Reborn To Ruin Her Rivals - Chapter 70: Chapter 70

Meredith could hardly wait to see Arielle running naked in front of everyone.
She thought, 'What I really want is to see Arielle utterly humiliated in front of the whole school, so she'll never be able to hold her head up again. That way, she'd be forced to leave Theoria City. And when the time comes, if I keep pushing her, who knows, maybe she'll even do something desperate.
'If she really dares to run naked, my parents will never let her set foot in the Bradford family again. Dad cares so much about his reputation. There's no way he'd ever tolerate a daughter who disgraces herself like that.'
Meredith's eyes gleamed with smug satisfaction as she grew more excited by the thought.
Suddenly, she remembered how Arielle had beaten Georgie, and a wave of unease crept in.
She wondered, 'Why is she so calm? Could she have some trick up her sleeve?
'Her eyes just now were so steady, completely unwavering.
'She didn't look the least bit flustered or cornered by us.
'Could someone that composed really be foolish enough to fall into our trap?
'But then again, her score was 150.'
"Why would my sister agree to this bet when she knows perfectly well how poor her grades are?" Meredith sighed, her delicate brows knitting in what appeared to be sisterly concern.
Meredith thought smugly, 'She's just too prideful for her own good. Couldn't even save face after what we said. Someone that arrogant would snap. People do all sorts of reckless things when they're acting on impulse."
Two days later.
After school, Arielle went to Bygones Club to check on Cassandra, wondering how she was adjusting to her new job.
She was now treated like a VIP here. Vanna had specifically told her staff that Arielle was like her own sister.
To them, Arielle was essentially the second boss of the Bygones Club.
Arielle followed the server to the bar, where Cassandra was diligently learning from the head bartender.
When Arielle arrived, Cassandra mixed her a fruit cocktail and firmly insisted, "This is all you're having tonight, no other drinks."
"How's it going? Settling in okay?" Arielle swirled her cocktail glass leisurely, looking completely at ease.
Cassandra now had a healthy glow about her, a far cry from her previous timid demeanor.
She said, "I'm really settling in. Don't worry about me, just focus on your studies. When I get my paycheck, I'll take you out for a big treat!"
"Sure! I'll be waiting for your payday then," Arielle said.
"Alright," Cassandra said warmly, "Phil talks about you every day. He's really happy at school, and he just can't wait to see you on the weekend."
While talking, Cassandra's hands remained busy behind the bar, skillfully preparing drinks without missing a beat.
Vanna brought Cassandra into the Bygones Club and instructed the staff to look after her.
Everyone assumed she was related to the boss, so they treated her with utmost respect.
With so many colleagues taking care of her, she not only felt welcome but also learned a lot from the head bartender every day.
Her life now was wonderfully fulfilling.
She was also very happy, no more days of walking on eggshells or living in constant fear.
Since starting her job, her whole personality had blossomed. She'd become so much more outgoing and confident.
"Tell him I'll visit this weekend..." Arielle said.
She almost blurted out that she'd take them for steak, but caught herself, considering her current predicament.
'Now's not the right time to take them out. If someone with ill intent saw us... I can't afford to show any weakness,' she thought.
With that thought, Arielle glanced around cautiously and said, "It's getting late. I should head back now."
Cassandra didn't think much of it and urged her, "Hurry home. You have school tomorrow. You're in your growing years, so you shouldn't stay up late."
Leaving the neon-lit, bustling district behind, she declined an escort.
She wanted to walk these streets, so familiar, yet somehow strange to her now.
Arielle thought, 'Tomorrow's the day Georgie has to fulfill the bet. Word is, he's already clashed with Gavin.'
As for what the conflict was about, she could easily guess.
She thought, 'It must be that piece of land in the Golden District. Gavin regrets the deal, but who is Georgie? There's no way he'd let Gavin take that land back.'
The streets were quiet, and the gentle April night breeze brushed against her face, soft and soothing.
Arielle remembered a little alley up ahead where they served nice food. 'I could really go for some food right now,' she thought, and her feet seemed to grow wings as she hurried eagerly toward the narrow lane.
Stepping out of the alley and onto the street, everything looked just as she remembered.
As she looked, something felt off.
Several men in black suits stood at the entrance. 'Did they change the staff's uniform style or something?' Arielle wondered.
Mulling it over, Arielle took a few quick steps to the shop entrance.
Several imposing bodyguards in black suits stood guard at the entrance, their dark sunglasses and rigid posture making them look utterly unapproachable.
Inside the shop, a young man sat quietly enjoying his meal, with the owner standing attentively behind him.
Arielle immediately recognized the man, it was Lucas Walter.
She'd seen him before during that high-stakes game at Cloud Nine.
'But why would someone like Lucas eat at a place like this?' Arielle wondered.
It looked like he'd reserved the whole restaurant.
Arielle felt a pang of disappointment at missing out on the food. 'Guess I'll have to come back another time,' she thought.
Lucas glanced up just as Arielle was turning to leave, and instantly spotted her.
Startled, Lucas quickly set down his fork and called out to her, "Wait!"
Arielle turned back at the inexplicable remark, only to see Lucas already striding out from inside the restaurant.
"Hey, what a coincidence! Are you here for dinner?" Lucas greeted her in a friendly, familiar tone. Ever since he'd witnessed her poker prowess at Cloud Nine, he'd been eager to get to know her.
But after that night, she never showed up at Cloud Nine again.
He'd seen her in viral clips online too, one where she got into a fight at school, another where she dominated a high-stakes poker game at Cloud Nine.
Each incident was more astonishing than the last. 'A woman like her is truly one in a million,' Lucas thought, unable to hide his amazement.
He wanted to get to know her, but showing up at her school unannounced would have seemed too abrupt.
So he considered using his business with the Bradford family as an excuse to meet her.
To his surprise, he actually ran into her here tonight.
He thought, 'Talk about serendipity, fate really does work in mysterious ways.'
Arielle was certain she'd never had any interaction with Lucas.
At Cloud Nine, she'd only glimpsed him gambling on stage, they'd never actually met.
"Do I know you?" Arielle asked coolly.
"Cloud Nine." With just those two words, it was clear Lucas had seen her from the audience that night.
Arielle regarded him coolly. "What do you want?" she asked. Though they'd met at Cloud Nine, they were practically strangers.
Lucas didn't expect her to be such an aloof beauty.
'Perfect,' he thought.
"I truly admire your poker skills," Lucas said, "Allow me to properly introduce myself, I'm Lucas Walter. It's nice to see you again. I hope we can be friends."
Lucas offered his hand like a gentleman.
As Arielle sized him up, Lucas was also sizing her up.
Lucas wondered, utterly captivated yet perplexed, 'What kind of girl is this?
'I've had my hand out forever, and she doesn't even bat an eye. Seriously?
'No way!
'I'm not exactly bad-looking.
'Six-foot-three, six-pack abs, handsome, and loaded.
'Plenty of noble women would kill to marry me.
'So why does she treat me like some desperate creep?
'She is the picture of icy elegance, her face breathtakingly beautiful, her demeanor ethereal, and those striking eyes radiating nothing but "stay away."
'I'm being this forward, and she's still completely unfazed?
'Could it be those imposing bodyguards at the door that intimidated her?
'Yes. That must be it.'
The next moment, with a single glance from him, the bodyguards at the door discreetly retreated several feet.
"Sorry if I scared you," Lucas said with an awkward, apologetic smile as he withdrew his hand.