A Bride’s Revenge: No Longer The Back Up Novel

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Contract : Investment Withdrawn for 500 Million Dollar Project .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Construction was already past the halfway mark , but now that Brian had withdrawn funding , the project wouldnt be able to continue .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Now that Brian had withdrawn his funding , Torrey Co.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 .

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