Chapter 360: Chapter 360

360 A Fire Ruse

Arianna and Winters stared each other deep in the eyes and if one looked closely, they would see lightning shooting out from their eyes. This was no longer just Marcel’s plan anymore, no, they both have converted it into a war.

Arianna asked her, “Let’s say then, even if your...” She looked down at her finger, “great technical ring does work, how would that move the men out of the control room? I bet that didn’t cross your mind.” Her expression was smug, knowing that Winters had no answer for that.

But Winters replied to her, “Of course, that didn’t cross my mind because that sounds like a ‘you’ problem. After all, I’m not the one slipping into the control room like a thief, I’ll be behind the keyboard doing my magic,” She made a typing gesture.

The smile was slapped off Arianna’s face and her hands clenched into fists. This little bug was beginning to get under her skin and the best thing to do to a bug was to squash it beneath her feet.

“Alright, ladies, let us all calm down and think of an amicable solution to our problem at hand,” Marcel stepped in as a mediator. He couldn’t side with any of them knowing that was equivalent to landing himself in hot soup.

If he sided with Arianna, Winters might pull out of this deal and he wouldn’t want to force her to help him, ruining their relationship formed over the years already. But then, Marcel couldn’t side with Winters either, Arianna would give him hell on earth. In one word, he would rather remain on neutral ground.

Winters said she was only helping him, you know, to get Arianna to admit her feelings for him. However, with the way things were going, he couldn’t help but wonder if she had gone off track as well or gotten too absorbed in her role because her acting was becoming too real – and frightening.

“We could start a fire,” Mimi suddenly suggested, “There are quite a number of flammable cleaning products,”

“No, that is too risky, you could get hurt,” Victor was against it immediately.

.....

“And I promised David not to cause him any damage. If the explosion were to escalate, my father would not accept it and would likely give the man a tough time.” Marcel was not in support either.

“Then we create a ruse,” Arianna said, Winters’ head jerking up in her direction.

“What ruse?” Marcel was interested, arms wrapped across his chest.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

“A fire ruse. I still go with Mimi’s suggestion, but on a low scale this time, Instead of burning the whole house down. I’m sure there are smoke detectors and sprinklers set in place at your father’s place. With enough commotion in place when the cameras go out, I’m sure they wouldn’t be able to handle more drama when the fire alarm sounds, and I know someone good at dramas,” Arianna turned in Mimi’s direction, causing the others to stare at her as well.

“Me?” Mimi pointed at her chest under their intense scrutiny.

Arianna rolled their eyes, “Just give them one of your hysterical performances. There’s so much a human brain can handle, with the transmission problem and the fire alarm, every one of them would likely leave their duty post and hurry up to go find out what’s happening. I would then sneak in and do my thing and then hopefully sneak out before they’re back. That way.... ”

And while Arianna was saying all of this, Marcel turned and stared at her in admiration. He wondered if Arianna knew she would make a great criminal mastermind by his side. She was the kind of woman he wanted, strong, independent, resilient and intelligent.

If Arianna became his wife, even if something were to happen to him, Marcel was sure with the help of Adele and Victor, she would be able to lead the Luciano family – with his father out of the way. He didn’t even want to think about that man. Unfortunately, Victor caught him staring and he looked away.

“That means I would be sneaking two items in and your smaller lighter would be my preferred choice,” Arianna still didn’t give up on goading the young girl.

Winters scoffed, as if.

“The idea is feasible, however, the harder part of the plan would be leaving the property. Not to mention that time is of the essence, whatever we do must be done before Daniel returns,” Victor reminded them.

“I could drag out time with Daniel,” Marcel hardly referred to the man as his father, “You know, buy enough time till all is done.”

“And we could leave the place after getting the information we need,” Mimi said.

“Without our team, that is impossible. They would suspect something is up if the both of us were to leave without them.” Arianna disagreed with the idea.

Marcel stepped in, “Don’t worry about that one, for now, I will think of something before tomorrow and keep you updated.”

“Sure,” Winters answered before others could, stepping forward to say, “I think you should have the ring now before I change my mind.” She hinted at the fact that the device was priceless.

But just as Arianna tried to take it, Winters closed her palm and turned her back to her. Arianna scoffed in disbelief, was the girl kidding her right now?

However, Winters didn’t just turn her back to her, she faced Marcel, “Could you do me the honors? It’s quite awkward for me to put the ring on her.” She said to everyone’s hearing.

Upon seeing that the girl give the ring to Marcel, Arianna panicked immediately, “Well, I didn’t ask you to put the ring on my finger, I’m not into women either! You could just give me the ring and I would wear it myself....” But she trailed off when Marcel accepted the ring.

“Sure,” He said.

What the hell was the both of them doing? Arianna panicked. Her heart

began to pound as Marcel came in her direction. Her hands were clammy and beads of sweat rolled down her face and she couldn’t breathe at the thought of Marcel proposing to her.

Except that, this wasn’t really a proposal.