Chapter 28
“Congratulations on securing Goldfront Bay,” Evelyn said with a smile, completely oblivious to Brian’s darkening expression. “Lodge Co. will definitely make a fortune with at land”
Meanwhile, Atlana made no effort to conceal her pleased sirk as she clinked her champagne glass with William’s.
Brian’s eye twitched at the sight.
“What should we do now, Mr. Lodge?” Emily hadn’t expected William to back out of the bidding so easily. Just a few days ago, he had been determined to get that plece of land.
Why did he give up so easily?
“What else can we do?” Brian snapped.
They could only accept the loss.
Brian rose from his seat, his usual smile replaced with a stormy expression.
Something was off.
This definitely had something to do with Ariana!
“Brian!”
Evelyn wanted to leave with him. Panicked, she grabbed his arm, but Brian reflexively shook her hand off and said, “Go home, Evelyn.”
Surprised, Evelyn paused. By the time she snapped out of it Brian had already left.
He’d never left her behind like this before.
Outside, Brian’s expression was dark as he coldly ordered, “Bring Gwen Lambert to me at once!”
“Yes, sir.”
An hour later, Gwen was shoved into Brian’s office by two bodyguards. When she saw Brian’s dark expression, she blanched. “Mr. Lodge, what
ppened? Did Ariana upset you again?”
“Drop the act!” Brian said coldly. “What’s the relationship between Ariana and William Kingsman?”
“What?”
Ariana and William Kingsman?
There was nothing between them, as far as she knew!
Hastily, she said, “If Ariana has been acting out of line lately, I’ll go back and tell her off later. Please don’t be angry, Mr. Lodge. The Torrey family is completely committed to our alliance with the Lodge family!”
“Enough of your nonsense! The Goldfront Bay land was a trap. Did you tell Ariana to leak the information?”
“I didn’t! I really didn’t! I don’t even know anything about Coldfront Bay. This must be a misunderstanding, Mr. Lodge!”
“A misunderstanding?” Brian scoffed. “Ariana sends you to me to smooth things over, then teams up with William Kingsman to trap me the next second. Is that also a misunderstanding?”
+25 BONUS
Chapter 28
“That foolish girl was just being reckless. Don’t worry, Mr. Lodge, I’ll get her to explain everything to you tomorrow. William Kingsman may have some influence in this city, but there’s no way he can surpass you. I’ll call her now and make her come home immediately!” Gwen said hurriedly, pulling out her phone.
Meanwhile, Ariana sat in a restaurant and stared at her ringing phone for a second before rejecting the call.
William sat across from her and said with interest, “You’ve helped me pull one over Brian today, which puts you squarely on my side. Brian won’t let you off so easily.”
“The enemy of my enemy is my friend, Mr. Kingsman. Let’s hope we’ll continue to work well together in the future.”
“Likewise ”
They clinked their glasses together.
After downing her drink in one go, Ariana took out a card from her purse and slid it across the table to William.
“What’s this?”
“The money for the land,” Ariana said with a smile. “I was just bluffing during the auction. I’ll buy the land with my own money.”
“The land in South Gleaston is barely worth anything, anyway. Consider it as a gift from me. Besides, as far as I know, the Torrey family doesn’t have that kind of cash right now. Where did you get this money from?”
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