CHAPTER 58
"Who's the b*stard?"
Arianna swallowed nervously, feeling guilty and trapped beneath his intense scrutiny.
Since she couldn't escape, Arianna decided to deflect the accusation. With a forced smile, she replied,
"If the shoe fits, wear it."
But Xander wasn't fooled. His smile turned cold as he retorted,
"Arianna, it seems you need to learn your place."
As soon as he said that, he abruptly lowered himself and kissed her lips. Arianna was taken aback by the suddenness of his actions, her cheeks flushing crimson.
Before she could react, Xander’s tongue forced its way into her mouth, leaving her breathless.
When he finally released her, Arianna gasped for air, her heart racing. But Xander didn't give her a chance to recover as he once again pressed his lips against hers, his grip on her chin unyielding.
***************
In the Schmidt’s residence.
Piper had been tossing and turning for the whole night, unable to find a comfortable position to sleep. Her mind was restless, consumed by a mix of physical discomfort and simmering rage.
For one, her cheeks throbbed with pain from Arianna's unexpected slap. The sting lingered, a constant reminder of the humiliation she endured. It was unprecedented – her parents had never laid a finger on her in such a manner before.
It was absolutely humiliating
But beyond the physical discomfort, Piper seethed with anger. Arianna's audacity to strike her not once, but twice, was unforgivable. It gnawed at her, fueling a burning resentment that kept her awake throughout the night.
What was even more infuriating was Xander's passive stance throughout the ordeal. He stood by as Arianna struck Piper, showing no sign of distress or concern. And now, as a new day dawned, there was no call from Xander to check on her well-being.
Was he bewitched by Arianna once again, falling under her manipulative spell?
The mere thought of it fueled Piper's anger, stirring within her like a raging tempest.
Unable to contain herself any longer, she sat upright in bed, only to accidentally brush against her swollen cheek, sending a jolt of pain through her. With a pained grimace, she collapsed back onto the bed, seething with frustration and resentment.
The door swung open, and Violet Schmidt hurried into the room, taking a seat at Piper's bedside. With concern etched on her face, she gently helped Piper sit up.
"Piper, are you alright?" Violet's voice trembled with distress.
Seeing her mother's worried expression, Piper's eyes welled up with tears.
"Mom, you're back from your vacation. These past few days, I..." Her voice choked with emotion as she recounted the events that had unfolded in her absence.
Violet interjected gently,
"I'm aware of everything. The staff filled me in."
She then wiped away Piper's tears, her touch comforting. "Sweetheart, there's no need to shed any more tears. I'll handle this. You're the rightful heir to the King legacy. No one can steal that from you."
Piper's sobs gradually subsided as she took in her mother's reassuring words. Despite her distress, she was still cunning enough to outsmart Sheena, the fool.
Piper composed herself and asked eagerly,
"Mom, what's your plan?"
Violet chuckled softly, shaking her head.
"Why the rush, my dear? You're brilliant, but impatience is your Achilles' heel. We need a foolproof plan to ensure success. Rushing will only lead to mistakes."
She caressed Piper's arm affectionately. "I understand, darling. Arianna's audacity is infuriating, but fret not. We'll handle this strategically. She won't outsmart us."
Piper clung to her mother's arm, her expression a mix of frustration and determination.
"I can't help it, Mom. Arianna's presence irks me to no end. We must act swiftly before she worms her way further into Xander's life! If Arianna continues to linger around Xander any longer, I won't be able to relax for even a moment!"
ARIANNA...
Violet's gaze sharpened.
She had never paid much attention to Arianna, the socialite who seemed to be on the fringes of society. With the Johnson family's financial troubles and Arianna lacking any powerful connections, Violet had dismissed her as inconsequential.
But Piper's recent clash with Arianna had changed everything. Not only had Arianna held her own against Piper, she had emerged victorious. It was clear that underestimating her would be a mistake.
To ensure the success of her future plans, Violet knew she needed to understand Arianna's tactics.
She hugged Piper tightly, comforting her, “There, there. It’s just Arianna! I'll make sure she pays for this!”
Piper's tears dried up, replaced by a smirk.
“Mom, you always have my back! I love you so much!”
