CHAPTER 50
"Xander, a woman's reputation is everything. Even if Arianna harbors jealousy towards me, she shouldn't resort to such heartless actions. If you hadn't arrived just in time, my reputation would have been irreparably damaged! You have to do something!"
Arianna silently observed Piper's performance, her curiosity piqued. She had wondered what kind of woman Xander's new girlfriend was, questioning whether she was truly superior and what qualities Xander saw in her.
This was it?
It seemed Xander's standards had significantly declined over the past two years. Without intending to boast, Arianna couldn't help but think she was far superior to Piper, by a considerable margin.
Perhaps this was true love, Arianna mused as she composed herself and locked eyes with Piper. A cold smile spread across her face.
"So, you do understand the value of a woman's reputation. If that's the case, why did you orchestrate those cruel schemes against me when we had no quarrel? Isn't that quite hypocritical, Ms. Schmidt?"
Piper's eyes flickered with a hint of panic. "I don't know what you're talking about!" she retorted defensively.
Anyway, Sheena had confessed to everything, so even if Arianna suspected Piper, she couldn't prove it.
With this in mind, Piper regained her composure and grew even bolder.
"Arianna, stop with the baseless accusations! Whatever happened to you was just bad luck, nothing to do with me. Using such cruel tactics against someone innocent like me—you're the evil one here!"
In that moment, Arianna was overwhelmed with pure revulsion towards Piper, a sensation that twisted in her gut.
Initially, she had only planned to intimidate her and be done with it, but now...
Suddenly, a surge of anger that she could no longer suppress washed over Arianna, who had reached her breaking point, seizing Piper's clothing and delivering a swift slap, the intensity of her feelings propelling the action.
The most effective approach to dealing with such repugnant individuals was through direct confrontation—there was no use in debating!
Piper was completely caught off guard. She never imagined Arianna would have the audacity to slap her in front of Xander. The sting on her cheek confirmed the harsh reality, leaving her stunned by the unexpected attack.
Piper stared at Arianna in disbelief, her expression a mix of shock and indignation. "You dare to hit me?!"
Arianna's disdain was palpable as she sneered at Piper. Without hesitation, she swiftly brought her hand down, delivering another harsh slap to Piper's cheek. "That's what you deserve!" she stated icily.
Arianna's actions showed no mercy when she delivered the powerful slap that caused Piper to stumble backwards, ultimately collapsing to the ground in shock at the unexpected turn of events.
Ronald and the others looked on in astonishment, taken aback by Arianna's unexpected ferocity. Ms. Johnson's demeanor was far fiercer than they had anticipated.
Arianna brushed off her hand nonchalantly, her gaze filled with disdain as she regarded Piper. Then, she turned her attention to the silent Xander, lifting her chin defiantly as she spoke each word deliberately,
"I slapped your new girlfriend. If you feel the need to seek revenge for her, feel free to do so."
Xander's gaze grew more intense, with a depth of emotion swirling within them. After staring at Arianna for more than a few seconds, he finally broke the silence.
However, his words were not directed at Arianna, but rather at Ronald.
"Take her home," he instructed firmly.
Ronald understood immediately that Xander was referring to Piper. With a nod of acknowledgment, he turned to Piper and addressed her respectfully.
"Ms. Schmidt, allow me to escort you home."
Piper's senses snapped back into focus, and she felt a surge of reluctance. Turning to Xander with a pleading expression and a gentle tone, she beseeched,
"Xander, it hurts so much. I don't want to be alone right now. I'm scared. Please, baby, come with me."
Even if Xander had intentions of staying to confront Arianna, Piper was unwilling to give them the opportunity to be alone together.
She couldn't predict what Arianna, that shameless woman, might do in such a situation.
Xander proceeded as though he hadn't heard Piper's plea, his focus solely on Arianna. Without so much as a glance in Piper's direction, he strode purposefully towards Arianna, each step deliberate and resolute.
"Xander!" Piper called out indignantly, her voice filled with frustration as she attempted to rise to her feet, determined to follow after him.
But before she could make any progress, Ronald swiftly interposed himself, blocking her path with firm resolve.
He forced a smile and adjusted his glasses on the bridge of his nose, his voice polite as he murmured,
"Ms. Schmidt, allow me to escort you home. Just look at yourself... It's best if we address this situation promptly."
With those words, he retrieved his phone and switched to the camera function, aiming it at Piper's face.
Initially, Piper was incensed by Ronald's suggestion, but her anger quickly turned to shock and dismay when she caught sight of her disheveled appearance reflected on the screen. She let out a piercing scream in response.
Piper's once flawless makeup was now a chaotic mess, her face marred and distorted by the forceful slaps inflicted by Arianna. It was a truly terrifying sight to witness.
As Piper contemplated how Xander would perceive her now, her attempts to maintain a flirtatious facade crumbled.
Fear coursed through her veins at the mere thought of Xander being repulsed by her appearance, causing her to let out another anguished cry.
Desperately, she hurried to shield her battered face from Xander's view, her voice quivering as she pleaded,
"Let's go! Let's go! Let's go!"
Ronald, wearing a sympathetic smile, put away his phone and extended his arms, silently guiding Piper towards the path ahead.
