright light outside, she suddenly recovered like a fresh nt that had dried up for a long time. Her breath and heartbeat returned to normal quickly. Just her body was weak due to dehydration. A doctor called by Ryan determined that she was suffering from nervous dysfunction and muscle cramps due to excessive mental stress and excessive physical fatigue. Another doctor judged that she had space ustrophobia. Themon conclusion of both of them was that what she needed now was just some rest. They gave her a shot of tranquilizer, hung a small bottle of normal saline for an IV drip, and left after a few words. Arianna was probably resting in a VIP room. The sofa here was soft andfortable. Arianna was covered with a thin nket on her body, lying on the soft sofa and feeling groggy. She said the third, I want to leave. You may leave when you get a little better. Ryan was talking and standing straight three meters away from Arianna. Travis stood even further at the doorway. Since he took her out of the elevator and got here, he had kept the safest distance from her. I have an appointment with someone. Arianna raised her finger at the revolving restaurant not far away. Charles should be off the ne at this time, and she would have to go back before he arrived. She touched her pocket and wanted to check if there was an iing call on her phone, but she realized that the phone was not on her body. Maybe it fell in the elevator. Ill go looking for it. Ryan said this and left. Travis was still standing far away at the doorway, looking outside the door. It was only two or three minutester that Ryan came back with her mobile phone. He was looking a bit awkward. He gently ced the phone next to her. She wanted to say something but gave up. After a few seconds, Ryan walked close to Travis and whispered, Just now, a cleaning worker picked up Miss Jenkinss mobile phone, and there was an iing call. She took the phone and told the caller where Miss Jenkin was. I didnt have time to stop her. Is it him? Travis asked. Yes. How long? Three minutes ago. Travis paid a nce at Arianna. She was lying still with eyes open as if she hadnt heard anything. Immediately call him back. Tell him that Miss Jenkins had a small ident here and ask him toe and pick her up when he is convenient. **** Ryan nodded and went out. Therge room was restored to silence. Arianna looked at the ceiling with abstract patterns, the elegant chandelier, and the impressionist oil painting on the wall and inadvertently paid a nce at the static figure at the door. Everything was incredibly silent and serene. She was originally nning to confess to Charles about her past, and she was ready to end the rtionship with Charles, but never in such an embarrassing situation at the moment. She would have liked to say goodbye to Charles gracefully, leaving him with a better-looking back. An hour ago, Arianna really hoped that Charles woulde back sooner, the sooner, the better. But now, she only hoped that Charles would encounter a big traffic jam on the road so that she could recover some energy. Then she would have the strength to face the next meeting with him. How did shee here without a second thought? It was toote to regret it now. A momentter, Ryan came back and whispered in her ear that Charles woulde within ten minutes. Then he quietly walked away. She took a look at the time and had a little doubt in her heart. Charles should have just got off the ne now. How could hee so quickly? Travis, who was still standing at the door, seemed to be watching her. She also looked at him. While Arianna just closed her eyes, Travis suddenly said softly, Have you bought anything? She was stunned and opened her eyes. It turned out Travis was making a phone call. As he walked farther, she could only hear him say, Well, something is going on here. Not me, I am fine She thought the person on the other end must be Susan. His attitude towards Susan was very natural, unlike anyone else. When there was a little movement outside the quiet door, and from far to near, Arianna was half-awake in the effect of the tranquilizer. Sorry for the trouble, Mr. Cooper. This voice was Charless, as always, polite and sincere. Its us who need to apologize for having caused the shock to Miss Jenkins. Traviss voice was as clear as ever, though it sounded more sincere and more polite than Charless. Arianna slowly sat up when the two appeared in front of the door. She looked up and saw that there was not much saline left in the IV drip bottle. She pulled the needle out by herself. Charles immediately walked to her side and pressed the back of her hand, whispering in her ear, What a troublemaker. His tone was strange and intimate. Im sorry. She whispered. When Charles bowed down to find her shoes, Arianna quickly looked at Travis. Fortunately, he didnt look at them at all. One of her hands was still gripped by Charles. She used another hand to put on her shoes slowly. She shook her head gently and refused Charles help for that. Chapter 94: How Can I Express My Apologies? In fact, her body was very weak at the time. She felt dizzy with a little movement. Charles held her and said softly, If you dont feelfortable, just sit for a while. Lets go back. I dont think Mr. Cooper would mind if we stayed here for a few more minutes. Then he turned to look at Travis and waited for him to respond. Of course, I dont mind. Two secondster, Travis, who seemed to be fascinated, looked back at Charles and said. He even squeezed a friendly smile on his face.N?velDrama.Org ? content. Arianna was so embarrassed that she eyed Charles to take her away. Charles seemed to have understood her intentions and nodded. At this moment, a soft, sweet but bright voice came from outside the door, Sorry for beingte. The next second, Susan Harris appeared magically at the door. She was still thin, but she looked very healthy this time, wearing a casual dress that looked very youthful, simr to the style of Travis. As soon as she appeared, all the eyes in the big room were cast on her, and she only focused on Arianna alone. Susan hurriedly approached her with a little smile. And she said with a very serious tone, Hey, my habit of beingte for the show is actually hurting you. How can I express my apologies? When she said this, her eyes were smiling, and her voice was not too stable. It might be because she walked too fast. Arianna also squeezed a smile like Traviss as a response to Susan. She was full of surprises, but she had to y a good audience based on past experience, letting Susan y the monodrama. Oh, Miss Jenkins found my lost earring. I heard that she was nearby, so I asked her to help deliver the earring to me. Actually, I wanted to ask her to have a cup of tea. Susan turned to Charles and exined, elegantly looking up at the watch and speaking with a little surprise, I made the appointment time at twelve oclock, not veryte from now. You came early, or I remembered our appointment wrong? Arianna didnt know how to answer correctly. She paused for a second and heard Travis say from far away, It should be that you remembered it wrong. Oh, maybe. You couldnt contact me for some time, yes. But it doesnt mean you had to take care of my guest so badly. Susan nced at Travis, pointing to the only earring left on her ear, and said to Arianna, This is what my dad gave me before his death. It is very memorable, and I dont want more people to touch it. So, I was eager to ask you to send it. I couldnt help it, sorry. She said thest sentence facing Charles. This seemingly reasonable but illogic exnation from Susan could only barely cover up such an awkward scene. Also, how was Arianna supposed to get Susan the other earring? Or should she just continue to be an audience? When Arianna was thinking this way, Travis took out the same earring from his pocket. He ced it in one of his palms and took two steps forward. So, Susan smiled at Charles and returned to Traviss side. Charles smiled slightly, Susan is too polite. After he said that, he held Ariannas shoulder and waist carefully to help her stand up. She could not stand steadily for the time being, and half of her body leaned on him. Susan had already put on another earring. Then she also leaned on Traviss body. Susan said, We n to go to the Hot Spring Manor for a barbecue at noon. How about we all go there together? The environment is very beneficial to Miss Jenkinss weak body. She looked up at Travis and seemed to be asking for advice. Travis had no obvious expression. Then Susan smiled and looked at Charles. Thank you. Lets do that another day. Charles smiled and refused. We havent had a meal together for more than a decade, Susan said to him like an elder sister to a younger brother. We will have opportunities. When Im getting married to Arianna, I must ask for you two toe. Charles replied politely. Later, Charles changed the date venue from the revolving restaurant to his home and personally cooked a few dishes for her. The food was simple, but it tasted good. It was rare for a man with a family background like him to do such things. Arianna wanted to speak a few times and was interrupted by Charles. He didnt ask why she was in Traviss building today as if Susans reason convinced him, but he exined why he came back early. He said that he had changed to an earlier flight and wanted to give her a surprise. But when he reached the revolving restaurant, he did not find her. Arianna finally seized the opportunity and said, Charles, Travis, and I I know that you were with him once, but I am not interested in you and your ex-boyfriend. Arianna didnt know what to say anymore. Charles looked into her eyes, In fact, I will mind that, of course. I got to know you earlier than him. But since he is already past tense, I dont care about the past. He smiled and continued, Arianna, dont tell me your past. You and I both advocate that the two people should be equal, that is, if you tell your past love history, in order to be fair, I must also tell my love history. My love history is veryplicated. There are a few stories about me that are ugly, so I wont do this exchange. Arianna had to let out a smile. In the face of such an understanding but unpredictable Charles, she could not say anything anymore. Although she was fine, her body was still a little weak. She was a little tired even when she sat there, so she had to hold one of her hands on the edge of the table. You had a nightmare yesterday? It doesnt look like you slept well. Yeah. A lot of nightmares. Dont be afraid. I will be by your side in the future, and I wont let you have nightmares again, Charles said in a low voice. Chapter 95: Was It Really Just An Accident? Since the day she spent with Travis in the elevator, some aftereffects were left on Arianna. She was worried about elevators, and she preferred to climb the building even when she had to climb a dozen floors. She had to sleep with amp on at night. Whats more, she saw everyone as an actor now. When others were speaking to her, she always ssified them in her heart. A was an experiential actor; B was an expressionist actor; C was always switching in between two performance modes D was ssicism, while E was modernism When others only regarded her gaze as if she was listening attentively, she felt ridiculous.All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org. Charles methodically controlled everything about them with patience and strength. Charless family background was very good, but with not many family members. She had seen some of his family, and they never showed any rejection or hostility. On the contrary, most of them were very kind to her. Arianna knew she was not favored by everyone. Charles probably did a lot of preliminary work on his family members. Maybe Charles had a high status in the family despite his young identity in the n, and everyone respected him. One day she met Charless grandfather without being informed. At first, she only regarded him as an elder in the family. The old-fashioned and very familiar old man praised her, You are Charless favorite girl. And he is always right about picking. She didnt panic after knowing the identity of the old man. Charles apologized to her, but he didnt feel it was wrong. He believed in this way, she could show her true self in the most natural state. And he hoped his grandpa would see her best side. She looked at Charless face and roughly inferred that as long as the old man did not object, there was no room for others to speak. Charles said, Lets get married in the spring of next year. Probably because she had been a naysayer in the past few years, Arianna had a bit of rejection and was confused about this suggestion, but she could not refuse him. Feeling upset, she nodded and agreed to his proposal. Maybe she had reason to hate Travis, but she had epted his apology. Moreover, that day, when she did not give him a good face, he still let Susan make a lie for her. She knows Travis did not like to lie at all. Even when he tempted her to dedicate herself to him, he did not tell a lie. It turned out that she was the type of bully the weak and fear the strong. When Travis was aggressive, she carefully defended herself. When he softened and expressed goodwill to her, she turned into a hedgehog and deliberately misinterpreted his kindness. In front of this person, it was too easy to expose shorings and defects to her. She finally had another reason to hate him. The death of Chester was another problem for her, although that matter did note to an end, and it did not even appear in the newspapers. One day, she met a policeman who had made a transcript for her on Chesters case at a fast-food restaurant. He recognized her and called her. Arianna thought twice and finally asked him cautiously about the investigation of Chesters case. The policeman replied that this kind of traffic ident happens all the time. The same case as the drivers who escaped after killing the victim in the ident was verymon. And there was no way to track them down. Arianna repeatedly asked, Was it really just an ident? The little policeman looked around nervously, approached her, and whispered, Oh, you must have heard some of our conversations that day. Dont worry about it, and save yourself from getting into trouble. Even his wife and daughter are afraid of getting into trouble again. They even refused toe back and im the corpse. It seemed just like the rumors she heard that this was just a behavior manipted by the ck forces. But she recalled the strange feeling she felt in her sixth sense in the few days before that ident. She had been followed, but she didnt feel threatened at that time. She knew that Chesters death was somehow rted to her. The weather was getting colder, and Ariannas health was getting bad again. At Charless suggestion, she spent two or three nights per week going to the gym. Charles was busy. She could not meet him very often in a week. Charles gave her a membership card, and Arianna changed to a new gym. She only did yoga and aerobics. She sometimes also did a massage to spend the whole evening. The massage parlor was still a good ce to listen to gossip in the city. Most of the people who came here were government officials,dies, and wealthy housewives. The information contained in their gossip was coated with more politics and money. Arianna got to know a few of them. She heard many gossips that ordinary citizens couldnt hear, for example, the exclusive insight into the exchange of power in this city, the legendary life of a five-star hotel beauty waiter, the spectacr manner of a business celebrity In short, it is more vivid than the TV series. She did not know most of the objects that were talked about, so she just listened and forgot. But one day, theyunched a new topic. And they had been discussing it for two weeks. She was very familiar with the protagonists of the topic, Travis and Susan. They could not dig much on Travis. Theirment about him was nothing more than his mysterious origin, his legendary entrepreneurship and low-key style, as well as his astounding choice of bride. For a while, Arianna was afraid that her name would pop up in their discussions. Fortunately, they did not mention her name. However, Susans history was wonderful. Her life became a chronicle history book in their discussions, from a problematic child to a bad girl, then to a fallen young woman, and then to her disappearance, and finally, she turned into an elegant woman. In their gossip, Travis seemed to have encountered a big crisis judging from a series of unreasonable decisions and reactions of him. Arianna did not want to hear any topic about the couple anymore. Whenever she went out, she would deliberately avoid seeing Travis Coopers notable buildings in the city. But one day, in order to write a report, she went through all the newspapers of current affairs in the library. She still could not help checking the financial columns. Chapter 96: I Will Accompany You There was a little news regarding Transcendent Jewels, the mostmon things, which made her a little relieved. However, Travis was indeed in trouble because the government mentioned the name directly or indirectly many times recently. She could see hispany had done crisis management measures from the lines in newspapers, but the measures he took were conservative and very slow, which resulted in not very ideal effect. Probably because of this, he was ndered by his subordinates in their private time. Arianna ced the newspaper in order and said to herself, What is in it for me? Why should I care about him? Although I dont want something bad to happen to him, I will not show mercy when he is in trouble either. Ariannas life was now like a soap opera. Charles saw her soulless for days, so he took her to a hot spring manor to spend the weekend. Charles had nned to ask her to bathe in the hot spring to cure a cold, but she had a lot of sweat in the process. When the cold wind blew her, her cold was aggravated, and Charless second days y n was also disrupted. When they went there, the owner of the manor personally received them. The boss seemed to be very familiar with Charles. He was much older than Charles, but he respectfully and affectionately called his name. He let out a strange smile when he saw Charles had booked two rooms. He looked at Arianna a few times, and he was curious in his eyes. Arianna could only pretend she didnt see him. The boss did arrange two rooms for them, and they were in a deluxe suite. The manor had a ring-shaped building structure. Her room was next to Charless. She could see the corner of another room standing in front of the window. The two bedrooms in the suite were keyed. When she entered the room, she gave a key to Charles. Charles smiled and said, If you are afraid at night, call me, and I will apany you. But her cold worsened. At night, she even started to have a low fever. Charles could only sit by her bed, gently grabbing her hand. He helped measure her body temperature once in a while. Later, the doctor in the manors infirmary gave her several medicines. Those medicines had a strong hypnotic effect. She quickly became sleepy and groggy. Charles covered her with a quilt and said softly, Get a good sleep tonight, and you will be fine tomorrow. Arianna nodded in a confused way. Her sleep quality has been very poor these days. Even the sleeping pills did not work, not to mention medicines for cold. In the middle of the night, she woke up from a nightmare again, her body full of sweat because of shock. But when she touched her forehead, her body temperature had returned to normal. She finally remembered where she was. She didnt find the light switch, so she got out of the bed in the darkness. The window was beside the bed. There was a line of light piercing through the curtain. She walked towards the light and opened the curtain. Then she saw there was light in Charless room. Outside the window, the moon had risen into the sky. It had already passed midnight. Arianna stood by the window and watched the stars for a while, and suddenly she wanted to go to see Charles. She put on her robe in the moonlight, gently pushed open the room, and quietly went out. She suddenly wanted to y a prank. She wanted to appear in front of him suddenly and scare him. The lights in the living room of the deluxe suite were also on. Arianna sneaked in front of the door to his room. Just before she wanted to knock at his door, another persons voice came out of his room. The sound instion in this suite was actually very good, and the walls and doors were thick enough, but it was too quiet in the middle of the night. She had wanted to return to her room quietly, but the first sentence she overheard made her stop. Another voice said, Charles, are you overestimating that guy this time? I think what his men said is true. In the past year, this guy had lost his fighting spirit and was not interested in making money. Is it because his wife is sick? The voice was from the boss of this manor. I think I once again underestimated him. Charless voice was cold and faint. Why do you say this? You just think, if he did it in the most normal way for him, he would have just fallen into our n. But he is now stepping back, and my follow-up n ispletely in vain. This is just a coincidence, Charles. He does not deny even the crime that has nothing to do with him. No one in the world would have retreated to this point. Thats because, if he wants to deny, he has to use other facts to prove his innocence. And the facts are even worse than letting himself confess. Charlesughed.Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org. Oh, Charles, he cantpare to your genius. Its hard to say. You know, he had been my ssmate for two years, and we had yed chess a lot of times together. I never beat him for once. Chess is a childs y. When you start hitting each other with real swords and guns, thats what I call a real battle. Lets not talk about how he is in such a bad state of mind now. This time his patron is down. Thats what is really hurting him. He must have more than one patron, otherwise, he would not have created such a bigpany from ground zero. I cant believe the rumors outside. This time I got the opportunity to see clearly who was on his back. Charles, sometimes I dont understand very well. Although the guy is not getting along with your family, he hasnt done anything to you. And the guy is not a good target to piss off. I heard he buried all those who had offended him Why are you always against him? Uncle Louis, you talked too much. Arianna suddenly wanted to escape from eavesdropping on them. But before she left, she still heard the following part. The mans wife and daughter have settled down. This is already over. I just didnt expect thedy to be scared. Boss Lee really wants to apologize to you. Boss Lee has raised a bunch of morons. I wanted them to protect her from being scared. I didnt expect that they did this thing so professionally. Boss Lee had nned to bring him down anyway. And this dead man had contacted the guy twice. Boss Lee thought that he could put this thing on the guys head to give him some hard time, and you would be d hearing that. It turned out he is also a moron. Chapter 97: A Birthday Gift -1 Arianna heard the conversation and could not think. She held her breath, took off her slippers, and gently walked back inside her room barefooted. Then she closed the door slowly and silently and then crawled back to the bed. She fell asleep that night, but she didnt sleep very well. When she saw Charles, she was surprised that she could be as calm as usual, as if the conversation she had heardst night was just another dream. Charles touched her eyes and smiled, You sleep so much, and you still look sleepy. She also smiled, This is the popr makeup of this year. She had been a bad actress for all these years. Now, for the first time in her life, she felt she had be an Oscar-winning actress. When she came back to her house, she simply separated herself from the outside world. She didnt go online or read the newspaper, and she even gave up going to the gym. Its just that the world was so small, and her life was like a soap opera. She could not hide from the plots that had be ssic forms. One day when she was driving, it was not smooth all the way. Each time she came to an intersection, she was caught at the red light. One of the red lights stayed for a long time, and finally, the green light was on. The car owner in front of her might be a new driver. He did not start his car for a long time. She had to wait before the new driver came back to earth, but the red light came back before him.All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org. On that day, she actually had a little urgent matter. She was very annoyed at the situation. She saw an empty space next to her, so she drove the car to thatne. Another car slowly moving forward in thatne sounded the car horn at her from behind angrily. She was embarrassed but also very amused. She looked back at the car and the angry face of that driver. When she turned her head, she found the license te of the car on the leftne behind her was familiar. She looked up and saw the driver was Ryan, who was looking straight ahead and staring at the traffic lights. She saw Travis Cooper before she turned her head. Travis was seated in the co-driver seat, an extremely rare case for him. At this time, it was already winter. The temperature was close to zero, and the wind was very strong. The daylight was bleak. But Travis wore a pair of dark-colored sses, and he left the car window wide open, his fingers holding a cigarette. His expression and movement looked very leisurely, with no sign of a man in trouble at all. Arianna quickly turned her head back. Luckily, the sunshade film on her car window was very dark. They could not see her inside the car from the side window. When the car behind her rang another horn to her, she found it was green light ahead now. She slowly started the car, and Traviss car in the leftne behind was overtaking her. She quickly lowered her head and pretended to be looking at the shift gear. But at the moment Traviss car passed by her car, Travis turned and took a look at her. When she had to look up to see the road, Traviss car was already far away. **** After receiving the gift from Susan, Arianna would like to anonymously remind Charles to watch out for himself so as not to leave anything vulnerable, but she gave up in the end. Arianna always pitied movie characters who made a small mistake and fell. When Arianna received the express package with no senders information, she asked someone to check it carefully. Inside the package was just a chic music yer with a colored metal case, an orange body, and a thin metal chain with a leaf-shaped metal buckle on its end, which would make a delicate ornament hanging on the body. A piece of paper was attached to the courier with two words Happy Birthday. Arianna was indeed two days away from her birthday now. She saw the handwriting and knew the gift wasnt from Charles. And she guessed it could be from Susan, and something like Travis and Susans sex video or anything else that could sting Ariannas eyes could be inside. Arianna was somehow guilty when she put it that way. Susan was a freak sometimes, but it never really hurt her. And because the gift came without a signature, Arianna could not call Susan to confirm. After unpacking the gift, however, there wasnt anything like what Arianna guessed. Inside the package, it was a short recording, its fidelity not high, but enough to identify the content. The audio was a conversation between Charles and Susan. The background was a piece of vague music, which seemed to be in a bar. The music was very coherent, proving that the conversation was not cut. Susan spoke first, I didnt expect you to dwell on the rtionship. Charles replied, Ill take it as apliment. I really wonder in what way she is good? I want to ask you about your husband too. Susan sneered, So, you finally admit your motivation to chase Arianna just because of Travis? Susan, I think you know me better than that after all these years. Travis is not a problem for me, not asrge as the other half of my life. Of course, if my rtionship with Arianna would make him upset, Id be very pleased. Its unbelievable you have be so generous. Back in the old days, you wouldnt even allow anyone to touch your textbook. People change. You almost scratched the face of the girl who took away your boyfriend back in the old days, remember? And now you help your husband to conceal his former romantic stories. Ah, I almost forgot we had been together once. Travis doesnt care about this story about his wife, so I dont care about his former rtionship with my girlfriend. Im just no less than you guys. Charles, your skills to depreciate are getting uglier, just like your gesture of doing things. You are still carrying on your double standard. Travis is beautiful in your eyes, even if he is a criminal, regardless of how he disintegrated someone elses legitimate business or forced a good girl to be a sex ve to him. I really cant appreciate your husbands good gesture. Chapter 98: A Birthday Gift -2 No, he is way out of your league. Travis did many bad things, but he was upright and honest. He was not born in a wealthy family, thats why he is not as sinister and hypocritical as you are. Youe to me to ask for something from me today, right? At least it would be best if you started bargaining now. So, why dont you lower your attitude and start talking? You are an adult, right? Oh, thank you for the reminder. Im not bargaining anything with you. Im here today just to remind you, y nice, and we will all be good. Charles smiled, Are you threatening me on what? If you find evidence to your benefit, just do it. Ah, I forgot you always let errand boys do the dirty work and take the me. I really cannot threaten you. Are you arguing for Travis? He could have used the same tricks as mine. But if he would rather lose and maintain his integrity, I wont refuse that. The world will always remember the winner, no? I learned this sentence from you. Their dialogue went on, and Arianna generally understood what the conversation was about. ording to Susan, Charles and Travis knew each other long ago. Susan wanted Arianna to know Travis never harmed Charles, but Charles began regarding Travis as his enemy when he was a teenager, and he even used his familys power to suppress Travis, which suggested that Charles was a narrow-minded and sinister person full of lies. This time, Charles nned to frame Travis. Susan added, Dont use your family to cover you up. Travis had a good rtionship with the person who you defeated, but he never really harmed you. After all, you just cannot stand that there is someone better than you all along.All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org. Charles sneered, So, Travis is always the angel in your mind. Arianna was bored by their conversation because she was not interested in some old personal shes between others. Then Charles continued, Hey, Susan, in fact, we are always the same kind of people. You depreciated yourself when you did it to me. I am certainly not the same type as you. You are a hypocrite, and I am just a small viin. I never denied what I did, and I never pretended. But you really need to hold your horse now before everything goes ugly. Dont say I didnt warn you. Speaking of Chester Luke, I know well who cajoled Chester to extort Arianna and who deliberately misled Boss Lee. Do you think you are the only one innocent and clean here? You should hold your horse first. Wow, you know everything. Susans tone was exaggerated. I just cant guess your motives. Did you do those things to let the girl be with Travis forever? But why did you marry him? And if you did that only because you hated her, you should not have endured her until now. Or have you been waiting to watch the show? To see what Travis would do and what I would do? It turns out you are the one who knows me best after all these years. Susan, dont y in front of me. I admit that I really wanted to use Arianna to contain Travis, in which I seeded, but I really want to marry her. I suggest you change your target if you want to find a mistress for your husband. You dont know Arianna well. She doesnt care about a lot of things. And Travis will not appreciate what youve done. He said, Im d to admit defeat to me yesterday. So, save your words to yourself. I think you had been longing for the position of Travis Coopers wife for many years, right? Just when Arianna wanted to delete this audio file on theputer, Traviss voice appeared and scared her all of a sudden from another file. The other audio file was Traviss telephone recording made by Susan, and only Traviss voice was present. Charles, you know well Ive been avoiding conflicts with you all these years. You helped my mom and me before, which I appreciated. But you should not press on with this advantage. I admit I owe the girl a lot, but our rtionship before has nothing to do with you because it came before you showed up. If you really want to marry her, dont use this excuse to treat her badly. Yes,st time I took a step back because I dont want to give you a reason to ill-treat the girl. I will offer you your favorite piece ofnd, and you are wee to destroy any project of mypany. And the benefits you got by doing such things shall be my gift for your wedding. I dont want to fight with you. I never wanted to, and I never will. You are right that I am truly sorry. I would not have given up on her if she had given me the slightest chance. But now that Im married, there is no turning back. So, you dont need to guard against her or me. I find no fun ying with you. What do you want exactly? If you want a duel, I can meet your wish, and we can solve it once and for all. But dont use Arianna as a chip. You will get nothing if she getspletely desperate toward men. Karma is a bitch. I can feel it now. You should start feeling it too. Arianna dropped the headset and thought for a while. She pried open the audio yer with a tool, pulled out the circuit board, and destroyed it from a structural level. Then she tossed the audio yer case into the drawer and continued her office work. Not being able to judge Susans intention, Arianna decided she would simply ignore the gift. However, in the evening, after Arianna had returned home, Susan sent a multimedia message to Ariannas phone with her strangers number saying, Happy Birthday. After a few seconds, Arianna dialed the number, and it was Susan who picked up the phone, her answering tone light and elegant like usual saying. Do you like the little gift from me? Thank you. Ariannas tone was stiff. Hey, your reaction is really strange. You are so special. No wonder they both like you. Arianna gnashed her teeth and said, Susan, Mrs. Cooper I never ndered your husband in front of you. And why did you do that to my fianc Arianna stopped talking when she realized her wording was not urate. Chapter 99: You Are Cute Susan smiled and asked, nder, huh? Dont you think someones attitude is so ugly too? If what you heard is the truth. Arianna shut up. Did I just hear some bubble breaking? Susan continued. The telephone recording without the permission of the other party cannot be used as evidence in the court. Susanughed out loud on the phone, You are so cute! Its really bad. I begin to like you very much now. Arianna hung up. After that night in the Hot Spring Manor, Arianna wasnt surprised to hear the conversation from Susans audio yer. Now Arianna only felt like some critic (Susan) was exining a movie she had just watched. Arianna was prepared for anything now. In business or political circles, the winner always takes all. Arianna could somehow understand Charles. Arianna once hated Travis so much that she regarded him as the incarnation of the devil. But in another persons eyes, Travis might seem kind enough to her. As for Chesters death Arianna believed it was Susan who deliberately misled Chester She believed what Charles said. And when Susan said she was willing to apply a double standard, Arianna thought it was Susans freedom. Later that night, when Charles called, Arianna chatted with him like usual on the phone, as if nothing had happened.N?velDrama.Org ? content. Still, Arianna felt this elegant and polite Charles was covered in fog from then on. Life could be like a drama with its own set of forms. The only thing that surprised Arianna was that Charles and Travis had known each other all along. Once when Arianna helped clean the room for Charles, she found a photo of Travis hidden in a book. That Travis was in his teenage years. And there was a print of something sharp on the photo, which suggested Charless hatred toward Travis was real. The drama reached a breakpoint when Arianna and Charles met a fortune teller in a park a few dayster. The old, male fortune teller said a few things about them, such as Arianna caught some sickness in the spring that year, and such as Charles was born in a remote location in the country. And he hit the jackpot. Then the fortune-teller told Arianna to watch out for someone close to her and that someone, who was narrowed-minded and insidious, was by no means good to her. Charles could hear the content standing a few meters away from them. Arianna stopped the fortune teller and paid the bill for his service. The old man reached out and dragged her sleeve and said, Hey girl, Im just about to cover the vital things in your life. Charles went over and hit the old man with his elbow. The old man took a huge step back and almost lost his bnce. When the old man normally stood again, Charles lowered his voice and whispered to him, How much money did the foolish woman pay you? I will pay you three times. Now get the hell away from my face. This incident somehow killed their mood for outdoor sightseeing. They went out in good weather and went back in small snow. The sky was dark, cars were moving slowly, and they could not open the cab window because the wind outside was chilly and strong. They were mute for a long time. In the car, there was only the sound of the air conditioner and the intermittent radio sound. Both of them felt depressed. After a long while, Arianna thought she should lighten the atmosphere a little bit. And she said, Hey, how do you know Susan instigated that person? Are you good at fortune-telling too? Arianna regretted saying that, but it was toote. None of them mentioned Susan previously. Charles was silent for a while. Then he asked, How do you know it was Susan? Charles continued to drive without saying anything, and the air inside the car was more boring than before. After a while, Charles finally broke the silence. He said slowly, Arianna, you dont have to pretend anything. Susan must