Billionaire's Match (by Tangy Candy) novel Chapter 1164

Ethan's grip was strong—he looked like he meant it this time.

In an instant, regret surged through Ariana.

If only she hadn't tried to win with her mouth in that moment…

But just as tears were starting to well up in fear, his hand suddenly loosened.

Instinctively, she shoved him away and bolted out of the room. She ran like a madwoman toward the exit, alarming the servants inside the villa.

One of them tried to step forward to stop her, but then saw Ethan following behind and hesitated.

He waved a hand, signaling them not to interfere.

Ariana ran all the way to the front gate. She pulled at it desperately, but it was locked tight and wouldn't budge.

"Why are you so frightened?" Ethan's mocking voice came from behind her. "An heiress of the royal family of Yustonia reduced to this over a heartless man. Don't you feel ashamed?"

Ariana's legs went weak.

She turned around, only to see Ethan reaching toward her again. She screamed and crouched down, covering her head.

But the expected pain never came.

Instead, there was a soft click—the door lock had been opened with a key.

She froze.

Above her head, his voice came again, calm and indifferent.

"Get up. I'll take you back."

After speaking, Ethan walked out first.

It took Ariana a long moment to come back to her senses. The servants quickly helped her to her feet.

Ethan's car was already waiting outside the villa.

She hesitated for a long time before reluctantly getting in.

If he truly didn't want to let her go, he could have easily dragged her back. There was no need for this pointless game.

Besides, she had barely eaten in days—her body was weak, her legs unsteady. She wouldn't have been able to run far anyway.

Ariana silently opened the passenger door, but Ethan said coldly from the front seat, "Sit in the back."

Cautious and sly—he really was careful. Afraid she might record or film him with it.

She got out quickly. Only when she reached the side of the car did Ethan finally hand her the powered-on phone.

"I know you hate me right now. But I'm quite tolerant toward women—especially foolish ones who've been brainwashed like you. If one day you finally see through Trey's true nature, and you need help in Goldmont City, you can contact me or Khloe."

Ariana froze.

She hadn't expected him to say something like that.

Before she could respond, however, he stepped on the accelerator and the car sped off into the night.

Contact him?

She lowered her gaze to the phone in her hand. As expected, Ethan's contact information had already been added back into her address book.

After a long pause, she dialed Trey's number.

When she saw him again, she had thought she would be overwhelmed with emotion. But the moment Trey rushed forward and pulled her tightly into his arms, she felt nothing but heaviness.

The recording Ethan had played kept echoing in her mind. So much so that every word Trey spoke with such emotion simply passed through her without leaving a trace.