CHAPTER 46
In a poorly lit studio on the outskirts of town, Nate and his buddies were tightly bound, huddled together in a corner.
Exhausted and beaten, they appeared worn out after being tied up for hours without a break. Without food or the ability to move, they remained subdued, their morale shattered by the experience.
The memories of the previous night played over and over in Nate's head, filling him with a deep sense of fear.
He had underestimated Arianna, thinking she would just go along with his plans, but instead she put up a surprising resistance. In a sudden twist of events, she had taken him down, leaving him helpless on the ground.
As Nate's friends hurried to fight back, they were taken aback by Arianna's unexpected strength. Despite her delicate appearance, she fought back with all her might, catching them off guard and rendering them powerless.
However, outnumbered and facing a group of burly men, her resistance began to wane, and she found herself at a disadvantage.
Just as they closed in on her, a woman burst into the scene, exuding confidence and allure. With each step she took in her high heels, she commanded attention, her presence captivating all who beheld her.
The lady, accompanied by a fearsome bodyguard, quickly seized command of the situation.
Within a short span of time, the bodyguard incapacitated all the men in the room, causing them to writhe in agony on the floor, unable to gather the energy to stand.
With her opponents subdued, the woman didn't waste a moment in securely restraining them. With her strong influence, they obediently followed her instructions, agreeing to collaborate and trick Sheena.
*********
NEXT MORNING...
As the door creaked open, the sound of approaching footsteps echoed through the room.
Nate's gaze shot up, meeting Arianna's innocent yet chilling smile as she approached.
Despite her sweet demeanor, a sense of dread gripped Nate's heart, warning him not to underestimate her.
His dry lips quivered as he mustered the courage to speak, his voice hoarse with fear.
"Ms. Johnson, I... I was foolish and underestimated you. Please, have mercy and let us go."
Arianna's nonchalant shrug belied the gravity of her words.
"I can release you, but you must turn yourselves in to the authorities and explain everything."
Nate hesitated, reluctance evident in his expression. He dreaded involving the police in their affairs.
Unfazed, Arianna maintained her composed smile.
"You're hesitant?" Arianna's smile remained unchanged, but there was a glint of determination in her eyes.
"If you're not convinced, I can always call in our friend from yesterday to help persuade you."
The mention of the formidable guard sent shivers down Nate's spine. He couldn't risk angering him again.
With a sense of urgency, Nate acquiesced.
"I'll go to the police station, I promise! We'll go!"
Arianna nodded in approval, her demeanor unwavering.
"Good."
With practiced ease, Arianna retrieved a dagger and swiftly cut through the ropes, setting them free.
**************
As Arianna exited the studio, she strode purposefully towards the waiting car parked by the entrance. With a fluid motion, she opened the door and slipped inside.
Seated in the driver's seat was Rochelle Tyrell, resplendent in a sleek black suit that accentuated her curves. Despite her undeniable beauty, there was an unmistakable air of confidence and authority about her.
Rochelle was not just Arianna's best friend; she was her confidante, her partner in crime, and her unwavering support. They had grown up together, their bond forged through countless shared experiences and mutual understanding.
If Rochelle were a man, Arianna often joked, she would have been the perfect husband material.
When Xander publicly ended their marriage, Arianna felt like the world was crumbling around her.
But amid the chaos and ridicule, Rochelle remained steadfast by her side. Throughout the years, even in the toughest of times, Rochelle never hesitated to offer her unwavering support.
And once again, when Arianna sensed something amiss during the contract signing with Nate, she knew she could count on Rochelle. With a discreet message, Arianna alerted her friend to the situation, silently calling for her assistance.
As Nate drove Arianna to the remote studio, she found solace in the knowledge that Rochelle was on standby, ready to intervene if needed.
By sheer coincidence, Rochelle had just returned from her travels abroad when she received Arianna's urgent message. Without a moment's hesitation, she dropped everything and raced to Arianna's side.
Together, they swiftly overpowered Nate and his accomplices, turning the tables on them with their own deceitful tactics.
Arianna cleverly orchestrated a plan to outwit them, enlisting Rochelle's help to find a lookalike actress to pose as Arianna in incriminating photos and videos.
Sheena fell right into the trap, transferring the money to Nate and unknowingly spreading false rumors about Arianna online.
Her misguided attempt to harm Arianna ultimately backfired, leading to her own downfall and facing the consequences of her actions.
Rochelle turned to Arianna, breaking her train of thought.
"Are you really going to let them off the hook just like that?"
Arianna snapped back to reality and offered a reassuring smile.
"Your guard already gave them a taste of their own medicine earlier. That's sufficient. Besides, they're not the mastermind behind all of this."
Rochelle fixed her gaze on Arianna, her expression unreadable as she contemplated her friend's decision.
