Mark Tremont pinched her chin. His tone was apathetic and it commanded obedience. “Go back to school only when your body has properly recovered and nourished. Stop seeking pity with how frail you look!”Arianne Wynn lost her cool and pushed herself up. “No way…”Not saying a word, Mark Tremont looked down at her forbiddingly.Arianne bit her lips. Tensed, her voice quivered as well. “I’ll study hard and return all that I owe you when I make money in the future. I’m thankful that you’ve kept me around for ten years. I’ll move out as soon as possible when I’m on my internship.”The truth was revealed. She had never believed upon depending on him her whole life. She had owed him too much, and she did not wish to remain indebted.Mark Tremont laughed all of a sudden. His smile looked like the distant moon, unattainable and unreachable, and unwelcoming as well. “Let me spell it out for you now then. Don’t you even think about leaving in your lifetime!”Arianne’s heart sank. For the first ti
It was only now when Arianne Wynn remembered today was the campus function event and he would be here as well… He had not returned home since he left that day. What would it be like to see him again today? For an instant, she felt a flurry of emotions.“Did he… say anything that day?”Tiffany Lane did not notice her inattentive manner.“Nope. But I complained about your brother to him. That brother of yours is a real jerk!” Arianne was speechless. Now she was no longer surprised why her singular reply that day triggered his fury, like an eruption of a volcano – no, more like the eruption of an iceberg… He must have felt horrible to be condemned like that and right in his face too.Shouting and cheering came from the downstairs abruptly. Fueled by adrenaline, Tiffany tugged Arianne and bolted down the staircase. “Mark Tremont’s here! Let’s go see him!”Arianne was rather nervous for she had not yet figured out how to confront him.“Tiff, let go… You can go ahead, I’m not going…”“Ari,
Mark Tremont’s reply was nothing but a cold scoff, his response made the dean shudder and kept his mouth shut.After some time, a few bodyguards in black suits and sunglasses hurried over.“Sir, we’ve looked into it. The offender is a fool who’s mentally challenged. Twenty-one years old, son of the Southline University’s cafeteria lady. He’s usually the handyman of the cafeteria. His actions today were completely unfounded as he was unable to answer anything we asked. Due to his condition, it’s highly unlikely to send him to jail.”“Then send him to the mental institution! Is an aggressive lunatic supposed to be kept on the campus to continue harming others?” Mark Tremont’s reply came close to a low growl, his deadly frosty tone echoing in the corridor.“Yes, sir!” The bodyguards left in a hurry once again.The dean was hesitant to speak, wearing a troubled look on his face. Mark Tremont cast his gaze at him and sneered. “What is it? Are you unhappy with my decision?”“No, no… It’s jus
“Woken up?” The man closed his laptop and looked up at her.“Mm…” Arianne wanted to get up but even the slightest movement brought her a dull pain to her left shoulder. It was then that she recalled what happened.Mark Tremont went forward to check her wound. “Don’t move.”Arianne stayed obediently whilst the pressing urge from her lower abdomen made her incredibly awkward. She wanted to go to the washroom but there was only Mark Tremont here and her mobility was compromised… Any minor movement would cause agony to her injury.As if noticing her unease, Mark Tremont asked, “Do you want to go to the washroom?”“Yeah…” Arianne Wynn blushed.Mark Tremont said nothing as he attentively helped her up, his gentleness was unlike his usual self. Even then, Arianne was still breaking out in a cold sweat from the pain. Crimson stained the bandage around her wound.Arianne had gone to the washroom half-carried by Mark Tremont. When his hand went towards her pants, she quickly said, “I’ll do it my
Arianne’s hand that held her spoon quavered. Looking at the half bowl of soup, she hesitated before saying, “Mary, help me to another serving…”Mary saw through her little gimmick and answered softly, “Ah, why are you so scared of sir? He won’t gobble you up.”After the meal, Arianne trudged up the stairs only after Mary finished cleaning the table.The door to the master bedroom was half open, however she still knocked before entering.Mark Tremont was going through documents in front of the French window with a cigarette between his fingers. Half a glass of wine stood on the small table beside him.Naturally, he stubbed out the cigarette when Arianne coughed from the smoke.“Come over.”She went closer to him. “Is there… anything you need me for?”Putting down the document in his hands, Mark Tremont took her into his embrace without warning. “I’m going on an overseas business trip tomorrow. Come with me.”Arianne’s ability to think was already affected having been seated on his legs.
Mark Tremont left early in the morning the next day.Arianne Wynn had turned her closet inside out yet she could not find anything befitting to wear. This was the first time she felt the desire to go shopping. She invited Tiffany Lane, and they both headed to the mall together.When Arianne went to pay, Tiffany’s mouth formed an ‘O’ shape when she saw the bank service deduction text on the former’s mobile phone. “Ari, that’s a little too much. I’ve always thought that you’re poor, but it seems like you’re only pretending to be poor huh! You’re a little rich woman!”Arianne was reluctant to mention that the money was from Mark Tremont, simply replying, “That’s nonsense. Let’s go.”The gathering at night was located at Will Sivan’s family beach villa.When Arianne Wynn and Tiffany Lane arrived at the party, a crowd had already formed. Arianne was unfamiliar with most of the guests, having never met them. Will Sivan stood out the most among the mass of people, attracting her line of visio
Brian Pearce took in his dark expression and deduced that something must have happened as he quickly made a turn. Every time Mark Tremont was enraged, it had to do with Arianne Wynn.Arianne had just taken off her clothes back in her room of the Tremont Estate when the door was rammed open, making a hard bang.Turning around in surprise, she met eyes with Mark Tremont’s raging gaze. She pulled over the jacket to cover her front, as she was currently wearing nothing. Her voice trembled when she asked, “Why are you home…”The fury in Mark Tremont’s eyes burned brighter when he saw the garment that she was clutching was a man’s jacket. “Remove it!”Arianne knew what he was referring to but she had nothing on since she was going to shower. If she removed the jacket, then…While she was caught in a quandary, Mark Tremont was already in front of her, pinching her chin.“Are you going to do it yourself or do I have to?”Arianne Wynn wished for none of these options, silently keeping a death g
Mark Tremont got up and left in disgust. “You’re not qualified to negotiate with me!”The room door was slammed closed, the loud bang sent shivers through Arianne. For the first time in ten years, she felt like her world had collapsed.Mark Tremont’s enraged words echoed in her ears, truly frightening her. Arianne tried her best to call Tiffany but for the entire afternoon, but the only reply she received was the busy-line tone.Arianne panicked. Could Mark Tremont have forced them away?She clenched her jaws and went to his room. This was her first time entering directly without knocking.The room was smoky. Mark Tremont was still seated on the chair in front of the French window but this time, he had his back facing her. The ashtray beside him was brimming with cigarette butts and ash. His back was laced with a sense of melancholy.“Please… don’t do anything to them. It’s my fault. I know that I’m wrong…” Arianne cried while she begged him. Will Sivan’s departure abroad the last time