Chapter 10
Celeste Laurent was outraged.
She sat in the dimly lighted lounge of her penthouse, fingers clenched tightly around the stem of her wine glass, the liquid within sloshing perilously close to the brink. The news played on the enormous flat screen in front of her, and every passing second just increased her wrath.
“Breaking News: Isabella Marsden, the wife of billionaire Adrian Marsden—previously presumed dead–has resurfaced under a new identity. Reports confirm that she is now identified as Aria Laurent, the CEO of Laurent Global Investments. Her latest commercial collaboration with Carter Industries has sent shockwaves through the financial world.”
Celeste’s grip tightened, her claws digging into her hand.
There she was, Isabella, alive and thriving.
Celeste had spent months ensuring Adrian had no one except her. She had reassured him, whispered in his ear that she was the only one who understood him.
And yet, even with Isabella gone, he never saw her.
And now?
Now he will never look at her again.
Celeste’s eyes darkened. She had waited too long for this.
If Isabella thought she could come back and retake everything–she was incorrect.
Celeste groped for her phone, her pulse steady despite the fury gathering inside her.
She had one final move to play.
And she would make sure the entire world saw it.
The next morning, everything detonated.
Headlines splattered over every major news station, social media platforms inundated with stories, comments, and the revelation that no one saw coming,
“Isabella Marsden IS ALIVE–And She’s Taken Over the Industry!”
“Billionaire’s Wife Faked Her Death? The Truth Behind Aria Laurent!”
“Adrian Marsden’s Ghost Returns–What Happens Now?”
Aria sat in her office, her expression deadpan as she browsed through the endless deluge of headlines, her name now dominating every discourse.
She had expected this.
It was only a matter of time before someone brought her history into the light.
But she had underestimated Celeste.
Aria’s lips pinched into a narrow line.
The leak hadn’t only exposed her new identity. It had described everything–her abduction, her return, even suggestions of her alliance with Liam Carter being a premeditated maneuver against Adrian.
Someone had organized this carefully.
And there was only one person desperate enough to do it.
A knock sounded at her office door before it swung open.
Liam strolled in, a phone in his hand, his countenance unreadable,
“You’ve seen it,” he said simply.
Aria nodded. “Celeste.”
He smirked “She plays dirty, I’ll give her that,”
She sighed softly, setting her phone down. “And now Adrian knows.”
Liam examined her, leaning against her desk. “How do you feel?”
Aria tilted her head slightly. “Like I should have burned her life to the ground when I had the chance.”
Liam chuckled “Now that’s the spirit.”
She shook her head, her mind already racing ahead. “This changes nothing. We proceed forward as planned”
He gave her a knowing glance. “You do realize Adrian isn’t going to sit quietly after this?”
Aria’s fingers tapped against the desk. “I never expected him to ”
Liam sighed, pushing off the desk. “Then I suppose I’ll go prepare for the inevitable.”
She lifted a brow “Which is?”
He smirked “Your bashand showing up and making an idiot of himself”
Aria rolled her eyes, but deep down, she knew Liam was cuttect
And she was ready.
Adsat in the backseat of his cat, his hands clenched into fists, his jaw hard as he read the newest news.
The words repeated in his thoughts, again and swer,
If has been me thang to see her at the eveul, to watch her go away.
But this? Tires was prutdic This was intentional
Shaded back and assured the wide world knew she had erased
His grasp oni tos phase dersified He had catied her Twice
She dida i answer, he called again
Viscerall
Chapter 10
His frustration rose. He wasn’t simply losing her- he had already lost her.
But not yet. Not entirely. He needed to see her. Now,
“Drive to Laurent Global,” he ordered.
The driver paused. “Sir, I don’t think-”
“Now.”
The car drove away from the curb, cutting through the downtown traffic, heading straight for the one person Adrian could no longer afford to lose.
When Adrian stormed into Laurent Global’s lobby, the receptionist hardly had time to respond.
“Mr. Marsden-!”
“Where is she?” he asked, his eyes flaring.
Before the woman could react, a familiar voice pierced through the tension.
“You just don’t know when to stop, do you?”
Adrian whirled swiftly, his breath catching for only a fraction of a second.
Aria stood at the top of the sleek glass staircase, studying him with unreadable eyes.
Gone was the softness, the warmth that once made her his.
Now, she seemed untouchable.
Unfazed.
Like she had never belonged to him at all.
She down the stairs carefully, her motions methodical, her heels clicking against the marble floor.
“To what do I owe the pleasure, Mr. Marsden?” she asked coolly.
Adrian’s jaw clenched. “You know why I’m here.”
Her lips curved slightly. “Do I?”
He exhaled sharply, raking a hand through his hair. “You should have told me.”
She arched a brow. “Told you what? That I wasn’t dead?”
His eyes clouded. “Yes.”
A faint chuckle escaped her lips. “Why? So you could convince me to come back?”
Adrian came closer, his voice lowering. “Because I deserved to know.”
Something flared in her expression for half a second, but it was gone before he could place it.
She tilted her head. “Deserved?”
He swallowed. “You were my wife, Bella.”
Aria inhaled slowly, going even closer. “And yet you never acted like I was.”
Silence. Heavy. Unforgiving.
Adrian breathed, his voice quieter this time. “I don’t expect forgiveness. But I need you to understand–I never stopped seeking for you.” Aria examined him for a long period, then grinned.
Not warmly. Not gently.
But like a lady who has already won.
She leaned in slightly, her voice barely above a whisper.
“I was never yours to find.”
Before Adrian could react, another voice sliced through the air.
“Is there a problem here?”
Adrian turned, his muscles tensing instantly.
Liam Carter stood a few feet away, his hands in his pockets, his countenance unreadable–but his presence clear.
Aria smirked. “Perfect timing.”
Liam’s gaze glanced between the two of them before focusing on Adrian. “I think you’ve overstayed your welcome, Marsden.” Adrian’s fists clenched. “This isn’t your concern, Carter.”
