Chapter 4 Get Lost

• Just a second ago, Ariana had been at the center of the storm. Now, she casually pulled out a chair and sat down.
• Calmly pouring herself a cup of coffee, she watched the four of them bicker, her beautiful eyes reflecting a hint of melancholy.
• What would today's outcome have been if I hadn't arranged a marriage?
• Benedict said, "Elaine, get over here!"
• Benedict got up and reached for Elaine, his bulk jiggling with the movement, resembling a massive, lumbering boar.
• Elaine screamed in fright, and Martha quickly stepped between them.
• "Benedict, Elaine has caught Martin Hunt's eye, and tomorrow she's meeting Mr. Hunt for a date. You know how powerful the Hunt family is. We wouldn't dare go against them," Martha said in a submissive tone, but every word carried a veiled threat.
• The Hunt family was the most prominent of the four great families in Willon City. Simon was the prince of Willon City. His influence was so vast that a single move from him could shake all of Willon City.
• Benedict indeed stopped, letting out a fierce snort. "So, she's trying to climb the Hunt family tree and has no regard for me."
• Jared quickly explained, "No, that's not it at all."
• Benedict said, "Jared, if you dare to play tricks on me today, I won't invest in you. We'll see how this unfolds."
• Benedict didn't listen, cursing as he stormed away from the Ransom family.
• The three had meticulously plotted their scheme, only to find it all falling apart in the end.
• Ariana watched everything unfold. In the end, she found it boring and stood up to head upstairs.
• Jared said, "Ariana! You little brat, stop right there!"
• Ariana instinctively turned back to see Jared approaching with a cold, grim expression, raising his hand threateningly.
• The next second, that cold palm was about to land on her face.
• The crisp sound of a slap rang out, followed by a scream.
• But it wasn't Ariana who got hurt.
• After losing all hope in her biological father, Ariana had developed a sense of vigilance and stepped back at the last moment.
• Jared's slap, which he had put all his strength into, ended up hitting empty air, causing him to spin around.
• His hand landed right on Martha's face, who had rushed in behind him to play the good guy.
• In an instant, finger marks appeared on Martha's cheek, causing her to gasp in pain.
• "Martha!"
• "Mom!"
• Jared panicked, quickly hugging Martha, while Elaine rushed in out of fear.
• Ariana stood alone off to the side, watching them as a tight-knit family. She should have awakened to reality long ago.
• Ten years ago, a plane crash had taken her mother's life.
• Ariana and her father had survived, but she discovered that she had lost everything.
• Shortly after the plane crash, Martha showed up with Elaine, claiming to be distant relatives of the Ransom family, here to help take care of her father.
• But when Ariana turned eighteen, Jared suddenly announced he was marrying Martha, declaring Elaine to be his biological daughter.
• He forced Ariana to call Martha "Mom" and Elaine "Sister."
• At that moment, Ariana should have realized the truth.
• "What a loving family you are," Ariana scoffed mockingly, which instantly enraged Jared, who shouted back at her. "Get out!"
• "Get out?" Ariana raised an eyebrow coolly, crossing her arms and looking at them leisurely.
• "This is the house Mom gave me. My name is on the deed. If anyone should leave, it's the intruders," Ariana said.
• Martha's and Elaine's faces went stiff and unnatural at her words. They were filled with hatred toward Ariana, wishing they could tear her apart.
• The fact that the mistress had taken the place of the legitimate wife was a scandal Martha refused to acknowledge.
• Elaine said, "Ariana, why do you have to treat us like this? I'm your sister!"
• Elaine squeezed out a few tears, deliberately sobbing in front of Jared, playing the victim.
• Ariana rolled her eyes, bluntly stating her feelings. "My mom didn't give birth to a bitch like you."
• "Ariana, how can you speak like that? Look at yourself! Are you living up to your deceased mother's memory?" Jared said, defending Elaine, even bringing up Ariana's late mother, Vanessa Ransom.
• Hearing Jared's words, Ariana pressed her lips tightly together.
• Ariana said, "The one who should feel most guilty toward my mom should be you. Your mistress's daughter is even older than me. Is this your loyalty to my mother?"
• "That's enough! Shut your mouth!" Jared shouted furiously, and Martha hurriedly patted his back, putting on the appearance of a dutiful wife.
• Martha said, "Alright, Ariana, do you really want to drive your father to his grave?"
• Martha was burning with rage, deliberately using Jared to suppress Ariana.
• She knew Ariana had always swallowed her pride to please Jared.
• In front of Jared, Ariana would turn into a complete pushover.
• Martha was exploiting that psychology to keep Ariana in line.
• But this time, she was wrong.
• Ariana said, "Drive him to his grave?"
• Ariana raised her eyebrows, her tone dripping with sarcasm.
• She continued, "They say troublemakers live forever. I'm not powerful enough to drive him to his grave, but I've got youth on my side. He'll definitely go before I do."