Chapter 10
In that instant, she yearned for death.
The repulsive odor of those men, their harsh handling, their crude language. It felt like a thousand invisible wounds slashing at her spirit.
With Oliver gone, she had endured such treatment.
Ariana abruptly stood, pulled her tattered clothes tighter, and looked at the windowsill.
Without hesitation, she climbed onto it and decisively leaped down.
The Gibson’s villa was situated by the ocean.
The sea erupted with a loud plop and splash, then fell eerily silent.
It was as though nothing had occurred.
Meanwhile, Ariana’s phone, resting on the windowsill, buzzed with a message she would never read.
“Ms. Harlan, all your arrangements are finalized. Tomorrow, we will pick you and Oliver up to leave.”
Just one more day, and she could have taken Oliver away for good–away from New York, away from Eric.
But unfortunately, neither she nor Oliver would ever depart.
Ariana drifted up and down on the surface of the dark, deep ocean.
So this was what dying felt like.
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Chapter 10
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Out of nowhere, hands reached out, trying to drag her toward the shore.
Ariana’s eyes fluttered open to reveal a dignified yet unknown face.
“Hold on, stay alive!”
The man’s eyes were as dark as the night, with depths surpassing even the deep sea.
Eric stayed away from home for two weeks.
He decided to give Ariana the silent treatment this time, avoiding pampering her excessively.
His plan was to return to Ariana after marrying Mandy.
He believed that after ignoring Ariana for so long, she would likely be touched and eager to embrace him.
The wedding couldn’t be extravagant, as it might make Ariana envious. and upset.
However, Mandy had miscarried for him and would have more children with him in the future. So a modest wedding seemed reasonable.
On the wedding day, a large screen would display a slideshow of photos capturing Eric and Mandy’s affectionate moments together.
These pictures were taken during the past two weeks, with Eric reluctantly agreeing to Mandy’s tearful requests.
Just before the slideshow started, Eric glanced down and picked up his phone.
He had been ignoring Ariana for the past two weeks.
Maybe the punishment had been enough.
Chapter 10
“Sweetheart, I was wrong before. I shouldn’t have treated you that way. Mandy won’t bother us anymore. Once I sort things out with her, I’ll return to you.”
After sending the message, Eric pictured Ariana’s delighted expression upon receiving it, causing a slight smile to form on his lips.
The emcee started speaking, and the crowd quickly quieted down.
The large screen began to display information.
Eric watched the screen, still smiling, thinking about what gift might win Ariana back.
She was notoriously hard to please, and he feared he would need to make a significant effort this time.
In an instant, Eric’s pupils shrank dramatically.
The large screen displayed a startling image of Ariana:
Within the confines of the Gibson’s villa, four men were holding Ariana’s hands and feet firmly. One of them was on top of her and, with a ripping sound, tore her clothes apart.
Ariana cried out in distress and fear. But she was overpowered by the strength of the four men and was held down, unable to move!
The man laughed lewdly and abruptly forced himself upon Ariana.
One after another…
The crowd erupted into chaos, with several people pulling out their phones to record the screen.
Eric’s face turned pale, and he shook so much it seemed he could barely stay upright.
Chacer 10
The veins on his forehead stood out prominently. He moved forward to
switch off the large display, his eyes reddened, and he shouted in a strained voice. “Ariana…”
