CHAPTER 169
Arianna had once been like Rochelle, never hesitating to call Xander regardless of the time or her mood. His affection had been her foundation, a source of comfort she relied on.
Now, that foundation was gone.
John had answered Rochelle's call, and she was now standing with her hands on her hips, unleashing a torrent of curses. Her words flew rapidly, each one more intense than the last.
Arianna sipped from her wine glass, observing Rochelle with a mix of admiration and envy.
The alcohol had given her a false sense of bravery, and it began to cloud her thoughts. Her head grew foggy, and she found herself repeatedly reaching for her cell phone, only to put it down again in confusion. The cycle continued until her surroundings began to blur and the alcohol overtook her senses.
...
The following morning, Arianna awoke slowly, disoriented at first. As her memories of the previous night came back to her, she grimaced from the pounding headache and instinctively placed a hand on her forehead.
Once she had managed to shake off the haze, Arianna noticed a glass of water and some pills on the bedside table, along with a post-it note.
She picked up the note, which bore Rochelle’s firm instructions: "Take these hangover pills when you wake up. Breakfast is on the table; just heat it up before eating. I’m out handling something. Call me if you need anything."
A ‘PS’ on the back read, "Your phone is on airplane mode because the reporters are going to bombard you with calls."
Arianna couldn’t help but smile at the considerate gesture. She got up, went to the bathroom to freshen up, then took the hangover pills before retrieving her phone and heading out of the room.
Even though Arianna wasn’t very hungry, she appreciated Rochelle’s thoughtful gesture and decided not to waste the breakfast.
She quickly warmed it up, took a seat at the dining table, and began eating while scrolling through her phone.
Her first stop was GossipNet, where the top trending searches were still dominated by news about her. The leading headline featured a photo of her driving a luxury car from the previous day.
The report had also revealed the car’s exorbitant price and its limited edition status, making it accessible only to the wealthy and influential.
The revelation added more fuel to the fire, reinforcing the narrative that she was lavishly spending her husband’s money while neglecting her parents.
Arianna’s lips twisted into a cold smile as she read the article. She found it utterly absurd.
As anticipated, any photograph taken was used by reporters to spin their own stories, swaying public opinion. She skimmed through the comments, finding a sea of criticism from netizens.
The second trending topic was Simon and Margaret’s claim that Arianna was involved with numerous men. Netizens eagerly took on the role of amateur sleuths, compiling a detailed list of these alleged affairs.
Arianna’s lips tightened as she scrolled through the list of supposed lovers.
Mason Smith, Dr. Alan Wood… and even a hospital janitor, whom she had only briefly spoken with, were included.
Her parents had truly gone to great lengths to tarnish her reputation.
Notably missing from the list was Xander, likely omitted because her parents feared his reaction.
Arianna's expression was tinged with irony as she saw the list of so-called affairs, with the actual facts carefully omitted.
The situation was deteriorating rapidly, and Arianna knew she needed to act fast. If she didn’t clarify things soon, it would be nearly impossible to shift public opinion back in her favor.
Simon and Margaret were fully aware of this too, which was why they kept pushing false narratives to damage her reputation.
Arianna exited GossipNet and opened FriendTalk. Her inbox was filled with unread messages, and Alan’s chat was at the top, showing a flurry of messages from him.
She tapped on the chat and quickly skimmed through the messages.
The initial messages from Alan were filled with concern, asking if Arianna was okay and if she needed any assistance. The most recent message reassured her that she could reach out to him anytime.
She also received comforting messages from many friends both near and far, offering their support and help.
It was ironic how more people reached out when things seemed good rather than when she was in desperate need. As Arianna glanced at the news, she felt a wave of warmth and was deeply moved by their support.
After finishing her breakfast and setting aside the dishes, Arianna wiped her mouth and rose from the table. She walked over to the floor-to-ceiling windows, gazing out at the clear blue sky and the shining sun, while finalizing her decision.
With her resolve in place, she picked up her phone and dialed her father’s number.
The call was answered almost immediately, signaling their anticipation.
Simon’s voice was dripping with disdain. “What do you want?”
Arianna took a deep breath and, with a slightly shaky voice, said, “I was wrong, Dad.”
Simon scoffed with an air of superiority.
“You were wrong? How can I possibly accept your apology? Weren’t you just last here insisting that your wealthy husband would handle everything for you?”
Arianna listened silently to his condescension, her voice trembling as she spoke.
“Dad, the accusations about me and other men have upset my husband deeply. He’s furious and wants a divorce. I may have had a good life before, but I’ve come to realize that you, Mom, are the ones I truly rely on.”
Simon remained silent for a moment, showing no sign of concession.
Arianna, growing increasingly desperate, continued, “Dad, I truly regret my actions now. I’ve spent the entire night reflecting and am ready to accept whatever conditions you and Mom set. I promise I’ll obey and won’t resist any longer!”
After a pause, Simon finally responded with a hint of disdain, “Empty promises mean nothing.”
He had been out-witted by her too many times before to fall for her assurances again.
