Chapter: 194
He read the messages multiple times before responding, “At the moment, I can’t think of anything I need. But I’ll keep that offer
in mind.”
Feeling a bit uncomfortable with the idea of owing someone, Ariana quickly sent another message. “How about this—let me treat
you to dinner sometime?”
Theodore chuckled when he saw Ariana’s text and replied, “A meal won’t do it. I have something else in mind.”
Ariana knew that he was not easily satisfied. After a moment of hesitation, she still offered, “Okay, I owe you. Let me know when
you come up with something.”
Apparently, this satisfied the man as he replied with a dancing kitten emoji.
Ariana felt a mix of annoyance and regret. She realized that she had opened a can of worms by bringing up the subject of
repayment. If she had known the outcome, she wouldn’t have said anything. However, she couldn’t change the past and would
have to deal with the consequences. @
Ariana felt a pang of regret and hit her forehead with her hand.
As the time passed without a response from Ariana, Theodore grew increasingly worried and sent a series of questions.
“Have you found a place to stay? Are you still at a hotel? What are your plans for the future?”
Finally, he typed, “Don’t hesitate to reach out if you need anything.”
Ariana didn’t want to be a burden, so she updated Holden on her current situation. “I’m staying at a friend’s place for now.
I’ll evaluate my options and make some plans tomorrow. I’ll be okay. Don’t worry about me.” ©
After a few seconds, he replied, “Okay.”
Ariana noticed Holden’s response was a bit delayed and figured he might be a bit upset. She tried to steer the conversation in a
different direction by asking, “How does the BRD Group have such a professional search and rescue team? I’ve never heard of it
before.”
Ariana waited for a long time before she got a reply. “The team was established by my maternal grandfather when my mother
and I ran away from home. He created it to find us, and never dissolved it even after we were found.”
Ariana felt that there was a lot of family drama and secrets hinted at in his words, and she didn’t want to be rude by asking too
many questions. So she came up with a reason to end the conversation.
Afterward, she scrolled through her phone’s newsfeed and found that the video of her altercation with the reporters had become
a trending topic.
In the video, Sarah had a breakdown and disclosed her wish to leave the entertainment industry and the variety show.
Many Internet users had left comments on Sarah’s social media accounts, waiting for her response.
Sensing the urgency, Ariana quickly left the study room to find Sarah.
Ariana approached Sarah, who was sitting by herself in the living room, deep in thought. The ashtray on the table was littered
with three cigarette butts. Alina and Molly were nowhere to be seen.
Ariana took a seat beside Sarah and showed her the phone screen where the video of Sarah’s breakdown and announcement
had become a hot topic online. Ariana urged her, “We have to clarify this right away. What should we do?”
Sarah gazed silently at Ariana.
Surrounded by the soft glow of the lamps, Ariana looked at her friend and she noticed something unusual. Sarah’s eyes were
brimming with tears, and the sight made Ariana’s heart race. An uneasy feeling settled deep in her gut.