375: DISPUTING ASSUMPTIONS ARIEL’S POV “Their business will fall, Tessa. I need to get married to Luke to stop that from happening,” I said to Tessa, trying to make her understand the talk around here. “You have got to be kidding me.” She shook her head; her tone was inaudible. “I’m serious about this, Tessa.” you are human, Ariel,” she vocalized loudly. “You have feelings. You can’t just let anyone treat you like shit. You can’t let them take advantage of your kindness.” “I understand your point, Tessa. My parents did wrong; there is no doubt about that. But they were only doing it to secure the future. My father worked so hard to get to where he is today. He wanted the best for me and my mother and for our family. And seeing all of that going down the drain, I can tell he’s broken. He’s ruining the better future he wanted for me. This is the only way.” “The only way to do what, huh?” A man uttered it suddenly. Turning around, Tessa and I met the intense gaze of this man standing close to our table. He wore a navy. suit, exuding a sharp and polished appearance. However, his eyes were filled with rage and fixed on me. Despite the anger in his eyes, I couldn’t help but notice how handsome he was, with his dark hair and well- structured shoulders. He was undoubtedly formidable, yet he exuded an indisputable charm. Tessa and I exchanged confused glances, wondering who this mysterious man could be and why my words had caused a strong reaction from him. “Uhmm, excuse me, who are you?” I asked in curiosity, as this man wouldn’t stop glaring at me. “You don’t know who I am?” He raised his brows in fury. I made a confused face, processing his words. “How am I supposed to know?” “Fuck!” He snarled, slamming our table, causing me to shudder. “What the hell is wrong with you? Why would you do that? Don’t you have some respect?‘ Tessa fired at him. His gaze went back to me, the anger still in his eyes. “Are you happy with what you’ve done?” “I don’t understand. What are you talking about?” I asked him, still in confusion. Who was this man, and why was he unleashing his anger on us? My mind raced, trying to connect the dots. Who could he be, and why did my words trigger such a visceral reaction? Could he be a relative of Luke, the man I was considering marrying to rescue my family’s business? Or perhaps he had ties to my own family and was aware of the turmoil surrounding our company? 375 DISPUTING ASSUMPTI “You still don’t know what I’m talking about, Ariel. You still don’t?” He knew my name. Okay, what the hell was going on? “Please introduce yourself to me,” I told him calmly. “I am the man your father wants you to get married tol” My eyes widened immediately. “So, you’re…” “Yes, I am Luke Reynold. Are you surprised?” Tm just… “Speechless? Yeah, I know. “That’s what I get from a fucking golddigger.” “You have to be respectful!” Tessa snapped at him. “Golddiggers do not deserve respect,” he retorted, glaring at Tessa. “And you’re definitely one of them, since you’re good friends with her.” “You idiot. Don’t you dare talk nonsense!” She fired back at him. “Tessa, calm down,” I interjected, trying to diffuse the escalating tension between her and Luke. But Tessa was not one to back down easily. “You have some nerve, Luke! Calling Ariel a golddigger? You don’t know anything about her or the sacrifices she’s making for her family.” Luke scoffed, his lips curling into a disdainful smirk, “Oh, please, spare me the sob story. Ariel here is willing to marry me just to salvage her family’s sinking ship of business. If that’s not textbook golddigging. then I don’t know what is.” I felt a surge of anger rising within me at Luke’s callous words. “How dare you speak about my family like that? You know nothing about the struggles we’ve faced.” “And you know nothing about honor or integrity,” Luke shot back, his voice dripping with contempt. You’re willing to throw yourself at the first rich man who comes along just to save face. It’s pathetic.” Tessa’s eyes blazed with fury as she stepped closer to Luke, her fists clenched at her sides. “You have no right to judge Ariel or her family. You’re just as much a part of this twisted game as anyone else.” Luke’s gaze hardened as he met Tessa’s glare head–on. “And what about you?“Are you here to play the role of the loyal sidekick, defending Ariel at every turn? “Or do you have your own agenda to fulfill?” Before Tessa could respond, I stepped between them, my voice trembling with emotion. “Stop it, both of you! This isn’t helping anyone. We need to find a way to resolve this situation without tearing each other apart.” For a moment, there was silence as the weight of my words hung heavy in the air. Then, with a resigned sigh, I turned to Luke. “And as for you, Luke, if you truly care about me, then try to understand the position I’m in. This isn’t just about me or my family–it’s about finding a solution that works for everyone involved.” 375 DISPUTING ASSUMPTIONS “Hold on, are you seriously saying that right now? Do you believe that I care about you? I don’t even know you. The only thing I know is that you are a golddigger.” “I feel like slapping you right now!” Tessa barked. “For saying the Luke blurted out. “It’s clear, isn’t it? That Arlel right here is working with her family on this one. They need money; that’s what their whole life is about.” “You have the wrong impression of Ariel. She’s not the person you’re making her out to be.” Luke scoffed, his eyes narrowing in disbelief. “Oh please. I’ve seen her type before–willing to do anything for a quick buck, even if it means selling herself to the highest bidder.” “That’s enough, Luke! You have no right to judge Ariel or her family. You don’t know anything about the struggles they’ve faced.” “Tessa’s right,” I chimed in. “You do not know me, Luke.” “Spare me the theatrics, Ariel.“I’ve heard it all before. You’re just another greedy opportunist looking for a handout.” Tessa’s eyes blazed with fury as she stepped forward, her fists clenched at her sides. “How dare you speak to her like that? You don’t know anything about her or what she’s been through.” Luke’s lips curled into a disdainful smirk. “And I suppose you do? What makes you think you have the right to defend her?” “Because unlike you, I care about Ariel,” Tessa shot back. “And I won’t stand by and let you insult her like this.” I could feel the tension in the air thickening with each passing moment, and I knew that if I didn’t intervene soon, things would only escalate further. Taking a deep breath, I stepped between them, my voice firm. “Enough!” I was bawling, my eyes darting between Luke and Tessa.
