Intolerable
Arielle cast a sideways glance at him. How dare this jerk of a man take the opportunity to sneak
downstairs while I was asleep?
If she had not been alert enough to realize Vinson’s absence when she turned and discovered the
exchange between him and Rayson, she would never have found out about the things Penelope had
been doing behind her back.
“You are one to say. Did we not agree to avoid keeping things from each other? In the end, you still
came to look for her without my knowledge.”
“My bad. I should have informed you about it.” Vinson chuckled sheepishly.
When Penelope saw the affection shared between the pair, tears of anguish pattered off her cheeks.
It never occurred to her that she was but a mere pawn and that Vinson had no interest in her
whatsoever. The bond between Arielle and him was apparently so strong that no one could ever come
between them.
Currently, she was well and truly filled with contrite. How could I have been so full of myself, thinking
that I would be able to steal Vinson’s heart and become his woman?
Had she known her own place and refrained from indulging in such deviousness, she might have, as
Arielle said, walked away with a plump reward when it was all said and done.
But now, it was too late for that.
“I’ve erred, Mrs. Nightshire, and I understand that now. I shouldn’t have posted that on the internet and
tried to seduce Mr. Nightshire. Would you let me off, seeing as I haven’t caused you any harm?”
Penelope got onto her knees and begged Arielle for forgiveness.
Signaling her disapproval, Arielle went on to address Penelope in a low voice, “I can forgive you for
attempting to seduce Vinson because no woman would be able to resist him. However, I’m unable to
do the same for the post that you’ve made. Are you aware of the consequences that post might have
brought about had Rayson not discovered it?”
Penelope shook her head as she had not given it much thought. All she wanted was for Arielle to see
the post and be upset enough to leave this place so that she herself might have a chance to be with
Vinson.
“Take her away,” said Arielle to Sasha, who was standing by the door.
Penelope looked in the direction where Arielle projected her voice until she saw Sasha outside. She
could tell at one glance that this woman was a ruthless character, and her own fate would be ominous
should she wind up in the latter’s hands.
The very thought of that drove her to tears while she made her way across the floor toward Arielle and
Vinson on her hands and knees. “I’m sorry, Mr. Nightshire and Mrs. Nightshire. I recognize now that
I’ve made a terrible mistake. Please let me off. I swear that I’d never do it again.”
Even as she looked upon the bawling Penelope, Arielle remained unmoved and motioned for Sasha to
have her removed, regardless.
It was not because she was a cold and callous person who would not show mercy to one who had not
done her any actual harm. Were that post to go undiscovered and be allowed to fester, it could bring
about a multitude of unforeseeable repercussions for Vinson and myself.
As the CEO of Nightshire Group, Vinson’s public image was of vital importance to the company.
Should he become saddled with the image of a Casanova, it would not bode well for the company as
their partners might start calling his integrity as a person into question. That could very well snowball
into a series of incalculable ramifications.
More importantly, had Rayson not discovered this post, a furor on the internet would surely ensue once
more.
Arielle herself did not mind enduring chastisement because it did not bother her, but she would not
allow the same for Vinson.
He was the closest and dearest person to her in this world, and in her esteem, was untouchable. Thus,
she would not tolerate anyone turning him into the subject of mockery and derision.
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