A Bride’s Revenge: No Longer The Back Up by Cozy Season

Chapter 8

Belinda’s tone was kind but firm. “Ariana, Brian has clearly been bewitched by that woman from the Granger

family. You can rest assured-I'll make sure he apologizes to you properly. You are the only one | acknowledge as

the future Mrs. Lodge, and no one can change that.”

Ariana offered a soft smile and replied, “Mrs. Lodge Senior, since his mind has already been made up, | don’t

think | have much else to say. | wish him and Ms. Granger the best,’

With that, she rose to leave, adding, “If you ever need anything, Mrs. Lodge Senior, I'll still be here to serve you.

But... | think it’s best we end the engagement here.”

“Ariana...” Belinda wasn't eager to give up just yet.

However, Ariana shook her head. “I still have sfamily matters to attend to, so I'll take my leave now. I'll visit

you another time, Mrs. Lodge Senior”

With that, she turned and strode off.

Watching her depart, Belinda let out a sigh.

Ariana never used to be the impulsive girl she was now.

As Ariana opened the main gate of the Lodge residence, someone grabbed her from the side and covered her

mouth and nose.

She instinctively reached for the dagger hidden in her sleeve. However, she caught a glimpse of the Lodge

family emblem on the person’s clothing

Seeing that it was Brian's people, she tucked the blade away. She played along as if she had been taken by

force.

After all, he still wouldn't go so far as to harm her even if he did dislike her.

As expected, they didn’t do anything drastic. Instead, she was led into one of Brian's private black cars.

Inside, she feigned unconsciousness until she felt herself being carried out.

It wasn’t until she heard the ding of an elevator that she picked up on her whereabouts. She recognized it from

the Royal Hotel.

Had Brian ordered for her to be sent to a hotel?

A knock sounded.

“Mr. Lodge, she’s here.”

“Cin.”

When they stepped inside, a strong scent of cigarette smoke invaded her nostrils. Ariana held her breath. She

felt herself being tossed onto a soft bed.

Just as she was beginning to grow anxious, Brian's voice broke the silence. “Wake her up.”

“Yes, sir.”

One of the bodyguards dumped a basin of cold water on her. At once, her eyes snapped open.

Dim lighting filled the room, casting an intimate glow.

Soaking wet, Ariana’s body ached all over as though she had been slashed by a knife. She put on an enraged

front

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and snapped, Brian Lodge, don’t you think you're going “Overboard?” he snickered. “Eve’s health has already

take After my grandmother's relentless humillation, she’s now you think you went overboard when you

snitched?”

“Brian Lodge, | did not snitch.” *

erboard?”

hit; she’s just too proud to admit when she’s hurt. a coma in the hospital. Ms. Torrey the Almighty, did

Hearing his full nfall from Ariana’s tongue made Brian reach out and pinch her chin. He scoffed, “Did you

think I'd believe that? Hm? Ariana Torrey, you must be itching to becthe next Mrs. Lodge. What if | ruined

your reputation tonight? What if | make your scandals heaine news tomorrow? Do you reckon my grandmother

would still let you marry into our family?”

At his words, Ariana’s gaze turned icy.

Ruin her reputation?

Her reputation had long been extinguished by that disgusting abductor in her past life!

Once upon a time, she also valued her honor and integrity more than anything else.

She wholeheartedly wanted to present an intact, unblemished body to Brian.

But when that abductor tucked into his catch, the once naive Ariana died along with her innocence.

What reputation?

What integrity?

If survival required her to forgo them, she'd discard them without hesitation.

Brian's attempt at using such a threat against her was simply ludicrous.

She looked up at him, and her lips suddenly pulled into a smile. “Go ahead, then.”

Brian's expression shifted. He probably wasn’t expecting a dignified lady to respond like this. He furrowed his

eyebrows and asked, “What did you say?”

“I said, go ahead, then.” Ariana’s tone was calm, almost indifferent. “Are you looking to find a beggar or a

passerby? Or would you prefer a bodyguard? Your secretary? Or perhaps... the thug who broughthere?”

“Do you know what you're talking about?”

Brian was merely intending to scare her. Instead, her fearless demeanor caught him completely off guard.

The Ariana Torrey he used to know would blush uncontrollably if they met eyes. He found this woman in front of

him somewhat foreign.

“What is it? Are you turning back on your word, Mr. Lodge? If so, I'm leaving.”

With that, she made a move to stand.

Brian's hand shot out to press her back down onto the bed.

Ariana frowned, about to slap him. But Brian was prepared this time. With his free hand, he blocked her highly

raised hand.

‘Brian Lodge!”

Her drenched clothing clung to her body, accentuating her exquisite figure.

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Chapter 9

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He locked her down with his body and sneered, “Aren't you always acting so virtuous, Ms. Torrey? Why do you

seem so eager to throw yourself attoday? Arlana Torrey you're only trying to get my attention. Don’t wave

your pathetic tricks at me-all they do is disgust me.”

“Disgust?”

Ariana looked as though she had heard a joke. She reached out abruptly and wrapped her arms around Brian's

neck, drawing closer to his body. As their bodies cinto contact, Brian recolled as if he had been electrocuted.

He sprung up and shoved her away, putting no effort into hiding the revulsion on his face.

“Ariana Torrey, you are truly despicable!”

Upon learning Brian's judgment of her, Ariana thought she couldn't agree more.

Yes, she was despicable!

Despicable enough to have poured her heart and soul into him in her past life and willingly let him use her. She

had done so much, only to be repaid with his disdain. What did he call her? Disgusting and despicable. She

climbed out of the bed and nonchalantly adjusted her disheveled clothes. “Brian Lodge, believe it must tell you

this. Ariana Torrey may have harbored feelings for you in the past, but now? You don’t interestat all. I'm

calling off this engagement. I'm stepping aside for you and Ms. Granger.”

With that, she turned and headed out the door.

not, |

Shortly after, Emily entered and asked, “Mr. Lodge, is Ms. Torrey serious about breaking off the engagement?”

“Anyone can talk big. If she truly wanted to end it, she wouldn't have gone complaining to my grandmother.”

“What are you planning to do then, Mr. Lodge?”

“Teach her a lesson so she knows what lines not to cross.”

“Yes, Mr. Lodge.”

By the tAriana stepped out of the taxi soaking wet, it was already midnight.

Inside the Torrey residence, Gwen was shouting at the top of her lungs. The moment she saw Ariana, she rushed

over and flung a newspaper at her face.

“Ariana Torrey! You still have the nerve to cback! Look at the mess you've caused! | told you to make peace

with Mr. Lodge, but you wouldn't listen. How great! Did you know Mr. Lodge could crush our family as easily as

squashing an ant?”