Chapter 9 Ariana glanced down at the newspapers sprawled across the floor .
Several words in large font entered her eyes : Lodge Co.
Terminates Torrey Co.
Contract : Investment Withdrawn for 500 Million Dollar Project .
For a split second , her eyebrows knitted together slightly .
If she remembered correctly , this 500 million dollar project was the Torreys current real estate development .
Construction was already past the halfway mark , but now that Brian had withdrawn funding , the project wouldnt be able to continue .
They would have to find another investor .
However , with Lodge Co.
cutting ties with them , who in Glaston would dare collaborate with them now ? At the end of the day , this project was dooined .
Torrey Co.
was sure to lose a substantial portion of its assets .
Ariana bent down to pick up the paper .
It was still warm must have been freshly printed and delivered to them .
Brians swift actions were obviously intended to send her a message .
It was a show of power to make her understand who truly called the shots in Gleaston .
Ariana Torrey , look at you ! As the eldest daughter , whats so hard about doing something for the family ? All you had to do was please a man , yet you act like its beneath you What good is that pretty face of yours if you dont know how to use it ? Such a waste ! Gwen continued venting her frustration .
Do you think youre fit to take over the Torrey family in this state ? Heed my advice you should hand it over to your brother sooner rather than later ! Your priority should be to please the old matriarch and marry into the Lodge family .
Thats the proper way to go about things ! Have you said enough ? Ariana shot Gwen a cold look .
What I should or shouldnt do is none of your concern .
If youre that desperate , you might as well marry him yourself .
After all , youre far better at fawning over people than Ill ever be .
You ! You ungrateful brat ! How dare you talk to me like that ? Gwen was downright furious .
However , Ariana ignored her , taking the newspaper upstairs .
Pulling out of the project … What an unforeseen surprise .
She could recall that this project had been immensely profitable in her past life .
But since Brian had invested 500 million , he had ended up a major shareholder .
This left Torrey Co.
with only a small cut of the earnings .
Now that Brian had withdrawn his funding , Torrey Co.
would become the largest shareholder .
If she could find a way to handle this without relying on outside investors , the profits would belong entirely to them .
The problem was … she needed to secure enough money from the bank .
500 million wasnt a small sum .
Early the next morning , Evelyn reached out to Ariana and requested to meet up .
She remembered that in her previous life , they never interacted much .
Evelyn had never taken the initiative to meet her .
Probably because her decision to call off the engagement had disrupted Evelyns plans .
At the café , Ariana spotted Evelyn already seated by the window .
The place was empty they were the only patrons .
Evelyns delicate features looked pale , perhaps from her recent incident .
She set down her coffee cup and began , 1/3 Ms.
Torrey , I wanted to meet you so I could apologize .
I dont suppose you called me liere just to apologize , did you , Ms.
Granger ? Arlana cut straight to the point .
Evelyn pursed her lips and replied , Im here to advise you not to act impulsively .
You and Brian are a perfect match ; I wont interfere in your relationship .
I sincerely hope you both get engaged You hope we get engaged ? Ms.
Granger , surely youre joking .
A faint smile was playing on Arianas lips as she added , If you genuinely wished for our engagement , you wouldnt have slit your wrist on the night of our engagement banquet , would you ? At her words , Evelyns expression faltered .
Ms.
Torrey , I truly didnt mean for that to happen .
If you blame me , I have no excuse .
But only you are truly worthy of Brian .
Only Torrey Co.s resources can elevate Lodge Co.
further .
You are the perfect partner for him , Ms.
Torrey .
As she spoke , she dropped to her knees .
Ms.
Torrey , I swear to you I will never have anything to do with Brain again .
I beg you , for the sake of Lodge Co , and Brian , please reconsider .
It wont be of any benefit to your family either if you keep this up ! Evelyns words were laced with concern for Brian , while subtly emphasizing that he was only marrying Ariana for her familys resources .
How touching , Me Granger .

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But … Why should I care about the interest of Lodge Co.
or Brian ? Evelyn froze at her response .
Over the past three months , she had seen firsthand how much Ariana adored Brian .
She even heard her declare that she would do anything for him .
Why had she suddenly become so indifferent now ? Ms.
Torrey , if youre only saying this out of spite , then please accept my apology .
I truly hope you and Brian can reconcile .
I am withdrawing from this relationship .
If you wish , Ill leave the city and live somewhere hell never find me … Before she could finish her self righteous plea , Ariana cut her off coldly , Ms.
Granger , everything youre saying is merely your wishful thinking .
Why would I spend the rest of my life with a man whose heart belongs to another ? Dont you find your request a little absurd ? Ms.
Torrey , I know you have a misunderstanding about me .
But for Brians sake , Im willing to do anything .
Evelyn fished a bank card out of her bag and slid it toward Ariana .
I know Brian misunderstood you and is targeting the Torrey family .
Im aware of the financial trouble youre in .
Heres 500 million dollars Im offering it as compensation .
I hope you can reconcile with Brian and reconsider the engagement .
The sincerity on Evelyns face only made Ariana sneer internally .
In her previous life , this was the exact same facade Evelyn would put on .
She would pretend to push Brian away while secretly keeping him close .
The real reason she was so eager for their engagement was that Belinda would never accept her .
Ariana , on the other hand , was an ideal stand in , being the lone descendant of the Torrey family .
When Lodge Co.
was done exploiting Torrey Co.
, she could easily be discarded .
Moreover , everyone in Gleaston knew Ariana bore a striking resemblance to Evelyn .
Rather than risk Brian marrying someone with a powerful background , Evelyn would prefer if he married a publicly acknowledged substitute .
23 +25 BONUS By the time she rekindled her relationship with him in the future , people would only praise their reunion as childhood sweethearts .
Now , with Belindas old age , all Evelyn had to do was wait for her demise .
When that day arrived , she would be able to claim her place as the true Mrs.
Lodge .
Ms.
Granger , does .
Does Brian know youre meeting me ? Evelyn was momentarily stunned by the question .
Youve been kneeling for so long ; your knees must hurt .
Let me help you up .
With that , Ariana leaned forward to assist Evelyn .
But before she could , the café door swung open , the sound of the wind chime following a second later .
Before she could react , Brian stormed in and forcefully showed her aside .
Ariana Torrey ! What do you think youre doing ? +25 BONUS