Chapter 799
Ariana, noticing his lecherous gaze, recoiled slightly.
Undeterred, Reilly broke the silence.
“Never expected Mr.
Anderson’s wife to be such a stunner.
”
Ariana paid no attention to him, but he continued in a repulsive tone, “Should you need a job, Star Club has plenty of openings.
You’ll be well taken care of, and can maintain your Lifestyle.
”
Brielle, sensing something amiss, soon realized that Reilly’s affections had swayed.
He had a soft spot for Ariana.
Bristling at Ariana, she clung to Reilly, her voice carrying a note of desperation.
“Weren’t you bringing me here to eat? Standing here is tiring, let’s head in.
”
Trying to rush Reilly away, Brielle tugged at his arm.
Her eagerness to end his conversation with Ariana was evident.
But he shrugged her off, directing a warm smile at Ariana.
“Are you feeling chilly, Miss Edwards? Care to join us for dinner?”
‘s
“No thanks, Mr.
Holmes.
You should go with your girlfriend,” Ariana replied coolly, retreating a step.
“Don’t be so quick to dismiss the idea, Miss Edwards,” he said, stepping closer.
As he reached out, Ariana dodged him, but he persisted.
Suddenly, a hand clamped onto Reilly’s wrist.
“What do you think you’re doing to my wife?”
A cry of pain echoed from Reilly’s Lips.
Ariana, fearing that Theodore might ensnare himself in unnecessary complications, edged forward; she tugged at his sleeve gently.
Heeding her silent plea, Theodore released Reilly.
The sight of Theodore took Brielle by surprise; she hadn’t anticipated his presence.
Memories of the funeral flooded back, chilling her to the bone.
The nerve to meet his gaze abandoned her and she Lowered her head.
The realization that she had ruffled Ariana’s feathers earlier in the day washed over her with regret.
Regardless of the Anderson Group’s pending bankruptcy, Theodore remained a formidable adversary.
Brielle reached for Reilly’s hand.
“Dear, let’s just go.
”
Yet, Reilly held his ground, his glare fixed on Theodore.
He chided Brielle in hushed tones, “Leave now, and it’s a blow to my pride!
In his view, retreat would only stain his honor.
The once-feared Anderson Group was now teetering on the brink of insolvency, and with it, the dread Theodore had once instilled evaporated.
Brushing off Brielle, he posed as a sage, addressing Theodore with a self-assured air, “Do you even know who you’re talking to? I am Reilly Holmes, proprietor of Star Club.
I preside over an empire of more than a dozen establishments.
” Taking a moment to assess Theodore, Reilly scoffed, “The Anderson Group, as you know, is on its last legs.
If you were to prostrate yourself before me at this moment, perhaps I might extend my grace to help you.
After all, I could find a position for you once you’re ousted from your job.
”
With a smile playing on his lips, Theodore echoed, “Reilly Holmes, owner of Star Club.
I won’t forget you.
”
Reilly, basking in self-satisfaction, anticipated Theodore’s capitulation.
His intent was to propose a trade-off—Theodore’s woman in exchange for his help.
Yet, before he could put forth his condition, Theodore whisked Ariana away, not even sparing a backward glance.
A surge of fury washed over Reilly as he grasped the implication Theodore’s blatant disrespect incensed him.
He yearned to put Theodore in his place, but his stride was halted by a near collision with a wire pole, causing him to stagger.
Brielle tentatively approached to offer her support, only to be rebuffed by a livid Reilly.
He bellowed at Brielle, “Worthless woman, you are of no use!”
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Brielle swallowed his harsh words, knowing well she was a mere outlet for his wrath.
Nonetheless, she had to pacify him.
After the fallout with Jasper, she had lost all her resources and endorsements.
The prospects of her movie getting aired were dicey at best.
Hence, she needed to leverage Reilly’s clout in the entertainment sector to safeguard her interests.
Her fists clenched with resolve.
She was set on overcoming Ariana and ascending the ladder of success, whatever the cost.
Reilly, mollified by Brielle’s soothing words, leered at her, “Your sister is far more enticing than you are.
”
His hand slid over her chest, his mind lingering on the image of Ariana’s radiant face.
Brielle fought off the repulsion that Reilly’s lecherous smile elicited.
Maintaining her composure and her plastered smile was a feat, but she took solace in the fact that at least he was wealthy.
Theodore, on the other hand, was nothing more than a handsome face.
His value would plummet with the downfall of the Anderson Group.
She reassured herself that she would still be in a better position than Ariana.