He read the messages multiple times before responding, âAt the moment, I canât think of anything I need.
But Iâll keep that offer in mind.
â
Feeling a bit uncomfortable with the idea of owing someone, Ariana quickly sent another message.
âHow about thisâlet me treat you to dinner sometime?â
Theodore chuckled when he saw Arianaâs text and replied, âA meal wonât do it.
I have something else in mind.
â
Ariana knew that he was not easily satisfied.
After a moment of hesitation, she still offered, âOkay, I owe you.
Let me know when you come up with something.
â
Apparently, this satisfied the man as he replied with a dancing kitten emoji.
Ariana felt a mix of annoyance and regret.
She realized that she had opened a can of worms by bringing up the subject of repayment.
If she had known the outcome, she wouldnât have said anything.
However, she couldnât change the past and would have to deal with the consequences.
@
Ariana felt a pang of regret and hit her forehead with her hand.
As the time passed without a response from Ariana, Theodore grew increasingly worried and sent a series of questions.
âHave you found a place to stay? Are you still at a hotel? What are your plans for the future?â
Finally, he typed, âDonât hesitate to reach out if you need anything.
â
Ariana didnât want to be a burden, so she updated Holden on her current situation.
âIâm staying at a friendâs place for now.
Iâll evaluate my options and make some plans tomorrow.
Iâll be okay.
Donât worry about me.
â ©
After a few seconds, he replied, âOkay.
â
Ariana noticed Holdenâs response was a bit delayed and figured he might be a bit upset.
She tried to steer the conversation in a different direction by asking, âHow does the BRD Group have such a professional search and rescue team? Iâve never heard of it before.
â
Ariana waited for a long time before she got a reply.
âThe team was established by my maternal grandfather when my mother and I ran away from home.
He created it to find us, and never dissolved it even after we were found.
â
Ariana felt that there was a lot of family drama and secrets hinted at in his words, and she didnât want to be rude by asking too many questions.
So she came up with a reason to end the conversation.
Afterward, she scrolled through her phoneâs newsfeed and found that the video of her altercation with the reporters had become a trending topic.
In the video, Sarah had a breakdown and disclosed her wish to leave the entertainment industry and the variety show.
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Many Internet users had left comments on Sarahâs social media accounts, waiting for her response.
Sensing the urgency, Ariana quickly left the study room to find Sarah.
Ariana approached Sarah, who was sitting by herself in the living room, deep in thought.
The ashtray on the table was littered with three cigarette butts.
Alina and Molly were nowhere to be seen.
Ariana took a seat beside Sarah and showed her the phone screen where the video of Sarahâs breakdown and announcement had become a hot topic online.
Ariana urged her, âWe have to clarify this right away.
What should we do?â
Sarah gazed silently at Ariana.
Surrounded by the soft glow of the lamps, Ariana looked at her friend and she noticed something unusual.
Sarahâs eyes were brimming with tears, and the sight made Arianaâs heart race.
An uneasy feeling settled deep in her gut.