351: POWER PLAY
ARIEL’S POV
Simon’s sudden appearance startled me, but who the hell was he to frighten me? “Oh, look who decided to show up,” I spat, giving him a fake smile. “Just in time to defend mommy and daddy’s dirty deeds, I see.”
Simon’s jaw clenched, his nostrils flaring with barely contained rage. “You have no right to come here and cause trouble,” he growled.
I scoffed, crossing my arms over my chest. “Oh, please, spare me your self–righteous indignation,” I retorted. “You’re just as guilty as they are, Simon. You’ve been complicit in tearing down my family’s legacy from the start.”
His eyes narrowed, a dangerous glint flickering in their depths. “Watch your mouth, Ariel,” he warned, his voice low and menacing. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
I stepped forward, closing the distance between us, my gaze locked with his. “I know exactly hat I’m talking about. “And I won’t let you or your family get away with what you’ve done.
His fists clenched at his sides, his jaw working furiously. “You’re making a big mistake, Ariel.
“No, the mistake was my father trusting you and your family in the first place. But mark my words, Simon, I won’t rest until you people finally get what you deserve.”
Simon quickly seized my hand. His sudden grip on my wrist startled me, his fingers digging into my skin with a vice–like grip.
“Let go of me!” I demanded, trying to wrench my hand free from his grasp..
His eyes blazed with fury, his grip tightening even further. “You think you can come here and insult my family? I’ll teach you some manners, you spoiled brat!”
I refused to cower in fear, meeting his gaze with unflinching defiance. “You lay a hand on me, and you’ll regret it,” I warned, giving him a hard glare.
His lips curled into a cruel sneer, and his free hand balling became a fist as he raised it threateningly. “You’re nothing but a pathetic little girl,” he snarled. “And you’re about to learn what happens to girls who cross me.”
I didn’t hesitate to spit at his face. “You’re the pathetic one. You’re nothing but a coward who hides behind his family’s wealth and power. All of you are cowards.”
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Simon recoiled in shock, his grip on my wrist loosening slightly as he wiped the spittle from his face with a disgusted grimace. “You’ll regret that.”
“I have nothing to regret.” I made it clear to him. “And I won’t stop fighting until you finally get
get what you deserve. “And believe me, I mean what I say.”
“Enough!” Mr. Kingston chimed in, and I turned to him. “If you don’t leave right now, Ariel, I’m going to call the police.”
“Go ahead, call the police,” I challenged him. “Your threats won’t intimidate me; I have nothing to hide.”
all
His eyes narrowed, and his face flushed with anger. “You’re trespassing on private property. And assaulting a member of my family. I have every right to call the authorities.”
I held my ground, refusing to back down in the face of his threats. “I haven’t assaulted
“I shot back. “I defended myself against Simon’s aggression and won’t apologize
anyone,
for it.”
Simon’s mother stepped forward, her expression twisted with fury. “You’re delusional if you
ink you can get away with this.”
‘m not delusional,” I retorted, and continued, “I’m fighting for justice, and I’m going to make sure things are going to get back to normal. My father’s business will not go down the drain a you have planned.”
Simon’s father hesitated, his eyes flicking between me and his wife. Finally, with a
frustrated sigh, he lowered his phone and turned to face me. “You haven’t heard the last of this,” he said.
I met his gaze directly. I’ll be waiting. You must understand that we will hold you and your family accountable for your actions.
“That’s not happening, Ariel. Your family’s business will never be the way it used to be. The damage has already begun and will only worsen with each passing day. “That’s what you and your pathetic father get for embarrassing my son.”
“Embarrassing your son?“Did he even tell you the part where he tried to assault me? Oh, I’m sorry, he did. But you just had to support him in his evil ways.”
“Oh, please, save your crap for yourself. Go cry with your mommy and daddy.”
Before I could react, Simon’s grip on my wrist tightened even further, his fingers digging into my skin like claws. With a sudden shove, he pushed me backward, causing me to stumble and fall to the ground with a thud. Pain shot through my body, but I refused to show weakness in front of him.
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“You’re nothing but a pathetic worm,” Simon spat, his face contorted with rage as he loomed over me. “You think you can stand up to me? You’re nothing compared to my family’s power.”
I gritted my teeth against the pain, glaring up at him defiantly. “You’re a coward, Simon. Attacking someone who won’t fight back. That’s the only way you know how to feel. powerful.”
His lip curled into a sneer as he towered over me, fists clenched at his sides. “You’re so naive, Ariel. You have no idea what you’re up against. My family will crush you and your pathetic attempts at revenge.”
I struggled to push myself up from the ground. “I won’t let you destroy everything my family has built. Simon, I will vigorously oppose your actions. I’ll make sure you pay.”
He laughed cruelly. ‘You’re nothing but a little girl playing at being a hero. But you’ll soon learn that in tes don’t stand a chance against people like me.”
“In the real world, and please, just go home. We don’t want you to get yourself damaged.” Simon’s mother gave me a mocking smile.
“Yes, you don’t know what might happen if you continue to talk nonsense here.” Her husband followed her lead, both of them looking down at me.
“What are you going to do? Kill me?”
“If it’s worthwhile.” Mr. Kingston shrugged.
“Well, I’m not going anywhere,” I declared, pushing myself up despite the pain shooting through my body. “I won’t let you intimidate me into silence. You and your family have done enough damage.”
Simon’s mother scoffed. “You’re just a stubborn little brat, aren’t you? I can’t accept the reality of your situation.”
I ignored her insult, focusing on standing my ground. “I won’t accept a reality where injustice prevails. Enough of this nonsense.”
She rolled her eyes, dismissing me with a wave of her hand. “Oh, please, spare us your heroics. You’re nothing but a nuisance, Ariel. Just leave before you embarrass yourself even
further.”
“And who’s going to kick me out? You?” I shot back at her. “I won’t let you and your family get away with what you’ve done.”
She laughed with a cold, mocking sound. “You’re so naive, thinking you can take on people
351: POWER PLAY
like us. You’re out of your depth, Ariel. Just accept defeat and slink away like the loser you are.”
“When I’m done with you, the losers here will be you guys. No matter what insults you throw my way., I’ll never back down.”
She shook her head in disbelief. “You’re even more delusional than I thought. Fine, stay here and wallow in your own self–righteousness. But don’t expect anyone to come to your rescue when you realize just how futile your efforts are.”
“Ariel?” Simon’s elder brother, Larry, showed up.
