CHAPTER 291
Rochelle’s lips curved in a faint, cold smile.
*This girl certainly knows how to play innocent,* she thought. *She’s even more manipulative than I anticipated.*
“Before you start pointing fingers, maybe you should reflect on yourself,” Rochelle said icily, taking a step forward and looking down at Harmony with unmistakable disdain.
“I’m particular about what’s mine. My husband, for one—everything about him is mine alone to call and enjoy. Did I ever give you the right to call him ‘John’? Stay away from other women’s husbands, and know your place as a friend.”
Rochelle’s eyes narrowed further “And if you overstep ‘friendship’ boundaries again, this hand of mine might find its way to that fake little smile of yours.”
Harmony’s face went pale, her confidence fading under the sharp reprimand.
Rochelle’s words rang out clearly, painting a picture that shifted the crowd’s perspective entirely. Whispers turned from the gossip about Rochelle or Arianna to murmurs about Harmony, hinting at impropriety in her behaviour.
Harmony’s eyes glistened as she tried to hold back tears, her hand rising to her cheek. She turned sharply and hurried away, clearly shaken by the humiliation.
Rochelle’s eyes held a mix of disgust and thoughtfulness as she watched Harmony leave.
*Someone who hides her cruelty behind a veil of innocence is much more dangerous than those who act on impulse,* she mused.
*A real threat.*
As the gathering crowd grew, Arianna snapped out of her shock, stepping forward to gently but urgently pull Rochelle back to the car. They got in, closing the doors on the crowd and tension outside.
Once seated, Arianna turned to Rochelle with a grateful smile.
“Thank you, Rochelle.”
Arianna finally understood why Rochelle had brought up being John’s wife in front of Harmony—it was all to set the stage for putting Harmony in her place.
“No need to thank me,” Rochelle replied coolly.
“She just got under my skin, that’s all. It had nothing to do with you.”
Arianna smiled but couldn’t shake a nagging thought.
“But… do Harmony and John know each other? Is there some kind of… connection between them?”
Could John be the "boyfriend" Harmony had mentioned earlier? The idea would explain Rochelle’s intense reaction.
Though Arianna knew Rochelle didn’t have romantic feelings for John, she’d always insisted on holding onto her role as Mrs Tyrell. She had her reasons, and if someone threatened that, especially someone like Harmony, Rochelle would take action.
If John was the “boyfriend” supporting Harmony, it would make sense. He would certainly influence them to help her land a spot at Starlight TV.
Arianna felt a surge of protectiveness. She wouldn’t stand by while anyone disrupted Rochelle’s plans.
Rochelle caught Arianna’s concerned look but simply sighed.
*It would be convenient if Harmony were tied up with John… but…* she thought to herself, trailing off.
“Enough of that,” Rochelle said, at last, her tone lightening.
“Let’s get some dinner to celebrate your first day on the job. We’ll need our appetites intact.”
Arianna could sense Rochelle’s lingering tension but let the matter rest. They drove to a refined restaurant with an oriental theme that Rochelle claimed offered the kind of delicate flavours that could calm frayed nerves.
Though Rochelle ordered a wide selection of dishes, she picked at her food with little enthusiasm, clearly distracted. But she still took care to serve Arianna, ensuring she had enough to eat and urging her to enjoy the meal.
After eating a bit to please Rochelle, Arianna set down her utensils and looked directly at her friend.
“Alright, Chelle. I can tell there’s something on your mind. Just lay it out for me.”
Arianna’s tone was calm but sure.
She’d initially thought Rochelle was dealing with a personal matter, but something about Rochelle’s demeanour suggested this was more complicated—and somehow related to her.
Rochelle wasn’t one to brood, even when something bothered her. The only thing that could put her in this kind of mood was if it involved Arianna.
Rochelle froze, mid-reach with her chopsticks, then sighed as she met Arianna’s gaze.
*Of course she’d pick up on this,*
Rochelle thought. Arianna was perceptive and sharp—a trait that was both a blessing and, at times like these, a curse. Sometimes, not knowing was easier.
But with Harmony now working beside Arianna, Rochelle knew it was only a matter of time before her friend would notice the situation. Better to give her a warning than let her walk in unprepared.
Clearing her throat, Rochelle composed herself and spoke gravely.
“Ari, I need you to stay calm with what I’m about to tell you. Promise me that, alright?”
Arianna felt her stomach twist, a sense of foreboding settling in.
It wasn’t often that Rochelle looked this serious, and Arianna braced herself, sensing the situation might be worse than she’d imagined.
She took a sip of water to steady herself, then looked back at Rochelle. “Alright. Tell me what’s going on.”
Rochelle hesitated for a moment, carefully choosing her words.
“You remember I was overseas for a few days?” she began gently.
“I wasn’t there for business. I went…to dig up some information on Harmony.”
Arianna’s brows shot up in surprise.
“You…went abroad to investigate her?”
Rochelle nodded.
“I needed answers that my private investigator hadn’t been able to get. So, I decided to handle it personally. I took him with me, and we finally managed to uncover some things about her.”
Arianna blinked, processing Rochelle’s unexpected explanation.
“But…why go to all that trouble?”
Rochelle reached out, placing a reassuring hand on Arianna’s. After a pause, she said,
“Because I once saw Harmony with John, Zach, and Xander. They were having a private gathering in a VIP room at a high-end club.”
Arianna felt her pulse quicken.
Rochelle’s voice softened as she continued, careful to choose her words. “Xander seemed…to take a special interest in Harmony.”
She watched Arianna’s reaction, noticing a flicker of something unsteady in her gaze.
"Xander.....Harmony!" Arianna whispered
The idea that Xander “cared” for Harmony caught Arianna off guard. Xander had always been reserved and guarded, rarely showing genuine warmth toward others.
Even with past romantic rumours, like those involving Piper, he’d kept his distance and never shown real attachment.
But with Harmony, it seemed different. The fact that she was connected not just to Xander but also to Zach and John hinted that she shared a deeper connection with them—and possibly a uniquely close one with Xander.
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