Chapter 11 The Web Tightens
Ariana stepped into her penthouse, the evening air cool against her skin. The night with Damian had left a lingering warmth in her chest, a sensation both unfamiliar and intoxicating. The man was dangerous, but for some reason, she found herself drawn to him like a moth to flame.
Her heels clicked against the polished marble floor as she made her way to her bedroom. She grabbed her phone and, before she could overthink it, typed out a message.
Ariana: Thank you for dinner. I had a good time.
She hit send, expecting an immediate reply, but none came. She frowned slightly before realizing–he was still driving.
Of course, a man like Damian wouldn’t text and drive. He was too controlled. Too precise.
A small smirk played on her lips as she set her phone down, stepping into her en–suite bathroom.
She turned on the shower, letting the warm water wash away the night. As she scrubbed the lingering scent of Damian’s cologne from her skin, her mind wandered back to the way his gray eyes had darkened whenever he looked at her, the way his voice dipped just slightly when he spoke her name.
Ariana inhaled deeply, stepping out of the shower and slipping into her silk nightgown.
She slid into bed, checking her phone one last time.
Still no reply.
Good. Let him wait.
With a satisfied sigh, she turned off the lights and closed her eyes.
Tomorrow, Liam’s world would start to crumble.
The next morning, Ariana arrived at Cole Interiors & Design with renewed purpose. She walked into her office, her Assistant CEO title never feeling more deserved.
As she settled behind her desk, her assistant, Mila, entered, holding a steaming cup of coffee.
“Good morning, Ms. Cole,” Mila greeted, setting the cup down.
Ariana lifted it to her lips, taking a slow sip before meeting Mila’s gaze. “Mila, I need you to do something for
me.”
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Mila straightened. “Of course.”
Ariana leaned forward slightly, her voice smooth, calculated. “There’s a certain narrative I’d like to be subtly… introduced into the right circles.”
Mila frowned slightly. “What kind of narrative?”
Ariana smiled. “That Liam Carter has been unfaithful, Repeatedly. Not just to me, but to Sienna as well.”
Mila blinked, caught off guard. “You want me to spread… gossip?”
Ariana tilted her head. “Not gossip, Truth. And I want it to be done subtly. A whisper here, a comment there- just enough to let the rumor breathe.”
Mila hesitated. “I–Forgive me, ma’am, but I was under the impression that you and Mr. Carter were once… close.”
Ariana’s smile didn’t falter, but her eyes darkened. “We were.”
Mila swallowed. She didn’t ask anything further–she had been Ariana’s assistant for years, but this version of her boss was new.
“I’ll take care of it,” she said finally.
Ariana nodded approvingly, “Good. Get back to me in an hour.”
As Mila left, Ariana leaned back in her chair, twirling her pen between her fingers.
Liam and Sienna had built their relationship on lies and deceit.
It was only fitting that lies and deceit would destroy them.
Exactly one hour later, Mila returned, looking almost bewildered.
Ariana smirked. “That was fast.”
Mila nodded, setting her tablet down. “Apparently, your request was… well–timed. The rumor is already. spreading like wildfire.”
Ariana arched a brow. “Oh?”
Mila shifted uncomfortably. “You see, I only had to mention it once. By the time I checked back with our usual social contacts, the story had already evolved. People are saying Liam has had multiple side affairs. Some are even questioning whether he ever truly loved you.”
Ariana chuckled, stirring her coffee leisurely. “A small drop can make an ocean, Mila.”
Mila exhaled, watching her carefully. “Ma’am… why are you doing this?”
Ariana finally met her gaze, her expression unreadable.
“Because it’s time Liam Carter learns what it feels like to have everything he built crumble.”
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< Chapter 11 The Web Tightens
Mila didn’t press further. She simply nodded and left.
Ariana sat back, pleased.
Liam’s reputation wasn’t just built on business–it was built on perception. His charm, his “loyalty,” his perfect fairy–tale romance with Sienna.
Now?
People would start to doubt him.
And doubt? It was the first step to ruin.
Just as Ariana was about to leave for a site visit, her phone buzzed.
Damian.
A smirk curved on her lips as she answered. “You finally decided to reply?”
Damian chuckled, his voice silky smooth. “Apologies, sweetheart. I was otherwise occupied.”
Ariana hummed. “Too occupied to text?”
“Would you rather I have texted while speeding down the highway?” he teased.
Ariana laughed, a genuine sound. “I suppose I wouldn’t want you dead. Not yet, anyway.”
Damian’s voice dropped into something more intimate. “Oh? Planning my demise already?”
“Only if you bore me,” she shot back.
He let out a low chuckle. “Good. I like keeping you entertained.”
Ariana bit her lip, warmth curling in her chest. This was dangerous. The way they flirted, teased, danced
around something unspoken.
And yet, she couldn’t stop.
“So, tell me, Ariana,” Damian mused. “What chaos have you orchestrated today?”
Ariana smirked, glancing at her reflection in the glass window. “Let’s just say… Liam’s social life is about to
become a lot less comfortable.”
Damian chuckled. “And here I thought you’d take your time before attacking.”
Ariana leaned against her desk. “Patience is overrated.”
“Spoken like a true queen,” Damian murmured.
Her heart did a small, unexpected flip.
She cleared her throat. “I have to go supervise my project now. Unlike some people, I actually work.”
Damian chuckled. “Go,, then. But don’t keep me waiting too long.”
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Chapter 11 The Web Tightens
Ariana rolled her eyes but found herself smiling as she hung up.
As Ariana arrived at the Stirling Hotel site, she was greeted by the construction crew and design team. She slipped into her professional role effortlessly, giving instructions, inspecting material samples, and adjusting
details on the blueprints.
Yet, as she worked, “there was a distinct sense of satisfaction curling in her chest.
Liam was probably reeling from the damage she had inflicted today. His business might survive a financial attack, but his ego? His precious reputation? That was another story.
And Damian…
Damian Blackwood was something else entirely.
The way he spoke to her, challenged her, tempted her–it was a game she wasn’t sure she wanted to win.
By the time she left the site, the sun was setting, casting an amber glow across the city skyline.
Ariana Cole had played her first real move today.
And the best part?
This was only the beginning.