havee to you, right? I offended her previously. ording to her personality, she would not let it go easily. Arianna lowered her head. Charles continued, Actually, I have been waiting, waiting for you to ask me, just like you ran to question Travis. That day, if I guessed it right, you went to Travis to ask him if he was rted to Chesters death, right? Arianna looked up outside the car window, not knowing what to say to him. Charles continued, You are not a good actor because you always y yourself. You pretend nothing has happened, but your eyes have betrayed you. In fact, I would prefer you to ask me so that I could have an opportunity to defend myself, but you didnt. You are only hiding it in your heart. Now I want to know, why are you so tolerant of me? Do you believe me so much that you dont care what Ive done? Arianna took a deep breath and made up her mind. She asked, Okay, let me ask. Did you tell someone to kill Chester in a traffic ident? I cant say that it has nothing to do with me, but I didnt intend to let him die. Did you really have a rtionship with Susan? We used each other, and then we broke up. There have been a lot of troubles with Transcendent Jewels. Did you make it happen behind the scenes? I thought that it was just a little conflict betweenmercialpetition and administrative intervention. Well, thest question. Are you trying to interfere with his businesspetition for your family, for your own interests, or for me? Which kind do you want? Charles asked coldly. Charles had never spoken to her in that tone before, although Arianna had known this tone well by then. Ariannas eloquence was quickly inspired. Arianna said calmly, I cant control your intention. If you do it for your family, I will only feel odd because Traviss business could not shake your family; if for yourself, I wish you could do it in a nicer and fairer manner; if for me, my debts to him had long been settled, long before you entered my life. He doesnt owe me anything. You dont need to do that for me. But if you cannot ept that I had a rtionship with him, I will feel sorry for both of us. Ariannas speech was long, and her attitude was firm. After a long while, Charles said with a low voice, So, Stockholm Syndrome is not just a medical concept. Then both of them stopped talking. Chapter 100: Are You Trying To Let Us Break Up? Their car drove into the downtown area. When the red traffic light was on, Charles stopped the car and stared at the traffic light. Arianna untied the seat belt, opened the door, and left the car without making a sound. Charles called her, and she did not look back. At this time, it was the busiest time the traffic. A traffic police officer pointed his middle finger at her. Arianna smiled at him and turned, and walked into the underground passage. Arianna didnt expect her first, and maybe thest break-up with Charles was because of Travis. She didnt want to recall the medical term that provoked her. She just wandered in the underground mall for a long time. Arianna did not expect Charles toe to find her, and even if he did, he would fail because of the bad traffic jam. Arianna bought a few knock-off items that wouldnt work at all. She bought a few exposed and morous clothes that she wouldnt wear and put them in a very exaggeratedrge bag. When she hung the bag on her back, she took a look in the mirror. She looked like a snail, and that bag looked like her shell. Then Arianna returned to themercial street on the ground and found the new barbershop that had recently advertised a lot. Arianna did not wear long hair anymore since she cut her hair short. Unexpectedly when the hair work was being carried out, Arianna found Susan sitting on the chair next to her. And Susan said to the barber, I want my hairstyle the same as thisdy. The young barbers eyes were wide open. Ariannas hair was a mess at this time, there was no way to see her hairstyle. And their faces had entirely different shapes. At the barbers strong advice, Susan finally changed her demand and asked only to fix her hair slightly. On their opposite was arge mirror hung on the entire wall. They could see each other in the mirror. Susan smiled and said gratefully, We are really connected somehow. Now, we have met again. Arianna tried to squeeze a smile at Susan and said, Yeah, what a coincidence. Susan finished her haircut quicker, and she waited for Arianna to finish. When they were all done, Susan grabbed Arianna, and they left and headed for a restaurant. In a quiet box, Arianna tried to be as calm as possible. Do you think that I am like a ghost? Susan smiled veryfortably. What do you want from me? Please just let me go, okay?All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org. Susan smiled, I like to see people suffer. Now, do you know why? Arianna said helplessly, I admit that you have a reason to hate me. But dont you think that I am innocent? If you have a grudge against Charles, you should go find him to settle it; if you have a misunderstanding with your husband, you should talk to him. I have no way to solve any problem for you. What do you want from me? Susan giggled, Oh, of course, you are innocent. You are just the current fiance of my former boyfriend and my husbands former lover and still the object for his spiritual derailment. Arianna shut up. She could not think of anything to say. Susan sighed, You are really an innocent child. It would help if you refuted me by saying I am the former girlfriend of your fianc and the current wife of your former lover. And that makes us twins. Arianna couldnt help but raise her voice and say, I wasnt a lover of your husband! Susanughed out loud with a pale face. Arianna could not really get angry because she knew Susan was a patient. A waiter came and delivered two cups of soup to them. Arianna tested the temperature and drank it. Susan said with the expression of a drama queen, You are not afraid that I couldve put poison in it? If you wanted to, why do you wait till now? Its hard to say. I dont like it when others live more happily than I do. You used to be so poor that I would not gain any sense of aplishment to hurt you. But now, you look proud and poised. You should watch out now. Susan took a sip of the soup and then sighed, Although the same ingredients and practices, this soup is no longer the good old one. Susan continued to exin, Do you remember we were herest time when I drank the soup? The female owner was a great soup maker, but no more. Arianna suddenly realized she was abducted to this ce by Susans menst time. Seeing Susans face revealing a trace of sadness, Arianna habitually asked, What happened to the shop owner? She passed awayst month from cancer. That day, it was herst time cooking by herself. Hey, some opportunities just dont knock twice. Ariannas anger turned into sympathy. She said softly to Susan, I shouldve thanked you. You helped me a lot. You are a good person. You deserve a nice life. Susan asked, Good person? Are you being sarcastic? The greatest pleasure in my life is to do bad things. I always tell wives when I know their husbands got a new lover, and I always warn girls to stay away from men who are good with lies. See? I always make things harder for people. And I always bite those who provoke me. Arianna had difficultymunicating with Susan, so she stood up and said, Thank you for the soup and story. If you excuse me, I still have something to do. Susan smiled, A beautiful young woman like you walking alone outside at thiste time could be dangerous. Is your fiancing to pick you up? Oh, you were originally together, but why did you leave him alone? Arianna said, Are you trying to let us break up? So, what even if we break up? Both he and I could just live on alone. Susan smirked, Just because Charles is handsome and from a wealthy family, you can ignore the fact that he could even use you like a chip? Arianna hadnt officially broken up with Charles, so she had to say, A different person looking from a different perspective can have a totally different opinion. He is good to me. And all I ask is someone who can offer me a stable future. Everyone has the right to choose their lifestyle, right? Chapter 101: You Are A Fool Susan smirked again, Wow, if you only asked something that simple, why didnt you ept Travis? He can even do better ording to your demand. Dont you think he is way better than Charles in every aspect except family background? He is more handsome, richer, honest, and has a style of doing things. And you can even enjoy a better world with Travis because he has few family members. I think you have your double standard too. Arianna almost copsed. Susan was saying those words as the wife of Travis Cooper. Arianna had to say, I dont understand you at all. He might be a good person, but he indirectly killed my parents and grandfather. He destroyed my whole world. And nothing would change this fact. I can forgive him and thank him for what he did for me, but I can never forget he is the one who caused all my misfortune. I just want peace of mind, and thats what Charles can offer me. With Travis, I will always think of my dead family members and my youth that was destroyed by him too. I cant do that to myself. Hearing that, Susan no longer put on a mocking face. She just murmured, You are a fool. If you know what Ive been through, you will understand nothing really matters in this world. Arianna really had a headache digesting Susans words. She turned around and left quickly.Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g! It was dusk time. Arianna sat in the middle of the city square to watch the sunset. The citys air quality had been poor, the sky gray and the sun like a duck egg yolk that was not fresh. Arianna recalled the dusks she spent with her grandpa. Those sunsets were really splendid. In order not to let tears fall from her face, Arianna looked up into the sky. There was a kite in the orange-colored sky, stumbling like an infant, trying hard not to be grounded. When her neck and eyes were sore, Arianna resumed looking forward and saw Charles standing in front of her, with a look as mild and indifferent as to when he first met her. Charles said, No matter what you think about the things I have done, I can only say that it is my way. Even if you are disappointed, I cant change whats been done. But I hope you understand that I like you, and I fall in love with you, which is absolutely true. Arianna stared at Charles. Charles added, I admit that I am jealous of that guy, especially when I knew you had been with him. But I know it has nothing to do with you. You are always the best and special to me. Please believe me. Arianna lowered her head. The sky did not go dark entirely, but there was no more shadow on the ground. Then she held his hand softly and was tightly held by him. She said, I believe you. It was the end of the first and almost thest dispute between them. Because a lot of things were clear now, they had to be more careful getting along with each other. Charles treated her more patiently and carefully, and she responded with gentle obedience. From the looks, they would absolutely make a perfect couple. Sometimes Arianna would still feel uneasy. She would suddenly wake up in the middle of the night and be sleepless, wondering if she really got her ideal life with the ideal man? The answer to the question was still a mess to her. In the chaotic thoughts, Arianna understood one thing: she just wished to live a normal life like a normal person, to get married, to miss someone during the daytime and be apanied at night, then she would like to have a child, and she wouldpensate all her regrets by giving all she could to her child. Charles could give her such a life. He was powerful and resourceful enough to shelter her and her child. He was handsome and smart, which meant their child would not be ugly and stupid. His family background would ensure their child would not be bullied in the future. Whats more, he seemed to be in love with her so deeply. Arianna actually had no courage and strength to find another man as good as Charles. She was not young enough now. After hearing Ariannas innermost statement that day, Susan promised she would not harass Arianna again. And Susan disappeared from Ariannas life. Charles seemed to have stopped his move against Transcendent Jewels. Close to year-end, Arianna read the financial news and knew Travis had a good performance with his business. Charless life was smooth too. He set the wedding date with her and was promoted in his work. Life was so peaceful, like from her perfect image. Charless promotion brought choices at the same time. He got the opportunity to be transferred to a coastal city in the state to be in charge of arge project invested by the government. With this opportunity, Charless career became even smoother and brighter. Charles hesitated for Arianna, and he asked if she would be willing to apany him to that coastal city. Arianna also hesitated for a long time. When her grandfather passed away, and she became the only member of her family, she still never thought about leaving the city where she was born. She was familiar with the old streets and old houses here, onto which she had left footprints in the different phases of her youth. Although the city had been totally renovated, she still felt she belonged to thisnd when she went to the park with only a corner that was still familiar to her. She was afraid that she would return to this city alone after leaving for many years. And she could no longer find anything familiar here. In that scenario, she wouldve lost everything. After thinking for an hour, Arianna said to Charles, Im going with you. After she said that, she felt she truly found peace. She would no longer need to worry about anything because she was no longer lonely. And she finally truly epted her choice. Charles went to the coastal city first to arrange things. He would frequently travel between two cities for about three months. And when the spring came next year, Arianna would go to the coastal city to meet him. And they would get married first. Thest time Arianna met Susan was in a charity kindergarten where she had volunteered for a while. The children there were mostly orphans funded by the government. They had winter and summer vacations as well. Every Christmas, these children only asked for more candies. Arianna would visit these children on every major holiday and bring beautiful picture books, stationery, and some toys to them. The faces of these children always changed because some were adopted, some went away for sickness, and there would always be younger children to join the kindergarten. Chapter 102: What A Coincidence Arianna didnt expect she would meet Susan here, the one who imed to be a viin herself. Susan gave these children new clothes and new toys. And the dean said Susan donated a lot of money to the kindergarten. Moreover, Susan was having a good time with the children. Although it was just two months after theirst meeting, Arianna smiled at Susan with kindness. Susan was looking somewhat awkward being caught doing the good things. After she sent away thest child who was prancing around her, Susan smiled at Arianna and said, You know, everything has two sides. If they never touch new clothes and new books, they wont feel abnormal. But once they have the experience with these materials and no one gives them anymore, they will have to wear old clothes and read old books. Resentment can grow in their hearts once they have the desire. So, do you really think I was ying nice? With desirees motivation. They can also study hard to be useful to themunity to get what they desire. Arianna could only argue like that. These children are far backwardpared to average children. They will have to work ten times harder to get something easily essible to normal children. The gravity of the topic ended their discussion. When the first flower opened in the spring the next year, Arianna went to the cemetery that contained all of her rtives. A few days ago, Charles came back and apanied her to this cemetery. Now Arianna thought she shoulde alone and say goodbye to them alone. The following week she went there early. When she got into the cemetery, she found she had nothing to say. Then she went to the parking lot to get her car. At the time, she saw a motorcade moving on the cemetery road, all expensive and extravagant cars. Thest car in the motorcade stopped next to Arianna. The cab window was rolled down. Arianna nced into the cab and recognized it was the boy who kidnapped her and was pped by Susan. His eyes seemed to be a little swollen. When the car stopped, he raised his hand and wiped his tears. Arianna was stunned. Not knowing why Arianna walked back to the management office and asked the head of the cemetery if anyone was to be buried today. The cemetery office head said, Why would a woman with such a good personality catch that disease? Just two weeks ago, she was looking so healthy. She came with her husband to pick her tomb location. And she required her tombstone to be surrounded by old folks, children, teachers, and doctors. She said this neighborhood would surely be cheerful. I thought she was just joking at that time. This is her name, Susan. Arianna bought flowers, crossed the jungle-like tombstones, and found Susans tomb. Next to her tomb was the tombstone of Susans parents, who passed away in their 50s, the inscription on which was signed by Susan and Travis. And Susans tombstone was only signed by Travis. The white flowers in front of Susans tombstone were piled up too full. Arianna put the bouquet in her hand in front of Susans parents tombstone. Arianna respectfully took a few bows in front of Susans tombstone. Then she said, Now I understand why I muste here today. You are right. We are somehow connected. I never truly admit that I always admire your style of living, Susan. You saw through everything in the world, and you acted ording to your will. You are so cool even when you are leaving the world. I always wanted to be someone like you, but I think I can never do it. Then Arianna drove slowly out of the cemetery. When she crossed the small hotel on the cemetery road, where she had lived for some time, she drove back and pulled over in front of the hotel. She wanted to check out the kinddy boss of the hotel. Thedy boss was surprised to see Arianna, but she didnt smile because she saw Arianna was dressed in ck. After greeting thedy boss of the hotel, Arianna went to the dining room she was once so familiar with. It was a bright dining room. There was no building outside therge window but a wheat field. And the field had already turned green. The shrubs ced at the window also caught a touch of spring green. The shyness in this rural site was much bluer than downtown. Then Arianna saw Travis, who was sitting at a table by the window, flipping a thick magazine on the table. Arianna was so familiar with the scene as if she had time-traveled back to ten years ago. She was young and innocent back then. And he was young too, his eyes still clear even though he had been through a lot at a young age. She was wearing a white princess-style dress, and he was wearing a white short-sleeved shirt. But now, they were both dressed in ck.All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org. It was a hot summer day ten years ago. And today was a chilly early spring day. In fact, just one year ago, they also met in this hotel in a simr manner. That was a rainy day. He wore ck and stood in front of the window. Arianna didnt deliberately try to remember, but she remembered everything. When she stood there and hesitated, Travis looked up at her. He was a little thinner, maybe because he didnt wear ck clothes often, or maybe he went through a hard time taking care of Susan. He was still clean and handsome, his face calm and not sad. They watched each other for a while. Arianna thought she woulde hereter, so she should break the silence. But she only managed to say, What a coincidence. Coincidence indeed. She didnt see any vehicle outside the restaurant or anybody else around. Or, she didnt pay attention to what was around her. Otherwise, she would not havee in. Travis exined, I felt a little motion sick, so I just slept upstairs for a while. Arianna nodded and said, I saw Im sorry. Travis lowered his eyes and paused for a moment, I saw your car, so I remembered this hotel. I just didnt expect you toe here too. The feeling was reciprocal. Travis pointed to the opposite side of him, Why dont you take a seat here? Arianna sat down. After a long silence, Arianna took a deep breath and said, Im sorry for using you of Chesters death. I was wrong. Travis said awkwardly, Chester? Oh Okay, you are wee. Perhaps he had forgotten who Chester was. Arianna stood up and wanted to leave. Although she was unintentional, such a meeting was not good for her. Take care. She said to Travis. Travis suddenly asked, If, after a few decades, we meet again by chance just like this time, will you still recognize me? Arianna stood for a long time and then replied, I dont know. Maybe I will. Chapter 103: Go, Say Goodbye When Arianna went out, she saw Ryan and his car parked next to a tree a few meters away. He had been waiting there. He whispered, Miss Jenkins. Arianna took a bow at him, turned, and left. After returning home, Arianna received a call from Charles from another city. He asked if she had a good rest at home on the weekend because she caught a coldst time he checked when he came back. Arianna simply exined that she went out for a trip but did not tell him that she went to the cemetery again. Last week, Charles had apanied her to the cemetery once. She didnt want any more misunderstanding. Charles said, I miss you very much. Pleasee over here for a few days when the weather gets warmer. Arianna vaguely agreed and asked him to take care. She had wanted to say, I miss you too, but somehow, she could not speak it out. Arianna moved on with her life step by step as the marriage registration date appointed with Charles was getting near. Charles was well settled and ready for her toe over. Arianna packed her belongings. She discarded some and took some and asked someone to take care of the rest for her regrly. Time and tide wait for no one. If nothing went wrong, her future would have been settled in this way. Charles returned too to pick her up as they agreed to leave for the other city. Just a few days before she was about to leave, she actually received a call from Travis. She thought that they would no longer be in contact during the rest of their lifetime. Traviss voice sounded from very far away. He said he was abroad. I will return to the state in a few days. Can I see you when Im back? Arianna said, I am leaving soon. I know. Thats why I want to see you. We really have nothing to say. I have a very important thing I am not sure yet. Dont you think this is inappropriate? Arianna hung up. However, a few dayster, Travis personally called her again, and he asked, When are you avable? In Ariannas impression, Travis was never so persistent. I am leaving the day after tomorrow. Can you tell me on the phone? I will take a flight at 10 oclock tomorrow to go to country A. I will leave for a long time this time. Maybe I wille back in a few years. What about yourpany? Thepanys focus has been transferred to foreign countries long before. Before I leave, I hope to say goodbye to you in person. Travis, you and I actually dont need to say goodbye. If you dont want to meet me alone, then Ill wait for you at the airports 9th hall at 8 pm tomorrow. You wont be embarrassed by the crowd. Im not going. I am waiting for you there. Im not going. Ill be waiting for you, Travis said and then hung up. His words were like casting a stone in theke for Arianna. Arianna said to herself that she would not go and would not let him mess up her life again. However, she was absent-minded, doing things for a whole day that day. When she and Charles went to the supermarket, she bought something useless and totally forgot she had nned to buy some lithium batteries. Then a phone rang in the crowd, and she was scared like hell as if a bomb was set off. Charles smiled and asked her, Anything you want to share with me, honey? No, maybe I didnt sleep wellst night because I stayed up toote watching TV. Arianna was a bad liar. When Charles asked her again if she had any arrangements, she said, An old friend is going abroad for a few years tonight. I think maybe I should go and say farewell. Charles said, Therell be a firework show in the Eastern District Park tonight. Have you forgotten? Oh, lets go see the fireworks. Not a good friend for many years anymore? Just an acquaintance for many years. I am not going. Arianna said so and tried to believe she was being honest. After they had dinner, they went to see the fireworks as nned. During dinner time, she inexplicably added ketchup to her coffee. The car did not reach its destination for a long time. In her impression, the Eastern District Park should not be so far. You are on the wrong road, Charles. No mistake, this is the way to the airport. Ariannas face turned a little ugly, and she said, I said Im not going. Lets go see the fireworks. Charles stepped on the throttle a little harder and said, Go, say goodbye. Or check where youve left your heart. I never lost my heart! Arianna raised her voice. Charles continued to drive forward. Charles, lets go back. She used the tone of pleading. One hour ago, my driving direction was wrong. You havent discovered it until now. Are you really not going? They arrived at the airport anyway. Charles untied her seat belt, got off the car and opened the door for her, and then pulled her out of the car. After saying this, Charles quickly drove away. Arianna could only walk into the airport hall now. Hall 9 was a VIP sector. Arianna told at the counter that she was looking for someone. The crew checked her certificates and let her pass. She got to the location at 8:30 pm, and she saw no one in Hall 9. She sat down on the couch and watched the TV screen. It was a talent show on the screen. Some defeated yers were leaving, hugging and crying with others. Arianna wanted to leave the hall, but her feet were extremely heavy, her body soft and sweaty. She thought maybe she was sick, and she should leave after taking a rest.All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org. While waiting, she even used her mobile phone to vote for the yers on the talent show. She hated such a TV program, but the tension between the yers and the fans effectively alleviated her nervousness. Passengers were moving in and out of the main lobby. She was waiting alone in Hall 9, only a door away from them. The time soon reached 9:45 pm. She started to think Travis would note because he would not catch up with his flight at this time. Chapter 104: He Died By Car Accident She was deceived by him again, so ridiculously. Arianna was wondering if Travis wasughing at this time. She also thought he didnt care about anything at all, whether she came or not. Just like a long time ago, he got what he wanted. And he was indifferent about whether she was happy or hurt. Now that she had been waiting till now, she could wait for a few more minutes. At least she fulfilled his request, even if she did not volunteer. Arianna turned on the phones timer function and decided to give another 15 minutes for this meeting, watching the numbers beating second by second. She wished the ending rm of the countdown would sound earlier so she would leave here immediately, and then she would really let go. However, before she heard the rm, a person knocked at the door of Hall 9 and came in when it was just two minutes away from 10 pm. She looked up and saw it was Ryan Cooper, who was looking more expressionless than ever. Mr. Cooper cannote. Sorry. It doesnt matter, I know it. It turned out the man at least sent someone to inform her. Ryan took a step forward and took an envelope out of his pocket, and said, Mr. Cooper wanted me to deliver this to you. Arianna took a step back, but the envelope stillnded in her hands. Her name was written on the envelope in a unique font that she was familiar with. She ripped open the seal and found there was only a key inside. She remembered the key was the one in her safe box. She put all the valuables Travis gave her over the years into the safe box and returned it to him. Ariannas brain was ck for a few seconds. Then she walked over to Ryan and put the key back into his pocket. She smashed the envelope and said, Thank him. But its unnecessary. And she was about to leave. However, Ryan grabbed her hand rudely for the first time in her memory, and he stuffed the key back into her hands and said, Mr. Cooper wanted you to have it. If you insist on throwing it away, please do it yourself. Then Ryan took off. After a few seconds, Arianna ran out of the airport hall and caught up with Ryan in the parking lot. She was a little out of breath, almost sprained her ankle. Arianna yelled, Ryan! Ryan didnt stop. She shouted again, Wait for a second, Ryan! Then she ran faster and blocked Ryans way. Ryan immediately turned his face away. Arianna knew she had finally guessed it. She pulled Ryans body back in disregard of courtesy, and she saw that he had already burst into tears. Where is he? Take me to see him. Arianna whispered. Arianna was taken to the hospital by Ryan, only to see a cold body lying in bed, wrapped in white cloth from top to toe. She stood there dumbly, listening to Ryan whispering intermittently, A very serious car ident, the whole car rushed down the cliff. Mr. Cooper left in the evening yesterday in a hurry. He only gave me the envelope. And he told me to give it to you if he could note back on time. I didnt expect him to drive back by himself. He didnt like to drive. He rarely drove, and his skills were bad. And that mountain road is very dangerous.All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org. Arianna wanted to open the white cloth to confirm but was stopped by Ryan and the doctor. Miss Jenkins, please dont. Mr. Cooper wont like you to see his look now. Its useless, Miss Jenkins. Its better to leave a good impression of him. The doctor uttered. If he ispletely unrecognizable, Arianna tried hard to say the words, How can you confirm that it is him? There are all his documents in the car. Moreover, Mr. Cooper has a very rare blood type. And the little toe of his right foot has a little congenital micro-curve, very distinct from normal people. And all these conditions match this body. Ryan whimpered. Arianna didnt know what was special about Traviss right little toe because she never noticed. She felt like she was in a dream, and she wanted to wake up badly. Ryan added, Here it is. They found this. It was tightly held in Mr. Coopers hand when they found him. Arianna took a look at Ryans palm, and her heart was broken, hard. It was the lucky buckle with the pattern which was most familiar to her. She got another lucky buckle, exactly like this one. She always suspected that Travis recognized her identity in their first meeting because of this lucky buckle she was wearing. Her uncle had one in his possession too, but it was lostter. He must have given it to the only woman he loved in his lifetime, who was Traviss mother. Arianna just never imagined that Travis would keep it. Even though it was his mothers relic, it came from his enemys family. Her heart and brain were pounding and aching. Countless thoughts and memories flooded her mind. Probably Ryan didnt know the story behind the lucky buckle. He still insisted on exining, I have only seen this thing once. Its indeed one of Mr. Coopers belongings. Susan once said Mr. Coopers mother destroyed all her things except this item. This is the only relic of Mr. Coopers mother. Regardless of what Ryan and the doctor said, Arianna finally opened the white cloth. That face was not looking as bad as they described. It was even clean and peaceful. Although it was hard for Arianna to recognize Traviss face as a whole, she identified the shapes of his eyebrows, lips, and eyshes, no matter how unwilling she wouldve to admit what she was familiar with. In all those years with him, she would only take a good look at his face when he fell into a deep sleep. Arianna touched his face. That face of him, usually gaunt and thin, was now swollen. If the doctor didnt confirm that Travis had lost all vital signs, Arianna mightveughed out loud seeing his face. Then Arianna put her hand on his eyes, crouched down, and said softly in his ear, If there is an afterlife, I hope that all your regrets in this world will bepensated. After that, Arianna left the hospital calmly. Ryan chased her and asked, Where are you going? Ill call someone to send you. No need. I have an appointment with someone. Chapter 105: Are You Sick? Arianna called a taxi to the airport. She remembered the appointment with Charles. He should wait for her at the airport at half-past ten. She thought she should shed tears, but she didnt. She had made the most secr choice, and she thought there wouldnt be any more surprises in her life. She once really imagined the scene that, decadester, she met Travis in the bustling streets, their hair both white and their wrinkles many. They smiled at each other like a pair of old friends. And she would not admit that she would surely be able to recognize him. Such a scene would be real, just imagine now. When she arrived at the airport, it was almost midnight. She didnt expect Charles was really waiting for her there. He opened the window and was smoking. I amte, sorry, Arianna said. I thought you wont show up again. I never nned to go with him. I just went to say goodbye. Arianna muttered. Charles drove the car very fast, while Arianna patted her chest with one hand and held her forehead with another. She had been ufortable since she came out of the hospital. Are you sick? It may be a little motion sickness. Ill be fine soon. Charles slowed down and rolled down the cab window. A cold wind blew in, and Arianna choked when she was trying to take a deep breath. She felt like her internal organs would be spat out for a second. Charles stopped the car on the side of the road and handed her a tissue. Arianna said, Im fine, really. Just motion sickness. Then some sharp pain came into her throat, and her stomach was pounding. Arianna coughed for a while, opened the car door, and covered her mouth with the tissue. Charles took away the tissue in her hands and handed a clean tissue back to her while patting her back. His movement suddenly froze when he saw the used tissue was covered in blood. The new tissue in Ariannas hands was red, too. **** That night was spent in a mess. Charles drove Arianna to the hospital immediately. Charles was indeed a man of power. He called and sent for the cardiopulmonary director of the states No1. Hospital at two oclock in the morning. Blood test fluoroscopy all the way down, the doctor examined Ariannas throat, esophagus, and all major internal organs. She was really exhausted now. Even so, the doctor could not tell her sickness. Except for her bodys weak condition, all indicators were normal. In the end, the doctor could only give her a shot to let her fall asleep. Arianna woke up in the afternoon the next day. Charles was with her, his eyes looking like a panda.Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org. She didnt sleep well, as she dreamed of a lot of people and things. She gently pushed aside the water that Charles handed her and asked slowly, Is his death rted to you? That question buried their wedding. Charles was extremely disappointed that his generosity was only weed by her doubts and judgment. When he sent her to the airport, he used up all of his restraint and tolerance. He even thought he would have blessed them if she really took off with Travis. Actually, you have never trusted me, never even liked me. If my image is like that in your heart, why are you willing to marry me? Maybe you just want to find a man to help you forget him, just want to find someone else to make up for the rest of your life. If I really killed him, are you going to put me in jail or take blood revenge for him? But if you really want to do that, you should not have asked me in that way to alert me. You have always been a calm and smart woman, except when Travis is involved. I always thought I could invest and harvest in a rtionship, but I have lost my confidence now. I cant even beat the dead. Arianna didnt make any excuses for his allegations. She said, I should say sorry to you. And thank you for all you have done for me. You asked me to be your girlfriend, I agreed. And when you asked me to marry you, I agreed too. Obviously, thats not enough for you, but I cannot do more. But Charles, please understand that you voluntarily said you love me, which I didnt invite. Thats how their rtionship came to an end. Fortunately, they had been very low profile, so their break-up didnt make much noise. Arianna felt sorry for the man. Like she always believed, Charles treated her well. However, when her innermost feelings of her were dug out to such an extent, she could no longer be with him. Arianna did not pay attention to the follow-up investigation of Traviss ident. During that time, she did not even read newspapers or watch television. She did not want to see some news that she was trying to avoid and forget. When Ryan called to tell her that Traviss farewell ceremony was held, she was packing her bags and preparing to participate in the self-driving tour initiated by a local forum. It was a motorcade of dozens of cars nning to travel from north to south through thousands of kilometers. She hung up and tried to push some thoughts out of her mind. She would also suspect that if Traviss death was really an ident, then he mightve died because he wanted toe and meet her as scheduled. Traviss death was somehow rted to her, even though she did not want to meet him initially. Anyway, Arianna did not find her position to attend his farewell ceremony. In what kind of identity? His enemys granddaughter, his contract coteral, or just an acquaintance not even close to being a friend? She would have looked absurd showing up at that ceremony. Arianna wandered outside for a month before she returned home. She had already resigned when she nned to leave this city with Charles. Now the situation has changed. She didnt want to bemented on or go back to school. She had no ambition for her future. The so-called career was not as tempting as a bottle of perfume to her. She really didnt have to go to work anyway. With her family business sessfully transformed into a profitable one, her shares in thatpany from her grandpa, once deemed useless, had now be truly valuable. She had be one of the major shareholders with the right to speak in Sanchez Group. Chapter 106: The Huge Inheritance Those equity certificates were once regarded as waste paper by her. She would not care or sell them. Franco Sanchez had sold lots of his shares in order to save thepany, so he lost his control over thepany before he got the disease and died. Arianna had no energy to take care of thepany business. She had authorized someone on behalf of her. With her shares reevaluated, she could just stay at home to sleep, read or listen to music all day, and she would get her dividend payment on her bank ount. Whats more, after a few months, she received another equity gift from Traviss will. A considerable proportion of the equity, plus her own, was enough for her to take back control of thepany. Out of respect for the deceased, Arianna finally sat in his office after the repetitive invitations from the inheritancewyer. Arianna was not surprised that she was mentioned in Traviss will, but Travis was still too young to set up a will beforehand. The fat, chef-likewyer exined to Arianna, Mr. Cooper made a will many years ago and would make adjustments every year. He mentioned you in histest will. The reason why I contacted you sote is that Mr. Cooper said in the will that I should contact you in a reasonable period of time, so this gift would not affect your life, such as your marriage. As we know, you are now single, so its time for business. Arianna nced at the transfer agreement and decisively refused the gift. The fatwyer said, I understand your rejection because Mr. Coopers additional terms in this will are indeed very embarrassing. What? Arianna just paid a look at Traviss signature on the paperwork with that nce. When you ept this gift, you need to receive the supervision and management of a foundation. When you make a profit, you must donate 50% of the dividends to the foundation, and you need to invest a lot of energy and wealth in it. The funds of this foundation are only used for two kinds of people, bursaries for orphans and medical expenses for people with mental illness. Dealing with these two types of people is really not a happy thing. You are not short of money, so you can call this equity transfer from Mr. Cooper an entrusted obligation transfer rather than a gift of interest. Perhaps, he thinks you are the most suitable person. However, this is indeed a very hard job, especially for a youngdy like you. Arianna knew it was Traviss tactic, but her mind was shaken. She said, If I refuse, how should this equity be disposed of? ording to Mr. Coopers wishes, in that case, the equity will be transferred to the government with the same terms. But you know, it is not a good thing for thispany, because your grandfather created it from scratch. And, as a result, this foundation The fat, peacefulwyer managed to give Arianna a half-hour speech. Then, in the end, Arianna signed her name on the paper. Thiswyer surely worked for Travis Cooper, thats what she thought. Soon she knew that the foundation didnt need her to do anything at all. It came with abundant funds and perfect management, and she could not return the equity to anyone now. Although she invested all the proceeds of that share in the foundation, the real significance of Traviss legacy was that she now had absolute control and voice over thepany that once belonged to her family. Now everyone in thepany would have to listen to her. She was now officially thergest shareholder of Sanchez Group, thepany founded by her grandfather. She had an office in thepany now. And no one would dare to say anything if she hardly went into her office. However, she rarely interfered with anything, and she had not been subjected to any harm or frame. The general manager, Manager Jenkins, stood by her side and gave her utmost support. Manager Jenkins had helped her a lot when her grandpa passed away. With the same family name, Manager Jenkins was a good man, honest and upright, low-profile and diligent. He served Arianna like a student to her while doing the teachers work for her, patiently instructing thepanys way of doing business with her. Arianna seemed to have be some celebrity, and she also joined a few certain circles. She participated in many charitable activities, in fact, to pass the time, but those activities brought a good reputation to her; she went shopping or made her investment in a totally disordered manner, but she always ended up making money and praise from others. There was an oldw in her life that stayed unchanged, like, she could lose everything in a blink of an eye, but she could also easily get extravagant sess which was adored by all except her. She made a lot of new friends, and her old friends kept in touch with her. Those guys could not share her innermost feelings but be good enough to apany her to spend a lot of boring time. Under the kindness of friends, she was forced to go on blind dates. Everyone agreed that Arianna should live at her age rather than being a mature, sophisticated rich wife who had been married for decades. She ate dozens of free lunches and dinners. She had seen dozens of so-called elites from all walks of life. Finally, she was convinced of one thing, she really didnt feel anything about men anymore. Those men, ugly in both looks and manner, harassed her, and she didnt hate it, but she could put on a smile at them. Those handsome, elegant men with a powerful background sat next to her and ignored her. She could just ept the fact. Melissa once took her to watch a movie with strong sexual content, and the actor had a perfect face and figure, which put Melissa in some kind of heaven, and put her into sleep halfway. A few months of this kind of life passed quietly, more perfect than she had longed for.Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org. Then one day, General Manager Jenkins told her that he would resign in the near future. He said, My wife and daughter have been in Country A for two years now. I should also go to reunite with them soon. Chapter 107: Did You Buy This One, Or Is It Real? Arianna agreed with his decision and asked him when he would leave. When you find a suitable candidate for my position, I will formally submit my resignation. There are all kinds of ties in thepany, and you are alone. You should have your own trusted follower. If you dont have the right one yet, and if you can trust me, I can find the people for you. Manager Jenkins made perfect arrangements before he took his leave. Arianna gave him a check with a considerable amount and said, Make no mistake here, but I have no other way to express my gratitude to you. Thank you for all your efforts over the years. Thepany revived and came back to prosperity because of you. I understand, but I shouldnt ept it. This is what I should have done ording to the contract. I have already received the reward, handsomely. He was silent for a while, but he struggled in his heart. His slightly reddish eyes proved his emotion finally defeated reason. He said, Before being sent to Sanchez Group, I was the manager of Mr. Coopers overseaspany. Sorry, my experience was concealed in my resume. Arianna had suspected the background of Manager Jenkins before. And now, his words broke some ice in her heart. Travis Cooper, although he died a few months ago, was now still haunting her. There was no way to hide from his energy because she could not leave thisnd that carried all her footprints and memories, which meant everything to her. When autumn arrived, Arianna was invited by a school to watch the childrens National Day performances because she had donated a multimedia ssroom to the school built for the mentally ill children. The childrens performances were not good enough, sometimes awesome, but the parents in the audience shed tears and apuded. This scene reminded Arianna of her childhood. At the end of the show, she slowly walked on the quiet campus, thinking about her childhood and youth. Nothing really matters in this world. She once pitied herself, but she was extremely fortunatepared to these children. She had nevercked health and beauty. She never had IQ or money problems. In fact, she never lost anything thats truly valuable in the eyes of normal people, even when she thought she was in the darkest hours of her life. There had beenrge pieces of nk in her life. In her vague and happy childhood memory, the old nanny Winnie upied most of her impression, and her family members were nk faces. After that phase, her life faded into a mass of deep or shallow pale gray In a ck and white world, a mans name upied all of her memory, the one she tried hard to forget. Then she stopped in front of a brand-new teaching building with a unique style. And the ck base stone of the building was engraved with the following line: Mr. Cooper donated XX million to build this building and nted this tree on XX(M), XX(D), XXXX(Y). The time was just two weeks before his death. Arianna was silent again while she looked at the engraved lines. Then she took another look at the tree. Under the tree, a bunch of white chrysanthemums was ced by someone. Then Arianna took her to leave and walked toward the parking lot.All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org. After she found her own car, she looked back cautiously. Under the blue sky, there was a security patrol on the campus, and she should be safe. But somehow, her sixth sense told her someone was stalking her from behind. Arianna saw Ryan when she turned her head. Ryan Cooper was still dressed in ck. He was not wearing a suit, though, which made him look younger and more casual. He even got the touch of looking like a kid from a certain perspective now. Ryan twitched his lips and asked, How are you, Miss Jenkins? **** Because of this idental encounter, Arianna and Ryan resumed contact. They knew each other for years, but not as close as to be called friends. Ryan preferred to keep a distance in socializing, and so did Arianna. Maybe just like Ryan once said, people with simr fates could get along well with each other. Both he and she had no more rtives in the world. When Mr. Cooper was gone, their way of getting along was not the same as before. Arianna confirmed her previous conjecture after she got to know Ryan better. The nature of this guy was really lively, funny, eloquent, and even vicious. For so many years working under Travis, Ryan had been suppressed and holding his true self back. However, Ryans loyalty to Travis never changed. For example, once Arianna provoked Ryan, Ryan diverted the topic to his trap and said, Now you know that Mr. Cooper is a good person, right? You must regret that you refused him before. You wont get the luck to find another man like him. Arianna said, Yeah, right. He is good, and I wont be lucky enough to meet a second one like him. But I wouldve stuck to my choice if the Lord offered me ten more times to choose. Ryan got choked while drinking his water, and he said, You are a ruthless woman. I really wonder what is good in you that made Mr. Cooper so obsessed with. I dont know either, why do you always follow me when you look at me in this way? Ryan often came to her and helped her a lot when she was in need. He often invited her to dinner or apanied her in get-togethers and told others that he was Ariannas younger brother, which was exactly like their pattern of getting along. Previously, Arianna avoided meeting Ryan because she wanted to avoid everything rted to Travis, but finally, she decided to face the music because she actually got nowhere to hide from Traviss legacy. Its good for a lonely woman to have a younger brother anyway. It turned out Ryan was actually a professional in many fields. Once, in his house, he showed his certificates in nning, human resources, psychology, etc., to Arianna. Astounded, Arianna even found CPA and actuary certification Ryan has. However, the creepiest thing was when she saw his nursery qualification. Did Ryan once n to work as a male nurse in a nursery or apply for a family nanny? Oh, holy, I forgot to put away this one. Did you buy this one, or is it real? Of course, its real! Since sophomore year, Ive been working on various certificates untilst year. Chapter 108: I Didn鈥檛 Act He did impress her this time. Arianna always thought Ryan was just a small follower and bodyguard to Travis. ording to Ryan, he bet with Travis many times on those certificates, and he always managed to pass tests in one try. Two important certificates brought him a house and a name-brand car, a gift from Travis, of course. Arianna was only interested in that nursery certificate of him. She kept reading it. Ryan said, Susan made me work on this one His smile was mixed with some mncholy. Another time he helped Arianna check her ount and said, Hey, how can you use money like this? Its not economical at all. Arianna exined she wanted to pay back Traviss equity in terms of the charity fund. Ryans face was colored, and he said, I think Ill never find a wife like your kind! After saying that, he still came to visit her, even though she sometimes ignored him. He still kept giving advice to her, even though she adopted little of them. Are you plotting something by being nice to me? Sure I am. Havent you heard? The mens singles club has a saying these days that goes, whoever nails down Arianna gets both money and beauty. Then, before Arianna put on an ugly face, Ryan hurriedly exined, Im not one of them. You tortured Mr. Cooper for so long, misinterpreted his kindness, and refused his love. Thats why I deliberately approach you and try to avenge him. This time Arianna smiled, Do you sympathize with me? Ryan asked, Do you need sympathy? When Arianna climbed a mountain with friends, Ryan insisted on being a bodyguard. They first climbed to the top of the mountain. Ryan sat on arge rock and looked at the horizon, and said, I recently looked for you, and you always said you were out for blind dates. You have been on blind dates for so long. Is there any result? No. Are you too picky? You know, the youth of a woman is very short. Actually, I am not interested in getting married. Then why do you waste your time on blind dates? But I like children, so marriage must be done. Bad excuse of a woman nearly getting old. You are old-fashioned. If you just want a child, you dont even need to get married. Arianna didnt speak for a long time. When Ryan thought she was angry, she nodded solemnly, Its also true. Why didnt I think of it before? Hey, I was just kidding, alright? But I think its very feasible. Its much easier to find someone who can provide a gene than to find a partner for life. Big sister, Ryan said bitterly, The life of a single mother is not fancy at all. Who knows? Ryan said too much, and Arianna wanted to seal his mouth. Then Arianna stood on the edge of the cliff and thought for a while. Why are you standing there? Its dangerous. Ryan walked over and pulled her back to the safe zone. Arianna said, We need a change of topic, big boy. Its so boring. The moment Arianna stood on the edge of the cliff, she suddenly remembered that someone had asked her to have a baby. Its always annoying for one to have a good memory of unpleasant things. One day, Ryan struggled for some time, and then he asked Arianna, I really want to know what Mr. Cooper finally left for you. Arianna was silent. Im just curious. If thats a love letter, then please dont show me. Ryan smiled like an innocent old boy. Arianna was silent. Ryan figured it out, and he asked, You never opened that safe, did you? When you said you wouldve stuck to your choice even if you were given ten more times to choose, I thought you were joking, but now it looks like you were just being honest. I dont tell lies. I really wonder What is good in me that made Mr. Cooper so obsessed. Arianna had plenty of reasons not to open that safe. If there was some expensive jewelry in it, she wouldnt be interested. And if there was a confession letter, or a formal farewell letter, or another letter of apology, which was not likely what Travis would do, she would not want to see them either for the sake of keeping a peaceful mind of herself. She was toozy to exin that to Ryan. Ryans handsome little face changed expressions frequently, from gloomy to indifferent. Ryan had not been hiding his feelings since they met again, but Arianna was familiar with his indifferent look before. Arianna said faintly, Ryan, you have been prancing around me for two months just for this safe thing? You could have just asked me. I cant help it when you always distort the goodwill from others. Ryan said coldly, Im only doing this because every time when Im close to you, it makes me feel Im close to Mr. Cooper. Arianna sneered and walked away. After a few steps she took forward, Ryan caught up with her and apologized to her in the tone of an innocent child again, I was just joking. Dont take it seriously. Ryan, you really should go to Hollywood. But if you really admire Mr. Cooper, you should not be acting. He never acted on anything.Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g! I didnt act. All the looks of me are true reflections of me, believe it or not. When he said this sentence, he sounded like Travis Cooper. Later, Arianna still went to open the safe because Ryans eyes went red, and her heart got soft. Arianna knew well that Ryan only treated her, especially because of Travis. ording to Ryan, that day, Travis left in a hurry and didnt say anything. Ryan found the envelope with the key and the meeting time between Arianna and Travis on Traviss desk. ording to the investigation, Mr. Coopers car was running at a speed of 140Km per hour. Many years ago, Mr. Coopers father died in a car ident. Thats why Mr. Cooper had psychological barriers to driving by himself. And he couldnt have been driving at that speed unless the car malfunctioned or the one taking the wheel was not him. Moreover, the investigation report said Mr. Cooper had a car ident in the dawn and was taken to the hospital in the morning, but we were not informed until the evening! I suspect Mr. Coopers death. But Ive been investigating for a few months and got no clues. Although Arianna couldnt tell if Ryan was letting out his true emotion or was just acting, she was moved when his eyes turned red. She didnt avoid him when she opened the safe. Chapter 109: Are You Looking For My Dad? The things inside were intact. Just there was one more letter with no words or seal on the envelope. The letter inside only wrote about a few lines, a name, a phone number, and an address. The handwriting was in a mess, added with a question mark at the end, which indicated Travis had not confirmed the information on the letter. One thing slipped out of the envelope and rolled to the ground. She and Ryan looked for a long time to find it. It was a tourmaline bead, the one lost in Traviss vi on the eve before she left him. Ryan pinched the bead and wondered, Hey? What? This must not be from Mr. Cooper Arianna waited for him to continue. Mr. Cooper would not collect things of this quality. He only collects the best. Thats one of my mothers relics. This bead was lost when my bracelet was broken, and I didnt find it that night. Ryan was embarrassed by her unwee answer, and he said with a hand rubbing on his head, Is the name of this person, York Lee, on this letter rted to you? Ryan was, in fact, a little disappointed after seeing that letter. My mother told me a long time ago that my biological father was gone long ago. Arianna vaguely remembered that the old nanny had said her mother gave the name Arianna to her against the will of Franco Sanchez, Ariannas grandfather. It turned out Ariannas mother, although indifferent about almost anything, had her way ofmemorating the important person in her life. Through the Inte, Arianna found out the address on that letter was a private territory in the state of Country A. The man, York Lee, was a winemaker. About his situation, he wrote only a few words online, saying that he was persistent in maintaining the old-world winemaking tradition. Other than that, Arianna could not find more information about this man. A few dayster, however, the resourceful Ryan brought her more detailed information about that man: York Lee, 55 years old, lived in country A for more than 20 years, had a wife in her 40s, and they had a daughter at 17 years old. York was the chief winemaker of a vineyard. The winery had a reputation in a small group of winemunities but was not famous to the outside world because their wine was never sold in public markets. And the important thing with York Lee was that he was from the same city and the same country Arianna grew up in and now still living in. Among the information provided by Ryan, Arianna paid attention to two messages. The first message said Yorks winery began focusing on making white wine ten years ago, which could be the reason for Travis to find him because Travis was only interested in white wine. Another message said that York was also a wine appraiser, but he used another name Elen Lee when he was doing wine appraiser jobs. Arianna knew her moms given name was Elena. Could he be somehow rted to her mom? Ryan even found a photo, like a sneak shot. In the photo, it was a happy family of parents and a daughter. The man looked much older than his age, probably because of the hardship he had been through in his younger age, but his younger version could be handsome, judging from the photo. The young daughter, innocently smiling, had her facial signatures resembling Arianna. Arianna had heard the voice of the girl. Two days ago, after quite some time of struggling, Arianna dialed the phone number from that letter, and the daughter picked it up with a young and naive voice. Arianna asked if there was a Mr. Lee on the other side of the phone. The girl replied, Are you looking for my dad? He went to my friends birthday party with my mother. At that time, Arianna said that she had dialed the wrong number and hung up after apologizing. Then she gave up the idea of continuing the investigation. Arianna expressed her gratitude to Ryan but then asked him to stop here and leave that family in peace. Arianna remembered the times when she was 17. Her whole world was a mess when she learned that she was a foster child of her family. Ryan, Ive got used to being alone. I dont need a biological father now, and he doesnt need me either. Whats more, in the past few years, everything got lost inevitably in the end. Its better not to get started this time. It turned out Traviss final wish was to let Arianna reunite with her biological father. Travis indirectly caused her to lose her loved ones one by one, and he wanted topensate her in such a way. However, Arianna did not need it anymore.Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g! Ryan shrugged and said, As you wish. He is not my father anyway. Ryan has only pissed off again because this woman ignored Mr. Coopers efforts again. All the things that happened to Arianna were so coincidental. Just three months after she tried to forget about it, she got an invitation card for the 50th-anniversary celebration of a famous winery. That thick invitation was like a product brochure. On the card, the name of the authoritative wine critic ELEN LEE was impressive. This name could be the name of her biological father. Even though Arianna tried hard to get rid of it in her mind but when the person with this name would soon show up a few hundred kilometers away from her, her heartbeat just ramped up. Arianna decided to join the celebration on behalf of thepany and managed to get a dinner ticket. It was said that all the wine critics invited to the dinner would participate. Ill go check on him for my mom, Arianna said to herself. Its easier to confirm Yorks identity than Arianna thought. Originally, she just looked at the old man with a good white suit, and she had a strange but familiar feeling of being alone. One of the organizing staff recognized Arianna and invited her to a table only half a meter away from York. York smiled very amiably. After a few greeting lines, York became more friendly toward Arianna and said to his friends, Can you believe that? Thisdy has the same ce of origin as I do! Arianna then discovered that York was wearing a string of beads. He would fiddle the beads once in a while when he was listening to others. Arianna soon found two tourmaline beads near the knot on Yorks bracelet. The color and size of the tourmaline beads were exactly like the bracelet her mother left to her. Travis once said the beads of her moms bracelet came from the same stone. Chapter 110: You Are My Daughter Arianna made an excuse and quickly left the small circle to cover her fast-changing expression. She went outside to stand in the chilly wind, lit a cigarette, sat on the wooden chair, and leaned on the railing. The cherry blossoms in the backyard of the hotel were falling in the wind, and her mood gradually calmed down with the cherry petals. York came to her and broke the silence. He gently asked her, Miss Jenkins, have we met before? Arianna shook her head. But I think you are very familiar to me. And, when you were sitting in the corner, you were watching me. I thought you knew me. It turned out her peeping was so obvious, or she inherited the keen sixth sense from the old man. I read your information, Arianna said. The old man was a bit disappointed, Oh, I thought Okay then, have a good time. Arianna smiled and said goodbye to him. The old man walked a few steps, turned back, and said, I know why I feel you are familiar now. You look like a friend I met many years ago The way youugh is exactly like her I cant believe I can still remember her after thirty years. I dont know if she can remember me Arianna did an impulsive thing. She held the bead chain that she had been carrying for a few days in her hand and meditated for three seconds in her heart, then she opened her palm and showed the bracelet to the old man and said, She had been remembering you all her life, until herst breath. There were no tears orughter when the father and daughter reunited. Actually, they didnt even hug each other. It seemed that they shared themon nature of indifference. So, you are that little girl. When you were very young, I saw you. An old woman was holding you. Elena was by her side, and she didnt notice me. At that time, you were only this tall. York smiled and made a gesture. He was as calm as talking to an old acquaintance. She thought you were no longer alive. I just lost my personal freedom for a while. When I finally got back to her, I found that she had married someone and had you, so I didnt want to be an intruder to that family of yours. It turned out that both the father and the daughter wouldnt want to be an intruder to aplete and new family. The next day, Arianna apanied her mothers old friend to visit the local scenic spots and had a meal together. They got along well, and both were happy. They had the same nature that could put down all unpleasant things in their lives in an instant.All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org. In the evening, she decided to leave early. They lived in the same hotel. She called to say goodbye to him before departure. He was not in the room, so she left a voice message. But when her returning car was slowly driving out of the parking lot, she saw the old man rushing out of the building from the rearview mirror and waving to her while chasing her. She asked the driver to stop and opened the car door, and got off. The old man grabbed her arm, panting for breath and saying, I just saw your ID number a few minutes ago you are my daughter. **** The story of Ariannas biological parents was simple. A small punk identally saved a daughter of a wealthy family. They fell in love, and their families did not ept their love, so they decided to elope. The male protagonist had an ident before elopement. Yearster, when he managed toe back to his hometown, he found thedy had married and had a daughter, so he decided to leave. Then he got a nice job overseas and made a fortune, married his current wife, and had his own daughter. His family lived happily ever after, till the present time. York said to Arianna, I am sorry for both of you. If I knew at the beginning I would not have gone so far away. Even if I could not be with you and your mom anymore, I couldve just stayed here and protected you behind the shadow. There was no turning back now. Luckily, Arianna was doing fine, and the old man was doing fine too. Arianna didnt call York father because she had a foster father who gave her surname and gave her a legal identity. And he treated Arianna as if she had been his biological daughter for 20 years. York expressed an understanding of that. Arianna took a close-up look at her younger sisters photo, and her appearance really resembled Ariannas. York always carried Ariannas younger sisters photo with him and ced it close to his chest. Arianna refused to meet his family and said, When I was 17, I wished this world belonged to me alone, so I dont want to hurt this little girl and the woman who has been with you for so many years Lonely for a long time, it didnt make her feel bad when she found out she still had two family members by blood. Before this time, Arianna was like a nt facing a tornado and could be uprooted any minute. And now she had some siblings and nourishment added all of a sudden. It seemed like she could take on any weather now. Arianna came to Traviss grave for the first time. She wiped clean his tombstone that had been covered with some dust and fallen leaves and said softly, Thank you. Travis was not buried together with Susan. Not only that, they were not even in the same cemetery but ced in two cemeteries at two ends of the city. She was surprised. Ryan had exined to Arianna, Mr. Cooper is buried next to his parents. He doesnt like the ce Susan picked. And moreover, there is a saying in our hometown, couples who die young should be buried separately, or their afterlife will inherit their bad luck. Arianna agreed with that statement, but she knew Travis would not be willing to be buried alongside his foes, i. e., Ariannas family. After York returned to country A, he often called her and told her to find a reliable man instead of being alone. A few words that came from overseas made her feel warm already. What surprised her even more, was that a few weekster, she received a CD with a self-recorded family video sent by her 17-year-old sister, ire Lee. She filmed her father, mother, their beautiful house, every room in the house, two puppies in the house, and an endless vineyard outside the house. Chapter 111: When Do You Plan To Immigrate Here? ire spoke in the video, Dear Arianna, my sister, this is our home. A few days ago, my mother and I arranged the room for you, the color of the curtains and sheets being your favorite style. I hope you like it. I had always wished to have an older sister or brother, and I never thought it woulde true. I hope to see you soon. It turned out Ariannas worry was nonsense. Thus, Arianna and ire established contact, asionally chatting on the Inte and sending some interesting news to each other. When the summer arrived, ire sent Arianna an email saying: Now is the season to harvest grapes. The sky is azure like a giant gemstone, the vineyard full of crystal-like purple and green grapes. This kind of scenery only takes ce once a year. This year, its a grape harvest year, much more beautiful than in previous years. And there will be a lively celebration. It will be my 18th birthday in a few days. Are you willing toe and celebrate my birthday? Yorks wife also called her personally, saying, We all wish you toe. Arianna had no other way but to start packing. The York Lee family weed Ariannas arrival, especially ire, who was outgoing and energetic and very enthusiastic about her. ire showed Arianna around the vineyard, telling her the history of almost all the trees to her sister. The ce they lived in surely looked like a paradise. The white walls of the house were covered with green vines, and pink flowers hung beneath the windowsill and spread down like a waterfall. Each path in the perimeter was full of green and the scent of flowers. On the first step out of the gate, they saw the vineyard during this harvest season. York had a high position in the manor. The people along the way were always respectful and friendly to them. ire was talking andughing nonstop.N?velDrama.Org ? content. In ires logically chaotic exnation, Arianna roughly figured out everything here. This tremendouslyrge manor belonged to a wealthy Johnson Family, which was only a tiny little part of the properties of the Johnson Family. And Lees house was a very small part of the manor. This knowledge outwitted Arianna. She did research before she came but only heard about the family after she came. In a few days, Arianna got the chance to meet two servants from the Johnson Family, who were both proud and arrogant. Nasty guys. Dad only works for Young Master Johnson, and dad is not a servant to these guys! ireined after they left. Arianna disliked them, either. The two were dressed neatly and handsome, their style even a little familiar to her, but Arianna could not bear their high-profile look. Moreover, they seemed to be very interested in Arianna. They even wanted to invite Arianna to join them to go to the weekend party in the town, and Arianna almost turned and left. Master Johnson was not the same as them! Master Johnson is the true owner of this manor! ire emphasized, and there seemed to be two hearts floating in her eyes. ording to ire, this manor was an 18-year-old birthday gift to Vince Johnson given by his grandma. Vince Johnson, ranking the first in the list of grandsons, was brought up by the olddy in person. York had been the driver of Vince Johnson for many years, and then he was sent here by Vince Johnson when Vince went to college. Master Johnson onlyes here twice a year. He had some troublesst year I havent seen him for more than a year. Dad said Master Johnson would definitelye back this year. Unfortunately, these nasty guys alsoe. In the following few days, ire kept brainwashing her older sister about the excellent qualities of Master Johnson, such as he was elegant, humble, versatile, and tasteful Then, after two more days, the most authoritative olddy in the Johnson Family arrived. On the night of her arrival, Arianna was taken to a mansion in the manor to meet her. This olddy mustve been a stunning woman when she was young. Now, in her 80s, her eyes and paces, and her tone were domineering. York, congrattions on your family reunion. Then old Lady Johnson turned her sharp eyes at Arianna and said, You look good, just a little thin. When do you n to immigrate here? Everyone looked awkward. Arianna said softly, I dont have this idea for the time being. I heard you are alone on the other side of the ocean. You shoulde here to be with your father and sister. And, Country A is much more advanced, better life, a better environment, and better work conditions. I like my ce of origin. I dont have any ns to immigrate. Ariannas tone was warm but stubborn. So many corrupt government officials, so polluted air and water; tell me, whats good in that country? Arianna pressed her anger and said, Thats just one of many sides. There are good sides of the country, and its getting better and better. I heard that your generation of children has been brainwashed since the beginning of primary school. It seems that this is true. Arianna wasprehensively provoked. The olddy was born in an extremely wealthy family. She never suffered any pain. She only learned the news of Country C through false channels. So, please dont take it seriously. And her most loved grandson had an ident when he returned to Country C. Thats why she had a grudge. York and his wife said to Arianna after that. Arianna decided to detour whenever she saw the olddy. She didnte here to be bullied. That day, Arianna took her leave with an ugly face, but to her surprise, the olddy didnt care about her attitude. Lady Johnson called Arianna to go to her mansion to apany her often because she was lonely and bored. Arianna didnt do as she asked. The next night, it was said that there would be a dance party in the main mansion. Not only neighboring friends but even the staff in the manor were invited to participate. The olddy appointed Arianna to go to see and rx and get to know a few young fellows. She even sent someone to give Arianna a dress that she deemed most suitable for Arianna, which was a ssic and conservative style, regardless of whether Arianna was willing or not to ept. Yorkughed and said, The olddy likes you very much, probably because nobody else except Vince dares to talk back to her. Have I caused any trouble for you? Chapter 112: Aren鈥檛 You Afraid That I Am A Ghost? No. Her temper is strange, but her heart is very good. Go and have fun, I will pick you up at eleven oclock. ire was not allowed to participate because she had not yet passed her 18th birthday. She was depressed. The dance party was very gorgeous and lively, the kind of gorgeous and lively that Arianna didnt adapt to. The olddy, whose name was Annie Johnson, looked at Arianna from top to toe with satisfaction and said, It seems that my clothes are not bad. York was blessed to have such a pretty daughter as you. Arianna was overwhelmed by her sight, and she barely talked a few words. After answering a series of questions like an interview, Arianna was personally introduced to several young fellows who seemed to be well educated and from other wealthy families. As a fresh face, Arianna was very popr and was invited to dance a lot. The dance rhythm was cheerful, and soon Arianna was tired and panting. When she was resting outside the dance pool, one young master in the Johnson Family came and pranced around her in a manner that she scorned. He was drunk and ready to harass. Arianna couldnt bear it and escaped. She ran to the veranda. There was the sound of the insects, the cozy breeze carrying the scent of flowers in the air. A cluster of flowers in the courtyard was blooming under the moonlight. In a few minutes, the young master went out to find her. In a panic, Arianna hurriedly walked along the veranda. When she lifted up her head again, she found herself totally lost in the huge mansion. There was no one around her. Arianna was now a little flustered. She desperately tried to find her way back. It took a long time for her to get back to the central area of the main mansion. The sound of the music and the noise began toe from a distance, so Arianna tried to follow the direction of the sound. At the time, she was standing in an indoor corridor. There was