Chapter 10 Apologize to Elaine

• Despite Daniel's increasingly strange attitude toward her in recent years, Ariana didn't take it to heart.
• Unfortunately, she had been reading too much into things.
• If she hadn't overheard the phone call between Elaine and him the other day, she would still be in the dark.
• It turned out Daniel had long been a complete scumbag.
• Daniel played the role of the gentle, helpless guy in front of her, pleading for help with his papers and English resume. But as soon as Ariana wasn't looking, he cozied up to Elaine, passing off her hard work to build Elaine's reputation as the top student.
• Daniel said, "Ariana, you need to apologize to Elaine right now. And you need to divorce that man immediately. Do you hear me?"
• Daniel completely ignored Ariana's words and pressed down hard on her shoulder, using his familiar commanding tone to force her into submission.
• Though the tension between them was palpable, to onlookers, they appeared surprisingly intimate.
• And this scene happened to catch Simon's eye.
• Instantly, his face darkened, his deep eyes flickering with a terrifying, cold intensity. The atmosphere inside the car dropped to an icy chill.
• "Boss, look. I told you she is fickle." Aaron gritted his teeth, picking up the divorce agreement from the passenger seat.
• Aaron said, "Boss, I'll go over and make her sign it right now."
• Just as Aaron was about to open the car door, Ariana suddenly raised her hand and slapped Daniel hard across the face.
• Daniel spun and fell face-first to the ground.
• "Wait a minute." Simon raised an eyebrow, his eyes narrowing, and said, "Get closer and take a look."
• "Boss, you're not changing your mind, are you?" Aaron suddenly felt a sense of foreboding.
• Simon shot him a cold glance, causing Aaron to quickly fall silent and slowly maneuver the car closer, close enough to hear the two's conversation.
• At the school entrance, Daniel was sprawled on the ground, his face badly swollen, looking utterly defeated and humiliated.
• "Ariana, have you lost your mind?" Daniel said.
• He scrambled to his feet, one hand covering his face, staring at Ariana in disbelief.
• Hasn't that fool always done whatever I said? What's gotten into her today?
• Surrounding students were stunned by the scene, gathering around and pulling out their phones to take pictures and videos.
• "Oh my God. Why does the school hunk look so pathetic?"
• "Didn't they say Ariana was clingy with him? Doesn't look like it to me..."
• Ariana felt a surge of satisfaction. This was the effect she wanted.
• As the crowd grew larger, she deliberately raised her voice and said, "Daniel, I wouldn't even glance at trash like you. If you spread rumors about me again, I'll slap you every time I see you."
• The students watching suddenly realized that Ariana didn't actually like Daniel at all. It had all been rumors.
• Seeing Ariana slip from his control, Daniel immediately erupted in anger, hurling insults at her. "Ariana, you've been corrupted by that man. You're clearly not thinking straight."
• Ariana said, "He's taller than you, stronger than you, and a thousand times more handsome than you. You're trash. Just get lost!"
• How dare he mock my taste in men?
• Ariana shot back without a second thought.
• Inside the car, Simon inexplicably raised the corners of his mouth, though he quickly returned to his usual expression.
• "You'll regret this." As the crowd grew thicker, Daniel, feeling flustered, spat out a harsh remark and hurriedly left.
• With the excitement gone, the onlookers dispersed.
• Aaron turned around, cautiously testing the waters. "Boss, should I still go deliver the divorce agreement?"
• "No need. Just drive the car over," Simon said coldly, having changed his mind.
• Just as Ariana was about to leave, a Rolls-Royce suddenly blocked her path.
• She looked up to see the window roll down, revealing Simon's captivating poker face.
• "It's you?" Ariana raised her eyebrows in surprise, but her expression quickly fell.
• "Why didn't you message me when you arrived? I've been waiting for you for a long time," Ariana said.
• Simon said without expression, "Get in the car."
• Ariana decided not to push the issue further and opened the car door to get in.
• Thinking Simon might have seen the earlier scene, she hurriedly explained, "Don't worry. What I said earlier was just under duress. I don't have any feelings for you at all."
• As soon as she finished explaining, Simon looked cold.
• "Let's hope that's the case," Simon said.
• Ariana thought he didn't believe her, so she added, "Don't worry. I'm not into older men, even if they are handsome."
• The atmosphere inside the car suddenly got tense, and Simon's face turned colder.
• "I'm not interested in kids," Simon said.
• "I told you I'm not a kid..."
• "Ariana!" Just as Ariana was about to argue, a sweet voice from outside interrupted her.
• Ariana turned her head to find Elaine wearing an "innocent and pitiful" look, like a classic manipulator, as Elaine casually held onto the car door.