Chapter 16
I grew sullen at the mention of my brother. “He’s incredible. Jonathan’s been the York family’s pride and joy ever since he was a child-”
Teri rudely interrupted me, “What about Elijah? Do you find him incredible?”
The mention of Elijah made my entire body tense with discomfort. “Can we please not talk about him?”
Teri’s tone eased up as she said, “Fine. Let’s talk about Jonathan first.
“He’s also considered nouveau riche and a renowned figure in Halton City. Meanwhile, Elijah is merely an up–and–comer beneath him. Yet, even the two men combined aren’t enough to reach Logan’s level of power.”
My brows furrowed. “Are you exaggerating? Jonathan’s exceptional! He can’t possibly be inferior to Logan.
Teri scoffed. “I never said that Jonathan’s inferior. However, your family’s foundations don’t run as deep as the Wood family’s. You can search it up if you don’t believe me.”
I was speechless. Of course I knew my family’s history and influence didn’t run as deep as the Wood family’s.
Teri scoffed again. “Oh, forget it. Your lovesick brain only has eyes for Elijah, so you don’t even notice other men. Fortunately, the water in your brain has mostly drained. Now that Logan’s willing to help you, I believe your luck will soon change.”
She let out a cheeky laugh before adding, “It would also benefit me significantly if you succeed in ditching that jerkwad, Elijah the boot, and become something more than friends with Mr. Wood.”
The tips of my ears heated up as I shattered Teri’s hopes. “Quit thinking about such things! Logan’s only helping me because of my brother. He has no other motives.”
Teri watched to say something more, but someone knocked on my door just then, so I hurriedly hung up the phone.
I opened the door to see Ruby. She stood outside my room with a scowl and spoke in a straightforward manner, “Leave, Ariana. You’re not welcomed here.”
My temples throbbed as I felt the onset of a headache. With a sigh, I responded, “I don’t know you, Ms. Quare. Must you target me like this?”
Ruby shot me an odd look before sarcastically sneering, “I know you don’t know me, Ariana. But you know Jocelyn, don’t you?”
Jocelyn, again?
I eyed Ruby from head to toe and asked, “Is Jocelyn taking the same major as you?”
Ruby puffed her chest in pride. “Jocelyn’s my fellow senior. She’s gifted and is my teacher’s favorite student. You want to know why I hate you, huh? It’s because we all know about what you did to her!”
At that moment, an inexplicable, fiery rage spread within my chest.
Although I’d lost seven years of memories and didn’t know what I had done to Jocelyn that was so awful, it still frustrated me to be yelled at and insulted no matter where I went.
My voice turned frosty as I stated, “What happened between me and Jocelyn is between me and her. What does it have to do with you, Ms. Quare? Who are you to Jocelyn, and what gives you the right to
defend her?”
Ruby never imagined that I would fight back, so she raised her voice. “This is the Wood residence, Ariana. And I’m asking you to get lost now! Do you hear me?”
That only angered me more. I snorted and said, “Yeah, this is the Wood residence–but you’re not a member of the Wood family. So, what right do you have to kick me out? Even if I’m not welcomed here. Logan should be the one asking me to leave. What makes you think you can order me to do so?”
Ruby’s nose scrunched up as she flashed me a taunting smirk. “Logan? Ariana, I knew you were shameless, but I’d never imagined you’d be this shameless. Do you seriously think you can address my cousin by his name? Are you even worthy of doing so?
“I doubt you two have a close relationship when Logan has only been back in the country for less than three months. Plus, it’s your first time meeting him.”
I was annoyed now. I’d initially wanted to explain things, but Ruby was being unreasonable.
She continued to mock me, saying, “You stooped so low as to be a mistress when you were in university. You knew Elijah and Josie were dating, so you broke them up! And now that Elijah doesn’t want you anymore, you’ve decided to go after my cousin!
“Are you unable to live without a man, Ariana? Or are you naturally such a despicable bitch who insists on latching onto men? Ruby hurled all the insults I could imagine at me.