a painting on the wall depicting a girl dressed in white who resembled Arianna in her body and facial figure, just their appearances were very different. Arianna felt she had seen the face of the girl somewhere, just she couldnt remember. After she came here, she felt a lot of things were somehow familiar to her, even including the appearance of the yboy who just harassed her. She couldnt tell what it was like. Arianna had drunk some wine that night, and she spun too much during the dance. A few minutes ago, she got lost and was still sweating now. At this moment, she heard a click sound, and themp above her head was off. Suddenly, she was surrounded by darkness. Her heart beat ranked up. Arianna took a deep breath and tried to stay focused. She saw a little shimmer in the distance, probably, the temporary lighting was turned on. That little light wouldnt help much for a night-blind person like her. She could yell for help, but she was afraid the yboy would also hear her voice. Arianna felt dizzy and could only proceed forward by touching the wall. After ten more steps, she almost shouted because sheid her hands on some snake-shaped thing, which she had thought to be a stair railing. Then a low male voice came from in front of her, asking, Do you need some help? Arianna opened her eyes and could only see a vague figure. The only word she said was Snake! Impossible. The man seemed to be smiling. Arianna pointed her finger at the stair handrail. The man said, Thats a dragon, not a snake. Are you going to the ballroom? Arianna nodded and thought the man would not see her move in the dark. However, the man apparently saw her move and said politely, Itll take some time before the circuit is repaired. Let me send you over. Arianna whispered thanks and followed the man. He walked very slowly, but she still stumbled in the dark. The man said, Maybe you should stay here. Ill go get someone to bring amp here. No, Arianna blurted out, stepping forward in a hurry and pulling his sleeves.All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org. The man smiled and said in the dark, You are afraid of a snake and darkness, but not me? You dont sound like a bad guy. Arianna had spent her whole energy preventing herself from fainting, so she didnt think of this question. Then, arent you afraid that I am a ghost? Arianna grabbed his sleeve tighter for fear that he would get rid of her, saying, The ghosts hand should be cold. She touched his wrist inadvertently. The ghost evolves like a human. His attitude was unpredictable, the man reached out and held her waist to let her stand firmly and took her out of the darkness step by step. When the sound of music and the crowd was close to their ears, the man opened the door for her and said, Through this hall, thats your destination. Then he took a step backward as if he really was afraid of the light. The light was suddenly too bright for Arianna. She had to cover her eyes with her hands before getting readapted with the light. She turned and said to the man, Thank you. Under the light, she saw the side face and figure of the man who helped her. The next minute, she passed out. When Arianna woke up, it was noon the next day. The sun shone through the window of her bedroom. Finally, you wake up! It was ires voice. Then everyone came to her bed, and even a doctor was invited here. Others were looking sleepy. Maybe they didnt sleep well because of her. ire said mysteriously, Hey, did you see a ghost there too? The adults said, Thats nonsense. But Master Johnson used to say that there are ghosts in the mansion. ire reasoned out and pouted her lips. Arianna couldnt speak while her hands were pressing on her temples. When she got out of bed and then went to lunch with her family, the servant at home brought in arge box of flowers and said, Flowers for Miss Jenkins. Fresh and delicate white orchids were orderly arranged in a delicate square box. Even though she didnt understand flowers, she could tell it was not amon breed. The flowers were just cut down from branches. There was a card in the box. It came from the man who helped herst night. And there were words on the card saying, I sincerely apologize forst night. I hope you recover soon. The beautiful yet masculine signature was Vince Johnson. Chapter 113: Please Call Me Miss Jenkins ire stayed in Ariannas room for a long time and apanied her to listen to a record she had just bought yesterday. Master Johnson should be back next weekend, and no one expected him toe back in advance. Hearing that, Arianna changed her sitting posture and asked, Did he send me back yesterday? Dad and Mom went to pick you up. Okay. Did you see him yesterday? Was he looking healthy? Dont you think he is much better than those two hateful guys? It was very dark yesterday. I didnt see him clearly. Oh. The little girl was very disappointed. Do you have his photo? In fact, Arianna did see what Vince Johnson looked likest night, and she thought she had an illusion. He doesnt like taking pictures, so I cant even get stealthy about him. ire frowned. Then ire suddenly jumped off the chair and opened the door and said, Wait for me. I remember I do have a photo of him. After a while, ire rushed back in and said, I grabbed this photo by chance more than ten years ago, but his appearance has not changed much. In the old photo, a handsome young boy stood in front of the g sculpture of a famous high school in the nation, dressed in a school uniform and wearing the school badge, his facial signatures so familiar to Arianna.N?velDrama.Org ? content. Did he graduate from this high school? Yeah. Its amazing. Arianna flipped over the photo and handed it back to ire, and said, I am a little dizzy. I still need to lie down for a while. Okay then, Ill leave you to have a rest here. Oh, can I take a few flowers from this box of orchids? Last time I wanted to pick only one, and the gardener in the mansion would not allow me. If you like it, take them all away. Can I? This is from Master Johnson, and even his ex-girlfriend could hardly receive flowers from him. I am allergic to flowers, please do me a favor. At night, Arianna woke up from her sleep, drank a little water, went to the window and counted the stars for half an hour, and opened the thick novel she used to help her sleep. After reading a lot of pages, she came back to sleep. She dreamed of her past. Early the next morning, ire went to a party with her high school ssmates. Irene Lee, York Lees wife, invited Arianna to go shopping with her in the town. Irene Lee was a lively and cheerful woman. She told Arianna a lot of local anecdotes and also mentioned the mysterious Johnson Family. When talking about the legendary young Master Johnson, Irene said, He is the grandson of the olddy, and he was brought up by the olddy in person. His personality is a bit strange, unpredictable, but nice to all of us. They bought quite many necessities in the town and two or three decorations. In the town, a new shop selling exotic items had been newly opened. Arianna bought a small bottle of perfume with an awesome smell, but it came in a jug-shaped blue frosted crystal ss bottle, small and cute. Irene was fooled into buying a Czech meteorite that was said to be capable of eliminating fatigue and headache, which was embedded in a silver chain, looking like an antique essory. Irene said this chain could be helpful for her husband. When they were driving back, Irene suddenly remembered that she should go to the main mansion of the manor to fetch something. Arianna would not go inside as she didnt want to encounter the olddy. Irene parked the car in the back of the mansion and pointed to the garden, and said, You can help yourself take a good look at the views here. Just dont go far away. Call me if you get lost again. Ill be back soon. Arianna walked slowly along a cobbled path. A touch of cool breeze slowly came, carrying some subtle scent of nts. Arianna walked in the direction of the wind and saw a pool of lotus flowers. Another wind blew over, and the lotus leaves moved likeyers of green waves, and the lotus flowers trembled like girl dancers dressed in white. Soon the wind stopped, and the lotus pond returned to calm and became a still picture. Just before Arianna turned around and was about to leave, she saw a man sitting on the opposite side of the lotus pond, watching her for a long time already. Its Vince Johnson dressed in a white shirt. His smile outshined the lotus flowers. Arianna stood in the same ce for a while and then walked slowly around the crescent-shaped lotus pond and went over to him. She was an intruder to his domain. He could sit there still, but she could not find any excuse to ignore him. Arianna only said Hello and then no more. The man was calm, putting on a clean and harmless look, but everything around him was somehow suggesting a kind of rejection to anyone anytime. Have a seat, Miss Lee. Vince looked up and pointed at the white stone chair opposite him. In between the white stone chairs was a white stone table. Are you feeling better now? Please call me Miss Jenkins. The man sat there, his eyes clean and clear, his mind digesting her words. Then he said again with a softer tone, Have a seat, Miss Jenkins. Last night, her nerves were tortured to near the critical point in the darkness. At that time, she really thought she had seen the ghost of Travis Cooper, and thats why she fainted. But today, Arianna thought Vince was a little different from Travis. Traviss skin was healthy and not pale most of the time, and he always put on a cold smile. This Vince, however, was quite the contrary. In fact, Arianna could hardly tell what the men really looked like. When Travis Cooper was alive, she never looked at him carefully and never had any photos of him. And she tried hard to forget him when he was gone. Travis was just like a shadow in her heart, a vague image that she could hardly get rid of from her head. Chapter 114: What Happened To His Legs? When they first met, the best she could remember was that big boy dressed in white with refined facial features and an indifferent impression. The following versions of Travis Cooper were all too different from her first impression. And this Vince, who was sitting peacefully in front of her, somehow reminded Arianna about the day ten years ago, the sunny morning with bird tweets and the scent of flowers in the air, the moonlight of that night, as well as the young man dressed in white in the moon shadow. Arianna only said, Thank you for the flowers. And she took a few steps backward until his face became vague. When the deadlock was going on, Irene came and said, So you are here, Arianna! Good afternoon, Mr. Johnson. You look good. Master Johnson regained the calmness and indifference he had before, Im fine. Thanks. This is Arianna Jenkins. Miss Jenkins, this is Vince Johnson, the grandson of the Johnson Family.Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g! I have already met Miss Jenkins. Oh, is it? Irene looked at Arianna, who had been silent. She could not think of the next topic, so she looked down at her new ne and adjusted its location. Your ne is very chic, Vince said. Thank you. The shop owner said this is a piece from a Czech meteorite from outer space. Vince smiled lightly and said, You can go back and return it to him and make a im for doublepensation. This is just a piece of ordinary green crystal. Arianna looked up at the man suddenly. Irene was surprised, You only took a nce, and from a distance! I assure you that this is by no means a Czech meteorite piece. Vince and Arianna took a nce at each other. Then a trace of doubts appeared in his eyes. Vince raised his hand and made a gesture, and a servant silently appeared behind him. Vince then slightly bent his body to twodies and said, I must go now. Both of youdies are wee toe here often. His tone was polite, but he did not stand up while talking to them. Arianna took a bow, and then she was shocked to see the servant pushing him away from the lotus pond. It turned out that he had been sitting in a wheelchair. However, she was certainst night he did not sit in a wheelchair or wield crutches. Later, Irene did a lot of online research and had to admit the so-called Czech meteorite she bought was just a piece of ordinary crystal. She took a long time to do that research. Its weird. Mr. Johnson just took a nce from a meter away, how could he tell the stone was fake in an instant? What happened to his legs? Arianna asked. She had a hard time focusing after they returned from the garden of the main mansion. A car ident. He almost lost his life. More doubts were popping up in Ariannas head. She said, Im sorry to hear that. Mr. Johnson was lucky, though. He managed to survive miraculously from a deadly trauma. He was in aa for more than a year in the hospital. The doctor said he might never wake up again or wake up in a vegetative state. When he woke up three months ago, it turned out that he had just lost his memory. A pity, though, but its a miracle too. Memory loss? More than a year in the hospital? Arianna unconsciously repeated the words, some thoughts spinning extremely fast in her head. Then she asked Irene, Thest time you said that the olddys grandson had an ident in Country C, you were mentioning him? Right. Last spring in Country C. Arianna felt the arteries on her forehead jumping fiercely, and she said, You have known him for many years? Very familiar? Yeah. My parents used to work for the Johnson Family. I grew up here too, and I have known him ever since he was born. I could see young Master Johnson almost every day before he went to college. **** ire heard Vince Johnson was in the house, but she could not get the chance to see him. ire went to the main mansion several times and always missed him. So, she began telling Arianna more about her Master Johnson. Arianna had a bizarre idea until she heard moreplete information about Vince Johnson from her sister. ire longed to meet Master Johnson and always missed him, while Arianna really didnt want to see him, and she had met him twice already. In the morning, Arianna walked alone in the vineyard. The sun rose, and the ambient temperature was pleasant, the air fresh, birds tweeting in the surrounding green scenes, and the air filled with the fragrance of sweet fruits. Theyout of the manor was beautiful. There were straight and sturdy bluestone paths and tall trees in between vine woods. There were also several promenades for rest and sightseeing, with white arched ceilings and white marble columns crawling with green vines. And the ground of these promenades were abstract patterns made with deep gray marble. Arianna walked from one end of a promenade to the other. The sunlight outside the promenade suddenly stabbed her eyes. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. When she opened her eyes again, she saw a big boy pushing the wheelchair that was carrying Vince, and they wereing over to her. Arianna had nowhere to hide. She could only stand in the same ce and slightly make a gesture of greeting. When they came close, Vince smiled with a graceful and elegant look and said, Morning, Miss Jenkins. Do you also like to walk in the morning? Well, the air quality is good, Arianna said with a dry smile. Then she avoided looking at his face and his slender fingers and stopped talking. Vince also greeted her slightly and passed by her. Arianna really thought she made a mistake connecting him with Travis Cooper. She even made up a story in which Travis Cooper lived a double-sided life, and that could exin their resemnce and coincidence. But she made a mistake, that she ignored the fact that the voices of the two men werepletely different. Traviss voice had a metal-like cold texture, and his voice was low, a little hoarse, a little maic, and a little confusing. The styles of the two were also greatly different. Travis Cooper felt like a sun in the total sr eclipse, radiating cold light in the dark. And Vince Johnson, though cold and distant as well, was more like a bright full moon in the night sky. Vince Johnson was indeed more like the first version of Travis Cooper in her memory. Chapter 115: Who Is Rebecca? When Arianna was walking and thinking, the boy, who was pushing Vinces wheelchair, came over to her and smiled, Master Johnson said a youngdy like you should not walk along under the grape trellis. Seeing her revealing a little doubtful expression, the boy exined, In case there is any snake that climbs up the grapevines and moves atop Arianna had to say, with her voice trembling, Thank you. The young boy ran back to his Master. Arianna looked up and saw Vince looking at her, his face unrecognizable and covered with sunlight. In the afternoon, Arianna came out for a walk again. She avoided the grape trellis this time. She walked along a green road seeing the scenery around her, and moved further and further. When she was tired, she could not see York Lees house anymore. Fortunately, this time she remembered the direction of going home. Just her calves were tired, her heels painful, and she had stumbled. A car suddenly pulled over beside her and scared her. In the cab, behind the wheel, it was Vince. He was driving a white sports car. May I have the honor to give you a ride, Miss Jenkins? Vince was sincere, but a touch of ridiculing smile shed in his eyes. Arianna was more certain this man was not Travis Cooper. So, she said thanks and got in the car. Vince drove slowly and did not speak while driving. Arianna tried to suppress her curiosity to look at his feet. However, when he stopped at the door of York Lees house, he didnt get off and opened the car door for her like a gentleman. He just helped untie her seat belt. Arianna didnt invite him toe inside the house. She just took a bow at him. Vince waved his hand as a response. When Vince was about to leave, York and Irene showed up hurriedly in front of them. Irene said, Oh my young Master, you should not be driving, and you didnt even take your phone! Your men havee to us, and they said the olddy is about to kill people to find you! Vince just smiled as if he wanted this. York blocked his car to prevent him from driving. York frowned and said, Please behave, Master Johnson. In the end, York helped drive the car and Vince back. Soon ires birthday approached. She received a lot of gifts. Arianna gave her a white dress that made ire look like Snow Johnson. ire loved the dress and put it on early that day. She looked more elegant in that dress. And ire looked more and more like Arianna when they stood together now. In the afternoon, when servants were busy preparing for the evening birthday party for ire, the young boy who was always with Vince came holding one small box and one big box, and he said, This small box is the birthday present from Master Johnson to Miss Lee. In the big box is the dessert from Master Johnson to Mrs. Lee and Miss. Jenkins. They opened the gift boxes. The gift to ire was a clear and bright jade bracelet, which was excellent in color. ire put the bracelet on her wrist and smiled, and said to Arianna, This bracelet is a perfect match with the dress and earrings you gave me. I think something is going on between you two! Arianna could not say anything. ire helped open the big box. The dessert in the big box was refined like a craft, in the shape of a white lotus flower mixed with a little yellow at the center. This lotus flower-shaped dessert was ced in a green box, revealing a refreshing scent. The boy exined, This morning, the kitchen was making the dessert. Young Master Johnson said the lotus blossoms were good this year, so he let the cook smash some lotus flowers as ingredients in the desert. Lotus flower? From the lotus pond in the rear garden of the main mansion? Irene asked. Yeah. The young Master said the water there is clean. He let us harvest more than half of the lotus blossoms today. After the boy left, Irene said, So, thats the reason he was staring at the lotus flowers that day! He was going to reap them. ire remembered the other day Vince had his servants cut off the blossoms of a name-brand orchid, and she said, Wow, Master Johnson never hesitates when flowers are ripe. And then ire looked at Arianna with a weird smile. ire went upstairs to dress up, and she made a call to Master Johnson. A few minutester, ire rushed downstairs, excitedly saying that Master Johnson had agreed toe to celebrate her birthday! Soon the Lee Family members were getting busier. At ires birthday dinner, Arianna would be sitting on the opposite side of Vince. She could not avoid looking at him now. The birthday party was just a simple and exquisite family feast. Somehow, Arianna felt something was wrong when she heard a prestige guest wasing to this small family feast. But then again, when she thought this family had known Vince for more than twenty years, she realized she was the strange one at this feast. Previously in the afternoon, Irene told Arianna about the past of Vince and York. She said that twenty years ago, the financially broke York encountered a car ident in a sparsely popted mountain area. The deformed car rushed down the bridge and fell down into the water. York jumped into the cold winter water to rescue any survivors. The adult in the car was dead. The little boy survived in Yorks arms but grew up with serious mental issues because he witnessed his fathers death. Later the boy would not let anyone else close to him except York. Hence York was hired by the family as the driver, bodyguard, and male nanny to the boy until the boy reached eighteen years old. Then they all moved into this manor. Therefore, Vince was brought up with York as his guardian, which made him like Yorks son. And Vince even yed the role of a matchmaker between York and Irene.Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org. Irene added, Master Johnson woke up from aa a few months ago. He couldnt remember anything and anyone except your biological father York, and Reba. He only had a vague impression about these two people by then. Who is Reba? His female assistant, a childhoodpanion, and maybe his girlfriend. Now all the party members were seated well. When Arianna was going through what Irene told her, she was caught by Vinces gaze from the other side of the dining table. Arianna lowered her eyes. This Vince was still looking like Travis Cooper, which made Arianna upset. But when Vinces way of smiling and his manner of holding the forks looked clearly distinct from Travis, Arianna was also equally upset. Strange and familiar. Then Arianna added in her mind: In fact, Im not familiar enough with that guy. Perhaps because of Vinces memory loss, the topic on the table was a little cautious, trying to focus on the present situation. York tried to fix the topic on this years grape harvest and predictable wine quality. York said, This years climate is a bit unusual. Although it is not a good thing for the farmers, for us, we might be able to produce excellent noble wine. I have already marked the area in the vineyard for them to prepare. The climate conditions here are not perfect. There are risks, but we might seed. Chapter 116: Do You Remember Anything Else? Ariannas heartbeat ramped up when she heard the name of the wine. Then Vince said, It doesnt matter whether you can make noble wine this time. But its rare for thisdy toe here. If she sees rotten grapes when she walks in the garden and has a bad impression about this ce, it will be bad. Everyone was smiling while Arianna was lowering her head. York said in a pitiful tone, Arianna will be returning to Country C before that. After all of them blessed todays little birthday star, Vince said to ire, I should have given you a pony on yourst birthday. Tomorrow, go to the farm and pick one. ire eximed incredulously, You can remember your past now, cant you? No. But I saw my previous memo, and that was written on it. Oh, ire was a little discouraged, but soon her eyes shone again, and she asked, So, you have a memo. Do you remember anything else? Nothing. Reading the memo was like checking someone elses homework back in primary school, very funny. Vince looked calm. Then do you have some strange memories with others involved? My sister Arianna rmended a website full of fantasy novels, such as one persons body carrying another persons soul. Ha-ha, maybe someone elses soul hase into your body. Thatll be interesting. ire. York contained a warning in a mild tone. What novels on the site are so interesting? Vince asked Arianna. Its actually very boring. You wont be interested. Arianna let out a dry smile. After dinner, Vince and York went to the study room to continue to talk about the operation of the vineyard. York said, Its good to see you finally have a heart for the industry. The threedies sat in the living room and watched the entertainment talk show while drinking tea. ires whole mind was still on her Master Johnson, When can he recover his memory? I heard from your father that his brain is damaged, and it is likely to cause permanent amnesia. ires eyes went a little red. Irene said, Its already a miracle that he woke up. Forgetting the past is not a big deal. He lost nothing that truly belongs to him, and the olddy loves even more than ever. Arianna said, Its rare that he only forgot about the past, but he didnt forget how to eat, walk and talk. If he wakes up and bes a big baby, isnt it worse? After saying that, Arianna realized she was really poor atforting others. But, maybe there is a woman he loves waiting for him in the distance, and he forgot her forever? How miserable! ire suddenly mentioned. ire, thats a movie plot, Irene said. Arianna looked out the window, and the moonlight outside the window was bright. Then Ariannas cell phone rang. She went outside to pick up the phone. The call was from Sanchez Group reporting to every shareholder for important matters ording topany routine. After Arianna hung up, she sat on the wooden chair in the small courtyard for a while. The backyard of the Lee Family was far less extravagant than that in the main mansion, but it had its scenery. A few roses were blooming quietly in the yard, and two pomegranate trees were full of blossoms. There was a small round pond in the yard with golden fishes and white lilies inside. Its the beginning of the night. There was only a moon shadow in the pond, which was slightly swaying when a breeze came by. Arianna was seated near the pond. Vince came and sat down on the chair next to Arianna. He asked, Does Miss Jenkins like this ce? Its nice. Then Arianna realized he could be mentioning the entire manor, so she hurriedly added, I like it very much. The owner of the manor apparently noticed her move, and he smiled, Please stay a few more days. Now is the best time of the year. And, itll be a pity if you miss the harvest. Arianna hesitated in replying. She had said to York and Irene that she would leave in a few days after ires birthday. They were trying to keep her till after the harvest. This years harvest celebration should be held one weekter, which was the original n, and she had nned to leave until the end of the celebration. But Mr. Johnson was somehow in a good mood, and he decided to make this celebration grander, so the event was postponed. Arianna surely wanted to join her new family in such an event, but she had stayed here for too long. They hope you live here longer. Vince then added, I also want to ask you to stay a few more days. Thanks. Thats all she could say. They were silent for a while. Arianna could not find anything to say in front of the mans face. How do you feel when you suddenly find your biological father after many years of adulthood? The gentleman found a topic politely. It was too hard for her to answer. Arianna asked back, How does it feel to lose all of your memory after many years of adulthood? Under the moonlight, Arianna could see the smile of the man first appearing in his eyes and then stretching to his eyebrows and lips. The feeling of amnesia is not bad. You can even pretend that you couldnt remember when necessary, especially when you meet some annoying people. But there will be troubles. There will always be people you have never seen before iming to be your friend. Arianna didnt notice that she smiled. She was not good at smiling. And until she noticed Vince was watching her, she recovered her indifference. There is one more possibility. The people who once knew me could also pretend they dont. Then Vince suddenly asked, Have we met before? Ariannas heart almost rushed out of her chest. She turned her eyes back to the closed water lily, Of course not. Then, why do you look like you have seen a ghost every time you meet me? Do I? Impossible. You are nothing like a ghost. Arianna was trying to smile.Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g! Its possible. Even now, you still look like you are watching me, like watching a ghost. When the situation was getting too hard for Arianna, the old Lady Johnson came to save the day. Lady Johnson drove outside to digest her food, and she drove to Yorks house when she heard her grandson was here tonight. The olddy put Vince in her arms and kissed him, even when he was taller than her by one head, and Arianna was feeling awkward. The mans expression resumed indifference in his grandmas arms. He stayed in her arms for five seconds, and then he broke free slowly. When the Lee Family bade goodbye to Lady Johnson and Vince Johnson, Vince didnt look at Arianna, which made Arianna think he might be angry with her, but she couldnt understand the situation at all. Chapter 117: Found It? Anyway, when Mr. and Mrs. Lee once again asked Arianna to stay a little longer, she agreed. On this day, York deliberately took a day off to show Arianna around. This season was a busy time for York. He wasnt talkative. Arianna could still feel that York was trying topensate her as her biological father. York taught Arianna to identify the varieties of the grapes one by one, and he took her to the winery and patiently exined to her every process of winemaking and the characteristics of each wine. Other than that, they couldnt talk much to one another. Arianna wanted to ask York if he knew some young man who looked like Vince Johnson. Because Travis Cooper left a note to her to find York, she believed York should know Travis. When she finally found the right opportunity and asked, York smiled and asked her back, Is there really a person who looks like Vince? If you do, you must introduce him to Vince. Vince always believes that there is someone in the world who looks exactly like him, and hes determined to find the other party. He is a freak. Arianna was disappointed and confused. Yeah, ever since he was born. York said that Vince had been convinced of two things since he was a child. One was that he believed there was a person in the world that looked exactly like him; the other was that his mother was still alive. No one had ever seen Vinces mother. Its said that his father had been to Country C in his early years. After many years, Vinces father came back to Country A carrying little Vince, whos just been born, saying that his wife had passed away. Later, Vinces father also died young. Vince had no clues, but he had hired people to search for his mother in Country C for many years. Did he find her? Probably not. About 11 years ago, he said that he couldnt feel his mom anymore, so he stopped searching. There is something weird about this child. Just like when he was in aa, and the doctor had already imed his iing death, but he survived. York became talkative when the topic was Vince. Then York asked, Arianna, are you not feeling well? Maybe the sun is too ring. It doesnt matter. While she was dizzy, Arianna suddenly remembered why the white-dressed girl painting on the wall of the main mansion of the Johnson Family would feel so familiar. Years ago, when she investigated the background of Travis, the private detective once provided her with a photograph of Traviss mom shot at a young age. The time of Traviss moms death was twelve years ago. And the girl in that oil painting in the mansion of the Johnson Family looked exactly like the photo of Traviss mom. Arianna hid his secret in her heart and went to visit the wine cer of the estate with York. It was dark and cool in the granite-structured wine cer, and the air was filled with the smell of oak and wine. In the high and deep space,rge oak barrelsid quietly on the shelves in rows. Bottled wines were ced against walls. There werebels everywhere, marking the vintage.Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g! Arianna touched the oak barrels and wine bottles and listened to York telling her about the interesting history of this ce. For example, the oldest wine here had an age above 70, about the same age as old Lady Johnson, who gave this manor to her beloved grandson as a gift. Both the grandma owner and the grandson owner had their little quirks. The olddy objected to selling wine in the name of the manor, thinking that the wine was a fallen product, and she strictly defined the dates of wine prohibition. Vince opposed the brewing of red wine. A lot of years ago, Vince identally knocked over a bottle of red wine, andter, he began to hate the color of red wine. They talked and walked to the end of the wine cer, and there was a hidden door there. York opened the secret door and said, Let me show you the best quality wine in the manor. The secret room was dark. York reached out and turned all the lights on, and the room was glorious in a second. There were tens of thousands of bottles of wine under the light. When the light was on, they saw a person sitting on the lowdder between the wine racks. It was Vince. He reached out and covered his eyes for a second because of the strong lighting. Uncle Lee. Vince said politely, and he nodded to Arianna and said, Hello, Miss. He deliberately removed herst name. Then he slowly descended thedder. York immediately went forward to help to hold him while saying, Be careful. Then York said, Your body is not in perfect condition yet. You should always bring a fellow to apany you here. Vince pointed at the monitoring that had just been turned on, There is monitoring and an rm bell here. Still, you shouldnt sit on adder. Its dangerous. There are no chairs here. Arianna lowered her head to avoid her smile being seen. The previous conversation between the two men reminded her of her short experience of tutoring children many years ago. Im showing Arianna around the wine cer, and I didnt expect to bother you. It doesnt matter. I just sit here and see if I can find the feeling I used to have. Found it? No. Of course not. You have paid only two visits to this ce. Thest time was five years ago. Because of the interruption in the middle of the meditation, Vince came out with the two of them from the wine cer, his steps very slow. The sky was clear, and there was only a breeze in the air. They walked together for a short distance. Arianna walked ahead of the two, and she was moody. York and Vince asionally talked to each other. Yorks phone suddenly rang. He answered the phone and said, Know it. Now? Then York paid a look at Vince and Arianna and hesitated, Im in the middle of something. Can we change it tomorrow? Or, maybe two hourster? Arianna said, Just go ahead with your business. I can have a good time by myself. York nced at her with gratitude, Ill let ire walk with you. No need. I know the way now. ire has an appointment with a friend in the afternoon. Where were you going? Vince asked politely. We nned to go to the town to watch the puppet show of the Vani Troupe, York said. Chapter 118: I Have A Dark Phobia I just want to go shopping in the town. Its better for me to apany thisdy. After two seconds, not receiving any response, Vince added, Or, she may go shopping with me. Its boring to do it alone. Fine, Arianna replied simply. Not only was York surprised, but even Vince looked a bit surprised. This time, two followers followed them, one driver and the other bodyguard, and they looked very stylish. The town was antique, simple, and quiet. Old buildings stood side by side against one another. The narrow alleys among them could not amodate the width of a car. The two got out of the car. One follower followed them, and the other detoured to park the car. They walked very slowly, and Vince was very cautious every step of the way. I cant walk fast, Vince exined, Fortunately, in all the ces we are going to visit today, only here is not open to traffic. You should take fewer roads. You can take a wheelchair. Arianna said earnestly. Always in a wheelchair, I am afraid I will forget even how to walk. Im sorry. She sympathized with him. Doctors also think that it is better to exercise a lot. Oh. Her sympathy was gone. The amateur puppet theatre of the town performed Romeo and Juliet today, the simplified version. The plot wasplete, but a lot of lines were deleted. There were many people at the small theater, most of them parents with children. Some audiences were very attentive. When both Romeo and Juliet die for love, the two people around them whimper. When the performance was over, Arianna recalled the small mistakes that appeared in the performance andughed in a low voice. Everyone is crying, and you actuallyugh. I would have been sad when I was a child, but now I feel that these two people are married to the murderer who killed their loved ones. I dont want to be killed in the end. Its incredible. If I were Juliet, I would neithermit suicide nor marry him. Vince said, Ill give you a poem. Love is dear, freedom is dearer. Both can be given up for life. Arianna got choked up and went silent. They visited the towns boutique shop, toy store, and fruit shop, stayed in a bookstore for a long time and went to the towns chapel. Vince was a goodpanion, gentlemanly, understanding, but not too enthusiastic about making her feel uneasy. Their car was driving slowly on the streets of the town. Whenever Ariannas eyes stared at a store for more than a second, he would let the driver stop the car in front of the store. When shopping, he would not be rudely rushed to pay for her, but he was an incredible bargainer. Arianna had doubts but couldnt help with that. Arianna began to suspect his memory loss because Vince was able to call out the names of shop owners and clerks and was warmly weed by them. Later, when they yed a game of Truth or Dare, Arianna asked, Did you really lose your memory? At that time, they were sitting in a chic small restaurant in the town to eat. On the other table, there were two children ying Truth or Dare, and Vince thought the game was amazing. Arianna casually said, I yed this game before. Vince suggested that they should also y. Arianna agreed. But the two had their own different requirements. Vince said, We cant y the same way as the kids do. Whoever refuses to answer will have to drink a cup of champagne. Champagne was more of a drink in this ce. Arianna stated, Do not ask a particrly boring question. What is a particrly boring question? Such as measurements and weight. There was some smile concealed in Vinces eyes. Arianna finally found out that she overestimated his gentlemanly manner. Vince looked at her and said seriously, A man should not ask ady a question like that. He will use his eyes to do the work. When Arianna asked Vince if he really had amnesia, she looked suspicious. As someone who was suffering from memory loss, he looked too calm. Because I can call out their names? I used to have the habit of taking pictures and taking notes. I carefully recorded the ces I went to and the people I met. Vince continued, Now its my turn. We met each other before, didnt we? No. I didnt know you before. Then why do you She hurriedly cut him, The next question is mine. Are you going to suffer from memory loss forever? Will it be regrettable? Miss Jenkins, I think you just asked two questions. Arianna drank much more champagne than Vince did because Vince had a few questions he would not answer. Whenever there was a question he wouldnt answer, he would say, I dont remember, and that was not a refusal to answer. Arianna had no excuse to act like him. How old were you when you first fell in love? Arianna drank champagne. Why did you faint when you first saw me? I have a dark phobia. She forged a medical term not far from the truth. But when you fainted, there was light. Mr. Johnson, its my turn to ask.Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org. After she asked another question, Vince continued hisst question, Because I look very much like someone you know? Every time you look at me, I feel that your eyes have prated me, and you zone out. Arianna refused to answer, so she drank another ss of champagne. She regretted ying this naive and boring game because she didnt find any valuable news but sold a lot of personal information. Arianna hadnt been on the streets for a long time. And on this exotd, the sky was blue, the air was fresh, mind easing. After two hours, Vinces face, which made her dizzy at first, was no longer harsh to her. Arianna finally felt Vince was not exactly like Travis Cooper. Because of his obvious expression of kindness to her, she thought she could regard him as aplete stranger and a new friend. In a friendly atmosphere, they yed every game on the street together. Arianna made a sand painting using Vince as a model, with a freshness lifetime of only a few minutes in a handicraft shop, while Vince shot balloons in a toy store and won a pair ofrge cloth rabbits for her, which were toorge for her to hold, so she had to give them to someone else. He had very good shooting uracy. Chapter 119: Don鈥檛 Pretend When the scent of their champagne dissipated, the two went to the chapel located in thevender field. Vince obediently knelt in front of the icon, praying in a good manner, May the Lord forgive my sins. Arianna suspected that he was reading it to her, and she let out a soft sneer. Later, when the pastor left and when they walked out of the church together, Vince said, Sneering in the church is disrespectful.Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org. Arianna said that she didnt believe in religion, and she thought of his look of a pure saint a while ago and asked, Since you cant remember anything, and your soul is pure like a baby, what sins do you have that need the Lord to forgive? Life is sinful. It hurts the mother, worries the family, grabs food, and takes up resources. Vince added, And, for those important people, I have forgotten. Arianna couldnt help butugh when she saw the man put on a saints look. But when she was maliciouslyughing at him, the resentment hidden in her heart toward this man disappeared. Arianna asked, The painting of the white-dressed woman on the wall of your mansion, is thedy one of your family members? Vince silenced for a few seconds and said, I dont know. Nobody told me. But they said that the painting was painted by me. I think she might be a person who is important to me. Their one-day trip ended in a small ident. At that time, they were in a ce with mountains and water. Mountains covered in green waterfalls, green grass, birds, and flowers were more natural and beautiful than the artificial beauty of the manor and the town. This is my favorite ce every time I used toe here. Vince said, then added, At least thats what they told me. Oh. I think its especially funny. A person, about everything he has done in the past, is pieced together through the records, and the mouths of others, including favorite color and food, as well as habits. Not everyone has a chance to forget everything and start over. Many people want to experience that in the world. Including you? Yes, including me. Missing pessimism. If I can choose on my own, I would rather lose one arm, one leg, or one less eye in exchange for my memory. Didnt you say that the feeling of amnesia is not bad previously? Thats because I have no choice but to face it. And said that as selffort. The waterfall came down from the mountain and merged into a stream at the foot of the mountain. The water was clear, and the stones in the stream were grounded to round and smooth. Arianna washed her face on the shore and then slowly walked into the stream. The cool water refreshed her entire body and erased her uneasiness. She walked further and further. Vince called her, You will get arthritis if you stand in this water for too long. She shook her head at him. After a few minutes, Vince said, You have to be careful with the water snake. Arianna ignored him and walked a few steps deeper. Then she suddenly screamed and quickly jumped to the boulders on her sideways, but she did not standstill. She slipped into the water and fell. Before she made any move, Vince had rushed into the water and pulled her up and dragged and hugged her to the shore. Ariannas body was softened all over. Something had bitten her toe. She really thought it was a water snake when she was shocked by the bite. But when she checked after she went on shore, it was just a small mussel. Vince couldnt help butugh out loud. They were both wet. The two followers who had been standing in the distance just rushed over. Vince signaled to let them give Arianna a big towel and let them walk away. And Vince took Ariannas right foot to check her wound. He held her ankle in his right hand. In fact, his expressions and movements were very natural rather than erotic. Arianna almost kicked him in a conditional reflex way and asked, What do you want to do? Vince asked back, What do you think I want to do? Arianna stood up and wanted to leave. Vince said, Put on your shoes so you wont get tetanus. Thats because of you. Who just lied to me about the water snake? Arianna kept on walking. The grass on the shore of the stream was as thin as a nket, touching her injured heel and making her painful and itchy. I didnt lie to you. There are really water snakes and grass snakes, and they like to bite little girls on their bare feet. Vince stood up and pulled her, You change your face faster than a little girl. Arianna got rid of his hand and said, We are still strangers! Thats why we should try to get to know each other better. Arianna covered her ears with both hands and continued to walk, hearing him yelling Hey from behind. Suddenly she heard that someone took a deep breath like an endangered cat and then he didnt make a sound. Arianna quickly turned back and saw Vince squatted on the ground with a painful look. Arianna stood still. Hey, help me, please pull me up. Vince pleaded. Dont pretend. You cant just try to scare me again like thest time. Hey, I just saved you back there, right? And saved you the first time we met, right? How can you be so ruthless even if you are not grateful? Im suffering now because of you, right? Such a dialogue was vaguely familiar to Arianna, as if it had happened on a certain date of a month in a certain year. Arianna continued to stand in the same ce for a while. Then she used her hands to press on her pulsing temples, walked back, and slowly helped him to stand up. Vince did not look like he was acting, his lips white, his forehead and palms sweating. The two followers who were standing in the distance quickly came over again, and Vince was taken to the car. His look was restored to indifference, no longer as rogue as he was, just lying in the back seat, looking calm and pale. In stark contrast, his two followers were in a panic. Arianna sat silently in the passenger seat. Only when they got Vince into the car, took off the soaked socks, rolled up the wet trousers, and covered him with a nket did Arianna clearly find out a secret while helping them. Vinces right foot was nothing special at first nce. But when she looked at it closely, his little toe bent slightly inward into a small arc. Chapter 120: Do You Like Her Very Much? Arianna went back to the main mansion with them. When the car stopped, there was already a stretcher waiting outside the window, and the doctor hurriedly followed. After they had just ced Vince steady, a pink shadow flew to him and hugged him, Darling, why are you so careless? Arianna stood a few meters away and saw the womans angel appearance and devil figure. She was a stunning beauty. But Vinces reaction was too much in contrast with her enthusiasm. He only said a word faintly, Reba. Reba was, in the legend, Vinces friend since childhood, personal assistant, and suspected girlfriend. **** Arianna did cause the pain in Vinces leg. He moved fiercely and was soaked in cold water, which made his old disease rpse. Arianna thought old Lady Johnson would not spare her this time, but after she said sorry to the olddy, Lady Johnson was still carrying an aggressive tone, just there was no sign of causing trouble to her. The old Lady Johnson said, Did you make him go there? Did you push him into the water? You didnt. So, what do you apologize for? Lady Johnson was more interested in another thing, I heard that you have been with him today, huh? She looked at Arianna sharply. Arianna immediately felt that the sofa she was sitting on became a trial seat. After more than five minutes of being looked at by the olddy, Arianna finally found the right time to propose that she should go home. I have asked your father to talk about things. He should have alreadye. You may wish to go home with him. Now, do you want to see Vince? I dont want to bother Mr. Johnson while he needs to rest. Then go to the flower house and walk, the flowers are beautiful there. Zenon! Before Arianna could refuse, the white-haired butler had already appeared and said, Miss, pleasee with me. Arianna lost her good feeling about the olddy again. In the flower house, she only found one thing. Under the shade of green leaves, the flowers in the greenhouse were all white. Thats Master Johnsons favorite color. The butler shrugged. He doesnt like colorful things. Since he was born? No. A long time ago, he gradually began to dislike other colors. Nobody knows why. Arianna vaguely remembered some data that said white flowers were the most aromatic in the same variety of flowers. And suddenly, a familiar voice was striking her eardrum, saying, Have you heard this before? When everyone is born, there will be someone in the world who looks exactly like him Arianna covered her ears. At the same time, in the bright study room, Lady Johnson said to York, Id like your daughter Arianna toe to talk to me for a while every day. The child is stubborn. She doesnt talk much and does not understand the rules here. Im afraid she will bring much trouble to you. Thats alright. I like quiet and stubborn children, and I am also very willing to teach the girl some rules. The olddy waved to stop his further rejection. York reluctantly retreated. When York and his daughter walked out of the mansion, Vince was standing at the window looking down. Arianna had been walking behind her father, but the dog raised by Lady Johnson moved behind her and used its nose to lick her calf. She turned back and made a move to pretend she would kick the puppy, and then she ran all the way back to the front of York and turned to see if the dog was following them. She was like a child. Vince smiled. Reba, who was standing behind him, came forward and asked, Do you like her very much? I think she is very funny. Vince watched the father and daughter drift away, slowly turn around, and was hugged by Reba. Reba put her head on his chest and said, You know that I cant walk away, but you came back without notice. You are so bad. You didnt like this ce before. Vince pulled back slightly, keeping a little distance from her, and he said, But now I begin to like it. How are things going? Henry Johnson almost got a heart attack because of you. He couldnt even take two sentences from me? Well, he is too weak. He regrets having underestimated you. Reba stepped forward and held Vince, who was jumping forward with one foot. What are you going to take? I will help you. Ill do it by myself. Vince gently pushed away from her hand, jumped to the table, picked up a bottle of water that had already been opened, threw it into the trash can, and took a bottle of unopened water. Then he sat down on the chair, put the newly injured foot on another leg, and drank a few mouthfuls of water. There was only one chair at that table. Reba had to sit far away from him. She said, The doctor reminded you of no intense action. How can you be so careless today? Is it painful? It doesnt matter. Its better than feelingpletely unaware. The air here is good. You look much better than before. Vince nodded and stopped talking. After stopping for a long time, Reba stood up and said, I found some of your previous videos. When you have time, take a look. Vince smiled, You recorded a lot of pictures for me as if you knew that I would lose memory one day. Bullshit. Reba hurriedly said. Just kidding, please dont mind. When I look at those videos, I find them very interesting. Sometimes it looks like a person who is exactly like me is ying me, and at other times it looks like I am ying another person myself. Why do you think I need to look at the previous things? I thought you would want to know what you were like before and hope to restore your memory. You know, the doctor said that my memory cant be recovered.N?velDrama.Org ? content. You should believe that there is a miracle in this world. I hope so. I have already created one, so I am still alive. Vince walked to the other side of the bed, slowly lying down, closing his eyes. I want to take a break. Remember to lock the door for me when you go out. Thank you. Chapter 121: Have You Investigated Me? Reba sat on the side of the bed and stared at him for a while. As his breath got more and more peaceful, she put a thin sheet on him and leaned over and kissed his forehead. Then she walked out and shut the door slowly. Then Reba saw old Lady Johnson standing outside the door with a serious look. Behind the olddy was the butler with a warm expression. Reba took a bow and said, Hello, madam. How is Vince? Just fell asleep. Thank you, Reba. The olddy nodded and left with the butler. In the flower house, the old Lady Johnson used a pair of scissors to cut a pot of flowers into pieces and said to the butler Zenon, I dont like the girl Reba. Reba is doing her best during thea of the young master. Do you think she has the chance to be my granddaughter-inw? That depends on the young master. Lady Johnson smiled seriously, Why dont you say it depends on me?All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org. The butler bowed, Yes, you are right. What about another girl? She speaks little, not curious about anything. Thats it? Every time someone mentioned the past of our young master, her expression would be a little bit strange. Vince only slept for a little while, and when he got up, he yed the videos from Reba on the DVD yer. This time it was about his teenage years. In those videos, he stood on the stage giving a speech, ran out of the basketball court in sweat, or sat in front of the piano ying. Vince took a bow like a boy in the videos, imitated the boys tone, and said, Thank you all. The sound of the boys voice was clear, and his voice was low and hoarse. Vince turned off the machine, threw the disc into the drawer, and tried to think about the past. He tried to connect himself with the young boy in the videos and failed, so he got a headache. He pressed his temples and stood against the wall for a while. Then he ate a painkiller. And he took a cane from the corner and began walking into the room. When he turned to the tenthp, his phone rang. He answered the phone and said, Okay, ok, and hung up. Vince turned on theputer, and theputer prompted that there was data to receive. He entered a long string of passwords. And afteryer-byyer authentication, he opened the new data received. The information was Ariannas resume, very simple, from kindergarten to elementary school, junior high school, high school, university, studying abroad, returning home, changing jobs, changing jobs again Her rtionship was even simpler, only one love experience, going to marry, suddenly breaking up, then single to the present. Only a few hundred words would be enough to summarize her twenty more years of history, just another urban woman. There were also many photos of her, mostly from childhood and adolescence. The photos prove that she had a colorful girlhood full of apuse and flowers. She yed the piano, danced, received awards on the stage, dressed like a ssic movie character, and was cherished by her family like a princess. However, her youth was like a nk. Even this credit bureau, which imed to be able to get sneak shots even in the Johnson House, only found her ID card photos, drivers license photos, graduation photos, and several work photos. Vince looked at the photos one by one carefully. From childhood to the present, her appearance changed very little, just the look and style of her face indicated she had been through a lot. When Vince saw thest photo, his fingers holding the mouse became stiff for a second. In that low-resolution photo, a man and a woman warmly embraced together, forming a vague party in the dim light and the blurred ambient environment. Even so, he could still recognize the long-haired woman, whose eyes were close, was exactly Arianna Jenkins. And that man with an unpredictable expression was clearly himself. He stared at the photo for a long time, dialed a phone number, and said a few words to the other end. Then he turned the photos backward and looked at them one by one again. When he came back to the first photo, he used his index finger to touch the lovely small girls face on theputer screen. In another corner of the estate, Arianna wasmunicating with her friends in Country C on the Inte. She saw Ryan online, clicked his icon, and left a message saying, Does Mr. Cooper has a twin brother? The next day, Arianna appeared on time for Lady Johnsons tea time. Previously, York told Arianna not to force herself. She wouldve refused the call in one second two days ago. But after yesterday afternoon, a lot of doubts came to her mind that made her curious. Ryan replied that day, Mr. Cooper never mentioned his birth story. I only know his nominal father is not his biological father. Yes for a while, Mr. Cooper paid attention to everything about twins and provided help to several pairs That Vince is an acquaintance of Mr. Cooper, his name written in Mr. Coopers address book. Also, Mr. Cooper had two calls with Mr. Johnson on the day of the car ident Just, I never figured out his identity. The resourceful Ryan couldnt find out the identity of Vince, but Arianna had the possibility to find out, so she came to the olddy. She had no idea what was waiting for her. Arianna and old Lady Johnson were separated by a table, sitting face to face in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows and drinking tea. The sun was shining, and the flowers were blooming outside. Lady Johnson said, Tell me more about Country C, please? Are you not using me of misinterpreting the country? Please give me some time to prepare on that subject. Its alright. Please tell me more about yourself? Beautiful, rich, but lonely. Why dont you have a boyfriend? Are you expecting too much? Or you havent encountered a suitable person? Or someone hurt you so badly, and you are in despair? Arianna was speechless. The olddy continued, You only had one rtionship before? You didnt find a lover between seventeen to twenty-seven, the best years of a woman? For a woman like you at such an age, this romantic experience is too simple. Arianna was almost outraged, Have you investigated me? I must run an investigation on any woman who appears within one meter of Vince. This is a convention, sweetheart. You have to adapt. Chapter 122: I Don鈥檛 Want To Talk About It Arianna was speechless again. The olddy continued, Im very curious about one thing. Someone has given you a legacy. You epted it but donated the equivalent of assets to charity in his name. What is your rtionship with this person? Secret lover? Madam, about my personal business, do I have the right not to answer? Of course. But are you not curious why my grandson looks exactly like that person? Arianna looked straight at her with a nk expression. I also heard that you fainted when you first saw the face of Vince. Is it for this reason? Please respect my privacy. I think, ording to your personality, you mustvee in the wish of knowing something from me, right? How about we exchange information? You tell me the information about the other boy. And I, in return, can tell you the past of Vince or anything else you want to know. I dont want to know the past of Mr. Johnson. I dont want to tell you anything about Travis Cooper. He is no longer alive. I know. If you are so interested in him, you may also go to the detective agency to investigate. I cant find anything, so I ask you. Dont you think that it is very uncivilized to force someone to recall the past of the deceased? You dont look too sad. When a man and a woman walked across the window, Ariannas chest was filled with mes of emotion. Her education and temper were fighting. Vince was walking with crutches, but his look was leisurely, and his movements full of ease. Reba was with him, both her expression and body in tension. The ice on the cold face of old Lady Johnson was broken when they showed up. The two spotted the olddy and Arianna. Reba took a bow to both of them on the other side of the window. Vince also bowed to the olddy and nodded slightly toward Arianna. Arianna took a bow to them too. Since Arianna guessed yesterday that this person might be the twin brother of Travis, there were moreplicated meanings in her eyes when she looked at Vince. Vince liked to wear colorless clothes like Travis and had held her ankle like Travis. Especially when there were many people present, Vinces polite and indifferent manner looked perfectly the same as Traviss. The olddy watched her grandsons back as he walked away. There was some warmth and a little sensation in her eyes. Arianna had already moved her sight elsewhere. If the person you know was my grandson, The olddy stared at Ariannas face, Do you think that I am qualified to know something about him? A touch of sadness appeared on the face of the olddy who had been arrogant all along. Ariannas heart jumped fiercely and almost rushed out of her throat. Did she just find the answer to her question? Arianna tried to stay calm and asked, So, you know it already? The olddy was way too sophisticated than Arianna. Arianna made a decision that she wouldnt ept another unhappy conversation with the olddy again that night. But Arianna went to the olddy after receiving her call again the next day. **** There were exchange conditions between Arianna and Lady Johnson. Sitting under the perg in the back garden, looking at a bunch of roses, Arianna tried to recall, His room, his clothes were all white and light yellow, no other colors. He didnt like ck, not even for furniture and appliances. Vince is the same. The olddy said. He didnt eat spicily, rarely ate meat, mostly a vegetarian. He only drank white wine and champagne. I never saw him drink red wine. Is it? Vince is also a vegetarian. He did not drink red wine for the past few years. Did he have any hobbies? Fishing? Riding? Speedboat? Golf? I dont know, Arianna said honestly. Seeing the olddy a bit disappointed, she added, He didnt like to drive. Oh? But Vince likes to drive. He participated in the racing team when he was a teenager. The olddy was looking more disappointed. Arianna heard Vinces biography from Lady Johnson on this day. Vinces father was patriotic but encountered turbulent years in the country. He did not have the opportunity to exert his ambitions and realize his dreams. Many yearster, he came home with a baby, saying that the babys mom had perished. He died in an ident a few yearster as a single. The olddy added, Vince always believes his mother is still alive. Their conversation stopped when Vince and Reba showed up in the distant green shade. Vince recovered quickly. Only after one day, he had already thrown away his crutches, walking steadily. Reba walked side by side with him, her face full of care. The space for conversation between Arianna and Lady Johnson was very limited. The olddy liked to refute and force others to agree with her opinions, while Arianna didnt like to debate or agree with others easily. Arianna was only good at closing her mouth. Why dont you ask, how do I know that the other child is also my grandson? I thought you were reluctant to talk about that? Now, I am willing to talk. Lets exchange it. Tell me about how you got to know that child. I will tell you what you want to know. But I dont want to talk about it. Do you know his wife? What kind of person is she? Lady Johnson asked again. Arianna pondered for a second and said, Her personality is a little bit simr to you. She thought that the olddy should like her conclusion. Well, it looks like you dont like that woman very much. The olddy dered. Arianna shut up. She decided not to answer any more questions from the olddy today. But the olddy suddenly said nicely, Hey dear, you stay here and greet the little ones for me. Im going to make a call. Arianna recalled thest time she bid goodbye to Vince in an unpleasant manner, so she wanted to be nice, and she asked, How is your leg? But she soon noticed that it was nonsense. Vince walked into the room in a steady manner. Im fine, thank you. How is your wound?Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org. Im okay, Arianna answered. The wound was just a tiny little scratch. Chapter 123: The Auction The atmosphere was awkward and boring. Arianna wanted to disappear as soon as possible. She stood up in a hurry but lost her bnce and almost fell. Vince immediately stood up and helped hold her body steady, but his feet were still not strong enough, so the two of them fell down on the chair Vince was sitting in a second ago. Arianna fell into Vinces arms and heard a low grunt from him. She probably hurt his injured leg. Arianna climbed up from him hurriedly, wanted to apologize and exin, but saw Vince staring at the doorway indifferently. Arianna looked at the doorway, and there stood Lady Johnson with a calm face and Reba with aplicated expression. Reba said, Sorry for interrupting. The olddy said, You guys just continue. Vince didnt say anything, and Arianna went back to Yorks house upset and imed that she was ill. In the evening, Lady Johnson sent someone to visit the patient and gave her a box of snacks. Vince sent someone to give her a pot of night-blooming cereus. It will bloom in an hour and will not disturb Lady Jenkins. The maid who sent the flower exined. The night-blooming cereus bloomed on time in an hour. The flowers wereplex and enchanting, the colors pure and quiet, and the rich floral fragrance spread to every corner of the room. Its just that gorgeous bloomingsted only a moment. After a quarter of an hour, the petals closed, and the flowers were gone. Young Master Vince seems to be chasing you, ire said. Dont talk nonsense. Arianna replied, He got a girlfriend already. You mean Reba? Actually, she is from the past.N?velDrama.Org ? content. Because of that, when Arianna went to the main mansion again, her mood was even worse. That day, when Arianna was having a hard time with the olddy again, Vince came to his grandma to ask for outdoor sightseeing. Lady Johnson said, Today, you should go to the charity auction in Lesters house on behalf of me. I dont have a femalepanion. Reba just left. She went out to do something for me. Let Arianna go with you. Lady Johnson hadnt asked for Ariannas permission first. My clothes and my hair are not ready. Arianna objected instinctively. I think you look nice. Let Vince apany you to buy a new dress. Vince and Lady Johnson said at the same time. Later, Arianna followed Vince. She had enough apanying the olddy. The car stopped in front of a gorgeous door. She thought she had arrived at the destination, so she got off with Vince but found that it was a clothing store, so they had a small dispute. You said that I look good already. But you said your clothes and your hair were not ready. Now feel ready. Arianna found a rule. No matter what they were talking about, they could easily fall into an infinite loop. She guessed he would say, But now I dont think you are ready. In fact, Vince said, I think you may get better. She obeyed his wish and changed into another dress, and he helped her walk out of the store. When they were walking down the steps, Arianna stumbled, and her shoces were opened. Before Arianna wanted to bend and tie her shoces, Vince had already squatted down to tie her shoces. You will let others misunderstand, Arianna whispered with dissatisfaction. What misunderstanding? Vince asked strangely. Your rtionship with me! Arianna raised her voice. Vince was silent for a moment, Have you misunderstood? They had walked to the side of the car, and the driver had already opened the door. Arianna said before getting in the car, I wont misunderstand. When the car moved for a long distance, Vince spoke in Country Znguage and said, Do you always reject goodwill and pursuit from others? Arianna was stunned. She had studied in a college in Country Z before. Thenguage of Country Z was minor and not popr in the world. She didnt expect Vince to be able to speak thatnguage. Clearly, he didnt want the driver to hear what they were talking about. And Vince seemed to know her a lot. We have just met a few times. How much do you know about me? Where did your goodwill for mee from? Dont you believe that there is love at first sight in this world? The car arrived at its destination on time. Vince got out of the car and opened the door for her. He reached out a hand to help her out of the car. Arianna got out of the car by herself and wanted to move forward and ignore him. Vince took her wrist. Arianna tried to break free but failed. She said to him madly. I dont want to y this boring game with you! Vince grabbed her slender wrist and dragged her all the way to the charity auction venue. The auction hadnt started yet. From time to time, someone came forward to say hello to Vince. Vince always greeted them back with a very low-temperature but polite smile. He whispered to Arianna, Stop making trouble here; otherwise, they will really misunderstand us. **** The auction was very small, and the goods were simple, mainly provided by the children of the orphanage. There were watercolor paintings, y sculptures, and homemade rag dolls. Vince bought a few ordinary paintings with handsome money. He said, Miss Jenkins, please smile. If you keep looking like that, they will misunderstand that you are one of the artworks to be auctioned. Arianna squeezed a smile, You are so funny. Well, its better you dont smile, Vince turned his eyes back to the auction. The host was showing a chain with an ordinary small stone as a pendant, This child cannot make beautiful pictures, nor can she make cute dolls, but this is her most beloved thing. Although this stone looks inconspicuous, it has been with her for ten years. Vince was focused on this round of auctions. The initial price of this stone was not high, but someone had been pushing up its price with Vince. When Vince won the auction, the price of the stone had be outrageous. The host asked Vince, Why is this gentleman willing to pay such a high price? I was touched by the dedication of this child. Not everyone has the courage to present their most beloved things to others, so I honor her love. Vince paused and took a nce at his opponent, who made him pay tens of times the price, and said, I think this gentleman must have amon desire with me. The audience apuded him. Chapter 124: I Told You Everything On the return trip, Vince studied the pebble he bought at a high price and called the auction organizer, Please give me the contact information of the child who donated this stone no, I wish to give her back the stone in person. Arianna was zoning out. She had tried to forget about Irenes Czech meteorite incident. But when she saw Vince study the stone and his previous words, she felt she was trapped in an unrealistic picture. Vince took the initiative to break the silence and said, That poor child doesnt know that only this stone is enough to give her a worry-free fortune for her whole life. For the second time, he showed his amazing expertise in gemstone ore. Arianna could hardly remain silent, and she said, Did your opponent also notice the value of the stone? Maybe. He is a very sessful gem merchant. Did you study geology? Gems major? It is said that I studied finance and trade, but my father studied geology for many years. Maybe he passed this gene to me? When Arianna and Vince were driving back, Lady Johnson was talking to her second son, Henry Johnson, in the study. Henry was in histe 50s, and his eyebrows looked simr to Vinces. He said, Mom, I want to talk to you about Vince. Since he woke up, his way of seeing things and handling things has be totally different from before. He recovered from a life-or-death ident and lost his memory. Its understandable that he is different from before. The olddy said faintly. I sent you something a few days ago, I think you have already seen it. The olddy put on an ugly look, There are many people in the world who look the same. Mom, they had an ident in the same area. Why is that when its about Vince The olddy stopped him from going on, Henry, I watched Vince grow up. I know him better than anyone! And you only see him three or two times a year. You are his uncle, and you want him dead? If you suspect he is not your nephew, you can go and verify DNA with him! When the conversation between the mother and son ended and Henry walked out of the study, York walked out from behind the bookshelf, where there was always a secret door. Henry was a little impatient this time. Looks like Vince drove him mad. York lowered his head and whispered, I heard that Henry took the heart medicine because of young master Vince. After that illness, Vince got some balls. He would never offend others before. A mild smile appeared on Lady Johnsons lips, York, you are the person who has been with Vince for a long time except me, right? Yes, maam. I have been with a young master since he was six years old to 18. So, tell me, do you think he is really different from before? His way of seeing things has be different. However, his small habits, actions, smiles, and meditations are exactly the same as before. York cautiously replied. The olddy was deep in meditation. Then she said, Henry also mentioned the child who looks exactly the same as Vince. Tell me about the day you saw him. I know you already talked about it twice, but I just want to hear it again. York narrated for the third time, That day. Young Master Vince asked me to meet in City N. I went there half a day earlier and saw him in another restaurant. He was with a few guests, and they seemed to be talking business. I went to say hello, but his attitude was very cold as if he didnt know me. When I saw the Young Master in the evening, I asked him about what happened during the daytime, he said he was just joking with me. Then he ended the meeting with me earlier and left in a hurry. Later I realized the one I saw at noon that day should be another Young Master. Lady Johnson was as focused as she was listening for the first time. After a long while, she asked, You didnt even notice that he wasnt Vince? I didnt. The two looked exactly the same person In all these years, I didnt have many chances to see the Young Master. Lady Johnson said, Your daughter Arianna She paused and then said, York, I wont ask you about that day again, please forget it. That child has nothing to do with the Johnson Family. Yes, York answered with respect. After York left, Lady Johnson continued to sit there in meditation until a servant knocked on the door and said, Madam, its time to take the medicine. Have you cleaned up the rooms Vince used to live in? ording to your instructions, all the rooms the Young Master had lived in were clean. The Young Master likes his room to be clean all the time. I also asked someone to clean up some of his records. When the servant left, the olddy made a few more calls to confirm a few things. Thest call she made was to Vinces brain doctor. Does Vince still have frequent headaches? The doctor asked.Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org. My grandchild said nothing. Thats the case. He is one of the most stubborn patients I have ever seen. He would remain silent even when he was about to fall into aa because of pain. But he is very concerned about his memory. He is disappointed about the poor opportunity to get his memory back. If he finds out his memory loss is not a sequel to a car ident, but because I chose that treatment when I knew it would seriously damage his memory, will he hate me very much? He wont find out. And you only meant good for him. Amnesia is always better than aa. He will understand. I hope so. Lady Johnson hung up, her face covered in tears. On the same night, Arianna was also sleepless. An hour ago, she called Ryan. For the first time, she asked Ryan about the details of Traviss death, but Ryans response was vague. Ryan, have you been holding something I should know? I told you everything. I think you are the one holding things back on me. Arianna also became vague when Ryan talked about Vince. Arianna had known the secret at first sight, but she couldnt say anything because of her agreement with Lady Johnson. Neither of them got the information they wanted. Chapter 125: Stop Haunting Me Arianna didnt sleep well all night. Lots of images in her dreams hit her brain. At first, her dream was beautiful and peaceful. There was sunshine, grass, flowers, and two cute little children who looked exactly the same. They hugged each other and rolled on the ground. Then she dreamed of the moment the two children met each other when they became adults. One looked surprised, and one looked calm. One was in reality and one in the illusion world. Then she became the protagonist of her dream and stood in front of the two men, confused and overwhelmed. She tried to reach her hand to touch one of them, and the man disappeared. Another man reached out to touch her, and he also disappeared. She suddenly recalled her close contact with Travis Cooper in the darkness. He once forced her to wash his body. She saw a small, pink heart birthmark on his most private part. Arianna got out of bed, turned on theputer, and typed the words twin and birthmark. The search results told her that even the identical twins could hardly have the same birthmark in the same part of the body. Arianna trembled, and there was a thinyer of sweat on her back and palms. She got up and sat down outside the window and smoked a cigarette. She just had some crazy idea that made her feel scared and embarrassed. Then she went to bed again and came back in a dream again. She dreamed of her father and mother before their death, dreamed of grandpa who went crazy because of disease. She also dreamed of her past, dreamed of the first time she was saved by Travis Cooper, dreamed of the times he provided shelter and protection for her. She broke her lips and yelled at Travis in the dream, Who cares whether you are dead or alive? Why cant you just die? Stop haunting me! **** The next day was the grape harvest day in the manor. The harvest festival was lively. There were wines and flowers. Lady Johnson personally presided over the worship ceremony. When she opened a huge bottle of wine, the air was filled with sweetness. The huge pool in the mansion was full of grapes. Many people took off their shoes to step on grapes cheerfully. Others were singing and dancing in the small square. These people really loved their lives here. Arianna was watching the ceremony calmly. She was always lonely on the liveliest asions. ire asked her, Why wont you go in and join them? Arianna said, I will never drink grape juice again. ireughed. She jumped into the pool with her friends and no longer tried to invite Arianna. Arianna walked around and was dragged into the dance team and did two dances. After a while, someone came over and told her that the olddy had requested her presence. Lady Johnson and some guests sat in the pool area next to the small square, eating snacks, drinking tea and wine, and chatting. Only separated by a wall full of flowers, the leisure andfort here were much different from the carnival outside. Vince, who only showed up a few seconds in the ceremony, hade here too, talking with a middle-aged man who looked like him. After struggling for a whole night, Arianna zoned out again, seeing Vinces face until Lady Johnson talked to her. You dont look good. It seems like you didnt sleep well yesterday. Had a few nightmares. Oh, thats really pitiful. What a coincidence. Vince also said he had nightmaresst night. Well, check his panda eyes. Arianna was speechless. Young people shouldnt think much so there wont be nightmares. The olddy pushed a ss of wine to Arianna and added, I heard that you are going back next week? Yes. She replied politely, looking in the direction of the Lee couple, I have been here for too long. York will be sad. Isnt there really nothing here that can keep you? There was a white piano in the yard, and the pianist had been ying soft and soothing music. Its a beautiful ce. Thank you for your hospitality. Arianna said mechanically. I think you are not being honest. The olddy smiled, But hey, I really want to see you often. Maybe Vince doesnt want you to go, right? Arianna wanted to stay quiet, but the olddy was waiting for her reply, so she had to say, Mr. Johnson is kind and hospitable, just like you. Girl, dont you know yourself? Your eyes always betray you when you are being sarcastic. The olddy smiled and looked in the direction of Vince. Arianna looked at Vince too. Vince was seated next to his uncle. They seemed to be carrying expressions from two different seasons. Henry looked serious and seemed to be holding onto something, while Vince looked indifferent. Lady Johnson pulled back her gaze and took a sip of tea, and said, You made a mistake. Vince has always been cold and inhospitable. He never volunteered himself to pursue others. At the time, the pianist had just finished a song and left the piano. Henry stood up, cleared his throat, and said, Lets wee Vince to y an episode for us. The crowd quieted down. Henry added, I still remember the fact that when Vince was a child, he yed the piano for everyone during every family feast. I havent had the luck to hear him y for years. I wonder how much Vinces skills have improved? The crowd apuded. Vince stared at Henry quietly. Lady Johnson frowned and waved to let Henrye over and whispered to him, You know that his fingers were injured. And he doesnt remember the old things. Mom, Vince doesnt remember the past, but he hasnt forgotten what he learned. You can rest assured.All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org. Vince slowly walked over and sat down at the piano. What do you want to hear? How about a piece from Liszt? Uncle, I think I prefer Chopin. Oh, yes. How about you y a waltz from Chopin? You used to y a lot when you were a child. After thinking for a while, Vince came up with a string of notes intermittently, which was Chopins Gorgeous Waltz, but it was very incoherent. He looked at Henrys slightly smiling face and apologized to the crowd, and showed the crowd with his index finger, middle finger, and ring finger of his right hand. Chapter 126: They Are Not Alike These fingers are ipetent after being injured. I cant do anything with them other than elerating the rhythm. I hope you dont mind if I y another way. He exchanged his left and right hands and yed the episode with a much faster rhythm. This time, he yed very smoothly and beautifully. The crowd was first shocked, but then they apuded Vince loudly. Lady Johnson pped for a long time, her face covered with a smile. How did he get his fingers injured? Arianna asked. Because of that ident. Didnt you notice that he uses his left hand to write? Ariannas heartbeat ramped up. She asked, A car ident? When did it happen? His car crashed into the cliff, and he disappeared. Later Reba found him in a small hospital. When he was in aa, I had sworn that I wouldnt investigate this ident if he could wake up. Lady Johnson said, Hey girl, Vince must be very happy if he knows that you care about him so much, right? Arianna was silent. In fact, these days, she tried to dig up the truth about Vinces ident from many people, but those people either didnt know anything or kept their mouths shut, and she got nothing. Lady Johnson said, I know what you want to know. Yeah. His ident location and time were very close to the other child that you know. I learned this a long timeter. Perhaps the fate of the twins is really simr? When Arianna left the olddy, her footsteps were a bit unstable. She was scared because what she regarded as unrealistic wild guesses became clearer. The fascinating, unfavorable, and uncertain expectation hidden in her heart was much more terrifying than simply desperate toward life.Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org. In the afternoon, Arianna went back to Yorks house to sleep. Then she dreamed again. In her dream, Vince lined up a row of gleaming stones like a magician, patiently exining the names of the stones to her, This is green crystal, this is diamond, this is the Czech meteorite, and that piece is the tourmaline. His fingers were slender, beautiful, just like a pianists fingers. He reached out his fist and asked, Guess whats in my palm? Then he opened his palm, and it was her lucky buckle lying in his palm. Arianna said, This is mine. Why do you have it? She reached out to take it back. The man said, This one is mine. The jade lucky buckle disappeared in his palm. Arianna looked up in surprise, and she saw him be transparent and then disappear. Arianna woke up in cold sweat. She knew at first that she dreamed of Vince, but then she mistook him for Travis. **** In the evening, Arianna was woken up by ire. ire said that there was a barbecue at thekeside and that she could stay at theke for one night. ire looked forward to seeing Arianna there with her because York wouldnt allow her to spend the night outside alone. ire didnt expect Arianna to agree so quickly. Arianna looked so tired and weak, but she just nodded after she asked about the participants of the activity. The barbecue dinner was held on open ground by theke. Under the sunset, theke in the dust reflected the crimson clouds and distant mountains, and the heat of the day was gradually dissipated. Twenty more people joined the barbecue. They were very young. Besides Vince, his two cousins, and Reba, there were many faces strange to Arianna, but ire could call their names one by one. The ingredients were prepared in advance. Youngdies and gentlemen from wealthy families gathered in a circle, talking. Servants walked around them to provide services. Vince was undoubtedly the core of this group of people. Everyone was polite and respectful to him, even if Vince was suffering from memory loss and not ideal body condition. Even Vinces two yboy-looking cousins became respectful and disciplined in front of him. They talked about astronomy, geography, history, and politics and rarely mentioned the past. Arianna paid attention to the expressions of those people. Everyone looked at Vince normally, as if he used to be like this. But he looked clearly like Travis in Ariannas eyes. He was indifferent, brief, and only spoke more when the topic aroused his interest. When he was staring at something, he was actually distracted. When he looked down casually, he might be listening carefully to others. Arianna was scared herself that she suddenly realized she knew Travis so well. A woman named Maggie was talking about her travels to County Cst month. She even tried to learn some local dialects. Vince repeated Maggies words in his own tone of Country Cs dialect. Someoneughed out loud while Ariannas heartbeat ramped up. Maggie asked Arianna, Miss Jenkins is from Country C. Do you think Vinces dialect sounds legit? Arianna said, Has Vince been to Country C? He hasnt been there! Reba interrupted. Someone else said, He is more talented than the average person innguage. When he was bored, he even learned both Braille and Dumb. Vinces younger cousin said, My proposal to set up a factory in Country C was opposed by the second uncle. You will stand on my side, right? The second uncle was right. There are some problems with your n. You cant use your experience here to build a factory in Country C. I went there to negotiate. They are willing to give us the most superior conditions because they urgently need funds and technology. Their city is one blooming with prospects and favorable policies from the government. I dont want to miss this opportunity. Less developed countries had less developed rules and old-fashioned forces. The time and depth of your investigations are not enough. My advice is to not act casually until you understand their rules. Why, its like you have set up apany there. The younger cousin of Vince turned to ask Arianna, Miss Jenkins, is the economic environment in Country C really so bad? Arianna couldnt say anything to Vinces younger cousin, whose name was Victor, but looked at Vince instead. Vince looked at her calmly and then said to Victor, Stop. Thedy is not interested in that kind of thing. The new face, like Arianna, took their attention. They raised many personal questions about her, and Arianna was busy answering. Then the crowd sighed, ire does look like Arianna. Another one said, I think Arianna looked exactly like ire when she was in her teens. Vince, who had been quiet during the previous discussion of Ariannas biography, suddenly said, They are not alike. Chapter 127: It鈥檚 Nothing Personal Vince was spreading pepper on the barbecue in front of him when he said that. Reba, seated next to him, reached out and stopped him saying, Your throat. Vince took back his hand. Maggie smiled and said, You dont meet an assistant like Reba every day. Vince looked up at her. Another person said, Well, whats with your throat? I thought you just had head damage, why is your throat affected? Arianna was just about to send the grilled meat to her mouth. Hearing that, she nced at Vince. Vince also took a nce at her with his sharp eyes. Ariannas hand trembled, and the flesh fell to the ground. She was about to bow and pick it up, but Vince handed her his baked piece in a natural manner. Maggieughed, Maybe brain damage can improve your gentlemans side. Vince handed another piece of baked meat to Maggie. She smiled and whispered, Thank you. Arianna could sympathize with Reba, that her affection was totally ignored by Vince. But Reba wouldnt let Arianna have a good time. Arianna couldnt find ire. She heard ire go to her room to go to sleep, so Arianna rushed back to the room to see her. Ariannas nature of being an idiot in direction worked again. When Arianna knocked at the door, a young man with only a towel wrapped around his naked body came out, and Arianna saw a girl under the sheet on the bed in the room. Arianna apologized in embarrassment. Then Arianna was having a hard time telling the exact room ire was staying in. At the time, Reba stumbled and walked over and almost bumped into Arianna. Reba lifted her head, her eyes red and watering. When Arianna came over to find ire, she saw Reba talking to Vince outside. Arianna guessed the situation between Reba and Vince. A more sympathetic feeling grew in Ariannas heart. Previously, the guest rooms were assigned by Reba, so Arianna asked Reba whether she still remembered ires room number. Rebas face showed an incredible expression. Reba thought for a moment, then pointed to one of the doors, Should be this one. Arianna thanked her and then opened that door. The door was not locked. It was dark in the room. Arianna called ire several times, and there was no response. She turned on the light and found no one in the room. When she wanted to get out, she found the door had been locked from the outside. Arianna now understood things went wrong. She went to the door and listened for a while. She spected on Rebas motives. Perhaps Reba wanted to see Arianna yell for help like a clown. So, Arianna stayed quiet until she found someone shut the power of the room from the power hub outside. The room was dark again.N?velDrama.Org ? content. Arianna bit her teeth, stumbled to the window, opened the curtains, and looked outside. She was afraid of the dark. And it looked like everyone knew that. There was only the moonlight and serenity outside. Most people were downstairs having a good time. Probably no one could hear her. Arianna took a few deep breaths and thought about getting out of the window. In the distance, there were security guards patrolling. She was worried she should either get injured or caught by the guards if she broke out from the window. She had only ires number on her phone at the time in this foreign country. Luckily, the moon was bright. Her dark phobia was not going to happen yet. When Arianna was thinking she overrated the character of Reba, someone opened the lock of the door and got into the room. It was Victor Johnson with the smell of alcohol on his body. Victor closed the door and came over to Arianna and said, Wow, look at who I find out here! What a surprise present. Its a misunderstanding. Arianna tried to get rid of him, but Victor grabbed her hand and put it near his mouth. Victor used his beard to stab the back of Ariannas hand and said, Dont be shy, sweetheart. Panicked and disgusted, Arianna took her hand back with a huge force and said, Let me go! The yboy wouldnt just let her go. Victor used one hand to take her waist and another to cover her mouth,ughing very happily. Arianna used all her strength and kicked his leg. Victor grunted and loosened his grasp. Arianna immediately broke free and ran toward the door. Arianna stumbled over something at the door and got caught by Victor again. Victor smirked, Now you look like you have never been touched by a man. Dont you think its even easier to arouse a mans interest? He bowed and was about to kiss her. Arianna couldnt tell if he was joking or serious, but she was already too nervous. She would copse if he touched her again. She touched the thing that had tripped her. It was a ss bottle. She held the bottle in her hand. Then she pondered for a second on how to use the bottle. She then threw the bottle out the window. The bottle smashed the window ss and made a loud noise in the quiet night. While Victor was a little shocked, Arianna hurriedly ran out of the room, leaned on the railings in the corridor, and said, Step back! Youe closer and will jump off the building! It was a low-voiced but serious warning. Victor didnt move again. The people downstairs were having a good time, but the security guards quickly came over. A few momentster, Vince and two other persons came. Vince looked at the situation and smiled at the people next to him, Victor forgot to open the window before throwing out the bottle again. This time, when he wakes up, he is to put the ss back on his own. The two followers sensed something wrong and went downstairs. Vince understated that it was an old habit of Victor when he got drunk and convinced the security guard and let him switch on the power hub again. Victor became respectful when he saw Vince. Vince just held Arianna steady silently, as if he was afraid that she would faint again in the dark. When the light was on in the room, Vince asked, Whats this about, Victor? I was ying hide and seek with Miss Jenkins, thats all. In my opinion, Miss Jenkins didnt want to y the game. Victor smirked, Yeah, thisdy doesnt seem to be used to our gamey. Arianna didnt say anything until Victor went out. Vince said, Thank you. For what? For keeping this thing low profiled. Nothing. I was just trying to save my own self-respect. Victor was joking too much, but he just wanted to scare you. They used to do this kind of prank, to swindle people into the room and pretend to be a ghost to scare them. Its nothing personal. Yes, yes. This is just a traditional game for you guys. And I am the one who is uninformed. Chapter 128: Please Step Back Vince looked helplessly at the moon outside the window and said, I will ask him tomorrow and give you an exnation, but you should also stay focused. Dont get lost easily and always dare to run in unfamiliar ces. Yes, yes, I deserved that. Miss, do you have to use this tone when you talk to me? Vince suddenly held a tissue and picked up her arm. What are you doing? Arianna stepped back and was alerted. Your arm is wounded. He spread the tissue, and there was a little blood on it. Arianna was indifferent. Vince frowned with a look a bit like a child, I havent met you or talked to you many times, but I saw you wounded twice and sick once. Are we connected to each other somehow? Do you mean fate? Arianna went out with an ugly face. She was going to see ire, but she didnt know which room and she had no key. Eventually, she had to ask. Vince to get the spare key from the administrator. They went through a room where there was a crowd ying poker. Some looked at Arianna with a weird expression. Arianna saw Reba in the room. Reba looked like nothing had happened. When Arianna walked over to her, Reba smiled, I heard that you were scared. This is the ceremony for us to wee new people. ire must have told you? Arianna also smiled, It seems so. Probably I forgot.N?velDrama.Org ? content. When Arianna found ire, she was lying in bed and slumbering. ire even remembered to lock the door and cover herself with the quilt. She wiped ires face and hands with a hot towel, helped her change her pajamas, sat on her bed, and stayed for a while. After half an hour, ire had no sign of waking up. Arianna then left a night light on for her, walked out of the room slowly, and locked the door. Arianna returned to her room and smoked two cigarettes. Her cigarette addiction was not too big. It didnt matter if she didnt touch it for a month. But in the past two days, she was so irritated that she took a big box. She suspected that there was smoke in her pores. The building was full of facilities. She went to take a shower and sat for a while, then waited for her hair to be dried by the wind. She couldnt sleep, and she was upset. She got up again to look at the moon outside the window, but the ck night sky and white moonlight made her more annoyed. She suddenly wanted to go out, so she changed into her skirt and went out with her hair loose. Her hair just grew to her shoulders, and she rarely scattered her hair. Before she went out, she remembered the previous unpleasantness. She found a fruit knife from the bag and put it in her pocket. **** These houses were located on thekeside. At this moment, thekeside bonfire was extinguished, the moon shadows nting. A wind was blowing in the middle of the night, making theke wrinkled. The surroundings were not silent like the dead. There were insects, the rustling of the wind blowing the leaves, and the low-pitchedughers from some rooms. Arianna sat down on the chair in the courtyard, breathing the scent of the grass with the wind, and she was rxed. She smoked another cigarette, watching a thin cloud slowly passing by the moon. A low sound from the corner came suddenly. The position was five meters away. A little scared, Arianna bent over and picked up a small stone from the ground and threw it in that direction. The stone mmed into the wall and made a noise, but there was no sound ofnding. When Arianna picked up another stone, someone stood up in that direction, holding the stone in his hand, and he said, So, you like the game of throwing things. It was Vince, dressed in white and sitting next to a white statue. Arianna rxed and walked over to him, Are you enjoying the moonlight too? I was. Arianna was silent. He smiled, You are polite to everyone. You can even make my grandma happy. But you are always so mean to me. Arianna said, Someone told me whoever wanders outside at midnight is either guilty or boring. I was warned to say little to this kind of person. So, in between us, who do you think is guilty or boring? Im not familiar with you. I have no idea which kind you are. Arianna suddenly felt sleepy, and she yawned, I need to go back to sleep. So, I am a catalyst to hypnosis. Vince stood up and said, Let me walk you back to your room, lest you get lost again. They walked with a space in between themrge enough to walk two more people. She opened the door to her room. You can watch TV without sleeping. Dont go out for a walk. Everyone drank a lot. One person is always insecure. Vince sounded like educating a child. You told me earlier, it was just that they were joking with me. Your arguments changed very quickly ording to your needs. Look, dont begin again. You are best at using such a peculiar angle to understand my goodwill to you. His words with a smile and a sad expression seeded in triggering Ariannas guilt. She quickly reflected on it. Today, including several times before, he always looked after her, and her attitude was getting worse and worse. She lowered her voice and said, Thank you. She waved at him with a folded knife that was two inches long. Because your site is not safe, I am prepared. That is the toy used to scare the children and the dog. Vince smiled as soon as he saw the thing and suddenly moved close to her body, rushing to grab the knife. But the seemingly harmless and beautiful fruit knife had a mechanism. When she pressed it, the de popped out, and the de pointed to Vinces chest. She said, Hey, I dont intend to scare you, please step back. At that time, she was leaning against the wall. Vince was so close to her. The moonlight was behind him, and she could not see his expression, and his breath passed over her face. Chapter 129: Every Tiny Bit Of You He leaned forward again and put his hand against the wall behind her. The tip of the knife in her hand had already touched his chest. Mr. Johnson, she stressed, If you want to continue to joke, the consequences will be very serious. I see you are trembling. He whisperedzily, Arianna, if I continue to joke, the sky will fall down, right? How dare The rest of her words were sealed with his kiss. There was the scent of alcohol, mint, and a little herbal vor, like a new cocktail on his breath. The moonlight behind him became demonic and foggy. His kiss was polite and like a joke, but her head was dizzy. She wanted to push him away, but she was shocked to find a knife in her hand pointed at his chest, so she had to retract the knife. His kiss got fierce and aggressive. Arianna couldnt push him away. The knife dropped down to the ground. She had to close her eyes and let him deprive her right to breathe. When Vince let go of her, she was almost suffocating. They separated a little. Arianna saw his unpredictable eyes and clearly saw a red stain on the chest of his white short-sleeved shirt. Vince, would you like toe in and have another drink? Arianna suddenly said. They really drank for some time. The small room was fully equipped with not only a bathroom but also alcohol and a first aid kit. Arianna pointed to his chest, You are wounded. Vince opened his cors and let her check. There was only a tiny little trace on the skin of his chest. The wound had stopped bleeding long ago. Your wound is easy to get infected in summer, Arianna said. She took the cotton swab and dipped it in the alcohol, and then pressed the cotton swab on his wound. He didnt say anything, but his lips were a little twitched. You are in retaliation. Nothing. I feel very sorry, and I should thank you. Today, you drank for ire, helped me get away from Victor, and sent me back to the room. Why do I feel that you are being sarcastic? Vince said suspiciously. Truth. I should also thank you for taking care of me and tolerating me these days. Vince was silent for a while, You are saying goodbye. I am leaving next week. So, is this the farewell wine you invited me to drink? Very perfunctory and veryme. Arianna turned around and walked out, forcefully shut the door, and then went to ires room. **** After the harvest ceremony, Arianna was on a countdown to return to Country C. She finished packing her belongings in one hour. York reduced his work hours, and ire stopped going out. Arianna refused four calls from Vince, but she picked up the phone the 5th time carelessly. Vince said on the phone, I apologize and thank you for that day. No need. Can youe out? What do you want? I am pursuing you, I thought you knew it. . Okay, I get it. Do you have time? No.All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org. Vince smiled on the phone, Has anyone told you that you are too unreal? In the evening he gave her a big surprise. In the middle of the night, Arianna suffered from insomnia again. She put on her nightgown and smoked on the balcony. The night was quiet. There was only the moonlight and the sound of insects around. A small stone hit on the te of the balcony, setting off a crisp sound. Arianna pulled her nightgown tight alertly, looking out of the flower wall, and there was a fuzzy white figure outside the iron gate in the backyard. Stressed, Arianna wanted to return to her room immediately. But she heard a bang, and another small stone was tossed, and it fell to her feet. Arianna picked up the small white stone and saw two words carved on it Marry Me? Arianna thought it was unbelievable. She went back to the room and put on a coat. She also took a shlight and then gently went back to the backyard. Its Vince standing at the door of the backyard. He wore a short-sleeved white shirt and light-colored trousers, leaning against a convertible car, holding a puppy in his armsCLady Johnsons pet. Its been two days since they met again. Arianna was a little mad and said, Can you grow up a little? Vince walked close and let go of the puppy. That puppy crawled into the backyard from under the iron door and ran to her with a box in its mouth, its tail wagging, staring at Arianna. The situation was vaguely familiar. Arianna felt like she was being poked by a needle. She picked up the puppy and stuffed it outside the door. She lowered her voice through the iron door and said, Vince, are you only eighteen? Why y this childish trick? Vince also lowered his voice and spoke on the other side of the iron gate, I put my dignity at your feet and let you trample it, and you still think Im just kidding? I wanted to be patient and follow the normal procedure, but you are leaving very soon, so I can only speed up my progress. Im good for nothing, not as good-looking or cute as your girlfriends. What do you like about me? Every tiny bit of you. Both of them felt a little embarrassed for a second. Vince, you just woke up from a long sleep and forgot the past. After you open your eyes again, you have seen too few people. When you get to know a lot of people, you will tell me Im good for nothing. Moreover, for a man of your condition, as long as you are willing, there will be thousands of outstanding women for you to choose from. You deserve better. I like none of them in that list. Vince was indifferent, but his tone was strong. Arianna pulled her coat tight, looked down, and watched his shadow. Arianna, you dont hate me. Although you hide from me, you dont reject me like you reject others, right? So why not give me a chance? I dont hate giant pandas, but I never intend to marry them. Vince was amused by her words. He thought about it and asked, Do you not want to marry, or just dont want to marry me? For you, I think the answer is the same? Chapter 130: Don鈥檛 Be Surprised, Girl The one who looks like me is he the reason why you dont reject me but refuse me? Do you want to wake everyone up at midnight? Arianna begged him. The puppy, who hadntpleted his mission, barked twice, and immediately, his mouth was pinched and shut by her. You should at least let me know why I lost. If you like him, I dont mind being a substitute. If you cant bear seeing the same face, I dont mind doing stic surgery. Vince, have youe to mock me? Why the more serious I am, the more you think Im joking? A cough from behind at a distance let the two shut up. York came out of the house and walked close to them and said, Arianna, why dont you open the door? I dont have the key. York said, I will get it. No thanks, York. I came out to walk the dog and happened to meet Arianna, who was also walking. Im just about to leave. Vince changed his face very quickly and immediately turned into the look of a gentleman from the infatuated man a while ago. Oh okay, itste. Youd better rest earlier. Know it, goodbye. When York walked Arianna back, he said, I think Vince was real. Girls had chased him since thirteen, and I never heard of him chasing any woman. Dont you think we dont match each other? Its destiny that does the work. There is no such thing as matching. York added, Well, just let it be. Anyway, he will be leaving too after a few days. Twenty minutester, Arianna returned to the bedroom and continued the conversation with Vince, interrupted by York midway on the phone. This time she took the initiative to call him. You like me, and Im honored. But just lets look at it as a good encounter, and dont let it affect our lives. Vince hesitated and said on the other side of the phone, That man My rtionship with him is not like what you thought. Please dont ever mention him again, okay? How do you know what I imagined? Vince, I hate people investigating me. After being silent for a long time, Vince said, I want to marry you. Not going to happen. Arianna, dont me me for having the look of someone you hate. So? I do mind your face, but even if you change your face, I will not marry you. Because I also have the exact same genes as him? Arianna was stunned for two seconds and then hung up the phone in a panic. In her previous conversation with Lady Johnson, the olddy had been conveying such a message to her that, after he caught the amnesia, Vince didnt know that he was one of the twins. And Lady Johnson didnt want him to know. Arianna didnt expect Vince to unveil this secret in one sentence. Arianna didnt sleep well all night again. She was thinking about why she was not willing to ept Vince. Her body was more sensitive than her heart. Whoever she didnt like approached her within one meter would make her feel sick, but she did not reject Vince.Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g! However, she psychologically resisted him strongly. Perhaps because his face looked more and more like Travis, or perhaps his voice and tone were more and more like Travis. And even his abnormal manner of the proposal for marriage felt almost the same as Traviss manner in sending her the gift. In the end, Arianna decided making her sleepless to be the most reasonable excuse for her refusal of Vince. The next day, Arianna went to say goodbye to Lady Johnson. That day was the day when Arianna and Lady Johnson got along well with each other. The olddy was no longer aggressive, and she even told the big secret to Arianna about how she got to know she had another grandson. The secret was as simple as recorded with one sentence in Vinces memo. Vince used a few words and used variousnguage codes. Fortunately, the olddy yed the trick with Vince when he was a child. After the ident, the olddy tranted the secretnguage and then destroyed the record. Lady Johnson said, Does it sound like a movie? The two of them were in the same city, far away from here and Country C. They heard a message on the radio looking for a rare blood type, so they met in a hospital. They tell the truth to you? Yes. The other child had known his birth story long before, but he refused to recognize me. When he was on the edge of destruction, he would rather make a bet and not turn to me. The olddys fingers were trembling. If he hade to you at that time, would you have recognized him? I wouldnt let others know Vince had such a mother. It would affect his position and future in this family. But I could have helped the other child, and he wouldve suffered a lot less. So, he didnte to you. You know him very well. Arianna said, Vince I mean, your grandson might have known something. The olddy sighed for a long time and didnt express her opinion on this issue. She was silent for a while and then raised a new topic, I heard that on the day of the harvest festival, my grandson was with you all night? Before Arianna changed her look, Lady Johnson added, And you refused his proposal? Arianna didnt know what to say. Dont be surprised, girl. Of course, he didnt tell me. Such a shameful thing, how could he tell? Arianna was silent for a long time. The olddy said, For what reason did you refuse my grandson? Is he looking too much like that child, or not like that child? Madam, can we change the topic? Okay, change the topic. In fact, you are not suitable for my granddaughter-inw, not well-behaved, disobedient, and not sweet. Arianna whispered, Yes, thats why I refused him. The olddyughed loudly. A servant came to tell thedy lunch was ready. She reached out to Arianna, Help me get up, girl. In addition to the two at the table of the family feast, Vince and his second uncle Henry Johnson were present. The meal was very embarrassing because Vince and Henry were discussing business all the time, and they had disputes. Chapter 131: Let The Young Lady Go Henry used Vince of deliberately pulling his legs on their new investment project. Vince said, Uncle, I am performing my duties in ordance with thepanys articles of association and the familys creed. Whats wrong? I have obtained the support of the local governor and reached a consensus with him. He is my friend, and there will never be the same scenario you said. Dont you know that person climbed to the present position by framing his friends? Over the past year, you have been lying in bed, and I have worked hard on this project. Now you only need to sit down and take the profits, can you shut up? Its very hard to lie in bed, Uncle. If I can choose, I would rather help you share the burden. Vince, after you had an ident, youve be more motivated than before. Well, I almost smashed my head. Although I didnt go to heaven like my father, I still need to improve on something. Dont you agree with me, the second uncle? Henry changed his face, What do you mean? Just a joke, uncle. What can I mean? When they spoke, they seemed to have turned the room into a battlefield. Lady Johnson knocked the te with her forks and said, Gentlemen, please. Real gentlemen will only talk about the topics that can helpdies digest at the dining table. Arianna ate little. Lady Johnson frowned, Arianna, dont be picky on your food so you wont be so thin. If you can ovee this weakness, you will solve other difficulties in your life easily. Vinceughed while he was drinking water on the other side of the dining table. The olddy nced at him from the corner of her eye. **** Arianna couldnt run away after lunch. Lady Johnson said her dear grandson had recently sent sponsorship to the towns vani puppet theater, so they wereing today to show their new y to the olddy before the premiere. Shortly after that, the actors arrived one after another, and even the stage had been set up. Henry and several maids in the family also stayed to watch the show. Arianna had seen their show before. This time, with abundant funds, their costumes, props, and stage were all gorgeous. The show was the ssic Hamlet with its background changed to modern. The father of the male lead died falling off the horse because someone set a trap on his horse. The male lead named Hamlet tries to investigate his fathers death. Later, Hamlet also encounters the same ident and falls off horseback. Ariannas fingers went cold like ice. Its a total mess, an insult to Shakespeare. The olddymented after all the actors left. Madam, this is called postmodern, something that young people love to y with. The butler reminded her. Same goes with that cartoon, The Lion King. A servant said. Henry stared at the empty stage and said nothing. After watching the puppet show, Arianna had to apany the olddy to the tailoring shop. Lady Johnson wanted to try on her newly-made clothes. Arianna had wanted to return to Yorks house, but the olddys eyes showed disappointment, and she couldnt stand that. The tailoring shop was very close to the manor. The things inside were refined. The owner respected Lady Johnson very much and even said he shouldvee to the manor to provide service. The craftsmanship in this small shop is no less than those in Haute Couture shops. You should also pick one. When its ready, I will send it to you. Arianna said theres no need. The olddy said its not polite to refuse the old folks kindness. The pink retro Victorian style dress chosen by Lady Johnson looked like maternity clothes. The olddy even chose fabrics,ce, and embroidery patterns for Arianna. When they both went out of the tailoring shop, they were abducted. The two of them were trapped in a small wooden house, clean and tidy, and the kidnappers were also gentle and civilized. Arianna was dizzy in her mind, and she even had the illusion they were shooting a film. The olddy said, This girl is not one of my family members. You should let her walk away. Arianna quickly said, Im not going. Arianna just didnt want to be left in the wilderness. The olddy spoke with her hands shaking, and thats also a reason for Arianna to stay. However, when they heard the kidnappers asked for four million, Lady Johnson recovered her aggressiveness and said, What? You guys kidnap this beautiful young woman and me for only four million? So,ter the ransom became five million. Arianna didnt have much problem in the case that she was only worth one million dors. The kidnappers called the Johnson Family and threatened them not to call the police. The two hostages were very calm and quiet. After a while, the door was kicked open, and a man rushed in. Arianna instinctively stood in front of the olddy and said, What do you want? The man grinned, You are good to go. The Johnson Family is so efficient. I think our ransom was too small. On a hot summer evening, the sunset was still going on. Two parties stood on two banks of a river. Vince and Henry stood on the other side of the bridge. The transaction should take ce in the middle of the bridge. Party WHITE should deliver the package, and Party BLACK should set free a hostage upon seeing the package. The olddy went first. Escorted by a kidnapper, Lady Johnson began walking to the center of the bridge. Vince carried a box and walked slowly to them. When Lady Johnson walked behind Vince, Vince opened the box and showed the kidnapper the content in the box and then closed the box. The kidnapper pointed a gun at Vince. Vince calmly said, I have to make sure my grandmother can go back safely. He stepped back against the bridge railing and watched the olddy slowly walk to the shore, and he turned back to the kidnappers, Now, let the youngdy go.N?velDrama.Org ? content. Kidnappers sneered, We are not fools. Hostage released upon package delivery. Arianna stared at Vince and felt something was going to happen. Vince went on the bridge again. Two kidnappers searched his body. When they touched his body, Vince frowned. Vince threw the smaller suitcase to them, went straight to Arianna, untied the strap on her hands, held her hands, and whispered in her ear, Are you okay? Right at that moment, the sharp sound of a siren came from a distance. Kidnappers yelled, fuck! Cops! Chapter 132: You Are Paranoid Vince knocked Arianna down to the ground and covered her body with his body. The sound of a few gunshots came to her ears. Arianna trembled. Vince covered her ears with his hands. When her mind came back to earth, she found her hands tied up again, and she was taken to the car. Vince was driving. Suddenly, Arianna screamed. Please be kind to thedy. Vince looked back and said. A few secondster, the car did a fast turn and almost hit a tree. The kidnapper sitting next to Arianna yelled, Drive nicely, and dont y tricks! Another kidnapper pointed his gun at Vinces head, You did that deliberately, you son of Arianna was covered in sweat. Take the gun away if you want me to drive safely, Vince said. I thought you were the champion of a junior racing event? Never expected you to drive like an old mama! How about you drive? Want me to pull over? Shut the fuck up! Now speak, who is the hostage? The car wandered around the fields. When the day was dark, it finally got rid of the car behind. The two kidnappers tossed them on the farnd and quickly ran away. Vince and Arianna were left on arge field with water in the center. There were no viges or towns around. They could only see the stars above and the wilderness full of flowers under the night sky. This couldve been a poetic night if they had anymunication or transportation equipment. Were you not scared? I thought women would scream when they encountered this kind of thing. Vince asked. Perhaps I lost my mind back then. At the time, Ariannas stomach was making a noise, and she was very embarrassed. There seem to be fruit trees over there. Lets pick some fruits? Vince pointed to a row of trees in the distance. She nodded, and the two carefully looked for the way. When passing through a pool, Arianna crouched down and picked up her trousers to wash the wound. She scratched the skin on her knee a little. Vince came over to help her, Dont do anything yet. Your wound is easy to get infected in summer. He carefully took out a handkerchief from his pocket and made it a bandage on her knee. Hey, Arianna said. What? Is that Pris? Arianna pointed to the brightest star on the horizon. Yeah. We have found the right direction. Shall we go back? I have driven for dozens of kilometers. Are you going back on foot? You were driving in circles. I think we didnt travel a long distance from your manor. Then do you know if we should go south or go north?N?velDrama.Org ? content. But you were the one driving the car. I used all my attention to drive. They could only study fruit trees as nned. They were lucky. There were some wild grapes and wild apples. The grapes were too sweet and the apples too sour. After a while, they sat down under a tree to rest. Have you yedputer games? Arianna suddenly asked. I dont know, I dont remember. Dont you think now we are like game rookies caught in a game, encountering things and ces we dont know, and we dont even understand the rules? I know now. ire gave me a book on gaming the other day. But you dont like someone who ysputer games often. I only managed to go to the fourth level, and then I decided to quit. I wouldnt try hard to do anything when the challenge grows too big. Im not paranoid. Is there anything in this world that you really want to get? Arianna thought for a moment, Yes, a stable life and peace of mind. After being silent for a long time, Vince asked, If you are with me, will this idea of you be broken? Correct. You ARE paranoid. Long silence. Vince then stood up and tried to move the ankle of his injured leg. His leg was still looking far away from healthy. Arianna stood up and said, Vince, you were right about one thing. Whenever we meet, there will be a disaster. Once I fainted, once you had a rpse and this time So? I think we should stop seeing each other. Vince sighed, My crueldy, you shouldve waited until we got out of here. What if I left you here alone after I heard you say that? Let it be. I cant give you what you want, but I still took advantage of your affection. Vince smiled, Did you? Please take it for a lifetime. Then he looked up into the sky and murmured with a very low voice, No need to be sorry. We used each other, thats all. Arianna looked at him with surprise and could not understand his words, but he never looked at her again. Arianna sat down again and buried her head in her arms, and then she fell asleep. The Johnson Family would send people to find them anyway. She didnt know how long she spent snoozing, but she heard footsteps getting closer and closer. She was going to raise her head in panic. Vince whispered in her ear, Dont look up. Close your eyes and dont move, please. Not knowing what was going on, Arianna still listened to him. He walked over to her, suddenly approached her, and retreated slowly. Then Arianna opened her eyes and saw Vince holding a snake longer as a belt, a few meters away. She screamed, and Vince threw the snake far into the field. Arianna huddled, and when Vince came over to help her, she jumped in shock. He patted her back, Its okay now. Where was it? On top of your head. Arianna shed cold sweat, Did you kill it? No, but it wonte back. And if you kill it, its partners wille to take revenge. Arianna had some horrible imagination in her head, and she was more scared than when she was abducted. She stayed away from the tree and couldnt help but lean against Vince. Then she saw there was blood on Vinces hand. Are you bitten? She asked in tension and stress, and in the moonlight, the print of snake teeth was clearly visible on his wrist. Oh, when I let it go, I was probably bitten by it. I didnt pay attention. Vince began to look pale, his voice weak, and his forehead was sweating. Arianna thought he was suffering from a snake venom attack. She was crying with tears while letting him sit on the ground, trying to squeeze the poisonous blood out of his wrist. Just a tiny little wound, and his bleeding was heavy. Vinces hand was getting cold, his face getting paler, and his pulse weaker. Arianna couldnt find a rope. She took off her bra, removed the shoulder strap, and tied his arm tightly. Chapter 133: You Should Be Grateful To Me She was crying like a child and repeating, Please, dont die! There was no answer. Arianna cried louder, Dont leave me alone here! When she said that, an image of him R. I. P. popped up in her mind; he was lying in her arms, his face covered with starlight. She thought of the saying, The fate of twins is often the same, and became more and more desperate and panicked. She didnt find out when Vince opened his eyes. He said slowly, Dont cry, cry again, and you will bring the wolf. Ariannas brain sounded an rm. She wiped her tears and asked with vignce, The snake is not poisonous? Who said it is poisonous? It just hurts. She bounced off the ground, At this time, you deliberately pretend to be dying to scare me?Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org. Im afraid of blood, and I fainted. That was just a natural physiological reaction. You didnt back down when a gun was pointed against your head Now you are saying you are afraid of blood? You were scared by a snake, too, right? Vince sighed, But you seemed to be concerned about me. Stop that! I was just worrying that I might be trapped here alone! Arianna, remember I am your savior just now, okay? If I didnt see it, now the snake shouldve been wrapped around your neck. Can you at least y nice if you dont want to thank me for that? He stretched his finger and made a curved hovering motion toward her neck, making Arianna feel like a nightmare. After a while, Arianna gnashed her teeth and said, But Im here all because of your family! You shouldpensate me! Easy. Marry me, and let mepensate you with all my property. You can wait until the rain falling down the sky turns red! This pair of partners, who had just gone through a life or death crisis together, now had disputes again. Luckily, just a few minutester, the people from the Johnson Family found them. From their loss of them to the present, it took only more than an hour. Lady Johnson came to them personally and hugged both of them. York, who seldom expressed his innermost feelings, gave Arianna his most excited hug. This event marked the end of Ariannas long vacation. Arianna then decided she would not go out again before she went on the return trip to Country C. That day, Lady Johnson personally sent her back to Yorks house. Arianna asked, Are you okay? Did the cops capture the kidnappers? They ran away. Forget it. Some people just need to get what they want with the risk of their lives. You are fine, and thats all that matters. Later, when they talked about Ariannas return trip, the olddy said, I live here every half of a year. Will youe back to see me often? Yes, Arianna said with a little uncertainty. The olddyughed twice, The next time youe, I dont know if Ill be still alive. Arianna was speechless for a while, and she was a little sad. Girl, listen to my old-school advice. If you are a smart person, you should be good at forgetting things and cherishing what you have now. Look into the future, and dont dwell on your past. I have been looking forward to it, maam. I never miss the past. Is it true? Then I bless you, child. **** When Lady Johnson went to Vinces bedroom, the doctor had just left. Vinces wrist had been re-wrapped and shot. Are you okay? asked the olddy. Pain. Vince frowned. You just let the girl run away? With such a good chance, the hero saved the beauty twice, and she still feels nothing for you? Grandma, you read too many romantic novels. Vince nced at the door and lowered his voice, And, such a game is not fun at all. The olddy smiled, When did you find out? Not too early, nor toote. Vince changed his sitting posture, Madam Director, arent you afraid this game will be seen through, and we will all look ugly by then? And you arrange to throw us in the wild, what if we got eaten by snakes or beasts? The two young men are pros. They can do well by themselves. As for snakes and beasts we have never seen the beasts within dozens of square kilometers, and there are only a few non-venomous snakes. It also took good luck for you to meet one snake today. Vince smirked. Young man, whats that look of you? I am thinking about creating opportunities for you to show your love. You should be grateful to me. Lady Johnson sighed, That is a good girl. She was so afraid, but she stood in front of me against the so-called kidnappers. I only wonder why she is so stubborn about you? Grandmother, your drama today is mainly designed for Henry and me, right? The things that were taken away are to annihte some evidence and, by the way, warn someone? Unfortunately, he reacted too slowly and did not cherish this opportunity. He called the police early lest nothing happened to me. As for Arianna, its unfortunate that she happened to be in your drama today. My child, since your mind is so clear, how can you make a face-to-face confrontation with him? When you make this step, your actions will be more difficultter. I like to face up with people, not to lurk in the shadows. This old-fashioned knight style is not popr now. Vince, he is your second uncle, and this is your family. You can do what you want, but you cant do things that will damage our familys reputation. Because you dont want to damage the Johnson Familys reputation, do you allow so many lies and conspiracies to exist? What do you mean? Vince didnt speak, and his expression was a little disorganized. He tapped the two shoulder straps that were removed from Ariannas bra and used a hand to make them into a dead knot. Vince, the olddy cleared her throat, I am your grandmother, and you are my grandson, and there is Reba. You are not going to ask me where Reba went in the past few days? I dont care even if you sell her to the Arabian Penins, but please dont try to destroy everything that should belong to you. Vince continued to be silent. He put two more knots with the two straps, very tight knots. Chapter 134: The Lost Memories I willpensate you one by one regarding what this family owed you, what your uncle owed you and what I owed you. I will try hard to help you get whatever you desire. But the premise is that you have to follow the rules. Anyone who vites the rules will be punished. The olddy grabbed the knots from Vince, untied them one by one, and returned him with two straps, But still, many things are not what you imagined. There are many things we cannot help with. And why do you have to waste your time on that? I dont need anypensation. I dont want much, but it just happens that you cant do anything, or I cant recover from it. Vince, I have raised you from a little baby to today. Did you deliberately say this to make me sad? Grandma, Vince said, You did raise me very carefully. They said that I was very naughty when I was young, but I didnt even have a scar on my body. Lady Johnson was silent for a longer time, How many things do you remember, Vince? You can rest assured. I havent remembered anything. Vince paused for a moment and then continued, Let go of the poor Miss Jenkins, dont always use her to test me. I dont remember anything about her. Really, I Swear.Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org. I often call her because you like her and want to know if she is worthy of you. Arianna returned to Country C silently. Ryan was a bit stunned when he saw her, You are not traveling? Why do youe back so soon? Tired, homesick. A ce with a loved one is called a home. A ce where only one person lives can only count as a house. Ryan, you talk too much. At noon, Ryan invited her to a meal. After living in a warm and humid climate for quite some time, Arianna couldnt adapt to the local climate in a short time when she came back. Her lips were blistering, and her face had e. Ryan said, Hey, you adapt to a strange ce very fast, right? You just need to get used to it. Why dont you ask me about that person? You will talk about him when you want. If you dont want to, my questions will be in vain. When someone dies, he should rest in peace. We survivors just need to survive. Ryan, you are making progress. I am trying to follow you. After Arianna came back for a month, she received a call from her old colleague Melissa (when she was previously working in the investment department), Our boss is going to take a field-study group to go abroad to visit the S Country. Of the two of our most capable trantors, one has been hospitalized for a month, and one is pregnant. Im trying to outsource a capable trantor. You have been to that country for a few years, and you have excellent proficiency in both localnguages, and you know well about the rules and regtions in our country. I think you are the perfect choice for this job. My boss wants me to call and ask you. Arianna was touched by memories. S Country was her healing site many years ago. There were new mental wounds added to her mind recently. She had never returned to S Country in these years. She replied that if she did not have to return with the group, she would consider this job. Soon she received a formal invitation to ask her to apply for a visa. In a few days, she had arrived in S Country. Arianna was good at such a job. Its been a long time since she was at workst time. She met a lot of people and even helped the Sanchez Group to pull off many purchase orders. The field-study groups mission ended smoothly, and Arianna could stay for a long time. She sent the delegation to the ne, went to the hot dog shop she used to eat there early, strolled at the airport for an hour, and then she hesitated whether she should go to the airport car rental to rent a scooter. Passengers flooded out of the airport as the new flight arrived. Someone got on the bus, someone hired a taxi, someone rushed to the parking lot, and someone sat in the luxury car directly parked in front of them. Among the passengers, some were in neat suits, some inpact clothes, some rushing like ants, some walking leisurely, and they constituted differentndscape elements of the city. Arianna looked intently at another scene that suddenly appeared not far from her. A very dazzling car stopped in front of a passenger not far away. The man was slender, wearing a white casual shirt, light gray pants, a jacket freely hung on his arms, a pair ofrge sunsses, and the posture was chic. His drivers suit was very straight. The driver took the luggage for him with the regr movement of the honor guard and opened the car door for him. The picture looked very stylish. The passenger stooped into the car, and the car elerated instantly and passed by in front of Arianna. Arianna was stunned for a long time. The man was Vince. This airport was one of thergest airports in the world. With tens of thousands of passengers every day, she could encounter him like this, like shed been waiting for him all along, and he didnt see her. Arianna took a taxi back to the hotel where she stayed. On the way, she scolded herself a hundred times. When he tried to show his affection to her, she was too annoyed. But when he didnt see or pretended not to see her, she was so lost that she could go hit herself on the wall. But since they managed to meet each other by chance one out of tens of thousands of times, its not a strange thing for them to meet again. In the afternoon, Arianna walked out of the hotel. She went to an art gallery nearby. When she saw Vince in the gallery, he was staring at a beautiful abstract painting. When Arianna looked at his back for more than three seconds, he looked back at her, smiled at her, and turned to continue to admire the painting. His appearance looked a little different from a month ago. But Arianna couldnt tell exactly what was different. Arianna looked at the first painting in the normal order. Before she went to the painting titled The Lost Memories, Vince still stood there, tilting his head and trying to find a new angle to re-observe the painting. He stood in front of the painting, but he was more eye-catching than the painting. Severaldies in the museum were watching him. Chapter 135: You Can鈥檛 Sleep Here When Arianna walked over to him, she said, Hey, what a coincidence. Are you here to travel? Business. Oh, how is your hand? Arianna remembered that he had been bitten by a snake. Do you know me? the man asked. Arianna stared at him for a long time, confirming that she didnt speak to the wrong person. Vince, your amnesia has be intermittent? Vince smiled lightly, I thought you really wanted to pretend not knowing me when you met me. Arianna was very embarrassed, remembering that she had said something like that before, but Vince was carrying a gentlemanly style, and he asked, Since we have re-acquainted, Miss Jenkins, can you have dinner with me tonight? In this case, Arianna could only nod and agree. She pointed to the painting he had been watching for a quarter of an hour, Do you like this one? I like this title. I am trying to find resonance in the painting but unfortunately, I didnt. The hotel where Vince stayed was only two blocks away from the hotel Arianna booked. He chose the dining ce in the middle of the two hotels. How is Lady Johnson doing? Arianna asked. She looks pretty good, and she often mentions you. Probably because I have offended her several times. When no one talks back to her, she feels very bored. In this way, they spent a quarter of their time talking about Lady Johnson, and spent a quarter of their time talking about the body care method for his illness thanks to Vinces second uncles early retirement due to physical reasons, and spent a quarter talking about York and the way wine was brewed. For the remaining quarter of the time, they talked about the local weather, and the topics were safe. **** After dinner, Vince walked Arianna back to her restaurant. They passed through an ancient alley with a long history. Vince had tall bodyguards behind him. Grandmas gift will stick on you like your shadow. Then Vince asked, Are you going to stay here for a few days? Not sure, maybe three or four days, maybe a week. Work? The work is over. I am traveling. I will be here for a week, but I was very busy a few days ago. If you want to leave, can you tell me in advance? Thest time you left me, you didnt even say goodbye. Fine with me. Deal? Vince asked suspiciously. You need me to sign a document for that? Vince might be really busy. He didnt appear for three days, and he didnt call Arianna. Arianna wandered around every day. She stayed alone in the museum for half a day. She sat alone at theke and fed the ducks with bread. She was very tired during the day and slept early at night. Her sleep quality was good these days. This night she was awakened by the fire rm when she was sleeping. The historic hotel had a fire this night, and all the guests were evacuated. Arianna didnt bring much stuff. She put on her coat outside her pajamas, carried a small box, and ran out with the crowd. The fire was not too heavy, and the fire control was good. The fire didnt reach the floor where she lived, and she should be able to go back soon. When she sat in a chair and yawned and was thinking like that, Vince miraculously arrived at her side. He came to pick her up at the hotel where he stayed. He said that his assistant had booked a room for her.Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org. Everyone is sleeping, how can you get the news so quickly? Ariannas brain was a little dull. I yed cards with customers, saw the news on the TV, and rushed over. Are you okay? Nothing, thank you. The fire has been extinguished, the floor I live in is fine, maybe I can go back to sleep soon. You are not safe alone. It is easy for people who are frightened to do something irrational. I have always been alone. You dont know? In these old houses, after the fire, snakes and other things could show up everywhere. Are you not afraid? Arianna was not very keen in the middle of the night and immediately followed him to the car until she was sent to the door of the room. She woke up and asked, Vince, were you scaring me? There were snakes in the corners of the old house she remembered when she was traveling abroad, she liked to look for old buildings to live inshe was sweating. They talked while drinking. In the early hours of the morning, the heart defense of people did reduce a lot. Arianna actually told him something about her childhood under his guidance, and Vince heard that she wanted to travel and rmended several cities to her and introduced the local customs of these ces. You do not like suffering from amnesia at all. Yes? Anyone else said this, he smiled slyly as she smiled, All the information you have shared was actually the content of a travel magazine. Arianna was speechless. You dont hate me. When they drank up a bottle of wine, Vince said. Arianna was thinking about how to answer, and he said, Of course, you dont like me either. Arianna had nothing to say. You dont hate me, and you dont like me, is it because of the same reason? You drink too much. But looking like another person is not my fault. Arianna changed her face, You investigated me. This scene was quite familiar. She thought about it. She used to protest the same content to his Grandma. Like grandma, like grandson. Vince was silent for a while, and he said, This is not the kind of wine like just now. This has more alcohol mixed with water. Do you want to get me drunk? I am drinking the same wine, right? Theirter conversations were not very pleasant. Arianna almost forgot why she had to invite him in. She just wanted to ask him to go quickly, but she couldnt find a way to end their conversation. Finally, Arianna spilled the wine on her body deliberately, and she went to the bathroom to change clothes, which took a long time for her toe out. Thinking that he might have left, she came out and found out that he had nodded off over the table. Vince, wake up! You cant sleep here! Arianna pushed him. He snorted but was motionless. Are you drunk? She tried for a long time and did not make him awake. Chapter 136: Their Intimacy Vince didnt really get drunk. He still had his good manners. He didnt spit or talk nonsense, and he even asionally answered her with a few words. However, she had no way to get him to walk back to his own room soberly. She didnt know which room he lived in. Arianna dragged him to the bed with sweat all over her body.All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org. Vinces body temperature was very high, and there was a little fever on his head. Arianna observed him for a long time. He really did not seem to be loaded. He really reacted after drinking the mixed liquor, as his friend said. A while ago, she was really trying to get him drunk and cajole him into speaking some secrets, but she still gained nothing. He looked like Travis sometimes and suddenly did not look like him anymore. Arianna suddenly felt very tired. She felt nothing ever mattered now. She went to fetch a wet towel and put it on his head. She saw his dry lips and fetched a bottle of water, and helped him to drink. He closed his eyes like a child and took her hand while drinking. Arianna shook her hand and sprinkled herself. She stuffed the bottle into his hands and let him drink it, then found a dry towel to wipe her body. Except for her pajamas, she had no other clothes to change at the time. When she went to see Vince again, hey down quietly, caressing his forehead, frowning, and the bottle of water was sprinkled everywhere, on his trousers and on the sheets. Arianna stood at the bed and looked at him with cold eyes. Then she reached out to touch his forehead, which was hotter than before, and his wet shirt and pants clung to his skin. She took a few deep breaths and slowly took off his shirt. At first, she simply didnt want him to have a fever, but when she remembered the dream and the thing in her memory, she actually began to shiver slightly. She didnt have much memory of that body. In the dark, they didnt even hug each other often. But she still felt that this body was thinner than that in her impression, a little pale. And she still remembered vaguely there were several shallow scars on Traviss back. And this body was smooth all over, clearly taken good care of starting from an early age. Arianna trembled. She sat there for a long time, watching the big man crouching in bed, burying his face in the pillow with an undefended look. After a long time, she remembered she had to take off Vinces wet clothes lest he caught a fever. When she turned him over and untied his belt, his hand grabbed her hand tightly, and his body clung to her body tightly. He narrowed his eyes and used another hand to touch her face, nose, lips, neck, and then chest. He forcibly pinched her nipple. Arianna struggled with pain, but she couldnt get away with it. She bowed her head to bite his chest hard. Vince let go of her hand, but he turned and pressed her under his body. Then he kissed the depths of her neck until she almost suffocated. Arianna gave up her struggle. She didnt have the strength, and she was shocked. Usually, intimacy would make her feel nauseated. For example, she wanted to vomit when Victor took her hand. She used to take a long time to adapt to a kiss from Charles. But now she was pinned down and kissed by Vince, her body didnt reject, except that she was scared and angered. But again, Vince didnt move anymore after drinking a lot of wine. He only put his hot lips on her neck. Arianna pushed him hard and got up from the bed. This time her hand no longer trembled. She neatly took off his trousers and checked his very private ce. The man fell into a deep sleep. Arianna took a long time to check his body from top to toe, she could only see his delicate and smooth skin texture, and she did not find the pink birthmark. Arianna almost fainted. She stood up slowly, breathing hard with an empty brain. She covered the man with the quilt. Then she went to the bathroom. The wine was hitting hard on her stomach. She vomited for a long time. Previously, she would throw up whenever she was extremely nervous, angry, and stressed. Now, she couldnt tell what kind of emotion it was. She went out and took Vinces clothes in, found the hairdryer and connected the power, and slowly dried the clothes. The small bloodstain on the chest of the shirt was very obvious. She applied soap and gently washed away the bloodstain. Suddenly she remembered that night, and she also used soap to wash the bloodstain. She was a bit stunned as if that thing had happened thousands of years ago. From the day before yesterday, she had already identified in her mind that this person was Travis, or long ago, she already suspected that Vince was Travis. Thats why she wouldnt be nice to him. Now, she finally unveiled the truth that he was not Travis. And she finally knew, deep down in her heart, she had so desperately hoped Travis was still alive. But when she confirmed the truth, it was like Travis was dead again. The peculiar feeling was like a soft knife that cut through her heart without bleeding. And she could only feel pain. The pain was mixed with guilt,plete relief, and more unspeakable feelings. Arianna undressed and took a shower in the bathroom with cold water. She raised her head and let the cold water rush over her eyes, lest she would shed tears. The truth was good, so she could return to the ce that truly belonged to her without any psychological obstacles. There were no more rtives left for her, but there was and with so many things she was familiar with. She stayed in the bathroom for a long time and then went out slowly and put the pants back on for Vince. She only put on half for him, and she retracted her hands, and sat back in the chair. Vince had the same face, even the same expression of being asleep. She lost her courage to face him. She bent her body and threw herself into the sofa, her head buried in her arms. And she fell asleep. Chapter 137: You鈥檇 Better Not Run Alone Arianna was first called back from the dream by Vinces phone. The phone was vibrating on the table while Vince was still asleep. The LCD screen showed the name Reba. The buzzing sound made her headache worse, and the name made her feel worse. When Reba called again, Arianna simply pressed the refusal button. Its still very early at night. She went to wash her face for a long time with cold water and sshed the water on her shirt. She didnt sleep well for two nights. Her eyes were a little swollen. She looked really bad. She faintly heard the doorbell when she washed her face. She didnt pay attention to it. The doorbell rang a few times and stopped. When the unlocking sound came, Arianna could only take a towel to wrap her hair in and walk out of the bathroom. The bathroom was very close to the door. Before dozing off, she forgot to lock the door from inside. And it was toote to lock it now. She could only stand calmly at the entrance. It was Reba standing at the door with the administrator of the holiday vi. Sorry, Miss The administrator was a polite middle-aged uncle who came out in the middle of the night to see ady with wet hair and wet clothes. He was somewhat embarrassed. Is there anything? We found this at the door. The administrator wrapped a knife in a paper towel, and there was a little blood on the tip of the knife. We are worried that you are in danger. Im fine, thank you, Arianna replied without expression. So, have you seen Mr. Johnson? Reba asked urgently and aggressively. Arianna raised her eyes and nced at her. Reba added, He didnte back after you left with him yesterday. Theres no one in his room this evening. The room is locked, and his phone is not answered. Dont you know where he went? Arianna smiled at the middle-aged man, Can you let me talk with thedy alone? The administrator politely left. Before he left, Arianna said, The fruit knife is mine, and this little blood could not kill anyone. The man handed it over to Arianna, retreated, and helped close the door for Arianna. Arianna stepped back step by step, holding the knife in her hand. Reba looked at her cautiously, standing still. You donte over? You dont want to find him? Reba looked suspiciously at the knife in her hand, What do you want to do? Are you afraid that there are interesting games in my room too? Arianna smiled and went out of her sight. Reba had to follow her. When she turned into the inner room, her eyes fell on Vince lying on the bed. His waist was tightly covered, his upper body bare. His chest had suspicious red marks, and the sheets under his body were messy. Her face changed. Arianna whispered, Can you do me a favor to get him out? Rebas lips shivered a little, and she couldnt say a word for a long time. If you are willing to believe, in fact, nothing has happened. Arianna rejoiced at seeing her expression for a while. Rebas gaze came from Ariannas face, her eyes, and slipped to her chest. At first, she was calm, but after she saw something, she suddenly turned away and mmed the door. Arianna looked in the mirror and saw the reason why Reba was even ruder. She wore a shirt after she had finished bathing because her shirt was opaque, and she didnt breathe well yesterday. So, she didnt wear a bra. She was not a plump person, but now her shirt was wet, and her chest was clearly outlined. No wonder the middle-aged man looked embarrassed. What truly made Reba go crazy was that there was a red hickey just above her chest. Arianna smiled at herself in the mirror. Suddenly she felt better. She took off her wet shirt, put on her bra, and put on another coat. She pulled the neckline high, covered the hickey, and took an ice bag to cover her eyes. So, nothing happened between us? When she finished everything, the handsome drunken man woke up and sat on the bed.All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org. When did you wake up? Its been a while, Vince said honestly. Then you should speak out early. She turned to look at him. I wanted to say hello. But you were changing clothes, so I have to pretend Im still sleeping. The man soon added, Is it true nothing happened to us? What do you think? Arianna asked coldly. Your look doesnt look like nothing happened. He came down from the bed, walked a few steps, pointed at her face, and swept his eyes on her chest. His expression was meaningful. Arianna knew that she looked really bad this time and really looked like she had just had a night of hard sex. And perhaps he had seen the hickey below her neck. And there was also a distinct bite print on his chest. Dont worry, I dont need you to be responsible for me. That is, Vince said, You are not going to be responsible for me? Arianna turned around and walked out, forcefully shutting the door. You need to go to sleep. You cant open your eyes. Hey, goodbye. Arianna remembered another thing before closing the door, Vince, lets pretend we dont know each other tomorrow. What? If we didnt encounter each other, or if we pretended not to know each other, maybe there wouldnt have been a fire today. Let me tell you a secret. Vince lowered his voice and looked around as if he was afraid of being heard by others. Arianna opened the door that was almost closed and leaned over to him. I sent someone to set that fire today. Arianna stood in the same ce for a while. Her