CHAPTER 356
Arianna headed straight for Starlight TV.
Her arrival instantly drew the attention of everyone around her. At that moment, no one was as talked about as she was. Even the biggest celebrities couldn’t rival the attention she commanded.
Her actions during the recent events had garnered her a massive following. As she walked through the station, young employees approached her enthusiastically, their faces lighting up. Many of them said things like,
“You’re incredible!” or “I’m such a fan of yours!”
Arianna acknowledged them with polite smiles, then made her way to the elevator and pressed the button for the third floor. As soon as the elevator doors opened, she stepped into the office lobby with purposeful strides.
The sight of her left the employees momentarily frozen in surprise. After all, Starlight TV had already announced her dismissal. Her unexpected return caught everyone off guard.
Recovering quickly, the staff scrambled to greet her, their smiles wide and filled with admiration.
Words of praise flowed freely as they complimented her achievements.
Arianna knew better than to trust their sudden shift in attitude. The same people who had turned their backs on her were now eager to curry favour. She maintained a neutral expression, offering them a polite but distant smile, and continued walking with a clear purpose.
Her steps brought her to Harmony’s workstation. Under the weight of everyone’s eyes, Harmony had no choice but to acknowledge Arianna’s presence. She forced a tight smile and said in an unconvincing tone,
“Welcome back, Arianna. Congratulations on proving your innocence.”
Arianna maintained her polite smile and spoke in a calm, almost soothing voice.
"Harmony, there’s something I’d like to discuss with you. Could you step out with me for a moment?"
Harmony’s stomach churned.
What could Arianna possibly want now?
Was she planning to rub her victory in Harmony’s face in front of everyone?
Despite her reluctance, Harmony couldn’t refuse. Arianna had asked her so openly, with all eyes in the office fixed on them. To decline would only draw more unwanted attention and whispers from the staff.
Clenching her jaw subtly, Harmony forced a small smile and said, "Alright."
Arianna turned without another word, and Harmony followed reluctantly, her expression wavering between irritation and apprehension.
At first, Harmony thought they might stop somewhere in the hallway to talk. Instead, Arianna walked straight into the elevator. Harmony hesitated for a moment, but ultimately stepped inside as well, masking her discomfort with a neutral expression.
The elevator descended to the first floor, and Arianna stepped out briskly. Harmony trailed behind, her impatience growing with each step.
When Arianna began heading toward the back entrance of the building, Harmony's irritation flared, but she bit her tongue. They were still within view of people in the bustling lobby, and losing her temper now would only make her look bad.
Finally, the two of them exited the back door and entered a quiet, secluded alley. Harmony’s patience was wearing thin, but she kept her composure, waiting to see what Arianna had to say.
There was no one else around, and Harmony’s patience finally snapped. She called out sharply from behind Arianna,
“Where exactly are you taking me, Arianna?”
Arianna halted in her tracks at the question. She turned slowly to face Harmony, her expression calm but chilling.
“Right here will do,” she replied evenly.
Harmony’s lips curled into a mocking smile.
“Fine. Say whatever it is you need to say. I don’t have time for your games.”
Arianna’s response was a cold, unsettling smile as she stepped closer.
Without warning, her hands shot out—one gripping Harmony’s collar and the other seizing her arm. With a swift, fluid motion, Arianna flipped Harmony over her shoulder, sending her crashing onto the hard pavement.
Harmony gasped, stunned by the sudden assault, but Arianna wasn’t done. Before Harmony could gather her wits, Arianna yanked her up and threw her again—harder this time.
Harmony’s body hit the ground with a sickening thud. Pain seared through her limbs, and she screamed, but Arianna was relentless. She repeated the move, again and again, each throw more punishing than the last.
Harmony writhed on the ground, her pale face contorted in agony. Desperate, she lashed out, clawing at the air in an attempt to grab Arianna’s hair or face. But her attacks were futile—Arianna evaded her easily and retaliated without mercy.
Grabbing Harmony’s arm, Arianna twisted it with brutal precision until there was an audible pop. Harmony howled as her shoulder dislocated, but her suffering wasn’t over. Arianna grabbed her other arm and did the same, leaving Harmony writhing on the ground, drenched in cold sweat.
Paralyzed by pain and fear, Harmony stared up at Arianna, her voice trembling as she demanded,
“Are you insane? What are you doing? Why are you doing this to me?”
Arianna found the question so absurd that she let out a sharp, humourless laugh.
Standing tall before Harmony, she looked down at her, her gaze icy and unrelenting.
“What I’m doing to you doesn’t even come close to the vile things you’ve done in the shadows, Harmony,” she said coldly, her words cutting like a blade.
Harmony’s eyes darted away, her pupils trembling with fear, but she still managed to shout defiantly,
“I have no idea what you’re talking about! Are you seriously trying to pin your failures on me? How low can you stoop?”
Arianna tilted her head, her smile devoid of warmth.
“If you can’t learn to speak the truth, then there’s no use having a mouth, is there?” she said, grasping Harmony’s jaw firmly.
Panic surged through Harmony as she realized Arianna was utterly serious.
“I misspoke! I misspoke, okay?” she stammered, her voice trembling with fear.
Arianna’s lips curved into a chilling smile, but she didn’t hesitate. With a swift motion, she dislocated Harmony’s jaw, the pop echoing in the silent alley.
Harmony’s scream was muffled by her pain, her face twisting grotesquely as she writhed on the ground. Arianna took a moment to relish the sight of Harmony’s anguish, her gaze never wavering.
Finally, she stepped forward and, with precise movements, snapped Harmony’s dislocated joints back into place. The pain was enough to leave Harmony dizzy and trembling, barely able to sit upright.
She glared at Arianna with venom in her eyes, her voice hoarse but filled with rage.
“You’ll pay for this, Arianna. Assault is a crime, and I’ll make sure you rot in jail for what you’ve done!”
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
