CHAPTER 17
In the dimly lit private chamber, Harrold Harrison, with a noticeable paunch, slouched on the sofa, his once imposing demeanor diminished by the white bandage wrapped around his head and the array of bruises marring his features, lending him a comically pitiful appearance.
Arianna's keen observation pieced together the events that led to Harrold's current state, surmising that it was likely his wife Stephanie who inflicted the injuries.
Despite the severity of the attack, Harold's menacing glare indicated his readiness for revenge, fueled by the knowledge of Arianna's role in exposing his misdeeds.
With a venomous sneer, Harrold leveled a vindictive gaze at Arianna.
"You've caused me considerable pain," he spat, his voice dripping with malice.
"Today, we settle the score once and for all."
Despite Harrold's expectation of Arianna's fear and pleading, her demeanor remained surprisingly composed and unaffected. With an air of nonchalance, she met his threats with a calm demeanor, her voice carrying an almost detached tone.
"I'm curious, Mr. Harrison," Arianna remarked casually, her gaze steady.
"How do you plan to exact your revenge?"
Harrold's derisive snort revealed his disbelief at Arianna's apparent lack of concern.
"You may have caught me off guard once," he retorted, his voice tinged with disdain.
"But don't think you'll be so fortunate this time."
Arianna's response was unexpected, her laughter ringing out with an edge of resignation.
"Mr. Harrison, surrounded as you are by your associates, I hardly stand a chance," she conceded with a helpless shrug.
"Perhaps if I were to show you my vulnerability, to beg for mercy, you might consider leniency."
Harrold's lips curled into a sinister smirk as he relished Arianna's acknowledgment of her precarious situation.
"It's good that you understand," he taunted, his voice dripping with malice.
"But remember, if you fail to please me, your chances of leaving here alive are slim."
With a dismissive wave of his hand, Harrold directed the server to bring forth the alcohol, his command leaving no room for hesitation.
"Serve us the alcohol!" Harrold ordered the server at his side, his voice laced with authority.
Soon, glasses of liquor were placed on the table, their contents shimmering in the dim light of the room.
Harrold pointed at the array of drinks, his tone cold and commanding.
"Arianna, finish all of the glasses, and I’ll consider letting you go!"
Arianna couldn't help but scoff silently at the idea of Harrold letting her go, but his threat weighed heavily on her mind. She understood the danger of defying his orders.
Arianna's heart sank as she contemplated the grim consequences of complying with Harrold's demand.
The thought of being left drunk and defenseless in a room full of leering men filled her with dread, the specter of their predatory gazes haunting her every move.
"If you refuse, don't blame me for what comes next. I'll make sure you drink every last drop," Harrold threatened, his tone dripping with malice.
His cronies chuckled menacingly, their approach sending a shiver down Arianna's spine as she braced herself for the ordeal ahead.
Harrold's threat hung heavily in the air, his words a chilling reminder of the cruelty that awaited her should she refuse to obey. With a malicious glint in his eye, he warned of further coercion if she dared to resist.
His cohorts' laughter only added to Arianna's sense of foreboding as they closed in on her, their intentions unmistakably sinister.
The fear coursing through her veins spurred her into action, her mind racing for a way to escape the clutches of her captors before it was too late.
In a daring move to stall Harrold's menacing subordinates, Arianna reached for a glass of liquor with a graceful fluidity, her voice dripping with honeyed sweetness as she addressed Harrold.
"Mr. Harrison, there's no need to rush. I never said I wouldn't indulge. However..." Her words trailed off, laced with a seductive allure that sent a shiver down Harrolds spine.
The sudden shift in Arianna's demeanor caught Harrold off guard, his curiosity piqued as he prompted her to continue.
"However?"
Arianna's delicate fingers brushed through her golden locks, the strands cascading around her face in a captivating display. With an almost ethereal beauty, she made her request known, her voice soft and enticing.
"I simply wish to share this moment with you alone, Mr. Harrison."
As she untied her hair, allowing it to fall in gentle waves around her porcelain features, Arianna's allure intensified, her presence transforming into something enchanting, like a mesmerizing siren beckoning Harrold into her embrace.
Arianna leisurely twirled her hair, exuding an aura of innocence and charm that captivated everyone in the dimly lit room.
Beneath the subdued lighting, she seemed like a enchanting fairy, casting a spell over the mesmerized onlookers.
Harrold, who had been drawn to Arianna's beauty before, felt his desire reignite with even greater intensity.
His frustration from their previous encounter fueled his longing, and he yearned to possess her now more than ever. With each passing moment, his lust burned hotter, driving him to seek out this enchanting creature before him.
Eager to fulfill his desires, Harrold readily accepted Arianna's proposal, his excitement evident in his swift agreement.
"Fine! We'll drink alone as you wish," he declared with a nod.
With a dismissive gesture, Harrold ordered his subordinates to depart, his desire to have Arianna to himself overriding any other considerations.
Despite their expectations, he made it clear that Arianna's company was reserved solely for him.
