In the afternoon, Belinda called Ariana.
Ariana knew she didn't like Evelyn-she was but an orphan from the Granger family and far too proud for her own good.
Although Evelyn had full ownership of the family's assets, Belinda's long-standing feud with the Grangers cemented her dislike.
She felt Evelyn's aloof demeanor was an act. All along, she had opposed Brian's association with her. Ariana, in contrast, was gentle and well-behaved, with a clean family background. Her temperament, looks, and academic qualifications made her the ideal future lady of the family.
Still, she was aware that Belinda's kindness toward her was primarily a calculated show.
That day, the Lodge's family driver brought Ariana to the Lodge residence.
As soon as she entered the hall, Belinda beckoned her warmly, patting the sofa beside her. "Come here, Ariana."
She nodded and approached. It didn't take her long to notice Evelyn standing across from Belinda. Just like in her past life, Evelyn was gorgeous-pure, sophisticated beauty.
Yet, she had a perpetually cold expression. Her pride was written all over her face.
At that moment, she was holding a cup of tea. Her hands had been scalded red, yet she refused to set it down.
Ariana's eyes drifted to the bandages on Evelyn's wrist.
It was evident that news of her recent suicide attempt had reached Belinda.
Not many knew about the incident. Ariana supposed it must have been Gwen who leaked it.
Brian was guarding the news with all his might, all to prevent Belinda from causing Evelyn trouble. However, it seemed Gwen had ignored that and reported it to Belinda anyway.
It was as though she wasn't interested in living anymore.
An amicable air surrounded Belinda as she picked up Ariana's hand and said, "Ariana, the incident at the engagement banquet was entirely Brian's fault. I have severely reprimanded him-please don't stay upset. You are the future Mrs. Lodge-this will never change. If you're still not satisfied, I can get Brian to apologize to you again in my presence."
Ariana politely declined. "Thank you for your kindness, Mrs. Lodge Senior, but that won't be necessary." "Are you still brooding over what happened at the engagement banquet? Don't worry, that's why I've summoned you here today-it's to clear things up."
As she spoke, she turned over to look at Evelyn.
Her gaze turned icy, and even her tone carried a glacial coolness. "Ms. Granger, you knew very well that day was Brian and Ariana's engagement, yet you used a ploy to lure him off. Are you still clinging to delusions of becoming the next Mrs. Lodge?"
Evelyn hesitated for a few seconds. "Mrs. Lodge Senior, you've misunderstood. I didn't mean it that way." Her face grew pale. Her voice was weak, and her hands trembled around the teacup. "I just... I was in a dark place. Ms. Torrey, I apologize."
Evelyn lowered her head. A flicker of defiance flashed in her eyes.
Even now, her back was still straight, with no signs of slouching in her shoulders. She was utterly convinced she had done no wrong.
Ariana knew Evelyn's character all too well.
She was always the tragic heroine in the story. The whole world owed her, and she remained forever aloof and proud, holding herself in high regard.
In her previous life, Evelyn had approached Ariana when she got engaged to Brian. Full of self-
righteousness, she claimed that she and Brian were the true pair. Yet, she still offered her blessing to their marriage.
At the engagement banquet, however, Evelyn slashed her wrist. She made sure the message reached
Brian, drawing him away. This left Ariana as the laughingstock of the town.
If Evelyn were truly righteous, she wouldn't have pulled such a despicable maneuver.
Nor would she have maintained ties with him despite knowledge of his engagement.
In truth, Evelyn wanted to have it both ways. She wanted Brian as much as she treasured her lofty pride.
In the end, Evelyn and Brian endured countless hardships and ended up together.
Meanwhile, Ariana became the victim of their romance. She was repeatedly humiliated and ultimately discarded.
Since Brian and Evelyn loved each other so dearly, why should she stand in the middle and be an eyesore?
Ariana pulled a slight smile. "Mrs. Lodge Senior, this has nothing to do with Ms. Granger. It is my decision to break off the engagement with Mr. Lodge. Moreover... Mr. Lodge and Ms. Granger share a genuine romance. I am willing to step aside.
"Absolute nonsense! You are my chosen granddaughter-in-law. No other woman is fit to join the Lodge family!"
At her words, Evelyn's cup slipped from her hands and shattered on the floor.
"Eve!"
As if on cue, Brian stepped through the main doors and beheld Evelyn's pallid face. He rushed over to check her wrist and found blood seeping through the bandages. He also noted that her fingers were scorched by the tea.
"Grandma! Eve is still recovering. The doctor said that if the blade had gone just a bit deeper, she could have lost her hand! You shouldn't treat her this harshly!"
The way he defended Evelyn only elicited a scoff from Belinda. "Well, it was still a little short of the mark, wasn't it? She was just holding tea of her own will; I didn't force anything on her. If you must offer words of advice, give it to Ms. Granger and ask her to drop her obstinacy. She could hold a hot teacup for the rest of her life, and it still wouldn't make her welcome in this family!"
Brian's eyebrows knitted tightly into a frown. His gaze shifted to Ariana, who was sitting beside Belinda. "Did you snitch?"
He had strictly kept Evelyn's suicide attempt a secret! He even warned Ariana personally.
He never expected her to have the nerve to disclose it regardless.
Belinda retorted, "What does this have to do with Ariana? Ms. Granger insisted on coming to apologize! Brian, now that we're all here, you should take the opportunity and offer a proper apology to Ariana. While you're at it, tell Ms. Granger to abandon her hopes of marrying into the family. We at the Lodge family have nothing to do with the Granger family!"
Ariana began, "Mrs. Lodge Senior, there's no need to go to such lengths. We're just breaking off the engagement..."
But before she could finish, Brian interrupted sharply. "Ariana Torrey, drop your disgusting pretense! If it weren't for you spreading lies to my grandmother, Eve wouldn't have had to endure this humiliation!" "Brian... I came on my own accord to admit my mistakes-it has nothing to do with Ms. Torrey... I'll leave at once. We won't meet again. Ms. Torrey is the one meant to marry you, so don't let me come between the two of you," said Evelyn. Her ashen face and teary eyes were an image that stirred sympathy from the iciest of souls.
However, Evelyn's words always contradicted her actions.
Sure enough, she collapsed right into Brian's arms. He tossed a frigid glance at Ariana before picking Evelyn up and holding her close.
He was about to leave with Evelyn in his arms when Belinda called out, "Brian! Stop right there!"
His footsteps halted briefly, allowing Belinda to speak. "Ariana is your fiancée. Do you know how disgraceful it is for you to leave with another woman?"
"Grandma, the Lodge family doesn't need a two-faced woman as its matriarch, nor do I need a scheming wife."
With that, Brian strode out the door cradling Evelyn, sparing not a backward glance.