brain was too dull in the middle of the night. She digested his words again and finally understood that he was ridiculing her and shut the door with anger. **** The next morning, Arianna woke up naturally. She went to knock at Vinces door and thanked him, and said goodbye. He was in the room to receive the guests. He said sorry to the guests and interrupted the previous meeting. I should go back, thank you. Youd better not run alone. What? Lost in the wild in the event of a ckout, caught with a snake in the wild, a fire in a hotel things only got worse when you traveled alone. If I were you, I wouldnt go anywhere, or I would find someone to apany me. Who knows what will happen next time? Chapter 138: Are You Waging War Against Me? The reason I encountered such things is that I always met you. When you dont show up, I dont have bad luck. You are shifting the me. I think we are the jinx to each other. Arianna, would you like to gamble with me? Uh? Do you dare to be with me for the next few days? And lets see if theres any more bad luck? Are you out of your mind? Im a busy person. You were busy sitting at theke and spending an afternoon? How did you know?N?velDrama.Org ? content. I was discussing business with someone in an inn on the other side of theke. Vince, this is boring. Then lets talk about business. Did you just say you want to thank me? I have a very important meeting tomorrow, and I need an interpreter. Can you help me? This request sounded reasonable. Arianna could not turn him down. After all, he helped her so much. Vinces business negotiations began in the afternoon of the second day. She spent half a morning getting familiar with their negotiation process and main content. She read a lot of terms and practiced them, and spent one hour making up for herself. The meeting was smooth, and the contract was signed easily. There was a business party in the evening. Arianna was requested to y Vinces girlfriend. She did a good job at that, bringing him food, dancing with him, listening to him chatting, and ying poker with others. Before, she spent most of her time with him alone. Now, she saw various kinds of faces of him. He was cold and indifferent in negotiation, polite and educated in academic exchanges, and very focused when ying. Arianna had nned to move to the next-door hotel. She felt living in the hotel opposite to Vince would interfere with her normal rest. But this evening, before she had time to implement the n, she was sent to the 24-hour clinic next to the hotel by Vince because her stomach suddenly ached badly. Vince, I dont want to y the gambling game with you. I want to go back to Country C as soon as possible. Its dangerous with you around. Arianna began to believe Vince would bring her bad luck even more. Your stomach is not very healthy, and you ate hot and cold foods at the same time, thats the cause. As an educated woman, you need to be reasonable unless you reallye across something that cant be exined by science. Do you understand? Arianna was too painful to argue. But when she was lying in bed and being examined by a doctor, she was much better. The doctor asked her, Have you ever had a simr medical history? Ariannas most serious illness in thest two or three years was a uterine cyst. Arianna told the doctor truthfully and was arranged to do an ultrasound examination. The ultrasound doctor was a middle-aged woman. She was very careful and told Arianna there was nothing abnormal with the machine. And she even pointed at the machine screen and said, Hey, this egg cell is mature. If you want children, these two days are the best timing. Arianna thanked her, iming she was not married yet. Marriage is to live with a man, not for a child. I have two children, and their fathers never married me. Will it be very hard for a person to raise children alone? No. It brings happiness. They copy your genes and continue your life. Its amazing. Ariannas heart was hit by her words. The doctor gave her the diagnosis, and the cause was the same as Vince said she was eating things in a careless manner. The doctor prescribed some medicine to her, saying she would be fine the next day. On the second day, Vince, dressed neatly, knocked at Ariannas door and asked if she was better. Arianna nodded. And he asked her if she would go out and be a guide for him. Arianna seemed to have forgotten about her words to him yesterday and before yesterday. She changed into her clothes and went out with him. Together they saw the medieval castle and the church of the eighteenth century. Walking alone in the midst of the ancient buildings surrounded by green trees, the scenery was very beautiful. What did you like most when you were still in school? Vince asked her. I often stayed in the dorm on weekends. I asionally participated in volunteer activities, and I havent been to most of these ces. Atta girl. Vince thought for a moment and said, Can I go and see your college? They took the train to the famous womens university, and Vinces bodyguard followed them closely. They walked past the square and the boulevard she had walked before, stood in front of the dormitory where she lived and visited her former professor. They found Ariannas graduation photo in the campus memorial hall. In the photo, the young girl looked confused about her future. Arianna touched the old walls of the campus. After five or six years, this ce hasnt changed a bit. If it was a college in Country C, new buildings, new roads, and new trees must have shown up after all these years. Do you want to time-travel back to the past? No, like the time to pass normally. Vince looked at her graduation photo again and said, But I want to time-travel back and meet you at that time. I was very thin at the time, very nervous, nothing good. You wouldnt like the younger version. You are still very thin and nervous now. When they took a train back, it was close to the evening. The two sat on the bench in the park, eating the most famous beef patties in the park, watching several children ying water games. Each of those children hid in a big ball floating in the water. Vince saw Ariannas expression and asked, Do you want to y too? Arianna shook her head. She was staring at a cute child till he got on the shore. The child found Ariannas gaze upon him and ran toward them directly, ignoring his mom, who was chasing him. Arianna opened her arms and wanted to catch him, but the child rushed to Vincesp and shouted, Dad. The two looked awkward. The childs mother rushed to them breathlessly, hugged the child, and said, Im sorry. She then said the child had only seen his father in photos. Every time he saw a handsome man, he would call him father. After the mother and the son left, Arianna handed Vince a piece of tissue, You are covered in sweat. Were you scared? Thats because of the sun. You were very nervous just now. And that kid really looks a bit like you. Were you not worrying he was one of your romantic debts? Impossible, the woman was not my type. Thats true. She is so very different from Reba or Maggie. Are you waging war against me? But I was only telling the truth, Arianna smirked. Vince looked at her silently. After a while, he said with a dignified expression, You dont talk to me like this, dontugh at me like this, or I will misunderstand. Chapter 139: I Was Rude Arianna slowly retracted her smile, Misunderstand what? About you and me. Ariannas eyes flickered. She paused for a long time and said softly, If you take it seriously, I will apany you. Miss Jenkins, its not wise to tease me. Vince, wont you regret it? You probably dont know. You have a look of death in your eyes. I I only mean it for a period of time. Vince just looked at her in an unpredictable way without saying a word. Its the time Arianna could only feel the childrensughs and the sound of the water, as well as the sound of wind blowing through the leaves and the aroma of the beef pie in her hand. She was confused again. They returned to the hotel silently all the way. Arianna imed to be a little tired, did not go to the restaurant to eat, and just asked the waiter to send two cups of yogurt to her room. She took a shower for an hour, which was meant to clear her thoughts, but only made her brain more chaotic. Then she put on her pajamas and sat in the window to let the oing breeze blow her hair. She nned to put all her emotions deep in her heart. Then she lit a cigarette. But her door was gently knocked. Arianna saw from the cats eyes who was standing outside the door. She opened the door. Vince stood at the door in a light-colored shirt and dark trousers. He raised the bottle and cups in his hands, Ivee to confess. It looks like I offended you again today. Shall I buy you a drink? Arianna didnt respond. Then she realized her pajamas were very transparent and low-cut. She said, Ill change clothes, please wait, and shut the door. It was toote when she felt she was too rude, but she had to change her clothes quickly. She hurriedly changed her pajamas into another set of opaque silk pajamas, which looked like a short dress. And she rouged her lips quickly. Three minutester, Arianna reopened the door, and Vince still stood in the doorway, his eyeszily gliding over her body. Arianna leaned against the door and raised her chin, Pleasee in. When Vince ced the cup and poured the wine calmly, Arianna began to feel dizzy. She didnt ask for his opinion and requested the hotel to bring a bunch of side dishes, grilled salmon, fried small steak, milk pudding, baked fruit, sd, potato puree Hungry? Vince asked. Yep. They didnt eat or drink much. Arianna asked, No appetite? What do you want to eat? Vince stared at her lips, his eyes flickering, Anything. Arianna took a bunch of Roasted Saint Girl Fruit and said, The taste is really good. Why not try it? Its not poisoned. When he was going to take it, he found Arianna had already put thest bunch of fruits in her mouth. She swallowed two, and there was still thest one in her mouth. Vince suddenly approached her and put his lips on her lips. He pried open her teeth with his tongue and took away thest fruit from her mouth. He swallowed the red fruit and said, Nice. Dont you feel disgusted? I thought it was a token of invitation. But it had my saliva on it. Vinces answer was to lean over and kiss her, his hands wrapped around her waist, stopping her from all struggles. His kiss was breathtaking, and their breath and saliva merged.N?velDrama.Org ? content. You call it disgusting? He finally let go of her and whispered on her forehead when she was about to suffocate. Arianna was lying on the sofa with a sigh of relief, her lips blushing, her eyes faint, her chest ups and downs, and hernguage ability lost. With his eyes darkened, Vince knelt in front of her, pinching her thin ankles and going up until he reached her delicate and smooth inner thigh. He kissed her again, from her lips down to her neck and her shoulder. Her pajamas wrapped around her neck prevented him from moving further. He had to turn her over and licked her bareback, starting from the butterfly bone, along the spine, biting inch by inch, all the way down to her waist. She trembled with pain and itch. Her nightdress was pushed down to her waist, and her shoulder strap untied. Most of her body was exposed to the air and his touch. Arianna, who had confusion both in thoughts and body, suddenly felt that this was too ridiculous. She struggled to get up, pushed Vince hard, grabbed a piece of cloth to cover her chest, leaned against the back of the sofa, and looked at him with alertness. She was messy and panting. And he not only had neat clothes, but his hair was also in order. Only she zoned out. Im sorry, Arianna said with a weak voice. Vince looked at her for a long time, and the heat in his eyes faded, It doesnt matter. I was rude. He leaned against her. Arianna had nowhere to hide, biting her lips. But he just re-attached the pajamas straps to her neck and gathered her hair, You should rest early. He got up and took a few steps. Arianna struggled several times and called him, Vince! She shouted clearly. He turned back. Arianna looked straight at him. Vince walked back to her, only one arm away from her, looking a little confused at her eyes. Arianna suddenly reached out and grabbed his belt, dragging him forward. They both didnt talk, and finally, Arianna got up from the sofa, pulled his shirt out of his waistband, and opened his buttons one by one. Her expression was firm this time, her action stiff. And Vince just stood there, taking his time. Arianna just stared at his bare chest. Then she continued to untie his belt, and she couldnt unite it for a while. Vince held her hands. The two were silent again. Arianna thought he would leave, of her previous rejection, and her awkwardness today. She tried to pull her hands out, but Vince pressed her back to the sofa, biting her soft chest through the thin cloth, and buried his head in her chest. Arianna hugged his shoulder and muttered in his ear, Vince, lets go to bed, not here. Their action was fierce in bed. Vince did not continue the former forey that had just been interrupted. He took off her clothes and, when her body reacted slightly, quickly and directly invaded her, never giving her a second chance to repent. Chapter 140: I Can鈥檛 Be With Him Arianna had been out of the deal for a long time. His sudden and powerful intrusion made her body bend into a shrimp shade in pain. He stroked her ridge and waist and kissed her forehead and lips, but the other hand held her hand firmly. He didnt mean to stop at all. They didnt integrate well at first. Ariannas body was initially repulsive. She was stiff. And his elegance and nobleness were gone in bed. She struggled, screamed, and cried. Later, the two finally were on the right track. In his powerful, repeated hit, she was like a branch in a storm and a boat in the waves. She could only hold his shoulders and waist, clutching his hips, groaning under his body, leaving the prints of her fingernails on his back. Vince suddenly stopped when she was forced to the edge of madness. He put his head on her neck and breathed and said, Wait for a second, I forgot something. Arianna shuddered and reached for his waist, her voice trembling, Its okay doesnt matter. Then Vince returned to her body like a crazy seed, growing wildly because of the nurturing rain, taking up every bit of space he could. She was out of her mind and her breath. When he exploded in her body, Arianna grabbed his hair and tried to bite his shoulder. The two of them were exhausted, sleeping like babies, and their limbs were still entangled. They didnt even wash, and they were stuck together by sweaty skin. **** In the middle of the night, Arianna was awakened by the cool breeze blowing in from the window and the sticky difort. She took a lot of effort to free herself from the twisted shape of the two people. She wanted to sneak to have a bath but still awakened Vince. He softly asked, What are you going to do? His injured voice sounded hoarse and ambiguous. A few minutester, in the luxurious bathroom of this hotel, Arianna closed her eyes and let Vince gently stroke her hair, using his fingers to wipe off the foam on her body. They returned to the bed and began round two. Unlike the previous stormy style, Vinces movements became meticulous, but Arianna still experienced the constant switch between heaven and hell under his body. They went to take a shower again, and Venus had already slid to the east. Vince sat on the bed and rubbed his hair. Seeing Ariannas hair still dripping with water, he said, Come here, let me wipe it for you, or you will have a headache tomorrow. Arianna asked, Vince, do you want to drink milk? Nice. Add sugar? Up to you. Arianna added sugar to both sses of milk. In fact, it was not just sugar but mixed with sleeping pills, which was a must-have item for Arianna before going to bed. She put the milk to Vince. It was said that he had been negotiating for several nights. He didnt sleep well for her business in the past two days, and today he didnt sleep well for her to the maximum extent. He could barely open his eyes. After drinking the milk, he said with a sleepy voice, We tomorrow Arianna interrupted him, Lets talk tomorrow. Early the next morning, Arianna got up as usual. She had the gift of being able to recover after a night of physical exhaustion quickly. Vince slept very quietly, like a child. Arianna called him softly, Vince, Vince! He didnt move at all. She re-covered him with the bedsheet, picked up the clothes scattered on the floor, carefully folded them, and ced them on the chair by the bed. She rinsed again. Under the water, she leaned against the bathroom and cried. The water washed away her tears, and the sound of the water covered her crying. Arianna changed her clothes, put on light makeup in front of the mirror, and picked up herpact suitcase. She pondered. After all, she couldnt leave without saying goodbye, so she left a note saying Farewell on the table. When she walked to the door, she remembered he had booked this room, so she put down a travelers check with enough money on the table. Then she went out. Nobody was blocking her way. Arianna flew to another city by ne, then took trains and boats. She went to many ces in a few days. She wasnt sure whether Vince would look for her, but she deliberately left no traces. Ariannas original intention was to travel, but her thoughts were chaotic. She didnt appreciate the scenery, but she didnt have the courage to go home. On the third day, she was sick. She only drank a lot of water and had a lot of sweat, with her body covered tightly by a quilt. And she recovered the next day. But on this day, she was too exhausted to wander around. She sat in a small church for an afternoon until she was the only one in the church. The priest came to her and said, You dont look good. Is there anything I can do for you? Arianna thought for a long time and said, I am reflecting on myself. I have done a lot of wrong things. Every time I thought I was right and innocent, but every time I found out that I had done something wrong. I hurt myself and hurt others. You have already realized your fault, which is the right thing. I am very contradictory, priest. I have a former enemy, yes, just once. If I stayed with him, I wouldnt be able to face my family, so I left him and refused his good intentions. Butter, I feel I am very sorry for him. The Lord said, Love our enemies. Dear Miss, forgiving our enemies is forgiving ourselves.Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org. I cant be with him. If that happens, I will lose all faith and support, and I will look down on myself. The priest sighed, Since you already know what you want, why are you feeling contradictory? Arianna whispered, What I want most is always the peace of mind. But since I knew he might still be alive, I lost this peace. And when I begin thinking that I want a child who looks like him, I know that I have lost this peace forever. I couldnt get it. Father, I dont want to be with him, but I want to have a child with him, even if it is a child that looks like him. I just cant forgive myself. Sorry, I am a little confused. This person, is he alive, or is he already dead? Chapter 141: Will You Marry Me? Arianna wandered for a week and then booked a return flight ticket. She took a ship to set off from a small town and nned to leave on the second day by ne. The sky outside the ship was still ck, but a phone call from County C awakened her, Our progress has been dyed on processing the samples you sent us a few days ago because of a little ident. We will inform you of the results within one week. Sorry for the inconvenience this might bring to you. Arianna was stunned a while before she understood the other side. She was in a different time zone, and the other party had no idea where she went. She said, No need to worry. I dont want to know the result anymore. Madame? I will pay for it anyway. She disconnected the call and couldnt fall asleep. Its near dawn. She washed her face, changed into her clothes, and walked out of the cabin alone. The dawn had not arrived yet. A touch of blue gradually appeared in the ck sky. The temperature was very low. Arianna tightened up her shawl, sat on the deck, looked at the sky in the east, and waited for the sunrise. There was only the sound of the machine and the sound of the sea. A marine policeman stood straight in the distance. The sky hadnt changed for a long time. Arianna walked to the side of the ship and leaned her body on the railing. The young guy politely came over and asked, Are you alright? Im just waiting to watch the sunrise here. There is often fog in the morning here. It is difficult to see the full sunrise, madam. Then I will see the fog, thank you. Arianna smiled back at him. The ships policeman was correct. When bright light began to appear on the horizon, a fog rose and covered the sea. It wasnt heavy but looked likeyers of gauze within meters. Everything around was blurred. A little disappointed, Arianna sat in a chair and zoned out. When a group of red clouds entered her eyes, she came back to earth and saw a red, half-faced sun climbing up from the horizon. She instinctively reached out and blocked her eyes. At this time, someone slowly walked up to her, blocking the bright sun. Arianna looked up incredulously, and Vince was confidently leaning back against the ships side, putting his hands in his trouser pockets, elegant as a statue. His body was gilded with the sunlight behind him, and his thin but handsome face became a little mysterious. He looked at her without saying a word. She watched him for a few seconds and said, Sir, I am watching the sunrise. You are blocking me. Vince took a few steps forward and blocked her sight more closely, leaving only himself in her sight. Arianna turned her eyes away, seeing the whole sky brightening bit by bit. The sun rises every day. But if you miss someone, you might miss him forever. Arianna was silent. Miss Jenkins,st time I checked, I thought you were willing to gamble with me. What do you mean? Arianna frowned. You didnt say goodbye. I left a note for you. Oh, I remembered. You left a check too. Vince took the piece of paper out of his trouser pocket and raised it to her. Is this a recognition of my technique in bed? Arianna gnawed her teeth, You know that it is the fee for the room. Vince pressed his forehead, I really didnt think about it in that way. But I was scared out of my shit because prostitution in that hotel may be sued and sentenced to be put in jail. Arianna ground her teeth and didnt talk. She had forgotten her n of speaking once they met again. Vince took another step forward, trying to hold her hand, and Arianna quickly avoided him. She said, Vince, no one will die for anyone missing in this world. We had been together once, so why cant you just let me go? I also want to know why it must be you. Vince said, I want to know more, if you dont want to be with me, why do you want to steal a child from me?All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org. Arianna tried hard to restrain her embarrassment of being seen through by him, and her face looked annoyed. Mydy, I just lost my memory, not my brain. When you stared at the child and then chose topromise, I guessed what you were thinking Please, whats that look of you? Arianna stood up and said, I am very happy to see you again. Goodbye. Vince blocked her way, I told you before. I dont mind being used, but are you sure that you will be able to get what you want in one night? If not, wont you feel too bad? Vince, have youe to me me? Did you lose anything that night? Arianna, on that night, you were only using me, right? As they spoke, the boat had turned its direction. The sunlight shone on Ariannas face and made her unable to open her eyes. She closed her eyes and said, I kept my promise. You wanted me, and I gave you one night, but thats all. You kept your promise? Then will you keep every promise you made? A weird smile appeared on his lips. Ariannas face was a bit pale. Before she recalled any such promise, she heard a burst of exmation on the deck. The sun was rising, and many people had already gotten up early and were walking on the deck. Two helicopters suddenly appeared in the sky, scattering tens of thousands of rose petals. Within the scope of dozens of meters, the red rose petals fell from the sky one by one, like a magnificent rain. Meanwhile, hundreds of seagulls danced on the sea while the petals were raining. At the same time, this ce was like a magnificent ceremony. There were whistles and cheers, and the sound of seagulls, one after another. You said, when red rain falls from the sky, you will consider marrying me, remember? Arianna was shocked with her mouth wide open. It took a long time for her to find her breath and voice, You copied the plot from a romance novel! Vince said, Hey, I spent one day and one night devising this n. In fact, if I can choose, I prefer white petals. Dont you feel embarrassed for such a childish and unproductive game? Its better to lose dignity than to regret it for a lifetime. What do you think? Arianna is silent. The petals had been raining for a long time without stopping. No one knew how many roses he had destroyed. The petals were falling into the sea, falling on their heads, body, and feet. I have never believed in one thing so much. If I miss you, it will be the biggest regret of my life. He asked in the falling petals of rain, Will you marry me? Chapter 142: I Received What You Sent More and more people watching the show on the deck shouted in differentnguages, Promise him! Promise him! Arianna lowered her head, Vince, I dont love you. I do not care. I am not good for you. I will not be a good wife. You will be a good mother, my childs mother. You could have found a woman ten times better than me. For me, this kind of person doesnt exist. The petals were still falling from the sky. Arianna cried, Vince, why me? Why dont you let me go? He reached out and wiped her tears for her, Its your fault. I just thought of finding something to eat downstairs that day, and you suddenly stumbled into my sight like that. It was you who ran to me. Arianna cried more badly. Vince put her into his arms and patted her like pampering a child. That morning, the passengers who got up early on this luxury passenger ship were fortunate enough to see such a strange and wonderful scene, and they kept speaking of it until many yearster. A heroine cried like a baby in the rainfall of rose petals. It looked like she cried because she was moved. But when the male lead put on the ring for her, her expression was desperate, as if she was about to be hung. She did not struggle or refuse. When the male lead hugged her and took her back to the cabin, she hugged his neck obediently. In fact, at that time, in Vinces arms, Arianna, whose ring finger had just been put on a ring by him, said only one sentence, Vince, I feel tired. Vince whispered, I am here. **** Two weekster, when Vince had just sat down at the office, his new assistant knocked on the door, Good morning, Mr. Johnson, the trip mustve been very enjoyable? He took a pen and crossed out on the piece of paper, and there were only a few phone numbers left, and he dialed back one by one. Vinces doctor and a friendughed on the phone, I heard that you did a very romantic and humiliating thing a few days ago? And, is it said that you were airborne to the ship in the middle of the night? Goodness, this is not like what you can pull off. You have toe back. I need to check your brain!Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g! Even you know it? Is it so widespread? The doctor continued tough, Isnt it? I also heard that the government has given you a big yellow card warning. There is also a huge fine ticket. Vinceughed. However, that must be worth it? You wont be doing business with no profit. The doctor continued to ask, Have you had frequent headaches recently? No, Im fine. Now you see? I told you. As long as you dont always dwell in the past, your head will be fine. Let the past go to hell and start all over, man. The Olddy has exerted more efforts to entirely changed your identity. Another call was made by Reba, telling him that she already had a new job and was about to marry. Congrattions, Reba. I heard that you are also married, and the efficiency is really high. It seems that that woman is not too hard to get after all. What kind of wedding gift do you need? No, what Lady Johnson gave me is very generous. Your family is very generous, including Henry, who you hate very much You are also very good at manipting people. You are a true family. Reba, if you need help in the future, remember to find me. Vince, I dont need your forgiveness, and I wont bless you. I will never wish you happiness. She is just using you. She just treats you as a substitute. You are so pitiful. You have lost all the women who love you all over the world, and you chose the one who doesnt love you. Thank you, Reba. Vince leaned back in his chair. Reba hung up heavily. Vince rubbed his head, dialed a few more calls, and finally received another encrypted file from theputer. He entered the password. The file contained a few obscure audios, but it was not difficult to tell the owner of the voice. Actually, I dont hate him. But in such a limited lifetime, I hope that everything I do in the future is meaningful. I can forgive, but it does not mean that I can forget. He is the one who indirectly killed my parents and grandfather. He destroyed my whole world. No matter how many things he did, this fact can never change. There is something he can never give to me If I was with him, I would have a nightmare every night I will not allow that to happen to myself. Vince wore headphones, listened to these two recordings over and over again, and removed thempletely atst. He gave thest call to his grandmother, You won. What do you mean by I won? Will you let go of your second uncle after what he did? Will you agree to inherit your family business? And, you really treat me as your grandmother but not your enemy? Remember youre now Vince Johnson. Everything is as you wish. His voice was a little depressed. Young man, dont pretend. You didnt lose, right? Youre the only one that I have after he died in that ident that involved you two. When will you bring my granddaughter-inw back to me? You have seen her before. How can it be the same? When I saw herst time, she was still an outsider. Now I can finally teach her in a proper way. Vince was busy all day, and he received a courier letter near the evening, marked with the words he must personally open it. He opened the envelopes and found two envelopes, both marked with the name of a special institution. The recipients were both Ms. Jenkins. The two letters looked exactly the same, but their seals had different colors. There were all the stamps from the course of the delivery. Thest stamp marked the time as This Morning, and the address was his house. In theory, these two things should have been in the hands of Arianna. There was also a note in the letter, with only one phone number. He thought for a moment and dialed the phone number. I am Vince. I received what you sent. I dont understand why they got here. The other side paused for a long time before speaking, That is the result of two gic tests, Mr. Johnson. The one with the redbel says 100% match. The one with the greenbel shows that 25% of the genes are arranged differently. He paused again and then continued, You mustve understood what this indicates. The genes of identical twins, even if the gic arrangement at birth is exactly the same, will vary with age and life. Adult twins cant have the exact same genes. Chapter 143: Finale: I Love You, Travis Cooper Vince didnt speak for a long time. The phone said again, However, Ms. Jenkins I mean, Lady Johnson provided it to us more than a month ago. There was a little ident in the middle, so the test result has been dyed. Maybe she is not paying much attention to this result now. Where did she get it? Someone used to Indeed. Several groups of people tried to find Mr. Coopers fingerprints, hair, or blood. They didnt seed, but Ms. Jenkins I mean, Lady Johnson seeded. She wanted to know if youre still alive. Sir, wont you ask who I am? You have helped me a lot of times. You are capable of providing things even the most expensive credit bureaus cant find, right? The phone was silent for a long time. Later, the voice of the man became a bit strange, like suppressing something. You wont need me anymore. I think this is thest thing I can do for you. Anyway, I hope that you have an opportunity of choice. Good luck, sir, goodbye. Before the man hung up, Vince whispered, Thank you, Ryan. His voice was stiff when he called Ryan. A heavy sound of sobbing came from the other side of the phone. Ryan whispered in an unearthly low voice, Bye, Mr. Cooper. May with your new identity youll have your happiness. Vince stood alone by the river to watch the sunset. His shadow became very long in the afterglow of the sunset. The driver in the distance lingered for a long time and then carefully walked over, Mr. Johnson, Madame asked if you would go home to eat at night. Why didnt she call me? Your mobile phone is out of power. This meal was made by Arianna herself. It was a very simple four-in-one soup plus millet porridge. The kitchen was tortured as if it had just held a banquet. Arianna said, You can take stomach medicine before eating. Vince tasted every dish, Nice. Thank you. Vince asked Arianna, What day is today? How can you be so nice suddenly? I am waiting for something. I need to talk to youter; eat first. She saw Vince eating so slowly, and she said helplessly, I have tried my best. It took me half an afternoon. If you really dont like it, I will make you an instant noodles. My technique of making instant noodles is not bad. Vince ate every dish Arianna cooked, and he washed the tes himself. Their middle-aged housekeeper was a little nervous and worried about whether she was too derelict. After dinner, Vince returned to the study to read a document and saw Arianna sitting on the swing seat in the yard and swaying outside the window. He was moody. When the housekeeper sent him tea, he mistakenly used it as a pen holder and threw a pen in. The housekeeper smiled slyly, Madame is in a good mood today; there should be something. What? Madame went to the hospital today. Are you worried about your wife, sir? At nine oclock in the evening, Arianna and Vince met in the study. They each had their own free space, and they usually got together after 9 pm. I will show you something. Arianna handed him a big, open envelope.N?velDrama.Org ? content. Yes? There is something for you here. His voice was a little hoarse, and he handed her an envelope with her name on it. Arianna saw the words on the envelope, and her face turned pale, How do you get it? It was sent to me identally; probably the courier wanted me to transfer it to you. Her face was a little paler, and Arianna said, Do you know what it is? Yeah. And I can swear to you, this is the correct one. He slowly pushed the envelope to Arianna. The rxed atmosphere suddenly became heavy and tense. Their breath and heartbeat were clearly audible, and no one was looking at each others eyes. They stood for a long time. Arianna finally picked up the envelope slowly, tearing the seal slowly. The seal was very firm, and her movements were so slow, as if she could never open it. For Vince, it was like torture in hell. He handed her a paper-knife, his hands shaking. Arianna didnt pick up the knife. She slowly walked over to Vince, reached out, and searched for his body. She only knew that he had a small habit these days. He quit smoking because of the condition of his throat, but one of his pockets was always equipped with a lighter. And he would y the lighter whenever he was bored. She slowly searched in his trouser pockets. She finally found the lighter. Arianna turned on the lighter and put the envelope that she failed to open onto the me, watching it burn into ash bit by bit. The two looked at each other withplicated expressions. Arent you going to know the truth? His voice trembled. It was in the past. Whatever had happened before, would it be best for us to let go of them? Vince was silent. And he gently nodded, saying, I am happy to hear that you forgive me. He suddenly remembered something, I heard you went to the hospital today. Are you okay? Why dont you look at the thing I gave you? Vince watched her face, trying to read more, but he failed. He slowly said, Im not sure if this envelope youre holding needs to be destroyed too. Fine by me. They almost lost it. I waited for a long time before they sent it back to me. Didnt I just say a while ago we should move forward? With a little anger on her face, she turned away. Vince didnt stop her. He took out a piece of tissue and wiped the sweat on his hands. Then he opened the unsealed envelope she handed him. There was only one colored ultrasound photo and one test sheet indicating she was pregnant. The next second, he was excited. He rushed out of the study and almost knocked down the housekeeper. When Vince found Arianna, she was standing on a chair to fetch the vase full ofrge ca lilies from the tall cab. He cautiously said, You dont move, yes, just stand there. Let me help you. When she had a snake behind her before, he was not as nervous and cautious as he is now. He took the vase in her hands, put it on the table, and gently hugged her down, You do this dangerous action again, and my blood pressure will rise. Arianna swung her arms around his neck, Congrattions, Mr. Johnson! Or should I call you Mr. Cooper? Her smile was shallow but sunshine-like. I preferred to be Vince to start anew. Congrattions, Mrs. Johnson. Vince held her tighter. She just smiled at him and suddenly pushed him, Youre really good at manipting people. He pulled her back into his arms, Grandma had several schemes under her sleeves to make me return home. He even sent Vince to persuade me, but that ident happened to the two of us. I dont want to recall that day. Arianna leaned her head on his chest; she could feel his calm breathing. She then whispered. I love you, Travis Cooper. Travis nted a warm kiss on her forehead. I love you more, honey. Authors Note: Thank you, everyone, for reading this novel till the end, and with a heavy heart, I proudly announce that the finale hase, and we need to bid our farewell to the main characters of this novel. I hope to see you again in my next book. May you find your real love, joy, and happiness! Sending you my warm hug, Anna Shannel Lin *****END OF THE STORY****** The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!