A Bride’s Revenge No Longer the Backup novel Chapter 30

Chapter 30 

“You deliberately announced that you’re breaking off our engagement at the engagement party. Then, you got the press to release that ridiculous article. Now, you’re flirting openly with William Kingsman and provoking me at the auction. Didn’t you do all this just to get my attention? Well, now you have it,” Brian sald, reaching out a hand to tilt Ariana’s chin higher. 

Just as he leaned his face closer, Ariana laughed. “Do you think this is fair to Evelyn, Mr. Lodge?” 

Brian froze when he heard Evelyn’s name. 

Seeing this, Ariana pulled herself from his grip and wound her arms around Brian’s neck instead, giving him a seductive look. “You’re right. I’ve done all this just to get your attention. But honestly, the sofa is too cramped. Why don’t we move to my room?” 

Now that Ariana had revealed her true colors, Brian immediately shoved her aside with a look of disgust. “Stop using these cheap tricks on me, Arianal” he said coldly. 

“You enjoy my cheap tricks though.” Ariana leaned against the back of the couch casually. “Stop being so self- righteous. You’re a man. I know what you’re like. You like having sex with one woman while thinking about another. Isn’t that how it works?” 

She pressed closer to Brian. “Don’t worry, Mr. Lodge, I won’t tell Ms. Granger about what happens tonight.” 

“Get off me!” Brian pushed her away in disgust. His voice carried a dangerous edge. “I’m warning you, Ariana Torrey, don’t play these games in front of me! I’ve seen plenty of women like you. If Grandma hadn’t favored you, I wouldn’t even consider marrying someone like you!” 

Ariana noted the contempt in his eyes. Feigning nonchalance, she said, “Good. Please leave then, Mr. Lodge.” Eavesdropping from upstairs, Gwen panicked when she heard this. 

Brian was one of their biggest sponsors. Without the Lodge family, how were the Torreys going to fare in the future? 

Hastily, she ran downstairs and began chastising Ariana. “Ariana! What do you think you’re doing? Apologize to Mr. Lodge at once!” 

“It’s not that I don’t want to sleep with Mr. Lodge, Ms. Lambert. I tried, but he didn’t want me. What more can I do? Besides, he said it himself: he would never marry someone like me. Everyone already knows about our breakup. This engagement is as good as over,” Ariana sighed dramatically. 

From across the room, Brian scoffed. 

Ariana had brought this to herself. She had no one else to blame. 

“Mr. Lodge, I know for a fact that Ariana is very much in love with you. I’m sure appearing with Mr. Kingsman was just a misunderstanding. Please, I know you’re a magnanimous man. Do forgive her just this once,” Gwen said. 

Then, as if remembering something, she hurried upstairs and came back down with a large box. 

On the way down, she lost her footing on the stairs. The contents of the box spilled all over the floor. 

Ariana’s face darkened at the sight. 

The box was filled with things related to Brian. There were photos of Brian and clippings of his newspaper appearances, even a full–sized body pillow of him. These were items that Ariana had painstakingly collected and cherished in the past. 

1/2