CHAPTER 282
In the apartment hotel, Harmony looked completely defeated as she ended the call with Starlight TV. She held the phone so tightly that the blue veins in her hand were clearly visible, showing just how anxious she was feeling.
With her eyes shut, she took a few deep breaths, trying hard to find some peace within herself before reaching for the phone once more.
With trembling fingers, she long-pressed the ‘1’ shortcut. The name ‘Xander’ illuminated the screen, and she wet her lips, bracing herself for the conversation to come.
“Harmony,” Xander’s voice came through, icy and clipped, lacking any warmth or familiarity. It felt like a sudden drop in temperature, sending a chill through her.
“What is it Bunny.”
His coldness sent a shiver down her spine, and a pang of disappointment twisted in her gut.
“I know you’re angry,” she said, her voice quivering as she fought back tears.
“But I swear I didn’t do anything wrong. Your wife… she set me up. She always wanted to be in the spotlight, and now she’s using me as a scapegoat. This isn’t fair, Xander!”
There was a pause on the other end, an unsettling silence that seemed to stretch infinitely. Harmony could almost hear the wheels turning in his mind as she continued, desperation lacing her words.
“You know I would never betray you like this! Arianna is the one who has been trying to tear up my reputation. You can’t let her get away with this!”
Finally, Xander’s voice cut through, hard and resolute. “Enough! I'm busy right now, but I want to meet you. Are you still in the hotel?”
“Yes… I…” Her words trailed off, swallowed by the sudden heaviness in the air.
Then, without warning, the line went dead, leaving her feeling even more isolated. She pressed the phone against her chest.
He’d hung up on her. He’d never done that before. The emptiness pressed down on her like a dense fog, amplifying her loneliness and fear. Xander was angry—there wasn’t a hint of compassion in his voice, not even the slightest trace of understanding.
Harmony’s mind raced, replaying her own words, trying to convince herself that she was the victim in this situation. But deep down, she could sense the wall between her and Xander hardening. She could almost hear the unspoken truth in his silence—that he was tired of her games and wasn’t willing to listen to her excuses anymore.
............
Arianna was feeling elated as she stepped out of Starlight TV, a spring in her step that matched her buoyant mood. Justice had prevailed, and the recognition she deserved was finally hers. No scheme or plot could ever take that away from her.
Whenever she experienced such joy, her first instinct was to share it with Xander.
She pulled out her phone and checked the time, realizing it was nearly five in the evening. The King Group was about a 40-minute drive from Starlight TV, which meant she could arrive just in time for dinner. A romantic candlelit dinner with her husband was the perfect way to celebrate.
Without hesitation, Arianna booked a taxi through her ride-hailing app. The car arrived promptly, and as she settled in, she sent Xander a WhatsApp message to let him know she was on her way.
However, when she didn’t receive an immediate response, she assumed he was busy and decided not to bother him further.
Upon arriving at the King Group, Arianna stepped out of the taxi and made her way inside. The doorman and receptionist recognized her as the CEO’s wife, allowing her to pass without any hassle. She headed straight to the exclusive elevator reserved for Xander's floor.
As she exited the elevator, Ronald was already waiting for her, having been notified by the front desk. With a warm smile, he greeted her,
“Hello, Mrs. King! What brings you here today?”
“I just happened to be running some errands nearby, so I thought I’d drop by for dinner with Xander. Is he busy?” Arianna explained as she looked at Ronald.
Ronald nodded, glancing at his watch. “He’s currently in a meeting. It should take about another half hour before he’s free. You’re welcome to wait in his office if you’d like.”
“Sure, that sounds good.”
With that, Ronald led Arianna to Xander's office. She could see he was preoccupied, so she decided not to keep him any longer and settled in alone.
“Let me know if you need anything,” he offered before stepping out and gently closing the door behind him.
Arianna had always felt at home in Xander’s office, having spent countless hours there during their relationship. Back in her university days, while Xander began to take the reins of the King Group, she often came by to be close to him.
Understanding his demanding schedule, many of their dates were held in the office. While he worked, she would sit on the sofa, engrossed in a book, taking online classes, or watching her favourite shows.
Just being in the same room, even in comfortable silence, was enough to make her heart swell. They would occasionally steal glances at each other, sharing unspoken moments that felt intimate and warm.
Over time, more of her belongings found their way into the office, turning it into a second home for her, a space filled with memories of their shared lives.
That explained the various quirky items that seemed so out of place in Xander's office.
For instance, a guest might sit on the sofa to enjoy their coffee and be surprised to find a whimsical stuffed animal tucked in the corner.
Then there were the soft pink curtains. When drawn closed, they transformed the entire room into a dreamy oasis.
But as the years passed, Xander's office had undergone significant changes. The decor had shifted to a much colder palette, with furnishings that felt more refined, stiff, and impersonal.
All traces of Arianna seemed to have vanished…
Arianna felt a pang of unease settle in her heart. She rose from the sofa, scanning the room in search of anything that connected her to this space.
Eventually, she walked over to his desk, where a mess of papers lay strewn about. Xander’s phone was also resting there, which explained why he hadn’t responded to her WhatsApp message.
Her eyes drifted across the tabletop, only to find that the photo of them she once proudly displayed was nowhere to be found.
But perhaps it wasn’t a big deal.
After all, they were both embarking on a new chapter. If the remnants of the past had been removed, it only meant she had the opportunity to create new memories. It could symbolize a fresh start.
Arianna recalled the photo they had taken together on Barrkjaer Island and resolved to get it printed. She could pick out a beautiful frame for it and place it prominently on his desk.
The thought lifted her spirits.
Feeling a bit thirsty, Arianna decided to leave the office and head toward the pantry, not wanting to bother Ronald for a drink.
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